Hello all, this is my first post here, but I am no noob, except when it comes to the latest technology. I built my last system 5 or so years ago, and how things have changed! I don't understand any of it anymore.I really don't intend to mess with FSX, but just in case I decide to, I'd like to know what some of you think about this system for FSX as well. But my main focus remains on FS9. This is what I have now, roughly.AMD Athlon64 2800+ @ 1.94ghz512mb PC2700 DDR RAMGeForceFX 5200 Ultra 128MB80Gig main HDD 40Gig dedicated FS9 HDD450 Watt PSUWindows XP SP2Well, my computer took a crap, actually main HDD failure, and no means of recovering my Windows installation.This is what I will be upgrading too, spending about $600 US.AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6 GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor BIOSTAR TA790GXE 128M AM2+/AM3 AMD 790 HDMI ATX AMD MotherboardPatriot Viper 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)GeForce 9800GT 512MB250GB 7200RPM HDD500 Watt PSUWindows 7 Ultimate 64bitMy old system would run FS9, medium-high settings and absolutely on clouds, at around 15-20fps.I want clouds. I'm so used to the other settings being low that I may just leave them alone, however I would like some better AA. I would also like to achieve over 25fps, all the time. I'll be doing a fresh install of FS9 and then copying about 37gigs of crap over from my old HDD so that it's just the way I want it.What do you guys think? Please remember your thoughts for FSX as well, just in case.

That's a pretty good system for FS9 with high settings, FSX would have performance issues with high settings though, unless you overclock the CPU significantly. I'd recommend putting a bit more money into a name-brand power supply as well. Off-brand or no-name PSUs are pure crap. They don't deliver the power they advertise (not even close), and they fail at a much higher rate. Spend the extra $50 or so and get a quality PSU or you'll regret it.

That's a pretty good system for FS9 with high settings, FSX would have performance issues with high settings though, unless you overclock the CPU significantly. I'd recommend putting a bit more money into a name-brand power supply as well. Off-brand or no-name PSUs are pure crap. They don't deliver the power they advertise (not even close), and they fail at a much higher rate. Spend the extra $50 or so and get a quality PSU or you'll regret it.

I read a review on the processor I'm getting, and they successfully OC'd it to 3.7ghz. Not sure I want to mess with it though. Then I'd have to get better CPU cooling.

It's not as difficult as you may think, and unlikely to cause any damage to your components. You don't *need* better cooling to overclock, that just helps push your overclock a bit further and keep temps down while doing so.

Well, scratch that whole idea all together. I've decided that I will make an investment, albeit still a relatively small one, but I've decided to go Alienware. I've chosen the basic Alienware Aura system, with a few upgrades. All in all, it's about $1600US with tax and shipping.Here's the specs.Intel

Well, scratch that whole idea all together. I've decided that I will make an investment, albeit still a relatively small one, but I've decided to go Alienware. I've chosen the basic Alienware Aura system, with a few upgrades. All in all, it's about $1600US with tax and shipping.Here's the specs.Intel

:( you could have done better for much less if you put it together. Either way, its a great system, hope you enjoy!

Not trying to flame you, but prove it. I'm not much of a deal hunter, but I couldn't do this on NewEgg or TigerDirect, that and it's an exclusive graphics card.

Not trying to flame you, but prove it.

Poor use of words, that statement would get my back up!Try saying something like "can you show me figures that would make me change my mind then" We'll give you the benefit of the doubt as you haven't posted much.

Not trying to flame you, but prove it. I'm not much of a deal hunter, but I couldn't do this on NewEgg or TigerDirect, that and it's an exclusive graphics card.

What you (and most consumers) do not understand is that video RAM has little to no impact on performance, particularly when moving from ~1GB->~2GB. Graphics card makers know this, and they make "Special Edition" products which prey on the ignorance of consumers. As for your deal, I built an i7 920 system (@ 3.6GHz) with a 4870x2 for my roommate A YEAR AGO for less than $1500. It plays every game on the market with maxed-out settings at his 24" monitor's native resolution of 1920x1200. You could build the same (or better) system now for closer to $1000. You paid a $600 premium for a useless "special edition" graphics card, a brand name, and a warranty which will be voided as soon as you overclock. Speaking of overclocking, the RAM you have is really going to limit your maximum clockspeed. DDR3 1066 is the absolute lowest-bin DDR3 and will likely prevent you from overclocking significantly. I'm not flaming you here. I say all of the above only with the intent to inform. I hope you get the enjoyment you paid for from your new PC, but if I were you, I'd return it for a full refund and get more for less by building myself.

Just to point out, you have lowered your RAM in exchange for a better video card? You are running really slow DDR3 ram with that setup, and it's dual channel not tri channel. Look at ibuypower or cyberpower. They sell custom computers cheapish. Also, you get to choose faster ram speeds. For $1600 US, you could probably get an i7 920, 6GB DDR3 1333MHz tri channel ram, a GTX275 for the same price. They also overclock the CPU either 10 or 20% for $50 for 20%. They also give you the option for coolers, and at the moment, ibuypower are giving away free liquid CPU cooling! That's a better deal in my opinion. It also includes a 3 year warranty, unlike alienware 1 year.

