Building A New System...Many Questions.

[Triple_7]

Within a few days the case, 2 120mm fans, and the 160GB HD will be ordered.  The questions begin from there.

Goal...to eventually end up with a computer that can run FS2004 completely maxed out with tons of add-ons and plenty of AI...all the while getting at min 20-25 FPS on the ground at busy airports such as LAX.  But for now will be running FS2002, also will be using the old graphics card, old power supply (which should be plenty even when system is fully finished) probably be using the old RAM for a couple of weeks.  Main thing right now is to get the motherboard and processor, also an operating system :-/

1. Processor...What is reasonably inexpensive but fast and powerfull.  Also whats better for gaming AMD or Intel, what socket type.  Want to keep the processor under $200 at the most $250.  Also will need a good quality heatsink to go with it, not going to have another meltdown.

2. Motherboard...Once the processor is chosen then will need a motherboard with plenty of room for future expansions.  But see questions 3-5 for more information to narrow it down.

3. Graphics...not important at the moment but will be in a few months and needs to be figured before the motherboard.  Whats better PCI Express of AGP.  When the time comes I will be investing in a DX10 card.  I want a graphics card that will blow FS2004 away, but also usable in future upgrades.

4. RAM...DDR I'm guessing is the better choice...But with all the choices what is the better but affordable and also compatible with most motherboards.  Dual channel, PCxxxx, when it comes to RAM I'm lost.  Would like to find a motherboard that in the end can at least fit 2 to 3 GB in.  Also...Say my motherboard can run up to PC8500 RAM chips...would my old PC1300 sticks still be usable till I can save up for some better quality chips.  I want to run it soon but wont have the money to invest in all this kind of stuff at once.

5. Cooling...I know this is important, so whats the best way to keep the system happy without shelling out hundreds.  And no I'm not messing with liquid cooling.  The case I am getting has 2 spots for 120mm fans, but I know when completed its going to need a lot more then that.  Anything in particular work well...like ram coolers, HD coolers, etc.  Most of the fans should be able to connect to my power supply and not the motherboard.

6. Anything else...CD/DVD-ROM is taken care of, operating system will be XP.  Cables I think I have narrowed down, avoiding the ribbons and going with round.  Probably will come up with more as it comes together.

Most of my parts will be coming from www.tigerdirect.com  To look at the case search for ULT31824.

As for now its time to get some sleep, will be ordering the case, fans, and hardrive sometime late this week.  Eventually will be looking into a new flat screen monitor but that will be a little while, this old one is pathetic  

[Keep It Simple]

I just put together a Core duo (6600) sys for about $500US consiting of the CPU, 2gigs DDR2 RAM and an ASUS P5B Deluxe MOBO.
I added an ATI x1800 XT

[trojan rabbit]

[quote]

[DizZa]

I would get the following:

Core 2 duo E6600 or E6700
Gigabyte P35 motherboard
Corsair or OCZ 2x1gb Dual Channel DDR2-800
Radeon HD 2900XT or 8800GTS 640mb
PC Power and cooling turbocool.

[Brett_Henderson]

Right now, a Athlon64-4000sd/Gf7900 computer (that will take anything that FS9 can throw at it, and then some) can be built for under $500, board/CPU/RAM/V-card and all ..  

But since you'll probably be running this computer for a year or two, you don't want too be locked into a single-core processor.  The Intel E6600 is down near $200 and the E6700 is down near $300 and they'll both be cheaper in a few months

[GunnerMan]

Well right now the best gaming cpu is Intels offerings. Now if you are in a budget pinch I would say go with AMD, because they are underperforming a bit so AMD has them very well priced, and they overclock great. Not a good route but you could buy an Skt 939 AMD Opteron 165 1.8Ghz for just under 100 and in many cases OC it to 3 Ghz. But don't do that, I need to say go with Intels offerings they are a bit more cash but better right now.
       Right now I am kind of disapointed with current hardware offerings on both fronts as to why I have not bought a new CPU of current gen lately. I hoped AMDs K10h cpus would be a good chip but im getting mixed feelings with them right now, reports of mass partys of success in AMD press rooms but they are so hush hush and what we have seen hasent been very good...
 

[Triple_7]

Ok...Computer parts mostly narrowed down...or at least the ones that will get me running till I can afford more.  Everything will be coming from www.tigerdirect.com

To take a look search out these part numbers and add to a cart.

ULT31824...Case
S35-1090...Case Fans 120mm x2
THD-1600JB...160 GB Hardrive
CP2-DUO-E6600...Processor
T925-2034...Heatsink
G452-2560...Motherboard
ULT31908...2 GB Dual Channel PC6400 DDR2 800MHz RAM

Cables will be figured once I get a look at the case and figure up how long they will need to be.  Everything will be ordered in stages as money and my credit card payments fall into place.  First order will be as early as tomorrow.  It will include the case, fans, and hardrive.  Order 2 will be a couple weeks later...It will include the RAM, motherboard, and heatsink.  Then lastly will be order 3...Processor, cables, and any other misc that will be needed for completion.  As for operating system...will be XP Home.  Will not order it though...I can get it cheaper at a nearby Staples.  

