Would this computer support '10?

[gisa]

Hi All,


I recently came across the information that 04/06 will soon no longer be supported by Auran. I have been considering upgrading for some time now but I am wondering if '10 would work on my system (minimum requirements).

Processor - Athlon 64 Processor 3200+ (2.0 GHz single core)
Memory - 3GB
OS - Win XP SP 3.
Video Card - NVIDIA Geforce 7600 (256 MB)

I don't expect this 'dinosaur' of a machine to run trainz super well but I wonder if it would work on '10. I'm told that in theory, each new version of trainz should run better than the last due to code optimization.

Unfortunately the requirements listed are Pentium based but from what I'm seeing it seems 3.0 GHz is the minimum. Perhaps '09 would be better suited for me?

Input and thoughts are welcome!

:wave:

Gisa ^^

 

[RRSignal]

I have been wanting to put this in my sig, but since I can't, here goes: I run a BELOW spec machine and TS2010 runs fine. I think the problem is that most folks are trying to run under Vista and W7, which basically means they have to buy a smokin'-hot system just to support the OS.

The only major upgrade I think you might need is a better video card, which is dirt cheap right now. Oh, and look into the /3Gb switch in the boot.ini file (search here and Google.) Also see here. This will allow TS2010 to take full advantage of that 3Gb you have installed. Since you have adequate memory, it could very well offset your old-ish CPU, but it would probably be better to upgrade to XP 64.

Anyway, here's my stock advice, based on extensive experience, on getting the best performance out of any system:

I run TS2010 on a below-minimum spec machine and it runs fine. The trick (at least for me) is: 1. I run Windows XP 32-bit SP2. Vista and W7 consume so many resources it cancels out any benefit, except (maybe) on really $$$ systems; 2. I run it in OpenGL mode with an nVidia graphics card; 3. my machine's a homebuilt, so I don't have that nasty crap Dell and HP install, especially Norton's or McAfee's 4. I have disabled many of the unnecessary services and junkware files that run in the background, such as the 3-5 background programs every HP product installs; 5. I run the machine offline, so I don't need any anti-virus or anti-spyware software. The latter two have a MAJOR impact on performance.

I suspect if you tried to run TS2010 as a virtual machine under either MacOS or Windows7 (compatibility mode), performance would be degraded since neither exactly run Trainz in a native mode.

Consider this before upgrading or purchasing a new system, and this advice applies universally, not just to Trainz.

 

[gisa]

I would like to upgrade my computer (last upgraded in Jan '07) but I hope to move back home in a year and a half and don't want to have to pay to ship this computer back and have some mega big ($) things to worry about in the future (school, house, etc...). For the same reason, I won't touch Vista or Windows 7 until I get a new computer (and the price comes down/bugs worked out).

I don't and wouldn't expect to run trainz flawlessly but I would hope that it'd run just as well (if not a bit better in theory) on my current system since '04 runs okay. I just ask because if I purchase '10 and try to install it, it might complain that my system isn't good enough (and I'd be screwed).

I am similar to you in that I tweak my computer to get the most I can out of it. I defrag regularly, run reg cleaners, did insert the /3 GB switch into my boot.ini and run openGL for my card. I am super ultra careful in where I surf on the net and have a firewall installed (so I don't use antivirus programs). ^^

I found an excellent link that cleared it all up for me:

http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/thread-1939790.php

All that being said, with all the negative thoughts on speed trees, I think I will strongly consider '09 in the near future. Are there any major gains I'm not seeing in '10 compared to '09?

:wave:

Gisa ^^

 

[ColPrice2002]

Dear Gisa,

I was running '09 and '10 with an Athlon 3000+ processor; 6600 GT nVidia graphics.
You'll need a little patience to load/modify some routes, but it will run ok (sliders down).


There are significant advantages to '10 (over 2009) for the Surveyor mode, and I would expect that 2010 will be the better.

Have you considered changing the CPU? I've just bought (second-hand) an Athlon X2 (dual core) (socket 939 so it simply fitted into the CPU socket). Because 2009 & 2010 can use the mulit core processors it helps a lot.

Colin

 

[gisa]

Hi Colin,


Thanks for the advice. I heard that in '10, they obsoleted some really popular objects and stuff. Does it have a compatibility mode? I got lots of '04 content I'd rather not lose and want to carry over. Looks like I'll have to do some research into it.

It's tempting to upgrade, but like I said I plan on moving back home in a year and a half and I don't intend on shipping this dinosaur back. I figured I'd get a new system back home while bringing the key stuff I want from here (HD, maybe vid card, etc...).

Good to know that '10 would run (and if better than '04 then I will really consider it before this fall).

:wave:

Gisa ^^

 

[lewisner]

I ran TRS2009 on a machine with similar specs but only 1 GB RAM and it ran "OK" so 10 should be OK on your machine.That said, all versions of Trainz are relatively cheap so you could get a new PC and move it there.
Have you considered getting a new PC built using stuff like the RAM from the old PC?
It makes sense if you are buying Trainz, to get the latest version.

 

[gisa]

I ran TRS2009 on a machine with similar specs but only 1 GB RAM and it ran "OK" so 10 should be OK on your machine.That said, all versions of Trainz are relatively cheap so you could get a new PC and move it there.
Have you considered getting a new PC built using stuff like the RAM from the old PC?
It makes sense if you are buying Trainz, to get the latest version.

Yeah I think I might bring some key parts back with me when I move back but it might just be easier to sell this and get new stuff. My vid card is 3 years old and in my experience they don't last that long. Obviously, the most important thing I'd want to bring back would be the HDs. ^^

I heard so much bad stuff about '10's speedtrees I'm a bit put off. Still, I will do some research. My birthday is coming so it's something to look forward to. ^^

:wave:

Gisa ^^

 

[SuperFudd]

I first ran 09 on a "2GHz" (1.66 GHz) single core 2002 vintage AMD cpu, 1G of RAM, XP sp2 and an NVidea 6200 video card. It was OK with sliders down some, particularly draw distance, and I stayed away from "monster" routes. BIG improvement though with my new Dell Studio XPS 8000 (see below).
If you want a new video card, consider an NVidea GT220-1G like I have. Probably faster than your cpu and cheap and low power consumption. If you can upgrade your cpu to dual core, all the better.

 

[RRSignal]

Don't get to worried about Speedtrees. Yeah, they consume a lot of resources if many are used on a route, but I haven't had a lick of problem with them, including big routes like the supposedly bastardized PO&N. A lot of the complaints stem from their unrealistic movement i.e. it always seems like a Nor'easter is coming through! I think that will be fixed soon.

Many here say that 2010 is a definite improvement over earlier versions even with Speedtrees. I have no basis for comparison, aside from some really old version of Trainz (I forget which) which I hardly used.

Let me add to my earlier post: I get great performance on my below-minimum machine either all the sliders turned up to the max, running at 1280x1024. Except for antialiasing, which is set to 2, because the higher setting doesn't produce any noticeable improvement while driving. But I don't notice any real performance penalty when antialiasing is set to the max either.

 

[gisa]

Thanks for the input guys. I'll think about it...

:wave:

Gisa ^^

 

[EdrickV]

Can't really say for sure how well that CPU will work with TS2010, but the video card is almost minimum spec. I'm using an old 7600GT myself, on a much newer Core 2 Quad system. For me CPU usage isn't an issue, but the video card is.

Of course, if you're going to be designing your own routes rather then trying to run the big built-in routes like ECML then you can tailor them to your current system and build them up later when you get a better system.

One thing I do know is that, back in the time period I think that CPU may be from, the AMDs were better then higher Ghz rated Pentium 4 CPUs.

You might try this site, they don't have TS2010 last I checked but should have TS2009:
http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/

 

[gisa]

Yeah, I am working on my own route.

I didn't realize my CPU was the equivalent of a 3.2 GHz Pentium. As I pointed out in my last link, there was a great example to illustrate the difference between AMD and Pentium.

Neat site!

:wave:

Gisa ^^

 

[lewisner]

gisa said "My vid card is 3 years old and in my experience they don't last that long. Obviously,"

Last in what way? My "old" (6.5 years) PC is a Packard Bell 6052 with a tiny 80GB hard drive, 1GB of RAM (the most it can hold) and a 256 MB Geforce card. It runs absolutely reliably including the card.
My "newer" PC 93,5 years old) is a Packard Bell 6810 with 3GB RAM , a 620 GB hard drive and 512 MB Nvidia SLI graphics - it has given me endless trouble but the graphics cards handle pretty much anything I throw at them including Trainz Classics 3 which runs very sweetly.

 

[gisa]

As I said, personal experience. I've had a few motherboards, monitors, hard drives and vid cards all fry/die on me and I'd say the average age of length is about 3 years based on those things. Knock on wood though because my vid card is still going strong for now (and I hope she'll last me for a year and a bit more).

To each their own I guess. ^^

:wave:

Gisa ^^