SurClaro Flight Simulator Resources

Hello folks,

The time has come for me to upgrade my computer as you all know to help brace myself for the blow FSX and Windows Vista is going to make on my computer Very Happy

. So me and my dad have come across an upgrade plan, but I also need your help! What the upgrade should do is that FSX SHOULD run with >30fps in NYC and Vista be like any fast computer out there. My upgrade plan till now is as follows:

AMD 64 FX-62 Processor with SLI compatile Motherboard
or
AMD Opteron Quad-Core Processor (2007 model) with SLI compatible Motherboard
or
Intel P4 Extreme Edition with P4N Diamond Motherboard;
Seagate 750GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache 3GB/s Hard Disk;
Samsung DDR3 RAM (x4) -> 4GB;
Nvidia (SLI x4) GeForce 7950 1GDDR Graphics Card
or
Any other 1GB card competitive with the 7950 and DirectX10 compatible

Anything you want to add? Is there anyhting that ou would recommend better than these specs? Very Happy

Plz let me know what you think!

Captain El Very Happy

Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:05 am Post subject:

Just so you know, all the newer Nvidia cards that come out that are compatible with DirectX 10, will be an *8* series. Something along the lines of, Nvidia *8200* or close. There will not be a 7 or below series. Consider it the price of progress.

I can't say anything about Intell, except, hmmm, I don't like it. But some do.

Also, If you don't have one, get a DVD player/recorder in + and - RW format. Also make sure you have an ample PS unit. My new rig is over 1,000 watts. You should be fine with one with 500 watts or more. Depends on your other peripherals you add.

For me, that about covers it. But links to your suggestions would really be nice to have.

RD

Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 1:40 pm Post subject:

Okay, here are the links:

CURRENT:
Gigabyte GA-8IPE775-G motherboard w/ Intel Pentium 4 540 (3.2GHz)
( http://computing.kelkoo.co.uk/b/a/ps_11985268/111101.html ) ( http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1790 )
Maxtor 6Y120PO 120GB
( http://www.superwarehouse.com/p.cfm?p=193160&CMP=KNC-DA5355324084 )

INTO:
PROCESSOR:
MSI P4N Diamond Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 4 SLI Intel Edition ATX Intel Motherboard w/ Intel Pentium Extreme Edition 965 Presler 1066MHz FSB 2 x 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130501R ) ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116248 )

or

ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce SPP 100 ATX AMD Motherboard w/ AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 Windsor 2000MHz HT 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Dual Core Processor
( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131568 ) ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103861 )
I heard there was a Quadro-Core coming out for AMD... Is that better than the AMD 64 FX??

or

AMD Opteron Quad-Core Processor (2007 model) with SLI compatible Motherboard
( http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=23747 )

HARD DISK:
SEAGATE 750GB BARRACUDA 7200.9 SATA-II 3.5LP 8.5MS 7200RPM 16MB 3GB/S
( http://www.shopbot.ca/p-20422-298976.html )

Grafix card is still taken into consideration. PLZ TELL ME IF YOU THINK THERE IS A BETTER OPTION THAN THE ONES STATED! Thank you!
Very Happy

Captain El

Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 9:17 pm Post subject:

Hey Captain El, if you leave any text (such as brackets) at least one space away from the URL's that you post, they will show up as a clickable blue link.

Also, the one side by side field test of same speed processors I read in a magazine recently had Intel slightly faster for work type apps & multitasking and AMD slightly faster for gaming & graphic-heavy stuff.

Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:58 pm Post subject:

Well, I LOVE multitasking... I like to get my plane in the air (FSX and FS2004) and then surf the web, listen to iTunes, and chat on MSN (all while FS is on autopilot, of course Laughing

). Anyways, but I think I'll take the AMD. Still want to know which one is better for gaming: AMD Opteron (Quad-Core) or AMD 64 FX... anyone? Smile

Captain El Very Happy

Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 3:23 pm Post subject: CPU

Check out the reviews over at newegg... that is also where you can get some of the best prices on your new hardware as well. Cool

http://www.newegg.com/

Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2006 6:34 am Post subject:

Well folks, I got some better news... instead of getting the Seagate 750GB for $400, I can get 2x Seagate 400GB for $360!! I get even more like 800GB... which seems VERY Very Happy

attractive to me... the 400GB verion has even FASTER latency!!! (like instead of 8.5ms read/write... its 8ms), which is a really go-for-it remark... Very Happy

Captain El Very Happy

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 1:42 pm Post subject:

As for the grafix card... I am updating my plans for DX10, DDR4 technology, SM4.0 and Vista compatibility purposes. I am planning to see wether I can get the ATI R600 or the Nvidia G80 or G90... I am hoping to get more news on both competing cards as they evolve around the building processes and plans... Very Happy

What do you all think??

Captain El

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 8:11 pm Post subject:

Does anyone know if a Radeon 9550 AGP card w/256 mb RAM will be compatible Directx10?

Rock-Head

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 9:15 pm Post subject:

DirectX 10 is not compatible with DirectX 9 video cards, as stated already somewhere on this forum. The newest ATI Radeon X1900 or even the newest Nvidia 7950 are not compatible with DirectX 10. Like RD said, look for an 8000 series by Nvidia if you want a DirectX 10 compatible video card.

So I'm sorry, the 9550 and DX10 won't be very good friends.

Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 9:03 am Post subject:

What about the 9 series?? I saw that Nvidia is plannign to make 2 versions for DX10... the G80 (8800GT/X) and the G90 (9800GT/X). The 9 series are supposed to be coming up later than the 8 series... but it might definitely be a better card! Very Happy

I saw the specs of the R600 and I think they kick a*s!!

Captain El Very Happy

Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 10:46 am Post subject:

I'm trying really hard not to get mad about this. However, I believe I have embarked on an impossible journey...

Rock-Head

Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 3:15 pm Post subject:

Look, okay, I can't emphasize enough on how badly I need to know which processor is better cuz I'm going for the best rig Vista and FSX would handle! I can't emphasize enough on how badly I need info on comparison of grafix cards, processors and H/D's

I have another comparison to solve...

Which one is BETTER?

Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 Conroe 2.93GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115001 )

or

AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 Windsor 2.8GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Dual Core Processor
or
AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 Windsor 2.8GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Dual Core Processor
( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103861 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103861R ... Whats the difference?? Whats Open Box??)

Thank you sooooo much!

Captain El

Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 3:31 pm Post subject:

Personally, I would stay away from Intell. Stay with AMD. As for open-box, it means it has been returned in good, uninstalled condition. It may have the peripherals, or some items could be missing. That's why it is cheaper.

RD

Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 3:39 pm Post subject:

I saw in a review of the Intel Core 2 Extreme that it KILLS the AMD FX-60!! So............ you know, these things get me REALLY confused. I always read that this CPU rocks and stuff, and when I look at another, it says its a lot better than my [Previously viewed CPU]......

Plz help me analyze this...

Which to beleive??

Captain El