Best version of Trainz to get

[trainut]

Hello, everyone! As you can see next to my username, I have a rather old version of Trainz currently in operation, TRS2004. Once upon a time, I did have TS2009, but in a perfect storm of lost account and failed hard drive I lost it, and the whole time it was registered on another account. It ran rather sluggish on my 6-year-old eMachines, so I don't really miss it. Anyway, my current version of Trainz and my computer specs are a bit sad right now, so I'm looking for the best new version of Trainz to get for my Toshiba laptop. Here are my laptop's specs:

Toshiba Satellite A65-S1070
3.07GHz Pentium 4D
448MB RAM
Built-in ATI Mobility Radeon 7000 IGP with 32MB VRAM

I'm wondering what the best version of Trainz to get for it is. I want it to run pretty smoothly, not like TS2009 which went down to 8FPS when I turned on the ditchlights. I also want it to be pretty new, not like TRS2006 which is already not supported by Auran. I'm thinking TC3, but you can post what you think the best balance between smooth running and expiration date is.

Thanks in advance,
trainut

 

[WindWalkr]

..my computer specs are a bit sad right now..
...
...I also want it to be pretty new..

Sorry mate, but with those computer specs you've pretty much ruled yourself out of any of the modern versions of Trainz. You'd be better off sticking with an older (even unsupported) version of Trainz until you're able to upgrade your PC to something that's a little more recent.

kind regards,

chris

 

[paulzmay]

And even then you'll have to stick to smaller, lower detail routes... the older built-in routes would be OK.

Paul

 

[trainut]

Really? Even TC3 wouldn't run well on my laptop? I am planning to upgrade the RAM to 1.5 GB, so would it run well then?
Also, I forgot to include something. I was talking about 3 computers. I had TS2009 installed on the 6-year-old eMachines I mentioned, and TRS2004 is installed on a different PIII Dell, as my signature states. I was talking about installing Trainz on my Toshiba laptop that I stated the specs of. Hope that clears things up a bit.

 

[malikrthr]

I think you should stick to trainz 2004 and under. Try not to build routes with high detail. Medium to low detail would be great. Your laptop specs are good I think but the RAM is not good. It would lag probably. Trainz is meant for a stationary computer but some laptops are able to handle trainz. My Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop handles medium-high detail trainz quite well. I have trainz 2006 and trainz classics. My specs are

Windows Vista home premium
Intel Pentium Dual CPU T3400 with 2.17ghz
4 gb of ram
64 bit operating system

The price of the laptop also matters. Mine was a little over $1,000. I think getting another laptop would be a good choice if you want to run newer versions of trainz. I think the best laptop would be an alienware. I hope to get one soon. But if you want to stick to your laptop, I do not recommend adding more RAM because that is overclocking your laptop and voiding your warranty. But if you are a computer expert, then go for it. I hope this helps. Even though trainz 2004 and 2006 are now unsupported, there is still tons of great content out there and good third party sites. I still use trainz 2006 and in some ways, I think I like it better than some newer versions.

 

[H222]

Or a Mac

My Mac has TS2010 with settings on full

I'd say maybe TC 1&2 with settings on low, draw-distance, train-detail, scenery-detail, but even then you're pushing it

Jamie

 

[paulzmay]

TC3 might not run any worse that TRS04, but you wouldn't be able to use the built-in Settle & Carlisle route (huge & detailed). To get any real use out of it, you would probably need to import the built-in content from TRS04 to TC3 (explained elsewhere in these forums). Upgrading the RAM to 1.5Gb would be a huge help, but the onboard graphics and processor are still well under the mark.
Don't forget you can run different versions of Trainz on the same machine...

Paul

 

[trainut]

But if you are a computer expert, then go for it. I hope this helps. Even though trainz 2004 and 2006 are now unsupported, there is still tons of great content out there and good third party sites. I still use trainz 2006 and in some ways, I think I like it better than some newer versions.

I am a computer expert, I restore old computers to what they once were and better. My laptop was a present, so I didn't get to choose the specs. And the problem with TRS2004 being unsupported is that I can't access the Download Station.

Or a Mac

My Mac has TS2010 with settings on full

I'd say maybe TC 1&2 with settings on low, draw-distance, train-detail, scenery-detail, but even then you're pushing it

Jamie

Well, you have to understand that I'm used to 15-30FPS at the highest with TRS2004. The main things I'd want is DLS access and the ability to run 3+ Conny Amfleets at 20+FPS.

TC3 might not run any worse that TRS04, but you wouldn't be able to use the built-in Settle & Carlisle route (huge & detailed). To get any real use out of it, you would probably need to import the built-in content from TRS04 to TC3 (explained elsewhere in these forums). Upgrading the RAM to 1.5Gb would be a huge help, but the onboard graphics and processor are still well under the mark.
Don't forget you can run different versions of Trainz on the same machine...

Paul

Ah, that's what I like to hear there in bold! As for everything else, do you mean it will literally crash if I use S&C or will the FPS just drop extremely low? And what do you mean by your last sentence?

Thanks for the responses,
trainut

 

[cascaderailroad]

My GF Toshiba Satellite Laptop
Intel CPU T250 1.73Ghz
2.00 GB
32-bit Vista OS

Runs TRS2006 pretty darn good, with a bit of stutters

 

[trainut]

My GF Toshiba Satellite Laptop
Intel CPU T250 1.73Ghz
2.00 GB
32-bit Vista OS

Runs TRS2006 pretty darn good, with a bit of stutters

That's good, because TC3 is only a bit older than that and my laptop equals if not passes those specs (or, some of them).

 

[cascaderailroad]

My Video Card shows failure in 3 DirectX lines in Trainzdiag ... so I run Trainz in the TRS2006 default setting OpenGL

Keep in touch ... birds of a feather, 04/06 users need to stick together.

PM if you need help