I've got FSX -- still in the box, but need a computer. I'm a pilot and I want to practice IFR approaches as my primary interest. I will want to add some instruments such as an Aspen PFD 1000. Maybe 2 or 3 monitors. I want to spend about 1400-2000 tops for a solid performer, but it doesn't have to be a screamer. . I've looked at Dell, Ibuypower, cyberpowerpc, SYG, but now understand I don't know what I'm doing. I'm not going to build this myself, except possibly on a website. Please help with your detailed suggestions for video cards (single or crossfire ---ATI vs Nvidia) CPU, ram, HDD or SDD, and other items which you would suggest. I'm new here, but excited to get going on this. If you want to send me specs from one of the online sites --- I'll probably go and build and buy it!! Just trying to not make any dumb mistakes or buy junk. Many thanks!! John

Well, I'd recommend building yourself. You can fly a plane, you can build a computer ;)But if you absolutely do not have the time or (sometimes patience), Jetline would be a decent start:http://www.jetlinesystems.com/products.htmlIMHO they are overpriced, but so is Alienware, Dell etc.Pretty much any online PC config store will be.Anyway, here's some parts that you want:Intel i7 930 or 950 (overclocked to 4+ GHz, doable if the build is DIY, much harder if purchased online)A quality aftermarket cooler, like the Noctua DH14 or Corsair H50/H70http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018 (this thing is huge... the corsair units are smaller... you'll want a large case if you get a noctua)X58-based motherboard, Gigabye, Asus, quality brands, example:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128423&cm_re=ud3r-_-13-128-423-_-Productnvidia GTX460/470/570/580 (GTX 570's just came out I'd go with one of those personally, don't do SLI, it's overkill for FSX)6GB triple channel RAM, something low latency, such as this Mushkin kit:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226175Large storage HDD, 1TB would be fine. A faster drive for FSX (300GB velociraptor or 120GB SSD at the smallest). Some users also have a smaller SSD or raptor for the operating system by itself.Quality power supply (at least 700W), like this:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171057And the peripherals... etc etc Win7 x64 or some x64 based OS.

Ryan,Thanks for the quick reply. Do you think I can put all those components together into a PC for under 2000? If I'm not a DIY, which PC companies do you recommend I check for pricing?

Yes, you can do all that for under 2 grand...Online sites... not exactly sure other than Jetline

Nothing quite does it like a do it yourself. Even if you go to a store and give them a list of exactly what you want they'll still want to add input and you don't know how it was assembled so troubleshooting is a bit harder. Either way don't buy from a major PC company like Dell or you'll get one of their PC's with some subpar components. For instance this is a breakdown of Dell's XPS 9100 for ~$1000CPU: All options are i7's ranging from the 930 to the 980X but their clock speed is locked so the most you'll get is 3.33ghz and it comes with a stock cooler. FSX likes speeds closer to 4ghzRAM: Generic brand that comes from companies like Samsung not companies that specialise in RAM like Mushkin or CorsairHDD: Up to 2TB but it's 7200RPM and again generic brand so it won't perform as well as a nice Veloci or SSDGPU: Options ranging from a 5770 to a 5970 (a dual GPU card, useless in FSX) or nVidia options are the G310 which comes in at a whopping 8.0gb/sThe Alienware Area-51 ALX comes in at around $4000 withCPU: The same lineup of i7's but now you can buy a 980X pre-clocked at 4ghz. You can do that for freeRAM: Same as aboveHDD: A 7200RPM, 10000RPM, and an SSD all generic brandGPU: Better options with the 5870, 5970 (second GPU=useless), and 480GTX which would be the winner hereSo that's Dell, other manufacturers are better but nothing is like doing it yourself.