Need help chosing new computer parts

[BK-117]

Hey there again all. The other deal I was going to do fell through. I am now looking at getting a pc made up but when iv looked I really have no idea how good all the different componets are and what the differences are. I was looking at buying off: http://www.eoneonline.co.nz/PC+Builder.html?id=GaMRdo7Y unless someone knows of a better site. I am looking at spending between $900 - $1000 and want something that will run fsx as well as I can for that price range - preferbly something that will run it well. Any help in what components is should get would be much apprichated as I really don't know. (Don't need monitor, keyboard or mouse)
Cheers
Richard

[NZ255]

Have you got Windows, you will you need to purchase it? Because just that will set you back abit.

[brownbox]

Total cost $1069.00
Intel Core 2 Duo 3ghz
Asus P5N-E SLI
2GB DDR2 800
Western Digital 160GB SATA II
Asus DRW-1814BL
Asus EN8800GS
Creative Soundblaster
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

Should make a decent computer

[BK-117]

cheers for the replys guys. brownbox thats real helpful thanks just wondering about a case and (this will make me sound like i really don't know anything) what about for networking - connecting to the net or is that on the motherboard?

[Stumpy]

I think most if not all modern motherboards have intergrated network connections. You should be sweet mate

[BK-117]

sweet cheers. the only thing im still not quite sure about is a case?

[Stumpy]

For the case make sure it is ATX (not mATX, just plain ATX, mATX is smaller than the motherboard)
You also need a power supply(PSU) I would say 550Watts is absolute minimum. And make sure it is a good brand such as thermaltake. no name brands can actually kill your hardware.

So thats is about another $200 gone. If you can extend your budget a bit then get this extra, otherwise you'll have to comprimise the rest of your machine. The soundblaster isn't absolutely nessissary so if you have to drop something then I'd say that one.

Good luck.

[BK-117]

Stumpy thanks for your help. I will make sure i get a ATX one no less than 550watts. I will try to get a thermaltake one too.

[BK-117]

hey thanks for everyones help. ended up getting:
AMD Phenom 9500 Quad Core CPU 2.2 GHz
ASUS M3A
2 GB DDR2-800 RAM
320 GB Seagate SATA2 7200rpm
Albatron 9600GT 512MB PCIE
Pioneer DVR-1150DBK DVD Writer
Thermaltake Soprano Case with 430watt PSU
It looks alright to me.

Richard

[captainherc]

Hi all.
I too am thinking of getting a dedicated SIm computer. At mo to run FS9 and good payware addons. Hope to be able to upgrade as well to FSX in a few years. Here is what my comp guy came up with.

Inwin Tower Case with 700W PSU
AMD Quad Core Phenom 9500 CPU 2.2ghz (very fast)
Gigabyte MA770-DS3 Motherboard
3G DDR2 Ram
500G Seagate Barracuda SATA Hard Drive
Gigabyte 8800GT Graphics Card
Pioneer 18 x dvd writer (SATA)
16 in 1 card reader
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Extreme Sound Card
Microsoft XP Pro

Comments welcome.
Cheers.

[brownbox]

Stay away from Phenom. Go for either a fast Core 2 Duo, or if you can spend the extra $$$, go fro the Core 2 Quad q6600.

@BK-117
For that system, get a nice decent 600W+ PSU. I say a Enermax Liberty 620W which will set you back around $150, or a 600W Silverstone. Stay away from brands like Thermaltake, coolermaster or anything that doesnt have a brand name. For a case, I would opt for the Coolermaster CM690 (same as mine), which is a very nice cheap solid case, with plenty of ventilation, plenty of space, and pretty good looks, which will set you back approx $80-90.

[Stumpy]

Thermaltake? really? I thought they were good and well known...
Take Brownbox's advice. He'll know more than me. Not trying to confuse you

[brownbox]

Thermaltake PSUs are not absolutely horrible, infact the higher end ones are very good, but there lower end ones leave a lot to be desired. However, they still make fairly decent psus.
Heres a list I got from Flight Simulation Forums
Good:

AMS
Antec
Astec
AOpen
Channel Well
Cooler Master
E-Power
Enermax
Enlight
Fortron Source
HEC
Hi-Power
HiperPower
Jeantech
Mad Dog
NSpire
OCZ
PCMCIS
PC Power & Cooling
PowerMan
Seasonic
SilenX
Silverstone
Sparklepower
Tagan
Thermaltake
TTGI/SuperFlower
Verax
Zalman
Xclio


Bad:

Achieve
Allied
Aspire
Codegen
CoolMax
Cyberzone
DEER
Dragon
Eagle Tech
eBuyer
EYE-T
Greenline
HIPRO
Hyena
JSP-tech
KingStar
Kingwin
L&C
Linkworld
Okia
Orion
PowerMagic
PowerUp
Powmax
Q-Tec
Raidmax
Rosewill
Skyhawk
Startech
Turbolink
Ultra
Vantec
Win