I’ve been asked to build (or possibly just buy?) a new PC for a friend, to be very capable of running MSTS as well as possible now, and hopefully be powerful enough for the new Sims due next year(?).
Having built my own PC a couple of years ago, and tried to optimise for MSTS (3GhzP4/SATA Raid/9800XT/2Gb RAM etc), I was just wondering what the current “state of the artâ€
What PC?
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Hi Tim !
What you got is top notch for MSTS and no amount of money is going to improve it's performance more than marginally !
The new Train Sims will no doubt be coded for the latest in Graphics Technology but doubt whether they will take advantage of dual-core processors, splitting the workload of what the programmes have to do.
And then there is MS-VISTA on the horizon, moving the goal posts yet again !
I would wait buying a new computer until the new Train Sims have been released and we get feedback from impartial initial users !
O t t o
What you got is top notch for MSTS and no amount of money is going to improve it's performance more than marginally !
The new Train Sims will no doubt be coded for the latest in Graphics Technology but doubt whether they will take advantage of dual-core processors, splitting the workload of what the programmes have to do.
And then there is MS-VISTA on the horizon, moving the goal posts yet again !
I would wait buying a new computer until the new Train Sims have been released and we get feedback from impartial initial users !
O t t o
Well an asus nvidia 7800 gtx graphics card x2 would be ideal,nvidia cards are best for running msts amongst other programs.
corsair ddr2 memory dual channel,may be considered
and a intel pentium d 3.4 dual core processor 775 pin with an asus sli motherboard pci express, and creative have a new sound card out which has a great review from custom pc mag
as money is no object cos the processor cost about 400 quid and graphics card abou 350
so there you go mind you ATI are just releasing their new graphics card in answer to the 7800gtx so the fight begins again for supremacy .
so theres one set up for you, oh and yes, a sata hard drive setup
corsair ddr2 memory dual channel,may be considered
and a intel pentium d 3.4 dual core processor 775 pin with an asus sli motherboard pci express, and creative have a new sound card out which has a great review from custom pc mag
as money is no object cos the processor cost about 400 quid and graphics card abou 350
so there you go mind you ATI are just releasing their new graphics card in answer to the 7800gtx so the fight begins again for supremacy .
so theres one set up for you, oh and yes, a sata hard drive setup
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johndibben
- Bletchley Park:home of first programmable computer
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If new games can be any gauge of what the new sims will require, it's 128MB and above video cards, a seperate sound card and 1GB or more RAM. Processor speed appeared everything at one time but recommended specs havn't risen in line with the above.
I know little of computers and thought my PC would be good for years as an average new PC processor speeds have risen from 2.8Ghz to 3.06GHz in a couple of years. New games now require better cards and memory.
Silent Hunter III won't play properly on my old GeForce4 MX 440 card.
Don't want to upgrade and might not wait for the new sims.
The developers have a choice. They either 'aim low' to take in enthusiasts who're not gamers or 'aim high' to take in gamers and force enthusiasts to upgrade or buy new computers.
As 'aiming low' would still allow significant advances on MSTS, I'd go for that option and then allow add-ons authors to push the boundaries as they did with MSTS .... and get the blame if computers grind to a halt
Maybe they might want to comment in more detail if questioned in their own forums .... again
It's something, as potential customers, we could expect to be told with even vague release dates looming ever closer.
I know little of computers and thought my PC would be good for years as an average new PC processor speeds have risen from 2.8Ghz to 3.06GHz in a couple of years. New games now require better cards and memory.
Silent Hunter III won't play properly on my old GeForce4 MX 440 card.
Don't want to upgrade and might not wait for the new sims.
The developers have a choice. They either 'aim low' to take in enthusiasts who're not gamers or 'aim high' to take in gamers and force enthusiasts to upgrade or buy new computers.
As 'aiming low' would still allow significant advances on MSTS, I'd go for that option and then allow add-ons authors to push the boundaries as they did with MSTS .... and get the blame if computers grind to a halt
Maybe they might want to comment in more detail if questioned in their own forums .... again
It's something, as potential customers, we could expect to be told with even vague release dates looming ever closer.
From what I understand about how graphics are processed by a computer, it's the graphics card which is first called upon to do the numbers crunching creating images in their RAM. Therefore the faster the graphics card's GPU and on-board Memory is the better and more seamless the display of images on screen will be. A fast hard drive for getting data the graphics card needs from the hard drive also helps.johndibben wrote:New games now require better cards and memory.
The more Memory on the cards themselves the less the CPU will be called upon to assist, letting it get on with other tasks running the game. There were signs of 512 Mb of Memory being on graphics cards, but have not heard much on that subject lately.
The new PCX-SLI technology, allowing two graphics cards to be used in tandem, should double graphics processing speed, but am not sure whether games need to be coded to make use if them ?
O t t o
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ianmacmillan
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I think the more efficient game engine of the new sims will balance out the improved graphics and you will still be able to get improved performance from your existing system.
After all, the typical MSTS1 set up is already a high spec machine.
I also expect the new sims to have improved quality options and adjust the display automatically to suit your system.
Don't think it will run on your Spectrum tho....
After all, the typical MSTS1 set up is already a high spec machine.
I also expect the new sims to have improved quality options and adjust the display automatically to suit your system.
