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

...on resolutions up to 2048x1536, 4XAA, 8XAF:Lock-on Modern Air Combat:http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/ati_ra..._prev/page6.aspIL-2 Sturmovik Forgotten Battles:http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/ati_ra..._prev/page7.aspEmerson

I posted here recently and got an unbelievable response to my question about getting a new DELL XPS Gen 4 System with the Radeon XT850 PE card. DELL has an incredible deal on right now and I might buy the system tonight.My question right now therefore is:Is the radeon XT850 PE card really that much better and worth much more than the nVidia 6800GTO card for FS2004? Will the Radeon card really be that much better? Why do I ask? Because I don't think I've seen any tests that show that the Radeon card is amazingly better than the 6800GTO card and I don't think I've seen either tested for FS2004. That said, my knowledge and my perspective is probably limited. Finally, i…

HiI have a problem. I use a Ferarri Notebook AMD64-3000 with a Radeon 9700 video card supporting 8xAGP. The vid card has 128mb aboard and I use FS9.1 on Windows XP SP2. I am using the latest Omega drivers and Radlinker reports the core clock rate is 452.25 and the Memory rate is 209.25. I have 2 x 512mb SODIMM PC3200 memory cards.Flying during the day is just great. Good frame rates and smooth even in heavy clouds. However flying at night causes CTD's and System Restarts before I even get into the air.I have tried selecting the Quality vid card settings rather than Performence options and reducing the number of lights (in FS) from 8 to 6 but with no luck. I have removed a…

I have a Dell Dimension 2350 with a 2GHz Celeron and 512MB memory. It uses built-in Intel Extreme(?) Graphics. I get about 20fps with the default C172, UK VFR Photographic Scenery and Terrain, no AI and limited clouds. The BIOS will enable a PCI video card to be installed.Has anyone done this? Is so, what improvement in fps did you get and how did you do it?Please no replies saying I shouldn't be starting from here - it's where I am ;)Thanks in advance

I've dug out from my cupboad an old gamepad (Saitek X6-31M) that I used to use. I thought it would be useful to have the 8 buttons and X Y axis in addition to my usual joystick. However, the only drivers I can find are for Windows 95/98. XP default only lists a maximum of 6 buttons. Does anybody know where I could download drivers to support the other 2 buttons? If not I'll just have to use 6 of the 8.

Hi,Is anybody using this video card and if so what are your results or conclusions. I'm planning on building a new system 3.2 with this video card.How does it perform for you? According to Toms Hardware Guide it does real well but I wanted somebody running it with the addons.thanks,Sean

Hi,I just re-installed XP Pro. Can anyone recommend a good on-line guide that details XP settings that will improve security and performance.Thanks,Bryan

I own a gameport yoke (four buttons) and gameport rudder pedals, with an Y cable in order to connect the yoke to them.If I purchase an USB throttle (such as the CH Throttle), will the following configuration work with FS2004 and Win XP:-yoke+pedals plugged in gameport (sound card)-usb throttle plugged in USB portThank you very much for your help!

Hi Guys,Well so much for the overclocked at the factory printed on the box. I've been running this card for about two months now. I was getting so-so performance out of this board until now.I decided to run Riva Tuner and manually set the board to 450 and 1200 which states is pre-set from the factory. Well my frame rates went from the high 20's to low 50's after making this change on my own.If you have the GeForce 6800 Ultra Extreme try setting this manually using Riva Turner, it worked for me, it may work for you as well.Mike

I currently have an 'analog-type' CH Yoke product and was wandering if it is worth upgrading to the 'USB-type' CH Yoke. Would it be worth it to upgrade even further if there is not that much difference in the (analog vs.USB) type and get another brand?If it is worth it to upgrade to a different brand, does anybody know of a good yoke that would really fit in nicely with the current PMDG 737 NG's? There hasn't been any new releases on Yoke products in quite some time....Maybe there is no need to concentrate on this aspect of the simulation, but I would like to have one that is a little more realistic than the CH analog type that I currently have without putting out an exce…

Hello!I went from ASUS P4C800, 3.4Ghz (OC from 3.0), Radeon 9700, 400Mhz RAM and IDE HDDs to:ASUS P5AD2-E Premium3.91Ghz (OC from 3.4Ghz)PowerColor Radeon X-850 XT running at PE speeds (540/590)Samsung DDR2-533 1024MB RAMSeagate S-ATA 160 HDDS (2x)Performance increase is INCREDIBLE! Just for a test sake, I created a situation before upgrade, with clouds and rain, to see how much will it go up. I loaded situation 2-3 times before upgrade, I'd say FPS were between 25-28. After upgrade, 40-45. And not only FPS went up, also in complex areas, with lots of autogen, clouds, airports where I know that before I used to get 10-15 fps, now is not going below 25. Radeons simply RULE…

Hi all, Usually, for most applications, I leave my monitor resolution at 1024x768(85Hz). However, for fs9, I switch to 1600x1200(@70Hz). Will I shorten the life of my monitor (Samsung 19" Synchmaster 997DF) by constantly switching my resolutions? Thanks for any assistance.J.C. (MYNN)

