Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Pannono on March 22, 2010, 06:19:32 PM
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This summer I plan to get a job, mainly to pay for college, but I plan on spending some of it to get back into AH. My current VISTA computer runs 21 fps at the lowest graphics settings. I probably will need a new computer for the upgrade to Windows 7. Should I buy a new Windows 7 computer with high-end performance or keep the Vista and update the equipment? Also, my joystick is sadly outdated. My joystick has 13 buttons, no twist function, and no hat switch. What is the best stick out there for leftys?
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Well first of all, what do you have spec wise now? And what is your budget? W7 is the way to go either way.
I am also a lefty but personally didnt think twice about getting a lefty stick...always flown righty.
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Windows Vista Home Premium
Manufacturer: HP
Model: a6242n
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4800+ 2.50 GHz
32-bit OS
Vid Card: GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
PSU: 250W
Edit: Budget depends on what kind of job i can find
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CPU should be able to run AH okay, as long as you trim back a lot of the stuff that Vista runs by default. It will suck the performance out of your system if you let it.
Your main problem is your video card. That's the kind of card that can barely run spreadsheets, let alone games. It's integrated onto the motherboard and will only cause headaches if you try gaming with it.
The easiest, most cost-effective way to get back into the game is to research what kind of add-in video card you can currently support, get one, and disable the onboard video.
Chances are that you won't be able to do that with a 250W power supply, though, so you'll need a new PSU along with the new video card.
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And budget is what we'll need. Definitely going to need a vid card and PSU. Like Krusty said the CPU should be decent...also how much ram you got? I can't imagine more than 3GBs...3 is fine, but you'd probably want 2gb minimum.
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And budget is what we'll need. Definitely going to need a vid card and PSU. Like Krusty said the CPU should be decent...also how much ram you got? I can't imagine more than 3GBs...3 is fine, but you'd probably want 2gb minimum.
3GB
Well, the minimum wage in AZ is $7.25, so I figure that 7.25 an hour x 7 hours a day x 5 days a week x 12 weeks of summer = about $3100. And its a possibility i might make more than $7.25 so that number might be higher
Edit: About $1000-1500 will be my budget hopefully. Dont want to spend too much, college is more important
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I am budget minded and if you want to get by fairly cheap watch the specials at newegg. You will want to watch some of the bundles but beware the components might not match up.
Personally on a budget I would build AMD but, if I was going to spend towards the 1000 range I would go for Intel. 2GB RAM should be plenty unless you plan on running RAM extensive application software ( might want more RAM if running 64 bit, have to talk to someone that runs 64 bit). I would go with ddr3 and whatever I built I would like it to be upgradeable in the future.
You mentioned going to school. You could get a academic upgrade of Windows 7 on the cheap with your student ID as long as you go fulltime. I paid 42 dollars for my upgrade and that came as a disk with serial.
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...What is the best stick out there for leftys?
Do a search here on the AH BBS for posts by HomeBoy. He makes a lefty flight sim setup that's garnered lots of positive comments. :aok
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Edit: About $1000-1500 will be my budget hopefully. Dont want to spend too much, college is more important
All you need is a video card in the $100 range and a sufficient PSU which should be available for way under $100 to run AH at enjoyable settings.
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Here's a link to HomeBoy's web page: http://snomhf.exofire.net/ (http://snomhf.exofire.net/)
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All you need is a video card in the $100 range and a sufficient PSU which should be available for way under $100 to run AH at enjoyable settings.
I would be careful saying that. There are a number of cards near the $100 range that really aren't too hot for gaming. The lower end cards get "1.5 GB of RAM" (like the latest 9600 GSO) but overall the performance isn't too hot.
Will run the game? Yes. Run it well? heheh, maybe not. If unsure, I'd suggest getting feedback on the forums here before hitting the "submit order" button.
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some folks have been doing pretty good on HD5770 gpu's.
ask spikes. :aok
that cpu + HD5770 + 2x1GB DDRAM + win7 64-bit + a good psu
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some folks have been doing pretty good on HD5770 gpu's.
ask spikes. :aok
that cpu + HD5770 + 2x1GB DDRAM + win7 64-bit + a good psu
Waste of money getting 2GB of RAM and 64 bit OS. 4GB min. + GPU for 64 bit, or you might as well stick with/purchase 32 bit.
