Hardware suggestions

[fred99]

Hello all,

 

I would like to congratulate everyone in this community for their maturity and professionalism. I am Fred from Quebec, Canada, english is not my born language so please excuse me for grammar errors. I can't wait for BS and I am building up a new computer for this game, here is what I already have:

 

Intel Quadcore 2.4GHZ G0 Stepping

Thermalright Ultra-120 heatsink with 120mm fan

EVGA 780i motherboard

2x1GB DDR2 667mhz RAM

ASUS Geforce 8800GTS 512MB G92

Soundblaster Audigy 2 SZ

 

I know that the CPU is not very fast since BS will not take advantage of multiples cores but I will be able to overclock it with this heatsink if it's not enough. Maybe I should add another 2x1GB of RAM? even if Windows XP 32bits will not recognize it all? (only 3GB will be seen)? Should I install XP 64bits? :joystick:

 

I also need a new flight stick, I currently have the AVB Topshot Pegasus FF but it is getting old... I have a few questions about the products from Saitek, x52 or x52 pro? Pro is almost double the price of the regular x52. Are the rudder-pedals worth it?

 

I am also considering getting TrackIR 4:PRO which should add a lot of realism... geez that's a lot of stuff I need to buy! and I am not even done.. hehe

 

Triplehead2go with three 21" monitors, is this thing overrated or it really works like they say it does? I am scared about it because the video card will output at a very very high resolution and that means less FPS which is not what I want. Anyone have any experience with this? Is running a game at 3840x1024 resolution will kill my video card? if we assume that I run all the monitors at 1280x1024.

 

x52 PRO: 169.95$

PRO flight rudder pedals: 119.95$

TrackIR 4 PRO: 179.95$

TripleHead2GO: 285.99$

21" LCD: 225$ x 3

 

#### 1430.84$ ####

 

/cry my girlfriend will kill me! hehe

 

With all that stuff I will certainly need to modify my computer desk to make all monitors fit on it thats ridiculous hehe

 

Thanks for your help and your advices guys, where could I slash in order to save some money without killing the experience much?

 

-fred

[Flyby]

looking good so far

 

Hi Fred,

I'm going to be building a new sysytem soom, myself. In looking at your system I'd say you're basically good to go for Black Shark as it is based on an older rendering engine (just updated to DX9 not long ago). Definitely get the track-ir pro with Vector. You won't be sorry.

By the way, welcome to our happy forum! :D Glad to meetcha. ;)

As for the monitors I find that to be a highly personal preference. I am looking for a good 22" lcd. As for three monitors, someone will chime in on the setup being used at the latest Lowland Tiger meet where Black Shark was demonstrated. That setup had at least four monitors.

As for overclocking your cpu, exactly what is it? Have you ever overclocked before? This site isn't bad for info. http://www.hardforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2

There many other overclocking forums out there. It's probably best to find one aimed at your specific motherboard.

As for joysticks, I own a Cougar HOTAS so I'm not qualified to speak to the subject.:P

Good luck, and stay away from American dollars!!!:D

[fred99]

Definitely get the track-ir pro with Vector. You won't be sorry.

 

Thank you FB! I am a bit confused with Vector PRO, at the product comparison page I think they say it's included with TrackIR 4 PRO since it's featuring 6DOF already. Vector unlocks 6DOF for TrackIR 3 I think.

 

By the way, welcome to our happy forum! :D Glad to meetcha. ;)

 

Thanks a lot sir! :)

 

As for the monitors I find that to be a highly personal preference. I am looking for a good 22" lcd. As for three monitors, someone will chime in on the setup being used at the latest Lowland Tiger meet where Black Shark was demonstrated. That setup had at least four monitors.

 

Yes I saw a video from that event I think, there were 4 monitors but can someone answer a simple question? How do you run more than 3 monitors on a computer ? I mean Triplehead2go only has support for 3 monitors, is there a Quadhead2go ?

 

As for overclocking your cpu, exactly what is it? Have you ever overclocked before? This site isn't bad for info. http://www.hardforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2

There many other overclocking forums out there. It's probably best to find one aimed at your specific motherboard.

 

Yes I have some experience overclocking CPUs I think I could clock this one to 3.0GHz if 2.4 is not enough.

 

As for joysticks, I own a Cougar HOTAS so I'm not qualified to speak to the subject.:P

 

That stick look awesome! but no pedals? I saw a deal on Amazon, your stick + pedals for like 300$, pretty much the same price as x52+pedals.

 

Good luck, and stay away from American dollars!!!:D

 

Hehehe thanks! will do! ;)

 

-fred

[thereminqblank]

The 4 monitor setup is Urze's beast of a rig. He outlined the setup up in this thread:

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=29462

 

Essentially, he uses three video cards. One for the two middle/main monitors (in vertical span mode), and two less powerful cards - one each - for the side monitors. He also uses *free* software that does the same thing as Tripehead2Go.

