Best suitable CPU for MSTS

[Amtrak71]

I am planning to get a CPU, and I have 4 choices-

1. Intel i3
2. Intel Core 2 Duo
3. Intel i5
4. intel i7

Which one is best for MSTS

And BTW, Is it hard to install a CPU?

My current one is an Intel Pentium with 2.80Ghz

[crstagg]

Have you verified that the Motherboard will accept any of those CPU choices?

[scottb613]

Morn'n,

Yeah - as Charles stated - if all you are doing is a CPU swap - check the motherboard compatibility closely... If I recall correctly - a Pentium has a completely different socket from the "I" series ??? Just swapping a CPU probably wouldn't give you the performance boost you think anyway...

If the socket is correct - swapping out a CPU is relatively easy... It just clicks in and the CPU cooler usually has the required heat sink paste already applied at the factory... If you plan on overclocking - you may want to get a better fan cooler than the stock one that comes with the CPU... They have made some significant advances in the last few years...

Building your own machine from scratch is very rewarding and can save you a bundle - rather than purchasing from the usual suspects... I'll never buy a manufactured box again... While by no means hard - you need to do your homework to get good results...

[glccbq]

My current one is an Intel Pentium with 2.80Ghz

If you mean Pentium 4, which is 775 pin,you may be able to use the Core 2 Duo,but as stated,your motherboard has to be able to support it.
The i series cpu is a totally different technology,and.......well,you would more than likely have to start from scratch,meaning a new system.

Greg

[Amtrak71]

How do I find out what Motherboard I have.
BTW, I will go to a Compuer store, and have them install it. I don't want to mess up anything in my computer.
After what scottb613 said about the instalation, I aint going to install it by myself.

[traindud]

There's a handy little program called Everest, it's made by Lavalys, it will tell you all of the specifications of your computer's hardware such as your motherboard. http://www.lavalys.com/support/downloads/index.html The free version should tell you what you are needing to know.

[derekmorton]

>My current one is an Intel Pentium with 2.80Ghz

This sounds like a P4, in which case you are up for a new computer.

You will need a new:-

motherboard
CPU
memory
video card
bigger power supply

Cheers
Derek

ps an i5 or i7 would be best.

[GoGoran]

Take whatever CPU has the highest clock rate. Clock rate is everything for MSTS. I.e. instead of a quadcore @ 2.2GHz you'd better get a dualcore @ 3.2 GHz.

[derekmorton]

You need to look at the generation of the CPU as well.

The i series of cpu can execute more instructions per clock cycle that a core series.

Cheers
Derek

[Amtrak71]

Look guys, I'm not going to get a new computer, because
1. I don't have a thousand dollars(or more). In fact, I'm still saving up for the CPU.
2. I ain't building one online, because I feel better going to the store for a computer.
3. And finally, I JUST WANTED A NEW CPU, NOT A NEW COMPUTER.
BTW, I checked the link for Everest, and on the webste it said that Everest was discontinued.

I.e. instead of a quadcore @ 2.2GHz you'd better get a dualcore @ 3.2 GHz.

Are you talking about the Dualcore version of Pentium? Because I went on Microcenter.com, and I found this one-http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0360775

Is this the one you were talking about?

Small update- I believe I have a "Pentium D" CPU, because that's what it says on that small sticker on my computer case.

[derekmorton]

>3. And finally, I JUST WANTED A NEW CPU, NOT A NEW COMPUTER.

It is not worth changing CPU, the change will not give any useful increase FPS.

Cheers
Derek

[Amtrak71]

Okay, I can understand that, but I still can't get a new computer, because my parents said I can only get a CPU.
The thought of me telling them "Can I get a new computer." won't turn out great. I'll get a new computer in the future, but right now, I have to be with the one I have now.
And don't ask me to say anything to my parents(I know you guys wouldnt) but I'm just saying that, just in case you do ask.

[jetpak12]

Hello, I just thought that I would suggest Speccy to view system specs: http://www.filehippo.com/download_speccy
Its really straightforward to use, and should give you all the necessary information right on the main summary page that appears when you load it up. You can look at CPU and motherboard.

As others have mentioned, upgrading just a CPU can be tricky. Often, different generations of processors use different sockets. If you want to upgrade to the latest Intel processor, you'll need a completely new motherboard, and likely new RAM, as I believe all Pentium D's use the socket 775, which is unfortunately now outdated . If you are keen set on upgrading only the CPU though still, there are still some nice CPUs that use the 775 socket that are readily available. We'll just need to make sure that your motherboard is still fully compatible, as I believe some newer chips require newer memory standards as well, but it should be doable. As GoGoran mentioned, MSTS should benefit most from pure clock-rate rather than more cores, as I believe MSTS is only single-threaded (runs on only one CPU core). And, as was also mentioned, newer generations of chips do have updated instructions sets which actually increase process speed beyond the simple clock rate as well.

If you're updating from a 2.80 GHz Pentium D (which is Intel's first (?) dual core) on the 775 socket, you could go with the Core 2 Duos, or Core 2 Quads, which are both rated upwards of 3.0 GHz (I believe the quad core is topped around 3.0 even and the dual cores up to 3.3?). Personally, I'm running an Intel Core 2 Duo @ 3.16 GHz and MSTS hasn't been slowing it down. Though if you are coming from 2.80 GHz, you may not actually see that much of a difference...

Perhaps a more beneficial upgrade would be a new video card? They are much easier to replace, and can be had at around the same price. I'm not sure, but if I had to guess, I would say that MSTS is more GPU (video card) dependent rather than CPU dependent (can someone verify?). Just something to think about.

Sorry for the long post, and I hope this helps.

[GoGoran]

I'm not sure, but if I had to guess, I would say that MSTS is more GPU (video card) dependent rather than CPU dependent (can someone verify?). Just something to think about.

Most people tend to say the opposite. In my opinion, both CPU and GPU are important for MSTS. You won't see much if any performance increase if you switch from an older upper-middle-class card to a newer one, e.g. an Ati HD4870 to a new HD6850, though - but upgrading from a HD4350 budget card to a newer and mid-range HD5850 will give you a good boost.

[cwhense]

Amtrak71 if you post the specs for your computer,

IE: brand and model of the computer itself, and if you ran the program that someone above linked to post what it says your current cpu and motherboard is plus how much ram you have. That will go along ways towards us helping you make the correct decision, I do not trust what the techs at the big box stores say, mainly at least the ones in my area are told like any other salesman in any other business to sell add-ons and they do that all the time to folks who only know how to use programs but do not understand computers themselves. Now if you are taking to a locally own computer tech store that you trust I be more likely to trust their opinion.

anyway we wait to hear back has to what your specs are.