New PC for MAXIMUM load needed / what configuration?

[mozart]

Hi,I am looking to buy a new PC. I'll be using it primarily for simming. Usually, I run all of these things together:- intensive add/on scenery like Heathrow Pro, Simflyers, Flytampa, etc.- intensive add-on planes like PMDG, PSS, Level-D, etc- ASV weather- Radar Contact- AI at max with about every airline that exists in the world + military traffic + GA traffic- add-on meshI am happy to invest a reasonable amount of money into my system (anything less than approx. 5000 USD/EUR), so what PC should I get? Would I get a much better system if I spent more (without getting a Cray)?Thanks for any hintsChris

[Guest Edwin]

Hi Chris,You may want to take a look at my post here for some ideas:http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho..._id=11262&page=I run my sim at 1600x1200x32 4xAA and 8xAF. Frames are ~20FPS in dense add-on scenery on the ground and 30-35FPS in the air with 512x512 MIP-enabled clouds via ASV Enhanced. My frame rates are locked at 40FPS. All sliders are at max, except sight and cloud draw distance at 80mi as per ASV suggestions. Similar to you, I fly the PMDG 747 (max panel refresh rate) and the PSS A330/A340 with 100% AI traffic using Ultimate Traffic. Note well that the SimFlyers scenery are not designed well and so your frame rates at SimFlyers airports will remain at ~7 FPS. That has nothing to do with hardware, it's just how the scenery was designed.With your budget, you could go for things even better than what I have but you will reach a point of diminishing returns (some may argue even I have reached that point).RAM could certainly go to 2GB and that would be helpful in future but I'm not sure that will have an immediate impact on frame rates (in FS9). Also, lower latency RAM (i.e. 2-2-2-5) would be better.Motherboard - check out the ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe motherboard that was just released.Hard drive space could definitely be bigger - check out the Hitachi 7K500 drives or the Seagate 7200.9 drives.Video card - you could get yourself a just-released 7800GTX 512MB card. They are retailing now for US$700. Even better, you could go for two of those in SLI (WOW!) but note well that FS9 will not take advantage of your second video card at all. You'd have to hope that FS10 does. Many other games do.Sound card - you could go for the Creative Labs X-fi series.Monitor - there's practically no limit here. If you don't mind the widescreen, the Dell 24" 2405FPW is supposed to be good. Not having seen one in real life, I have my hesitations about widescreen resolutions with a program that's designed for 4:3 ratios. But there was a post on this forum that says the widescreen is actually better than the traditional 4:3.Good luck with your purchase! Please let me know if you have further questions.Hope this helps.Edwin

[kjb]

The budget is plenty to do almost anything you want, especially if you're willing to build it yourself and/or have a system you can upgrade. I'm currently running an Athlon 4800 with 2 7800 in SLI. As Edwin mention, the SLI configuration doesn't speed up FS9, but you can set it up to allow greater AA and AF settings (16x). I have the Dell 2405 LCD monitor, though I use it for work and not on my gaming system. For flying, I use a 1280 x 720 projector with the TRC472 panel...that'll definitely bust your budget :D A projector is a nice option in place of a monitor if you have the space. I paid about $1100 for mine.My 'new' system was an update to an older one I had. With a new power supply, processor/mb, 2gb RAM, 2 video cards and a new hard drive, I spent about $2500. Add in the projector or a good monitor and you're still well within your budget.

[Jerel]

Chris,Check out http://www.hypersonic-pc.comI bought a Cyclone limited edition. They build excellent machines in your price point.Regards,Jerel