New computer - research almost done

[Tigger29]

What does YMMV mean? If you don't mind me asking.(Sorry if dumb question)

"Your mileage may vary"...

I'll just chime in here... he should easily be able to handle 4092 shadow textures.  I have an inferior processor (E7300 C2D 2.7GHz overclocked to 3.0GHz), an inferior video card (ATI 5830 slightly overclocked), and less ram (4GB DDR3 1066) and I can handle it.  1920X1200, 1024 Textures (+hires), All sliders maxed, all eye candy on EXCEPT other planes' shadows.  I stay pegged 99% of the time, even during FSO takeoffs, however if there is a lot of fog/smoke/fire and a lot of planes around, I might get a quick stutter accompanied with a FR drop to about 55 or so.  Switching back down to 2048 shadow textures removes that completely, but isn't as pretty.

Nice system by the way!

[Bino]

As you predicted, gents: the 1024 plane texture pack and 4096 shadow textures do not pose a problem for this rig.  I'm a happy camper.

[Bino]

Now have things clocked up a bit:

    CPU from 2.80 GHz up to 3.358 GHz

    RAM from DDR3 1066 up to DDR3 1600

    Video up from 725 MHz / 1000 MHz up to 775 MHz / 1125 MHz

(see the CPUZ info link in my AH BBS signature)

This boosted my 3dMark06 score from about 18500 up to 21252.

Thanks again for all the feedback!  


EDIT:

Aces High is *beautiful* with all the eye-candy turned on!  I never realized how much I was missing.