New system for FS9

[602cc]

Hello, I think this is my first post here, what an excellent informative site (wither super A/C). Anyway, I'm after a proper desktop system to replace my laptop which is now down to 8-10fps with things the way I want them. I'm on a really tight budget so as near to £400 would be handy. I'm not sure what is best given that computer available now are way ahead of FS9. A little background into what I use, UTE with REX textures and the AS6.5 Wx engine. I have some MIAW AI and some Uk regional WOAI packages. I'd like to be able to use VFR scenery again but this thing can't cope above 90kts. Anyway whats best and any recommended retailers out there?
Thanking you in anticipation.

[TSR2]

Hi 602, and welcome.

£400 should get you a reasonably good system, certainly for FS9. I suppose it depends on what else you want to use the system for? I'm assuming you want to buy a branded PC rather than make one yourself? Also A monitor (unless you already have one ) will probably eat about £100 or so of you £400, so what size are you looking for, is space an issue etc?

Cheers,

[602cc]

Hi, the system will be purely for FS9 (I hope!). As for monitors I was looking at 18.5" as space isn't huge, plus I've seen some for around £60 at that size. Asfor making one I've thought about it but since I'm not overly sure what I'm doing I think I'd rather have ready built. I see there's companies out there that build gaming PC's but not sure if they're overspeced for FS9 or have graphics cards that aren't compatible (that topic confuses me!)?
Take it Win 7 64bit is the OS to go for?

[TSR2]

I'd normally say yes, but if you don't think you'll be comfortable with the change to the Windows 7 interface, then stick with XP if you're only ever going to use it with FS9. The only snag with XP is that fewer programs are being written for it, so at some point over the next few years you'll find you cant get Anti Virus for it etc.

If you aren't going to be dabling with files in the system directories, you should be fine with Win7, only thing I would say is make sure you install FS9 on a different partition or separate disk, i.e. dont accept the default file paths.

[602cc]

Ok, doing more research looks like an i3 or i5 is my best bet with a GT430 graphics card up. A little more than I'd like but I only want to buy once. Too many people seem to not like AMD for flightsim. I'll keep looking for that elusive deal!

[602cc]

Previous message appears not to have materialised. Anyway, I have gone for the Intel i3 2120 based processor with a GTX550ti card, hopefully it will give me some good performance. Just got to remember what addons I had and hope it all loads up ok in Win 7.
Thanks.

[602cc]

At long last I've got the PC set up and all the required programs installed, what a difference! Frame rates 200+ when set unlimited. Got most of the sliders over to the right except autogen which is in the middle, having flown for a year with none it does make a difference. Spent way more than I wanted to but I think it was worth, would run FSX quite well possibly?
Aerobatics are pure delight, need some rudder pedals though (and a decent Yak 52).
Thanks for your help.

[DaveB]

Hello Mate..

Well done on that. It's a lot more fun when it runs ok isn't it

ATB
DaveB