Don't think it will run on your Spectrum tho....
[album 80489 WWCo.jpg]
If it's got buffers it's Chain.
If it's got buffers it's Chain.
As i and now Otto point out about the SLI cards,there are not many vendors who have released or even made any software to make use of this technology ie 64 bit games etc,(might be a couple about )mind you you dont now actualy need to buy 2 seperate graphic cards, as i believe its Asus who have now just got the one SLI card,big beastly thing though,and expensive.
have a look at custom pc magazine online,where you can find out more,this mag deals with building computers and software tweaks and other things,and are experts at recomending the best system, give them a go.
have a look at custom pc magazine online,where you can find out more,this mag deals with building computers and software tweaks and other things,and are experts at recomending the best system, give them a go.
I can second that !terryshan wrote:Have a look at custom pc magazine online,where you can find out more,this mag deals with building computers and software tweaks and other things,and are experts at recommending the best system, give them a go.
Been buying that magazine since it was published first not so long ago and find it invaluable for keeping in touch with the latest in hardware until such time when I decide to build my final train sims computer after the release of TMTS and KRS-2006.
O t t o
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JohnKendrick
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Oh no! That's a shame. Hopefully OK on the Vic20 though.ianmacmillan wrote:Don't think it will run on your Spectrum tho....
Regarding Radion vs NVidia, some users with Radion graphics cards suffer the dreaded floating scenery with MSTS. I've read in the forums here that folk have swapped out their Radion cards for NVidia to overcome this.
I would say to be on the safe side, at least for the present, stick with the make that appears the more relable for running MSTS! It would be a waste to get that new Radion only to have to swap it over right away.
Perhaps someone who has tried the new Radion card can say if the floating scenery is still an issue with it.
John
THE YORKSHIRE COAST RAILWAY, released as freeware (CD & download) on 26th Feb 2005.
thats why the new radeons (not quite yet on pc shelves have overcome that problem,get custom pc mag november issue and you will see what i mean,when you read the the review,so dont put down the card until you know what its got.because as i said its got newer features.and its overtaken nvidia,s7800gtx model,which i use on my system.SO GO GET THE MAG and find out what all the rage is.the model is the radeon X1800XT 3D POWERHOUSE as stated front page cover.so dont knock it till you read it.
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JohnKendrick
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I read a glowing report in a mag about a well known sound card. Sold as 24 bit... it wasn't. Various compatibility problems. Yes, the new Radion card may be good but the proof of the pudding will be in the eating.
Just don't rely on Magazine reviews; sometimes a nice juicy steak lunch or even a holiday can persuade a reviewer to give a poor product a good write up.
A certain Family History program got a great write up in a magazine... the reviewer, it was later proved, was hardly unbiased.. he was a member of the programme's development team! The program wasn't anything to write home about after all.
Regarding floaters with NVidia, which card should purchasers stay clear of then?
Also, how does the cost of the new card compare to exisitng ones. I see you mentioned cost in your post above but I got a bit lost in that long sentance and wan't sure to what you were referring!
John
Just don't rely on Magazine reviews; sometimes a nice juicy steak lunch or even a holiday can persuade a reviewer to give a poor product a good write up.
A certain Family History program got a great write up in a magazine... the reviewer, it was later proved, was hardly unbiased.. he was a member of the programme's development team! The program wasn't anything to write home about after all.
Regarding floaters with NVidia, which card should purchasers stay clear of then?
Also, how does the cost of the new card compare to exisitng ones. I see you mentioned cost in your post above but I got a bit lost in that long sentance and wan't sure to what you were referring!
John
THE YORKSHIRE COAST RAILWAY, released as freeware (CD & download) on 26th Feb 2005.
John I see you know absolutely nothing ,as you insist on being an absolute moaner and no matter what you are told, still like to belittle the experts reviews.and put them down,it is not worth the effort to put across to you computer experts testing and reviews of the new ATI,Scards,and what they can do,
it is the first x1000 series card to support 128bit floating point precision and is ATI,S first SM3 GPU ,AMONGST OTHER NEW FEATURES.... ie 64 bit support.
this card supercedes the X800,Series,
try listening for once and accept the experts findings and read the reviews either by going out and buying the CUSTOM PC mag or go online and read its reviews,remember this maG is based and aimed at the adult computer builder,its not a kiddies magazine,so stick to reading your beano or bunty ,
you seem to like putting down experts and their views,without looking further than the end of your nose,so until you know what you are talking about ,i suggest you dont make any more comments on this forum about the newer cards.as for the cost ,if you had bothered to look you would see why it is more expensive than others.
it is the first x1000 series card to support 128bit floating point precision and is ATI,S first SM3 GPU ,AMONGST OTHER NEW FEATURES.... ie 64 bit support.
this card supercedes the X800,Series,
try listening for once and accept the experts findings and read the reviews either by going out and buying the CUSTOM PC mag or go online and read its reviews,remember this maG is based and aimed at the adult computer builder,its not a kiddies magazine,so stick to reading your beano or bunty ,
you seem to like putting down experts and their views,without looking further than the end of your nose,so until you know what you are talking about ,i suggest you dont make any more comments on this forum about the newer cards.as for the cost ,if you had bothered to look you would see why it is more expensive than others.
