Is this notebook enough for a moderate quality FSX with PMDG ?

[fabiovilan]

Hi,

 

I used to use FS9 with PMDG a few years back, but I´ve out for years. Now I want to get back to it, but I would like to buy a notebook to run FSX with PMDG if possible.

 

What I though was connect the notebook to my 47" TV using HDMI and play FSX with PMDG with moderate settings at 720p resolution. (Don´t need fancy graphics, just moderate is enough).

 

I can´t buy a "gamer" notebook (MSI and others) as they are very expensive and are not avaible in my country (Brazil).

 

The notebook I´m thinking about is a Dell Inspiron 5000 series :

* Intel core i7 5th generation i7-5500U 2.4 GHz, 4mb cache, 2 cores (U)

* 8GB, Single Channel, DDR3, 1600MHz (1x8GB

* AMD Radeonâ„¢ HD R7 M265 - 2GB DDR3 Dedicated Memory

 

I can run Windows 7, 8 or 10. Whatever is best.

 

My questions are:

* Will this core i7 run smoothly at 720p with PMDG and moderate settings ?

* Will 16gb be better ? I read some forums and they said FSX can´t use more than 4gb

 

Please tell me what you think. I know that a desktop will do better, no doubt. But will this configuration run ok ? Ok for me is something about 25-30fps at moderate settings at 720p at my TV trough HDMI.

 

Thanks !!

[evm]

 

* Will this core i7 run smoothly at 720p with PMDG and moderate settings ?

 

 

Probably not, or only on the lowest of settings. The clock speed really is on the slow side for FSX, you should look for CPU running well over 3.0 GHz.

 

 

* Will 16gb be better ? I read some forums and they said FSX can´t use more than 4gb

 

 

FSX cannot use more than 4 GByte, that is correct. However you might put the surplus memory to good use with a RAMDrive. But this will probably be money wasted, and seeing that you are on a budget, I would advise against it.

 

Please tell me what you think. I know that a desktop will do better, no doubt. But will this configuration run ok ? Ok for me is something about 25-30fps at moderate settings at 720p at my TV trough HDMI.

 

Thanks !!

 

I'm thinking that a desktop is not only "better", it is also cheaper, can be extended and upgraded and you could build one yourself, saving money.

 

Btw, the "gaming" notebooks might not be a good choice either. FSX is not a "game" in terms of software architecture.

[PhantomTweak]

Heck, I use a relatively old Dell 1750 laptop, Core II Duo at 2.5GHz, 4MB RAM, with an ATI Radeon 3650 integral card, and it runs FSX-SE quite well. No, I can't run 3D clouds at 100% with maxxed display sliders all full right, in a payware JFK scenery, but overall it does very well.

Just my 2c worth

Pat☺

[sonaltesse]

i7 processors come in many flavors, and a wide range of performances.

In order to evaluate the experience you will get with a computer, you can first rely on:

- the CPU Passmark. This mark corresponds to a bench test, so way more precise than simply comparing CPU frequencies.

- the GPU 3DMark06 figures. Why 3DMark06 ? Because this used to be the benchmark test designed for DirectX9, what FSX uses. If you want to compare DX10 instead, use 3DMark Vantage.

 

There are 2 sites where you can find CPU and GPU performances:

- For CPU: http://www.cpubenchmark.net

- For GPU: http://www.notebookcheck.net

 

For your particular case:

 

- i7-5500U has a passmark of 3937 as given on http://www.cpubenchmark.net

In comparaison, an i7-4790K, which is a good reference for FSX, has a passmark of 11239.

You probably would expect then, a frame drop factor of about 3 between the 2 CPUs, in scenarios where the CPU is heavily used, e.g., taxiing in large airports, or flying close to the ground with lots of autogen like buildings.

That does not mean that you cannot use it. I used to have an i3 CPU with a passmark around 3000, and I had FSX settings medium. Worst case I got in such "heavy" situations was a FPS around 10.

 

- AMD R7 M265 has a 3DMark06 of 8023 as given on http://www.notebookcheck.net

A GTX 960M (for gaming laptops) in comparaison has a 3DMark06 of 24854, so about 3 times as much.

But the effect of GPU performance in FSX in less obvious than CPU, and you will see some difference only while flying high, with few scenario drawing, not too much clouds, so CPU gets less solicitated, and GPU differences can be seen. But in this case, you generally get correct FPS.

 

Of course you could use this laptop for FSX, but that's up to you whether how you want your settings and display to look like.

Also, remember that FSX steam gives generally better performances than the boxed, as it has been recompiled for latest Windows and better memory management.

 

Good luck, hope it helps :)