It's been 4 years since I last bought a computer and I am in the market for a new one. I am obviously looking for one to handle FSX, but I am a bit confused about some of the new processors (ie..I5, I7, quadcore, etc). The one listed below says it's a quad core with a 3ghz processor. I will most likely be looking at Best Buy because they have always been good with any issues I have had. Here is the one I am thinking about:

HP - Pavilion Elite Desktop with AMD Phenom™ II Quad-Core Processor
Model: HPE-130f

AMD Phenom™ II 945 quad-core processor; 8GB DDR3 SDRAM; DL DVD±RW/CD-RW drive; LightScribe labeling; 1TB hard drive; TV tuner; built-in wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g/n); Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

This one is listed as a gaming system. I want to try to not spend a crap load of $$

Also, I need to get an idea for the graphics card.

Thanks guys

I like Vista, but we all must endure changes.

Now any ideas on a video card? I am partial to the GeForce card, but am open to any opinions.

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1. I had Vista 64 and went from 4GB to 8GB and did notice a difference. I'm not sure if there is that much a difference on vista vs win 7 (as I stayed with 8GB since), but I noticed that it was faster. I think vista may have been a bigger resource hog than 7, not too sure about that, but vista used 1.5 GB all by itself! BUSY OS. Even though there aren't any programs out there that would use all the remaining 2.5 GB, for me I just thought it would be better to have a little headroom. If that system comes with 8GB, don't change it. I would say this: don't get it specifically for that reason, but it can't hurt unless it does have a small PSU, or slow timings, or something.

2. Totally agree. That's where I got the first system from, and quickly found how little could be done with it, once I started to get into it. Your best bet is to get someone to build you one, or do it yourself! The components available to you if you assemble your own are FAR superior to the ones that an electronics store are likely to supply you with in a system they built. If you build it yourself, you'll get a better idea how to make it go zzooooomm!!!!

3. YEAH, BABY! ATi has the rockin card out right now, but beware! Nvidia is not going to take that one laying down. They are definitely working on an answer to that one right now! I'd wait a couple of months on a card to see what Nvidia puts out. Something to note, however: Hardware Tessellation is the hot new buzzword for GPU manufacturers, in that they will all be using this feature soon. This feature helps the CPU draw more triangles and make better, sharper terrain features, and all kinds of goodies. Look that one up! All versions will soon be supporting this, and it would be good to see how they compete. I like ATi, but I like a fair fight, as well. When Nvidia's new one comes out, I'll be better to see how they stack up. FSX uses DX9.0c, I think, and that won't really matter, as that is a DX11 feature. However, one can imagine that if they're going to be doing this, how fast and good could it make FSX run?

Mazza wrote on Jan 28^th, 2010 at 9:33pm:
Absolutely.  Do a little research about what works well together then buy your separate components.  I did it for just a bit over $500, actually read and followed the instructions and fired it up with no smoke.  A high quality unit that's been running perfectly ever since.

You could consider buying a custom PC made just for FSX with a bundle off scenery addons already set up for you by a company that will support it:

http://www.naturalselectionpc.com

I remember reading something saying which are the good and bad makers of PSU... I'll see if I can find it.
I would go for a modular PSU, with a high 12 volt rating, and a good efficiency rate ( like 80% ).

Tai-2 wrote on Jan 28^th, 2010 at 10:21pm:


+1