My upgrade plan

[Jimmy]

In order to fix my perforamce issue this is what i plan to do:

Firstly I will by 1gb of DDR ram, the same speed as my other 512mb one too. If this doesn't fix anything I will do this:

Buy a new mobo, CPU, and windows xp (even when I asked when buying my pc they wouldn't give me the discs.) Then put a a whole system together, I think I have everything needed (apart from the previosly mentioned).
I have:

Case, PSU, DVD drive, two hard drives, video card, flopy drive, modem.

Now, I imagine putting a pc togther and finding the right parts isn't excacly a walk in the park. So thats why Im posting here, questions such as how much will this cost, what could go wrong, will I be able to do it at all, finding the excacly right parts so I dont buy somethign that doesn't agree with anothor part I have.

I have been looking alot on PConline, were I brought my dvd drive and graphics card (I like em cos of the free upgrade to 7600GS hehe) not bad prices eathier.

So what specs am I looking at acheving? I will be happy with a 2.8-3.2ghz processor, I would like a mobo that supports AGP 8x and DDR ram so I dont have to buy all new ram. And of course I want the cheapest possible stuff, even my graphics card took mounths to save for...

So any advice, anserws to my questions or tips very welcome. I think I may have found me a project! (and I can convince my parants its a learning experiance )

James

[kestrel]

Check out http://www.pricespy.co.nz for best prices

[Dreamweaver]

Hi Jimmy

Possibly you may have to buy a case as well depending if the motherboard fits.

A 3.2ghz CPU is a good choice but that said probably still wont run FSX as your probably aware by other posts and comments.

Your right finding the right parts is not a walk in the park and your probably best to ask advice from a expert tech rather than the opininons of use on a forum. All I can really say to you is that I have built a few systems but most have been used by none gamers.

My current PC I use with FS uses a ASUS P5P800 socket 775 mobo which I am thinking of replacing the 2.8ghz CPU with the maximum in can handle 3.2ghz. Theoretically currently I can overclock it to 4.0ghz but this I am relcutant to try because of voiding its warrenty. It also has a 8xAGP slot.

My advice is talk to the local computer tech or two and avoid advice from mates.

[ZK-MAT]

I second Dreamweaver's comment about dealing with someone local. You then have someone to kick if things don't work out. Otherwise it's a "errr, umm sorry James I thought it would work" from some well meaning forum member

[Zöltuger]

before you go out spending money on more RAM, i want to know why it's so slow- doesn't Trolly have a similar computer, and he runs it with no hassle?

if you buy the memory and it still doesn't work, then my advice is to save up your money rather than blowing it on another mediocre system.
Say P4 CPU + Motherboard + XP = $500
but Core Duo CPU + Motherboard + memory + graphics + Vista (from the end of this month) = about $1200, which would give you far greater options for upgrade, and a considerably faster computer.
I know it's a huge amount of money for the financially challenged, but I say it's worth it.

[Codge]

Didn't you get a 2.4 gig one a few months back? For FS9 that should be fine,it's what I have and 768 DDR400 RAM. My 1gb stick was faulty,I got a refund. I have an ATI 9600 pro 256 on board RAM. This system runs really well and I have a heap of addons. It does struggle a bit with complex FMC equipped aircraft, which I don't fly anymore, I'm into props mainly now.
If it's FSX you want then I'd wait, That's what I'm doing. My next PC will be a Quad Core 4.8gig thing and the RAM and graphics I havn't decided yet.
It is known that we are waiting for the hardware to catch up to the software (FSX).
People like us, (financially challenged) are best to wait and be happy with 2.4gb CPU's and FS9.
My next major spend will be a projector, I feel this will be a bigger improvement for the money than buying FSX and a new PC.
Also it's fine to listen to people on the forums, especially when they're all saying the same thing! And there's heaps of expert advice on the web, reviews from impartial testers like Tomshardware etc... just don't rush, simming is for pilots, you know people who like planes. It doesn't matter whether it's houses, cars, boats
planes or computers, or parts of your anatomy, you always want a bigger or faster one.

[Dreamweaver]

I think Jimmy caught the Brownbox bug

I have a question about your current PC Jimmy and that is what make is it or was it custom built?

