Low Cost Computer?

B

bmheron

New member
I've spent alot of time on this forum after I excitedly purchased Trainz 12 without reading the system requirements. Yikes.
And while eventually I may have the funds for a new PC right now I have this game sitting on the shelf.

Looking on Craigslist I found listings for these computers - I'm not sure if these would be good enough to get the proper experience of Trainz 12?

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/sys/2844503661.html

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/sys/2858885498.html

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/sys/2876801982.html

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/sys/2831989569.html

Looks like this guy builds custom gaming PCs, and he's local to me.

Thoughts?
 
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Looking at those ads, I'm wondering if those are stolen. That would explain the cash-only and the fact that he has such widely-varying builds. Most builders stick with a core build and CPU vendor. A quick check on his phone number, 610-551-5386, only goes back about a month or so.

That said, in terms of specs, all but the second (quad-core) are decent. Here's a good build:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1241992&CatId=4910

I'd buy the items individually and get a better power supply, like this one. Give back 4Gb of memory (Trainz only uses a max of 4Gb anyway) to offset the price difference. Add $100-$120 for a decent video card (e.g. nVidia 550Ti, which often goes for about that on rebate at Tigerdirect). You'll have a machine for about $570.

As far as Windows goes, if you have your own copy, great. If you need to buy it, buy a "retail" copy of Windows 7 Professional 64-bit for around $220. You can get "OEM" versions for half that (which is pretty much what all system builders use, including this guy, if he was legit) which is basically a single-use version; if you have to replace your motherboard, you have to buy a whole new copy of Windows.

FYI, the component cost of the parts alone comes out to more than what that guy is selling his i5 for, and that's not including Windows. I doubt he's selling machines at a steep loss.
 
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You can not run Trainz on a low end PC ... Unless you re-build it yourself and add @ $200-$500 in upgraded parts.

Buy a PC on Craigslist, from a stanger ... and you will get burnt !
 
RRSignal - awesome! I would be willing to try a build if I could do it for $570. But that doesnt include the price of the OS right? So another $120 for OEM version.

Funny, good points about this guy selling stolen stuff. And it doesnt sound as good as the parts you pointed out. Im a big believer in "you get what you pay for". And also a DIY'er, just never built a computer before.

Euphod and cascaderailroad, thanks for the direction.

I have a buddy that is good at making PCs I think.

If I can do it for @$500-$600 or less, maybe I can make this work.
 
Ok, looking at this for the first time, here's if I buy the parts seperately...

Motherboard - $70 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7325821&CatId=7162

Case w/power - $70 (couldnt get the 750W one to pull up so have the 450 w http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7328068&CatId=1509

i5 processor - $190 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7073162&Sku=I69-2500


HD - $85 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1083959

CD/DVD - $18 - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1387814&CatId=1624

4 MB Ram - $40 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=91221&CatId=4534


Thats about $470. Would that do it??
 
Let me amend that build a little. I noticed that the motherboard doesn't support Sata-III, which you'll want if you ever get a Solid State Drive. SSDs really boost Trainz performance. So, get this one instead:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1165562&CatId=6975 ($100)

...and here's 4Gb of memory that's cheaper and is specifically recommended by the manufacturer:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7104115&CatId=4534 ($30)

(Not that there's anything wrong with Patriot memory, but, hey, if you can save a few bucks AND get manufacturer tested memory...why not?)

Try this case

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=719187&CatId=1842 ($50)

and that PSU, if you order tonight, you can get the case on sale/rebate. Try looking for "W0382RU" at Tigerdirect to pull up the power supply I was looking at. That was $70.

You may also want a tiny dab of this for the CPU:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3829121&CatId=503 ($13)

Technically, you don't need thermal grease, as the cooling fan that comes with the CPU already has some on it, but many people, myself included, like to carefully scrape the provided stuff off and put a dab on - about the size of a small pea - of the good stuff on for better cooling. Some people don't scrape the included stuff off and just put a small bead (about 1/2 the size of a pea) of the good stuff on for a better fill. Again, many people just use the included stuff and don't bother buying good stuff, and they do fine. Whatever you do, just avoid excess grease and, especially, getting any on the electronics themselves or in the circuitry of the CPU or motherboard.
 
Oh, yeah, you still need a video card. I saw an eVga 550Ti on Tigerdirect for about $115 on rebate. eVga is pretty good, and they honor their rebates too! Also, if you want to save a few bucks on the case and power supply, you can get this:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1438619&CatId=1845

but I would go with a lower-powered video card for now since 500 watts isn't much. You can get an nVidia GT430 for about $50 that will work with that power supply.
 
