Think I need an upgrade

delticbob · Post by **delticbob** » 29 Aug 2006, 23:08

I have had my current set up for just over 12 months, which I got spacifically for MS2004.

But the more I use it the less happy I am becoming with it.

I have found in that time that alot of new packages I have installed (planes as well as scenery) have meant that some of the time my fps have nose dived to 6-7 fps.

As well, I find that some of the sliders for aircraft/hardware etc I have had to move back to stop stuttering.

To get to the point, here is my current set up. The motherboard ia an Asrock K7VT6-C

CPU - Socket A (462) for AMD Athlon XP/Athlon/Duron /Sempronâ„¢ processor
- FSB 400/333/266/200 MHz
Chipset - Northbridge: VIA KT600
- Southbridge: VIA 8235
Hybrid Booster - CPU Frequency Stepless control
- CPU Multiplier
- CPU Vcore Adjustment
- ASRock U-COP
- Boot Failure Guard (B.F.G)
Memory - Supports DDR400/333/266
- DIMM slots: 2
- Max. capacity: 2GB
Expansion Slot - 1 x AGP8X/4X slot , 1.5V
- 5 x PCI slots( PCI 2.2 compliance)
Graphics - n/a
Audio - CMedia CMI9761A 6 channel AC'97 audio codec
LAN - VIA 6103 10/100 Ethernet LAN PHY
- 802.3u, WOL supported
Connector - 2 x ATA 133/100/66 IDE connectors ( supports 4 x IDE devices)
- 1 x Floppy connector
- CPU/Chassis FAN connectors
- 20 pin ATX power connector
- Power LED connector
- CD/AUX audio in header
- Front panel audio connector
- 1 x USB 2.0 port pin header (to support extra 2 USB2.0 ports via bracket)
- 1 x Game port header
Rear Panel I/O ASRock I/O Plus
- 6 x USB2.0 ports
- 1 x RJ45 LAN port
- 1 x Serial port (COM1)
- 1 x PS2 Keyboard connector
- 1 x PS2 Mouse connectors
- 1 x Parallel port (LPT1)
- 1 x Audio ports ( Line In/Out, Mic In)
BIOS Feature - 2Mb AMI BIOS with ACPI, SM BIOS 3.0, PnP
Support CD - Drivers, Utilities, AntiVirus Software,ASRock PC DIY Demo
Hardware Monitor - CPU Temperature Sensing
- Motherboard Temperature Sensing
- CPU Fan Tachometer
- Chassis Fan Tachometer
- Voltage Monitoring: +12V, +5V, +3.3V, Vcore
Accessories - Quick Installation Guide, Support CD, I/O shield
- Floppy/ATA 133 cables
Form Factor - ATX, 305mm x 178mm
OS - Microsoft Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP compliant
Certifications - FCC, CE, MS WHQL

With the impending release of FSX I need get my current CD - Re-Writer swapped for a DVD Re-Writer anyhow, but I am thinking of seeing how much a severe upgrade of the motherboard would be.

Any thoughts? When it comes to the hardware and all this parameters its all above me.

I see that you can by seperate graphics cards that plug into the PCI slots. That I can understand & manage.

Do you think that the above spec motherboard is capable of accepting a seperate graphics card. Budget wise I am thinking between 300 - 400 notes, though cheaper if anyone makes agood recomendation.

Sorry to inflict this on you :shock:

Cheers in advance

Bob

TobyV · Post by **TobyV** » 29 Aug 2006, 23:14

Bob, the crucial things we need to know about your system to discuss its performance is exactly what CPU you have in that socket and how much RAM. I assume from what you have said that you are using onboard graphics, which will use the system's own processing time and RAM thus degrading your performance. So long as your 'board has a free AGP or PCI-Express (the new standard) socket, you can buy and use a normal graphics card. You may need to make some alterations to your BIOS setup, but someone could guide you throught that if you find manuals tricky to follow.

Graphics cards for normal PCI slots are very few and far between and I would think only available as second hand items. AGP (in one form or another) has been around for about 8 years now and is being replaced by a new standard called PCI-E as I mentioned above.

TobyV · Post by **TobyV** » 29 Aug 2006, 23:17

Infact reading your detailed m/b spec again I see you do have an AGP port and below it, it says "graphics, n/a" which to me would imply that your system does not have onboard graphics and does infact have some form of graphics card in it :think: .

If you right click on your desktop (anywhere), click properties and then on the window that pops up, click the settings tab, it should say something like:

"Display:
(Monitor) on (graphics adaptor)"

where (monitor) and (graphics adaptor) would be the specific model names of the equipment you have. If you could post that then that would help us

DanKH · Post by **DanKH** » 29 Aug 2006, 23:26

You might also be interested in the Window Vista upgrade advisor (Beta) which can be downloaded here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/g ... fault.mspx

Charlie Bravo · Post by **Charlie Bravo** » 29 Aug 2006, 23:31

I wouldn't bother upgrading that mate. Going down the AGP route is a waste of money and you already have an AGP card in the PC.

How do you fancy....

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300
Asus P5NSLI nForce 570
GeIL 1GB (2x512MB) PC5300 667MHz Value DDR2
Leadtek GeForce 7600 GT Extreme

All for Â£413.50 ex P&P?

DVD Writers are around Â£25 with a choice of colours.

There are many variations for your budget, including getting an AMD setup for less than the above. Let me know what you think.

Post by **Rick Piper** » 29 Aug 2006, 23:40

Hi Guys

Can someone slap me

I thought Chris just recommended an Intel CPU

i need stronger Meds for sure

In my view don't mix Nforce with Intel go for intel chipset on MB
(But i'm out of date with this stuff)

Regards
Rick

Post by **TSR2** » 29 Aug 2006, 23:42

He Obviously forgot to take his medication this morning... or his new job is getting to him!

Post by **Rick Piper** » 29 Aug 2006, 23:46

New job

I have not been called in once since first night.

Casual to the extreme.

there are no contact numbers and you rely on being phoned.
(I know head office have my Tel number) but no idea if anyone else has.

you can't get in to check as it's like Heathrow security wise

Not impressed so far and no Duxford next weekend as no work no pay.

I was really looking forward to my first trip out since Bruntingthorpe 2005

Regards
Rick :sad:

Charlie Bravo · Post by **Charlie Bravo** » 29 Aug 2006, 23:48

In which case.....

Asrock Conroe945G-DVI for apx Â£30 less than the Asus above.

I did wonder if anyone would pick up on the Intel recommendation

The new Intel Core 2 Duo's are faster than AMD's offerings at present so I have no choice :think:

Post by **TSR2** » 29 Aug 2006, 23:50

Never let it be said that CB isn't impartial!

Never thought I'd see the day mate... Thought you had AMD tatooed on your bum! :bigrin: