Flight Simulator, PC Upgrade needed.

Hi, i wanted to play flight stimulator X on my desktop but it would not let me, so i have decided it would be better for an upgrade with vista also in mind.

Can anyone give any recommendations on what i need for fsx to run smoothly on the highest settings with not going to overboard on the price. Also should i go for Intel Core Duo 2 or Amd 64bit.

I currently have:
a Abit Va-10 motherboard,
Amd 2800+ processor. (basic computing knowledge)

 

yeh im running intel core 2 64 bit im running vista rc1 flight simulator dose not work good on it i am waiting for the real version should be good then

go intel core 2 mate

 

well, i am in a complete mess.

I was looking at the Athlon X2 4200/4400 but can seem to find a good mobo. Should i go with abit or asus.

 

thanks, can you please tell me of a particular model that will go with the Amid x2 64.

Also which socket i get the socket 939 or AM2? On wikipedia it said AM2 was better but there are not as fast processors with it.

Thank you.

 

Right,

Im not sure how much of a computer newbie you are so if it sounds like im talking basic its no offense to you.

AM2 and 939 are all socket types which the processor go into. 939 is getting old now and production of chips (processors) that fit them is on the decrease. AM2 is the newer type and i would reccomend that. Another advantage of AM2 over 939 is the RAM that they take. 939 uses DDR ram which is much slower than AM2's DDR 2.

However if your looking for a fast pc id go with Core 2 duo myself as youl find most people will agree generally they give you more bang for your buck than any AM2/939 processor

Also about your motherboard question asus is undoubtledly the superior company and if you have a choice i would reccomend going with them.

Any more quetsions just ask!

Hope that helps a little!

Lecsiy

 

Go with Abit if you stick with AM2, as they are much more stable in my experience and somewhat less picky about memory. But lecsiy is right in that a Core Duo will give you a lot of bang for less money. And if money is an issue you can build a system around a lowly Smithfield 805 or 820 for dirt cheap.

I would advise against Vista for a lot of reasons. FSX works fine on XPSP2, of course, as long as you have respectable hardware. No need to eliminate the performance improvements of your hardware with a bulkier, unwieldy OS.

 

lol, this is when i get double minded on what to get, with one person saying Abit is better and the other saying Asus.

I will probably buy my parts one at a time slowly building up, i think i should get a cpu first and then a compatible mobo.

People are saying Core Duo is better but everyone at ad still seems to Amd so once again i am unsure.

Also i did look at the intel E6400 and E6600 but they more than 64 X2 cpu's.

 

Dont wait too long to piece it together...
Everything from parts to fastest and bestest change every other week or so... LOL

 

and on the socket thing i meant that you cant get X2 4800+ whereas on socket 939 you can. This is where i need help.

Should i get the:

Athlon 64 Dual Core 4200+ Socket AM2
or the
AMD Athlon 64 Dual Core 4800+ Socket 939

 

In the short term, the 939 will work great and be a less expensive build.
The AM2 build might be a little more now, but greater room for more improvement next year when you want to do something more.

 

ok i will go with am2 but lastly could you recommend a good graphics card that will handle recent games at a good price or should i also look out for a direct x 10 compatible card?

 

cool glad your making your mind up.
it would be easier if you gave us an exact price range because a good price for you might be different than what i consider to be a good price.
Lecsiy

 

how about £150($300) or slightly more but if graphics card that supports direct x 10 is well over that i could wait awhile.

 

The cheapest direct X 10 card is abour £220. But if its flight simulator you want to play this card will have no problems on pretty detailed settings:

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/119203/rb/24726955003

Direct X 10 is gonna be good but its not worth £220 just for it. If you can maybe wait a while and get a direct x 10 card when prices drop. Its up to you but if i were you id go for that card.

I have an X1800GTO thats below your card and its pretty damn fast. Bought it a year ago and can still play the games i want to no problems!!

Lecsiy

 

i think i will wait till the price drops and actually start buying the other parts. how long do think it will take a a dx10 card to be a reasonable price?

 

All depends on when ATI releases their DX10 cards. I know Nvidia should be releasing the mid and low range DX10 cards here soon.

 

Thanks to every who has gave me advice on what to do, as i am coming to terms on building my first pc.

Just one final question(lol, i feel like such a neewbie)

I am gonna get a 500GB drive but should i get one which has a slightly higher RPM (Hitachi) or the higher cache (Western Digital). Also would these work in my current mobo:
http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/techspec.php?categories=1&model=136

the drives i have looked at are:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/95668/product_info/rb/24748846412

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/108762

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/108235/product_info/rb/24748833503

 

thanks ddp,

i have decided i will get;

ASUS M2N32 WS PRO nForce 590SLI
AMD Athlon 64 Dual Core 4200+ - Socket AM2
Western Digital WD5000KS 500GB