Computer Hunting Questions

[BlackDiamond1964]

The problem with saying "what should I get" is that everyone thinks different.

I kind of figures I would get mixed information, but that's ok. My knowledge about computers is not were it should be and I feel I've been taken by companies like Gateway, Dell and Systemax. I needed a different approach this time around. Some mixed information is better then no information. The only thing that I'm second guessing at this point is the Windows 8.1 vs. Windows 7 dilemma.

 

[cascaderailroad]

I think that you paid @ $1000 too much, just in order to play a simple video game ... but that excellent PC should last your entire lifetime, and it can be repaired by an expert tech, anytime down the road.

Use a second "beater" PC for surfing the web ... and use your great high end PC for video games

 

[BlackDiamond1964]

I think that you paid @ $1000 too much, just in order to play a simple video game ... but that excellent PC should last your entire lifetime, and it can be repaired by an expert tech, anytime down the road.

Use a second "beater" PC for surfing the web ... and use your great high end PC for video games

I play more then Trainz, I'm also into TS2015, Civilization 5, Banished, Train Fever, Farming Simulator 2015, Tropico 5 and a host of other games on Steam. Most of my free time is on the computer so I figured why not get something powerful.

 

[Zeldaboy14]

Is one of those games Minecraft? :hehe: Anyway, from my experience, don't load down your main gaming PC with too much. It won't be a good PC in the end.

 

[BlackDiamond1964]

Is one of those games Minecraft? :hehe: Anyway, from my experience, don't load down your main gaming PC with too much. It won't be a good PC in the end.

No, not Minecraft. Actually, I won't even be working with Trainz until the new version comes out. I'm afraid that if I start creating in TS12 that I'll end up having to upgrade all the content I've made.

 

[NorthBridge]

Yes, you are absolutely right. I based my decision about the operating system on many bad comments about windows 8 and the lack of any good comments. I figure it best to be safe then sorry. If need be I can upgrade to windows 10 down the road.

Why I said check out Toms hardware guide. I use Windows 7 & Trainz glitches. Windows 8 users told me that theres runs smooth. Don't know myself as I haven't tried it. But I do have a fast Pc. Theres a lot of informative articles on Toms hardware. I always check there before ordering new kit just to avoid being ripped. The big names are only interested in profit. If they can save a couple of quid by not fitting a case fan or fitting one that is too small on every Pc there directors make ££££'s. They just tell there technical support to drop the frame rate & resolution to headache inducing levels! PC works but is useless as you can't use it for more than ten minutes at a time!! I went to college & studied hardware! Well worth the time invested as I build & repair my own PC now. I'm no expert but it's not rocket science.

 

[Chris750]

I have far less pausing using Win8.1 basic version (it came with the LT) than Win7 Ultimate, I run TS12 at higher settings on Win8.1 and routes load faster. The only problem with 8.1 is the display scaling which makes text look blurry, but that is solved by disabling display scaling in compatability mode, and the metro screen but you can download a free program to get rid of a bunch of the apps that you don't use, just look for win8appremover and you will find it. I am thinking of switching my desktop over to 8.1 too if that is any indication. I think those who say they hate 8.1 are those who don't take the time to tweak it and learn it, sort of like reading instructions...why bother? IF you really hate the 8.1 look you can get free software that makes 8.1 look and feel like 7, I tried it but went back to 8.1 default screens.

You will always get the best build, IMO, if you build yourself instead of buying from a big company who are going to try to suck money out of you. If I were you I would put together a prospective rig and then post the specs on several sites like Tom's HW, here, etc, and get an overall impression. Maybe there is a better ram you overlooked for the same price, cheaper GPU that does the same job etc.

Best of luck. My last point is build for tomorrow, not what makes it work today.

 

[malikrthr]

An SSD would be nice and you are right Chris750, an SSD is not needed. From what I understand so far, an SSD will help with loading up lots scenery items quickly. Some laptops can run Trainz but laptops will get much hotter than desktops when running Trainz. You don't have to have something top of the line in order to have a program such as Trainz run super smooth. I was thinking about something similar to this the other day, as long as I have a working computer and a working train simulator, despite the fact that my hardware is 3-4 years old, then I am happy. Better to use what I have than not have anything at all. Trying to make the most out of what I currently have in Trainz 2010.

