Computer Buying Advice

wizzer

Hi,
I know very little about PC's but am looking to buy a desktop that would be capable of running Microsoft Train Simulator.

The system requirements are:

Microsoft® Windows® 95/98/Me/2000/XP. Does not support NT
PC with 266 MHz equivalent or higher processor
32 MB of RAM for Windows 95/ 98/Me; 64 MB for Windows 2000
Approximately 1.5 GB of available hard disk space for a full install, 500 MB of available hard disk space for a minimum install
Quad-speed or higher CD-ROM drive
DirectX 7.0a video driver
DirectX 7.0a or later compatible 4 MB video card capable of 800 x 600 resolution in 32K colors

Apart from this, the computer is unlikely to be used for very much beyond normal webbrowsing, bit of word processing, basic spreadsheets etc.

Is the above spec particularly high by today's standards and is it going to cost as a result?

Any advice and guidance on specific models that would meet this gratefully accepted.

Thanks
wizzer

tomstickland

No, the spec is not high end. I was looking at new computers a while back and I thought that the Dell desktops were very good value for money.

rogerramjet

The spec is about what you'd have had in 1998 actually....any new system would run it no probs....check out the dell website... https://www.dell.co.uk and they have this system for £248.99

Dimension 1100 (D01115) Qty 1
Intel® Celeron® D Processor 325 (2.53GHz, 533fsb, 256K cache), Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition, SP2 Unit Price Incl. VAT £189.00
Catalog Number: 202
Module Description Show Details
Base Intel® Celeron® D Processor 325 (2.53GHz, 533fsb, 256K cache)
Microsoft Operating System Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition, SP2
Memory 512MB Dual Channel DDR400 (2x256MB)
Keyboard Dell Entry Quietkey USB Keyboard - UK/Ire (QWERTY)
Monitor Dell 17" (15.9") Value CRT Monitor (E773c)
Hard Drive 80GB (7,200rpm) Hard Drive
Floppy Drives No Floppy Drive Required
Mouse Dell USB Optical Mouse
Modem No Modem
CD/DVD Drives 48X DVD/CDRW Combo Drive
Speakers No Speakers
Microsoft Application Software Microsoft® Works 7.0 - English
Standard Warranty 90-Day Collect and Return service
AntiVirus & Security Software Free 15 month McAfee Security SW upgrade
Dell Photo Album Photo Album™ SE Basic
Paint Shop Corel® Paint Shop Pro™ X Standard Edition English


Basically goto the above link, then click on Dell Home systems link *home* then on next page click on the *Shop by E-value Code* link and in the first box type 305 and then in the second type D01115.

On the next page, change the cover to 90-Day Collect and Return service and then further down the page change to optical mouse, then click on update and add to basket.

You may want to add speakers if you don't have any and also a modem if your not on broadband although these could be purchased a lot cheaper elsewhere and installed yourself.

wizzer

Hi Roger
Thanks for your advice. Since I posted I have been doing some more research. It seems there are various add-ons/bolt-ons that can be added to Microsoft Train Simulator. I presume these might require a higher spec of PC to run effectively. I've seen the following recommendation

Processor AMD XP 2700+
Motherboard Gigabyte 7N-400
Cooler Akasa 785
Memory 512mb PC266 DDR
Sound Integrated
Graphics NVidia Geforce FX 5600XT 128mb DDR
Modem 56k Internal
Floppy 1.44mb Internal
Hard Drive 80gb Maxtor
CD DVD/CDRW Combo
Case Midi Tower
Other Microsoft Keyboard and Optical Mouse
Windows XP Home
Norton Antivirus 2004 OEM
Creative SBS250 speakers

or indeed

Processor AMD XP 3000+
Memory 512mb PC400 DDR
Sound Integrated
Graphics NVidia Geforce FX 5900XT 128mb DDR
Floppy 1.44mb Internal or 6 in 1 Card Reader
Hard Drive 120gb Maxtor
CD DVD/CDRW Combo
Case Shuttle SN41G2
Other Wireless Microsoft Keyboard and Optical Mouse
Windows XP Home
Norton Antivirus 2004 OEM
Logitech Z640 5.1 surround speakers

Are these what you might call high spec and if so, presumably this increases the cost somewhat?

Thanks
Wizzer

rogerramjet

Deffo higher spec and would be more than ample to run what you want...but will also be higher cost...Check the grabbit board as there appears to be a good deal with a Dell ATM.

One thing to remember, you only need a high spec system if you play a lot of new games or do a lot of photo editing. I've a AMD 2800+ which I built 2 years ago next month, it has 1gb memory (originally 512mb) and a 128mb graphics card, before that I had a 1.5mhz intel with 512mb memory and 128mb graphics card which is still used and more than capable of doing any tasks I want to with it. I've also got a pentuim 550mhz system (an early build 2001) which has a 32mb graphic card and 196mb of memory which I still use regulary, a bit slow these days compared to my current onebut more than capable

wizzer

Roger,
Are you talking about this one?

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=131961&highlight=dell

rogerramjet

Yep...that's the one, don't worry about it being the small business site all you do is put in a company name. The only difference with buying from the small business site instead of the home one is you don't get the distant seller protection (means you can return something within a certain time scale)