Is it possible to get to the summit ?

[Rail4Pete]

Hi, I'm wondering if ''actually'' we can get a PC that will handle the maximum of trainz without having to calculate if we have too much details, too much trees...and so one (with a budget less than $ 2 000) ?
I explain: when Flight simulator X first came out, it was not really possible to get a PC that could handle it with all slidders in max and with a 25+ fps. But, some years after, the technology was there and affordable, so it was possble to to put all sliders in max and get 60 fps.


Now I'm building a proto route that is 4km wide, has a lot of speedtrees, houses,farms, cows, details, and....... its a slideshow 4-6 fps sometimes (for sure). Actually, I got a intel Q9550+ HD4890 1gb+ 8gb ram.
If I upgrade with an Intel i7 3820 (3.6 ghz) and a GTX 670 2gb and a SSD Hard drive, will I get to the summit ? Will I still have to calculate how many details I can put and will I be able to set all sliders to max......or fps and draw distance will always be a concern (at least for the moment)?

Thanks for your reply !
Rail4Pete

 

[GP30Fan]

I'd say yes... I'm running an I7-920 with an ATI 5850, 6G memory.

Memory seems to be the least of the problems. Running Content Manager
AND TS12 at the same time uses around 3 Gig of memory.

System is running on RAID 0 on auxillary drives. Data transfer is good
but not the best by far. SSD is better but $$$. I have over 340 GIG of
data on the TS12 install, including backups which I also store on a RAID 1
array.

Video is fine, no real big problems there.

And... I'm running all sliders full tilt. Yes it stutters on occasion, usually
when switching drivres and they are on opposite sides of the railroad.
The route is well over 400 miles long.

I've built this system over 2 years ago and am now planning an upgrade.
I looked at the I7-3820 and have more or less decided to go with an
I7-3770K. It is marginally more bucks than the 3820, but not a lot.

The big difference is the 3820 is Sandy Bridge, the 3770K is Ivy Bridge.
There is a slight performance increase. Still weighing the possibilites.
There is other baggage involved with the 3770K.

Bottom line is I do believe you will run full out with the 3820. I happen to
have that processor sitting here and have not had time to play with it.

Still running the I7-920 100% of the time with TS12 and very satisfies with
the results.

You might want to read this...

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5871/intel-core-i5-3470-review-hd-2500-graphics-tested

-AL

 

[steamboateng]

With a $2k budget you can by a lot of computer! I'd go for the best i7 bang for the buck processor with the mostest (2-3 Gb vidRAM) video card . 6Gb system RAM is fine and a good 7200 rpm HDD. Get a PSU with power for expansion. (say 750W) . You will have a fine unit for upgrades. Add SSD's when you have the $$! If you plan for SSD's I'd avoid Raptor HDD ($$). Otherwise go for the 10k rpm Raptors if your budget fits. Of course you can go for broke and mix them with SSD's. Personally, I'd spend the upgrade $$ on an SSD over the Raptor. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Raptor fan, but I think the performance difference when compared to an SSD is worth the extra $$; especially for Trainz 12.. I'd also cosider gettig the i7 o'clocked to about 4 Ghz (they can take it) wich would require a modest investment in a larger processor cooler (air).
My comments above are purely subjective and based on experience.

 

[Rail4Pete]

Deleted post

 

[steamboateng]

You just ain't gonna get that ultimate performance for $2k. I doubt you'll get it with a $10k machine! Go for the best bang for the buck, quality components and upgrade rooom and you'll get a machine your satisfied with. Practical economics and technichal limitations are issues all us Trainz Nerdz deal with!

 

[whitepass]

Will I still have to calculate how many details I can put and will I be able to set all sliders to max......or fps and draw distance will always be a concern (at least for the moment)?

Yes you will always have to do that as there will always be badly made content that can kill fps.

 

[kamran]

the hardware you mention to upgrade is enough to kill everything

 

[Rail4Pete]

Hi,
I don't have much time to change my mind, but still have some.....till tomorrow. I mean, I placed my order but I'm finally buying an EVGA GTX 670, and a i5 3570K (instead of a i7 3770K wich I learned would be better than the i7 3820 because the K means we can OC). Here it is not the budget I want to consider. The seller told me, because Trainz is not using the multithreading application, when overclocked, the i5 3570K (cache 6m)will perform better than the i7 3770K(cache 8m) also when overclocked. Do you think he is right ? I still can change my order till tomorrow.

Also, should I be better with a amd 7950 with trainz ?

Thanks for your help!
Rail4Pete

 

[TramDU1214]

Here is a nice build http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/p/aykx.
Unlocked CPU with a good cooler (overclocking)
8 GB Ram
60 GB SSD for boot and some programms (not needed, maybe another case for the money)
1 TB HDD for loads of stuff
A GTX 670 (will run all games today maxed out)
A modular PSU for easy cable management
And the Case is a matter of taste (drop the SSD and get another one if you want)