New Computer ?

[railroy19]

Hello to All

Well it's time to get a new computer mine is about 6 or 7 years old and I would like to get some suggestions from all of you that know about computers and memory and cpu's.
I will use this comp mostly for trainz as I have been hooked to this game since it first came out.
I know for sure I will get a the Intel i7 cpu because I think it's the best one out for this week:hehe: Now I have a question on the memory offered with the Dell XPS desktop I'm looking at. I can get 6gigs of Three channel memory,or 8gigs of dual channel memory, or 12 gigs of three channel. I want to be sure I won't have to buy more memory in two weeks. Another question I have is should I wait for Windows 7 to come out or not even worry about it. I have to find out from Dell when this will happen first. They don't offer any Nvidia video cards only Ati not sure if this is a problem.

Thanks to all of you for reading this and I will look forward to all of your suggestions.

Thanks,
Bob

 

[Stagefright]

Wow! It sounds like budget is not a problem for you...

1. Get as much triple channel memory as you can afford.
2. Your computer probably comes with a free upgrade to Windows 7, so no need to wait.
3. The question of ATI vs. GeForce has been around since Trainz was first released. Yes, I was there...bottom line is it makes little real-world difference. Get the best you can afford.

Good luck, and let us know how you like it.

Darrel

ps. Underlining every word in your post makes it difficult to read.

 

[railroy19]

Thank Darrel

Sorry about the underlines I don't even know how I did this.
I noticed it when I was typeing the message for the post but thought it was just suppose to be on it.
Shows how much I know about computers.
Well Darrel the computer I'm looking at now is about half the price of the relic I'm using now.
That's electronics for you.
So the triple channel is better ok I figured it was because it said triple.
I will just get the Ati video card I can always swap the one I have in here to the other computer.
Thanks again for the reply.
Bob

 

[saintjimmy]

So which Dell XPS is it? The Studio XPS or the Studio XPS 435?
If you're looking at the regualr Studio XPS, I would say go for an i7 920, 6 or 12 GB of tri-channel DDR3, 500+ GB hard drive, and a 4850 if you choose to get a graphics card.

However, if it is the Studio XPS 435 you are looking at, then go for the i7 920, 12 GB DDR3, and the 1 GB 4870.

Just curious, what size screen do you plan to play Trainz with on your new machine?

Take care,
Kyle

 

[johnwhelan]

Hello to All

Well it's time to get a new computer mine is about 6 or 7 years old and I would like to get some suggestions from all of you that know about computers and memory and cpu's.
I will use this comp mostly for trainz as I have been hooked to this game since it first came out.
I know for sure I will get a the Intel i7 cpu because I think it's the best one out for this week:hehe: Now I have a question on the memory offered with the Dell XPS desktop I'm looking at. I can get 6gigs of Three channel memory,or 8gigs of dual channel memory, or 12 gigs of three channel. I want to be sure I won't have to buy more memory in two weeks. Another question I have is should I wait for Windows 7 to come out or not even worry about it. I have to find out from Dell when this will happen first. They don't offer any Nvidia video cards only Ati not sure if this is a problem.

Thanks to all of you for reading this and I will look forward to all of your suggestions.

Thanks,
Bob

i7 I like, video card according to tomshardware.com ATI have some very good cards at the moment that need a bit less power than the nVidia.

Trainz uses 2 gigs of memory maximum, tomshardware did some benchmarks with 64 bit windows and 3 gigs gave the same performance as 6 gigs. Even Vista 64 bit is happy with a gig of memory so I'd go 6 gigs not 12. That still leaves room for a 4 gig version of Trainz.

Triple channel on the i7 is much better than dual channel.

Be careful on the monitor Dell have some very nice 24 inch monitors but the down side is Trainz performance is directly related to the number of pixels. So 1024 by 768 has many fewer pixels than 1920 by 1200 the larger screen means you'll get far fewer frames per second on the larger screen.

Be aware that most game companies skipped directx 10 but many are planning to take advantage of directx 11. ATI expects to ship directx 11 cards sometime in 2009.

