I am going to purchase a new computer

[tommyfl624]

and I would like some advise .
The computer I am considering is the Dell 4450.
It somes with the following:
pentium 4 processor at 2.40 Hz 533 MHz front side bus/512K L2 cache.
512 MB DDR SD ram at 333 MHz.
30 GB ultra ATA/100 7200 RPM hard drive.(this can be increased).
64MB DDR nvidia Gr Force 4mx graphics card with tv out.
Of course it comes with other parts but I don't think they have any bearing on FS.
Is this satisfactory for running FS2002? Is there better cards or parts?
Some suggestions please.
Tommy

[cascadesss]

The only problem I see is the video card. The MX cards aren't very good for running FS2002. You would be much better off with a Nvidia Ti-4200, Ti-4400, or Ti-4600 card.

Rick - KPDX - Private Pilot
P4-3.06GHz @ 3.4GHz 1GB-1066MHz
Water-Cooled & 3 Monitors

[CookieMonster]

I agree with the vid. card comment above, & see if you can get a bigger Hard Disk Drive, I recommend at least 60 GB with 8mb cache. Flight Simulator 2002 alone will take up more than 1/15 your space on a 30GB drive. Of course, you could always get this system, and just add a second hard drive.

Ok, with a better video card, I think this is a great system that will run FS2002 very very well.

But consider this...

Do you really need to buy a computer now?
With FS-COF coming out this summer, you may want to wait for a faster unit for the same price later this year, say...3.0 Ghz or even faster...I have a feeling a 2.4 Ghz processor will RUN FS-COF ok, but (and this is just a guess) I think a faster processor will be needed to run it optimally...

My opinion then, is wait if you can, you may be appreciative later...

Cookie Monster
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3e551a5051c3067d.jpg

[beernut]

sounds ok with the exception of the video card. my wife just bought me a new computer (dell 4550 2.66ghz, 512m ddr ram, 60 gig h/d). mine also came with the gf4-mx but i took it out and put in an asus ti-4200 128meg video card.

fs2k2 flys great and the video image is fantastic.

beernut

http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3e5acee95777e93a.jpg

[tjkotula]

If you must stick to a budget card, go for a Radeon 9000 Pro if possible. It offers much better DirectX 9 support/performance than the GeForce 4 MX. Otherwise, the next step up (a very recommended one) would be a GeForce 4 Ti4200 and after that, go for the Radeon 9700 Pro. The Ti4400/Ti4600 aren't worth the extra money and if you want to buy them because you want the best possible performance, you might as well lay down the extra cash for a R9700 Pro.

The HDD you've selected will be OK if you just install FS and maybe a few addons, but if you use a lot of addons or payware, opt for a larger drive. Something in the 60-80 GB range w/ an 8MB cache would be a good buy and Western Digital is arguably the king of hard drives. Seagates are also good. Steer clear of newer IBM's.

Other than that, I'd follow Cookie Monster's advice and wait until June to upgrade. Intel will have a 3.2 Ghz P4 w/ HT out by then and of course, all prices on older processors take a tumble as soon as a new one is released. Even the 2.53 Ghz P4 is under $200 now, down from about $250 last month.

Tim Kotula

XP 1800+ o/ced to XP2000+ (1.67Ghz)
MSI KT3 Ultra Motherboard
512 MB Crucial PC2100 DDR
OC Systems Enhanced GeForce 4 Ti4200 64 MB DDR o/ced to 340/660 Mhz.
Sound Blaster Live! 5.1
10,455 3D Marks

Think you've got computer problems? You haven't until you've installed the latest version of FS!