Some basic questions

David_L6 · 05-14-2005, 01:35 AM

I'm getting ready to install some games (Flight Simulator 2004, Simms2, and a couple of other games) on my computer for my kids.

To start with the games will be intalled on this system: Intel P4 2.8GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 1.5GB DDR RAM, 120GB HD, Leadtek A380 video card (nvidia 5950 Ultra), Audigy 2ZS sound card, CD-RW drive, DVD-ROM drive.

Do I save the the games to the C drive?

What is most important for Flight Simulator, CPU or video card? I've heard that it's the CPU. Wondering if that's true?

For most games video card performance is more important than CPU isn't it?

Above I said that the games will be installed on that system to start with. That is because I am slowly putting together another system for their games.

I bought a Dell 8400 case/motherboard/40GB harddrive/DVD-ROM drive off eBay. So far I've bought an Intel P4 3.8GHz CPU (570), an Enermax EG701AX-VE psu, and an Audigy 2ZS sound card. I plan on buying an nvidia 6800 series video card. Probably a 6800GT, but I may spring for the Ultra.... Depends on what kind of deal I can find on an Ultra.

How much RAM is needed for a really good gaming system? (Has to be DDR2.)

What all is involved when switching harddrives in a pre-built system? I want to install a 74GB Raptor instead of the 40GB drive it came with.

loserII · 05-14-2005, 02:16 AM

yes go with the raptor :thumbup: but you can still keep the 40GB and make it your D drive or leave it as you c drive

windows is installed on your c:\ drive but i usually put my games on my D drive and utillities on my C:\

you want about 1GB of RAM

overall your system sounds pretty nice :thumbup:

i think why flight simulator is more cpu intensive is because it's microsoft and they didn't need to be bribed by ATI or Nvidia so the game is bias and use any really advanced rendering stuff

any way hope i helped cheers

KamisoriX · 05-14-2005, 06:52 AM

Raptor is a great boot disc but you wanna get a secondary HD with more Gigs on it. On the other hand I don't know how much you gonna throw at it.
I'm setting up a sys right now with 5 300gig HDDs on RAID5. beat that speed baby

Akherousin · 05-14-2005, 09:40 AM

Raid's are poo poo for gaming. Too slow, but granted, for data saving it's superfast.

But to the problem: I agree with LoserII, you should aim for 1 GB DDR2 ram.
And for switching HDDs, the only problem that can come up, is if you have an Operating System installed on it.
You may have to delete it manually. And just be aware of the Master and Slave settings if you go for IDE HDDS.

fineliner · 05-14-2005, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by loserII@May 14 2005, 01:16 AM

windows is installed on your c:\ drive but i usually put my games on my D drive and utillities on my C:\

This is a good idea. You can even do it with one disc by partionining. This way your game systems stays clean and fast.

David_L6 · 05-14-2005, 12:17 PM

Do I understand that you are saying that when I'm installing the games to save them to the CD drive?
C: is harddrive (local disk), D: is CD-RW, E: is DVD-ROM.

David_L6 · 05-14-2005, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Akherousin@May 14 2005, 08:40 AM

And for switching HDDs, the only problem that can come up, is if you have an Operating System installed on it.
You may have to delete it manually. And just be aware of the Master and Slave settings if you go for IDE HDDS.

The 40 GB harddrive came with Windows XP installed. What I was thinking of doing is installing the Raptor as the C: drive with the OS. If there is an easy way to install the 40 GB drive as a slave drive I'll do that.

Hasse · 05-14-2005, 12:33 PM

I'm not really getting what you are saying but if you say what I think you have to reinstall Windows on the raptor disk. First be sure that your motherboard supports S-ATA disks. Then you need to have S-ATA drivers on a floppy when installing windows on a S-ATA disk. You don't need to have windows on C:. I have mine on E:. and I also use a raptor for OS

Then you can just format the 40 gb and use it for whatever you want

fineliner · 05-14-2005, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David_L6@May 14 2005, 11:17 AM
Do I understand that you are saying that when I'm installing the games to save them to the CD drive?

No, I'm saying you can make two seperate installations of windows on one harddisk. One of them you can use solely for games, keeping it clean and fast.

You'd get something like:
C: harddrive, D: harddrive (partition on the same harddisk, it will be used for games), E: CD-RW, F: DVD-ROM.

KamisoriX · 05-15-2005, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Akherousin@May 14 2005, 09:40 AM
Raid's are poo poo for gaming. Too slow, but granted, for data saving it's superfast.

But to the problem: I agree with LoserII, you should aim for 1 GB DDR2 ram.
And for switching HDDs, the only problem that can come up, is if you have an Operating System installed on it.
You may have to delete it manually. And just be aware of the Master and Slave settings if you go for IDE HDDS.

RAID5 is ripping for gaming. Most noticable in DooM3. The whole thing runs so smooth with it sinse the data are read 5 times faster.
dunno about Raid 0 or 1.