rec.autos.simulators

> Every couple of years something comes up that gives me the incentive to
> upgrade my PC.  This year it's GTR.  With today's alphabet soup of
> processors, chipsets, etc I'd appreciate any recommendations as to what to
> get and what you think of how I plan to go about it.

> First off, this PC's most system-intensive uses will be racing sims and
> DVD authoring.  I also play some sport sims and flight sims.  My present
> system is an AMD XP2100 on an Epox 8Kha+ motherboard using 2 512 Megs
> sticks of PC3200 RAM, and a Radeon 9700 Pro.  Items that I would like to
> re-use in my new system would be the videocard and the RAM.

> To make this as easy as possible, I'd probably buy a new full-size case,
> motherboard, CPU and hard drive.  I would then transfer my data from my
> existing 80 Gig hard drive to the new hard drive using Drive Image 2002
> and slowly move things over to the new box.  The old PC (what remains of
> it), will be given to a family member.

> So, this is what I'm looking for recommendations on:

> - Full-size case:  I'd prefer something quiet, but with good ventilation,
> with lots of room in it.  Must house 2 hard drives, and my existing DVD
> drive plus separate DVD burner.  Power Supply should be at least 450W.

> - Motherboard:  AGP is a must (to re-use the Radeon).  Onboard sound might
> be preferable, if its better than my TB SantaCruz sound card which I use
> now.  However, if I don't use the soundcard anymore, I will still need the
> use of a gameport, since my TSW peds (and a MIDI keyboard which I rarely
> use) both require it.  As stated previously, it should also support my
> PC3200 RAM (which I might add another 512 or 1 Meg stick to).

> - CPU:  I've been partial to AMD for my last 3 or 4 upgrades, but am open
> to suggestions.  Speed-wise, I'm looking for something in excess of 3
> Gigs.  Would prefer not to overclock but I don't rule that out completely.

> Hard Drive:  Prefer a 160 Gig that would be used as master, to which I
> would also add my existing 80 Gig slave drive.

> - Overall Cost:  My target is to keep this under $500, if I can, but
> that's not a firm limit.

> Racing sims that I spend the most time on are GPL, NR2003, GTR, and RBR.
> (The only reason that I got a TB Santa Cruz soundcard in my existing rig
> was to iron out WinXP sound issues in GPL.  If the new mobo's sound works
> well with GPL, I won't need the sound card as long as I have access to a
> gameport -- as mentioned previously.)  So, I'd appreciate input on what to
> get and where to get it from (I usually use NewEgg, but if there are
> better online reliable sources, I'm open to suggestions.) Also, is there
> anything that I'm overlooking in terms of how I plan to go about this?

> Any thoughts?

> Thanks!

> 1.  Antec Sonata Case.  Excellent drive storage, and uses 120MM fans so it's
> quite.  Uses a server-style drive storage cage.  Case uses sleds thru-out
> for easy drive installation.

> 2.  Extra 120mm Fan for the drive cage.

> 3.  Antec Neo 480 Power Supply.

> 4.  ASUS A8V System Board.

> 5.  AMD Athlon64-3500.

> 6.  Seagate 160GB Sata.

> One note.  Ain't no way it's going to happen under $500.

> -Larry

>>Hi Guys,

>>Every couple of years something comes up that gives me the incentive to
>>upgrade my PC.  This year it's GTR.  With today's alphabet soup of
>>processors, chipsets, etc I'd appreciate any recommendations as to what to
>>get and what you think of how I plan to go about it.

>>First off, this PC's most system-intensive uses will be racing sims and
>>DVD authoring.  I also play some sport sims and flight sims.  My present
>>system is an AMD XP2100 on an Epox 8Kha+ motherboard using 2 512 Megs
>>sticks of PC3200 RAM, and a Radeon 9700 Pro.  Items that I would like to
>>re-use in my new system would be the videocard and the RAM.