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Waste of money getting 2GB of RAM and 64 bit OS. 4GB min. + GPU for 64 bit, or you might as well stick with/purchase 32 bit.
2x1GB is cheaper, 64-bit will still address 2GB and x86_64 instruction set offers noticeable speed-up compared to legacy x86.
never buy 32-bit software. most, if not all, programs today are optimized for 64-bit. im using 64-bit and DDRAM rarely goes up to as much as 1.5GB when gaming AH2.
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I'd just get something like a 9800GT, a 500W PSU and Windows 7 all for under $400 and save the rest for college. You're going to need it.
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I'd just get something like a 9800GT, a 500W PSU and Windows 7 all for under $400 and save the rest for college. You're going to need it.
If you're going to buy a 9800GT, might as well get the GTX250 instead. It's the same GPU as the 9800GT, but operates at a faster speed, while using less power and producing less heat due to the smaller fabrication process.
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If you're going to buy a 9800GT, might as well get the GTX250 instead. It's the same GPU as the 9800GT, but operates at a faster speed, while using less power and producing less heat due to the smaller fabrication process.
At a higher price, though.
In the GTS250 price range, imho the HD5750 with 1GB RAM is the card to pick.
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I was just offering a "for instance" off the top of my head. Not endorsing a specific card.
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At a higher price, though.
In the GTS250 price range, imho the HD5750 with 1GB RAM is the card to pick.
Oh, I remember buying the GTX250 for $130, which was $10 more than the 9800GT.
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Oh, I remember buying the GTX250 for $130, which was $10 more than the 9800GT.
512MB or 1GB VRAM?
Right now NewEgg lists the cheapest 9800GT at $75 and the cheapest GTS250 at $95 (both 512 MB).
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512MB or 1GB VRAM?
1GB and I bought it at Fry's electronics. More memory allows larger shadow texture for AH.
You can max out quality and detail settings and maintain 60fps, with some drops in framerate to 45fps. I just can't run the smooth shadow option as that kills my frame rates. Shadow quality is also set to 4k.
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How much power does a GTX250 need?
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How much power does a GTX250 need?
Around 120-130 W during normal gaming, but up to 175 W in a stress test like Furmark.
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Only needs one 6-pin power connector.
I have a 550Watt Power Supply made by Antec.
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Around 120-130 W during normal gaming, but up to 175 W in a stress test like Furmark.
If you try to run a GTX250 on a 200W PSU you're going to either burn up the card, the PSU or both.
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If you try to run a GTX250 on a 200W PSU you're going to either burn up the card, the PSU or both.
I just stated what the card itself consumes, not how much you need in terms of a PSU. Of course you need a PSU with way more than 200W.
Considering his CPU( if it's the 65W TDP model), in combination with a GTS250, he'll need at a PSU that delivers at least 25A on the 12V rails, better 30+.
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I would think if his CPU is 65 watt, a good 500 hundred watt PSU run that card and the system. :old:
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Ok, so far on my list i have:
GTX250
a 500W psu
Windows 7
a Joystick
What company do you recommend I buy a PSU from?
And maybe can you guys recommend a joystick?
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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017
Get this. With this little guy I run a OC'd quad core, 5 fans, 2 hdds, 2 HD5770s, memory cooler, and a few LEDs. USed 4-5 of these and they all work great. Modular is nice too. Less cords you gotta hide. It will also give you a lot of head room down the road, if you upgrade more stuff.
Joystick...well you want a expensive one? Or a cheapo?
The ST290 is a good stick...X52 for a mid-range...CH for expensive. Like said before, I'm a lefty too...just learned to use it as a righty.
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Joysticks are rather personal things.
No, get your mind outta the gutter!
I mean that you can get really comfortable with one and like the feel of it, know instinctively where to position it for ergomonics, instantly have your hands dart to the different buttons, etc.
You go and get a "better" stick and you may spend up to 3 months relearning every movement from scratch.
So, before you get a new one, I'd ask "Are you totally fed up with your old one?" first.
Heh, I like my MS Sidewinder* so much I modified it to have more buttons on the handle!
* = actually Sidewinder 3D Pro Plus, but same lineage
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I'm not totally fed up with it, it has served me valiantly for 4 years. However, it has 11 buttons (including the trigger), no hat switch, no twist function, and no throttle control at my fingertips. I would like something a bit more advanced.
