Upgrade (and to what?) or buy new?

[machineman9]

So my computer is getting on a bit and you may or may not have noticed that I've been out of the FS scene for quite a while - My FPS is too low in most instances, I prefer FSX flying, and the GTA bloom effect is not working and causes the game to not load at all.

Current specs:
Originally a Packard Bell iMedia J2589
Intel Core2Duo E6320 (1.8GHz)
nVidia 8600GTS (512mb)
Thermaltake 550W PSU
Some awful stock motherboard (Cuba MS-7301)
2GB DDR2 PC2-5300 RAM (2 slots, 1GB each)
32 bit Windows Vista Home Premium

I'm just wondering if it is worth reviving this computer or buying a new one.


If you'd recommend sticking with this machine, could you please suggest some upgrades. I think I'll have to keep the motherboard, but GPU and CPU should be doable. I've done GPU installations before, not touched the CPU though.

I was thinking of something like an 8800GT or whatever replaced that (something cheap and fairly powerful), I'm not sure about the CPU though.

If you think I should just get a new machine I would appreciate any suggestions on that.


Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers

[elite marksman]

I would probably go with a new machine, the CPU definitely needs to be replaced, the gpu could use it also, and with vista, you'll want at least 3, if not 4 gigs of ram (yes I know the 4th will be at least partially unusable).

With 32bit, you're limited to 4GB of RAM, including VRAM and random crap on the mobo and other hardware. Realistically, with 4GB in a 32 bit environment, you see 3.25-3.75 depending on other hardware.

[Fozzer]

So my computer is getting on a bit and you may or may not have noticed that I've been out of the FS scene for quite a while - My FPS is too low in most instances, I prefer FSX flying, and the GTA bloom effect is not working and causes the game to not load at all.

Current specs:
Originally a Packard Bell iMedia J2589
Intel Core2Duo E6320 (1.8GHz)
nVidia 8600GTS (512mb)
Thermaltake 550W PSU
Some awful stock motherboard (Cuba MS-7301)
2GB DDR2 PC2-5300 RAM (2 slots, 1GB each)
32 bit Windows Vista Home Premium

I'm just wondering if it is worth reviving this computer or buying a new one.


If you'd recommend sticking with this machine, could you please suggest some upgrades. I think I'll have to keep the motherboard, but GPU and CPU should be doable. I've done GPU installations before, not touched the CPU though.

I was thinking of something like an 8800GT or whatever replaced that (something cheap and fairly powerful), I'm not sure about the CPU though.

If you think I should just get a new machine I would appreciate any suggestions on that.


Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers

You've have got a reasonable machine which will run FS 2004 just fine.... ....
The Processor may be a little on the slow side, compared to my ancient Socket A, AMD 2600XP Athlon (2.1 GHz) running on an ancient Gigabyte Socket A, AGP, GA-7N400 S-L Motherboard, and your graphics Card is slightly better than my AGP nVidia 7800GS 256 MB...
...me?... 2GB RAM on a new Win 7 32 bit Installation (from Win XP Pro), and a 700 Watt PSU...
So, if you are prepared to forget all about the snazzy, computer frame-rate-guzzling FSX , you can enjoy FS 2004 maxed out at no extra cost...like the rest of us... ...!
...that's what I call a bargain... ...!

Paul...G-BPLF..FS 2004...(and FSX in my bottom drawer).... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]...!

So many newbies get frustrated and confused with trying to run FSX on their present set-up, that I cant understand why they don't try-out FS 2004 FIRST, and possibly avoid all the heartache and expense which is waiting just round the corner!.... ...!

[machineman9]

Paul... I do fly FS2004, and it runs quite reasonably... But I still vastly prefer FSX.



Given that advice, elite marksman, I made a bit of a shopping list.

I'm unsure whether I should go for 32 or 64 bit Vista (application compatibility, etc. I've never gone past 2GB RAM before!)


Intel Core i5 760 Quad Core (2.8Ghz)
nVidia GTX 460 (768mb)
4GB Corsair DDR3 1600mhz (2x2GB, might go for a tri-channel kit though)
1TB HDD, Vista, Office 2010, optical drives, card reader, etc.

Came out at around

[Slotback]

That system looks good.

Do NOT get a tri-channel kit unless you're getting a Core i7 9xx series. Core i5 and Core i7 8xx series have dual channel memory.

Also get Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit, in my opinion.

[machineman9]

I'm not really a fan of Windows 7 in the slightest. I've noticed that it has a great boot up time, but besides from that I am yet to notice any useful extra features. The GUI annoys me quite a bit as well, which is my major dislike.

I'll keep with the dual channel kit in that case.

[Fozzer]

...

[Slotback]

I'm not really a fan of Windows 7 in the slightest. I've noticed that it has a great boot up time, but besides from that I am yet to notice any useful extra features. The GUI annoys me quite a bit as well, which is my major dislike.

I'll keep with the dual channel kit in that case.

It has the feature of not being Vista. Suit yourself, but I think you might be shooting yourself in the foot.

[machineman9]

It has the feature of not being Vista. Suit yourself, but I think you might be shooting yourself in the foot.

Being Vista is the one feature I like about it 



Lifetime of savings? More like, a couple of paychecks and no luxuries until then

I don't plan to use it just for FSX, I'd like some future proofing from it too. At some point I will invest in Adobe Lightroom or something similar, and I just want something snappy for all the file conversions I have to do.

[elite marksman]

[quote]Paul... I do fly FS2004, and it runs quite reasonably... But I still vastly prefer FSX.



Given that advice, elite marksman, I made a bit of a shopping list.

I'm unsure whether I should go for 32 or 64 bit Vista (application compatibility, etc. I've never gone past 2GB RAM before!)


Intel Core i5 760 Quad Core (2.8Ghz)
nVidia GTX 460 (768mb)
4GB Corsair DDR3 1600mhz (2x2GB, might go for a tri-channel kit though)
1TB HDD, Vista, Office 2010, optical drives, card reader, etc.

Came out at around

[olderndirt]

A little over a year ago, I decided to upgrade in order to run FSX.

[machineman9]

Not a bad system at all, though you can save about $150 ( 80 GBP?) by using open office instead of MS office. Same functions and features pretty much, but its free and supports more file types.

I've never been a fan of OpenOffice. Sure, it's fine for those who really can't afford new software (or need it as a one off) but I've found it to be more annoying to use, and I will be using it nearly daily.


Cheers, Dave, I shall bare that in mind. I was considering a 8800GT but I believe they are out of production, so I tried to find something else which was far better and not too pricey. I bought my 8600GTS about a month or two before the 8800GT was released - That was an awful discovery for me 

[olderndirt]

One of your choices is a quad CPU of less than 3 GHZ.

[Fozzer]

I built my first 32 bit; "Personal Computer" in 1995, (after many years of using 8, and 16 bit Computers since the 1970's).
Upgrading the internal components as required, to handle the next generation of computer games.
I have no idea of the total cost of my enterprise, but the expense was/is spread in stages over the intervening years and so was of no great hardship... ...!
My present build is sufficient to manage my FS2004, and my crates of old computer games, adequately, but any advance towards FSX, and beyond, would now necessitate a complete rebuild of my Desktop case and all its internal components at an expense that I cannot presently justify.
In the end, it all comes down to priorities... ... ...!

Paul...G-BPLF...stuck in the World of Socket A, AGP, and FS 2004... ... ...!

[machineman9]

[quote]One of your choices is a quad CPU of less than 3 GHZ.