>>To make this as easy as possible, I'd probably buy a new full-size case,
>>motherboard, CPU and hard drive.  I would then transfer my data from my
>>existing 80 Gig hard drive to the new hard drive using Drive Image 2002
>>and slowly move things over to the new box.  The old PC (what remains of
>>it), will be given to a family member.

>>So, this is what I'm looking for recommendations on:

>>- Full-size case:  I'd prefer something quiet, but with good ventilation,
>>with lots of room in it.  Must house 2 hard drives, and my existing DVD
>>drive plus separate DVD burner.  Power Supply should be at least 450W.

>>- Motherboard:  AGP is a must (to re-use the Radeon).  Onboard sound might
>>be preferable, if its better than my TB SantaCruz sound card which I use
>>now.  However, if I don't use the soundcard anymore, I will still need the
>>use of a gameport, since my TSW peds (and a MIDI keyboard which I rarely
>>use) both require it.  As stated previously, it should also support my
>>PC3200 RAM (which I might add another 512 or 1 Meg stick to).

>>- CPU:  I've been partial to AMD for my last 3 or 4 upgrades, but am open
>>to suggestions.  Speed-wise, I'm looking for something in excess of 3
>>Gigs.  Would prefer not to overclock but I don't rule that out completely.

>>Hard Drive:  Prefer a 160 Gig that would be used as master, to which I
>>would also add my existing 80 Gig slave drive.

>>- Overall Cost:  My target is to keep this under $500, if I can, but
>>that's not a firm limit.

>>Racing sims that I spend the most time on are GPL, NR2003, GTR, and RBR.
>>(The only reason that I got a TB Santa Cruz soundcard in my existing rig
>>was to iron out WinXP sound issues in GPL.  If the new mobo's sound works
>>well with GPL, I won't need the sound card as long as I have access to a
>>gameport -- as mentioned previously.)  So, I'd appreciate input on what to
>>get and where to get it from (I usually use NewEgg, but if there are
>>better online reliable sources, I'm open to suggestions.) Also, is there
>>anything that I'm overlooking in terms of how I plan to go about this?

>>Any thoughts?

>>Thanks!

> Every couple of years something comes up that gives me the incentive to
> upgrade my PC.  This year it's GTR.  With today's alphabet soup of
> processors, chipsets, etc I'd appreciate any recommendations as to what to
> get and what you think of how I plan to go about it.

> First off, this PC's most system-intensive uses will be racing sims and
> DVD authoring.  I also play some sport sims and flight sims.  My present
> system is an AMD XP2100 on an Epox 8Kha+ motherboard using 2 512 Megs
> sticks of PC3200 RAM, and a Radeon 9700 Pro.  Items that I would like to
> re-use in my new system would be the videocard and the RAM.

> To make this as easy as possible, I'd probably buy a new full-size case,
> motherboard, CPU and hard drive.  I would then transfer my data from my
> existing 80 Gig hard drive to the new hard drive using Drive Image 2002
> and slowly move things over to the new box.  The old PC (what remains of
> it), will be given to a family member.

> So, this is what I'm looking for recommendations on:

> - Full-size case:  I'd prefer something quiet, but with good ventilation,
> with lots of room in it.  Must house 2 hard drives, and my existing DVD
> drive plus separate DVD burner.  Power Supply should be at least 450W.

> - Motherboard:  AGP is a must (to re-use the Radeon).  Onboard sound might
> be preferable, if its better than my TB SantaCruz sound card which I use
> now.  However, if I don't use the soundcard anymore, I will still need the
> use of a gameport, since my TSW peds (and a MIDI keyboard which I rarely
> use) both require it.  As stated previously, it should also support my
> PC3200 RAM (which I might add another 512 or 1 Meg stick to).

> - CPU:  I've been partial to AMD for my last 3 or 4 upgrades, but am open
> to suggestions.  Speed-wise, I'm looking for something in excess of 3
> Gigs.  Would prefer not to overclock but I don't rule that out completely.

> Hard Drive:  Prefer a 160 Gig that would be used as master, to which I
> would also add my existing 80 Gig slave drive.

