PC Specs for Max Quality of TRS 22

[tirediron]

I'm looking for general input on what specs are needed for running TRS 22 at highest or nearly highest quality. I know that specs are listed, however just like the listed fuel mileage for vehicles, what it says on the tin and real world experience are often two VERY different animals. I'm going to be purchasing a new Windows laptop, which will be a fairly high-spec gaming platform, and while TRS is not critical to this, if feasible, I'd like it to be able to run large and complicated layouts at high quality without issue, so, to that end, what are your recommendations for processor, graphics processor, ram, etc? Thanks!

 

[HPL]

I run TRS 22 on a dedicated SSD logical RAID 0 (striping) with all settings at max @2560x1440 with this config: i9-9900K (turbo mode on), RTX3090 24GB (MSI Afterburner controlled),32GB DDR4 RAM (XMP activated), and Windows 11 Pro 24H2. So anything with higher specs should perform best. But if you read the forum, you know that Trainz is far from being the best optimized game...

 

[johnwhelan]

Don't buy a laptop.

The big problem will be heat and noise from the fans, Alienware 16 Area-51 Gaming Laptop would be about the best. Use the specs from that one to look for others.

Take a look at https://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu_list.php and you'll notice the laptop versions of the GPUs are all less powerful than the PC versions. Watch out for limited storage. Yes you can run an external SSD over USB 3 but internal is faster.

Since Trainz performance is very much dependent on the content you're running, Middleton for laptops will run on anything, rethink your requirements. 15K 3D benchmark should be fine on the GPU for most layouts, it's very rare that Trainz bottlenecks on the CPU an I5 is usually sufficient. Going above this configuration gets you into diminishing returns.

Personally I'd look at dellrefurbished.ca and look it the workstations for something with an RTX 4000 GPU or better. There is nothing there this morning but they do turn up.

I've even seen a 5820 with an Nvidia RTX A5000 GPU floating around once.

Expect to pay at least 50% more on the laptop side for the same performance.

Cheerio John

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[JCitron]

I have a Dell Alienware M18 R2 with a i9-14800K, 64 GB RAM, 4TB SSD, and an RTX 4090. The mobile RTX4090 is the equivalent of an RTX4080 desktop processor.

The machine is quite capable of running at full bore and does it quite well but at a cost. The heat coming out of the machine makes using the laptop uncomfortable to use not only due to the noise of the fans, which scream like jet engines, but also due to the blast of heat hitting my right hand because I'm using a desktop mouse. It has a trackpad but trying to use Surveyor with a trackpad was like trying to draw a hairline with a fat crayon.

Having said that, I've lowered the graphics to the same settings I use on my desktop, which has RTX3080, and I don't use the PBR textures because I don't like the 3d-effect. This lowers the heat down substantially and while the fans are running fast, they're not running at a full RPM attempting to keep the machine cool.

When I purchased this machine, about a year ago, before the tariffs were added it was going for about $3890 USD with this configuration. Given the cost of electronics these days, no matter where you are in the world, the machine will cost a whole lot more these days.

 

[autodctr]

I have to agree with johnwhelan. Heat will kill you on that laptop. I am running an Ryzen 9 9900 with 32G ram and an RTX 4080 16G. I build my own routes.....VERY heavily forested. Running everything at max, I can barely keep 30FPS while watching GPU temps go above 70*C. That is on a desktop. All 7 cooling fans running and it sounds like a jet taking off. And you think that you will keep a laptop running and keep it cool? Not going to happen.

 

[JCitron]

I have to agree with johnwhelan. Heat will kill you on that laptop. I am running an Ryzen 9 9900 with 32G ram and an RTX 4080 16G. I build my own routes.....VERY heavily forested. Running everything at max, I can barely keep 30FPS while watching GPU temps go above 70*C. That is on a desktop. All 7 cooling fans running and it sounds like a jet taking off. And you think that you will keep a laptop running and keep it cool? Not going to happen.

That was my experience with my Alienware M18 R2 laptop. It wasn't worth it running the machine that fast. I got my Alienware because I do travel or sit out on my deck.

I also want to keep the hardware for more than a few years before I replace it. My last laptop was 10 years old when I retired it. I'll replace the battery and give it to my brother to use in his shop as a CNC controller for his laser engraver.

 

[tirediron]

Thanks everyone! I understand the limitations of a laptop, and there are reasons for my going that route. I don't actually intend to run it at maximum; but speccing a la[top that will do that, should let me run at "75%" without any issue. Appreciate all the input.

 

[pdkoester]

What is your budget, what is your spending limit? If no limit, go for the gusto.