Can anybody recommend some first class headphones for listening to FS9 when the wife's gone to sleep and I want to sim alone at midnight without disturbing the family?Thanks!JS

I need to replace an aging mother board. I need a board that will take a 3.0-3.2 P4, 2 ATAPI DVD-RW's, 5 ATA 100/133 HDD's, and has an AGP slot. I'm having a problem finding a mobo that will take these five IDE drives. (I REALLY don't want to go to SATA drives.) Anyone have any thoughts or recommendations? Thanks.Doug

Hi,Can anyone recommend any changes to the standard BIOS setting for an Asus A8V Deluxe motherboard to improve performance? Or should I just stick to the default BIOS settings?System:Asus A8V Deluxe MotherboardAsus 6800 GT Video Card1GB RamThanks, Bryan

I'm in the market for a new system. I want to buy it in the Fall, my last system was built by abspc. I am very happy with my old computer, but it's aging. I quickly put together this sytem below from abspc's website. Could any of you computer gurus tell me if a) this is a decent rig :( if there is anything I'm missing and c) whether it would be possible to have this system built cheaper (by another company). This computer will be used only for simming and gaming. I'll keep the old rig for everyday tasks. ThanksRicardoCooler Master Wave Master Case with Thermal Advantage Side Panel, Model "TAC-T01-EWA" -RETAIL (Item#ABS11119064) 1 $40.99NEC-Mitsubishi MultiSync 22" FE21…

Hi all,Just bought a second TFT monitor to hook up to my Radeon 9800 Pro. I want to be able to extend the same view on the first monitor across both monitors like you can 'extend your desktop' in Windows XPMy system:AMD 64 3000+MSI Skt 754 mobo120gb HDD1.5gb RAMfs2004Do I need to get something like WideView to make this happen? At the moment works fine if I want gauges, different views but doesn't like me trying to get say spot view across both screens.Thanks for any advice you can give

for WinXP get em here...www.ati.com/support/drivers/winxp/radeonwdm-xp.html?type=xp&prodType=graphic∏=productsXPdriver&submit.x=8&submit.y=9

I have read in another forum that the Saitek EVO stick has a problem with "drifting to the left".The Saitek web site also recognizes this problem and makes some suggestions.One owner told me that he must constantly recalibrate the stick.I have a question to EVO owners. Is the EVO worth buying? I do not use rudder pedals, and my pull out computer table is too small for the Saitek 45 or 52 sticks.How bad is this drifting problem? Any patches to correct it?Stanner

I need a new system...mine is nearly 4 years old...and would like some flightsimmer input (I am not a techie).For video card I am considering the ATI 9800 PRO or the X600XT (the X800 is out of my price range)Should I stick with the AGP 8X or the PCI Express...which is faster...which will even be around in 2 years?Thanks in advance for any input guys!

I am not a real technical wizard, but have been reading some of the forum threads. I will soon be having a local PC shop built a fairly high-end system. Their recommendations include a 939 socket AMD 3500+ system, PCI express MSI motherboard, with a hot new off-the-shelf ATI X800XL 256 MB video card and 1 gig RAM.Since the AMD 3500+ processor has 512 KB (and not 1 MB) L2 cache, should this be a concern? I had read that 1 MB is better, but maybe with a system this high-end, that is really wouldn

Intel says it will be shipping dual core Pentiums by the second quarter. I was wondering if the dual core feature will improve performance of FS 2004, or whether an application has to be specifically programmed to take advantage of the dual core technology?I ask because my experience with dual G5 processors is that an application has to be specifically designed to take advantage of the dual processors, and I was wondering if dual core technology has a similar requirement.Robert

I went from an Athlon 2800 (2250mhz 256 L2 cache) to an Athlon XP-M (2450mhz 512 L2 cache) and have noticed a lot of improvement in general computer speed. In FS2004, however, I notice quite a bit of improvment in low density scenery areas but in high density areas such as default Seattle area with everything maxed and 30 miles of visability, I notice maybe 1 frame per second increase with default C-172 and no improvement when using my beloved RFP 747-200. Is my 9800 Pro holding me back? Would I get better frames per second with a better card? I purchased the XP-M (A stepping) from NewEgg.com and it came a day earlier than expected. I also purchased Artic Silver 5 and…

Hi all,Can I take the liberty of encouraging each and every one of you to spend a little time reading this thread (in its entirety) at a site I came across today called 'ars technica':N.B. You will have to register to see the thread, but it is a painless exercise and only takes a few moments.http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/ubb.x/.../2390974465/p/1This thread developed rapidly in response to an article published in 2003 on the same site. It also serves as a cautionary tale which, I suggest, we would all do well to heed. You may wish to read the original article to understand what all the fuss was about:http://arstechnica.com/guides/tweaks/sgp-tweaks.ars/1Since those he…

I have given up on this product following hours and hours of complicated calibration between FSUIPC and the CH Manager. There must be an easier way. Until then, I've returned it to the box.