It dont make sense you dont have the XP disc unless its included in the bundle of software that if a factory model should have been given to you.

After reading Codges comments on your old PC I would say the problem is software related in regards your performance and most likely in your set up config. Look at that first before rusing out and buying hardware.

And save your money!!! Eventually the new tech will come out and the price plummet it always does.

[creator2003]

after hearing jimmys problems for awhile now ,i really think its the hol setup ,
i think you have a celeron puter ?and a older motherboard that will never give him what he is craving for ,how do i know this well ive got one ,ive already tryed most of the thing that jimmy is planing {all i can say is stop putting money into that computer }

No1 agp card is your problem with that computer ,you can only run your card at half of what it can achive ?
ram is something that you will never have enough of but with you m/b it can only take a gb or two and what you will spend on getting the right size chips you can buy a new puter ..

go around the town get pc ppls to quote you full towers ,and ask them lots o0f questions what goes good with what part etc.. 945m/b with a duo cpu,or 3.0ghz hyper tread {that runs fsx just fine } ,and a pci express slot for your graphic card {because agp is old news inclueding agp mother boards }

but go out and find the right info from the right ppls

[Jimmy]

okay thanks guys, I am not really that wroied about being able to run fs10, I just wana have the fs9 that I should be having. I took of and flew a circut of male intl in fsx with water on max settings in the lear45, it was spectaculer, fps were on average at 15. I then load up a complex aircraft in fs9 and its uncontrolable.... I have tried reinstalls of fs9 aswell, makes no differance.

but Core Duo CPU + Motherboard + memory + graphics + Vista (from the end of this month) = about $1200, which would give you far greater options for upgrade, and a considerably faster computer.

hmm if I want to wait untill next year thatd be fine.. actuly itd be about a year and a half! lol good idea thow, I am gana get that sorta stuff when I am old enough to have a proper after school job (super market etc..) untill then id be damn happy to have fs9 run well


hi codge, yeah I have a 2.4ghz, the reason im going to get a new system is that I cant go for a single flight and not be bu**erd of by the perforamce...

I have a question about your current PC Jimmy and that is what make is it or was it custom built?

It dont make sense you dont have the XP disc unless its included in the bundle of software that if a factory model should have been given to you

My pc was ex-lease, from the "computer broker" there is no name on it so I suppose its been costom built, or maby from an old office (it had no modom gfx and only 256mb ram) XP was a fresh install yet they refused to give me the discs cos its exlease...


mike, thanks for the advice, I'm not too keen on going around looking at computer shops as I haven't currently got the money to buy anything, and I think that is best cos I can spend the time planing what to buy so theres no rush decisions with things. Like finding excacly what I want, price range, then go looking around shops and if its all to pricy ill just come back to the internet shops

about the PCI. I'v just brought my AGP card, its not running poorly in my system so ill be keeping it, by that I mean its excacly like the last one except it does weather a bit better. So I just wana get a cheap AGP 8x mobo that takes the largest CPU possible then get that. And hopefully thatl last me fine untill im on a larger budget


Thanks
James

[Jimmy]

Well iv been thinking, althoug I would love to save up 1200 for a vista system. I will instead get a cheap motherboard that will suport all my current hardware (ram gcard...). So im not looking for dual core cpus and pci graphics. I am aware this may seem completly stopid buying into old AGP.

Once I have my sim running nicly on say a 2.8-30ghz 7600GS and 1.56GB DDR ram I will save for a vista system.

I have found these two iteams:

CPU: http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/produc ... 600680d93b

MOBO: http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/produc ... 1b94fd36a6


I can't find any info on what sort of cpu that motherboard can support thow.

So whats everyone think? Are they a good choice. Not too expenisive, it woudl only take two mounths to save for em

James

[Dreamweaver]

Jimmy you are a legend

I feel the need to build another PC

[Zöltuger]

I can't find any info on what sort of cpu that motherboard can support thow.

head to the motherboard makers website- it's usually www.vendorname.com.tw
firstly tho, may i suggest you spend a bit more on your processor? this dual core pentium will be quite significantly faster than the Celeron. I know you don't have the money to spend, but I strongly suggest you get this, because I don't want you to be disappointed when the celeron doesn't cut the mustard.

the other thing to watch out for is whether your memory will be supported...

