new computer build

[homersipes]

so I am kinda sick of playing on this old laptop(the wife is sick of HOTAS, stick and pedals in living room) and gonna try to build a decent pc just for AH.  Kinda limited on a budget, but if I bought a piece here and there would be good, just dont know where to start.  Was thinking about this case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156062
yup thats as far as I have gotten, dont know much about it and would like some input.  trying to keep pieces and parts relatively on the cheap side.
was basing build kinda off of this machine.  Looking for input suggestions, because I am computer dumb when it comes to the insides and whatnot

[Spikes]

You can get some sharp looking cases and save a few bucks. For cheaper systems I tend to use AMD in my builds...more bang for the buck, that said I personally have an Intel CPU in my gaming rig. Really just need a price to work with. $500, $600, $700...each increment will get you better components, and will also decide how well your computer can play games/on what settings.

[The Fugitive]

so I am kinda sick of playing on this old laptop(the wife is sick of HOTAS, stick and pedals in living room) and gonna try to build a decent pc just for AH.  Kinda limited on a budget, but if I bought a piece here and there would be good, just dont know where to start.  Was thinking about this case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156062
yup thats as far as I have gotten, dont know much about it and would like some input.  trying to keep pieces and parts relatively on the cheap side.
was basing build kinda off of this machine.  Looking for input suggestions, because I am computer dumb when it comes to the insides and whatnot

The problem I see is that case comes with a powersupply, and a good powersupply will run you more than $80. So the case may be nice, but your still going to need a powersupply.

Cases are boxes that hold everything. If you have an old one lying around, or you know someone trashing one that's as cheap as you can get. A little spray paint and it's good to go. On the other hand you can hunt around and find things like this

http://www.xoxide.com/modtek-spartanvcase.html That's cheap enough too.

Save your money for the important parts. A good powersupply, a good video card, and a decent CPU/motherboard combo.

[dhaus]

Do you have a microcenter near you?  Don't know if the Cpu/motherboard combos could fit your budget, but I saved $90 on a combo off newegg's individual prices.  Have to go in the store to get those prices.  If you see a component you like, you can go to pcpartpicker to see which Internet shops have the best price.  Don't know if they cover everyone, but it's a start.

[BaldEagl]

Nice looking case but the power supply won't be enough to run what you need to run AH well.

[Bizman]

Very good advice from all participants. 

If AH really is the hardest work your future rig is going to do and you currently run it on a laptop, you will get an improvement with almost any even slightly gaming oriented rig. There's been a bunch of threads on this issue quite lately on this board. I recommend reading them to familiarize yourself with the subject.

Although AMD may give more bang for a buck, Intel CPU's work better with AH. 

If you really want to cut your costs, an "abandoned" rig from some heavy gamer could fulfill your needs. AH doesn't need much for a good framerate and decent eye candy. If there isn't any pc-gamer shop in your neighbourhood, try the AH Classifieds forum. Many of us have old hardware just laying around and some of us may live within decent mailing costs from you.

[homersipes]

lol yeah just about anything would be better  good advice in here, and yes AH and fsx would be the only things on the computer, have other laptops for internet usage.

ases are boxes that hold everything. If you have an old one lying around, or you know someone trashing one that's as cheap as you can get. A little spray paint and it's good to go. On the other hand you can hunt around and find things like this

yeah I have an old desktop that I could use the case from.  so I could then take all the guts out of that and start all over?? new power supply, cpu, graphics, etc.  Yeah I have looked in the classifieds here, but may as well be reading japanese.  I dont know anything about cpus, gpus or any of that stuff.

[Bizman]

If you're going to use an old case, make sure the airflow is sufficient. I mean, boxes of today are ready for, or even preassembled with, 120mm fans or larger at both ends whereas a vintage solid steel case from the late '90's might have one 80mm hole in the front and one 60mm in the rear, both of which had more steel than hole in the grille.

Back to your question: Yes, just take all the guts out and start all over. Cases have had standard places for motherboard screw holes since I don't know when. Just make sure you have the brass raiser bolts only under the mobo holes to prevent shortcuts.

Some hints concerning classifieds, or any other place for second hand stuff: Start with a motherboard. A mobo sold with a CPU (processor) it's been used with should be fool proof compatible. Many times people change RAM (memory) at the same time, so that might be included, too. Those three components have the most variables concerning compatibility issues. After you've got them, the rest is mostly a question about performance issues.

Remember, you can also act as a customer on the classifieds board. I mean, like putting a request:"I'd like to buy a decent rig for playing AH better than with my laptop. Partial delivery accepted, advice appreciated."

*Ask before you buy anything!*