Duke

So really as it is, nVidia users wanting to run a triple screen environment and run helios would have to have some of their main 3 screen real estate used by MFCD's and the RWR and use 1 or more touch screens networked for all the other panels/gauges or switch over to ATI ... Ugh! ;)

Thanks for the speedy reply, looks like running the networked PC will work :) which will be a big bonus for not only nVidia users but all multi monitor users by offloading all the processing requirements to a 2nd PC. Loz, I also noticed in one of your vids that even though you display functioning MFCD's on your Helios profile, you still have at least one TM MFCD hooked up to your box. Why is this?

Absolutely awesome setup Loz, probably the best I've seen so far. Similar to Spike, I also run a nVidia setup. Mine is 2XGTX580's running 3x26" monitors at (3X)1920X1200 and as you stated correctly, you cannot drive another monitor using any combo of nVidia cards, even if you had a tri or quad setup, which seems to be the biggest limitation of going the nVidia route. The only thing I don't like to much is the pop ups for the side panels which I guess would be cured by using multiple touch screens. Maybe this would be best asked over at the Helios forums but I'll ask anyway. Would it be possible to run a setup like mine as my main view and then run a secondary networked PC pushing the 3 touch screens? I have a very capable 2nd PC I built for my son, also with nVidia SLI (2XGTX280's) that I could use when he's in bed or at school or whenever the hell I want ;) If that would work all I need is 3 new touch screens.

Yeah typically that's true but with the new line of Sandy Bridge CPU's the price point is very attractive, especially given the overclocking potential. I bought an i7 2600K for $300 and I'm so happy that I went this way, the performance increase over my Phenom X4 960 is unbelievable.

+1 for Microshafts security essentials here.

For the price it's a decent buy but I'm not sure about the motherboard in that box. As others have stated it's lacking in the power supply and vid card depts too. In my experience, motherboards are something you just should not skimp on ... I always buy Asus and I've never been unhappy with them.

I've had both and I would go with the Nvidia card, the drivers and constant driver support from Nvidia are far superior to ATI's plus SLI scaling is much better than XFire. I've honestly tried to switch to ATI twice over the years in the brief times they've held the lead in the GPU races and regretted it both times and lost $$$ by having to sell low and switch back to Nvidia.

The system you have now isn't that bad. Your biggest bang for the buck would be double your ram and most of all, upgrade your OS to Win7 64. You'd notice a big improvement with just those 2 options sorted.

Just wrote a similar reply in another thread here: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=73434 Intel, Nvidia, Win7 64 :)

Killa, your choices all seem ok but if you want good FSX performance and can swing it, get a decent Asus Mobo as they allow for over clocking quite well. Right now you should go with a Sandy Bridge CPU such as an i72500K or better still a 2600K, also invest in a decent aftermarket CPU cooler. Look around and you'll be able to find either an ATI 5870 or nVidia GTX470 for a reasonable price and also up the PSU to an 850W, this will allow you to add a second vid card down the road for XFire or SLI & multiple monitors ;) Definately go with 8 gigs ram but if you do build a SB i7, all the ram in these systems runs at low voltage so it doesnt get too hot, so u don't really need the expensive ram with heat spreaders etc... This should all fit in your budget and will future proof you for awhile. As for the total sub-total thing, it's probably taxes. Good luck on your build. Oh also go with the 64 bit Windows7. Hope this helps.

Anitec Computer in Vancouver on Kingsway has both the Warty and the MFD's in Stock ! http://www.anitec.ca/product/798750/guillemot-thrustmaster-hotas-warthog-flight-controller-2971004