Recommendations for system upgrade

[TopGun]

Hi all, Since Xmas is right around the corner, I'm looking to treat myself to a system upgrade in order to enjoy my simming hobby a bit more.Currently, my specs are as follows:Sony Vaio PCV-RX 5401.2 GHZ Intel Celeron512 Mb PC-133 SD-RAMIntel 82815 Graphics ControllerPFC King Air Turboprop Throttle QuandrantPFC Jet Column YokeFS2002 Pro With this set-up, it is virtually impossible to fly into complex areas without a substantial frame rate hit (even with most display settings reduced and AI set to zero). To make matters worse, I fly the PSS Dash 8 99% of the time, which really stretches my system to the limits. Presently, I am forced to fly in the caribbean region in order to enjoy relatively smooth flights with frames averaging 15 f.p.s. (set to 18). However, I would like to purchase some of the great add-on scenery and ultimate traffic, but I don't think my present set-up will do. Since I am not a computer genius, could someone be kind enough to make a few recommendations as to what it would take to bring my system up to a respectable level of perfomance.Thanks for any responseJ.C. (MYNN)

[Guest tgabriel]

This topic has been addressed many times and for some of them you should do a search on upgrades.That said, it is not obvious whether your mobo can take an upgrade but certainly getting rid of that Celeron chip is the first thing you need to do. You would probably not be too happy with a compatible P-III processor but that could save you significant money if you can find one that will go into your motherboard. Be careful to specify FC-PGA2 if you decide to go that way. You can rest assured that most of your troubles are due to that Celeron chip. Newegg has a P-3 1.4Ghz chip that might do for about $200. A respectable level of performance is so subjective as to be impossible to answer. However, I note from your system specs that you are using the mobo graphics system for your video. Adding a video card here will be a huge upgrade without a lot of cash out. Search through the posts here to find myriad opinions about them. My personal card is an nVidia Ti-4200 128MB one from MSI. It does right by me but is not very powerful considering today's speeds.Those two upgrades would make a huge difference for your system and not cost a huge amount of money. If you are considering a new system and want to build your own the variety is almost endless. My personal feeling right now is that you need to upgrade to get FS2k2 running minimally well. If you buy a new system get the most bang you can afford and migrate to FS2k4 but remember that it might upgrade time again when the next generation of FS comes out, especially if they make a 64bit version of FS. There are many issues with FS2k4 but over the next few months, most of them will be ironed out. The tinkerers and the ponderers will see to that.

[TopGun]

Thanks for the response. I think I will go with the processor upgrade and a video card (By the way, do you think my system can handle the ATI 9700 pro?). Unfortunately, a new system is out of the question right now because I hope to start flight training in January, which will require a lot of of dough.Thanks again

[gosta]

Hi there,I used to have a Sony VAIO. You won't be able to upgrade your processor by very much without changing the motherboard, which would involve buying a new case (there are hardly any good motherboards available for micro-ATX format). The 9700 should work, but I strongly suggest you take the plunge and upgrade your CPU/mobo/case/PS as well. Cheers,Gosta.http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

[Guest tgabriel]

Actually Gosta, that is very good advice. In fact when most people ask about upgrades, I like to recommend a mobo, cpu, case, and ps combo regardless of the rest. This keeps the unit in a good package and the power supply is always nearly new.Good input!