Chris has presented a good option for someone unwilling to build a PC. Alienware is not a brand I would ever recommend based on their outrageous pricing alone.

I used to have the old alienware area 51 ALX. it cost me $12,000 USD to buy and I regretted it almost immediately. I had sold it within 2 months. The reason I did this was because I was ignorant back then. All my mates saw alienware was THE computer to have. So I bought one. Little did I realize that I could have gotten the same computer for about $5500 less!!!! So I built my own computer with the money I had, and the majority of money I didn't use, went into other things more important.EDIT: They also sold me 2x 4870X2 black special editions "exclusive" to alienware only. They were actually just 2 4870X2 with a 20% OC. I calculated it myself.

@ppgstf, I am no noob, and am confident in my words, sorry. Been doing this since FS5. The first computer I built was 386 hertz, not even megahertz.@everbody else. I appreciate your input. I have not purchased the system yet, still waiting for tax refund. Guys, I've been looking all over NewEgg, and TigerDirect, and I just can't beat, or maybe I haven't tried.The biggest factor for me is this, and I may be paying for the name just a bit: I'm no longer comfortable building systems. I've had to take a step back, to once again becoming the prey of CPU builders I guess.I won't be overclocking this system, though contrary to what I've been told here, it does not void the warranty. Neither does opening the case. If $1600 won't get me a computer good enough to run FSX, then screw FSX and Microshaft. iBuyPower and CyberPowerPC both have terrible reviews when it comes to customer service, and everybody else is more expensive with less options. This includes, Digital Storm, Velocity Micro, Falcon Northwest, and Jetline Systems.EDIT:I just looked at NewEgg, and when I selected the Core i7-920, it came up with a huge bundle for a little over $1200, including dual ATI graphics cards. With shipping it's a little over $1300. Add to that, I have to by Windows 7, what's that, $200? So $1500, then I have to buy the joystick and game that are coming with the Alienware computer, we'll call that another $100, so $1600 and the price is the same. Whoopdeedoo, I'm very happy to be getting an Alienware.

@ppgstf, I am no noob, and am confident in my words, sorry. Been doing this since FS5. The first computer I built was 386 hertz, not even megahertz.

No consumer microprocessor has ever run at a clockspeed of 386Hz. Perhaps you mean your first CPU was a 386, likely running around 25MHz.

@everbody else. I appreciate your input. I have not purchased the system yet, still waiting for tax refund. Guys, I've been looking all over NewEgg, and TigerDirect, and I just can't beat, or maybe I haven't tried.The biggest factor for me is this, and I may be paying for the name just a bit: I'm no longer comfortable building systems. I've had to take a step back, to once again becoming the prey of CPU builders I guess.I won't be overclocking this system, though contrary to what I've been told here, it does not void the warranty. Neither does opening the case. If $1600 won't get me a computer good enough to run FSX, then screw FSX and Microshaft. iBuyPower and CyberPowerPC both have terrible reviews when it comes to customer service, and everybody else is more expensive with less options. This includes, Digital Storm, Velocity Micro, Falcon Northwest, and Jetline Systems.EDIT:I just looked at NewEgg, and when I selected the Core i7-920, it came up with a huge bundle for a little over $1200, including dual ATI graphics cards. With shipping it's a little over $1300. Add to that, I have to by Windows 7, what's that, $200? So $1500, then I have to buy the joystick and game that are coming with the Alienware computer, we'll call that another $100, so $1600 and the price is the same. Whoopdeedoo, I'm very happy to be getting an Alienware.

You're going about this the wrong way. You don't need to buy a bundle, you need to choose your components separately. Also, if you have a Micro Center nearby I'd suggest getting your CPU there, as they are usually quite a bit cheaper than Newegg. The i7 920 sells for only $199 there. Newegg still charges close to $300. A good x58 motherboard from say Gigabyte can be had for around $200. 6GB of 1600MHz DDR3 for about $150. A nice quality case + a PSU can be had for about $200. All that's left are the graphics card, cooling, drives, & O.S. Seeing as how you've spent about $750 already and still have another $750 or so left to spend, I think the rest of the build will *easily* fit within the remaining budget. If you do this, you will have better parts and the ability to actually overclock, unlike the Alienware system you mentioned.

I agree completely with the above. Your comparing an Alienware system to a home build? No offense intended here, but you are being ignorant and just wanting it for the fact it's alienware, to show off no doubt. However, you performance in FSX is definitely not going to be as good as mine, and many other users here because you are paying too much money for a computer you could build for $900. That's this alienware are worth. Whereas, for $1600 you could build a better computer and really thanks us for it in the end. You will be dissapointed with AW.