Computer Hardware

[smq1]

I'm looking at upgrading my computer so i can play Trainz 2006 better but im not to sure and need help i will be going from this:

Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 1800+ 1.53 GHz
Memory: (RAM) 511MB
OS: Vista Home Premium
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT

to

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.20GHz
Memory: 1GB DDR2 667MHz Corsair
OS: Vista Home Premium
Video Card: Nvidia Geforce 8600GT 540M 256mb with TV out and DVI

the new one is within my budget but wanted to see what others thought would it work better or about the same?

Thanks,
Sean

 

[collinsl]

Hi, :wave:
The new one will be a LOT better, and I mean a LOT!

HTH,

 

[psycho_aussie]

That system will be a lot better than your current system. I haven't kept up with the latest nVidia GeForce cards, but the 8600GT should be able to handle Trainz quite well. One suggestion I would make, if your budget will allow it, is to up the RAM to 2Gb. Vista technically needs 1Gb for itself, so the extra Gb will help speed the system up.

Chris

 

[john259]

What's the expert opinion regarding opting for a 512MB 8600GT instead of 256MB?

John

 

[AussieNightcrawler]

I'm looking at upgrading my computer so i can play Trainz 2006 better but im not to sure and need help i will be going from this:

Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 1800+ 1.53 GHz
Memory: (RAM) 511MB
OS: Vista Home Premium
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT

to

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.20GHz
Memory: 1GB DDR2 667MHz Corsair
OS: Vista Home Premium
Video Card: Nvidia Geforce 8600GT 540M 256mb with TV out and DVI

the new one is within my budget but wanted to see what others thought would it work better or about the same?

Thanks,
Sean

Looks like a good system, as said by psycho (Chris) I would up the Memory to 2GB as Vista will use the 1GB by itself and the 8600GT is good, but seriously you can put about $50 to that and get a 8800GT 512MB for $259.

The new system will serve you well...

 

[collinsl]

John,
512MB will only be better if the access speeds are the same. If so, then more is always better (at least in terms of memory:hehe

HTH,

 

[johnwhelan]

What's the expert opinion regarding opting for a 512MB 8600GT instead of 256MB?

John

Some screens can hold 700 Mb of textures so for those 512 mb would mean less shuffling between main memory and video and memory.

Exactly what the performance gain is I'm not sure but some one would have to measure it.

Cheerio John