PC specifications for running train sims

[madasaflake]

Hello
I hope someone can advise me on this. My father in law has a fairly standard PC and complains that sometimes the programs run very slowly and not fluidly when using the add ons. ( I have to say I don't understand the nature of these programs so please bear with me!)
Can anyone advise as to what specs they have on their PC for running these programs, i.e. graphics card, processor, memory etc. Any advice would be gratefully received, even if it is that this is a normal occurence when using the add ons for the game.
Thank you.

 

[nutter]

Firstly, get trainstore and something called the bin patch.

They are both available from www.uktrainsim.com and can save you the money of getting a new computer.

Trainstore works by only loading what is NEEDED, whereas train sim on it's own loads everything

the Bin patch basically re-organises MSTS's brain (as it were) to make it work better and faster (better RAM managment), it also gives you extra bits and bobs like the ability to change cabs at termini

Hope this helps (sorry I don't know the URL for trainstore and the Bin patch, I'm more of a BVE man)

 

[LucaZone]

Just a word of warning that wasnt mentioned previously.

The .BIN patch is not supported officially by all the addon providers, as it can and does have side effects on some machines.

The .BIN patch is someone changing the brain of MSTS to make use of unfinished features. Its not an official upgrade of the game.

 

[madasaflake]

Thanks to you both but unfortunately he doesn't access the net at all! He has no interest in it. Can you perhaps elaborate on what may be the problem? Is this a normal occurrence when running the program? From what I gather he only has one or two of these extras running at the same time and often deletes others from the PC altogether.
I assume you both run these programs with no problems? If so can you perhaps tell me what your system is like?
I really want to get to the bottom of this for him as he gets very frustrated at times, and has already changed the PC once, to no avail. Other half certainly won't let him do it again unless she is convinced we have the right answer!

 

[nutter]

If he has too many add-ons, then MSTS will run slow. About £800 should see a decent PC on your father in laws desk.

If he dosen't have that sort of money, what with xmas comming up and maybe birthdays too, then the best option is only to install what he needs when he needs it, it does take longer, but MSTS will run a bit smoother.

The problem with your father in laws pc is that it's trying to do too much at a time, loading all the routes etc

 

[Dave A]

£800 You can get a decent PC to run MSTS on for much less than that! Mine cost me £360 half a year ago and runs it on full settings with no problem!

If he has no access to the net, can't you download them and burn them to cd/dvd for him?

 

[Meld]

Bin patch here http://mstsbin.uktrainsim.com/eng/eng.html but read the instructions first

 

[nutter]

I'm thinking of using MSTS without trainstore/bin patch and the new KRS when I quoted £800