Optimum PC Spec for Trainz?

[alexl102]

Hi guys,

Apologies if this has been covered before- I don't normally frequent this part of the forum, and did have a look but it's easy to miss things.

Anyway, some time in the next year I want to look into getting a new PC, which will be used for various things, but Trainz 2012 will be one of them (and probably the most demanding initially).

So, the Sim Central websites lists the following minimum and recommended specs:

Minimum Specification
OS: Windows XP SP3
Memory: 1GB
Graphics: nVidia GeForce 7200
Processor: Pentium D 3.4GHz
Hard Drive: 16GB Free Space


Recomended Specification
OS: Windows Vista
Memory: 2GB
Graphics: nVidia GeForce 8800
Processor: Core 2 Duo
Hard Drive: 16GB Free Space

But for best results, what is the optimum spec for running Trainz 2012? Not just adequate but what you need to make it run really nicely? I know in theory there's no top end limit, but I'm trying to be a bit realistic- for example, looking at the Recommended Spec, 2GB RAM seems a little small to me. I'd imagined you'd need at least 4-6?
My PC has 4GB (albeit with a processor and graphics card that are fairly generic and a couple of years old now) but it's not even worth me running the S&C Routes, let alone the ECML, because it can't handle the high level of detail and size of the route- I get one frame every 4-5 seconds. Smaller routes run ok tho.

Also, on a side note, has anyone tried running Trainz on a computer that has a touch screen monitor? I can imagine it's quite fun.

Cheers in advance.

Alex

 

[fran1]

You can ignore the recommended specs. You could just about get treacle to run with those on a warm day.
There are no optimum specs, there's lots of different opinions.
A good I5 or I7 cpu , a gpu no lower than a gtx 560 ti, 8 gig ram, psu ? about 700 watt, a half decent mobo.. Start that as your base. Buy rubbish and it'll run the same.

 

[alexl102]

Thanks fran1. That's the kind of stuff I wanted to see! I like to 'future-proof' things that I buy where possible, and although with computers it's nearly impossible, the better you buy the longer it'll last! Cheers for that.

 

[johnwhelan]

tomshardware is fairly good at comparing different CPUs and GPUs, I'd suggest a fast i3 actually isn't bad and they fastest ones do outperform some i7s so be careful which one you buy. Don't overclock, watch out for cooling problems, I run a 500 watt power supply but it is Antec.

Newegg.com look at the reviews, if it has 5,000 positive reviews this is good, only two reviews and they aren't totally positive stay away.

Think in terms of noise level if you prefer a quiet machine then look for a case such as Antec Sonata, CPUs Intel normally is considered to have the edge. Video Cards look at the TDP this will determine your power supply, the lower the better but you also have a trade off with performance. Cost of electricity over the lifetime of the machine can be higher than the cont of the machine so efficiency maybe important to you. To get the last 10% performance you'll need to double your spend so think about how much you are willing to spend.

Cheerio John

 

[ccowan2126]

I have an i3 3220 @ 3.3ghz with 8g ram, a GTX660 2g GPU and 600w psu. TS12 runs great. Curious to see how T:ANE runs, though.

 

[ex-railwayman]

Forgive me for slightly hijacking this thread, but, as WIN XP will become unsupported after April, I'm looking at purchasing a new computer that I can alter secifications along the way to suit my tastes, depending on what is offered to me, of course.
I will admit to having little knowledge of knowing the best types of CPU, graphics cards, etc. I would be interested to learn what forum members consider to be appropriate to run Trainz now, plus, what we will see in future versions, T:ANE for example. I must also add that I don't just play Trainz on my PC, I also have other simulator games such as FlightSim, Eurotruck Sim installed, plus other games such as Call of Duty, etc, so, I require something that will assist me with getting the best out of everything I currently own, and taking into consideration the fluctuation in gaming computer technology for the next 5 years, or, so.

My PC set up at the moment is a AMD Phenom II X2 545 3.0GHz CPU, an ASUS M4N78 Dual DDR 2 Motherboard, a 600w power supply with fan and an added Super Quiet Triple Copper Heatpipe CPU cooler.

I've had virtually no problems at all with anything over the last 4-5 years, I added 4GB RAM to the machine as utilising XP I couldn't get any more oooomph out of it anyway, but, having looked at various specifications of most components nowadays, I'm confused as to the vast array of items that I can choose from.

I was looking at getting an i3 CPU, but, do they have any negative/positive features over an i5 or an i7, apart from cost.

Is obtaining a Quad Core CPU over a Dual Core pointless ?

I can get a DDR3 motherboard and the same 600w power supply and Triple Copper Heatpipe CPU cooler as a cheap extra.

I am uncertain on graphics cards, I'd like a nVidia but can get 1GB, 2GB, 4GB or even an 8GB card and they offer both a 6 and a 7 series, so, apart from cost, is there much difference?


Cheerz. ex-railwayman. (Steve).

 

[shaneturner12]

If you intend to get Trainz: A New Era, it's strongly advised to get a quad-core processor at this stage, as well as a DirectX 11 compatible graphics card, as well as Windows 7 or 8 (64-bit version - be aware that some older (16-bit) programs will not run on 64-bit systems).

Shane

 

[ex-railwayman]

Thanks Shane, yeah, sorry, I meant to state I'm considering Win7 Home Premium 64 bit, it's a bit cheaper than WIN8 and a bit more reliable from what I've read on t'internet, I didn't think the OS at this stage was that important, as after WIN XP there are only 2 Microsoft possibilities available anyway presently.

Cheerz. ex.

 

[shaneturner12]

That should be OK for T:ANE, although I know that some may consider Vista as an upgrade option from XP (although Vista will not be supported by T:ANE).

Shane

 

[ex-railwayman]

Hmmm, I would regard Vista as a backwards step personally, my father had it in an old laptop and pulled his hair out with all the problems that ensued, I don't want to go down the same road.......:hehe:

Cheerz. Steve.