Ya, I've decided to buy a new one. I've looked around at a few at wal-mart. This one kinda stood out at me. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?...uct_id=11007926The computer I have now isn't compatible with any of the new pci-e cards and ram. Would this be a good computer to start with?

do not buy that computer. if you serious about getting a new pc then send me a pm. id say build your own. its not really hard. you dontn eed no experience, its actually very fun aswel. since you have a monitor and that sort of stuff you just need the case etc.casemotherboardhard drive (s)dvd drivegraphics cardCPUpower supplysound cardmemoryfor fs9 you dont need a good video card. a 8800 gt gts gtx would be enough.

I agree -- if you're serious about flight sim, don't buy that machine. MSFS puts stress on a machine like no other game out there and that's because it's not really a game, it's more of a simulation, and I'm pretty sure you'll be yearning for more just a few months after you buy that one.I've only been in the hobby for about 3 years now, but here's another vote for building your own computer -- I built my first this year at age 52 so I can tell you it's not as "hard" as you at first think -- but you certainly need to respect the task at hand. I didn't save any money doing it myself -- in fact, I might have actually spent a lot more than I needed to with all the hardware experimentation I did -- but now I will never buy another off the shelf gaming computer again. With my build, I got EXACTLY what I wanted and didn't have to compromise on a single component.Just make sure you buy components from a vendor who will gladly accept returns, because some things just may not work for you -- TigerDirect.com was stellar for me -- and they beat out NewEgg by a mile for me because Tiger ships VERY fast -- I always had my order within 3 days. Check out my specs in my sig below if you want -- you could probably build my computer today for less than $1,000.Good luck and, as always

I only mentioned it because I wouldn't be surprised if lots of people don't use a lot of addons. My FS9 rig is an E6750,2GB 667,8800gt. Other than some airports I created, repaints, and a few freeware planes, it is stock. I like it just fine. I am not a pilot, so my guess is that a highly detailed plane with perfect flight dynamics, would be lost on me.Same goes for my FSX rig. I have spent more money than I wish I had, trying to get good performance. Now I just want to fly.I did use TileProxy for a while. I liked it but it was a drain on the computer I had at the time.Bob

Maybe not a very realistic plane, but stuff like GEPro, or FE? Mayve ASA or REX for FS9 when it comes out? I mean, it'll make FS9 look great again.As for myself, I have lots and lots of freeware scenery, and as for planes, I try to only get the greatest of the greatest freeware planes, or they have to be aircraft I just like a lot, like the IL-96 and IL-86. For the rest, if it's a payware plane and I buy it myself (so it's not a review copy :-P), then I want to be able to do a full engine start procedure and I just like it if buttons work. I'll confess that I'm not a really avid simmer, not really wanting to do everything by the book, but I like being kept busy in the cockpit. All the more advanced FMC stuff (takeoff stuff for example. I'll do that myself, thank you) might be lost on me, but I find it great if I can program the plane and I then see the plane doing what I wanted it to do.

Maybe not a very realistic plane, but stuff like GEPro, or FE? Mayve ASA or REX for FS9 when it comes out? I mean, it'll make FS9 look great again.As for myself, I have lots and lots of freeware scenery, and as for planes, I try to only get the greatest of the greatest freeware planes, or they have to be aircraft I just like a lot, like the IL-96 and IL-86. For the rest, if it's a payware plane and I buy it myself (so it's not a review copy :-P), then I want to be able to do a full engine start procedure and I just like it if buttons work. I'll confess that I'm not a really avid simmer, not really wanting to do everything by the book, but I like being kept busy in the cockpit. All the more advanced FMC stuff (takeoff stuff for example. I'll do that myself, thank you) might be lost on me, but I find it great if I can program the plane and I then see the plane doing what I wanted it to do.

I just got this email yesterday... Probably pretty good for FS9 if you add a video card, same price as that Wal-mart box but a MUCH MUCH better system!Tiger Direct machine-Paul

I've always built my own computers (even build the boards and soldered all the bits together in the real olden days, like 30 years ago. LOL!).Just a word of caution though, especially for a beginner - these days I usually start out with a motherboard "bundle". Not all peripherals, memory etc is ideal for all motherboards, and this way the vendor has done the hard work of matching the parts and will usually give some assurance all the bits will work together. Its a bummer to spend good money to find it doesn't work out quite the way you wanted.Dave

I'm in a similar boat. I think I'd be fine with the mechanics of building a new computer, but what about the software aspect? Once it's physically built, do you just pop in the Windows CD to install that and that's it? For some reason I'm thinking the OS software install isn't that easy.

I'm in a similar boat. I think I'd be fine with the mechanics of building a new computer, but what about the software aspect? Once it's physically built, do you just pop in the Windows CD to install that and that's it? For some reason I'm thinking the OS software install isn't that easy.

HelloYes just pop in the OS cd and follow the prompts, then follow Nick Needhams guides to setting up the OS and FSXNo harder than installing FSX

I'm in a similar boat. I think I'd be fine with the mechanics of building a new computer, but what about the software aspect? Once it's physically built, do you just pop in the Windows CD to install that and that's it? For some reason I'm thinking the OS software install isn't that easy.

Please everyone, don't underestimate the act of building a PC. I noticed an earlier poster saying "you dontn eed no experience". This is not a very accurate statement. Know what you're doing before you start "Legoing" together $500-$1000+ worth of fragile, finicky, and statically prone hardware. It's not a simple act for the beginner to organize, piece together, and start (and keep running properly)a new scratch built system. Nor should it be down played to those unaware of what they're getting into. Not to mention the software aspect of the new build.Just yesterday I saw a poor ignorant guy that posted a bad review for an AMD motherboard on Newegg.com. He went on to state that the "CPU DOESN'T EVEN FIT!!!" The cpu was a Q9650. The motherboard was around $120, and the processor around $350... If you don't get this anecdote, DO NOT build your own PC. Psolk (Paul) pointed out a very FS9 capable machine (save for the onboard graphics). Go that route...