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Cold_Gambler

3. Danger Dogz
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Posts posted by Cold_Gambler

    Contemplating New Build, Comments Sought

    in Hardware Hell

    Posted

    Do NOT go for the SSD - you will be sorely disappointed and will have bought into hype.

    They suck big time on small file transfers/changes and you can get better performance from a fraction of the price from 2 SATA disks in RAID 0..

    Or deal with a few milliseconds longer for game/app loads and spend the difference on a GPU upgrade.

    SSDs are shackled with housekeeping routines that are not yet mature, for example file deletes mean that clusters have to be copied, modified and then copied back before they are finalised, meaning the controller has to queue pending system quiet times.

    Read performance is superb, no doubt, but for day to day OS mainstay use writing and changing files really pulls performance down.

    Really surprised to read your reply, Rog!

    I was even considering getting a Z68 board for the SSD caching capability.

    The stuff I've read really raves about SSD used as the boot drive with a large capacity HDD for everything else (except for a few most used apps/games).

    Phenomenal boot and load times, best thing since sliced bread...

    Contemplating New Build, Comments Sought

    in Hardware Hell

    Posted

    Hi CG, just a couple of points -

    1. It's very, very, very unlikely that you'll be able to swap boot drives from one machine to another and get them to work especially in this case where you're radically changing the architecture. I've never found a foolproof way to do it and the voices have managed to convince me it's not a good idea in any case so I just reinstall each time.

    2. Definitely increase the memory - Don't forget that over 3.5(ish) GB of memory cannot be accessed by 32-bit OS's due to limitations of the address bus, so If you're going for 4GB (or more) then you need to be going for the 64-bit option. Good news there is that the retail box versions of Win 7 come with both versions (although you only have one licence)

    3. There is no direct upgrade path from XP to 7 so, yes, you'll have to do a fresh install and you'll be reinstalling your software (if you've got IL-2 saved on a separate drive you won't need to install that). See Point 1.

    OK, technically three points but meh.

    Jabo

    Thanks Jabo,

    I should have specified that I intend to buy Win 7 64 bit and put it on the SSD boot drive.

    I should also have noted that my games are already on a separate HDD from my XP boot drive. From your third point I understand that my gaming software should generally be OK since it's already on that separate HDD, right?

    Cheers,

    Angus

    Contemplating New Build, Comments Sought

    in Hardware Hell

    Posted

    Now that the governments have given me back some of my own money (AKA, income tax refund) I'm planning a new build to last me the next 3-4 years.

    My current rig is:

    E8400 + 2 gigs DDR3 ram + 2X 4850s in CF with XP on a Foxconn MoBo (I forget which)

    I'm thinking of picking up:

    i7 2600k

    Asus P8p67 Deluxe B3 revision,

    Crucial Sata3 128 gig SSD,

    and Win7

    I need all of the above for a new build.

    I know the 4850s in CF will be a choke point and they'll eventually be replaced, most likely with a Radeon 6970.

    I know I should also replace the 2X1 gigs DDR3 to at least 2X2 and that that won't be very expensive, but I have to keep the initial cost down.

    Questions:

    can I simply transfer over my old HDDs to the new MoBo/rig and expect the software to work? Or will I have to reload all the games and other software?

    Any other comments or input?

    Cheers,

    Angus

    More Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 Questions

    in Hardware Hell

    Posted

    But have you guys that use the Sidwinder ever own and use any of the high end sticks to be able to compare it to them?

    Fair point Goth.

    The stick I had before was a Logitech Wingman FFB, hardly high-end. It was garbage (I had two brand new ones stop functioning within 10 hours of use!!) but I didn't want to spend the $100 on the MSFFB, then I found the MSFFB at the Goodwill and haven't looked back.

    Like I said, with the exception of the trigger button the stick works as flawlessly as the day I bought it second hand. I attribute this to the fact that it has optical sensors (no possibility of spiking problems developing).

    From the forums, stay away from the TM Cougar, or any ThrustMaster stick that does not have Hall sensors.... I have heard only tales of woe from people with that stick. What surprises me is that they keep the stick and spend another $200+ on new gimbals and sensors to correct a stick that doesn't work out of the box...

    Since the stick has served me well, I've never had the need to buy another stick.

    That said, if I had the money I'd be very tempted to get the TM Warthog; it's had very solid reviews (google to find the indepth review at SIMHQ) and comes with a GORGEOUS dual throttle. I lust after that stick (even though it doesn't have FFB) but simply can't justify paying that kind of money...