[brownbox]

Ive got a Pentium D. Well worth the money Very quick too!

[Jimmy]

may i suggest you spend a bit more on your processor? this dual core pentium will be quite significantly faster than the Celeron. I know you don't have the money to spend, but I strongly suggest you get this

thanks zoltuger, I would be happy to save for a bit longer and get that cpu. The only proablem would be I wouldn't be able to get this motherboard. The ideal thing would be a mobo that supports AGP 8x (can you get agp and pcie boards?) DDR ram yet able to take that nice dual core cpu...

cos if I wanted to get dual core I may have to get a mobo that doesn't support my hardware therefore needing to buy: DDR2 ram and a PCI-E graphics card, wereas I could buy something less powerful and save quite a few hundred.

Certainly alot more thinking and decideing to be done, good thign I have lots of time to think about it

James

[Zöltuger]

then how about this motherboard: http://pconlineshop.co.nz/pcshop/produc ... 1b94fd36a6

takes DDR memory and AGP too

[Jimmy]

wounderful spoting zoltuger! I have spent more time considering getting a pentium D, I think I am happy to wait that little bit longer as it certainly would be worth it. So this is what ill aim to get:

DDR RAM 1GB

then...

Motherboard

Pentium D 2.8ghz

I see that mobo can take eathier DDR or DDR2. I will buy 1gb DDR ram so I can run it in my current system untill I get the mobo and cpu. I suppose that motherboard supports a cpu of the 2.8ghz speed..

I'll be able to buy the ram in a mounth or so and the motherboard and cpu at the end of may. In may I will e-mail/phone a few computer shops and ask then about parts of the above specs. The 3 above items will only cost $455 (thats with gst and postage included). Id be happy to buy from pconline and put it together myself if no were else is cheaper

A reason that pentium would be good is that in future I can buy a mobo that has pci-e thren just move all my other hardware onto it, would have a very nice system then

The only little (expensive) problem is that I also need to buy windows, im getting rather mad about not being given the xp discs hmm

I have a lisence key on the sticker on my pc. If I burrowd the win xp discs from someone would I be able to install it then jsut use my liscence key? Cos I dont particuly wana have to spend anothor few mounths saving for it

James

[brownbox]

if you want cheap windows, check trademe every now and then. You gotta be quick before the admins get it, and remove the auction. I got a Windows XP Home edition like that (in use now), and it installed and activated well. Since you have the key already, you could probably find a Windows with no key. Im sure this isnt illegal

[HardCorePawn]

I have a lisence key on the sticker on my pc. If I burrowd the win xp discs from someone would I be able to install it then jsut use my liscence key? Cos I dont particuly wana have to spend anothor few mounths saving for it

*** WARNING *** I have not actually read the MS EULA, what follows is my understanding of the MS licensing arrangement. If men in black come crashing through your door at 3am, dont blame me! *** WARNING ***

I believe you can... as you are able to make your own XP discs with updates (like SP2) 'slipstreamed' in, so when you install it, its up to date with the latest patches (for like a week until MS release the next one ) and at work we downloaded vista from MS licensing website and burned our own copy, rather than wait for them to send the media.

And dont just borrow some discs, burn a copy of them, so you can reinstall later without the hassle...

If you have the XP license sticker on the case, then I say go for it... the media you install it off makes no difference (ie. you can install from a network drive etc)... as long as you have the license to install and use it, you should be fine.

[Zöltuger]

I believe you can... as you are able to make your own XP discs with updates (like SP2) 'slipstreamed' in, so when you install it, its up to date with the latest patches (for like a week until MS release the next one )

I did this once with an automated install, took about 3x longer to figure out how to do it correctly compared to just installing the patches one by one.

[HardCorePawn]

There is a handy little util called nLite which allows you to slipstream updates (and actually remove crap you dont want/use like character map, IE etc)

havent used it for a while, and i really need to update my install media... the install a couple of weeks ago had something like 70 critical updates missing!