 

Regarding your setup: obviously any talk of hardware requirements for Black Shark could only be guess-work at the moment, but your PC is hardly something to balk at :P It should be fine. If you see BeachAV8R's article here: http://www.simhq.com/_air11/air_346a.html - it includes the specs of his setup, which is not that powerful (sorry Beach! hehe), but seems to run Black Shark well enough.

 

Windows XP64 *I think* you have to pay for, even if you have XP32 already (don't quote me on that!). It's not like Vista where if you bought the retail Vista32, you can just order the 64-bit version.

 

Ultimately, with your kit, you'd be better off focusing on obtaining (lie, cheat, steal - if you have to!) HOTAS and the TrackIR first!

[fred99]

The 4 monitor setup is Urze's beast of a rig. He outlined the setup up in this thread:

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=29462

 

Essentially, he uses three video cards. One for the two middle/main monitors (in vertical span mode), and two less powerful cards - one each - for the side monitors. He also uses *free* software that does the same thing as Tripehead2Go.

 

Wow this is awesome! I won't buy triplehead2go for sure now.. I have an old 7600GT PCI-e that could be installed in this comp also! thanks for the tip I just saved 300$! :)

 

Regarding your setup: obviously any talk of hardware requirements for Black Shark could only be guess-work at the moment, but your PC is hardly something to balk at :P It should be fine. If you see BeachAV8R's article here: http://www.simhq.com/_air11/air_346a.html - it includes the specs of his setup, which is not that powerful (sorry Beach! hehe), but seems to run Black Shark well enough.

 

Windows XP64 *I think* you have to pay for, even if you have XP32 already (don't quote me on that!). It's not like Vista where if you bought the retail Vista32, you can just order the 64-bit version.

 

I have also have XP 64-bits but I would only install it if getting 4GB of RAM would boost performance in BS rather than only 2GB.

 

Ultimately, with your kit, you'd be better off focusing on obtaining (lie, cheat, steal - if you have to!) HOTAS and the TrackIR first!

 

HOTAS cougar and trackIR 4 PRO! alright.

 

But what about the rudder pedals? Do you think it is worth it? Thanks a lot.

 

-fred

[Flyby]

if you're going to fly the Black Shark, most will tell you to get rudder pedals for better control. I found a set of Thrustmaster Elite pedals on Ebay. They plug into the Cougar, and work great. Don't know how hard they are to find now. I've had mine for three years. But there's always CH rudder pedals. I hear good things about them. Besides, having rudder pedals feels more natural and immersive for controlling aircraft, imho.

Yeah, I think you're right about tir-4 already having Vector enabled. I have tir-3 with vector expansion so I guess I'm "old school". ;)

Oh, there's a whole forum about Cougar Hotas. It's a great design, but the internals are not high quality. I've had to do a lot of work on mine, but it's hell when it's well!!! :D Wouldn't own anything else for programming all those buttons and switches. It's heavy unit too, metal, not plastic. http://cougar.frugalsworld.com/

later,

Flyby out

[fred99]

I just bought TrackIR 4 PRO, now I am scratching my head reading reviews on both x52 pro and cougar!! I will buy before the end of the day ;)

[Flyby]

whoa! slow down there!

 

No rush Fred,

take your time. ask around a bit more. The Cougar is quite "manly" in a way. Strong springs and all that, plus the really great Foxy programming software. But like I said earlier, the internals are prone to wear (gimbals), and axis pots will spike on you, indicating the need to be cleaned or replaced. I've replaced several axis pots, but it's fairly easy to do. As for the gimbals, they are easy-wear metal so keep them greased, otherwise expect metal shavings inside, plus a wobbly joystick on-center. Still I recommend the Cougar as it feels so right. Some guys invest in mods for the Cougar, including Hall sensors (no more spiking axis pots), and even custom electronic force application that eliminates joystick play, and emulates the real F16 stick with almost no movement of the joystick. Scan those forums and you'll see plenty about what's available, what goes wrong and why guys keep buying the Cougar.

I can't speak for other sticks, but I'm sure pleanty of guys here can. Get more info.

Flyby out

[Longbow]

Problem with the Cougar mods is that they tend to cost twice as much as the actual stick, with the exception of the hall sensors, but I don't see a need for them personally.

 

As for the CPU, a stock Q6600 will easily run Black Shark. I've run Call Of Duty 4 at 2.4GHz and it was fine.

[Flyby]

About Cougar mods, so true Longbow. Some are seriously expensive. Kinda like putting money into a new computer ($$$) to play the latest sims *smoothly*.:P

Flyby

[fred99]

Thanks for your help guys, even if Cougar might be better and all, I think I will buy x52 pro and later get the rudder-pedals.

