Processor?

T

trainzfourever

New member
Hi, I have a dual core AMD Athlon X2 4450B 2.3GHz processor, and amwondering if this is up to the task of running Trainz 2009 or 2010? If I sound like a fool, I’m sorry but I don’treally know that much about computer hardware. :o
Thanks!
 
Your computer splits the work up over the CPU and the GPU so just knowing the CPU isn't especially helpful. TS2009/10 can make use of the second core so that's good, memory is important so at least a gig and ideally a 64 bit operating system and 4 gigs or more of memory. Typically lap tops are built to preserve battery life not for performance and SSDs or higher speed hard drives can be helpful as well.

In crude terms if its a desktop and has a separate video card it should work, if it has on board video then the performance will be less than one might hope for.

If you choose the assets carefully and set the performance sliders away from high detail then low end machines can run Trainz and TS2012 running the same assets on the same settings is the least demanding of any version.

Cheerio John
 
Post the name and model # of your computer. Unfortunately, upgrading the video is not cut and dried. Your power supply wattage/amperage will determine what kind of card you can get without upgrading the supply, if possible, because GPU are power hungry. If you have an OEM (name-brand pre-built) computer, they'll almost certainly have used the lowest-wattage they could get away with, and a few use semi-custom sizes of the actual supply itself, so getting one that will fit could also be an issue. Also, although the exception to the rule, some OEMs like HP sometimes don't even put the correct card slots in, so there are few practical options besides buying a good kit computer. But, let's try to be optimistic, and see what the specs say.
 
Then your options are VERY limited. It's got a 240-Watt power supply (PSU), which pretty much rules out anything but the very lowest-end video cards. Also, you will be limited to low-profile cards. It does have the required PCIeX16 connector, though. The best card I can find that you *MIGHT* be able to use is an ATI HD5450, like this one.

In other words, adding even that lowly video card is a very risky endeavor. If your power supply isn't completely up to par, adding that video card could fry your system - either right away or over time, since the system power consumption is so close to the PSU limits. If you do decide to take the risk, be sure, however, that you do not add anything else into your system e.g. a second hard drive, extra expansion cards, etc. I wouldn't even charge an iPod when running Trainz.
 
Iffy. According to the specs, the power supply in your machine is called a BTX, which is a kind of Small Form Factor power supply. By and large, these are only available in low wattages. It doesn't help that there are lots of confused and shady sellers on Google and eBay. Unfortunately, I can't locate one right at the moment, but this is what the supply should look like:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817701003

Check to see if yours looks to be of similar size and dimensions.
 
RRSignal said:
Iffy. According to the specs, the power supply in your machine is called a BTX, which is a kind of Small Form Factor power supply. By and large, these are only available in low wattages. It doesn't help that there are lots of confused and shady sellers on Google and eBay. Unfortunately, I can't locate one right at the moment, but this is what the supply should look like:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817701003

Check to see if yours looks to be of similar size and dimensions.
Click to expand...

Would a micro atx psu do the job. Roughly 3" high, 5" wide, 4" deep or H 76 mm, W 125 mm, D 100 mm.
 
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It probably wouldn't fit in the case quite right. BTX is actually longer than an ATX on one side, essentially like TFX, though it's not truly a standard as far as PSUs go; all of these are some kind of Small Form Factor, but they do vary dimensionally. Also, I think the screw layouts vary quite a bit. Even getting a PSU to be held in my two of four screws could be a chore and may require case modding. Ultimately, measurements, or even good guestimates, by Trainzfourever as to what he's got would be needed in order to give any suggestions.

Then again, maybe he's handy with tools or doesn't mind a power supply dangling out the back, lol. :p
 
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RRSignal said:
It probably wouldn't fit in the case quite right. BTX is actually longer than an ATX on one side, essentially like TFX, though it's not truly a standard as far as PSUs go; all of these are some kind of Small Form Factor, but they do vary dimensionally. Also, I think the screw layouts vary quite a bit. Even getting a PSU to be held in my two of four screws could be a chore and may require case modding. Ultimately, measurements, or even good guestimates, by Trainzfourever as to what he's got would be needed in order to give any suggestions.

Then again, maybe he's handy with tools or doesn't mind a power supply dangling out the back, lol. :p
Click to expand...

No nails or grip fill will hold it:eek:, just imagine it !
 
trainzfourever said:
The measurements are, height-55mm, width-160mm, and lengt-145mm. Now let’s hope I measured the rightthing.:hehe:
Click to expand...

It's the box where the power cord comes in. If those are the right dimensions, is there any extra space? I can't find a PSU with similar dimensions.
 
That's pretty close to the size of most ATX supplies, actually, which means you may be able to get a good supply instead of a low-wattage one. Is there a hole in the back for a fan? If you can find one less than 80mm high (most are about 85 or 86mm), then you're in business and don't have to worry about those little supplies. I took a cursory look and didn't find any, though. Try www.tigerdirect.com.
 
Well, if you can get an ATX supply that will fit, I'd say get at least a 700-watt, preferably from XFX, OCZ, Antec, or Seasonic. It depends how much you are willing to spend, but a 700w+ will future-proof you a little and give you more upgrade options. Going a bit lower, I've seen the Ultra LSP-650 on sale for as little as $30 at Tigerdirect. (Ultra isn't an especially good brand, but it can safely handle a low- to mid-range video card.) I see OCZ has a 700-Watt on sale for $60.

Edit: I probably should explain why this is. You need a power supply that can deliver far more power than your system really needs because power supplies age, you may want to upgrade or add stuff in the future, and - most importantly - a lot of the lower-quality supplies output far less than their rated currents. Some of the really crappy ones may output as little as half their rated current. That doesn't mean crappy brands are junk supplies; it just means you need to get a more powerful unit so you have a bigger comfort margin. I have had great success with Ultra-branded supplies, but, for example, I would only trust an a 750w Ultra (mediocre brand) to safely output the same amount of power as, say, a 550w Seasonic (excellent brand.)

Here's a guide:
http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx
 
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