Suggestions wanted for computer upgrade

[pickup]

I don't know too much about computers so I am asking for some suggestions on my computer upgrade.

Presently I have :

AMD Athlon (tm)
XP 2500+
1.84 GHz
1.00 GB of RAM
Windows XP
Nvidia Geforce Ti 4200

All this computer does is run FS 2002 and FS 2004.
FS 2004 in high graphics areas are nothing more then slide shows  1-4 FPS.

I would like to upgrade to the following:

ASUS K8V SE Deluxe SOCKET 754 VIA K8T800, 5PCI/0ISA/0AMR DDR

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (2.0Ghz) 754-Pin 1MG L2 Cache Retail

MAXTOR 80 GIG Harddrive 8MB CACHE

DDR 400 RAM KIT 2X 512 MB

Enermax EG485P-VE VHB SFMA 480W CoolerGiant Retail

ATI RADEON X800 XT Platinum AGP8X 256MG DDR3 VGA DVI-I TV OUT

My Question is do you think the Athlon 64 3200+ processor will be fast enough at 2.0 GHz or should I be looking at the 3800+ or the Pentium  4 at 3.2 GHz.

I would appreciate any help on this.Thanks

Pickup

[Gixer]

Which 2500 do u have? is it a mobile cpu? If so they are really good overclockers and usually easily achieve 2.3GHz on air cooling (As long as its good).

This would run FS9 as good if not slightly better than the AMD 64 3200 as FS9 doesnt take full advantage od the 64bit cpu.

Thing with PC's is if you got the money always buy the best you can afford. Its a simple rule really as bits are always gonna go out of date fast.

I wouldn't choose that mobo myself.

[pickup]

When you ask if it is a mobile CPU, do you mean is it a lap top? If that is what you were asking its a desktop. If that is not what you meant I'm sorry but I will have to ask you to explain further because I am kinda a dummy at this.
Thankyou for your comments.

Pickup

[Delta_]

Mobile cpus fit into desktops aswell, they use a lower fsb but can be clocked up really high by raising the fsb.  If you built the pc and specified that component you would obviously have it, but if you bought it pre-built then it is highly unlikely it will be a mobile cpu.

[Bazza]

I can't believe your performance on your original gear is so
poor.............I assume by "slide shows" you mean you are getting one frame at a time and 1 - 4 FPS to me indicates you have a major problem somewhere.

There is no logical reason why you shouldn't be achieving enjoyable performance with thiose specs.

Unless you have unlimited sources of money, I suggest you have someone with appropriate knowledge sort your stuff out for you.      Many people on these forums (myself included) are achieving 20 - 30 FPS with lesser equipment.

Something is drastically wrong with your set-up.

Good luck with it...Bazza

[pickup]

It runs FS 2002 not bad except when you get into high graphics areas like LAX or Seattle then the frame rate on that drops down to 10-15 frames per second. Other then that it runs around 22- 24.

On FS2004 it has never run any good. High Graphics areas like LAX  or again Seattle  the frames just drop right off to 1-4 frames a second. I can increase the frame rates by bringing  the sliders back but that usually only yields around 10 frames a second and then the secnery looks the pitts.  

If you get up to 30,000 ft. and you have clouds put in like cumulus the frames drop right off again to around 4-6 frames a second with no ground scenery showing.

Thankyou for your comments.

Pickup

[bm]

I would think for now you would be better off just changing the graphics card to an X800. That would give you a huge performance boost! It would probably slaughter my P4 3.2, 9800XT and 1 gig!

That should then allow you to survive six months (along time apperently!), after all that is a pretty decent system. You could get the graphics card first and see if that works well enough in your current system and if not then get the rest of the kit afterwards and you've lost nothing.

[Bazza]

Why I posted previously, is that I have an old AMD Athlon 1700.    I have 512 meg of ram, a GE Force 2 MX video card.

I recently upgraded my drivers to the 56.64 version.   I have no problems whatsoever with my FS9 - why should someone with a better spec'd set-up be having the problems he is mentioning ?       Don't necessarily blame Microsoft or the gear, is something else wrong ?

If every time I had a problem with my computer over the last 12 years, I had thrown it out and bought the latest "answer"
I would be living on the streets.    

If you cannot run MS9 on the gear that  PICKUP is talking about the whole ballgame would have been thrown out and have become a laughing stock.

[Gixer]

It all depends what setting Pickup has his graphics, AI, etc etc at.

If the guy wants high detail with all the eye candy poss and everything maxxed then his current system wont run it.  If however he has a lot of stuff turned down then yes I would say there is a problem with his PC.  

A nymber of things could cause it to run bad though.  PC is generally untidy/ clogged with rubbish.  Virus/worm/trojans.  Heat build up.  Have you checked the fan on your g/card? I had one go on me  :( took me a few days to work it out.

