FS9 Technical Question

[codebreaker]

I want to upgrade my computer but unfortunately cannot seem to be able to get Bill Gates to return my calls. So I have to work within my VERY limited budget.

I have already upgraded to all the system RAM the (Dell Optiplex B110) motherboard will accept so there is no room for improvement there.

What I want to know is which of the two remaining upgrade possibilities - microprocessor or video card will give me the most improvement in frame rates over all?

There is a little room for upgrading in the CPU dept and a good deal in the video department. Right now I am still using the onboard video setup that the motherboard came with. I only have slots for PCI video cards.

I am confident that there are members here who will know what I can do (short of buying a new machine) to improve my current capability.

[mav316]

Head over to Best Buy with your PC and speak to a geek squad rep. They might recommend a better graphic card for you and will check exactly how much RAM your board can handle! Other than that you may have to get a new computer

[JSkorna]

And they will only charge you $99 to do what you are already doing.

A dedicated video card will be the way to go, but older PCI cards are getting hard to find. Do not purchase a new PCI card expecting it to fit, because it will not!

[StringBean]

I upgraded from onboard graphics to a 256MB PCI video card on a P4 machine and saw no increase in performance.

Don't waste your money on a new card, start saving for a new PC.

Trying to run FS with today's addons on a PCI video card is like trying to shove an elephant through a pinhole. Too much data, not enough bandwidth.

peace,
the Bean

[ricardo_NY1]

I want to upgrade my computer but unfortunately cannot seem to be able to get Bill Gates to return my calls. So I have to work within my VERY limited budget.

I am confident that there are members here who will know what I can do (short of buying a new machine) to improve my current capability.

What model is that Dell and/or what cpu type/speed does it have? It sounds to me like you MAY in fact get some more performance from a real video card, but I for one would like to know what the CPU is to see if it's worth upgrading or just getting a new computer.

[codebreaker]

I have a Dell Dimension B110 system with a 2.53GHz Celeron D. The only significant current upgrade was maxing out the RAM to 2GB (that's all the Motherboard will accept).

Getting a new machine isn't in the cards. Ain't happening. I am sorta sem-retired due to a heart problem and some other issues. The person supporting us at the moment isn't going to go for a new system or likely even a new motherboard.

Now, according to the folks at the Dell support forum, the motherboard/chipset will support any Socket 478 Northwood or Prescott P-4 processor with an FSB specification up to 800 MHz. That limits me to 3.0 or possibly 3.2GHz for CPU speed. I don't think that spec allows duo core processors.

So, which is likely to improve FS9 functionality more? Upgrading the CPU from the existing 2.53GHz to 3.0 or 3.2? Or going to a PCI video card?

Any ideas? Suggestions? And remember, completely new system isn't in the cards.

[ricardo_NY1]

So, which is likely to improve FS9 functionality more? Upgrading the CPU from the existing 2.53GHz to 3.0 or 3.2? Or going to a PCI video card?

Any ideas? Suggestions? And remember, completely new system isn't in the cards.

It is without a question that the integrated graphics chip on that board is causing a huge bottleneck. You may even have gotten away with not upgrading the memory.............you do need a video card. I am certain you will see a good performance increase. Don't buy too expensive, your system may never be able to run FS2004 extremely well. I reckon this.... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814187057 to be a good match, perhaps too much. I used it on a budget FS build for a friend and it held up pretty well..... less encounters with serious clouds. Maybe someone here can do an even better job of pointing out a good videocard, but that is what I would get.

Keep the low profile cards in mind, particularly if your DELL case is a small one.

Also, I would not bother with the CPU........it's not great, but adequate. I've ran FS2004 on cheap PC Chip motherboard builds with single core CPU's running at under 2.0ghz and I know what FS2004 runs like with those. Your CPU can do it, the FS won't see much with a slightly faster one, and what is really holding things back is the lack of a good video card.

If this is your only and everyday computer, I would highly recommend a good defrag program and some reaserch on your part on how to shut down processes and keeping your computer tidy so that you can get every last drop of performance, defrag programs like O&O, etc. The health of your system is very important to the performance of FS. You always want to make sure, moreso with a lower end computer, that resources are not being wasted due to fragmentation, background items that do not need to be running, etc.

[copperpen]

While advising what upgrades would work best for codebreaker, you might want to take this into consideration. Taken from the Dell website referring to this specific computer,

NOTE: DDR333 and DDR400 memory runs at 266MHz when configured with Celeron 400MHz FSB processors

NOTE: DDR333 memory runs at 320MHz when configured with Pentium 4 800MHz FSB processors

[codebreaker]

Thanks, guys, every one of you.

Looks like a video card is the way to go. I was wondering if a CPU upgrade would make much difference just because of the small improvement in clock speeds available.

I gotta start working on finding a decent card that I can afford.

BTW, I used to be a PC tech. Have had my hands in the guts of just about every generation of small computer since Apple One (told you I was old, didn't I?) so am not a total tyro. I have been out of the field for a while. Got tired of not getting jobs to guys with less experience but darker hair. When I am going to run FS I pretty much pare down the processes to what I am sure will allow the system to keep running. I defrag pretty regularly but right now with what came with XP. Guess there is a "torrent" of research to be done to find a good defrag program. I just figured I'd tap the knowledge base of the folks here.

BTW, I am satisfied with FS9 and do not expect to "upgrade" to FSX any time soon if ever. Am thinking of knocking together a "cockpit" of sorts. I have rudder pedals, a joystick and a pair of Saitek throttle quadrants. If I could get the stick and throttle quads into a more normal position, I'd be in hog heaven. Pick up a Saitek yoke cheap would be icing on the cake. Already have a 21" monitor. Got it used for $65 a coupla years ago.

Again, thanks folks.

[codebreaker]

jgf and ricardo_NY1,
After a couple of hours researching video cards and GPU specs, I think I have found my new video card. Keep in mind that I have to not only keep the price down but I have to keep it in the ballpark of what my motherboard/BIOS will work with.

Anyhow, I can get a Diablotek V7500-P128 for under $40. Here are the specs:
Lifestyle: Mainstream
Chipset: ATI Radeon
GPU Series: ATI Radeon 7000
GPU/VPU: RADEON 7500
Video Memory: 128MB
Memory Type: DDR
Overclocked: No
1080p Support: No
Video Output: DVI
S-Video
VGA
Low Profile: No
Cooling Type: Fan

This SHOULD produce a noticeable improvement in frame rates. Since I am getting along with the onboard video now I am hoping to see an almost startling improvement. Yeah, I know it is not a fast card but it's not going to live in a fast system.

Look at it this way. To a guy who drives a Ferrari a V6 Mustang is a dog. To a guy who drives an econbox with a 1.4 liter 4-banger a V6 Mustang is a HOT ROD!

What do you think?