Getting a new rig, suggestions on loading it

[loomex]

Well, within the next few days I will be getting a new rig. Here are the specs:
HP Pavilion Media Center m8200n Desktop PC
Base processor
Athlon 64 X2 (W) 6000+ 3.0 GHz (89W)
2000 MT/s (mega transfers/second)
Socket AM2
Chipset
GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
Memory Installed 3 GB
Maximum allowed 8 GB (4 x 2 GB) (64-bit OS)
4 GB* (4 x 1 GB) (32-bit OS)
*Actual available memory may be less
Speed supported PC2-5300 MB/sec
Type 240 pin, DDR2 SDRAM
Hard drive
500 GB SATA 3G (3.0 Gb/sec)
7200 rpm
16X DVD(+/-)R/RW 12X RAM (+/-)R DL LightScribe SATA drive
TV tuner card with FM tuner
Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium with Windows Media Center

I will also be getting a PNY - Verto GeForce 8500 GT Graphics Card with 512Mb .

From what I have read here, there and everywhere is that after I get the Internet up and running I need to install all vista updates before I put any software on it. I have FSX Deluxe and Acceleration. Any other help or advice would be useful for me. As you can tell from my sig, this will be a decent upgrade for me

[Corrupt Silence]

You are correct, do not install anything on it until you update Vista. Also update all of your drivers and DirectX. Install AVG (or your preference) anti-virus and then defrag. Then begin installing all of your outside software, then run a disk clean-up and defrag one more time. That is how I have done it anyhow.  8-)

[Wii]

8500GT no. Try the 8600GT or the HD3850. I have similar system specs.

[loomex]

From what I have read, the computer I am getting has a 300watt power supply, and the 8600gt requires a bit more juice

[Corrupt Silence]

No worries, the power supply you get with a pre-built PC will undoubtedly go bad in 6 months to a years time. Then you can buy a new Power Supply and an 8800 GT.

[Mermaid Man]

Do not buy a Alienware, they're overpriced. To the OP- that's quite a old spec machine there. You'll get faster performance with a Intel Core 2 Duo chip, with a 8800GT. A AMD 3Ghz dual core is slower than a similar priced Intel Duo chip.

8500 series of cards are lousy, basically suitable for a HTPC, not gaming.

[steve s]

Safe some headache and get rid of that Vista for the XP 64bit.

[reider]

I run a 3800+ dual core on mainly high settings, using Vista 32 bit, for me it runs better than XP and gives excellent FPS even on only a Geforce 7600GT(roughly equiv to an 8600).  I have 7 computers including a Mac running XP, OSX, Vista 32 bit, Vista 64 bit, Standard and Deluxe FSX.  I had XP 64 bit but due to the problems gaining drivers and lack of support at the time I ditched it.  I would not personally go back full time to any version of XP just for FSX, I went back for 24 hours and regretted it.  Some say its better, I found not in my case.

I agree that at the moment Intel are running the show, but the 6000 will not do you any disservice.  The current and the intended video card will, the current PSU is also a problem...300W is far too little.  I would speak to the supplier and see if some kind of compromise could be reached.  Also, shop around for the best prices and guarantees, prices are at an all time low at the moment.  But still some people try to offload inferior machines.  AKA Celeron and Sempron, cut down versions sold at the same price as full bore chips to very gullible people.

Reider

[loomex]

Well, I cant complain with what I got. The water now looks like water with reflections. Still need to do some tweaking but It is running great