> - Overall Cost:  My target is to keep this under $500, if I can, but
> that's not a firm limit.

> Racing sims that I spend the most time on are GPL, NR2003, GTR, and RBR.
> (The only reason that I got a TB Santa Cruz soundcard in my existing rig
> was to iron out WinXP sound issues in GPL.  If the new mobo's sound works
> well with GPL, I won't need the sound card as long as I have access to a
> gameport -- as mentioned previously.)  So, I'd appreciate input on what to
> get and where to get it from (I usually use NewEgg, but if there are
> better online reliable sources, I'm open to suggestions.) Also, is there
> anything that I'm overlooking in terms of how I plan to go about this?

> Any thoughts?

> Thanks!

>>Hi Guys,

>>Every couple of years something comes up that gives me the incentive to
>>upgrade my PC.  This year it's GTR.  With today's alphabet soup of
>>processors, chipsets, etc I'd appreciate any recommendations as to what to
>>get and what you think of how I plan to go about it.

>>First off, this PC's most system-intensive uses will be racing sims and
>>DVD authoring.  I also play some sport sims and flight sims.  My present
>>system is an AMD XP2100 on an Epox 8Kha+ motherboard using 2 512 Megs
>>sticks of PC3200 RAM, and a Radeon 9700 Pro.  Items that I would like to
>>re-use in my new system would be the videocard and the RAM.

>>To make this as easy as possible, I'd probably buy a new full-size case,
>>motherboard, CPU and hard drive.  I would then transfer my data from my
>>existing 80 Gig hard drive to the new hard drive using Drive Image 2002
>>and slowly move things over to the new box.  The old PC (what remains of
>>it), will be given to a family member.

>>So, this is what I'm looking for recommendations on:

>>- Full-size case:  I'd prefer something quiet, but with good ventilation,
>>with lots of room in it.  Must house 2 hard drives, and my existing DVD
>>drive plus separate DVD burner.  Power Supply should be at least 450W.

>>- Motherboard:  AGP is a must (to re-use the Radeon).  Onboard sound might
>>be preferable, if its better than my TB SantaCruz sound card which I use
>>now.  However, if I don't use the soundcard anymore, I will still need the
>>use of a gameport, since my TSW peds (and a MIDI keyboard which I rarely
>>use) both require it.  As stated previously, it should also support my
>>PC3200 RAM (which I might add another 512 or 1 Meg stick to).

>>- CPU:  I've been partial to AMD for my last 3 or 4 upgrades, but am open
>>to suggestions.  Speed-wise, I'm looking for something in excess of 3
>>Gigs.  Would prefer not to overclock but I don't rule that out completely.

>>Hard Drive:  Prefer a 160 Gig that would be used as master, to which I
>>would also add my existing 80 Gig slave drive.

>>- Overall Cost:  My target is to keep this under $500, if I can, but
>>that's not a firm limit.

>>Racing sims that I spend the most time on are GPL, NR2003, GTR, and RBR.
>>(The only reason that I got a TB Santa Cruz soundcard in my existing rig
>>was to iron out WinXP sound issues in GPL.  If the new mobo's sound works
>>well with GPL, I won't need the sound card as long as I have access to a
>>gameport -- as mentioned previously.)  So, I'd appreciate input on what to
>>get and where to get it from (I usually use NewEgg, but if there are
>>better online reliable sources, I'm open to suggestions.) Also, is there
>>anything that I'm overlooking in terms of how I plan to go about this?

>>Any thoughts?

>>Thanks!

> If your goal is to play GTR, buy a 6600GT or X700 Pro and sell the 9700
> Pro on eBay for $100+. You spend less than $100, GTR runs better than
> it would with *your* proposed upgrades, and you save $400 -- which you
> can use to build a PCIE machine in a year or so.

