Config ?s for MS-FSX machine

Dedicated MS-FSX machine

Fairly low-time pilots looking to pre-fly routes and airports; practice maneuvers to stay sharp when not flying; simulate infrequent maneuvers and conditions; fly other GA aircraft.

I would like to have capability to add realistic textures/environments and still maintain a smooth experience. I can see potential to add a second GPU in future (although I am not sure I understand why) and may start out with a triplehead display. (that adds up though - $300 for matrox; $300 for triplestand; 3 displays $600 for cheap ones.)  A very nice 22" or 24" is looking smarter to start.

Your comments on the current config below are greatly appreciated.

Case: Digital Storm 850Si (Silver Anodized Aluminum Finish)
Power Supply: 750W Corsair HX (Dual SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.00GHz (1333MHz Front Side Bus) (6MB Cache)
Motherboard: nVidia 650i Core 2 Quad (By: eVGA) (nForce 650i Ultra)
Memory: 2GB DDR2 Corsair at 800MHz Dominator (Dual Channel) (High-Performance)
Floppy / Card: - No Thanks
Hard Drive 1: 74GB Western Digital Raptor (10K RPM) (8MB Cache) (SATA) (Extreme Speed)
Hard Drive 2: - No Thanks
Raid Option: - No Thanks
Hard Drive 3: - No Thanks
Optical Drive 1: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x)
Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks
Network Card: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card: nVidia GeForce 8800GTS 512MB (By: eVGA) (PCI-Express)
TV Tuner: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi FPS Fatal1ty Champion (Includes Front I/O Unit)
Physics Card: - No Thanks
Cooling: Air Cooled Stage 3 WindTunnel (Copper Heatpipe Heatsink & Zalman Case Fans)
Case Lighting: - No Thanks
Round Cables: - No Thanks
User Manual: Personalized Platinum Digital Storm Binder (Includes Paperwork/Benchmarks/CDs/Manuals)
Overclock Processor: Yes, Overclock the processor as much as possible with complete stability
Overclock Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Overclock Memory: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory
Tweak Windows: Yes, Disable and tweak all of the non-crucial services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium


Can the 650i Ultra run two 8800GTS's? If not is the 680i A1 worth the xtra $77 over 680i? Worthwhile even if stay with one 8800GTS?

Initial decision is to remain C2D but I am waffling.  If I go to the q6600 is there any reason to have DS overclock it?  I guess the real question is - if I go to quad what else do I need to get for a good experience that I wouldn't need to get by staying w/e8400?

RAM - what is difference between high performance and extreme performance?

$250 difference between 750si case w/stage 2 and 850si w/stage 3 - necessary/desirable?

Easy to add another HD if I need.  May save $200 on sound card and put into displays.  Easy to add later.

I don't mind spending the $$s but don't want to do it too foolishly.

Thanks everyone for your comments both here and on the other forums.  Finding DSO has been a godsend.

Thanks!

I am mainly thinking of having a future second gpu to drive more or bigger displays.  But I am just beginning to see how much I don't know on the display subject.  Why is DSOs 24" so expensive?

Any thoughts on the cases?  I see other configs who mention cases that I don't see listed.  Are this self-builds, laptops.... ?

It occurred to my in my insomnia that not much attention is paid to ambient air temps.  Every computer room that I have ever been in is kept cold.  But we blithely stick our boxes under desks and tables or next to furniture and ruin external airflow.  Ever see anything on best room temps?  Does it make a difference from say 68 to 72 to 76?

The UPS guy just pulled up but there is no DSO in his truck!!!

I'll get there - especially with your help.

I have been going back over forum discussions and benchmark sites to get comfy with my future decisions.

I recall seeing a great discussion about the A1 version several days ago but haven't run into again.  Think I will be getting it anyway.

I finally found out what the cases are called - that helps my understand much better.

Only a few more questions left but have to run now.  Thanks!