Approximate time frame is about 2 months till I can get everything here, put together, and hit that power button for the first time.  Will be pushing for no more then 3 months.  Mostly will depend on how fast my credit card payments make it through their system and if they up my limit this month like they are supposed to.

Order 4 will probably be around Christmas time.  It will hopefully be a powerful DX10 graphics card (something I am willing to spend the money on when the time comes and if its there, would love a 768mb ) and defiantly a much higher power supply.  Right now the one that will be used is a fairly new 430W Thermaltake.  Will probably need a bit more power by then to run everything.  Then will find me a new copy of FS9 and hopefully be blown away by maxed graphics, all the add-ons, and most of all...SMOOTH FRAME RATES

Thanks for all the info...seems like a decent deal that will get me back to the skies in a whole new world.  Even with the current graphics card I should at last be able to run my FS2002 at max and get smoothness 8-)

Since things will be ordered in stages feel free to chime in with anymore advise

[rootbeer]

I have three spare copies of FS2004, all still in the shrinkwrap. I will not sell them for any less than I paid for them: twenty bucks, plus about $1.50 tax. That's my final offer...

I also have a used and serviceable ATI Radeon X700 Pro video card in the PCI-e interface to give away. Interested? It would do nicely until Santa brings you the new DX-10 card around Christmas. I used it with FS2004 at pretty high settings and it did just fine. It should be near stellar with FS2002...

I'd opine that you should get a bigger hard drive. They are getting cheaper by the day. Go big now and you won't have to buy another one for a long while. I just upgraded from a 160Gb to a 320 myself...

[ATI_7500]

Triple_7, with a Core2Duo system, you can take the jump from FS8 to FSX directly. No need for FS9 then.

[rootbeer]

"...back to the skies..." Are you retired, Trip?

[Triple_7]

Triple_7, with a Core2Duo system, you can take the jump from FS8 to FSX directly. No need for FS9 then.

Its tempting...but why plan for FSX that has a good chance of not being maxed out.  With FS9 I should be able to blow it away.  And I like a lot of add-ons that are currently available like FSpassengers, scenery etc.  I know more about the FS9 setup as well, I am already compiling an AI database for use.  I plan to have every major airline eventually in full service.  Basically...FS9 will more then suit my needs and then some.  Really looking forward to the day when I can fly from a busy Taipei and pull the Stadium Visual approach into LAX's 24L after the long 14 hour tras-pacific flight.  All the while arriving into a packed LAX and still keep 20+ FPS 8-)  

"...back to the skies..." Are you retired, Trip?

Leave of absence is more like it...stuck at London Heathrow.  This is the whole reason behind the new system...my old one had a meltdown a few weeks ago after the heatsink fan decided to quit while I was over the Atlantic.  So sitting here on my old 350Mghz IBM and no FS thats worth flying

I also have a used and serviceable ATI Radeon X700 Pro video card in the PCI-e interface to give away. Interested?

 
If its a freebie up for grabs and still works then I would be more then interested.  The current card that I would be using would be a just a standard PCI 256mb Nvidia.  Never could get it to shine, especially since I never had a PCI 2.0 slot.  Would defiantly work for the time being...would give a chance to save up a bit longer for the new card.

As for the FS9...would be interested but at the moment every extra dime is going to the system...will probably be Christmas before I finally upgrade to it.

Hardrive will more then suit my needs for a long time.  I was running a 37 GB for 3 years and never managed to fill it up even with FS and its 7 gigs of add-ons :-/  Other then FS and photography work I really don't use the hardrive for much.  Even pictures I get 700 MBs built up and burn to a CD.  That way the space is saved and they are always there when I need them.  160 GB should hold me over for a long time.  Just wanted that extra 100 GBs or so to be there in case I ever need them.

Within an hour stage 1 of the orders will officially be on its way.  By this time next week I should have the case, fans, and hardrive...after the 22nd my credit line should go up and stage 2 should be on its way...or at least most of it.

[Triple_7]

Well...that was officially the fastest shipment I have ever received.  Placed my order with Tiger about 6 PM last night...first package showed up on the doorstep around 2:45 PM this afternoon  I was told it would be 3 to 7 days  Everything but the case was included.  But according to their site it was shipped earlier today and should be here as early as tomorrow 8-)  I actually lucked out when ordering last night.  The price of the case had dropped $50 sometime in the 24 hours before I ordered  With that extra to spare I went ahead and included the heatsink and an inexpensive HD cooler with this order.



Next order could be as early as next week.  It will include the RAM, motherboard, and possibly the cables.  Order 3 will be a little later and will be for the processor.  Also will include anything I may have missed.

Completion date is still looking to be at least a month or two.  But looking forward to hitting that power button for the first time and hopefully watch it all come to life 8-)