Hardware specs...again

[Hot_Box_Detector]

First, my PC is over 4 years old and I need to get / build a new one.
OK, I have been searching this forum and find bits and pieces of info concerning hardware specs. I have read the Auran published spec, but...
I'll throw my thoughts out for comments from the experts...

Obviously the TS2009 higher resolution means more graphics load, so I would assume that PCI-e V2.0 is a must.
Should I go with one super video card, or two lesser cards in parallel ?
Concerning the use of DUAL /QUAD CPUs, Do I understand that TS2009 has the capability to utilize both cores? one for processing the game and one for processing the AI ?
True? If so, I will need 64 Bit OS and Dual / quad core CPU, Yes? NO?
Lots of ram needed 4GB , which would dictate the use of 64 bit OS, yes?
650watt PS minimum, stay away from ASUS MB

Like I said, the info I can glean from the forums is fragmented, hence this fragmented post.
I invite your comments.
Thanks, Mike

 

[Lo_Poly]

Obviously the TS2009 higher resolution means more graphics load, so I would assume that PCI-e V2.0 is a must.

PCIE 2.0 effectively doubles the data transfer rate, so technically yes.

Should I go with one super video card, or two lesser cards in parallel ?

Honestly I would recommend only one "super video card."

Concerning the use of DUAL /QUAD CPUs, Do I understand that TS2009 has the capability to utilize both cores? one for processing the game and one for processing the AI ?

If I'm correct, Trainz still can only use one core. Still, I wouldn't center your computer build just around Trainz. And since single-core processors are few and far between these days, it would probably be best to go with a dual core.

True? If so, I will need 64 Bit OS and Dual / quad core CPU, Yes? NO?
Lots of ram needed 4GB , which would dictate the use of 64 bit OS, yes?

I am a bit unsure here too but I think Trainz can only use up to 2GB of memory. Although, some extra never hurts! Benchmarks in the past have constantly proven that with more ram, speeds, such as start-up times increase. There was a Tom's Hardware article on it but I can't seem to find it.

If you nab a 32-bit OS, if you have 4GB of memory, it'll only be able to make use of 3.25GB of the memory. Whether you get a 32bit or 64bit OS is up to you (although I would recommend 64bit)

650watt PS minimum, stay away from ASUS MB

I've found Asus motherboards to generally be fine, just some are unluckier than others. Can't comment on 650w because I don't know what all of the components you'll be getting are.

And in regards to XP vs Vista, in my humble opinion I would go with XP. Heck, 7 is slated for release later this year (it's quite a possibility). Save some cash.

 

[Captain_Collins]

I would recommend the following:

PCI-E v2.0

1 x nVIDIA 8800GTX or higher (note, 9800 may not be higher than 8800)

TS2009 SP1 allows multi-core use, and even if it didn't trainz would still use one core and the OS the other so dual core is the way to go, although a quad core may be more future-proofed. I would also recommend an Intel processor (can't quite believe I am saying this) as AMD have dropped behind in performance recently. If you can afford it, then go for an i7 processor, but this is new and very expensive so it may be better just to go for a standard chip for now.

TS2009 SP1 OR TS2009EE OR TSX (can't quite remember which) should allow anyone with a 64-bit OS to use up to 4GB of RAM for trainz. And, as RAM is relatively cheap these days, I would recommend 6GB RAM with a 64-bit OS, not sure wether to say XP or Vista at the moment.

I suppose the choice between XP and Vista these days is personal preference.

I would also recommend a high quality "Named Brand" PSU, as these will give much more reliable and "cleaner" power compared to some "Made in koreistanchina" box. I can especially recommend Antec as possibly the best PSU maker (rated by others, not myself, I have no afilliation with any company mentioned in this post)

Hope this helps,

 

[johnwhelan]

First, my PC is over 4 years old and I need to get a new one.
OK, I have been searching this forum and find bits and pieces of info concerning hardware specs. I have read the Auran published spec, but...
I'll throw my thoughts out for comments from the experts...

Obviously the TS2009 higher resolution means more graphics load, so I would assume that PCI-e V2.0 is a must.
Should I go with one super video card, or two lesser cards in parallel ?
Concerning the use of DUAL /QUAD CPUs, Do I understand that TS2009 has the capability to utilize both cores? one for processing the game and one for processing the AI ?
True? If so, I will need 64 Bit OS and Dual / quad core CPU, Yes? NO?
Lots of ram needed 4GB , which would dictate the use of 64 bit OS, yes?
650watt PS minimum, stay away from ASUS MB

Like I said, the info I can glean from the forums is fragmented, hence this fragmented post.
I invite your comments.
Thanks, Mike

TRS2009 creates threads which the operating system spreads over the cpu cores. So technically TRS2009 may have threads running on all four processors but may not use them all 100%.

TRS2009 uses compressed textures so only needs to transfer one quarter of the data for the texture files so PCI 2.0 is not an absolute requirement however it's probably nice to have.

Multiple video cards may need special drivers, IMHO Trainz isn't main stream so a single video card may have fewer problems. Note this is an educated guess only. nVidia have a new graphics card due out Jan 8th which is 55 nm whatevers so uses lower power might be interesting.

If you are going I7 then the optimum memory configuration is 6 gigs and probably a 64 bit operating system such as Vista.

Cheerio John

 

[Hot_Box_Detector]

Thanks for the replies...

OK, so I've come up with this:


Intel DX58SO Socket LGA1366 Motherboard CPU Bundle - Intel Core i7 920 Quad Core, 2.66GHz, 8MB L3 Cache, Hyperthreading, Processor $569.99 ( PCI-e 2.0)
Corsair TR3X6G1333C9 XMS3 6 GB 3 x 2 GB PC3-10666 1333MHz 240-Pin DDR3 Core i7 Memory Kit
$194.70
Antec 650W PSU $100
VIDEO ? This MB supports crossfire, which I think is ATI
Did I read in this forum that TS2009 seems to work better with nVidia?

Grab an old ATX case, a couple of SATA drives from my RAID array, I'm sure there's bound to be an extra monitor floating around downstairs... Jam it all together, add OS, flip the switch, watch for smoke.:hehe:

What am I overlooking?

 

[Winterpaw]

i dont see anything wrong with asus. maybe the color of the motherboard but thats about it.

 

[ColPrice2002]

Hi,

Grab an old ATX case, a couple of SATA drives from my RAID array, I'm sure there's bound to be an extra monitor floating around downstairs... Jam it all together, add OS, flip the switch, watch for smoke.:hehe:

What am I overlooking?

Treat the new PC to a new case with lots of cooling!
The newer cases have 2 x 12 cm fans - the CPU and GPC run lots cooler with that airflow...
I'd also consider a CPU cooling fan (i.e. not the one that comes with it - but one with enhanced cooling).
I'd guess you're looking at about £50 - whatever in $ (for PC stuff it's usually 1:1 conversion).

Cheers,

Colin

 

[johnwhelan]

OK, so I've come up with this:


Intel DX58SO Socket LGA1366 Motherboard CPU Bundle - Intel Core i7 920 Quad Core, 2.66GHz, 8MB L3 Cache, Hyperthreading, Processor $569.99 ( PCI-e 2.0)
Corsair TR3X6G1333C9 XMS3 6 GB 3 x 2 GB PC3-10666 1333MHz 240-Pin DDR3 Core i7 Memory Kit
$194.70
Antec 650W PSU $100
VIDEO ? This MB supports crossfire, which I think is ATI
Did I read in this forum that TS2009 seems to work better with nVidia?

Grab an old ATX case, a couple of SATA drives from my RAID array, I'm sure there's bound to be an extra monitor floating around downstairs... Jam it all together, add OS, flip the switch, watch for smoke.:hehe:

What am I overlooking?

Looks sane so just add in a single high end nVidia video card. Mind you technically I like the ATI 4870 and I understand it supports two programming languages including OPENCL but not CUDA.

Cheerio John

 

[whitepass]

Unless you do a lot of video editing the i7 will be a wast of money as it has no advantage over older Intel CPUs, cost a lot more, has hire cost MB, and hire cost DDR3 ram. The i7 may be good in a year or so but now are way over priced for what you get.
PCI-e V2.0 this is new standard so get it.
Ram 4GB DDR 800
OS Vista 64
Video 9800 GTX+, or one of the 2xx Nvidia cards (Traniz likes Nvidia better than ATI)
600W to 800W power supple, get one with 4 12v rails
I just built new computer 3 mouths ago.

Intel E8500 Dual Core 2 3.16Gz
Asus P5N-D MB
Evga 9800 GTX+
4GB A-Data ram
Antec case
Antec 850W ps
DVD burner
500GB hd
keyboard
mouse
CPU cooler
Vista 64 home premium
came to $1200US

 

[Lo_Poly]

OK, so I've come up with this:


Intel DX58SO Socket LGA1366 Motherboard CPU Bundle - Intel Core i7 920 Quad Core, 2.66GHz, 8MB L3 Cache, Hyperthreading, Processor $569.99 ( PCI-e 2.0)
Corsair TR3X6G1333C9 XMS3 6 GB 3 x 2 GB PC3-10666 1333MHz 240-Pin DDR3 Core i7 Memory Kit
$194.70
Antec 650W PSU $100
VIDEO ? This MB supports crossfire, which I think is ATI
Did I read in this forum that TS2009 seems to work better with nVidia?

Grab an old ATX case, a couple of SATA drives from my RAID array, I'm sure there's bound to be an extra monitor floating around downstairs... Jam it all together, add OS, flip the switch, watch for smoke.:hehe:

What am I overlooking?

Sounds good! TRS works good with both ATi and Nvidia. Although, may I offer a word of warning if you're going to get an nvidia card, do not get vista. Their Vista drivers are plagued to the brim with bugs. I mean, you can even look at the Nvidia forums, and you'll see endless threads with people complaining about driver problems, especially the notorious display driver has stopped responding bug. You've been warned.

(^happens to me a minimum of once a week with my 8800GTX. no driver version has been able to fix this. nvidia even refuses to acknowledge this bug.)

 

[CoachMan888]

Interesting topic especially as I have just had Santa bring me an nVidia 9800GTX with 512 RAM.

Installed in the PCI-e slot no problem but hid the lower of the SATA sockets on the motherboard, had to use a right angled SATA cable for the upper one. As I'm running 500GB drives it's not that important.

Question is; is it too much for the system as in am I getting the best out of the 9800?

TRS 04 runs brilliantly but there are minor niggles with TC3 and 09 (stutters when there's a lot of content (high polys)).

System is 2.6 AMD Athlon 64 (4000) processor, 3 GB RAM nVidia Chip Set all on a Foxxconn Winfast 6100 M2MA FAB 2.0 motherboard.

What I would like to know is I have on board 4gb RAM but XP in 32 mode will not see all of it. If I run in 64 mode it will but will Trainz products run in 64 bit mode?

I would consider upgrading the Mother board (and processor) and case (the case is rather old) so that there is room for the 9800 and the SATA sockets.

The i7 looks good but expensive, is there a great advantage of the i7 over a good Intel Quad?

The only game I run is Trainz, the rest of the time the comp is the office.

Any help would be apprieciated, many thanks?

 

[Hot_Box_Detector]

Sounds good! TRS works good with both ATi and Nvidia. Although, may I offer a word of warning if you're going to get an nvidia card, do not get vista. Their Vista drivers are plagued to the brim with bugs. I mean, you can even look at the Nvidia forums, and you'll see endless threads with people complaining about driver problems, especially the notorious display driver has stopped responding bug. You've been warned....

Well, If I get a fancy new CPU and all this memory what good is it without 64BIT OS? Isn't Vista the only thing out there? When I go to MS website, and click on purchase XP pro 64 bit , it takes me straight to the Vista page

 

[Lo_Poly]

Well, If I get a fancy new CPU and all this memory what good is it without 64BIT OS? Isn't Vista the only thing out there? When I go to MS website, and click on purchase XP pro 64 bit , it takes me straight to the Vista page

Wasn't saying that Vista is off limits with an Nvidia card, was just giving a warning. The "display driver stopped responding" rubbish doesn't happen with everyone; you may get lucky.

PS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116378

 

[Hot_Box_Detector]

EVGA experience anybody?

Ok, thanks for the link to the OS....

