Simviation Forums

I have been toying with the idea of updating for a long time and it has gotten to the point where I have made a few enquiries with my 'faithful local PC man'.

I have a Compaq Pressario which is OK for Sims up to CFS2 (with medium settings), but the Mrs who uses it for Uni (college) study and assignments, loves it, so I'm thinking of keeping it for her and getting a new setup for myself, mainly for Simming. (I've got another spare room for a second Office, so why not?)

If I can come up with a campatible PCU case (which I can from work), my man says he can do me the following for $750-00 Aust which is around $495-00 US

P4 2.0 Gb Processor (Intel)
512 Mb SD Ram (with a third slot for the 256 strip I have) which will make 768 Mb)
Gforce 4 MX440 (or equivalent Raedon 64 mb card)
SoundBlaster card
CD Rom with RW
17" Super Vga monitor

I know a couple of the items are not the 'state of the art' components that can be used these days. But for the sake of cost and the fact that it is a second PC that I will only use for Simming, I'm wondering if it is, at least a reasonable price for what I'm getting.
I must say it seems ok to me.
Oh yeah he has a pair of 50 Watt Speakers (in black - that suit the case I have and the new monitor he will supply) which he will throw in. (It's all the sound I need anyway)

for those components definently reasonable. My old comp is a P4 2.0 Ghz with a gig of RAM and a GeForce 3 Ti, i could probably get about 700 dollars for it

for those components definently reasonable. My old comp is a P4 2.0 Ghz with a gig of RAM and a GeForce 3 Ti, i could probably get about 700 dollars for it

Thanks mate that gives me something to compare.

When you say 'old' computer, what have you got in it's place?
Also, as a matter of interest, do you have CFS3 and how did your 'old' PC handle it (what 'general' setting could you run at). I've heard where PC's that have more power, Ram and 128 mb Graphics cards that will still only 'default' at the 'general 3' setting.
I know the Ge Force 4 MX440 is a bit better than the GeForce 3 you had, but still I'm curious because with CFS3 there probably wouldn't be too much difference in their ability.  

Thanks Steve  ;)

i do not have CFS3, but FS2002 ran awesome on my old computer. I still have that computer. Just my new one is the specs in my Sig... My old computer is a dell, my new one is one I built myself...

I see. I should have noticed that your spec's were in your Signature......lol.  ;D

You mention FS2002. I've just got that, a few weeks ago. A big improvement on FS2000 which I used for over 12 months.

I noticed on my current system P3 766 Mhz - 384 Ram and intergrated Intel graphics (pretty useless, but has taught me much) - that FS2002 is very slow to load, at the point when you change locations or settings and it has to load the textures, settings and AI stuff over again. Is this pretty normal? That is, is FS2002 more of a load on the PC than CFS2?
I know that CFS2 loads new graphics settings pretty quickly but FS2002 seems very slow each time it has to reload the graphics.

Thank Steve  ;D

im not entirely sure but i think fs2002 buffers everything when it is loading so that it improves the flow of the game. also there is a lot more detail and scenery to load with fs2002 as compared to cfs2 its normal i have to wait 1bout 30 seconds for it to load and i have a fairly decent spec pc

1.4 athlon thunderbird
512mb ddr
64mb geforce 4 ti4200

AMD XP 2500+: $85
FIC AU13 motherboard: $80
Geil Golden Dragon DDR (256 megs): $50
TI 4200: $90
SoundBlaster Audigy: $60
Sony CD Burner: $40
Monitor: $100
Total: $505

Just a comparison (in USD). The specs I posted above are either equal or superior to what you would be getting (the Athlon XP 2500+ is overclockable to equivilant of a 3 ghz P4 if you do it right). P4 processors are expensive. For another $50 you'd get some more kick butt RAM (I have a friend with it, it's insane stuff). You can save money by getting a slower processor ($45 for an Athlon XP 2000+). I just need to say, for what you're paying for, you really aren't getting a lot. I spent $500 on my main machine and got some far superior parts for the same price. If you really want to do this thing the easy way, order all of the parts yourself from Newegg.com and build it (they ship down under, I believe).

If I had a choice between a system using DDR or SD RAM, I'd pick the DDR machine, even if it had less RAM.

I was going to post up cost per item you wanted if you got it off newegg, but they don't even have P4 2.0ghz processors anymore. @_@; Newegg has an insane RMA policy. If you fry something, they'll replace it. Even if you did it on purpose. And if it would have voided your warrenty if you had purchased it elsewhere. They will let you RMA anything as long as it has no physical damage (unless your motherboard was defective and burnt to a crisp or something).

I know the Ge Force 4 MX440 is a bit better than the GeForce 3

Quite the reverse actually!

Thanks for the ideas, opinions and comparisons, poeple.
It's great tp have a place to come to, anytime, with such a wealth of diverse knowledge and experience.

I won't be doing it for a few weeks but when I do, if I decide to buy the bits and put it together myself (I'm very mechanically minded, but electronic stuff I know nothing about), would I need any special tools except a couple of tiny screwdrivers?
Do all the leads form on thibng to another come with the parts?
Is it all basically 'plug in' stuff or do I need to solder (sodder US)?
Basically, can a six year old do it??  

no soldering required, but keep a first-aid kit at the ready as the metal things and solder points at the underside of the PCB's and the edges of the case usually are very sharp

Furthermore, you need a good PH-1 size screwdriver, preferably with retainer clips or a magnetic head. i myself use a special antistatic one, with a magnetic head

most of the stuff fits only in one way, except for IDE cables when the MOBO doesn't have guidance things, then the red wire has to be at the side marked with a '1'

Thanks Ivan, I'll heed the advice.

In the days when I was physically able to work on cars, I had trouble, even then, getting my 'clumsy big hands' into much larger places than a PCU full of bits and pieces.

But I'm now think seriously of giving it a go.

At least that way, I don't have to wait till I have all the money. I can buy the individual bits and fit them as I go along. That will keep the interest level 'up'.  ;D

That seems like a good enough system but I would make two improvements.

1. Instead of SD RAM try and get DDR as it is quite a bit faster.

2. If you plan on playing FS2004 get a different Graphics Card than an MX variant as these aren't compatible with some of the new features in the game.

Anyway thats my advice but keep looking as new things are coming out all the time.

Thanks

Paul2k10

Thanks, I've thought about both the DDR ram and a better graphics card.
DDR seems to be what everyone is going for these days and it doesn't seem much more expensive. Also, of all the GeForce cards, it seems to me the only one that some people don't like, for one reason or another, is the MX.
I think someone said they would go for a Ge Force 3 before an MX series, so I'm sure I'll be going for one of the better cards.
As I see it both items will probably represent an extra $50 or $60.

(One things for sure, anything is going to be much better than my existing 'Integrated Intel 82810e with it's revolutionary 11 mb of 'shared' memory'..........lol )

Thanks all.........

oh dont forget to earth yourself whilst installing new hardware as not to destroy the delicate components...maybe invest in an anti static wrist strap or jsut touch the computer case now and again like i do

Thanks, mate. I would never have thought of that.  ;D

As I said, working on bloody big greasy, heavy engines, gearboxes and suspensions is not exactly 'delicate' type work, so I will have to create for myself a 'new mindset'.
Although, I have installed new Ram strips and a cable or two, without probs, I just remember that there's not alot of room for 'clumsy' oafs like me........lol  ;D