AmericanF100 From United States of America, joined Aug 2001, 242 posts, RR: 1 Posted (7 years 4 weeks 18 hours ago) and read 1498 times:
Hey all,
I am buying a new Dell computer, and I finally want to get something that will run Microsoft Flight Simulator in such a fashion that I will enjoy playing it...
I have questions regarding which Processor to choose. On this computer, a Dell XPS 400, they offer these processors:
Pentium® D Processor 820 with Dual Core Technology (2.80GHz, 800FSB) [Base processor]
Pentium® D Processor 930 with Dual Core Technology (3GHz, 800FSB) [Add $100]
Pentium® D Processor 940 with Dual Core Technology (3.20GHz, 800FSB) [Add $300]
So which one would be best for me? Would a 2.88 GHz be enough to run flight sim so that it would be smooth and fast? What are the benefits to doing the 3.2? What would you recommend.
I also have a question regarding which video card to choose, here is what Dell offers:
256MB nVidia Geforce 7300LE TurboCache [Included in Price]
I am thinking either the nVidia GeForce 7800 or the ATI Radeon X1900 XTX... would the nVidia be sufficient? What are the benefits to chosing the Radeon? What would you suggest?
I really want to buy a computer that will run Flight Sim at a high performance level. I have always wanted a great FS, and now that I can finally buy a computer with the capability to run FS well, I want to get the right stuff but at the same time not spend carelessly. Other important specifications are that the computer will have 160GB hard drive and 1GB of RAM.
Cabso1 From Canada, joined May 2005, 502 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (7 years 4 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 1483 times:
Hey, The processor should be enough for FS, but it is always better to buy a faster processor cos u never know what might happen tomorrow i.e. a faster FS or Windows Vista.
Get the ATI radeon, it will be the best graphics u would have seen on a PC. If you can, then also upgrade the RAM, always important.
Nighthawk From UK - Scotland, joined Sep 2001, 4992 posts, RR: 38 Reply 2, posted (7 years 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 1477 times:
The most important component for flightsim is going to be the graphics card, so dont hold back in this department. I wouldnt imagine you would see much of a difference between a 2.8 and a 3ghz machine.
I would stick with the 2.8ghz and go for the ATI X1900.
My system is a 3ghz Single core Athlon 64, with an ATI X800, and FS runs nice and smooth on that, so you cant go too much wrong with any of those setups.
Just bear in mind that any graphics card you buy now will not be DirectX10 compatible, and will therefore not be able to support the advanced graphics that will be available in Windows Vista when it eventually ships...
Cfalk From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 3, posted (7 years 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 1473 times:
Flight Simulator is a program that always demands the most powerful PC you can get in order to enjoy all the graphics. At the time of release, you generally need the best PC and graphics card available at the time to be able to turn on most or all of the bells and whistles.
The good news is that FS 2004 has been out for a couple of years now, so pretty much all of the options you listed should work pretty well. But I understand that FS 2006 (or 2007) is coming out soon, and you'll find yourself frustrated.
As a general habit, I don't like to compromise on performance when I buy a new PC. I buy the fastest processor and best graphics card I can, and stuff as much memory as I can fit, so that in 2 or 3 years, I am still quite happy with it. Of course, it does cost money.
So my response would be to go for the Pentium 940 and the 512MB ATI Radeon card. If you can't quite afford that, I would back off on the Processor rather than the graphics card - 512MB on the Graphics card is sweet to have.
And don't forget to pack in as much RAM as you can. I think 2 GB is minimum nowadays.
TedTAce From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (7 years 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 1468 times:
If this is a casual purchase....I would wait until Vista is released with SP1, THEN buy the best box you can afford that has Vista with SP1 preloaded. It will be a wait, but should be well worth it!!!
If you can, spend the most possible, why go 1/2 way when you got he cash.
If money doesn't grow on trees for you, then the bottom end options will work fine until you got the cash for a true Vista box.
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