If I can impose on your computer expertise once more, can you check this configuration and see if I've mis-matched anything or???

CPU: (Quad-Core)Intel® Core™ 2 Quad Q9450 @ 2.66GHz 1333FSB 12MB L2 Cache 64-bit

MOTHERBOARD: (QX9650/9770 Support) Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45 CrossFire Chipset LGA775 FSB1600 DDR2/800 Mainboard w/GbLAN, USB2.0, IEEE1394, & 7.1Audio

MEMORY: (Req.DDR2 MainBoard)4GB (4x1GB) PC6400 DDR2/800 Dual Channel Memory (Mushkin Xtreme w/ Heat Spreader)

VIDEO CARD: ATI Radeon HD 4870 PCI-E 16X 512MB DDR5 Video Card (Major Brand Powered by ATI)

I'm especially hoping to future-proof by spending a bit extra now (did this with my old reliable pc and got 3 and 1/2 years out of her), and of course I'm hoping I can turn the eye candy on in iRacing.

Thanks bud

Dave

Should be okay, and I think you'll be able to enable some eye candy with this

Thanks Morten - I've also upgraded the power supply to avoid problems with Crossfire later on. I see where they also have dedicated power supplies for video cards now, hopefully I won't need one until the next PC when they have quad-core GPUs chained together!

Are you talking about those video card wires from the PSU, or a completely additional PSU. I have one with dedicated video card plugs on, but I don't think it matters as you'll be able to get adapter plugs. I got an adapter with my previous card.

It's a dedicated VGA power supply, either 450 or 650W. I won't have room for one as it mounts in 1 or 2 of the 5.25 drive bays, but hopefully the Tt 850w power supply will be sufficient (it sounds like it should have no problem according to the reviews I've read) to my needs. I may switch out the 4870 for a GX260 as the performance should be very close, and the GX260 takes less power and makes less heat. Also Mr. Sundberg was cursing out the ATI drivers on his new card today as he couldn't get AA to work on older games...

Personally I've had it with ATI, but if you still like them I won't try to convince you otherwice.

Nvidia it is, after some more research I think it will be the best fit for me.

I've heard some issues with AA with nVidia as well, but I think you're as safe as you can be.

Woohoo! The order is in and I should have the new box in 7-10 days. I went with the above configuration but swapped in a GTX260 for the 4870, and got a $$$ 850w PSU which should cover me for SLI when I chuck in another GTX260 after the prices come down a bit. Got Flight Sim X deluxe as a freebie, any reviews? Also saved ~$85 with a coupon code I found on a discussion board - love that internet for shopping!

I have FSX, but I find it has to much bugs, so I still run FS9. As soon as FSpassengers for FSX will be released I might reconsider.

I can also add that I love the physics in FSX, much better than FS9. And the sun/cloud/rain effects, well pritty much every effect is much better in FSX. My problem is that my computer is struggling over large cities, and most of the default planes have a bug which makes the light switches fail. Also the planes I'm flying for my virtual airline isn't default and not availeble for download, so I'll have to buy them. That's why I stay with FS9 until FS Passengers X is finished.

I'm glad it's a freebie then - read some reviews at Amazon of people with fairly stout machines who were fighting bad fps issues.

Yeah, it feels like when I first started using FS9. So I guess when FS11 comes out I'm all set to run FSX

Yeah I can never afford to be on the "bleeding edge" but always a step or two back. There always seems to be a price point where things get ridiculous (next processor up would have been +$400!), yet the one time I ordered on the cheap was the PC I was least happy with. It's a conundrum, all right....

Well the new box is in, and I'm pretty delighted so far. Haven't tweaked anything, just started it up, loaded iRacing, and let it auto-configure. The slider is all the way to the left, and I can't see anything I could turn on that the auto-config didn't. Running 1920x1200 with all the eye candy on at Bristol with a nice steady 65fps, Richmond 75fps. It looks pretty glorious.... And as a bonus it's quieter than my old system, which had been quite a worry as the 260s are rated quite loud.

Great news, but what monitor are you running; 24"?

Yup - it's a 24" Sceptre gaming model. Spending the afternoon transferring stuff from the old PC via thumb drive, then it's time for a HDD wipe and send the old fella off to my niece who's at college.

Just now noticed that they upgraded my CPU to a 9550 running @ 2.83GHz for no charge, apparently they didn't have any 9450s on hand. This is the kind of thing that could cause me to be a repeat customer!