    C_G

    More Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 Questions

    in Hardware Hell

    Posted

    Gothk,

    the MS FFB2 twist cannot be locked. I can't say it's ever been a problem for me in the 9 years that I've been using mine, but this is a subjective thing and what might not bother me could be annoying to you. I'm not sure what you mean by not being able to configure it for rudder; until I bought my CH pedals I had the rudder axis assigned to the twist axis- it worked fine after I fine-tuned the sensitivity.

    One thing that can be annoying is that there's a sensor at the front of the grip which engages the stick when you are holding this and disengages it when you are not. I personally found this annoying but I just applied a bit of tape to cover up the sensor so that it is always "engaged".

    As noted, I've used the stick for 9 years and, with the exception of the trigger button which stopped working (I think it may simply need to be given a bit of contact cleaner), the stick works as well as the day I bought it (for $20 at a local Goodwill!!!).

    As Jabo noted, there's only one hat switch on the MS FFB. Since I have TIR, I havereassigned the hatswitch to control ancillary controls such as the lights.

    The MSFFB (either 1 or 2) is a great stick!

    With respect to Win7, I understand that Jabo is correct. I'm not sure if it is still possible to modify the force feedback effects. I never felt a need to, though I understand that many people reduce the gunfire recoil effect.

    C_G

    Which Rudder Pedals Should I Get?

    in Hardware Hell

    Posted

    Goth, do you have TrackIR (or equivalent) already?

    If you don't, and cost is an issue, I would suggest upgrading with TrackIR (or trying some of the free/low cost alternatives) first.

    Rudder pedals are great, I've had my CH ones for 6 years now and they've worked flawlessly, but TIR gives a lot more added value immersion-wise...

    I'm happy with my CH pedals, but I'm 5'6" so....

    Just my 2cents.

    My New Ride

    in Jim's Place

    Posted

    Sweet.... my Kawi Vulcan 500 is gently depreciating in the corner of my garage... I refuse to sell it so it'll stay there until 2030 when the kids are grown up and no longer depend on me to provide for them.

    Coincidentally, 2030 is about the time I'll be back on line to fly with you guys again, LOL <sigh>...

    1/32 Me 109

    in Modellers

    Posted

    Nice Me-109, Delta7.

    I've got a 1/24 Spit (the MPC kit, the moulds were bought by Airfix which is still producing it) which was a royal flashy pain in the keister to clean up prior to building... it's about 80% done, but I keep revisiting it (to sand and fill the fuselage join line post-painting) so it's taking me forever to get it done... frankly getting more than a little sick of it, LOL.

    I also have, in their boxes, the 1/24 Airfix 109E, and the Trumpeter 1/24 Hurricane I which both look very nice and I'm itching to get going on them, but the 1/24s take up so much space once their started that I'm holding off. I'm looking forward to having the three iconic BoB fighters built. I wish there was a 1/24 Bf-110 to complement them.

    Cheers,

    Angus

    JP Must BeSmoking Dope again!

    in Jim's Place

    Posted

    I'm writing from a rowboat in the middle of Lake Ontario.

    There's a commune in upstate New York that will be hiding me for the next four years. I'll be working in their greenhouse growing patchouli for their line of organic perfume. They don't have an internet connection and I can't take this rowboat with me :(

    I'll miss you guys and my beloved country, but it's a small price to pay for freedom from the oppression of Harper's Conservative Canada.

    Rof Easter Aircraft Sale !

    in Rise of Flight-NOT BEEN USED SINCE 2020 - TO BE DELETED

    Posted

    Thanks for the heads-up! I've sorted of dropped out of the RoF scene due to a glitch in my monitor and in the meantime some sweet planes got released (the HP, Gotha and DFW) but I'd missed the sales on them so I've been hoping for another sale.

    Incidentally, once I got off my duff and contacted ViewSonic I was very impressed by their online assistance and they got me sorted out in about 5 minutes which was a huge relief as didn't fancy having to blow hard-earned $ on a new 26" monitor)...

    Now... what to buy, hmmmmm....

    edit: Picked up the Albatros III, the DFC W, and the Gotha. The only one I don't have is the HP now. The DFC and the Gotha will keep me plenty busy I think. Can't wait for the new career mode :)

    Feck Feck Feck

    in IL-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover Blitz and Desert Wings: Tobruk

    Posted

    If they don't get their *excrement* together by the time of the North American release, they're going to get killed by the game review sites.

