I must be crazy

[Drcurmudgeon]

Folks:

I have a dilemma, or at least need to talk this out a bit. I’ve been lurking on the boards for a while now and am really intrigued by TS12, particularly the surveyor function allowing you to recreate historic routes. I thought I could run it on my 3 year old Macbook Pro (which is big enough to run NASA, I thought) but the graphics on it are not compatible with TS12 and need a not-yet-released patch.

The next option is my old Vostro, but while it can handle Trainz-Driver from 2006, I think it would implode with TS12.

Which leaves option 3, buy an entirely new system just to run TS12, and from the looks of discussion here over specs that means $1000-$1500 for a decent machine.

Now I know I’m preaching to the choir with a problem like this, but am I crazy to be considering this? Buying an entire new computer just to operate TS12?

Michael

 

[frogpipe]

All I can offer is that I have an Athlon II x4 (quad core) and a GTX 550 video card and I am less then impressed with the frames per second I get... I have to run DirectX (not openGL) and keep the settings fairly low not to go into "slide show mode" on larger layouts like the Appalachian N&W route that came with TS12....

 

[drchoi21]

How much do you have?
for 495, you can build this

1. Powersupply : Inland Gold Series ILG-600-2 600 Watt ATX Power Supply 40
2. Graphics card : Nvidia EVGA Geforce 550Ti 1GB 112
3. RAM : CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 15000) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1866C9R 48
4. System case : Thermaltake V3 Black Edition ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 25
5. Processor : AMD Phenom II X4 965 AM3 3.4Ghz 512KB 45NM 125W 4000MHZ Black Edition 90
6. Motherboard : ASRock 970 Extreme4 Socket AM3+ 970 ATX AMD Motherboard 100
7. Cooling : Corsair Cooling Hydro-Series All-in-One High-Performance Liquid CPU Cooler CWCH60 80
in microcenter

 

[Drcurmudgeon]

I never thought of going making-your-own. I was thinking of big box store, major makers.

I'm just amazed that I need a new system to run it. But it looks so fantastic, from what I see here and the screen shots on youtube, that I may have to spring for it. The surveyor function alone makes it look well worth it.

M

 

[kin3]

On this site you can find articles on PC builds. http://www.tomshardware.com/

 

[bendorsey]

My7-1/2 year old Gateway (top of the line model at the time) wouldn't even come close to running 2010 (let alone 2012 had I waited for it) so I splurged and bought an Alienware Aurora tower for major bucks (but then I really am crazy, lol).

Many good (and far cheaper) machines out there that should be more then sufficient.

Ben

 

[RRSignal]

I never thought of going making-your-own. I was thinking of big box store, major makers.

I'm just amazed that I need a new system to run it. But it looks so fantastic, from what I see here and the screen shots on youtube, that I may have to spring for it. The surveyor function alone makes it look well worth it.

M

I strongly recommend building your own. OEMs (pre-builts) usually have very poor performance, not the least of the problems being all the useless software they pre-install. I built pretty close to a state-of-the-art Intel i5 machine for $630 after rebates. I had my own copy of Windows (XP and XP-64). You can buy a retail copy of Win7 64 about $200; you can get an "OEM" copy for half that, although you can't reuse it if you change machines. You can also save about $100 by getting a less-than-top machine.

Take a look at some of these barebone kits:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3859887&Sku=B69-0593

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2628604&CatId=332

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3990672&Sku=B69-1433

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3886507&CatId=333

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3857947&Sku=B69-1427

The latter one is essentially the computer I bought but, as you can see, you can get a pretty good AMD-based rig much cheaper.

 

[Drcurmudgeon]

Interesting. Next question, RRSignal -- how tech handy to you have to be to assemble these? I'm certainly no techie. I think I can probably get most of the software I need at low prices since I work at a university.

You've got me thinking ...

M

 

[RRSignal]

It's not too hard. You're not really "building", but just assembling a few bits and pieces. Really, the only part that approaches "tricky" is putting thermal paste on the CPU and attaching the CPU cooler to the motherboard. There a bunch of videos on Youtube:

https://www.google.com/search?q=bui..._pw.r_qf.&fp=f9b257e272bd4bf2&biw=800&bih=439

Take a look and see what you think. Basically, if you're handy with a screwdriver, you pretty much can build a PC.

 

[schweitzerdude]

There is a middle ground between buying something off the shelf at (name your favorite big-box store) and building it yourself out of bits and pieces. You can custom order what you want on-line (I did this at Dell) so in essence you are doing the research of what components you want, but allowing someone else to do the assembly. Plus you get some warranty protection/support which is better than if you do the assembly yourself.

 

[RRSignal]

Haven't seen you around much in awhile, Schweitzerdude. Good to see you.

I have to disagree STRONGLY, so don't take this the wrong way, but it's not even close; it's like saying you have the option to buy any car you want, as long as it has a lawnmower engine in it.

OEMs (pre-builts like Dell) and DIY computers run very differently. OEMs tend to use the cheapest parts they can get away with and tend to be overconservative with both options and system timings, and that's not even getting into overclocking options. And, the preinstalled garbage does make a huge difference - even if you get rid of it, your machine will only benefit so much. On top of it all, most have very limited if any real upgrade options.

Now, the middle-of-the-road option is to have a machine built to order by an INDEPENDENT computer shop. I've never done this myself, but I believe most will even build to an exact parts list you specify, and can also use their knowledge to fill in any gaps you don't specify. AFAIK, it often doesn't add much to the overall price, especially if they have a Windows volume license and offer decent warranty service.

On the subject of warranty, independent shops usually aren't as good as OEMs in terms of the length of warranty, but you do at least have local accountability (well, assuming you buy local, of course! ) so you don't have to ship your machine off somewhere.

 

[schweitzerdude]

Happy to get your comments RRSignal. My understanding and experience with Dell is that they build to order and don't "prebuild". I was given several choices on most important components. Certainly not as much choice as a do-it-yourselfer would have. Now you are correct that I did not have the ability to specify the specific brand of the components, and to that extent, I may well have had to compromise on quality. As far as building it yourself, the experience and satisfaction of doing it yourself is a big plus; the downside is if it doesn't work, who do you call?