A good computer to run the simulators?
 

Hi im getting a new computer soon and i want something that will be able to run the top flight simulators on the market. What computer/video card/RAM etc.. is needed to run Combat flight simulator 3 and GP realflight 2?
The computer im looking has as follows:
ATI Radeon 7000 64 mb video card (this a good card)
P4 1.7ghz
512 Kingston RAM
Windows XP

Are these acceptable to run those two simulators (combat flight sim 3 and GP realflight 2)

I dont want to get a computer that wont run one of these.

Thanks for all the replies,

Papa

A good computer to run the simulators?
 

Thats a ok card. I have a ge force 4 128 MB. That computer will run it yes. How much are u gonna pay for that rig dont buy any thing yet i can help u get a good price. What all else u getting and what are u gonna pay for it.


}{unter

A good computer to run the simulators?
 

As far as Realflight that system should run it fine. In the case of Combat Flight Sim, there is not a system out there yet to run that thing with full graphics. Message boards have shown that people are very unhappy and returning it to stores for that reason. I have been a CFS fan since it came out but I didn't even buy this one. By the time the right computer comes out CFS 3 will be in a bargain bin somewhere.

A good computer to run the simulators?
 

This is the computer its $1477 CAD one
http://www.mdg.ca/3x_vision.asp?bus=...try=ca&lang=en
I really want CFS3 its not too expesive but i cant afford an expensive computer. DO you think i should just forget that simulator and stick with real flight?

A good computer to run the simulators?
 

This is the computer its $1477 CAD one
http://www.mdg.ca/3x_vision.asp?bus=...try=ca&lang=en
I really want CFS3 its not too expesive but i cant afford an expensive computer. DO you think i should just forget that simulator and stick with real flight?

A good computer to run the simulators?
 

well considering thats CDN money and you get a flat screen its pretty cool i guess. You can upgrade someof those things on there also


}{unter

A good computer to run the simulators?
 

The only thing you can upgrade is the service right?
Wiat nvm i didnt even see those options.
And will the upgraded all in wonder 7500 apg video card help out the simulator or is it just a waste of money?

Re: A good computer to run the simulators?
 

DO NOT get the ATI card... get a GeForce 4 card with DDR memory... Preferrably a Ti4200, Ti4400 or Ti4600 version of the card... you can go as low as an MX440 version of the card.. do not go with the MX420 or MX400 versions...

I would go for a Pentium 4 of at least 2.0 Ghz in speed.. they are only a couple $$ more than a 1.7 Ghz

Also DO NOT get a flat panel (LCD) screen for gaming or simulating.. they do not update fast enough and you will see jerky motion and such... go for a nnice high quality CRT Monitor...

A good computer to run the simulators?
 

As long as you have a good motherboard with possibly 4X AGP does better than a PCI slot graphics card. You could go for the Radeon with 128 mb on-board (video card on-board) memory or the GeForce 4's. I use the GeForce 4 4200 and Nvidia cards run well.

Some say the Voodoo cards have issues but I really like my VooDoo 5 though..Mostly at least about 128 memory on-board then you graphics card need to be good enough to give you a fluid smooth frame-rate. You could have an Intel 3.06Ghz CPU & mobo, but if your graphics card is not good enough it would not allow you to have smooth frame-rates for your Sim. The Radeo 64 would do very well also...hope this helped.. :) I have even used a GeForce GTI 32mb card with good results, but 64 would be better and 128mb on-board video would give your great framer rates in Real Flight (gameplay) as well if you game any also..

They have have some 8X AGP mobos out now..just have not gotten around to trying one yet. I just built a Koolance case water cooled with antifreeze to CPU-HD-GeForce card not a big difference but cooler and it should allow the CPU-GC-HD will last longer...No OClocked that is..

I still use the Real-flight Deluxe but would like to buy the G2 for on-line flying with others..

RF Sim played well on my older P3 600 with 128 mb with Geforce GTI Nvidia card, but system I felt was a bit dated so my daughter now owns it..

