Simviation Forums

Hi,

I hope someone can advise me here.

I build computers for friends and myself as a hobby.
I'm thinking of building one with nothing but FS2004 and perhaps a combat flight sim game.

The question is this, is my Nivedia Ti4600 (128MB) graphics card worth updating for a newer one?  I  can't remember how much it cost me but I've had it for 2 years now.
If I do build a comp specifically for this then I want to make sure that I can have EVERYTHING maxed out without having to worry.

At the moment I have the graphics maxed on 1152 x 864 x 32.  This is running ok but either I have to much addon planes and scenery or my comp is dying...  the screen has started to flicker occasionally and I have noticed that, when jumping to a location, it takes a few seconds to update the scenery for that area.
Not sure if this is graphics or pc prob. (My specs are below.)

Hope someone can advise.... Also SERIOUSLY considering getting some sort of watercooler for comp as fans are to noisey and my CPU is clocking 61 - 65 C  ??? which to me is a little on the hot side, would preffer 45 - 53 or lower. Case has 2 fans.

Also I'm not rich!   so would appreciate any "Bargain" websites  ;D
Thanks,

John

CPU is a little on the low side too as well as your graphics card if you want to run everything to the max with anti-aliasing and anistropic filtering.

I had a GF4 Ti4600 prior to my current card and it was a good card.  I had it set at 1600x1200 but with no AA and 8x AF.  Also had to turn down the amount of 3d clouds and autogn a smidge too.  My CPU then was an AMD Barton 2800xp.

I would say get an AMD 3200xp and an Nvidia 6800GT.  You shouldnt have to upgrade your mobo that way, though you may have to upgrade your ram to PC 3200 stuff (200 MHz)

If you cant afford the 6800GT then try a 6600GT, you should get pretty good results from that card too even with AA and AF turned on.

Or go the whole hog get a new mobo with PCI Express on it, a socket 939 AMD64 cpu (You choose speed but above 3000) and a 6600GT or 6800GT.  Again you might need new ram too (PC3200 again)

Well my spec is running FS9maxed, in add-on helis over add-on scenery no trouble. It seems like an OK gfx card too.
Dan

[quote]
I would say get an AMD 3200xp and an Nvidia 6800GT.

ideally you dont want it going much above 50 at full load.  But the other PC I have here is running at 60 all day long for ages and has no probs.  Its not used for gaming though, just internet browsing and what ever other stuff my g/friend does.

You cant get a PCI Express card.  Your motherboard does not support it.  You will have to get the AGP version of the 6600GT which is a little more expensive (

2 Years back, a ti4600 would have cost alot more than

I must admit the 6600GT is looking more and more promising.  Can't afford to build new comp yet but (As I build and sell comps as a hobby) I have just sold a comp today (Yipee, been waiting 6 weeks for the money, last time I use my money!!) so I am tempted to go and buy graphics now but I know that cooling is a BIG problem and I would like to get all 4 HD's, graphics, ram and CPU water cooled but its gonna be a LOT of money.  :(

Still the 6600GT is new (I think) and its PCI Express means that I can use for now then put in new comp plus raid another 6600GT to it.  Would be nice :-)

Got

If your planning on buying a new card for your existing motherboard, don't buy a PCI express card, it won't work!

PCI-Express is a graphics interface, not to be confused with PCI which is for soundcards etc.

That said, an AGP 6600GT will suit you just nice.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/ ... 2d050_2dlt - Go burn.  ;)

Ok.  

I've decided that cooling is the most important thing at the moment as I am running 55 - 60 degrees C!!
(With case open and 14" fan blowing in!!)

I've looked at water coolers and seen a nice one that I can add to and I hope take to my new computer.

Zalman Reserator 1 Fanless Water Cooling System (WC-000-ZA)
at http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_copy_of_Others.html
Unfortunately I can't seem to get the full specs page to show but its the second and third item on the page.

I currently have an AMD XP2400 (2000mhz?) and new comp will have AMD 64 3000 / 3200, one or 2 cpu's can't decide yet.

Any ideas befor I waste my money?

Yes, I have an idea, don't waste who's money?

Buy a modern chipset and CPU that doesnt overheat and do some research before you build any more PC's and take people's money for it.

Edit:  Perhaps that's a little harsh..... I mean we all have to learn.

I run overclocked AMD rigs on air cooling only and I'm in the tropics, believe me, it gets hot.

A stock cooler that comes boxed with an AMD CPU is up to the task of cooling it, and AMD reflect that position in their warranty statement.

Why not just get a good socket 939 mobo and a 64bit XP3500+ CPU ? ......... at least then you have a decent platform.

Stuff the water cooling.

[quote]Yes, I have an idea, don't waste who's money?

Edit:

How many case fans do you have? I have 4 and recommend having 2 or more. 65*C is not very hot, you can easily go 10 more and still not kill your PC. You don't need water cooling if you have a properly ventilated case, make sure the air flows through it at a high rate with few obstructions. Also, if you can, dump AOL and get a better, cheaper ISP .

No offence but I don

If your set on getting a "made to orter" pc but still want that custom look ide go here http://www.jscustompcs.com/Intel_custom_home.php This is where I got my comp and it works beautifully. The best part is that if something woulnt work with one another they tell you. Also if I were you ide get atleast 3 case fans. Ive got 6 and run around 50c and below. Once I get my water cooling system thatll all change Also I think ur card might not hold up to todays standirds. Try something like an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro PCI-E 256mb DDR. What my sister has for playing WOW and she has no problems at all

The older 266mhz AMD cpu's had older technology in that the wafer thickness of the silicon raw material was thicker than newer processors.

The use of thinner silicon allowed lower voltages, or comparitively lower voltages to be used within the cpu core.

New heatsink and cpu design also helped dissipate heat a little.

Current generation AMD cpu's seem to run just fine and don't overheat until considerably overclocked or non-standard voltages are applied.

Your money is far better spent on the right chipset and CPU, rather than any "Cooling" solution.

If you find that a "cooling solution" is needed, I would suggest you try to find out why the rig is overheating in the first place.