rec.autos.simulators

> None of this is really critical.  Especially Intel v. AMD.  Dual core
> won't help for current sims.The next thing is.

>>   I am thinking of going with a Geforce 6600 GT video card to start with, as
>> I can easily upgrade to a higher spec card at a later date. Currently I am
>> only playing GPL, so it should be perfectly adequate. With a high speed CPU
>> the 6600 GT will run the current sims (GTL etc.) well??

> No.   Don't worry so much about CPU, worry about this.  You can get a
> 7800GT or an X800XL for about $300.

>>   My sound requirements are not that big, so a SB Audigy 2 ZS should fit my
>> needs. Any suggestions on a good set of speakers for car sims and DVDs for
>> under US$300? - preferably much less! :) I currently have a 24 inch
>> widescreen LCD, so a good set of speakers would be great.

> I have these.  Great for ***, even better for music.  $130.
> http://www.racesimcentral.net/

>>   My last question (sorry if these questions are inappropriate in this NG)
>> is about RAID. Is this set on the motherboard? Can it be changed (from 0 to
>> 1) by switching jumpers on the MB?? My current desktop has two hard drives
>> with the 2nd drive being basically a backup of my data from the primary
>> (Windows) drive - not RAID of course. I was planning on partitioning the 2
>> new 250GB drives into something like 40GB (Windows), 2 x 80GB, 50GB (data).
>> Is that a good idea? What type of RAID should I run? Just mirror the 1st
>> drive onto the 2nd drive, or go for speed??

> RAID is configured in software.  If you have implemented a good backup
> system, speed is fine.  If not, I'd mirror.

>>   I am thinking of going with a Geforce 6600 GT video card to start with,
>> as I can easily upgrade to a higher spec card at a later date. Currently
>> I am only playing GPL, so it should be perfectly adequate. With a high
>> speed CPU the 6600 GT will run the current sims (GTL etc.) well??
>>   My sound requirements are not that big, so a SB Audigy 2 ZS should fit
>> my needs. Any suggestions on a good set of speakers for car sims and DVDs
>> for under US$300? - preferably much less! :) I currently have a 24 inch
>> widescreen LCD, so a good set of speakers would be great.

> A 24" LCD will have a high native resolution (I would guess 1920x1200?).
> To run GTL at this res may need more than a 6600GT. I would suggest either
> a 7800 or an ATI X1800.

> Otherwise..

> Go AMD X2.

> Go 7800GT instead of X1800.

> Raid up SATAs.

> Go dual channel with two 1gb sticks.

> Then your set.

> For now anyways.

>>> After 7 loooong years, I am finally updating my desktop! I am interested
>>> in advice on what specs are important for running car sims at full
>>> speed!
>>>   My main questions are whether to go with a dual-core processor or stay
>>> with a single-core CPU, and (I don't wish to start a huge argument here)
>>> whether that CPU should be AMD or Intel? Would the dual-core processor
>>> help
>>> playing any of the car sims? Although I have heard that the AMD CPU is
>>> better for game playing, while the Intel is better for video
>>> editing/multimedia, is the difference that great when playing games? I
>>> must
>>> admit that I have purchased Intel up until now, and rate upgradability
>>> highly, but not at the expense of game performance too much.
>>>   I don't think I can go wrong with a Gigabyte or ASUS motherboard??

>> None of this is really critical.  Especially Intel v. AMD.  Dual core
>> won't help for current sims.The next thing is.

>>>   I am thinking of going with a Geforce 6600 GT video card to start
>>> with, as
>>> I can easily upgrade to a higher spec card at a later date. Currently I
>>> am
>>> only playing GPL, so it should be perfectly adequate. With a high speed
>>> CPU
>>> the 6600 GT will run the current sims (GTL etc.) well??

>> No.   Don't worry so much about CPU, worry about this.  You can get a
>> 7800GT or an X800XL for about $300.

>>>   My sound requirements are not that big, so a SB Audigy 2 ZS should fit
>>> my
>>> needs. Any suggestions on a good set of speakers for car sims and DVDs
>>> for
>>> under US$300? - preferably much less! :) I currently have a 24 inch
>>> widescreen LCD, so a good set of speakers would be great.

>> I have these.  Great for ***, even better for music.  $130.
>> http://www.racesimcentral.net/

>>>   My last question (sorry if these questions are inappropriate in this
>>> NG)
>>> is about RAID. Is this set on the motherboard? Can it be changed (from 0
>>> to
>>> 1) by switching jumpers on the MB?? My current desktop has two hard
>>> drives
>>> with the 2nd drive being basically a backup of my data from the primary
>>> (Windows) drive - not RAID of course. I was planning on partitioning the
>>> 2
>>> new 250GB drives into something like 40GB (Windows), 2 x 80GB, 50GB
>>> (data).
>>> Is that a good idea? What type of RAID should I run? Just mirror the 1st
>>> drive onto the 2nd drive, or go for speed??