Just say NO to ATI
 

If it is not too late, do NOT get an ATI card. I owned two different ATI cards and they have to be the worst cards I have ever worked with. The software is always full of glitches and gotchas. Every game I ever owned had problems with ATI cards. I replaced both of them with GeForce cards and those same games all worked perfectly! One is a GeForce 2 Ultra (very good at the time and still works great) and the other is a cheap GeForce2 MX420 that I picked up from WalMart for $50 about 3 months ago.

All the game websites say the ATI Radeon is a good card, and it might be, but as long as it says ATI on it, you will never EVER find on in my PC! If for some reason you do get one, find a version of the software drivers that works and do not ever install an update to it.

A good computer to run the simulators?
 

I still havent gotten the computer but which card is better the radeon or Integrated Intel Extreme 64MB Video Card or 32MB Integrated Graphics (64MB Maximum, sony) . The GEforce looks really nice but for $350. Really what im looking for is will CFS3 work on these cards. I dont mind putting the detail to low but i dont want to buy a $70 sim and find out i cant play it or it lags like crazy. I much rather save up for a 4 stroke engine or computer radio. Will CFS3 work well on either of these cards. And whats the difference between DDR RAM and Kingston RAM?
And would i need 512 to run the sim or wll 256 do the job?
Another thing what exactly is bus speed is there a big difference in 400MHZ compared to 533MHZ?
Also when they say perfectly flat screen it means the screen only not the box. Its just a normal monitor with a flat screen im not getting an LCD (too expensive).
What i really want to know is should i buy CFS3 if i dont have a GF4 or something thats not the best on the market?
Need help quick, thanks

Papa

A good computer to run the simulators?
 

How do these computers look:

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...d=&newdeptid=1

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...d=&newdeptid=1

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...d=&newdeptid=1

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...d=&newdeptid=1

Remember to keep in mind price

Hurry please i need to know soon im getting one in less than 2 hours.

My G2 Works great with my
 

GeForce 2 Card :D

A good computer to run the simulators?
 

Can i please get an answer for my last two posts in this thread sorry for rushing you guys and being so hasty but i really need to know this stuff before i get my computer. And im going in less than an hour.

A good computer to run the simulators?
 

Don't be in a hurry. I got a lot more system that that a year ago with the G force card with all the ram I could get in the system for $600 U.S. and you should be able to do better than that now. I didn't have to get a screen, but those are pretty cheap. You can get a 17 inch flat screen now pretty cheap. If you want LCD they are a bit more, but under $500 each. That system will run G-2 fine though. The more ram, the better. Seems to do well with more. Enjoy. By the way, hows the RC plane flying?

A good computer to run the simulators?
 

Does TV out on a video card mean it can be connected to your TV?

Flyboy: RC flying is going good however the weather has been bad to me the past month and i havent been able to go to the field. However it seemed to warm up and the wind died this week so i might be able to get there this weekend hopefully (i really dieing to get out there again).

What i really need to know is would you rather have Intel extreme 64mb Video card and 256 DDR ram or would you want ATI Video card with 512 kingston ram or 512 DDR ram with a 32MB Integrated Graphics (64MB Maximum, sony).
And would you rather have GF4 128 mb card with 256 ddr ram or 64mb intel video card with 512 ddr ram?
And is bus important?
This is to run CFS3.
Is the intel chip a good video card and will it run CFS3 well.

Thanks for the replies,

Papa

A good computer to run the simulators?
 

15 minutes till i go i have no control over when i get my computer as it is not 100% mine i have to get it in 15 min.

A good computer to run the simulators?
 

G force card is very good. I would look very close at it.

A good computer to run the simulators?
 

I have done a lot of looking around on video cards, I am not partial to any brand of video card, but have never had problems w/ ATI cards. based on what i have found out, the fasted most advanced card on the market today is the Radeon 9700 Pro. its still alittle pricey, but you can find some deals.

My .02

David

A good computer to run the simulators?
 

