Hey all,
First off I just want to say how much I love everything Captain Sim does. Second I want to tell you guys about myself briefly, I am currently studying Aviation with hope of becoming an Airline pilot. Needless to say, I am a Flightsim Junkie!! Currently I play FSX on my HP HDX 16T laptop using REX, ORBX, Captainsim, etc. Obviously this isnt the best computer but it does the job. This leads me to my question. What I would like to do is order a new computer, a desktop this time, that will blow FSX out of the water! Im looking to not spend to much more then $2,000 and I have been really interested in the systems on CyberPowerPC.com but I am open to just about anything. However, I have no idea what I am doing when it comes to building a system cause lets face it, I am a tech tard. So I just wanted to see if you guys could possibly help me so that I can get the best bang for my buck. Like I said I would like to spend anywhere inbetween $2000 to $2500. Please Help.
Thanks a Bunch!

Somebody like Mark will probably recommend building your own computer, but personally, I would recommend either an XPS 8300 (which is what I have) or an Alienware system. Considering that you're willing to spend up to $2500, I'd recommend the Alienware, which costs $2199 for the cheapest desktop model. Now, if you want to go with an XPS 8300, look at my specs and possibly get the next processor up and go with the AMD Radeon HD 6870 instead of the 6770 (though you need to make sure your power supply is good enough). Adding a second video card would work well, too.

I only recommend building your own computer IF you know how to built one. I have been building and repairing my own systems (and for others) for more than 15 years now.
If you don't know how to build your own system, then buy something like boeing247 suggested. I don't know the prices of those systems because I never look into them. I know all about the CPU's, GPU's, RAM, MB's etc., so I build the best system I can, with the money I have available to spend on it. Also. Because I build my own systems, I can upgrade CPU, MB and RAM, while the rest of the components can be brought into the system. This greatly reduces the cost of a new computer.

I generally do this every two years, but events beyond my control (my daughters wedding, my eldest sons 21st birthday party and youngest sons 18th birthday party) may push me back a year. My wife was also supposed go to the Philippines this year to visit her family, but she couldn't go, so she will go next year. So it looks like I might have this system for 3 years instead of 2. That's life!

My suggestions are as follows:

CPU	-	i5 2500, i7 2600 or i7 2600K
RAM	-	8GB
Graphics Card	-	High end Nvidia or ATI
Operating System	-	Windows 7 64bit

Mark

Thank you for the quick responses guy's. I have definitely looked into alienware systems. I have also looked into Cyberpower PC which is just like building your own but made simple by there website. Its going to take sometime and im in no rush so keep the responses coming! ;D

considering you're a "tech tard" best option is to go for a brand pc, since all the working and testing is done for you :)

I have the same config and pc as boeing247 and its a very good allround pc with good power to run FSX. Currently on a 727 flight to EDJA and looking at my frames, its hopping around between 70 and 80 which is not bad for a hog like FSX :)
The only config diff with boeing i have is that i have the 6870 card.

my Dell desktop costed around 1400 euro, but since i have a business wise relation as well due to my job, i got a good discount :)

Edwin wrote on Dec 24^th, 2011 at 9:15am:

considering you're a "tech tard" best option is to go for a brand pc, since all the working and testing is done for you :) I have the same config and pc as boeing247 and its a very good allround pc with good power to run FSX. Currently on a 727 flight to EDJA and looking at my frames, its hopping around between 70 and 80 which is not bad for a hog like FSX :) The only config diff with boeing i have is that i have the 6870 card. my Dell desktop costed around 1400 euro, but since i have a business wise relation as well due to my job, i got a good discount :)

ttymcfly- There's not a huge difference [between the cards], but it does help, so I recommend going for Edwin's 6870 if you can. Also, Edwin recommended FSX Booster v2.0 by FSPS (though they may have an improved program now, too). It's a cheap little utility that will give you a few extra frames and better control over FSX settings.

Hey Guys,
Once again thanks for all the responses, I found this guy on Newegg last night, tell me what you think???

General Spec
Brand
CyberpowerPC
Model
Gamer Xtreme 1320LQ

Processor
Intel Core i7-2600K 3.40GHz / Turbo Boost up to 3.80GHz
Processor Main Features
64 bit Quad-Core Processor
Cache Per Processor
8MB L3 Cache
Memory
8GB (4GB x 2) DDR3 1333
Hard Drive
2TB (1 x 2TB) SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 7200RPM HDD
Optical Drive 1
Blu-Ray Player Combo Drive
Graphics
NVIDIA Geforce GTX 570 1.2GB PCI Express Graphics
Audio
Sound card - Integrated
Ethernet
Gigabit Ethernet
Power Supply
950W
Keyboard
Xtreme Gear USB Keyboard
Mouse
Xtreme Gear USB Mouse
Operating System
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Special Features
AZZA Hurricane 2000 Gaming Tower
240mm Liquid Cooling System
Motherboard
Chipset
Intel Z68
CPU
CPU Type
Intel Core i7
Installed Qty
1
CPU Speed
2600K(3.40GHz)
L3 Cache Per CPU
8MB
CPU Socket Type
LGA 1155
CPU Main Features
64 bit Quad-Core Processor
Graphics
GPU/VPU Type
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570 1.2GB
Graphics Interface
PCI Express 2.0 x16
Memory
Memory Capacity
8GB DDR3
Memory Speed
DDR3 1333
Form Factor
DIMM 240-pin
Memory Spec
4GB x 2
Memory Slot (Total)
4
Memory Slot (Available)
2
Hard Drive
HDD Capacity
2TB
HDD Interface
SATA III
HDD RPM
7200rpm
HDD Spec
1 x 2TB
Optical Drive
Optical Drive Type
BD Combo
Optical Drive Spec
Blu-Ray Player Combo Drive
Audio
Audio Chipset
Integrated
Audio Channels
7.1 channels
Communications
LAN Chipset
Integrated
LAN Speed
10/100/1000Mbps
Front Panel Ports
Front USB
2 x USB 2.0
Card Reader
12-in-1 Media Reader
Back Panel Ports
PS/2
1
Rear USB
2 x USB 3.0
4 x USB 2.0
RJ45
1 port
S/P DIF
S/PDIF Out
Expansion
PCI Slots (Available/Total)
3 x PCI Express x16
1 x PCI Express x1

That looks like it would be a great computer for FSX. I'm jealous! ;)

Mark

Sweet deal guys, thanks for the help!!! Merry Christmas!!!!!