Micro computer for running TDU?

MarcLister

MarcLister

MarcLister

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I am thinking about playing TDU again but I have had problems getting it to work on my main computer running W10 either directly or with VirtualBox. I thought maybe I should get a micro computer and set that up separately so I don't compromise anything on my main computer and then use it as a retro gaming computer. I'm looking at Dell Optiplex 3060 / Lenovo ThinkCentre M700 Tiny / HP 800 G1 kind of sized devices. What kind of generation CPU would I need to run TDU pretty well on a 2560x1440 monitor? I don't really expect to game with anything that much more modern than TDU that I couldn't get working on my main computer.

Would an i3 be OK or would an i5 be better? Do I need a 4C/4T or 6C/6T CPU or can I get away with a 2C/4T CPU?

en.wikipedia.org

Test Drive Unlimited - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Requirements for the game when released:https://gamesystemrequirements.com/game/test-drive-unlimited

Thanks in advance. :)
 
I played this on an XP PC not that long ago. You'll probably be fine with 2C/4T but I would suggest Socket 1155 is the sweet spot for value and basic performance these days and a range of Ivy bridge i5's are less than a tenner anyway from CEX.

For 2560x1440 60+fps you'll want a much more powerful graphics card than the recommended specs of a 6600GT, but a small form factor PC with low profile cases will really limit your graphics card options - the M700 Tiny looks like it doesn't have expansion slots anyway.

If you want to go down the pre-built route (and/or you don't have an old case, PSU, SSD hanging around you can re-use with different parts) I think a full-sized generic Dell from Ebay plus a Nvidia 740 or something will be fast enough lower power enough for TDU.

Be prepared for very weird controls if you plan on playing with a controller, you have to remap pretty much every function.

Edit if you do end up getting a low profile case you could get an AMD Radeon 8490 for about £13 or R7 250 for £40.
 
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Hi almoststew1990. Brilliant info thanks. I used to play TDU every summer for a few days when I had a Windows 7 install but it seems that since Windows 10 the game doesn't work as well natively so I tried running it in VirtualBox a few months ago and that still didn't work. I even ran W7 in the VirtualBox so I need to investigate that more but the reason I want a separate computer for this is that I found there was some kind of bug that made TDU unplayable and even if I uninstalled it and re-installed it the game wasn't playable. The only 'fix' I found was to re-install Windows which I don't want to have to keep doing for a retro game hence a separate computer that I only use for retro gaming and the like.

I wasn't sure if an onboard graphics would be good enough for TDU. Can you remember if TDU was a CPU or GPU dependent game? I was hoping that a modern i3 or i5, or even an i7 if needed, would be more than enough CPU power to compensate for a lack of a discrete GPU. Considering TDU is pretty much 20 years old I'm hoping I can get away with using onboard graphics. I guess I could try with a micro PC that can take a graphics card and then if I need it, get a graphics card.

I have got an old motherboard hanging round but its an ATX one I think and I really want a micro PC that I can store behind the computer monitor.

When my mate and I played TDU on release we re-mapped the controls using a little utility available at the time onto our X360 controllers so that won't be anything new.
 
So I had a brainwave yesterday. I have an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 that I have been looking for a use for since I upgraded my main computer to an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X. I also have a GTX 1660 that I had given to my brother thinking it was an upgrade on his current graphics card. It wasn't so I've taken the card back. All I need then is a case, motherboard, SSD, CPU cooler, RAM and power supply and I have a retro gaming PC although perhaps slightly overpowered for the games I want to play like TDU and FC/FC2.

I just need to decide on whether I use W11 or Linux Mint but I can decide closer to the time.
 
Cyber-Mav said:
3600 with 1660 will easily do that game probably even at 4k
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Funny you should say that. I was thinking about running my retro gaming PC on my 4K TV just to see if it could cope. I think TDU is an old enough game that it could work. I can always run it in a lower resolution if the game doesn't understand 4K resolution.
 
Im sure its got mods for fov and res and cars. I still play that game since its the only one that has engine torque programmed in well. Dodge viper has proper low end pull making big torque from low revs.
In other games and even tdu2 its all messed up and dodge viper doesnt make any power unless its revved out like type r civic.
Xj220 is great too when it comes on boost. Hahah
 
Cyber-Mav said:
Im sure its got mods for fov and res and cars. I still play that game since its the only one that has engine torque programmed in well. Dodge viper has proper low end pull making big torque from low revs.
In other games and even tdu2 its all messed up and dodge viper doesnt make any power unless its revved out like type r civic.
Xj220 is great too when it comes on boost. Hahah
Click to expand...
I just hope there's a fix for the bug where you'd be transporting those cars, go over a bump and lose some cash due to "damage'. That and the invisible police cars.

But yes, TDU is a cracking game. Underrated too I think although TDU2 might have helped by being absolutely rubbish.
 
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