spec-ulation

**mfountain01** · 09-17-2007, 07:59 PM

I have be asked to spec my dad’s new computer purchase but, truth be told, I am out of the loop these days. And trying to reacquaint myself with the latest and greatest, I find it a bit confusing. Used to be, P4 was faster than P3, 166MHz was better than 133MHz; it seemed pretty simple. But now I find no standardized rubric.
Odds are my dad will go with a Dell XPS 410. He has no real need for a super machine –EXCEPT—he’d like to get best bang for the buck with MS FlightSim. I’d like to toss out some of the options and elicit any responses you may have.
--Even though I think Vista is a DRM Trojan horse, I assume he’ll need that for DX10.
--Memory: minimum of 2 gig; is 3 or 4 actually better if he is not multitasking?
--CPU: Core 2 Duo E6700 (4 MB L2 / 2.66 GHz)
Core 2 Q6600 QuadCore (8 MB L2 / 2.4 GHz)
--video: Nvidia 8600 GT
Nvidia 8600 GTS
Nvidia 8800 GTS

Is there some new thing just on the horizon that would say wait a few months (my luck tends to be finally breaking down and getting a 486 the month before the Pentium is released).

many thanks for your input
mfountain01

**flightsimmer747** · 09-18-2007, 12:57 AM

Not sure but i was looking into the dell dimension 7200 i beleive it was and the 720 xps, I too would like to see some inputs, as I may not upgrade for a long while, or if it pans out for me i'll take the plunge.

**noell** · 09-18-2007, 09:41 AM

2GB of RAM is plenty. Only get more if you opt for a 64-bit version of Windows.

The Quad core Q6600 is a nice performer and, being quad core, it will be a little more "future-proof".

The 8800GTX is the top-of-the-line card right now but the 8800GTS is not far behind so that would be my choice as the better bang for the buck.
BTW - I did a quick check on the Dell site and I don't see an option for the 8800GTS. Perhaps I missed something there.......

FSX is tough on even very powerful, expensive systems. However, a system configured as above will run it comfortably with the in-game settings at mid-range or perhaps a bit higher.

To help in your decision here's a quick look at what's about to happen:
In the processor area, Intel is is currently at the top of the performance heap with its Core Duo and Core Quad products. AMD has fallen behind of late but is hoping to regain some ground with the launch of its "Barcelona" product. Meanwhile, Intel will launch a new processor line called "Penryn" wich promises to surpass the performance of the Core Duo and Core Quad lines. I suspect, though, it will be six months before Penryn processors for desktop systems become commonly available with reasonable pricing. So, at this point, I'd just go ahead and buy Core 2 or Core Quad. In the video card arena, Nvidia's 8800 series holds the performance crown. The top product is the 8800GTX followed by the 8800GTS with 640MB and then by the 8800GTS with 256MB. IMO, the 8800GTS with 640MB offers the best bang for the buck. The 8800 series is DirectX 10 compliant. DirectX 10 promises to revolutionize games/graphics but from what I'm reading lately it has yet to deliver anything worthwhile. That will likely change as developers gain more experience with it. Even with little available for DirectX 10 as yet, there is already talk of DirectX 10.1. However, I would not let that influence any purchase decision at this point as it will be quite a ways down the road before we see any software that will require DirectX 10.1 hardware. If FSX is your concern, it is slated to be updated with a Service Pack 2 which, along with bug fixes and some performance tweaks, is to include DirectX 10 support.

Bottom line - if you are not into building your own system or having a computer shop build one for you, the Dell system configured as per my suggestions would be fine (or a similar system from some other supplier).

....Noell

Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 @ 3.5GHz
CPU HSF: Sunbeam Tuniq Tower 120
ASUS P5N32-E SLI
2GB Mushkin XP2 PC2-6400 @ DDR2-800 & 4-4-3-10
EVGA 8800 GTS KO ACS3 w/ 640MB @580MHz&1.7GHz (Driver: Xtreme-G 160.02)
Monitors: Samsung 215TW (Primary) & BenQ FP71G+ (Secondary)
1 X 36GB WD Raptor
2 X 74GB WD Raptor RAID 0
1 X 250GB WD Caviar (2500KS)
X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro Series
OCZ GameXStream 700W
Antec P180B case

(Note: Unless stated otherwise, everything I post on this forum was written by me and represents my opinion only. Furthermore, I have no connection with any company or any commercial enterprise.)

**flightsimmer747** · 09-18-2007, 11:34 AM

zoddly with dell the quad core q6600 is cheaper than there xps 720 which is duo, i'm trying to figure out why. Most options are the same, but the way they market the gaming machine vs dimension.

Not sure if it would be that much cheaper to build or just go for one of these. I hate the fact they come preloaded with junk.

**noell** · 09-18-2007, 01:48 PM

The pre-loaded stuff is often referred to a "crapware". There's even a freeware program available to deal with it:

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2006/0...-de-crapifier/

....Noell

**mfountain01** · 09-22-2007, 12:37 PM

Noell,

I greatly appreciate your detailed response. I will probably be putting together a system for my father this weekend. I know that he would send along his thanks as well,

mfountain01