 

-fred

[Flyby]

glad to help

 

NP Fred,

we're a helpful bunch here (well, I can't speak for those other guys, but I'm grand :megalol:)

Flyby out

[JEFX]

Fred

 

Bienvenue à ce Forum!

(If you have some questions that you want answered in french Québecois, just PM me)

 

You will never regret buying Tir4, it makes the experience 1000 times more immersive. No more fiddling around with hats and buttons to try and find the ennemy in the sky, just swivel you head, as in real life!

 

As for your Hotas setup, you might want to consider CH products also (a complete set with Fighterstick, ProThrottle and ProPedals is a bit expensive but it is so well built that you might find some used ones on Ebay).

 

They integrate very well and are fully programmable through one simple software. I have had my CH trio now for almost 8 years and they are used regularly. (I have gone through going from Flacon 4 straight to SP2-3-4, and all other Hitiles and mods to finally migrate to Lockon the first day it was out to FC1.12 waiting for BS... all with the same CH trio).

 

I am interested to hear more about TripleHead2Go myself, because I was thinking of getting it. Do we have more people who DO have it and can speak about it?

 

à bientôt

 

 

JEFX

[VS461]

Setup

 

Hi Fred,

if it is still actual...

I use Saitek X52 and pedals, think there ain't no problem with them. I have friends said it is a piece of ... and already worn off but I have them still work fine (although I ain't an all-night-simmer:joystick:), except the POV hat switch sometimes ruts. But if you have TrackIR... I will also have one:)

Saitek's may be a cheaper way for HOTAS. But there's a lot pros and cons about Cougar and X52 as well and lots of arguments at LOMAC forums around... was a big help, hmmm?:D

Cheers!

[Triggerhappy69]

Hmmmm...?

 

Thrustmster Cougar... Saitek X-thisandthat.. CH Fighterstick.. and even SunCom's..

 

They all work, and if you aske me they all need a certain dgree of modding to fit perfect for DCS Blackshark.!

 

I use a heavily modded Cougar (stick extension, Hall effect sencors, added ballbearings to gimbals, Homemade pedals and some modding to the electronics). And STILL I build a complete new setup for the Blackshark...

 

My advice would be to go for X-52 PRO with Urzes collective mod and any pedals...

 

DO add a stck extension to the cyclic. Not just to have the stick in the "right" place, but most of all because it dramaticly improves the precise inputs being that your arm can move more with smaller increments of input. (again... look at URZE's mods)

 

I have tried CH products briefly. And they seem to be really good to.!

 

Pedals: If you can't find some old thrustmaster pedals (he's right you know.. they are really good), just build them yourself..! I'll post a complete How-To on making pedals from stuff readily available at any hardwareshop in a month or so under "tech discission". And my goal is to have them cost less than 30Ј..! Not counting the time spent building them of course..

 

To summarize.. They ALL make good HOTAS..! But what you need in Blackshark is a HOCAS.! If you plan on using your stick for several different sims My two cents are:

 

Alt. 1 - Go down the Saitek lane, and give URZE a hollar on left side limited dot cum.

 

Alt. 2 - Get whatever you want. Whip out the hacksaw and a soldering iron, and join the frantic, not so mentally stable world of modders (hail to you all fellow modders! May we all be spared from shortcircuits and parts that don't quite fit!)

 

Alt. 3 - Join a Yoga class on work on fine-tuning you bodys motoric skills. And then just use whatever HOTAS you fancy..

 

But whatever you do.. Use Pedals..!

 

 

 

 

Epilog: Having read through this I have serious conserns regarding my own mental health..! And my own abillity to provide actuall usefull advise. On behalf of me I appologize and retire to my dark and dreary corner for some tea.. (who said that?)

[VS461]

Pedals

 

Hi,

I've tried CH pedals on the Hungarian http://jetfly.hu site's display setup (they use it at Air Force recruiting roadshows with MiG-29: big hit:thumbup: smiling kids at all!) but I have Saitek stuff.

0. Easier to buy here in Hungary;

1. It is cheaper (not a small advantage:));

2. A strange aspect: it adds bigger sprawl to my legs (could add a bit more:music_whistling:). Advantage if you like or fly Russian choppers like Mi-8/17/24 and our Shark. But I saw Bell 206-like homemade pedals with little sprawl. If someone prefers that design or fly a similar one, a CH or a Heli-Kit-like ( http://www.heli-kit.com.ar ) pedal set can be better. If this aspect counts...

 

Cheers!

 

PS. Why H-K doesn't have HOCAS?????:)

[VS461]

Setup

 

Oh... one more word!

Preparing for Black Shark, I am thinking on Urze's HOCAS as well :joystick: :D

But I think Saitek could do something big rotorhead hit. Like the MFD... for ABRIS... Hmmmm!

Cheers!