Hi everyone! :

I flew the T-38 in pilot training 30 years ago. I am currently building a simulator cockpit based on this aircraft and, I am in the process of building a computer to run it.

What I plan to do is, purchase a Matrox Triple Head2 graphics interface. This device takes graphics at 3072 pixels and breaks it down to three 1024 section displaying them on three separate monitors. I am thinking of building an Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Dual-Core processor system along with a GeForce 7600GT 256MB graphics card. I believe this will be more than adequate to run the new version of Microsoft’s flight simulator coming out, later this year.

Since I have many people with far more computer knowledge than I, is this a good system? Or would you recommend something different?

Secondly, my real reason for writing is this: I will need to run two other graphics cards in the same system. The simulator uses two small LCD panels for the instrument gauges. One of the LCD’s will have the picture turned 90 degrees to use it lengthwise. The other will be in a standard configuration. Because, I don’t need a lot of graphics power to run and update a few gauges I can use any PCI card.

So, my question is, I was looking a the Asus A8N SLI MB. Can the two PCI-Express slots be used individually or must they be tied together and run the same video output? Furthermore, I understand that using the two slots causes each to run at half the pipelines so, will this adversely affect my primary card?

Thanks,

John

How much money are you willing to spend?

For your first question: the build seems adequate, but if you plan to turn all flight simulator settings up, then the 7600GT will be a bit jerky especially with lots of clouds and different weather systems. The CPU is fine but your system might benefit from a higher end graphics card such as:

7900GT, X1900GT, X1800XT, or even maybe the X1600 but don't quote me on the last one. They're not that expensive and the 1900 serious is suppose to go down in price with the release of the 1950.

The second question confuses me just a bit. We need to set something straight here. SLI is basically two graphics cards acting as one. Everything will look as if it's coming from one graphics card but the performance will be better. SLI mobo's don't require two cards, they can run with one, but with two, you increase performance. Therefore, theoratically :? , the two slots cannot be used individually and both graphics cards are tied together. The display is only plugged into the primary card even though the secondary card is present.

Hope this helps.

ATi has just reduced the price of X1900XT to $320 to compete with the 7900GT, $290. Effective from now.

X1900XT beats 2x7600GT even in SLI supported games.

Hi Chuck, 177ine and wusy. Thank you for your quick replies.

Chuck, I am willing to spend what it takes to have a decent running system. I am looking more for value than state of the art. I am willing to listen to any possibilities and advice. I want the best system to run this simulator for the least amount of money. That being said, I am not against spent $100-200 extra here and there, where I will get a significant benefit.

177ine, you answered my question of the graphics cards. Any card I use must be from nVidia. I have always used ATI in the past. However, their cards aren’t as compatible with the Matrox Triple head as nVidia. The ATI would cut the resolution by one third.

I'm not sure the performance for latest FlightSim at 3072x768, but I would assume a single 7600GT would not be enough to keep above 60FPS at max, detail.

My recommendation is to go with a single 7900GT ($265 @Newegg now) then add another 7900GT in SLI if you find FPS drops below 60FPS.
I would personally run it at 3840x1024 if budget allows 3x17" (or 19" ) LCD and the two 7900GT will be able to keep up with that under max. detail.

I second with 7900GT and a Matrox Triple Head.

Third