which one?

[grimreep3r]

Here are two different systems I am considering getting with the prices listed and warranty. Any suggestions as to which one? I am not a power user, biggest use would be Flight Sim X (will add video card), email and internet.

Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q6600 (8MB L2 cache,2.4GHz,1066FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium - English
No Monitor
3GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 4 DIMMs
500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache?
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse
No Floppy Drive Included
56K PCI Data Fax Modem

1 Year in home warranty

Total = $549

vs

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6550 (4MB L2 cache,2.33GHz,1333FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium - English
No Monitor
3GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 4 DIMMs
500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache?
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse
No Floppy Drive Included
56K PCI Data Fax Modem

Total = $499

 

[DSF]

Does it lower the price if you reduce the RAM in the computer? If it does, you might get a better deal buying your own RAM.

Either way, I would go with the quad-core setup since it's only $50 more. I believe Flight Sim X makes decent use of multiple cores. Outside of Flight Sim X though, it doesn't sound like you're going to tax two cores, let alone four.

 

[grimreep3r]

No, the deal from dell is a tonight only special for $499 for the C2d, then add $50 for the quad core.

I also was curious to know if it is worth it to spend $20 for the 800Mhz memory over the 667Mhz memory.

 

[DSF]

There won't be any tangible benefit from the faster RAM for what you're doing.

 

[Slugbait]

Duo may be sufficient for what you need now, but Quad will be appreciated more down the road. I'd say it's easily worth the $50.