got a few questions

[james]

Going to build a new simpit. I have a dual 2.0 ghz 2 gb ram setup. Running vista home 32. Using pci express what is a really good performance video card? I usually go with ati because I never tried others. 
Is it possible to connect to a friend only over the net for one on one fight?  I plan on using other buttons in the simpit than a joystick will this slow down my system? Wrong forum probably but could those of you with Simpits post some pictures of your setups? Looking for better ideas than my current one. Going for affordable but real looking.

[SD67]

8800GT is good, I hear the 9600's are not bad either
You can connect to another for a H2H engagement using LAN setup via Hamachi

[james]

Does that mean the other person has to be in the same room pc and all or ip connection? Thanks for the advice on the vid card too!

[SD67]

Well you can so same room (or building) over LAN, you can use the same technique using Hamachi over the 'net from different locations. I've not tried it yet but I'm told it works just fine
Your best bet is to check Hamachi our and see what it does

[MrRiplEy[H]]

ATI/AMD is really lacking behind at the moment. Intel/Nvidia are the way to go.

I used to be AMD/ATI only but lately the raw price/performance and driver related problems have alienated me from them. You can't get ATI cards working properly in linux for example.

[The Fugitive]

you can use the same technique using Hamachi over the 'net from different locations. I've not tried it yet but I'm told it works just fine
Your best bet is to check Hamachi our and see what it does

Doing this is against the "Terms of service" agreement for the game.

I real strong system isn't essential in building a simpit. Of course the more realistic you make it with working buttons and thing might give you trouble. A friend of mine did This One. He used a second keyboard and wired his button/switches to the key inputs to get everything to work. When he pulled his flaps lever, it just made the keystrokes.

Mine, which is <HERE>. Mine was made more along the lines of "a cockpit that houses my game controllers".   

[james]

Ill be building 2 ackers pits. 1 for my son and 1 for me. Ill be putting in toggles for different things to gettr hands off the keyboard as much as possible.20 toggles and controls max on both pits should let the keyboards get a bit dusty. Once the pits are finished the ventilation goes in and then the canopies get built. Can't wait to start cutting wood again. I don't know what the numbers mean as far as quality or performance for the GE cards. The ati cards are easy to understand as far as knowing what the latest one made is. This is why I usually went with ati. Its just been a while since buying a card and now I don't know what is good or bad with any of them anymore. My 1650 runs things fine but will go back into my old pc. The new one will need something that won't have to be replaced for a while. Something fast and built for speed like a girls gone wild party. As far as connecting to my buddies for 1vs1. Not intending to slight htc. Da arena is cool but want to go head to head to just get some things down and try things out without other people getting in the way or messing is up at all. If it goes against the grain then its not going to happen. Won't mess up playing over some practice. Now where did that cup of coffee run off to?