Sorry about the late reply. So what happened? Did you get it or wait. There are litterally hundreds of places to get a PC built for you. It looks like you are thinking about getting a brand name PC. If you cant build it yourself or dont have a buddy that works on them, then this is the best way to go. My father in law lives two hours away so I helped him get a Dell. There is nothing wrong with Gateway and that 500EX looks very good. I have heard very good things about Sony Viaos too. Sony is known for their audio video capabilities. Also remember that you will have to pay shipping (around $80) and with some of these system sales tax too.

For what it is worth I will try to help. DDR is a newer technology than ****M and is faster and costs a little more. Generally with a PC, the more ram the better, especially with 2000 and XP. 256MB will do any game and any software you want. If you start opening up 9 different programs at once, then go with 512 or more.

TV means just that, you can have the output display on a TV. The idea is to watch a DVD on your TV but have it playing from the PC. The cost of DVD players is so low, that this is hardly worth it. I dont know a soul that uses TV out. Normally the PC and TV are in different rooms.

As far as video cards, I know nothing about Intel...is this a bad thing, well you will not find them on game machines, normally. Get the cheapest video card that comes with the PC. If you dont like it, then go to WalMart and get a GeForce card. They have the cheap one and a good one for $100. For that matter you can get a GeForce2 Ultra on EBay for very cheap. I have a GeForce2 Ultra and it will play any game there is, like Unreal 2000 and Medal of Honor.

If you still need help shoot me an email or PM and I will try to help.

A good computer to run the simulators?
 

Alright so im about to pick up the computer system it seems to be very good for the price but im not sure about the video card?
Compaq P4 2.4GHZ
512 DDR RAM
64 mb intel extreme video card
80 GB
The price is 1299 CAD

Dont remember the rest but it wasnt bad.

My question is first is this a good deal and will it run CFS3 well?
How much is the card worth?
Is a GeForce2 Ultra that much better?

Thanks for all your replies,

Papa

A good computer to run the simulators?
 

Like I think I said earlier, there really is not a good computer yet to run CFS3. That program is ahead of it's time. At least that has been the talk that I have heard on the message boards and for that reason I did not purchase it. I can tell you that I believe to have any success at all with CFS3 you will need a 128 mb ge-force 4 video card. Unfortunately they are very steap in the wallet right now. Talking between 300-400 dollars just for the video card. System looks pretty good but I am an athlon processor fan rather than intel. It will run Realflight with no problems. Good luck.

A good computer to run the simulators?
 

So i should just stay away from CFS3.
Basically i want to know am i wasting my money if i were to buy this sim or will it work the details can be set to low i just want it to work and not have so much lag.

A good computer to run the simulators?
 

do not get the Intel Extreme graphics card, they are very crap.
Dunno what it is with Intel, they make good CPU's but bad video cards.
ATI Radeon 8500-9700 will all give you good performance with all the RC Flight Sims out there. RC Sims don't have cutting edge graphics so you should be fine with only middle of the range stuff.
For a NVidia Card, skip the crappy MX version of the GF4 as they aren't actually GF4 GPU (rather a slightly beefed up GF2 as they don't have pixel shaders etc). For the money a GF4 Ti4200 is a good buy, and you could run at higher resolutions say 1280x1024 in 32bit.
I run FMS etc at 1600x1200x32 with 2xAA on my P4 @ 2.5Ghz using a GF4 Ti4400 and they look sweet :D
Get what you can afford, but don't get the Intel graphics.
Also remember if you get a 1.6Gig P4 or greater that you could overclock it later on. Mine is a 1.6Gig @ 2.5Gig, always good to know you have extra speed available on tap.
Buy well

SimJen

A good computer to run the simulators?
 

Guys,
Before you start spending your hard earned $, take a look at these forums:
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/categories.cfm?catid=18
and
http://forums.anandtech.com/categories.cfm?catid=40

People discussing how to get decent system for cheap.
The only thing you shouldn't be saving on, is video card. A good video card is a must!