>> RAID is configured in software.  If you have implemented a good backup
>> system, speed is fine.  If not, I'd mirror.

> Case   Lian Li PC-6070BW Plus Mid Tower
> Power Supply   Thermaltake W0049RA, 680W, Auto Control
> Motherboard   ASUS P5WD2 Premium, Socket 775
> CPU   Intel Pentium 4 670, 3.8GHz, 800MHz FSB
> Hard Drives   Western Digital Caviar WD2500KS-SE16, 250GB,  x 2
> DVD drive   SONY or LG 16xDVD, 52xCD
> DVD writer   Pioneer DVR-110D, DVD 16R/16W/8RW
> Memory   Corsair Dual Channel 2x1GB, DDR2-SDRAM, 667MHz
> Video card   Leadtek GeForce PX6600 GT, 128MB
> Sound card   Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS, PCI
> Keyboard   Microsoft Basic keyboard (only $16!)
> Mouse   Logitech G5 Laser mouse, USB
> Monitor   DELL (Samsung) 2405FPW 24 inch widescreen LCD (already purchased)
> Speakers   Altec Lansing GT5051R, 5.1 Speaker System, 80W RMS
> DV/Video capture/TV Tuner card   Compro VideoMate DVB-T300

>   Comments please.
>   Also thinking about the Creative Inspire 7.1 T7900 Speakers, instead of
> the Altec Lansing. Anyone have experience with either speaker system?
>   Originally planned on buying Kingston memory, but having problems sourcing
> it. I rate Kingston memory as the best money can buy. Is that correct
> thinking? How does Corsair rate? compare to Kingston?
>   Hope this isn't inappropriate to post in this NG.
>   TIA.

>  Sold my race car. That is why I am back on the computer sims. HEAPS
> cheaper! :)) Buying them is the cheap part. Racing them is the
> expensive part! :)

>> Otherwise..

>> Go AMD X2.

>> Go 7800GT instead of X1800.

>> Raid up SATAs.

>> Go dual channel with two 1gb sticks.

>> Then your set.

>> For now anyways.

>>>> After 7 loooong years, I am finally updating my desktop! I am
>>>> interested in advice on what specs are important for running car
>>>> sims at full speed!
>>>>   My main questions are whether to go with a dual-core processor
>>>> or stay with a single-core CPU, and (I don't wish to start a huge
>>>> argument here) whether that CPU should be AMD or Intel? Would the
>>>> dual-core processor help
>>>> playing any of the car sims? Although I have heard that the AMD
>>>> CPU is better for game playing, while the Intel is better for video
>>>> editing/multimedia, is the difference that great when playing
>>>> games? I must
>>>> admit that I have purchased Intel up until now, and rate
>>>> upgradability highly, but not at the expense of game performance
>>>>   too much. I don't think I can go wrong with a Gigabyte or ASUS
>>>> motherboard??

>>> None of this is really critical.  Especially Intel v. AMD.  Dual
>>> core won't help for current sims.The next thing is.

>>>>   I am thinking of going with a Geforce 6600 GT video card to start
>>>> with, as
>>>> I can easily upgrade to a higher spec card at a later date.
>>>> Currently I am
>>>> only playing GPL, so it should be perfectly adequate. With a high
>>>> speed CPU
>>>> the 6600 GT will run the current sims (GTL etc.) well??

>>> No.   Don't worry so much about CPU, worry about this.  You can get
>>> a 7800GT or an X800XL for about $300.

>>>>   My sound requirements are not that big, so a SB Audigy 2 ZS
>>>> should fit my
>>>> needs. Any suggestions on a good set of speakers for car sims and
>>>> DVDs for
>>>> under US$300? - preferably much less! :) I currently have a 24 inch
>>>> widescreen LCD, so a good set of speakers would be great.

>>> I have these.  Great for ***, even better for music.  $130.
>>> http://www.racesimcentral.net/

>>>>   My last question (sorry if these questions are inappropriate in
>>>> this NG)
>>>> is about RAID. Is this set on the motherboard? Can it be changed
>>>> (from 0 to
>>>> 1) by switching jumpers on the MB?? My current desktop has two hard
>>>> drives
>>>> with the 2nd drive being basically a backup of my data from the
>>>> primary (Windows) drive - not RAID of course. I was planning on
>>>> partitioning the 2
>>>> new 250GB drives into something like 40GB (Windows), 2 x 80GB, 50GB
>>>> (data).
>>>> Is that a good idea? What type of RAID should I run? Just mirror
>>>> the 1st drive onto the 2nd drive, or go for speed??

>>> RAID is configured in software.  If you have implemented a good
>>> backup system, speed is fine.  If not, I'd mirror.