$1,000 FSX medium gaming computer

[Wiens]

I am planning to build a mid-range Flight Simulator X gaming machine. I also plan to build a top flight computer for my son late in 2007 after Vista and DX10 are out and prices of the DX10 video cards have stablized. I don't plan on much overclocking with this new machine for now but may in the future.

Please review the following items for compatiblity and value. If you have suggestions I'm open to them.



Motherboard:
ASUS P5B Deluxe Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $184.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131045

Processor:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz 2M sharing L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail $182.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819115005

Case and PSU:
Antec LifeStyle SONATA II Piano Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450Watt SmartPower 2.0 ATX 12V V2.0 for AMD & Intel systems Power Supply - Retail $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811129155

PCI-e Video Card:
eVGA 512-P2-N548-TX GeForce 7600GS 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $144.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130021

2 gb Memory:
OCZ Gold 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $199.99 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820227124

Hard Drive:
Western Digital Caviar RE WD3200YS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822136053

Combo CD/DVD Burner:
LITE-ON Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 5X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache ATAPI/E-IDE DVD Burner W/ LightScribe - OEM $31.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827106019

Sound Card:
Creative Sound Blaster SB0570 Audigy SE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail $27.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16829102002

Operating System:
Microsoft Windows XP Home Sp2b 1pk w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - OEM $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16832116169

Keyboard/Mouse:
Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 B2L-00047 Black 104 Normal Keys 9 Function Keys USB Ergonomics Keyboard Mouse Included - OEM $21.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16823109156


Total cost including shipping is: $1,131.62. $1081.62 after mail-in rebates.

Again, this is intended for a mid-range build, not a top of the line gaming rig. I thought the C2D 6300 would be a value processor that could possibly be upgraded in the future as prices drop. The video card is not top tier either as I was looking for cost containment. If you observe any items that are not compatible or are a better value (OEM vs retail) please let me know. This will be my first computer build. My goal is to run FSX on High settings with an FPS of at least 25.

Thanks for your comments,

Kevin

 

[GodTom47]

I'm a little errie about that ram.

 

[Ku-sama]

ill spec a better one in a sec

 

[Geoff]

I'm a little errie about that ram.

I agree, many 965 motherboards don't post with DDR2-800 memory unless it's running at 1.8V. You may want to look into DDR2-667 memory, and then just OC it.

 

[GodTom47]

I agree, many 965 motherboards don't post with DDR2-800 memory unless it's running at 1.8V. You may want to look into DDR2-667 memory, and then just OC it.

I thought most Intel mobos don't oc well?

 

[Geoff]

I thought most Intel mobos don't oc well?

Some of the newer ones actually OC fairly well, and most have voltage controls as well.

 

[ETSA]

Corsair xms2 ddr2 800 mhz RAM works amazingly well and it is 1.9v. I would certainly recommend it. If you plan on over clocking get 800mhz it is much easier to reach better OC levels.

 

[Wiens]

So change the memory to Cosair xms2. Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Kevin