Hi all,

 

This is my first post here mainly because I've become so frustrated with trying to figure out what to do with my system. I'm nowhere near being a techie, i know the basics, but I dont understand all the little details of upgrading GPU, memory, CPU, dedicated graphics, etc.

 

I have an old system, the Dell Dimension 8400:

WindowsXP,

1GB RAM,

Pentium4 3.4ghz,

145GB HDD,

and im pretty sure no dedicated hard drive.

 

About 2 years ago, FSX was running decently, with a mediocre frame rate when the settings were relatively low. then about a year ago i got a virus and it completely screwed up the file system of my computer and FSX has been a 10fps stuttering/gliching mess; along with the rest of the computer. :(

 

I'v finally decided to do something about it, but i dont really know where to start. I'm pretty sure that the virus is still in the computer, only because the computer gets worse and worse. I do know that i will have to completely wipe the HDD and reinstall XP. While im at it, I'm wondering if it would be worth it to install a SSD in order to increase fps? Also, would adding another 1GB RAM be a reccomended upgrade?

 

Im a little low on funds, under $200 (except for getting XP), so would a SSD and a bit more RAM make sense, or is there something else that I should do?

 

The other big problm that i have is that i have difficulty understanding all the different types of drives (SATA, ATA, etc) and what would be compatible for my comp

 

I hope this isnt too convoluded, and if you need any more info plz ask.

 

Thanks,

Luigi

Hate to break it to you but you should just save up and buy/build a new computer. Whatever you upgrade, it'll bottleneck the rest of your computer.

Hi Luigi; the problem you face is not so much the addition of some more ram or an ssd... it's the fact that the pc is made by Dell, and therefore the OS is "married" to the machine. It is very likeley that it won't allow you to do anything - adding ram, drive, DVD burner or otherwise.

 

Taylor Oldham is quite correct, and adding to that - here's my suggestion for the most inexpensive way out for what it's worth...

1). You should have a system disc for that machine, or you can get one from Del. Wipe it clean abnd do a complete re-install. This will get rid of the virus damage, and give you a breathing space, staill able to run FSX.

2). Follow Newegg, or other bargain pc retailer and these forums, looking for a relatively good but slightly 'dated' mainboard, processor and ram - maybe even another drive, as they are also pretty cheap nowadays. When you have $6 or $700 saved up - remove the mainboard - ram - processor, purchase the best parts you can get, rebuild it - and you'll be home free. That $200 will only buy a mainboard right now, and you really need the rest of the pc to get one which will do the job.

 

:smile:

Thanks guys,

My main focus right now is just to get fsx running again, and have a computer that somewhat works. I agree that a new computer would be better, and i was looking at getting one, but then i was given this for free...

 

When doing the wipe of the hard drive, will the system disk provide me with a program to do that, or do i need to get something like dban?

 

also, as a general question, is fsx mostly I/O to read the scenery files, or does it heavyly rely on the processor? I know its an extremely inefficient game, so im assuming it mostly CPU...??

 

Thanks for your help!