> Cheers,
> Eric

>>1.  My hard drives didn't like it when I upped the FSB.  Granted, I didn't
>>up it to 200 (default is 133 and I tried somewhere around 150). Is there
>>some other kind of adjustment that I need to do in the BIOS to offset this
>>for the hard drives and other components?  I seem to recall that there's
>>some kind of fraction to set.....

>>2.  I'm not sure whether my Mobo's BIOS (Epox 8Kha+) will allow me to
>>reduce the multiplier.  I'll have to look into that.

>>An answer to #1 would be greatly appreciated before I give this a try.

>>Bert

>> This is actually pretty easy (to me):

>> 1.  Antec Sonata Case.  Excellent drive storage, and uses 120MM fans so
>> it's quite.  Uses a server-style drive storage cage.  Case uses sleds
>> thru-out for easy drive installation.

>> 2.  Extra 120mm Fan for the drive cage.

>> 3.  Antec Neo 480 Power Supply.

>> 4.  ASUS A8V System Board.

>> 5.  AMD Athlon64-3500.

>> 6.  Seagate 160GB Sata.

>> One note.  Ain't no way it's going to happen under $500.

>> -Larry

>>>Hi Guys,

>>>Every couple of years something comes up that gives me the incentive to
>>>upgrade my PC.  This year it's GTR.  With today's alphabet soup of
>>>processors, chipsets, etc I'd appreciate any recommendations as to what
>>>to get and what you think of how I plan to go about it.

>>>First off, this PC's most system-intensive uses will be racing sims and
>>>DVD authoring.  I also play some sport sims and flight sims.  My present
>>>system is an AMD XP2100 on an Epox 8Kha+ motherboard using 2 512 Megs
>>>sticks of PC3200 RAM, and a Radeon 9700 Pro.  Items that I would like to
>>>re-use in my new system would be the videocard and the RAM.

>>>To make this as easy as possible, I'd probably buy a new full-size case,
>>>motherboard, CPU and hard drive.  I would then transfer my data from my
>>>existing 80 Gig hard drive to the new hard drive using Drive Image 2002
>>>and slowly move things over to the new box.  The old PC (what remains of
>>>it), will be given to a family member.

>>>So, this is what I'm looking for recommendations on:

>>>- Full-size case:  I'd prefer something quiet, but with good ventilation,
>>>with lots of room in it.  Must house 2 hard drives, and my existing DVD
>>>drive plus separate DVD burner.  Power Supply should be at least 450W.

>>>- Motherboard:  AGP is a must (to re-use the Radeon).  Onboard sound
>>>might be preferable, if its better than my TB SantaCruz sound card which
>>>I use now.  However, if I don't use the soundcard anymore, I will still
>>>need the use of a gameport, since my TSW peds (and a MIDI keyboard which
>>>I rarely use) both require it.  As stated previously, it should also
>>>support my PC3200 RAM (which I might add another 512 or 1 Meg stick to).

>>>- CPU:  I've been partial to AMD for my last 3 or 4 upgrades, but am open
>>>to suggestions.  Speed-wise, I'm looking for something in excess of 3
>>>Gigs.  Would prefer not to overclock but I don't rule that out
>>>completely.

>>>Hard Drive:  Prefer a 160 Gig that would be used as master, to which I
>>>would also add my existing 80 Gig slave drive.

>>>- Overall Cost:  My target is to keep this under $500, if I can, but
>>>that's not a firm limit.

>>>Racing sims that I spend the most time on are GPL, NR2003, GTR, and RBR.
>>>(The only reason that I got a TB Santa Cruz soundcard in my existing rig
>>>was to iron out WinXP sound issues in GPL.  If the new mobo's sound works
>>>well with GPL, I won't need the sound card as long as I have access to a
>>>gameport -- as mentioned previously.)  So, I'd appreciate input on what
>>>to get and where to get it from (I usually use NewEgg, but if there are
>>>better online reliable sources, I'm open to suggestions.) Also, is there
>>>anything that I'm overlooking in terms of how I plan to go about this?

>>>Any thoughts?

>>>Thanks!