This may seem like a dumb question to all you experts out there, but I am used to asking dumb questions lol    Does more RAM improve the frame rate.  I know all about setting the sliders on the display, but was wondering about increasing the RAM  Thanks all
Splash

Yeah, by what i know more RAM increases frame rates by a lot. I plan on upgrading my 256 to 512 ( that is the number right?)

Yeah, speed is very important, then again i don't know much about computers

Eric hit the nail on the head.

Overall system performance is a balance of many hardware and software factors, of which one is RAM.

It's difficult to assess how much improvement you'll get without having your specs, but as an overall benchmark, FS2002 tends to give optimal performance with 512mb installed.

This is particularly true if you're running Windows XP which chews up a massive amount of RAM just to run itself. (Roughly 128mb in the case of an untweaked Pro edition).

Don't expect miracles though. Unless the rest of your hardware is eons ahead of the amount of RAM you have, the increase will probably be `noticeable` rather than `jaw-dropping`. Unless of course you haven't much RAM to start with.

I'll stop rambling now because I really need some existing system specs or there'll be 500 "Ifs" and "Maybes" in this post.

LOL - you go for it.

For your sound card, right-click "My Computer" and select properties, then device manager (or hardware tab, then device manager if on XP).

You'll see a list of devices - near the bottom is Sound, video and game controllers - double click it. It should list the sound card type in there.

To the upgrade, it obviously depends how much disposable cash you've got, but if you're serious about getting a 9800 Pro, then you should consider this:

At the moment, there is no processor on the market that can keep up with the speed capablility of the 9700, never mind the 9800. That includes Intel's P4 3.06ghz.

If you run it on a 1ghz processor, you'll strangle it's power. The 1ghz processor will simply hold it back and you'll have wasted a lot of money. If you're thinking of spending that kind of money, I'd be inclined to think about a whole new P.C. If you find the right deal, it can sometimes work out as cheap as upgrading.

But don't install one (fantistically good) component in your existing PC and expect the rest of your hardware to keep up with it. It won't. It will simply bottleneck everywhere, meaning you'd actually experience the same speed as if you were running something like a GF2 MX200.

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OMG!! I've been waiting year's to reply to a post like this!!! I get to spend loads of someone else's money!

Ok - here we go. If I didn't care about the cash, this is what I would go for:

Intel P4 3.06ghz processor.

Suitably expensive motherboard. (I'd have to research this a little more but if you want me to, I'd be happy to)
At least 6 USB ports and the ability to host Rambus RAM. Minimum FSB speed of 566Mhz. 8xAGP.

1.0gb Rambus RAM (fastest stuff you can get). You could get more but frankly, you won't need it.

200gb 7,200rpm (they may even spin faster now) Hard Drive. Not sure what the fastest ATA rating is at the moment, but ask for it.

ATI 9800 Pro - you know all about that

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 Platinum Sound Card.

Not sure about speakers - more research needed but at least 4 + a good sub-woofer.

22" LCD flat screen monitor - Max d.p.i. of 0.28 - preferably smaller.

CH Pro Yoke and Pedals

Optical mouse.

USB Keyboard.

Case - again - need to research but 400w power supply and front USB ports a must.

52x CD-RW - You'll notice I'm not recommending a DVD-RW drive here. There are still two formats fighting it out (+ and -). Until it's resolved, you could end up with an expensive non-compatible drive. (Remember VHS and Betamax?)

DVD/CD-RW Combo drive - I have this setup. It's very useful to have 2 CD-RWs if you store a lot of files on CD for backup.

Large Alcoholic Drink - You'll need it when you see the bill!


Edit: Forgot to say - get liquid cooling. You'll be amazed at how quiet it is and it allows some severe over-clocking (not that you'll need it). I know someone who runs a P4 3.06ghz at over 4.0ghz with LC.

Os - Windows XP Pro - I can't recommend it highly enough.

I would like to point out one thing on tipsters list.  LCD's are great for pictures and net surfing.  But if you want one that can handle action and movement well, you will want one with a refresh rate over 75 MHz.  Otherwise you could see a shadowing effect.  LCD pixels fade in and out, unlike CRT's that turn on and off.  Be prepared to spend a lot of money on a top quality LCD.

I think you have to look at it from the perspective of what are the minimum requirements to run the game.  Then if you double that you should have no problems running FS2002.  In theory....  So if you have double the specs then you should be able to run the game just fine.
So with that theory triple the specs and you should run flawlessly.  If you are not then there maybe something going on with the machine.  For example you may have a kick ass video card, but the agp slot may not be configured to run that card optimally.  I have had a few computers, and I have found for everything to run smoothly all of your hardward must jive...  For what real gaming computers are all about, check out www.alienware.com.
These are wonderful gaming computers.

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Are you kidding? I should be paying you LOL. The chance to build a system like that is just dream material.

On the subject of the motherboard, the best I could find was the Asus P4G8X Deluxe. That will give you evreything you're likely to need (including 6 PCI slots).

More info on that here:

http://compreviews.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fusa.asus.c...

Multi-monitors to the extent of 6 or more is going to mean a lot of graphics cards and probably a networked second P.C.

It starts getting complicated here. There are several options depending on how you want to approach it. If you're considering running one or more for purely instruments, you'd be wasting your money driving it off an expensive graphics card. It won't need the power and won't use the features.
I've never built a system like that, but I know a man who can (as the saying goes). If you want me to, I'll contact him and ask him if he'd mind advising you. He's far more talented then I am with hardware so he'd be able to put you on the best track, assuming I can get hold of him.

I think I'm the one who needs the large alcoholic drink now just thinking what this is going to be like when it's setup.. (or a good towel for all the drool ).

I'm glad you're getting so much out of your retirement time.

I've left my friend a message. I'll get back to you as soon as I hear from him.

  Yup got it Tipster, very, very much appreciated!!!!  Will be contacting him for the info and advice.  Owe ya a keg of the best, at least,  so if ya ever stop in Gander on one of your flights, there's always room at the inn.  Thanks Man!!!
Splash (Ed)