 

[cascaderailroad]

I guy I know bought a brand new laptop, and was telling me it had a video card ... he say's he can not run TS12, because Windows won't let him install Directx9 ... what could be the problem ? Daftness

"i can't even get the content manager to work for 12 it's not the route, it's not the game, it's the fact i'm running a lousey operating system

"I mean here is the thing 12 will work on my computer but not the content manager, 06 works both in the game and content manager, but if I add anything to the cm the whole game freezes up"

 

[RRSignal]

I certainly don't have any of the issues described above with Windows 7 even when not running on the SSD, but, then again, I'm not trying to run Trainz on a laptop. Sometimes, the hardware makes a difference. I should note that I run Windows 7 online; my gaming partition is XP-64 which runs offline. Obviously, it runs like a champ. I haven't decided if I'll take the existing Win7 partition offline or add a new offline one for T:ANE, but, either way, I'm going to reinstall the OS with a fresh reformat. A fresh reinstallation can do wonders.

 

[BlackDiamond1964]

Just an update...My Digital Storm Bolt 2 has been successfully built and passed all 7 phases of their quality checks. It should ship with in 24 hrs. The new monitor was delivered today but I haven't got it out of it's box yet to look at it. I'll soon be Trainzin' in style, even though I haven't figured out what project I'm going to work on yet.

 

[Chris750]

Some laptops can run Trainz but laptops will get much hotter than desktops when running Trainz. .

This is true, my Asus ROG G551JM gets pretty warm even in surveyor but using a cooling pad solves that problem. I am thinking of putting an SSD in my desktop just because my Western Digital Black is so damn slow and loud (they are suppose to be super fast...NAH). But all an SSD does is load, that is it so those who say an SSD makes your computer and programs super fast are incorrect. But now that they are coming out with the new PCIe SSDs that are faster than an SSD with little power consumption or heat, who knows.

http://ocz.com/consumer/pci-express-ssd

 

[Chris750]

Just an update...My Digital Storm Bolt 2 has been successfully built and passed all 7 phases of their quality checks. It should ship with in 24 hrs. The new monitor was delivered today but I haven't got it out of it's box yet to look at it. I'll soon be Trainzin' in style, even though I haven't figured out what project I'm going to work on yet.

What a beautiful machine! It is hard to imagine that a CPU 4.5" wide would not run hot but I guess they figured a way out eh. Did you get the I5 or I7 version?

 

[BlackDiamond1964]

What a beautiful machine! It is hard to imagine that a CPU 4.5" wide would not run hot but I guess they figured a way out eh. Did you get the I5 or I7 version?

It's an I7. I opted not to overclock due to reports of this machine running hot, so the machine will max out at 4.0....I assume.

 

[Chris750]

I am not a fan of OC myself, I find it leads to problems down the road. What type of monitor did you get?

 

[BlackDiamond1964]

What type of monitor did you get?

ASUS 27 inch (VS278)

 

[BlackDiamond1964]

Well, it's just a few more days until the new computer gets here. I've been tracking the shipment across the country. One interesting note...I believe it's being shipped by rail of all things. All the tracking points that Fed Ex gives me are not exactly big major shipping hubs...Magna UT, Brady NE and Le Roy IL. They do how however all have railroad tracks going through them.

 

[JCitron]

Well, it's just a few more days until the new computer gets here. I've been tracking the shipment across the country. One interesting note...I believe it's being shipped by rail of all things. All the tracking points that Fed Ex gives me are not exactly big major shipping hubs...Magna UT, Brady NE and Le Roy IL. They do how however all have railroad tracks going through them.

That's a possibility because both UPS and FedEx use rail to move their trailers.

Since you live in the west, the trip should only be a couple of days. For us back east, it's at the minimum 5-6 days transit time from the west for ground shipments.

John

 

[BlackDiamond1964]

Just received a new update. The computer is in Lewisberry PA which is in the south central part of the state. If I recall correctly, Lewisberry is a major Fed Ex hub. Now the shipment need to find it way to the northern part of the state.

 

[jkinzel]

Is your area coated in a layer of ice? It might arrive wearing ice skates.