New PC or TV? - decisions, decisions!!

[T6flyer]

Hello,

I've decided that as there doesnt seem to be anything good to watch on the television these days, that instead of a new tele, I'm going to upgrade my PC instead. At this present time is a AMD 2800 Semphron with 1gig memory and a X800GTO 128mb Graphics Card. It runs FS2004 fine - unless I put on fluffy clouds or some AI then it slooooowwwwsss down.

I've been given an option from one of my colleagues here at work and this is what I intend to upgrade to. Just asking here to see if everyone agrees. Want FS2004 to run nice and smoothly with everything on and perhaps just perhaps FSX.......

Intel 6600 overclocked to 3.3, nforce 680 SLi Motherboard, 2 gig DDR2 800mhz/pc2-6400 memory, 500gig SATA 2 hard drive and a 8800GT 512mb Graphics Card. Case has 500W PSU with a 250mm fan on the side and another 120mm on front and also having a Zalman Socket Cooler too. Windows XP with SP2.

Now I've just typed all of that out from the quote, so it means not much to me at all. I believe that 2004 will be fine with this setup?

Best wishes to all,

Martin

[DaveB]

Hi Martin

FS9 will go like something smelly of a shovel and it'll hustle FSX along very nicely ;-)

ATB

DaveB :tab:

[Quixoticish]

Do you play any other games on your PC? Because to be honest while there might not be much on TV bear in mind that if the only resource hungry application you use on your PC is FS2004 then there isn't much going on with your PC either and you're basically justifying a massive upgrade for one game. Are you desperate to upgrade to FSX or happy to stick with FS2004?

To be honest if you only play FS then I'd plump for the TV; but that's completely personal opinion and I suppose it depends on what you can justify the most to yourself.

[TSR2]

In addition, never overclock your CPU unless you need to. Like everything else, CPU are designed to run at the speed at which they say "on the box." It may well be able to run at 3.3GHz, but why bother if you don't need it, and it will invalidate the warrenty on the CPU. ;-)

[T6flyer]

Thanks to all for your comments. I do 'play' other games (IL2, TOCA3, CofD2 and intend to run DIRT and CoD4 too amongst others) and although FS2004 will be the main program, I do intend on running other 'games' on the system - as you have said just for the sim would be a little bit too mercenary. I wish to stick with 2004 as have everything set up nicely (but want to purchase ActiveSky and the Portland 02 scenery when this machine arrives). FSX just for some reason doesnt appeal to me...................................yet.

Noted as to the overclocking - will take heed of this news. Don't want the system lasting me five minutes when have spent all of that money. Should have it in about three weeks time.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply - much appreciated.

Best wishes,

Martin

[Paul K]

I got rid of my telly 18 months ago, and haven't missed it for a moment. I have an Amazon dvd rental account for the computer( you can NOT believe the aviation and military documentaries they have to rent! ), the internet, radio ( Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie Mon to Thursday night on Radio 2..priceless ), books, flight sims and U-boat sims, great pubs and music venues in the city centre...who needs the fool's lantern ?

[Chris_UKMIL]

It's easy.........PC with a TV Tuner card!!!!

[airboatr]

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[T6flyer]

I've decided to go for it. Although I will play other games (and perhaps even try FSX), I'm more than happy with 2004 (just going to take a few days to set it all back up again) and just want it run nice and smoothly with most things at 100%. I do a lot of real flying (this year being the worst for weather for ages) and want to re-create memorable flights and recce a few for what might lie ahead. Last year went in an Auster 9 across Scotland and Ireland and this year might be a trip to Croatia in a Wilga (need a few weeks off work for that one!) or a Broussard back to France!

Best wishes to all, I really do appreciate your comments. I know virtually nothing about PCs and know here that I trust everything you tell me!

Martin

[DaveB]

Cheers Martin ;-)

Let us know how you get on with CoD4. I was going to 'add to basket' before christmas until I realised my pc wouldn't even run the trailer :-(

ATB

DaveB :tab: