Several months ago, I
told you, step-by-step, how to upgrade your tired old Pentium 3 PC to a
Pentium 4 system for under $750. As you all know too well, technology and time
wait for no man or woman, right? Now I have revisited our system upgrade and
discovered that you can build a much more powerful Pentium 4 system and still
do it for around $1200. This update is for all of you flightsimmers
who want the screaming performance of a new, 3 GHz Pentium 4 PC, but don't want to
spend $2500-3500 or more on a new computer to get it. Once again, I rolled up
my sleeves and crawled under the hood of our do-it-yourself (DIY) machine
alongside our special projects
contributor, Alan Frerocious. Together, we came up with a 3 GHz DIY PC upgrade
that's an excellent performer, and a relatively painless way to upgrade
your existing computer to the new state-of-the-art Pentium 4 screamer. The
best part is, you get twice the performance of our last upgrade, for just $450
more -- and the whole thing is still less than half the cost of a comparable
ready-to-run PC from a leading manufacturer such as Dell, Gateway or
HP/Compaq.
What's new in this DIY
upgrade?
A lot has happened in recent
months to push the envelope of PC technology. Not the least of which was the
introduction of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight. New
hardware enhancements and price changes include:
-
Big price drops for 3 GHz
Intel Pentium 4 processors
-
Implementation of Intel
Hyper-Threading Technology (HTT) across the entire inventory of Pentium 4
processors from 2.4 GHz up
-
Introduction of the Intel 875
chipset with its new, blazing fast, 800 MHz frontside bus (FSB)
-
Adoption of the 8X AGP
bandwidth for Intel motherboards
-
Huge leaps in video card
technology coupled with big price drops for the high end video cards
-
Price cuts for system memory
coupled with the introduction of fast, DDR SDRAM featuring 400 MHz data
bandwidth
-
Capacity increases for ATA
Ultra, 7200 RPM hard drives coupled with price drops
-
And price drops for analog
CRT monitors and LCD flat panel displays
A stern warning to the
inexperienced.
This is a how to guide for
experienced PC mechanics, only. Today's advanced technology systems are not
for rookies or people who have never (or seldom) looked under the hood of a
desktop computer. What's more, if the last time you got your hands dirty
under the hood of a PC was in the halcyon days of Pentium 2 or 3 machines,
beware that the Pentium 4 world is a much hotter, more power-hungry, and all
around more complicated environment for do-it-yourselfers. Bottom line, if
anything in this article is confusing, unfamiliar, or sounds like Klingon to
you -- stop right here and do not attempt this upgrade yourself. IF you're a
savvy PC builder, go for it! Save yourself a bundle and have some fun custom
building your computer in the process.
Your new 3 GHz Pentium 4
Screamer, Step-by-Step
We started with just the existing computer case and
then added new:
-
Motherboard
-
Processor
-
Cooling Fan
-
Power Supply
-
Memory
-
Hard Drive
-
Video Card
-
Sound Card
This system upgrade assumes that you are going to keep your
existing case and CD-ROM or DVD drives. I am also assuming that your case can
handle a new Intel motherboard. If you are in doubt, check the size specs or go
ahead and get a new case that fits the new motherboard. When we upgraded our PC,
the motherboard fit the existing case. Since this motherboard does not have
sound integrated on it, we added a sound card. The result was a powerful new system, powered by
a Intel Pentium 4 processor
running at a blazing 3 GHz using the 800 MHz FSB Intel 875 chipset. Now, you can take to the skies with
Microsoft Flight
Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight or Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 3, crank up all the graphics goodies
and fly around the world lag and stutter-free. And, the best part is, you can do it all
for around $1200. I have even included direct links to where you can buy the
gear you need right now at Tiger Direct and save a bundle.
There are lots of motherboards on the market but we chose the best-of-breed in a genuine Intel motherboard: Intel - D875PBZLK -
Socket 478 Motherboard. This is an excellent performing motherboard that's a breeze to install. What's even better about it is its low price for
genuine Intel technology.
The
Desktop Board D875PBZ supports 800 MHz system bus and Hyper-Threading
Technology to unleash full capabilities in the Pentium 4 processor. The
on-board Intel PRO/1000 network connection is further enhanced by the
Communication Streaming Architecture (CSA) bus – a special interface that is
free from the bandwidth limitations of PCI and increases networking
throughput. So, you don't need to install an additional LAN card.
The Desktop Board D875PBZ also
delivers scalability through a multiple array of performance platforms by
supporting DDR333/400 memory support in a dual-channel configuration from a
minimum of 128MB to a maximum of 4GB of ECC or non-ECC memory.
Specifications:
- Processor Interface: Socket
478
- Processors Supported: Intel
Pentium 4 2.26 GHz or higher
- Front Side Bus:
800 MHz
533 MHz
- Chipset: Intel® 875P Chipset
- Video: AGP 8X/4X (0.8V or
1.5V only)
- Memory:
Type: DDR 400/333
Maximum: 4GB Max
Number of Slots: 4 Slots
- Expansion: 5 PCI Slots
- USB Ports:
Hi-Speed USB 2.0
6 Back / 2 Front
- HDD: SATA150 (1.5Gb/s) (2
ports) RAID 0 Support7 and ATA100/66
- LAN: Intel® PRO/1000 CT
Desktop Connection
- Software:
Intel® Express Installer
Norton Internet Security
Intel® Active Monitor
NTI CD-Maker
RealOne Player
Diskeeper Lite
RestoreIT! Lite
- Form Factor: ATX
A Closer Look:
Additional Specifications:
- Native SATA 150 featuring Intel®
RAID Technology, and support for hard disk transfers up to 3.0Mb/sec.
- 8X AGP slot for the latest in video
technology
- Support for up to 8 Hi-Speed USB
ports; (6 rear USB ports and header for two front panel ports)
- Integrated Intel® PRO/1000 Network
Connection via CSA bus for vastly superior connectivity speeds vs. PCI-based
solutions
- Intel® Rapid BIOS Boot to
accelerate the Power on Self Test (POST) If you are looking for a more
full-featured board, check out the Intel® Desktop Board D865PERL. The
D865PERL includes 6-channel audio with optical output, Intel® RAID
Technology, up to three 1394 ports, and 5 PCI slots.
The
boxed Intel® Pentium® 4 processor is now available at 3 GHz, 800 MHz system
bus with support for Hyper-Threading Technology. Enabling Hyper-Threading
Technology requires a computer system with an Intel Pentium 4 processor with HT
Technology, a chipset and BIOS that utilize this technology, and an operating
system that includes optimizations for this technology. Performance will vary
depending on the specific hardware and software you use. Based on the same Intel®
NetBurst® microarchitecture, the Intel Pentium 4 processor now at 3 GHz and
800 MHz system bus offers more higher-performance processing capabilities than
ever before. Built with Intel's 0.13-micron technology, the Intel Pentium 4
processor delivers significant performance gains. The
Intel® 875P chipset takes advantage of the latest Intel® Pentium® 4 processor
with 800 MHz system bus and Hyper-Threading Technology to deliver outstanding
high-end desktop PC performance with 400 MHz dual-channel DDR memory, AGP 8X
graphics, ECC Memory and Intel® Performance Acceleration Technology.
Pentium 4 (478-pin) Northwood
processor with 800 MHz system bus. The Intel® Pentium® 4 processor with
800 MHz system bus is the next evolutionary step for desktop processor
technology. Based on Intel® NetBurst™ microarchitecture, the Pentium 4
processor offers higher-performance processing than ever before. Built with
Intel's 0.13-micron technology, the Pentium 4 processor delivers significant
performance gains for flightsimmers.
Specifications:
- Processor Speed: 3.0 GHz
- Cache Size: 512K
- Processor Socket: Socket
478
- Bus Speed: 800 MHz Front
Side Bus Speed
- Processor Class: Intel
Pentium 4
- Fan: Includes Fan
A Closer Look:
- Intel® NetBurst™
Microarchitecture:
- Hyper-pipelined technology
- Rapid execution engine
- Execution trace cache
- Advanced transfer cache
- Advanced dynamic execution
- Enhanced floating point/multimedia
- Streaming SIMD extensions 2
A
PC based on the Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor with HT Technology
(Hyper-Threading) improves processor performance and responsiveness, giving
you the power to do more tasks on your PC at once such as playing a game while
encoding digital music or editing digital video while encoding digital music.
This groundbreaking technology from Intel enables the processor to execute two
threads (a part of a program) in parallel. So your software can run more
efficiently and you can multitask more effectively than ever before.
What is
Hyper-Threading Technology and Why Do Flightsimmers Need It?
You may have heard about
what an important breakthrough Intel has achieved with the Pentium 4
processor Hyper-Threading Technology (HTT). You may be wondering what HTT
is and why a flightsimmer might want it on your PC.
HTT from Intel enables the processor to execute two threads
(a part of a program) in parallel. So your software can run more efficiently
and you can multitask more effectively than ever before. Hyper-Threading Technology also improves processor
performance and responsiveness, giving you the power to do more tasks on your
PC at once such as playing a game while encoding digital music or editing
digital video while encoding digital music. Best of all for flightsimmers, HTT
and Windows XP enable you to flawlessly record full-motion, high resolution,
video of your flights and save it to a compressed AVI video file on your hard
drive without the need to go out to a video camera or digital recording
deck.
By utilizing the multitasking features of Microsoft
Windows XP, a Pentium 4 processor with an HTT-based PC can enhance content
creation. When editing digital pictures or home movies, it can simultaneously
manage more filters, transitions, special effects, and media types, making the
experience easier and more enjoyable while you create spectacular movie
results.
You can also turn your PC into a recording studio by
simultaneously, recording, mixing and copying original instrumental analog
input, which can be saved in CD, DVD or MP3 audio formats faster than ever
before. The visual difference between HTT and non-HTT systems is best
illustrated when viewing compressed video streams. Without HTT, the video
stream looks like a choppy slide show. With HTT, the compressed video stream
looks like a smoothly running, full-motion movie.
HTT and Microsoft Flight Simulator
I have it on good authority that Microsoft did not
use threading in the design of FS2004 or CFS3. But, you'll still enjoy a performance
boost with HTT today and you'll be ready for HTT compliant solo applications
as they come your way in the near future. HTT will definitely give you better
performance even when you are only running a single application that does
not use threading. The reason is that Windows XP runs multiple services
and other processes in the background while your main application is running.
HTT speeds that multitasking.
With a faster CPU and a
motherboard that supports a far faster frontside bus, you'll also need to
upgrade your system memory. We added 1GB of 400 MHz PC3200 DDR Ultra Dual Channel
SDRAM. We used Ultra Memory because,
contrary to popular opinion, all memory is not created equal. High-performance
computing requires high-performance memory. If you want to fly FS2004 or CFS3
faster, smoother and with all the setting running at the max, you need DDR
memory that maximizes system operation, and lets you get the most from your
flightsim applications.
If your existing video card is at least a
GeForce 4 128MB, you could simply re-install it. If not, now would be a good
time to upgrade. We put a new XFX GeForce FX
5600 256MB DDR AGP8X with TV & DVI video card because it is currently the
sweet spot in the video price-performance curve. And, nVidia has been very good
about supporting FS2004 with bug-free drivers.
Powered by the same advanced technology
and features as the 5800 GPUs, the GeForce FX 5600 delivers studio-quality
color and amazing cinematic gaming effects, without breaking the bank.
Designed for DirectX 9 and utilizing
the NVIDIA CineFX engine, GeForce FX 5600 GPUs guarantee powerful 3D
experiences, with blazingly fast performance.
Specifications:
- GPU: nVidia GeForce FX 5600
- Memory: 256MB DDR
- RAMDAC: 400 MHz
- Bus Type: AGP 8X
- OS Support: Windows®
95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP or LINUX
- Ports: VGA, TV-Out &
DVI Output
A Closer Look:
Powered
by the same advanced technology and features as the 5800 GPUs, the GeForce FX
5600 delivers studio-quality color and amazing cinematic gaming effects,
without breaking the bank.
Designed for DirectX 9 and utilizing
the NVIDIA CineFX engine, GeForce FX 5600 GPUs guarantee powerful 3D
experiences, with blazingly fast performance.
CineFX Engine
Powers cinematic effects beyond imagination. With advanced vertex and pixel
shader capabilities, stunning and complex special effects are possible. In
addition, increased horsepower delivers faster and smoother game play.
High-Precision Graphics
By combining the incredible dynamic range of today's state-of-the-art 3D
motion pictures with 128-bit studio-precision color, the GeForce FX GPUs bring
you the industry’s best image quality for the most demanding applications.
Intellisample Technology
The industry’s fastest and highest quality antialiasing delivers
ultra-realistic visuals, with no jagged edges, at lightning-fast speeds.
AGP 8X
Provides double the bandwidth of AGP 4X—2.1GB/sec. vs. 1.1BG/sec. AGP 8X
enables more complex models and detailed textures, creating richer and more
lifelike environments. Uninterrupted data flow allows for smoother video
streaming and faster, more seamless game play.
nView Multi-display Technology
The nView hardware and software technology combination delivers maximum
flexibility for multi-display options, and provides unprecedented end-user
control of the desktop experience. NVIDIA GPUs are enabled to support
multi-displays, but graphics cards vary.
Digital Vibrance Control (DVC)
Allows the user to adjust color controls digitally to compensate for the
lighting conditions of their workspace, in order to achieve accurate, bright
colors in all conditions.
DVI Support
Able to drive the industry's largest and highest resolution flat-panel
displays with up to 1600x1200 resolution
We
spend a lot of time listening to engine sounds and other aircraft noises.
Might as well do it with a great audio card. Also, this new, lower priced,
Audigy 2 card adds a handy Firewire, IEEE1394, port for digital cameras and
video.
The Sound Blaster Audigy Gamer holds
the sweet spot for excellent audio price-performance with its stunning 24-bit
multi-channel playback. The "sound of round" is faithfully
replicated along with DVD and MP3 sound tracks.
Taking advantage of that power, EAX
ADVANCED HD™ technology is able to produce high definition multi-environment
effects and more, for the most realistic sound ever experienced. Highly
optimized the for Sound Blaster Audigy Gamer, the new 3D audio engine provides
the industry's most accurate 3D audio rendering.
The on-board SB1394 port lets you
take on other Sound Blaster Audigy owners or anyone with a 1394 connection on
their PC for easy PC-to-PC connectivity and low latency performance surpassing
traditional LAN gaming solutions. Sound Blaster Audigy Gamer also includes two
of today’s hottest, full-version game titles, preparing you for the most
intense gaming experience imaginable.
Specifications:
- Compatibility: Windows
XP/2000/ME/98SE/98/NT 4.0
- External Port: IEEE® 1394
- Digital Audio Depth: 24-bit
multi-channel playback for incredible high definition audio in games
- Music Generation: Creative
Audigy™ Music Synthesis Engine, Scalable PCI Wave-Table Synthesis
Architecture with Multi-Timbre capability
- Sampling Rate
Playback: 48kHz to analog 5.1 speaker output
Recording: 16-bit recording with sampling rates of 8, 11.025, 16,
22.05, 24, 32, 44.1 and 48kHz
SPDIF: input/output up to 24-bit/96kHz quality
- EAX ADVANCED HD
- The Most Accurate 3D Audio
Rendering
- High Speed Peer-to-Peer Gaming
- Creative Playcenter™ 3
- SB1394 - High-Speed, High-Capacity
Digital Audio Transfer
- High Definition Gaming
A Closer Look:
Size does matter. If you're
anything like me, you fill your hard drive up with lots of planes, scenery,
adventures, missions, movies, music. Oh yeah, and maybe some work-related stuff,
too. All this stuff eats up a lot of hard drive space. And, you should never
allow your drive to exceed 80% of its total capacity. Past that point, you'll
start seeing all sorts of weird problems that come from a drive that is just too
full and too fragmented.
We upgraded with Seagate's ultra-fast
and spacious 120GB hard disc drive. It zips along at 7,200 RPM access speed
and uses a Serial ATA interface for 150MB/second data transfer rates. That's
perfect for the high-performance demands of FS21004 and CFS3. This Seagate
drive is also quiet as a tomb and offers the added bonus of Seagate's
comprehensive 3D Defense System, for the highest data security.
Here's what's in the box:
- Ribbon Cable
- 4 Screws
- Award-winning DiscWizardTM
Software Installation CD
- Installation Poster
Specifications:
| PERFORMANCE |
|
Capacity |
120GB |
|
Interface |
Serial
ATA/150 |
Transfer
Rate
Maximum Internal (Mbits/sec)
Maximum External (Mbytes/sec)
|
683
150 |
|
Cache,
Multisegmented (Mbytes) |
8 |
| Average
Seek
(msec) |
8.5 |
| Average
Latency
(msec) |
4.16 |
|
Spindle
Speed (RPM) |
7,200 |
| |
| CONFIGURATION/ORGANIZATION |
|
Discs
/
Heads |
2/4 |
| Logical
Cylinders/Heads/Sectors |
16,383/16/63 |
| Bytes
Per
Sector |
512 |
| Recording
Method |
EPRML
(16/17) |
| |
Creating this PC dynamo means
you'll need more juice from your power supply. So, we cranked our PC up to 330
watts.