Looks like the Intel board isn't nvidia certified for SLI, but EVGA is. Anybody had experience with EVGA? I have used a MSI, which I didn't care for and ASUS, but, they seem to be in trouble at the moment.

System is looking like this;

EVGA X58 for i7 CPU
3-6GB RAM
650-750W minimum PS ( Antec or Thermaltake)
Vista 64 OEM

The question now is, can I use my SATA drives? most of these x58 motherboards state "SATA 2" I'll have to look at my drives or the specs on my ASUS board to see if they are SATA 2

 

[Hot_Box_Detector]

EVGA experience anybody?

Ok, thanks for the link to the OS....

Looks like the Intel board isn't nvidia certified for SLI, but EVGA is. Anybody had experience with EVGA? I have used a MSI, which I didn't care for and ASUS, but, they seem to be in trouble at the moment.

System is looking like this;

EVGA X58 for i7 CPU
3-6GB RAM
650-750W minimum PS ( Antec or Thermaltake)
Vista 64 OEM
Video: GTX 280 or 2X GTX260

The question now is, can I use my SATA drives? most of these x58 motherboards state "SATA 2" I'll have to look at my drives or the specs on my ASUS board to see if they are SATA 2

 

[Hot_Box_Detector]

EVGA experience anybody?

Ok, thanks for the link to the OS....

Looks like the Intel board isn't nvidia certified for SLI, but EVGA is. Anybody had experience with EVGA? I have used a MSI, which I didn't care for and ASUS, but, they seem to be in trouble at the moment.

System is looking like this;

EVGA X58 for i7 CPU
3-6GB RAM
650-750W minimum PS ( Antec or Thermaltake)
Vista 64 OEM
Video: GTX 280 or 2X GTX260

I'm thinking the question now is, can I use my SATA drives? most of these x58 motherboards state "SATA 2" I'll have to look at my drives or the specs on my ASUS board to see if they are SATA 2

 

[Captain_Collins]

Ok, thanks for the link to the OS....

Looks like the Intel board isn't nvidia certified for SLI, but EVGA is. Anybody had experience with EVGA? I have used a MSI, which I didn't care for and ASUS, but, they seem to be in trouble at the moment.

System is looking like this;

EVGA X58 for i7 CPU
3-6GB RAM
650-750W minimum PS ( Antec or Thermaltake)
Vista 64 OEM
Video: GTX 280 or 2X GTX260

I'm thinking the question now is, can I use my SATA drives? most of these x58 motherboards state "SATA 2" I'll have to look at my drives or the specs on my ASUS board to see if they are SATA 2

SATAII drives are just twice as fast as SATAI drives, but they are all backwards compatible.

 

[SerraAngel2007]

Ok, thanks for the link to the OS....

Looks like the Intel board isn't nvidia certified for SLI, but EVGA is. Anybody had experience with EVGA? I have used a MSI, which I didn't care for and ASUS, but, they seem to be in trouble at the moment.

System is looking like this;

EVGA X58 for i7 CPU
3-6GB RAM
650-750W minimum PS ( Antec or Thermaltake)
Vista 64 OEM
Video: GTX 280 or 2X GTX260

I'm thinking the question now is, can I use my SATA drives? most of these x58 motherboards state "SATA 2" I'll have to look at my drives or the specs on my ASUS board to see if they are SATA 2

I have not had a problem with my rig:

EVGA motherboard (780i 3-way SLI)
EVGA 9800 GTX only one for now (the wife would notice me adding the second one :hehe: )
Q6600 2.4Ghz w/Ninja CPU Cooler w/120mm fan
8GB OCZ-1066
1 x 500GB SATA2 and 1 x 200GB SATA1
1 x DL/DVD SATA Burner
750watt Antec PS
Cooler Master CM690 case (PS in the bootom)
4 x Noctua NF-P12 120mm case fans
Use bigger, slower, quieter fans because heat KILLS!

Dual Boot:
64-bit Windows XP Pro on the 500GB
64-bit Suse Linux 11 on the 200GB

No problems with Trainz 2006, waiting to install Trainz 2009.

 

[aodgh0st]

i like EVGA, have a 750i motherboard and 2 evga gtx260, run smooth with great price and warranties.