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How much are you willing to spend on a joystick alone? An X52 would probably be the cheapest way out to get a Hotas...the ST290 is a nice setup if you want the throttle on stick.
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No worries. I can tolerate my old stick only because I have pedals (sort of) and a CH throttle. Meaning I don't need to use anything but the stick and the buttons immediately accessible by my right hand on the grip itself.
If you want 2 throttles there's Saitek's newest entry model, the Aviator (or av8tr or something stupid, "l33t sp34k," type of title). Ergonomics are iffy with both throttles on the far front edge of the stick and all the buttons/switches on the aft end.
There's the Saitek ST290, but I don't believe it has twist action. Very cheap and somewhat reliable for a low-end stick.
You want to spend over $60 USD and you should aim for the X52 (if you want to pay 2x the x52s price but get metal machined parts and probably a much longer usable lifespan, get the x52 PRO, same stick just tougher construction).
Some folks fork over $100 for one of the CH fighter sticks, but I honestly can't imagine spending that much on a joystick.
No logitech. Period. I don't care about the one or two oddballs that chime in saying "Mine is fine years later" because they are the extreme minority. 99.9999999999% of all logitech sticks are utter garbage and not going to last 3 months before the center goes and the start spiking badly.
There are also these lesser brands you'll see in stores. Find the right kind of store and you might get some display models clamed to a shelf. There you can get a nice feel for the grip and the comfort. Barring that, low end saitek is "okay" by reputation.
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How much are you willing to spend on a joystick alone? An X52 would probably be the cheapest way out to get a Hotas...the ST290 is a nice setup if you want the throttle on stick.
I don't know, maybe between $75 and $125
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That's x52 range, if you're interested. Not without problems, but a good overall package. Pedals are out of the question on that budget unless you find them used. New they run about $110-130 all by themselves.
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I don't know, maybe between $75 and $125
That is an X52...
I agree with Krusty on no Logicrap.
Krusty,
The weird thing is, I've had my X52 for about 5 years or so now, and its worked flawlessly...I only have to recal if the cord gets unplugged on accident.
Also, although the situation is moot since he's willing to fork out more than $20, the ST290 is twisty.
I don't have the X52 Pro, but you could take your chance on the X52 Normal...maybe get Bestbuy's replacement plan or something.
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I thought folks had mentioned on the forums that ST290 was non-twisty, just X,Y, and throttle?
Or is there another model number that goes with the stick I've described?
P.S. Never had it myself, just a commonly referred stick on these forums.
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That's x52 range, if you're interested. Not without problems, but a good overall package. Pedals are out of the question on that budget unless you find them used. New they run about $110-130 all by themselves.
Well, considering I was able to fight reasonably well with the Logitech Attack 3 (minimal throttle control and no rudder control), I should do great with a X52. I should have a lot of buttons to play with on the X52, so I should be able to program something for the rudders on there.
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Copy. Not sure...maybe one of the worser (lesser?) sticks that Saitek has...
It is definitely a nice stick and lasted me about 4 years or so, the first thing that started to go was the rear facing hat switch...then the rudder started to get funky. It still works, though.
Pannono, the X52 is twisty, meaning you just twist your wrist left/right and the rudder moves accordingly.
The X52 has many many buttons...I barely use half of them.
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Well, considering I was able to fight reasonably well with the Logitech Attack 3 (minimal throttle control and no rudder control), I should do great with a X52. I should have a lot of buttons to play with on the X52, so I should be able to program something for the rudders on there.
No, it's got a twist-action. That's much better than using ASD keys (or whatever the default is). You can get pretty good on a twisty, but really the end goal should be (budget-willing) rudder pedals.
I think you'll be happy and learning the ins and outs of an x52 for some time, though. Rudder pedals are probably off in the future a bit.
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The X52 is probably the best option. Like I said, I'm going to be working, and after that, I'll be in college, so I dont want to blow a lot of money on something I might not even have time for. I'm guessing that pedals probably cost around $200.
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Half that, CH Pro about 90-110 depending where you look, and Saiteks at 120 or so.
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What manufacturer should I go with for the video card? I was told BFG or EVGA are the best ones if i remember correctly.
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XFX is decent with there nvidia's, just not their 5770s. I can't vouch for many nvidia brands, I use Sapphire and they are more on the ATI Side.