Replace you old, low-wattage power supply with the Antec TruePower 330W
ATX Power Supply. It will fit into any standard ATX case. Runs very quietly,
too.
Antec Low Noise Technology is a new approach that achieves optimum balance
between noise reduction and necessary cooling. The power supply fans run
at the lowest speed appropriate to load and conditions.
Features:
- ATX Form Factor, ATX12V compliant for Pentium 4 (backward compatible with
previous Pentium versions) and AMD systems
- Antec Low Noise Technology( Thermally controlled variable speed fan &
case fans )
- True330 is a 330 Watt 6-output, dual fan-cooled ATX (Baby AT or PS/2 Size)
power supply designed for personal computer or industrial applications.
- Its ATX 12V compliance allows its use with the latest Pentium 4 processors
while its backward compatibility ensures its usability with any system.
Specifications:
- Maximum Power: 330W
- Transient Response: +5V,+12V outputs return to within 5% in less
than 1ms for 20% load change.
- P. G. Signal: 100-500ms
- Input Voltage: 115 VAC / 230VAC
- Warranty: 3 years limited
Grand Total For the Cost of Hardware For
This Complete Upgrade is Just $1189.90.
About half the cost of a ready-to-run PC with comparable features.
Total cost excludes charges for shipping and
sales tax.
Installation
As you can see, you can have power, extra
storage space for all your aircraft, scenery, adventures and mission -- plus not
empty your bank account -- if you're handy with installing hardware into your
computer.
These instructions are in short-hand. I'm
assuming that you are familiar with the inner workings of your PC and know how
to install a hard drive and add-on cards. If you have never done this before,
you should not attempt this procedure now and would be much better off having
the upgrade done by a professional installer or just go and buy a new PC. If
you're savvy about PC internal peripheral installation and are handy with a
Phillips screwdriver, have at it and save yourself a bundle. Installation is
very simple and does not require brain surgery. As with every PC hardware or
software installation -- be sure to RTFMF (Read the Fine
Manuals, First).
- First, and most important step, is to
unplug the power to your PC.
- Guard against
static electricity discharge! This
is very important. One spark could ruin your whole day when it fries that expensive
new Pentium 4 CPU or your motherboard components. Use an electrostatic
discharge protector. ESD protectors are grounded wristbands and prevent static
electricity from building up through your body. They are very inexpensive
and you can find them at any electronics store such as Radio Shack or add
one to your order at Tiger Direct.
- Disconnect your keyboard, monitor, mouse,
flight controllers, scanner, printer and other peripherals.
- Open the case and protect against static
electricity discharge during this entire process. One good zap can destroy
your equipment.
- Carefully remove all the add-on cards.
These may include your video card, sound card, network adapter, modem,
extra PCI adapters for USB ports, etc.
- Disconnect the drive and power cables
from your motherboard. Pay attention to which cable goes to what
connector. These are usually keyed to only go in one way so it's
"idiot-proof".
- If you need to upgrade the power supply,
remove it.
- If you want to keep your existing hard
drive, you can add the new drive as a second unit and slave it to the
original drive.
- After removing all connections to your
motherboard, remove the motherboard itself.
- Dust the inside of the empty case.
- Install the motherboard.
- Insert the CPU into the new motherboard
- Install the system memory
modules.
- Install the new power supply.
- Install the new hard drive.
- Install the new video card or replace
your existing card. The video card connects to the AGP socket on the
motherboard.
- Install the audio
card.
- Connect the power and drive cables to the
motherboard. Make certain you have no unconnected cables floating about.
- Close the case.
- Re-connect your keyboard, monitor, mouse,
flight controllers, scanner, printer and other peripherals.
- Re-connect your power cord.
- Power-up.
- You will need to format the new hard
drive and install all the drivers for the new components.
- The whole process should take about two
hours.
That's it, you're good to go!
Enjoy the power.
Cap Mason, Flight
Simulation Editor
capmason@flightsim.com