It is probably worth checking a few things before you go spend cash.  Maybe a re-format would be a good idea that way you can install new drivers etc straight off so there should be no conflicts etc.  Also check your hardware inside.  Get rid of all the dust buildup and check all your fams are working.

[congo]

My first thoughts were the same as Birdman's, just go for the graphics card and see if you like it. If not, you can go further.

4 Frames / Second is quite normal on your rig with high graphics settings and complex scenery etc in FS9. I know because I had a similar setup and there was nothing "wrong" with it. You should be seeing a lot better "average" FPS though, between 18 and 25 FPS with a few tweaks.

As far as my research shows, the socket 754 64bit mainboards don't even have Dual Channel Ram configuration, so forget the ram kit, as it's too expensive that way. A good quality module is fine.

As far as CPU utilisation, I overclocked my XP 2800+ to a XP 3300+ (equivalent, about 380mhz on the front side bus speed - normal 333mhz) and my rig showed 100% utilisation while running FS9.

The advantage with the 64bit systems at the moment is basically the increased bandwidth (computing power) due to a very fast "front side bus" speed compared with AMD's 32bit systems. The software isn't going to be 64bit for quite a while, nor is current software going to push the enormous bandwidth in modern systems to the limit.

You don't specify your current mainboard, but it's likely that it will support a much faster CPU, as fast or faster than your planned upgrade! Also, the price of a new cpu for your current rig is low by comparison. I just did a similar upgrade to a new "Thorton" core XP2800+ and found it easily overclocks to an XP3200+ and it runs fine and cool while flying FS9. That was a very inexpensive CPU solution. You need mainboard support for that though.

Another CPU solution could be a more expensive 400mhz FSB speed XP chip on your current rig, which currently runs at 333mhz fsb speed. You need mainboard support and your ram needs to be PC3200 (400mhz - to make it worthwhile) for that though, so check first.

I've based the above statements on the assumption that you have a correctly set decent chipset (ie. mainboard) in your rig. It's possible you have a substandard chipset and/or some configuration errors.

In the case of someone with an outdated PC, I would recommend the 64bit upgrade route, but, yours may be fine for a while to come. How about posting your Mainboard details?

Remember, the graphics card upgrade alone should get

[pickup]

I would like to thank everyone for all the imput. I will try  the new video card first, that is a good idea.
I don't know how to get the Mainboard details, like I said I really don't know alot about the inside of the computer. I have someone build it for me. If you could tell me how to access the Mainboard details I will get them and post them.
I blew the computer out about a week ago but it performed the same when I first got the computer. I will take the side off the computer and have a fan blow into the computer.
I don't have my FS computer hooked up to the internet because in the past I had too much trouble with it getting loaded with junk and I had to have it reformatted 2 or 3 times. I try and keep everything in order and defrag every day.
I use my wifes computer to download airplanes panels, scenery etc. and then burn it on a disk and then install it on my FS computer.
What I would like to do is have this computer run with the sliders all maxed. When I am in a turn now in airport areas everything stops for a second or two while it reloads besides the jerkyness.

I tried a 9800 pro video card and it improved  a little but not a whole bunch.

Thats why I thought this x800xt platinum with the 256 MG's of Ram might work better.



I really appreciate all the help from everyone. Thankyou very much.

Pickup

[Gixer]

If you want all the sliders maxxed and 100% AI, minimum 1280x1024 res though 1600x1200 preferred, and the use of FSAA and AF , which I think is a must in FS, then I dont think any of the current, i.e. 9800xt or 5950Ultra will do it.  

In this situation the more graphics power you have the better.  Its between the X800 XTPE or the FX6800Ultra.  I got an order in for the 6800 Ultra just sat witing for it  :( been waiting far to long though! These cards are like gold dust at the moment.

[bm]

What I would like to do is have this computer run with the sliders all maxed

Heard that one before

May I point you in the direction of Cray computers, I've heard they make quite good high end machines. 10 000 AMD 64's stuffed together in one PC should run pretty damn well, but I doutb you'd be able to max FS9 out.

[bm]

Do you have any idea about the power of you're PSU? You would probably need a minumum of about 400W.

If you want all the sliders maxxed and 100% AI, minimum 1280x1024 res though 1600x1200 preferred, and the use of FSAA and AF , which I think is a must in FS, then I dont think any of the current, i.e. 9800xt or 5950Ultra will do it.  

I think you could if you had a clean OS install, no network, internet, viruses, spyware, worse (project AI)  :o T&G though!

http://www.lavalys.com/products/overvie ... n&pageid=1
Everest, (formally Aida32) will tell you exactly whats in you're box.

[pickup]

I think my power supply is only 250 watts but I'm not sure. The technician that was going to build this up for me said I needed 400 watts like you pointed out.

Thanks for the Everesthome address, I am down loading a file from there now and will put it on my FS computer. I hope it will work without the internet connection.

Pickup