Best box for $1000 - Help Please

[ardypilot]

After seeing all Robin and Timmo's teaser screenies of the VLC project, Im really keen to get back into simming and have convinced my rents we need a new "family PC" which they've agreed to.

Heaps of things have changed since the last time I thought about upgrading a computer and looking at parts, so I'm sending out this request for people in the know to find me the best box for under $1000. I think I'll need at least 1GB of RAM on the video card, around a 450w PSU, and 4GB's of system RAM? No idea about mobos/harddrives or processors. Don't need a keyboard/mouse/monitor, just has to be able to run FSX well (and FS9 if poss), and be capable of word processing/office stuff for Mum + Dad.

Also, not sure what OP system to get- XP is too old now, I'm used to Vista on my laptop but know its buggy, and am too scared to dip my toes into the unknown district of 7.

Any advice, links etc would be wicked,
Cheers!

[dbcunnz]

QUOTE

Also, not sure what OP system to get- XP is too old now, I'm used to Vista on my laptop but know its buggy, and am too scared to dip my toes into the unknown district of 7.

Any advice, links etc would be wicked,
Cheers! [/quote]
I have been using Win 7 since the first Win 7 Betta version came out and now have Win 7 Ultimate and there is no way I would go back to either win XP or Vista so don't be scared to dip your toes in just jump in boots and all.
I find it the most stable OS that MS have put out and I'm sure you wont be disappointed in a change to Win 7.

Doug

Last edited by dbcunnz on Fri May 14, 2010 6:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[captainherc]

Does Win7 run FS9 ok.
I too am at present about to get a new build computer and have told the guy I want to stay with XP as this is what I am,mused to. Will FS9 run better with Win7.
Cheers,
Adrian.

[dbcunnz]

QUOTE (captainherc @ May 14 2010, 03:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Does Win7 run FS9 ok.
I too am at present about to get a new build computer and have told the guy I want to stay with XP as this is what I am,mused to. Will FS9 run better with Win7.
Cheers,
Adrian.

The answer is yes FS9 will work fine in widows 7. As to being used to windows XP there is a small free program Classic Shell that will let you run windows 7 with the windows XP look can be downloaded from http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/
The only problem you might find is the security of windows 7 but this can be easily got around by a change in the User Account Control settings.
I have been running windows 7 from when the first betta version came out and am now using windows 7 ultimate and there is no way I would go back to windows XP or the ghastly windows vista.

Doug

[pilot.masman]

Not Sure about OS or DVD drive but a few of the components can be downgraded if nothing else can be found. (not sure what to do about OS as generally it costs 200+ for a Win7 licence and thats a fifth of your budget gone right there).

specs:

2.8ghz quad core (Phenom 2 x4 925)
4gb RAM (DDR3 1333mhz)
1tb HDD (Seagate Barracuda)
GTS250 1gb (EVGA)
Case W/500W PSU
AM3 Mobo, USB3.0 included (dunno why thats needed but im sure in the future it wil be usefull)


its only a rough look in about 5 mins browsing and im sure others here can change some specs around to make it work (shop is here.

Think the price comes to $1008 with GST but as i say above, can change some specs to fit around the OS and DVD Drive.


Can probably pick it up from their shop as you are in Aucks.

[ardypilot]

Thanks Sam, what website/store is that?

[pilot.masman]

QUOTE (pilot.masman @ May 15 2010, 12:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

shop is here.

[s0cks]

Don't buy from them. Always go www.computerlounge.co.nz or www.playtech.co.nz.

I'll make you up a PC - seeing as I do it for a living. Will respond in this thread soon.

[s0cks]

Ok, so $1000 isn't much to work with, when buying a whole new PC. Masman had a good build, but that shop has a rep for being terrible with aftersales support, which is not something you want to have to deal with if anything should go wrong or turn up DOA.

Here is what I came up with from computer lounge (store is rated 5 star by GamePlanet):



Again, no DVD drive (add $69 or use old one - you may need to buy one if your old one is PATA and not SATA). The memory is good and not just generic, its a mid-range quad core, and the GTS250 is a rebranded 9800GTX if memory serves me right. You could save money and go dual-core (save another $60-$70) but FSX maxes all my 4 cores (3GHz Quad) so I'd say the more the better! Also make sure you ask them to make sure that the GFX card will fit the case (they can be very big!).

You would be far better off with $1500 though. You could then get something with a lot more grunt.

NOTE: This doesn't include the OS!