System Hardware: PC | MOBO | RAM | CPU | HDD | SSD | PSU etc

Hi all.Was wondering whether someone might be able to clarify for me the issue of 'how much RAM'. I know the general rule is 'more is good', but why? Is this a specific FS thing? My understanding is the RAM aids multi-tasking - using multiple utilities at the same time - but that does not 'really' occur in normal FS use - not for me anyway. Playing with scenery design is a different thing, but that's not normal use. Also, I never really noticed any difference in FS performance by increasing my PC's RAM: 250, then to 500 and then to 1250.So, what gives guys? Is there a conclusive answer to this chestnut?Cheers,Matthew.

Hi. Not sure if this is in the right forum really. A bit border line.Do the following STOP errors mean anything to anyone? They came up on trying to load a flight in FS9.1. Rebooted & tried to load the same flight again via Create a Flight screen. Same STOP error. And again on a third try. Load a different flight , all is OK. In fact if I load the same flight (at Agadir, Morocco) but via a saved flight plan it loads fine. Every time I select the same elements (airport, aircraft, weather, time etc.) in the Create a Flight screen though, my system goes down.Very odd, to me at least. I haven't made any hardware changes to my system. (XP-SP2, NVidia 6800 Go Ultra, 1024 MB…

I recently upgraded to Catalyst 6.5s and there's a weird problem with them - and only in FS9, none of my other games seem to mind the new drivers. Namely, AA no longer works. Not 2x, not 4x, not 6x .. not adaptive AA, not temporal AA. Textures are also blurred like there's no tomorrow.I've deleted FS9.cfg and had it re-created, but that didn't change anything. So.. who else is using the 6.5s and have found a way around these problems?System's an AMD64, with Windows x64, 2GB RAM. Never had these problems with the 5.4s (or 5.6s.. or whatnot) I used up until now.EDIT:Apparently it was a problem with CCC. I downloaded ATi tray tools and used it to set 3D settings - FS9 fell b…

I've been reading about this limitation, and understand that not all motherboards and/or BIOS have the limitation. I have an ASUS A8N which is rather recent, using the IDE interfaces to two hard drives (master/slave relationship), and am wondering if I'm limited in C: partition size to less than the 1024 cylinder size? I've been to the ASUS site and done a search on my motherboard but can't determine if I'm affected or not.Any help is much appreciated.Thanks, Bruce

I have a Dell Dimension DM051 system(P4 3.4ghz, 1GB Ram) that came w/a ATI Radeon 256MB X600 Video card. I plan on upgrading the Ram and Video card. So far ive not been real happy with the Radeon card compaired to the 256mb nvidea card i had in my old system. Tiger Direct has the 7600 GT 256mb card for $150, is this a good card? and also i see there are 512mb cards out now, they have some same price range i was looking at, would it be better to go with a 512, like the 6600GT or 6800 512 cards? What would give better performance.And with the ram, i have 1gb, i can hold up to 3gb, do you still have to match the ram up on the newer systems like you had to years ago meanin…

Let me start by saying that I thought about posting this in the hardware forum but since it is related to the blurries, I thought it would get more traffic in here. In addition, I am no authority on these issues so make changes to your rig at your own risk. These are basically the observations of a hardware noob.From everything I have read about AGP aperture, it is described a "back up" video memory. When your video card runs out of memory, a portion of your system memory is allocated to back up your video card.To me, that sounds like if you have 1024GB system memory, and your AGP aperture is set to 256MB, you really only have 768MB of system memory because the rest is al…

With the imminent arrival of FSX I thought I would treat myself to a new controller. I currently use a sidewinder precision 2. Does anyone have any thoughts on where I should go from here. Budget? call it a

Hi - I am planning on building a new pc for myself within the next 6-9 months there is a simple question that has popped into my head of great concern. I was interested in in hearing what your thoughts might be regarding all this extra heat build-up that seems to be going on now with the latest new hardware along with mobo's that use passive cooling solutions and how it may or may not effect the health/longevity of a newly built system in the long run and even its short term stability/dependability attributes.It seems to me that amost of these mobos are opting for passive cooling solutions now...this worries me, not in itself so much but more because of the fact that this…

Hi,Here I am again with hardware problems, although this one is quite odd.I have three PCs at home. All of them connected to a ADSL modem/router.1) Is a p4 2.2, connects through a wireless connection2) Is a p4 3.0 connects through a cable3) Is a FX55 connects through a cableThe DSL has been working fine for months already but today I started having problems with it.The DSL works with PC 1 and 2 on. As soon as I start the FX55 one, the connections dies. It is right at the moment I press the power button. even before the BIOS starts loading. If I turn the PC off, at any stage (loading BIOS or already within Windows), the DSL comes back on. It even happens if I disconnect th…

Just about to assemble a system that has been purchased over time.....these are the specsP4 630 3GhzSeagate 80Gig HDDABIT NI8 SLI MoboMSI NX7600 256mb VC2GB DDR2 5400 Dual ChannelSliders maxed out...yes/no?? Any guesses on framerates? I know the HDD is on the "smallish" side, but that is easily resolved and FS will be the only gaming program on the system.