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Ah, I did forget the video card! Ok, so this is what I have now:

[TABLE="width: 800"]
[TR]
[TD]Motherboard[/TD]
[TD] $ 90.00[/TD]
[TD]http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1165562&CatId=6975#
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]CPU[/TD]
[TD] $ 200.00[/TD]
[TD]http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7073162&Sku=I69-2500[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Video[/TD]
[TD] $ 135.00[/TD]
[TD]http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2056400[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Power[/TD]
[TD] $ 70.00[/TD]
[TD]http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=419877&srkey=W0382RU[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Case[/TD]
[TD] $ 65.00[/TD]
[TD]http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=719187&CatId=1842[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Memory[/TD]
[TD] $ 30.00[/TD]
[TD]http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7104115&CatId=4534[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]HD[/TD]
[TD] $ 85.00[/TD]
[TD]http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1083959[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]DVD[/TD]
[TD] $ 18.00[/TD]
[TD]http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1387814&CatId=1624[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Thermal Grease[/TD]
[TD] $ 14.00[/TD]
[TD]http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3829121&CatId=503
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

@ $700

I'll need some time to save up for something like this, but at least now I know what I need and where to get it. PHENOMINAL help - thank you!!

So, last night I also came up with a great idea. Not to go too far off topic, but I'm having issues with my xbox 360 (RROD) and debating on trying to fix it, scrap it, buy a new one, or switch to PS3. I dont do alot of gaming, just Call of Duty and NCAA football. So last night I thought, if Im going to build this, maybe scrap the whole "console" idea and do my gaming on the kick a** PC? Not sure if this type of PC would handle these types of games, so maybe I'm getting too far. But I'm VERY excited. I was even thinking I could connect the PC to my 47" LCD with HDMI or something and run Trains 12 on that!

Am I getting ahead of myself?
 
bmheron said:
So last night I thought, if Im going to build this, maybe scrap the whole "console" idea and do my gaming on the kick a** PC? Not sure if this type of PC would handle these types of games, so maybe I'm getting too far. But I'm VERY excited. I was even thinking I could connect the PC to my 47" LCD with HDMI or something and run Trains 12 on that!

Am I getting ahead of myself?
Click to expand...

Sure, I always prefer to game on the PC rather than a console because you have more control. You can pipe the output to the TV rather easily, I do it all the time.
 
bmheron said:
<snip>

I was even thinking I could connect the PC to my 47" LCD with HDMI or something and run Trains 12 on that!

Am I getting ahead of myself?
Click to expand...

I've ran my current rig (see sig for basic specs) on a 1080p 42" LCD. Man, them locos look sweet and large on that screen.:)

With HDMI for the video and digital optical audio to the 5.1 Yamaha amp driving a 7.1 Klipsch speaker setup with a 200 watt subwoofer and the Trainz experience really kicks butt.:)

Running Trainz on a home theatre setup is totally insane.:udrool:
 
Here's another one.

Complete systems, parts, etc. A lot of these are closeouts and refurbs, but they'll work too. Just make sure they have a good processor and video card that more than meets the minimum specs for the program.

http://www.compuvest.com/

John
 
bmheron said:
I'll need some time to save up for something like this, but at least now I know what I need and where to get it. PHENOMINAL help - thank you!!

So, last night I also came up with a great idea. Not to go too far off topic, but I'm having issues with my xbox 360 (RROD) and debating on trying to fix it, scrap it, buy a new one, or switch to PS3. I dont do alot of gaming, just Call of Duty and NCAA football. So last night I thought, if Im going to build this, maybe scrap the whole "console" idea and do my gaming on the kick a** PC? Not sure if this type of PC would handle these types of games, so maybe I'm getting too far. But I'm VERY excited. I was even thinking I could connect the PC to my 47" LCD with HDMI or something and run Trains 12 on that!

Am I getting ahead of myself?
Click to expand...

You're welcome. No, I don't think you're getting ahead of yourself. There are at least a few folks here to plug their machine into a TV and play in 1920x1080 on a 30 or 40 inch screen! And, it's been a few years, but I used to pipe my sims through my stereo and cranked it up till the room shook. (Along with my music, naturally!) Very sweet.

You'll do well with that machine.
 
