Well, my first question is will I have had to play previous X3 games to appreciate Terran Conflict, or will I be completely lost?

Second, is the combat anything like X-wing vs. TIE Fighter combat? I know the game is deeper than just dog fights, but I'm hoping the combat is like a combat flight sim but in space.

Third, will I be able to use a joy/flight stick for the entire game when it comes to travel and combat?

Lastly, overall, how is this game?

I wanted to stay on a budget of $850. I've gone a bit over and with shipping it's closer to $900. Any last thoughts on this rig before I make the purchase? Are there any cheaper components I can get that won't effect performance to bring my total cost down? Thanks!

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=7276854

I wanted to stay on a budget of $850. I've gone a bit over and with shipping it's closer to $900. Any last thoughts on this rig before I make the purchase? Are there any cheaper components I can get that won't effect performance to bring my total cost down? Thanks!

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=7276854

I'm not really a huge fan of RTSs, but I LOVED AOE2 back in the day. I tried AOE3, but it just did not feel the same. Is there something that is close to the gameplay of AOE2 that I may enjoy? Also, I heard Medieval Total War II was great, but is that just scenerio battles?

I like actually building up an empire and building armies and whatnot. I'm looking more for a medieval themed RTS, but I love anything sci-fi too, just as long as it's the same type of gameplay. Thanks!

SAPPHIRE 100257L Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail- $259

I noticed that Saphire does have a 1GB model out for $40 more. Is the extra video ram even worth it? What games would I actually notice a difference in with the extra vram?

I would be running at 1680x1050 w/ a C2D E8400. The games I really want to run maxed out are Mass Effect, Oblivion, Far Cr2, and X3: Terran Conflict. I'm trying to save a bit of cash by getting a 4850, but is the extra $100 worth it to get the 4870? Is there that much of a performance jump?

Also, this is the build I am about to buy:

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

SAPPHIRE 100242L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W ATX12V / EPS12V Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK - Retail

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3400620AS 400GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM

I'm pretty sure this will run everything I want at maxed settings, but let me know if I'm wrong. Thanks!

I'm pretty sure about the CPU and GPU, but I'm not sure about the motherboard. I know it's a good one, but maybe I can get the same chipset for cheaper? Basically, I am looking to spend under $800. I need RAID 0 for sure and I don't intend on using SLI or Crossfire.

DDR2 800 memory seems to be the cheapest, but would I really notice a difference if I went with 1033 or 1200? I don't need DDR3 either. With the list below, please let me know if I can go cheaper to get the same performance or if there is a bottleneck in the system.

I already have an old case that I can use for now, but I would like to find a case under $80 that is good and not too much of a pain to lug around. I don't plan on moving my PC much, but I would like to go to a LAN party or tournament a couple of times in the future or maybe even move it downstairs and hook it up to my TV every once in awhile. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

DFI LANPARTY DK P35-T2RS LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail - $139.99

EVGA 512-P3-N871-RX GeForce 9800 GTX(G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 - $129.99

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail - $189.99

G.SKILL 4GB (4 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Quad Channel Kit Desktop Memory - $84.99

OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W ATX12V / EPS12V Active PFC Power Supply - Retail - $69.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250310AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - (2) $99.98

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM - $26.99

Subtotal: $741.92