Ok it's time to put together a new system. My goal is to be able to max out all video effects without any FPS issues. I'd like to stay around $1000, but a few hundred more won't matter (Sorry can't afford a Core 2 Extreme).

So here are my specs/questions:

Video Card - ATI 4870 - I've had good luck with ATI and it's the new kid on the block. Does it matter who makes it?

Processor - Multi-core. Dual or Quad? My understanding is no sim uses/benefits from quad? Speed ? AMD/Intel - I've had good luck with AMD but I hear Intel is the one for multi core.

Motherboard - Other than making sure it has all of the right sockets. I guess the fastest bus speed is best. Any recommendations?

Memory - I'm guessing 2 gig, unless more is necessary. What are the current specs for good fast memory? Speed? DDRx? etc...

Power Supply - How big 450/600/800 watts? Recommendation?

Anything else I'm missing?

You will not be able to max all settings without some sort of issues. It wont be hardware that stops you, but the software code itself not being up to the task.

You can run 90% just fine even on a slightly older rig. My Q6600 on a single 8800GT runs GTR2 and rF just fine in DX9, with 90% visual settings even with a TH2Go triple screen resolution. Video card is probably your biggest single-item investment. Dont bother with SLI it is a marginal gain for double the cost (no more then 20%) and the cards get replaced too often anyway.

Our sims do not care how many cores you have. Dual or Quad is fine, but there really is no gain other then ego. I use Quad because it was dirt cheap at the time.

Motherboard is important enough to pick a decent one, but dont bother with a huge price tag thinking that every bell and whistle will make that big a difference.

Memory? 2 Gig is fine unless you plan to do some hardcore video/image editing. Vista and XP really do not utilize any more then 2G anyway, unless you use 64bit which you will not want to do for compatibility reasons.

I actually only use a 350W power supply, but I'd recommend a 450+ if you are running some of the upper-end video cards. A couple things to consider; SOUND (all those fans get real loud), HEAT (lots of hot air warming up that room), and POWER USAGE (If you are like me, my PCs operate 24/7 for years at a time... lots of $$$)

Personally I am a fan of going to Best Buy or Fry's and picking up a pre-built system. You can get a huge CPU, hard drives, RAM, etc for almost nothing. Then pickup a big video card to make it worthy of the sims and you are set. Plug and play, easy to deal with and just get right back into the races within an hour of getting everything home. You can get an entire rig for $1200 including video this way and it will tie you over for a few years before doing it again.

Doesn't the "+fullproc" do anything in rFactor?

The rest, I agree. I have a Quad6600, 8800GT, 4gb, and 1000W PS, ('cause my MB is capable of triple SLI, thou I doubt I'll ever use it.) Runs with nearly everything full DX9, on a 24" LCD.

Love it.

Jerry

I recently built a new computer around the $1000 range and can definitely get close to running everything max. Just a matter of picking the right things and doing research...

Video Card: It seems nVidia and ATi are in a dead heat now. Both have positives and negatives and you probably will be fine with either. But like yourself, I've had the best luck with ATi and went with them this go around. Got the 4850 and its been a dream. A bit hot but it runs nice and stable at 80C. I keep hearing nVidia has stability problems which sent me right back to ATi, but they seem to look better, visually.

Processor: for what we do around here, dual core will treat ya fine. Quad cores right now are mainly for computers with a lot of loads and for servers. If you do that kind of stuff, go with a quad, otherwise, go with a dual. Intel/AMD? I went with Intel and have been very impressed. AMD dual cores have dropped off a bit, apparently, and while they are cheaper than Intel, they aren't much cheaper. Which is a bit disappointing since I've been an AMD fan for a while now. Oh well, they'll be back :)

MB: As far as I can remember, I've only used ASUS motherboards and never once had an issue with them. But I hear MSI, Gigabyte, ECS, and DFI are pretty good as well. This is probably the area where you'll have to do the most research in; finding the right compatibilities and such. You can find a really good MB in the $150 range. Any more than that and you're probably wasting your money.

Memory: A LOT of options here. Probably can't go wrong with Patriot, OCZ, Corsair, Crucial, and GSkill. Any 2Gb'r in the $80-100 range and one of those brands is probably a good buy. Speedwise, DDR2 800 to 1200 is sufficient. Just make sure your MB supports those speeds.

Power Supply: the more wattage, the better I guess, but no need to go crazy. Anything between 600-800 will do you just fine. That'll run ya around the $100-130 range.

Well Im running the 4870 maxed out without issues in both rF and GTR2.

I`m getting about 60fps with mine (sli 7900gt`s - medium spec atm) what do the better systems get in GTR2?

Here ya go, little over your budget and no OS but you could cut it down a bit, -1 HD, -1 Dvd, might be able to save $50-70 going with a different MB, another $50-80++ if you go Nvidia.

I picked some of the parts i used in my recent build. The memory works wonderful and its dirt cheep, awesome power supply and outstanding customer support from PCP&C! Wolfdale is a monster, i run mine @ 3.6 and when i did my 3dmark test i had it at 4.15, WD makes the best Hard drives IMO i went with raptors but they are $$$, zalman is a top notch co, Lian-Li case enough said =)Ive always had good luck with a-bit and know to many people having problems with ASUS MBs although i never had problems with ASUS' older stuff (P2 and P4s) Dont know much about the video card just picked what you had listed.

I didnt really check for compatibly with everything although i dont see any issues off hand.

i hope the link works

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=12677027&WishListTitle=quickbuild

David, I doubt you get those fps numbers at the back of the grid in 100% rain. Anyway, that's always the problem when people state their fps - the conditions are all important.

Who said i start at the back of the grid :P

yeah true i see your point, unless we all ran with the same objects on screen at the same moment it`s irrelevant....

I also think you don't have to go all out to max out GTR2. I'm running a intel E8400, 2 gigs of ram with a 8600GT and get between 80 and 100 FPS with everything maxed out on GTR2 with one or two programs running in the background. It runs super smooth.

You don't need a super computer to max out GTR2.

I'm also moving to 3 screens so that does mean I have to up my video card.