Which of these PCs will work well with FS9 and FSX?
Hi,
I'm building a GA cockpit and need to upgrade my PC to run lots of USB devices, 2x LCD monitors for MIPs and 1 external view. My current PC is an AMD XP3000+, O/C to 2.17Ghz, 1.25GB RAM, ATI Radeon 9700 AGP 128Mb. I also run a second monitor using old PCI card. It runs FS9 ok I suppose but doesn't like FSX much.
I don't have much left over after buying my components and so for now I need to consider a second hand system such as the following 3. Which system would you recommend and are any not suitable?
OPTION # 1
Intel Pentium D Dual core 830 processor @ 3 GHz
2 x 1 MB L2-cache, 800 MHz FSB
BTX shaped, optimized airflow, heatpipe cooling
2 Gigbytes DDR2 SDRAM with 533 MHz 64-bit dual channel memory
NVIDIA GeForce 6700XL videocard with 128 MB memory (SDDR3/1100MHz)
250 GB 7200 rpm Seagate (S-ATA 150)
Dual TV function: record one channel while watching another
1 x DVB-S digital TV receivers
1 x Analogue TV/cable-TV receivers
Sony 16x Dual layer multistandard DVD/CD burner with LIGHTSCRIBE
Sony 16x DVD-ROM
54Mbits WLAN
Built-in 8-in-1 USB 2.0 card reader
6 x USB 2.0 ports (2 x front, 4 x back)
2 x Firewire ports (1 x front, 1 x back)
Dolby Digital 8 channel Intel High Definition Audio
V.90 PCI data/fax/modem
Integrated 10/100 Mbit ethernet controller
OEM Version Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate on Hard drive only.
OPTION # 2:
Intel P4 3.2ghz Processor
Gigabyte Motherboard GA-8I945P Pro
Gigabyte GForce NVIDIA 7600GT Video Card
2 gig of ADATA Ram
2 x 250gig Hard Drive
CD/DVD Burner Combo
Keyboard & Mouse
5 in 1 Card Reader
Coolermaster Case & PSU (350watt)
OPTION #3
Dimension(TM) 8300 Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 Processor with HT Technology 3.4GHz
Intel(R) 875P Chipset
512KB ON-DIE L2 Cache
Integrated Intel(R) PRO 10/100 Ethernet
Dell(TM) Media Experience Software
2GB (4x512) Memory 400MHz DDR SDRAM
256MB ATIĀ® RadeonTM 9800 XT DDR w/TV-Out and DVI
17" Ultrasharp(TM) LCD Flat Panel Display with Height Adjustable Stand
250GB SATA (7200RPM) Hard Drive
SATA Cable
Microsoft(R) Works 7.0 - OEM version
DVD+RW/+R with CDRW Combo Drive
DVD Decoder Software
4.7GB DVD+R Blank Media (1 pc)
SONIC(TM) MyDVD(TM) and Sonic RecordNow! Software
Sound Blaster(R) AudigyTM 2 Sound Card
Audio Filler
Dell(TM) 5650 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers w/ Subwoofer
56K PCI Telephony Modem
Hopefully I'll have my sim up and running within a few weeks and I'll post the results here.
Cheers.
I'll be running FSX most of the time
I use both FS9 and FSX however I intend to move onto FSX for good once my sim is built. My current system will run FS9 ok with sliders low-medium and without any real eye-candy, but that has to change when the sim is running. I need to be able to fly VFR which means more scenery out the window and hence the need for a boost to my PC performance.
My Hangstrom USB-108, 22" LCD (MIP) , and GF radios should arrive soon and I'll also buy 2 x Saitek TQ which seem good value?? I will also run a second monitor (15" LCD) for the F/O instruments and my 21"CRT for front view. The next stage will see the introduction of new external visuals (TH2go with 3x19"LCDs in "Bugeye" configuration.
Cheers,
Nick