    So far Check6 and that German review site have been very fair in the circumstances (basically stating that this is a prematurely released sim with promise and holding off on in-depth reviews to let 1C get a decent patch out) but I don't think 1C can expect to be treated with kid-gloves for much longer...

    Sorry to hear of your troubles D7... it must be insanely exasperating.

    The only thing I can suggest is to give Rise of Flight a try if you haven't already :)

    With your new rig components RoF should really shine. It looks great on my obsolescent E8400 + crossfired 4850s + 2 gig Ram machine and that's with most of the graphics settings on medium.

    Best wishes,

    C_G

    Still Buying The Game

    in IL-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover Blitz and Desert Wings: Tobruk

    Posted

    Oh well, looks like its time for the Friar to take a wonder into the wilderness my fellow Dogz....

    With a system that is made up of the following;

    XP pro sp3

    Intel Core 2 Duo Cpu

    E8600 @ 3.33ghz

    3.25gb ram

    Nvidia Geforce 9800GT

    Unless the more knowledgeable amongst us can tell me other wise, I will not be buying CLOD (there is NO budget for more kit)

    I am going to have to stick to flying UP 2.x

    Salute

    Friar

    Hey Friar, I'm in the same boat tech-wise. I should be able to buy a new MoBo/CPU/SSD and probably new vid card within the next 6 months, so I'll likely wait until I can do that first.

    That said, from what I'm seeing on the banana forums, people with mid-range rigs are getting somewhat similar experiences to those with high-end machines so it certainly sounds as if the problems are software related rather than hardware limited.

    I'm confident that 1C will put out some patches in the next few weeks that will result in significant improvement in performance.

    I hate to say it, but it does seem, for whatever reason, that Cliffs was rushed out the door. Again given 1C's record, I think 90% of the issues currently plaguing early adopters will be ironed out by the time you and I have saved up the money to upgrade...

    I'm tempted to buy it anyway, just to fly 1vs1 over the channel in FMB to get used to the new FM.

    Cheers,

    C_G

    They might have even managed to wedge a FW190 in there too! :thumbsu:

    Well, there's a butcher bird on the boxtop so there better damn well be one in the game!

    Seriously, what's up with that?

    Il2 Cliffs Of Dover Walkthrough/first Impressions

    in IL-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover Blitz and Desert Wings: Tobruk

    Posted

    One thing I like is the anthromorphic controls option which if used prevents loads of buttons being pressed simultaneously as your pilot only has two hands and needs one on the controls! People with macros programmed into HOTAS setups beware!! (I count myself in this number!)

    You mean to say that my "extend flaps + hard right rudder + hard left elevator + close radiator+ reduce throttle+ turn on nav lights+ fire cannon + make cuppa tea + zoom out view + full elevator trim" macro won't work anymore?

    THAT'S IT, I'm cancelling my pre-order!

    Despite all the hubbub, I'm confident based on past support that 1C will be issuing a series of patches that will correct 80% of problems within 2 months...

    My primary concern is that they do so PRIOR to the North American release; if they don't the game review sites are going to eviscerate ClOD, imho. That would be a real shame...

    There seems to have been a confluence of a slightly pre-mature release, and an (overly) ambitious number of features to future-proof the product... this later point is actually a "silver lining" as I expect that in 5 years we'll have the hardware to play this new engine in all it's glory and be truly blown away. As has been stated, when the Berlin map came out, the hardware available was simply incapable of keeping up. I'm not surprised that the same is true of London in ClOD. I imagine that in 5 years we'll be able to fly over a non-slideshow London with some traffic on the streets and a full-blown Blitz being flown over the roof-tops.

    I do plan to get ClOD once I've bought a new rig in the next six months. In fact, I may order ClOD now so as to provide 1C with some support.

    Bit of a shame about the whole release boondoggle, but in the end I'm sure it will all come out OK.

    C_G

    Cliffs Of Dover Announcement

    in IL-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover Blitz and Desert Wings: Tobruk

    Posted

    My link

    At last a half decent review with some great screenies, just bear with the Russian translation;

    Thanks for sharing Arthur. Nice pics in deed. That Video Options interface reminds me a bit of the ROF options !

    MT

    Thanks Arthur,

    Very promising indeed. The rig the reviewer used is quite similar to my own in specs, so it's nice to know I won't HAVE to upgrade immediately.

    I also like that he states that it's a stable build, even though it's not the final one.

    It's a little difficult to be 100% sure, but it seems that (at higher experience levels at least), the gunners are still snipers and continue firing even when the aircraft is on fire.

    Cheers,

    C_G

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