Windows 7 is expected to ship Oct 22 so if you wait until then at least you would know that Dell had sorted out all the drivers etc for the new operating system. Vista is generally a little slower than XP, windows 7 is supposed to be better for games.

Cheerio John

 

[itareus]

Bob,

I'm assuming that the budget is not a major issue so....

Go for 12 gigs (or more if it's available!!!!) three channel. Trying to add more RAM later often means scrapping all or part of what's already installed because manufacturers often fill all the slots.

Get the fastest i7 you can (the specification for this will have changed between my starting this reply and finishing it). Ditto the video card, I don't see a problem with ATI (although someone might correct me on this).

I have read that fast hard disc access can be a factor with Trainz so if you have an option for 10000 rather than 7200 then go for 10000 +++. Total storage size of the disc is less important for Trainz but I would not, personally, consider a disc less than (around) 500gb these days, given that you might want to store music, photos etc.

Regarding Windows 7, I'm not sure if Dell is currently offering the "free" upgrade from Vista (which will be a common offer soon). You could always get the "base" Vista installed and download the Windows 7 Release Candidate for "free" here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx

As we know nothing is free in this world, if you do get the RC you will have to buy W7 from March next year or restore your previous OS (read the details in the above link).

Windows 7 gets very good reviews in general, and Trainz 2006/9 will, it is said, run OK (or even better) - I have no personal experience of this though. There are a couple of (positive) posts about this on the trainz forum.

A bit more info on W7 here:

http://www.itpro.co.uk/612064/microsoft-cuts-windows-7-prices?CMP=NLC-Newsletters

W7 release date is ?October? - personally if I wanted a new machine I would not wait!

***
Someone will (correctly) point out that Trainz can only utilise XXX of RAM etc. etc. dependant on operating system and so on, but three or more years down the line who knows?

I think that you are making a bold and correct choice going for the biggest and best machine you can. From personal experience I would say that you are going the right way - I have only just "downgraded" my 8 year old "once top spec" PC to second line duties and it still beats a good number of "new" machines for speed (mind you it did cost a small fortune in 2000!).

Regards

Chris

 

[itareus]

Double post.....

 

[railroy19]

Thanks to All

Very good comments and some replies from me.

The computer I'm looking at is the Studio XPS 435.
On the memory I will get the 12 gigs because I went through that scenario before with this Dell Dimension 8100 I bought enough new memory to be able to buy this new computer. And also three new video cards! School of hard knocks!
My Monitor is a new GL 23.5" that I received from my two children for Dad's day, all grown up and working It's a beauty, and I can now see the apples on the apple trees.
This is I must say an expensive game but I'm doing my part for to get the economy going.
I would like to just keep windows XP but I know that won't happen it seems like whenever they come out with a better OS it just gets more complicated instead of easier to run, I'm an old fart with a commodore 64 brain.

Well thanks for all your replies and I will keep you posted.
Bob

 

[itareus]

Ah the Commodore 64 - the Sprites! the Sprites!

and didn't they go to the moon with a (slightly modified) ZX81?

C

 

[railroy19]

Well the computer is here and I think it opens up a new world of operating trainz. I can now load up all my yards with rolling stock and operate like the prototype. No more rubber banding, smooth as silk now. This new machine is fantastic. I have a 24" screen and the resolution is just great I can even see the apples in the trees I did get 12 gigs of triple channel and this thing just flies. And the best thing is it cost me about half of what my old computer cost. I think I'm all set now as far as computers go I can't think of anything else I could need to play this game. Much better than the Commodore 64

Bob

 

[itareus]

Much better than the Commodore 64
Bob

But no Sprites!

Glad you are pleased with your new toy, hope it gives you many years of happy Trainzing.

Chris

 

[poppins122325]

did you happen to get the offer for windows 7? because a mate of mine just brought a new pc and can pay $70au to go to windows 7 when it comes out. i am currently using win 7 as a second os and it looks good and runs trainz pretty good too.