How long will my system be good for?

[bm]

I have a computer (thats a start I guess! ).  I was wandering how long in your (anybody's) opinion it would continue to be a good machine. I use FS9:ACOF and CFS3.

 Processor : AMD 2.0XP (I think this is an Athlon XP-2000+
 Graphics Card: 64mb GeForce 4 Graphics
 Ram: 256mb DDR Ram

I don't know anything about computers so I don't have a clue how good this computer is. Thankyou,

[4_Series_Scania]

How long is a piece of string???

I'd say for CFS3, your system has probably passed its sell by date already....

Then again, as long as that GF4 is not an MX but the TI variant, along with another 256MB of RAM, your machine should be pretty good for a little while yet.  ;)

Ultimately, the  64bit AMD CPU is now here, the 64bit p4 (p5?) surely not too far away..... By this standard, it and most of the other millions of pc's are destined for the 32bit museum.

[Tchkinjiu]

 

Graphics Card: 64mb GeForce 4 Graphics
 Ram: 256mb DDR Ram

That's what I have!

I'd say for CFS3, your system has probably passed its sell by date already....

Yup!

Then again, as long as that GF4 is not an MX

That's what I have!.... wait...  :(  ;)

Yes, by CFS3 standards, my comp is out of the race, but by the FS 2004 standards, I'm still running!
    I couldn't be happier with the way MS has created this game to be compatible with tons of computers. The graphic detail setting is far better and beyond than anybody elses.  ;D

[4_Series_Scania]

[quote]Yes, by CFS3 standards, my comp is out of the race, but by the FS 2004 standards, I'm still running!

[Iroquois]

I'd upgrade to 512mb ram. Ram's cheap these days. I'm on again off again planing to upgrade to an Athlon XP2000. It's the darn 15% sales tax. $15 in tax for every 100 spent! Buying from Tiger Direct is the cheapest route but I haven't looked at Microwarehouse yet.

[geezer]

Actually, if you can run fs9 with what you have and are satisfied, keep it until it breaks and can't be fixed. In a couple of years we are going to see technology leaps that will make the xt to 286 jump seem like child's play. There was a recommendation to add RAM and I second that with the proviso you add two sticks of 256 to what you have now. Other than that you are just fine - AS LONG AS you are happy with how fs9 does currently. If not, a partial upgrade might help - more capable video card and as before - more RAM.

[bm]

Thanx guys for your replies .
The reason I was asking was my computer is in a computer shop for repair and I was thinking of upgrading, but wasn't sure what would help.
 I am definately adding another 256mb RAM, but I could possibly replace the graphics card to either:

256MB GeF FX5600 DDR TV DVI 8x  

[bm]

The computer is back from the shop......

Then again, as long as that GF4 is not an MX

What would a better graphics card do to my FS experience?

Where do I get the full system stats?

Its been given an extra 256MB RAM, But if FSsafe mode is anything to go by im getting under ten FPS.....

[Agamer]

Is your computer feeling better now?

[bm]

Its feeling much better thankyou agamer

But still way under 15FPS
With settings on 'low'

[Daz]

forget the 5200 you want the 5600 or 5600 ultra if you can get your hands on it. if you realy want to fork out you can get hold of the new fx5950 ultra just been released looks promising but costs a bomb. a nice cheap quality variant that does infact outperform the 5600 would be the XFX geforce 4 ti4200 128MB 8x. this is the card i currently have and its cheaper than the 5600 anyways. if you want to see the quality of fs after this card look at the post "you didnt tell me...!!" in the freeware screenshot forum

[4_Series_Scania]

forget the 5200 you want the 5600 or 5600 ultra if you can get your hands on it. if you realy want to fork out you can get hold of the new fx5950 ultra just been released looks promising but costs a bomb. a nice cheap quality variant that does infact outperform the 5600 would be the XFX geforce 4 ti4200 128MB 8x. this is the card i currently have and its cheaper than the 5600 anyways. if you want to see the quality of fs after this card look at the post "you didnt tell me...!!" in the freeware screenshot forum

Yup, but it'll be crap with Direct X9 games.....

My Asus9560 5600 betters the ti4600 my friend has in his machine in most DX-9 games, and if you like using anti-alaising and anisotropic filtering, then frankly forget the GF4, you need an FX5600 or Ati 9600 or better.

Why "upgrade" to a 3D card thats already obsolete???

[bm]

Thanks everyone....
I am at present thinking of going for the
256MB GeF FX5600 DDR TV DVI 8x

[Professor Brensec]

I've just had a quick read through this thread and to be honest, I haven't read everything completely.

However, I've just gone through the process of starting from 'scratch' in terms of what I should get (within my price range) to make up a PC specifically for my Simming purposes (which will make it pretty much capable of everything else).

I've found that the differing opinions, provided they come with valid reasoning, are very useful. I learnt a great deal in the couple of days that my thread was active here.

The thing you have to be most aware of (my Mrs made this BIG mistake 3 years ago, which is what has me building my own now), is not to buy a so called "package". They are useless and greatly overpriced, regardless of the brand or the specs of the machine. Most also come with heaps of software that you are paying for and will never use.

Whatever you get, make sure every single part of it is "updatable".
PC's (and their components) have a bad habit of becoming redundant in as much as weeks).

Correctly matching the components is important too. It can result in superior performance over what would normally be better components which are being 'dragged' down by another inefficient part of the system.

Of course this doesn't help Bird Man. he has his PC and it's a good one at that. You say you're Dad says get a Card that won't be dated so quickly. Can he guarantee that the 253 pound one (sh*t, that's $800 Aust), won't be useless in 12 months?
If he can't you are probably better off going for the far cheaper 128mb card. At least it won't be a great outlay if it's outdated in 12 months.

Of course, the best (and probably most expensive) of everything would probably be the best way to go, but we all have our 'pecuniary limitations'.

I can say one thing for sure though. You've come to the right place to find out what you need to know. These blokes know what's going on, especially when it comes to aspects regarding graphics, speed and Simming capabilities.

[bm]

Hi Brensec,
I learn't that lesson with our familly computer, A dell dimension bought back in '97. This came with all the sofware and stuff like you say. Ok it was probably a bit nackered anyway. But when CFS3 came out we realised it needed upgrading (8mb graphics card ). Unfortunately it had built in graphics (and no AGP) so we decided just to get a new computer.
Its not the greatest computer available but it has plenty of expansion ports; PCI, don't know, and  an AGP. Hopefully this will allow us to upgrade it now and then like at present.

Interestingly enough, while I was reinstalling the network I noticed the AGP is free and the GF4 is on the one I don't know the name of( )

Of course this doesn't help Bird Man. he has his PC and it's a good one at that. You say you're Dad says get a Card that won't be dated so quickly. Can he guarantee that the 253 pound one (sh*t, that's $800 Aust), won't be useless in 12 months?
If he can't you are probably better off going for the far cheaper 128mb card. At least it won't be a great outlay if it's outdated in 12 months.

That exactly the question realy. Waying up the balance - If I get a decent one now (like the FX 6000) will I need to update it very soon? (in the end costing more than the better one) or If i get the FX9000, will it be that much better to be good for much longer