Help me build the best FSX system for around 2K, please!!!

Instead of Vista Ultimate you want Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit Saves you $80 Vista Versions compared here

The big side fan of that Thermaltake Armor+MX case won't allow you to install the larger 120mm class CPU coolers we like to recommend. How about the Antec 900 for the same price & without a rebate to file.

The PLEXTOR Blu-ray you selected is a Blu-ray ROM and DVD burner so you can easily drop the other DVD burner.

I was going back and forth on suggesting an upgrade from GTX 280 to GTX 285 = $25 difference. FSX won't really benefit from the more powerful GTX 285 but other games probably will.

Add a good CPU cooler and some Arctic Cooling MX-2 thermal compound: socket 1366 CPU coolers

The 640GB version of the Western Digital Caviar Black is slightly faster and $50 less expensive.

I'm not a fan of the keyboard/mouse combo you picked. But like cases, it's a highly personal choice. After years of Wireless KB/Mice sets I've gone back to wired sets (to avoid battery replacement costs = the KB/Mouse cost over time and be more environmentally friendly). Plus they're just better for gaming.
Logitech G15 Macro keyboard $90 plus $15 rebate and Logitech G5 Mouse $50

Are you already set for your flight controls? TrackIR? Handy utility for FSX (or any game for that matter) AlacrityPC which replaces FSAutoStart.
 

xthekidx

Splendid
Dec 24, 2008
3,871
1
22,790
The 1tb Caviar Black is actually faster by a hair, but its not significant. Platter density is 333gb vs 320 gb, which accounts for the difference between the two drives.

I would change the case as well, CM 690 is great, as is the antec 900. If you want a side window, you can get one for the 690 for less than what you are paying for that thermaltake case. The Nvidia edition of the CM690 comes with it, don't know how you feel about green:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0292502

Don't get that ram you were looking at, 2000mhz ram won't do any better than 1600mhz in real world apps, the ones Why_Me linked are both good, the OCZ Platinums are good too.

I would swap the GTX 285 in as well, it is less powerhungry, performs better and just $25 more.

If you wanted to SLI later with those GPU's, then get an 850tx instead, the 750w won't be able to handle it I don't think. If you will just use one, then go for the 650tx.

I'd also just get Vista home Premium, Ultimate isn't worth it unless you run a home business or something IMO.

You should definitely get a CPU cooler for this rig, any of the ones Linked by Why_Me would be good. Although if you got the Noctua, I think you can get the LGA 775 version and Noctua will send you the backplate for free I have heard.

Now do you need the Deluxe v2 mobo? The P6T is a very quality mobo too, and if you aren't looking for a high overclock, then the P6T might be a better fit for $40 less. If you are however planning on going SLI in the future, then maybe the Deluxe would be a better fit because of the better board layout. If you can afford the few extra bucks, then go for the Deluxe v2, but if you need to cut some costs you could do it there.
 


Save yourself some money if your not going to run SLI.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119152 $69.99
COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 RC-590-KKN1-GP Black SECC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005 $94.99 ($69.99 after $25.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128375 $209.99 ($194.99 after $15.00 Mail-In Rebate)
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381 $119.99 ($109.99 after $10.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130446 $349.99 ($329.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
EVGA 01G-P3-1285-AR GeForce GTX 285 SC Edition 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488 $99.99 Free Shipping*
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
 

skydriver

Distinguished
Mar 7, 2009
4
0
18,510
https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=8172694

There it is in all its glory...

I changed the case to the Antec, kept the MB as I might want to OC, changed the video card to the 285, exchanged the 750W supply for a 850W supply, exchanged the ram for the 6G(anybody think I should get another 6G?), kept the 1T hard drive / wireless keyboard and mouse / and extra DVD burner, exchanged the OS to the cheaper $99 version, and lastly added the cooler + thermal compound.

Give it a glance please.

I appreciate all the help. I look forward to getting this rig ordered and running soon.


You are all great !

S


PS,
I have a Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP 24-inch Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor for the one who asked the question above...
;-)
 

xthekidx

Splendid
Dec 24, 2008
3,871
1
22,790
It looks very good, but you don't need 12gb of ram...the bandwidth the i7 has with 6gb of DDR3-1600 is incredible with the integrated controller...but if you think you will get a boost from it with your database work then you can do it I guess...I think I would use the money to buy a GTX 295 instead though.