The zd8000, the right choice?

My custom zd8000 is on the way, build date of DEC4

Has anyone used a zd8000 with Flight Sim 2004? This is what I will primarily use it for. How are framerates with say a major GMAX airport secenery weather full blast, 100% AI traffic?

I looked for reviews and benchmark tests on the ATI 256MB x600 and I cant tell if thats the best. Its the best HP has I guess. Who has it and can attest to its power. Also this is an integrated card, right? No upgrades.

I got the 520 2.8 processor, how much of a difference would i have seen getting a 3.4. i hear they run much much hotter.

Also this is a silly question... but im not all that computer literate lol.
What is the best way/fastest way to transfer files from my old Presario 915 to my new zd8000. Is there a firewire cross-overcable?

I have heard it is bad for dual voltage computers to be switched from 220 to 110v, something about frequency issues. I have done this a few times, I live in europe, but travel around the world and the US frequently. Is this true?

How is the sound card and Harmon Kardon speakers on the zd8000, being so high priced I sure would hope its at least better than the SoundMAX JBL system on my Presario 915.

Looks like a great site you have here, funny it dosent come up in google. I wish I would have found this site before i bit the bullet and bought it.

Thanks for your time

 

I don't think you'll have a problem running Flight Simulator 2004 with the X600. You will manage around ~50FPS average. Here are some benchmarks done with FS'04 on a desktop X600XT. The X600XT is more powerful than your Mobility X600, so subtract about ten FPS off of what you see there and that should be pretty accurate.

Well, I don't think you would see that much of a difference with the 3.4, although it would be faster. Once you go over 3.0GHz in a Pentium 4, performance increases are minimal for the most part. In games, the video card does most of the work anyway.

Could always burn your data to media, then transfer, or if you can't do that, then you can get an Ethernet cross-over cable. They are relatively inexpensive.

The speakers are very good on the HP zd8000, some of the best that you'll find in a notebook.

 

Only thing i dont like on 8000 is that it overheats. Otherwise, i love this notebook and you should have no trouble with it.