My Computer Spec update!.

[No Longer Active]

Hi, i thought i would let you know, what pc spec i have gone for, for those interested from my previous post.

What i had:

DELL OPTIPLEX GX260 (250 watt power supply)
2.60 Ghz Processor P4
64MB GRAPHICS
1GB RAM
40GB Hard drive,
CD Rewriter (no dvd)
15" old style CRT monitor
Ensonique PCI Soundcard with Gameport
Gameport CH PRODUCTS VIRTUAL PILOT PRO YOKE (direct to gameport)
Gameport CH PRODUCTS PRO RUDDER PEDALS (direct to converter to USB)
FS2004 + FSUIPC Unregistered

As you can see its a real old and low performance pc.

Not having much money on my side, i have gone for the DIY option and im going to do a build it yourself jobby!

Heres what im building:

AMD Dual core (2.6ghz x2) Motherboard + CPU
600 watt power supply
256mb Graphics (4 times better than the dell)
2 GB RAM
80 GB Hardrive
CD + DVD Rewriter
19" Widescreen LCD Monitor
A nice black tower case.................................ALL FOR £250 (bargain)!!!!

Win XP - FS2004 + FSUIPC Registered
Leo Bodnar BU0836 + Home built Throttle Quad + Avionics Switch Panel
(Its a shame FS2004 doesnt use 2 cores of processor, maybe get FS-X?)
Ensonique PCI Soundcard with Gameport
Gameport CH PRODUCTS VIRTUAL PILOT PRO YOKE (direct to gameport)
Gameport CH PRODUCTS PRO RUDDER PEDALS (direct to converter to USB)

Not exactly top notch but its certainly a massive improvement, and for the money its a good deal i think.

What do you think, will it do the job?

[Michael Carter]

FS9 will smoke on that system. If funds allow, I'd bump up the monitor size to a 22" or 24". They're pretty cheap right now especially from Hanns. Not a bad monitor either. My step-father is using one and has been happy with it for over a year.

FS9 can't take advantage of the dual core, but other programs can while FS is running.

If you can still find them, the ATI Sapphire X1950GT 256 is a great card for FS9. PCIe x16 too. More than adequate for FS9.

[No Longer Active]

just been on ebay and looked at the saphire, the card you are talking about is around £50, so they still quite expensive!

AP08

PS....Can i just add, ive been looking at some screen shots of the saphire graphics on some fantasy game and the graphics are amazing, something is tempting me now.....decisions decisions?

[Michael Carter]

That's about what I gave for mine a year ago, converted to US dollars of course.

It's a great card for FS9 that won't break the bank.

[No Longer Active]

what about a 2 monitor setup?

would 2 x 17" go down well u think making up a 34" wideview?

because i could get 2 19" for about £150 the same price as 22"

....must add, scap this idea, as this could be hassle!

[No Longer Active]

Hi,

Can anyone please tell me if i might be better upgrading to FSX just to get the full use of 2 cores?

[Michael Carter]

In my opinion, FSX will stumble on that system. You'll likely have to spend more than what you planned to get acceptable performance.

I think you'd be disappointed.

[737NGDriver]

With FS2004 you'll be ok, it wont be great but ok, if you add AES for example you'll see a performance hit. It all depends what kind of frame rate is acceptable to a person. Also with FSX you're in a bit if trouble. FSX relies heavily on CPU. And the fact thats its Dual Core doesnt matter for neither Flight Sim.

[No Longer Active]

Hi Michael

Yeah, im thinking your right too, id rather have the very best performance of FS2004 than the very least performance of FSX, I suppose its much better to utilize what i already have to its full potential, then to have the latest system which im not equiped for. I have my budget which i will stick to and im definately going to buy the sapphire graphics card, just seen the sapphire graphics card (256mb version) for about £30, and thats brand new too! also im going to upgrade to a 22" lcd for the sake of an extra £30, theres nothing better than having a nice big screen!, 19" would be a little too small after much consideration, i would like a 24" but the price jump from a 22" to a 24" is an extra £50, when i could use than money to buy a Leo Bodnar usb card and register FSUIPC.

Thanks for your advice Michael.

Alex

[No Longer Active]

Hi 737NG DRIVER

Can i just ask what is AES?

Thanks Alex

[737NGDriver]

Yeah exactly, I did that for a long time, beef up what you can use now, beef up fs2004 with all the add-ons you need and the likes. AES is airport enhancement services which turns certain airports (must be purchased separately) into dynamic airports like in FSX plus adds scenery. Moving ramps, follow me vehicles, ramp agents, etc... Its made by aerosoft. Check it out its an awsome add-on.