Ok, been doing alot of research here. Then went on vacation and now I'm back! I'm really sold on the idea of building an awesome gaming PC. RRSignal - love the idea of then plugging it into my home theater which includes a 47" HDTV and a full surround sound system! With the costs involved I will need to save up for a few months tho.

in the meantime, I came up with an alternate approach that just "might" work...

Just found out my employer is going to get me a new laptop! And its going to be pretty close or close enough to what I need to run trains. Here's what I know:

- Windows 7
- pentium dual core 64 bit
- at least 4GB or ram

A co-worker of mine got one and he said he has an Intel Core i7 with 8gb of ram.

I dont know anything about the graphics card but will probably be integrated. Also dont know about directx or sound, but can directx be installed/upgraded easily?

So wondering if I just might have a viable machine...for free!?
 
No. Odds are extremely unlikely that laptop will have a discrete graphics card - especially being a business lappie - which means you really won't be able to run Trainz, at least not without being a slideshow. And Pentium dual-core is a bit dated. The third strike is that it's a laptop. There are 8-year-old desktop CPUs that'll outperform brand-new, second-generation mobile i5s; you pay big time for mobility, and not just money either.
 
Bummer. So can I change out a discrete graphics card?
Also, what if its a pentium i7?
So what are the other drawbacks with a laptop then?
 
I have just built a low cost , high spec PC from parts I bought from ebay , in the case of my second PC. It has
1) Intel I5 2500K CPU.
2) ASrock Z68 Extreme 4 Gen 3 mobo.
3) 8GB Corsair 1600 Mhz RAM
4) MSI R6770 1GB GPU
5) Enermax Infinity 720 Watt PSU.
6) Samsung 320Gb Sata Hard Disk Drive
7) Akasa Trio Fan Controller
8) LG DVD+/- RW
 
If it's a laptop, you generally can't change out anything. You can upgrade the memory on some, but that's about it. Also, an i7 isn't a Pentium; the modern branding Intel uses is "Core." But even with a true i7, without a discrete graphics card with it's own, non-shared memory, you're going to get marginal results. I can't even say for sure if you can get a smooth 20-30 frames-per-second, at least on detailed routes. If you can, and it's consistent, the game will be smooth enough to play, but keep in mind that work laptops are not designed for game play and even those few that are can't really compare to even a marginal desktop.

Seems the logical thing to do is let your work issue you the lappie, put Trainz on, and see how it goes. Just don't be disappointed if the results aren't that good. If it's a case of them being willing to, say, let you pay out-of-pocket additional for a model with a better, discrete GPU, then it may or may not be worth it, but don't expect awesome results even if they do.
 
I recently had to purchase a new box because the old one laid down. It is an HP AMD 64 bit with eight gigs of ram, a tetrabyte of memory and has a decent video card which runs TRS 2012 quite well. It cost less then $US 500. I'm very happy with it out of the box. It even has wireless network for like printers and so forth.

P.S. Forgot to add that it came with a 20 inch HP wide screen monitor, and of course mouse and KB.

Cheers

AJ
 
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lewisner said:
I have just built a low cost , high spec PC from parts I bought from ebay , in the case of my second PC. It has
1) Intel I5 2500K CPU.
2) ASrock Z68 Extreme 4 Gen 3 mobo.
3) 8GB Corsair 1600 Mhz RAM
4) MSI R6770 1GB GPU
5) Enermax Infinity 720 Watt PSU.
6) Samsung 320Gb Sata Hard Disk Drive
7) Akasa Trio Fan Controller
8) LG DVD+/- RW
Click to expand...

lewisner - thanks. do you mind me asking how much the parts ran you?


AJ_Fox said:
I recently had to purchase a new box because the old one laid down. It is an HP AMD 64 bit with eight gigs of ram, a tetrabyte of memory and has a decent video card which runs TRS 2012 quite well. It cost less then $US 500. I'm very happy with it out of the box. It even has wireless network for like printers and so forth.

P.S. Forgot to add that it came with a 20 inch HP wide screen monitor, and of course mouse and KB.

Cheers

AJ
Click to expand...

AJ - very cool. and promising. thanks for the feedback.

RRSignal - once again you keep teaching me :) all good stuff i didnt know. I had a feeling I might not be able to change anything on a laptop.

Ok, you're right. Best thing is to hang out and see what happens when this machine comes in. At the very least it will be light years ahead of what I'm doing today -- nothing and reading all of you play the game!

Will come back and post here the exact specs of the machine when I get it, and how it performs.

Thanks!
BH
 
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