Generally I follow this forum for awhile before making any sort of upgrade but in this particular instance I need to upgrade quickly, I had a power outage/ spike while performing a windows update that caused a BSOD. So seeing how I am going to need to re-install my OS I might as well upgrade. My current system is only a year old so most of it I can re-utilize. I am going to swap out my MB, Processor, RAM and add some more storage and would appreciate any comments on these components. The processor seems simple enough 2600K Sandy Bridge. The MB I am looking at is an ASUS Maximus IV Extreme-Z It’s a bit spendy but looks solid.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131760 The RAM I am considering is Muskin Enhanced Radioactive 8GB 2x4GB 240 pin DDR3 1600 I have 6GB of cas 6 Redline Series in my box now but I’m looking at this. I had excellent results with Muskin and see no need to change.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226221Looking at adding a 256GB SSD as well since my 160GB SSD was getting crowded.Components being salvaged are:Case CoolerMaster HAF932Noctua DH14 CPU Cooler40GIG Intel SSD (Operating System)160GB Intel SSD (Storage)DVD DriveX-Fi Sound CardSparkle 1250watt Modular PSUNvidia 480GTXThanks,Robert

The Maximus Extreme and the 2600k are both overkill. Even the P8Z68 Deluxe would save you $100 over the Maximus Extreme. If you have no need for hyperthreading, the i5-2500k is every bit as good as the 2600k for FSX. That's at least $200 in savings right there.As for memory, I recommend 2133 CL9.

I wouldn't recommend buying new parts or reinstalling Windows without first establishing the cause of your PC's problem. Potentially save yourself time and money by troubleshooting first. Can you tell us the stop code that you are receiving? It may shed some light on the cause of the problem.

TechguyMax,Thanks for the suggestion, actually I have already explored this option. I took my system to two shops as well as had one of the tech guys from my work look at it. There is no stop code the system bios loads and all drives etc are identified but when the Windows7 splash screen begins to load it BSOD and crashes. The consensuses has been that the boot device manager and other critical files were affected on the 40GB SSD OS. I actually thought it was going to be an easy fix but neither shop had success. Most everyone including myself feel it could be returned to pre-crash status without issue it's just when you have as many add-ons for FSX as I do a complete re-install is going to take the better part of a week, do to my work schedule. So when I decided to start the adventure the addition of some new hardware eases the arduous process that it has become.The obvious hard lesson learned is to image my system and back it up on regular intervals. :Sigh:

TechguyMax,Thanks for the suggestion, actually I have already explored this option. I took my system to two shops as well as had one of the tech guys from my work look at it. There is no stop code the system bios loads and all drives etc are identified but when the Windows7 splash screen begins to load it BSOD and crashes. The consensuses has been that the boot device manager and other critical files were affected on the 40GB SSD OS. I actually thought it was going to be an easy fix but neither shop had success. Most everyone including myself feel it could be returned to pre-crash status without issue it's just when you have as many add-ons for FSX as I do a complete re-install is going to take the better part of a week, do to my work schedule. So when I decided to start the adventure the addition of some new hardware eases the arduous process that it has become.The obvious hard lesson learned is to image my system and back it up on regular intervals. :Sigh:

A BSOD is a stop code. Did anyone who looked at the PC bother to change the startup method to actually see the stop code? Or run a hard drive test that produced a definitive result? These are the type of things I do to troubleshoot, most "techs" just guess.