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cowboy
Posts: 5
Registered: 01-19-2012
0

what computer to buy for game?

 

Hi.. Had some great help the other day on this forum. wondering if anyone has recommendations for which computer i should buy to run a flight simulator (X PLANE 10). I have bought a dedicated video card for 50 already but looks like computers like the one below might be already direct x 10 capable.

 

 

The software im running requires a minimum of - - 2 ghz duo core or better - 2 g ram (4 recommended) - direct x 10 or 11 capable with 1 gb on board   Any recommendations as to what computer i could buy to add the dedicated v card to. would have to have pci e slot.  Or any cvomputers that meet these requirements already where i wont need to add a dedicated video care. 400 or less??

 

  how about Acer Aspire AMD A4-3400 Computer (AX1470-EF30P

 

any help greatly appreciated.

 

thanks

Emerging Expert
HP_fan
Posts: 93
Registered: 04-04-2011
0

Re: what computer to buy for game?

I would personally recommend (being a gamer myself) something slightly higher than that. Anything AMD A6 or A8 or intel i3 to i5 would do. Are you looking for a desktop or notebook?

 

HP has a pretty complete line of both at future shop that feature both AMD and intel configurations stated above. Have a look!

Emerging Expert
debaser17
Posts: 210
Registered: 06-09-2011
0

Re: what computer to buy for game?

I think you're still coming in too low on specs for this simulator... It's clear from your last thread and this one that you're trying to find the most economical way of running this software, but in my opinion, there's a really good chance your setting yourself up for a disappointing experience by really focusing in on just meeting the minimum requirements. Take a look at the developer's advice:

 

X-Plane 10 requires, at the minimum,
a 2 GHz, dual-core CPU,
2 GB of RAM,
a DVD-ROM, and
a DirectX 9.0c-capable video card with 128 MB of on-board, dedicated video RAM (VRAM).  See here for graphics card compatibility.

However, for the best experience, we recommend the following:
a 3 GHz, multi-core CPU (or, even better, multiple processors),
4 GB of RAM,
a DVD-ROM, and
a DirectX 10-capable (DX11 preferred) video card with 1 GB of on-board, dedicated VRAM.

X-Plane will take advantage of as many cores or distinct processors as you can afford. Having 16 cores split among 4 CPUs is not required by any means, but Version 10 would be able to use every one. No more than 4 GB of RAM is necessary, but the more VRAM you have, the better–X-Plane 10 can easily use 1.5 GB of VRAM at the maximum settings.

If it were me, just based on the language they use, I would be very inclined to make my best effort to steer closer to the "best experience" requirements. At the best of times, minimum requirements are a disclaimer. "The game will work, but maybe not great". Look at the emphasis the put on processors, and even the ability to utilize multiples.

 

I mentioned it in the last thread, so sorry if I'm repeating, but this is a flight sim. It's all about realism, no? And given the amount of time and effort you seem to be putting in, I really get the impression that you want more than a casual experience. If you are buying a pc specifically for a certain software, I can't personally imagine gambling with the minimum requirements and hoping things turn out for the best!

 

I'd say something like this, is a far more reasonable entry point for a software like this:

 

Gateway

 

Even then you may want to up the graphics card a bit, but it looks like that one is at least supported.