The power supply doesn't belong on the list, since what you're supposed to do is pick a good one and forget about it.
What I think:
Monitor
RAM
Hard drive
CPU/Video Card
Mobo
What I think:
Video card
CPU
Sound card
Memory
Mobo
HD
The video card is usually only stressed in games...
FlexForce is an Ultra thing. They might even have trademarked it.
Also, the CMPSU-620HX costs more than $150.
hdwag06, for a system like that, you would do well enough with the Enhance ENP-5140GH if you get an 8800GTS. The PSU itself has enough power for an 8800GTX, but I don't know if it...
Fuck... this is the second time I lost this post (so I'm not linking anything from newegg). Anyway,
C2D E6300 - $180
Scythe Ninja Plus, open box - $40
GA-965P-S3 - $116
G.SKILL 2x1GB DDR2-800 1.8V - $210
eVGA 8800GTS - $470
X-Fi XtremeMusic - $93
WD Raptor 36GB WD360ADFD - $105...
What do you do with your PC? Gaming, audio editing/recording, what else? If that's it, you'd be set with an OCed E6300.
Since SLI isn't in your future, go with a cheaper board like the Gigabyte GA-965P-S3 or Biostar TForce 965PT unless you need Firewire support.
Is the $1800 available only...
HELL NO
http://jonpatch.wordpress.com/2006/10/06/should-you-buy-fsx-now/
http://www.fsstation.com/articles/flight-simulator-x-performance-tweaks.html
http://blogs.msdn.com/tdragger/archive/2006/08/21/711152.aspx
Looks like you won't be needing quad-core for FSX any time soon...