I would like to backup my backed up imaged hard drive to a reliable external hard drive. What is a good make that is fairly easy (i.e., idiot-proof) to use for this purpose and does not cost a fortune ?Thanks!JS

The members of this forum have always helped me....moreso than any other source.I have 2 users set up on Windows XP Professional. All of a sudden, when I switch to my other USER (Log Off button to Switch User), the screen "Hangs Up" so that the only way to get in is through Ctrl-Alt-Del. What do you supposed is causing this and how can I fix? I've uninstalled all software that I installed recently, done several Restore operations, but it keeps happening. Going from the 2nd User back to 1st is never a problem. Going to 2nd from 1st is where this occurs. AND sometimes it works...but mostly, it hangs.I would appreciate one of you extraordinary GURUs giving me a hint as to wh…

Now this is starting to get pretty anoying my friendsI cant beleve that just last year EVERYTHING was working out just fine, I upgraded my Video card from a Nvidia Gforce4 to a ATI 9600 and every thing went cool...I even had like 5 more games that used heavy 3d graphics... and STILL my computer worked pretty good......Untill I had to have my computer fixed...They replaced my mother board with a new one and Instled Windows XP SP2... and I got a new memory card... (same memory 512 only difrent but better brand, no big deal right?)when It crashed to desktop It gave me the report of 3 files...C:Documents and Settings.............Application DataMicrosoftFS9fs9.CFG.txtC:Docum…

Good morning everybody,My system is made up around the AMD Athlon 64 +4000 and a MSI motherboard. To top it all off, I have a NX6800 Ultra PCI-e card for my graphics.My simple question is this:When all components remain equal (same processor, same amount of memory, same motherboard,...), will I see a significant improvement when I chuck out the 6800 and replace it with a 7900?Improvement as is clearer graphics and less blurred textures. I don't really need more framerate because I'm happy with the consitent 25-30 frames I have got for the moment...All thoughts welcomeLuc "Glaudrung" BrusselmansWilrijk-Belgium

Hi folks.This is my situation:Reinstalled Win XP and FS9 9.1. FS9 Still throws me back to desktop.I've read in guru3d forum a topic regarding my video card that the best Nvidia drivers is the 66.93 version. Using the latest (81.xx) seems to suffer a CTD even using Windows instead of FS9.As I was going to perform a complete reinstallation anyway (at least once a year for cleaning, etc) I thought that the problem might be some conflict between drivers and a recently installed software. Other factor could be also flying Wilco's B737 PIC or PMDG's B737NG. This was discarded once flying the default aircraft resulted in a CTD.I'm still going to replace the videocard to my old o…

I am looking at putting together a new FS system and was wondering if anyone was familiar with the Dell machines? If so, can you recommend either their Precision or XPS600 line? Thanks a lot,Howard

I just got a new computer over the weekend and installed FS9, PMDG 747 (both PAX and CARGO), and AS6. During a recent flight, I first got and error message somewhere near Greenland saying that MSFS encountered a problem and needed to close. I restarted and saved right before I reached Greenland. The same thing happended so I restarted my computer and there was no problems. I picked up right where I left off.As I reached my destination though, there was a sudden Crash to Desktop as I made my final turn to PHNL. There was no indication of any problems. I just suddenly crashed.If it would bo of any help, I was running AS6 and the PMDG 747PAX. the flight was non-stop f…

Hi, Does anyone know about this company in the UK selling Dell 2405 FPW monotor for $635. Almost to hard to believe!Thanks TONY

Which of the above 2 video cards would be best for FS?Thanks,Howard

Hi All,I hate to double post I really do, but I am getting desperate now to try and fix this, and I know that some of the guru's in this section of the Avsim forums are fantastic, so I'm in you're hands guy's,this really has me beat, and I don't know what else to try.any help or suggestions are appreciated guy's.below is the link to my question in the general discussion forum. Thankshttp://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...id=318344&page=

Try this:http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic36868.html

I am putting together a new FS system, to include the 7900GTX video card and the Matrox Triple Head 2 Go with 3 monitors. Please provide some suggestions on flat screen monitors, which I have never before purchased. Are there features I should be looking for and others to be avoided? What size is suggested? 19", 20"? Etc?? I really appreciate any help that can be provided.Thanks a lot,Howard

As far as FS204 goes I doubt that you'll see much, if any, difference at all. Maybe a couple of FPS here and there, but all-in-all everything is going to look and feel pretty much the same. Doug

Hi,I have a Microsoft Force Feedback 2 since last week. Do you know of a trick or software to increase the number of functions (8 buttons). I use the hat for viewing. I ask because on the Force Feedback 1 there is a shift button that does not exist in my case.ThanksTony

I just read the story on the front page about the importance of spring cleaning your computer. I am sure mine needs it, anyone have any tips on the best way to clean the inside of a computer? (I am sure a bucket of water and scrub brush is not the way to go) . ;)