Need some help here :) Worth buying this computer?

[joherszch]

Hi, I am pretty tired of never having a decent performance in FS2004, it's okay but never that 'extra' that make everything run smooth. I try to keep my computer as clean as possible, defrag once a week and so on. So I thought about just buying a cheap but still good computer. When Vista and FSX is out, I will buy something special :9For the moment I have this computer from autumn of 2002:Intel Pentium 4 2.53GHz (512KB)Western Digital 120GB 7200RPM IDE HDDPCI Microtower (4x5)nVidia GeForce4 Ti4600 128MBCD-RW/DVD combo16x DVD-ROM56K modemIEEE 1394 adapterTurtle Beach audioIntel 10/100 EthernetWindows XP HomeAnd the package I found is a bundle of these components which is at a discounted price. Cooler Master Centurion 534 Black, Aluminium FrontHiper ATX 480W Black, 14dB, Type-R, 120mm Fan, 2xSATA, 20/24pinAMD AM2 Athlon 64 3500+ 2.2 GHz BOXEDCorsair Value S. PC4200 DDR2 1024MB Kit w/two matched Value Select 512MBMSI K9N NEO-F nF-550, S-AM2, DDR2, PCI-ESeagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB SATA2 16MB 7200RPMGainward GeForce 7600GS 256MB FX PCI-ENEC DVD recorder ND-3550 IDE Silver OEMSony 3,5" 1,44MB Floppydisc Internal BlackIt's is 5495:- SEK, which is around $500-$550 I think.So what do you think? I am willing to spend that amount of money, it is resonable for me :) Every comment is appreciated :-beerchugCheersJohan "Whats VNAV?!?!" Adolfsson

[Guest navav2002]

I personally think you would do yourself some justice...The 3500+ would/should be a pretty nice processor(More Below!!)...I had one a while ago...My first PCI-E system...Coupled with a BFG 6800Ultra OC Video Card...I would classify it as a system capable of running FS smoothly...I don't think I had everything *Maxed Out* per-se...I'm pretty sure it would run on the Ultra High settings though...I has been a while...The only thing that I personally would like you to investigate a bit would be the 7600GS videocard...While I do believe that system as a whole would put you in a much better position to enjoy FS9 (It does seem like a good intrum cure)...I'd personally call that videocard a little sketchy...Maybe it will be fine?? I just don't know(Never owned one)...If it benches pretty close to a 6800Ultra...It may be acceptable??(Just My Opinion..)I also wanted to mention...(Just incase you don't read some of the other semi-related posts)...There is rumor that AMD Processor prices are slated to drop fairly drastically later this month...Intel will be releasing their Core2 Duo line of performance processors on July 23rd...It's been stated that AMD will also cut (30 to 50%) on allot of their mainstream 939/AM2 processors on the 24th...I guess this remains to be seen...But it does sound awfully exciting...I just wanted to mention that...Because the 3800+(Single Core) price is really dropping significantly...It may actually fit into your budget here?? You can't ever have *Too Much* Processor for FS..he he...Here is a related link:http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=2800Good Luck in your Decisions!!

[joherszch]

Hi Chuck!Thanks for the reply :)The video card is my only hesitation :(. I have looked at the reviews about the 7600GS and it seems to do the job. And what I have heard is that Flight Simulator is a more CPU and memory dependent than a good video card, or? And I only use FS2004 so I don't see that not much of a problem. Actually it seems like the 7600GS is almost as good as ATI X1600XT in popluar games like Quake and Splinter Cell and so on.And about the price, well I will see what I will do about it :) In fact, the package I listed above, it doesen't even fill up 1/5 of the price.I sleep on it, it's 2.30 in the morning here in Sweden :-walksmileCheersJohan "Whats VNAV?!?!" Adolfsson