New Desktop for TANE and TS12

Bluewater

Member
Hey all,


So after 5 months of my first job and collecting just over 1,000 dollars (maybe 980 or so after taxes), I've begun to look into buying a desktop to run TANE and Trainz 12 on. I've been running them off my laptop (as I got a new one 3 years ago with TANE specs in mind only to not be able to run the program above 2 FPS) and I realized that maybe it wasn't the best choice, considering it's a graphic-intensive program on a laptop.

I am currently looking at this on Amazon (I apologize for the long link):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B011A...+gaming+pc&dpPl=1&dpID=51qOPZ+ck4L&ref=plSrch

Would this work for TANE? I don't want to invest hundreds of dollars into a computer just to have the same issue again. It's a gaming desktop.


Thanks!

-Bluewater
 
I dunno about the the PSU, 350 watts seems a bit light I'd think, especially since it's usually a no name brand in these types of machines. I'm not familiar with AMD components so I can't comment on the cpu or gpu.

*Waits for the usual lecture from the "build it yourself" crowd.
 
my suggestion for specs:

16 GB of RAM or more (type dependent on Motherboard you go with)
Intel Core i7 at 3.33 GHz or higher
Samsung 850 Pro series SSD 256GB or higher (850 EVO 1TB version has updated components like the Pro, and less price than Pro version)
Nvidia 900 series GPU (I'd suggest 970 or higher)

Motherboard will be dependent upon the CPU you go with, brands usually good are ASUS, MSI, GIGABYTE, EVGA, etc.

Power Supply Unit, I'm suggesting one from my experiences: I have the 1200W version, but this should work, Cooler Master
Silent Pro Gold 800W

 
Forgive me, as I am not exactly "tech savvy", but what is integrated graphics and what issues do they have in Trainz?
integrated graphics are on the motherboard or the CPU, and are basically for doing 2D and light 3D graphics. Not meant for high end games (simulators)... basically a low scale laptop graphics chip.
 
Unless you are doing things like video editing or 3d rendering, an i5 will be fine for most games. 8GB of RAM is sufficient as well, if you want to go up to 16 you can but it really isn't necessary. If you can afford one, an SSD is definitely a good idea, I have 2, one for my OS and one for Trainz exclusively. The Samsung EVO's are very good across the board if the price of the PRO is a concern. Depending on the brand and what components you put in a Power Supply in the 500-800 watt range will do nicely.
 
If you are inclined to build your own, you can certainly get good bang for your buck. There are also places that will build one for you,but you can find good prebuilt systems as well. A lot will depend on how much you have in your budget.
 
Unfortunately, I've never built one before, nor do I have the slightest idea how to. My best bet would have to get someone to do it for me, which might end up being more expensive....


Decisions, decisions.
 
Here's some online custom PC builders, you select what you want:
https://www.pugetsystems.com/configmenu.php
http://www.pcczone.com/pc-builder
http://www.ibuypower.com/
https://www.maingear.com/solutions/custom-computers.php
https://www.centrecom.com.au/buildpc
https://www.originpc.com/
http://www.alienware.com/

Note, I'm sure they are not all exactly around the same price, so check 'em all, see what you think. I would build my own, it is cheaper, and really easier than you might believe.

Paul
 
I can personally recommend Maingear. They built the machine I am using now and am about to order a new one from them. They aren't cheap, but I am very happy with what I got for my money.

Digital Storm is another well regarded "boutique builder".
http://www.digitalstorm.com/

Also, if there is a Micro Center near you, they can build a pc for you.
 
I don't how much money you want to spend but my last three computers were built by the guys at http://jncs.com/ Very knowledgeable and the phone is answered after three rings and you can understand the person on the other end. I get a new computer about every 3-5 years and have had no major problems with the computers they built. What problem I had was taken care of very quickly with no hassles. Good hunting.
 
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