The Next Frontier

[Charl]

The next box is going to be built now.
The challenge to be met:
FSX with all sliders maxxed, target 20fps, with permitted fluctuations to not less than 15 fps.
Otherwise, why bother?

[victor_alpha_charlie]

The next box is going to be built now.
The challenge to be met:
FSX with all sliders maxxed, target 20fps, with permitted fluctuations to not less than 15 fps.
Otherwise, why bother?

hahaha what was wrong with your old one? i'm struggling with fps on fs9

[Charl]

This is actually insurance - I'm pretending to do an FSX rig, but what I actually want is something that will handle my Mega-FS9 installation before I move on

[Naki]

ouch - won't be cheap! Good Luck

[Codge]

Does such a rig exist? If so what are the specs? and cost if you know.

[Zöltuger]

Hmm, I'd want an Intel Core 2 Duo chip, with a Geforce 8800GTX graphics card and 4GB of memory. You might be able to squeeze 20 frames on that in FSX, but probably not with any addons.

[brownbox]

I would wait for intels supposedly new technology to launch, DirectX10 to become established (cheaper graphics cards), until buying a new machine. After all, the last thing you want is you buy a $1000 8800 card, and ATI release a better one soon after, and prices slump....

As everyone here seems to say...
"Just my two cents"

[Charl]

First things first...
A nice Big Box, so the bits aren't shoved up in a tight space to create heat.
Full tower case, then.
Then...air.
Lots of air.
I am not comfortable with water cooling in a computer.
Water leaks, and there are bits that will fry when wet.
And 220V in there too. *Bzztfrrt*
Anyway, Porsches are aircooled, and they go alright.
There will be a CPU fan, with a shaped tunnel blowing air over it, using a pusher and a suction fan.
There will be another case fan for general MB cooling.
The video card will have a dedicated cooler and exhaust.
And the PSU will have its own evacuator.
The room in which this stands will have to have a little ventilation...

[brownbox]

you could buy a case with water cooling built in, and a warranty. That way, when the water leaks and the parts fry, you can go to the shop and chaching! $$$ you get all new parts

[Zöltuger]

I would wait for intels supposedly new technology to launch, DirectX10 to become established (cheaper graphics cards), until buying a new machine.

the reality is that there's always new technology in the pipeline- I mean, why not wait until 2008 when Intel release their Nehalem CPUs which will improve on the yet unreleased Penryn cores?
You've got to draw the line somewhere, and if you need to buy a PC now, do it!

(and that's my two cents B) )

[Charl]

you could buy a case with water cooling built in, and a warranty.

Air doesn't need a warranty.
And I'll be sitting next to the water one when it goes *Bzztfrrt*

the reality is that there's always new technology in the pipeline-

Exactly. The challenge is to do this with existing off-the-shelf technology.

Now...the bits.
Sound first, because that pushes the direction of the motherboard. Creative has seen the last of my Sheckels, I have Blasted Sound for years and now Intel strikes back.
Onboard 5.1 sound it is then, with some nice black speakers and a fat subwoofer for the Islander engine noise.

[Zöltuger]

Onboard 5.1 sound it is then, with some nice black speakers and a fat subwoofer for the Islander engine noise.

Good idea, when (if) you upgrade to Vista, hardware sound is obsolete- Vista renders sound with software only.

[Charl]

when (if) you upgrade to Vista, hardware sound is obsolete

Very much an "if" short term.
Vista is slower than XP, and this is an exercise in speed.
So XP SP2, and only 2GB of RAM needed as a result.
Needs to be fast though, so DDR2-800.

[Christian]

Hi Charl

I doubt it can be done. I have all my sliders to medium and do get about 20fps with a recent, but not top of the crop system. However, big urban areas are still 5-7fps. I think the urban problem is unsolvable at this point in time.

However, if you stick to rural parts you may get there if you buy the very best.

I recommend a sound card. a) it does reduce CPU power B) you can use the onboard sound for ATC over headphones while the engines blast through the speakers.

Cheers,
Christian

[brownbox]

when the fsx dx10 patch comes out, and you have vista and a 8 series card, youll be gone like a rocket, leaving those on xp in your jetblast

[Ian Warren]

Hmm, I'd want an Intel Core 2 Duo chip, with a Geforce 8800GTX graphics card and 4GB of memory. You might be able to squeeze 20 frames on that in FSX, but probably not with any addons.

Basiclly my system Tim , super happy with many addons , also gives u good option for future - another 8800 card

[Charl]

Hi Charl
I doubt it can be done.
I recommend a sound card. a) it does reduce CPU power B) you can use the onboard sound for ATC over headphones while the engines blast through the speakers.

Didn't know you could split the sound channels - sounds interesting.
Perhaps I should frame my requirement better so I'm not doomed before starting
I'd be looking at flying my stock little Cessna out of a country airport with real-world weather at 20fps. When some traffic comes along, I'd accept down to 15fps.
Nothing less will do.
In downtown New York City, I think it would not be reasonable to expect the same performance, let's say if you could fly a chopper through it, it qualifies B)

  when the fsx dx10 patch comes out, and you have vista and a 8 series card, youll be gone like a rocket

OK Vista must come later, but I think you're right, the card must be ready.
Not the 8800GTX mind, because bleeding-edge is never where you want to buy.
It's to be the "entry-level" DX10 ready GeForce 8800GTS 640MB version.

[Charl]

Ian our posts crossed, didn' t realise you'd trodden this path exactly.
So do you get 20fps in your little Cessna, out of a country airstrip, everything maxxed?

[Alex]

You can also split the sound with FS9 if you use a USB headset.

Alex

[Charl]

You can also split the sound with FS9 if you use a USB headset. ;]
Alex

So...what, d'you just plug it in and you get a single channel?
How d'you select what you hear through the headset?