Processor and Velocity Micro questions

[skysurfer2010]

Does anyone have any experience with this company? I purchased a rig from IBuyPower last December and it was a lemon! It was sent back within a month after numerous problems and left a very bad taste in my mouth for companies like this. I noticed this company is  being sold in select Circuit City and Best Buys so I'm wondering if the quality of the build is as good as other oems? The reviews I've read online for this company seem pretty good especially compared to IBuyPower's reviews.

Here is what I'm considering:

Gamers Edge 1500:
850watt Micro Velocity power supply (what brand i'm clueless)
Asus nForce 650i  (680i not available on this one)
Q6600 (the older 1066mhz, not the 1333)
2gb Corsair DDR2 800
320mb EVGA 8800 GTS superclocked
250 GB hard drive
Vista Home Premium

Plus the typical floppy and disc drives for $1875 shipped.

Should I consider the E6850 due to the higher FSB? I did a search and read that the quad core will be better for FSX, but the FSB speed can be increased with the right motherboard. However, I did more research and found out the 650i doesn't support the 1333mhz fsb. What would be the better choice of processor considering this motherboard?

I considered getting a Dell, but I don't like the proprietary crap in it. I'd like to purchase a rig that can grow with me and future flight sims! Building my own isn't an option since I don't have the time or knowledge to do it. I'd also like to stay under $2000 and get a decent rig to run FSX.

[ThatOnePerson]

Id keep searching around, possibly even look into the x38 chipset. Also, that q6600 will easily clock to a 1333FSB

Edit: Read 650i isn't compatible, in that case I would definetly find another mobo choice.

[skysurfer2010]

The difference in price is almost $200 though if I were to jump up a notch into a rig with the 680i, although it would come with a larger hard drive (320 vs 250). The bang for the buck doesn't really seem worth it to me.

How much of a difference for that $200 will I see?

[ThatOnePerson]

Are you planning on overclocking it?

[skysurfer2010]

it's not a priority.

[ThatOnePerson]

The reason I ask is, that place where your looking to buy from, seems to have a huge mark up, if your not too worried about overclocking, you obviously would want to get items with the highest speed possible in your price range. If your built that system yourself I would guesstimate it costing around $1300.

[ThatOnePerson]

 Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJB 320GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136109
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

           $74.99
     
     

EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814130071
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy

     -$20.00 Instant
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate
     $384.99
$364.99
     
     

Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC22G6400LLK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820220144
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy

     $40.00 Mail-in Rebate
     $88.99
     
     

EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813188013
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

     -$10.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
     $229.99
$219.99
     
     

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115017
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

           $284.99
     
     

Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116204
Return Policy: Software Return Policy
           $111.99
     
     

   * Antec TPQ-850 ATX12V / EPS12V 850W Power Supply - Retail
     Item #: N82E16817371009
     Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
   * Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
     Item #: N82E16811129021
     Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

     -$50.00 Instant
-$60.00 Combo
$40.00 Mail-in Rebate
     $388.99
$278.99
Subtotal:      $1,424.93

_________________________________

I just  threw that together on newegg. So basically, if you dont mind building. Youll save around 350 bucks plus get a 680i chipset, good power supply, and a 640mb card over the 320. I did neglect adding disc drives but those only add another 50 or so.

[skysurfer2010]

I'm a pilot and only home 2 days a week. I don't have the time to spend building a PC and troubleshooting. Time is money to me. If you look around, even a Dell with cheaper quality parts will cost more than $1900. The price for a built for you PC is actually extremely competitive.

[ThatOnePerson]

Well, at least where I am, theres a pc place that will build  pc's for around $75 bucks. Maybe try looking for one of those type places. Otherwise I'd still definetly continue shopping around.