SurClaro Flight Simulator Resources

[mrchainsaw]

Alright, my computer would run Flight Simulator 2004, but it wouldn't be enjoyable so I need to know what to upgrade and to what.

System: Windows 98(possibly SE, it depends on where I look)

RAM: 128 MB

Processor: Pentium 3 730 MHz

Video card: Magnum/Xpert128/X99/Xpert2000

Over 8GB free space

If you could, tell me what I'd need to upgrade to be able to play without lag and be able to have graphics like all the screenshots.

Also, could you give me actual product names that would work and how much they would set me back.

Thanks.

[up-chuck]

All i can say is you might want to get some more RAM, It never hurts.
As for the Video card, Im not to good with that. Some one will come around and help you there :wink:

[mrchainsaw]

Only RAM? How much does that usually cost? Isn't my processor speed in need of an upgrade?

[Rana.V2]

Hi mrchainsaw,

you will need RAM to start with: no getting around that.

win98, if memory serves me correctly, uses up around 80-120MB of RAM: which really doesn't leave you with much. When you load anything on top of it, OS will start using the slower hard drive as virtual ram. When this virtual ram used goes more than twice available ram, in win98, it would slow down the whole system a lot.

get it upto 512, or more: even better, see if you can find a bundle deal. The next thing I would advice would be a better card, and then it might get limited by the motherboard.

[mrchainsaw]

So upgrading my RAM will fix my slow processor problem?

Also, it's okay to stick with Windows 98? Don't need to upgrade to XP?

[121a]

I want to assume it is a desktop. It will cost about $160 for 512mb at
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6578713&type=product&cmp=++&id=1077630669390

If you have a laptop it will be less.

[mrchainsaw]

Also, I was looking at buying RAM, and it says 128 RAM, 252 RAM, or whatever.

Does this add that much RAM on top of mine, or replace what I have?

[mrchainsaw]

That link brings up another question.

Does that processor speed(400MHz) that the 512 RAM has replace my 730MHz, add on to it?

It seems like I've said this before.

[EricEsasco]

Hi there, I too was running win98se with 512 mb ram and an older NVidia Graphics card. I finally got tired of the bare minimum so I took the old 'puter into my local computer shop. Find one of these small business locations near you and you will get a better price and more personalized service than at one of the mega stores

For about five hundred in hardware and software I now run with an Athlon 2500 (1.8 ghz) with 512 mb ram(there are different types of ram chipsets so let them know what you want out of your system.) WindowsXP home edition and NVidia 5200 card. I personally prefer NVidia, its a matter of features offered.

You will want a new and fast hard drive with plenty of room and I recommend Partition Magic to set up partitions on the drive to keep files neat. I mention this because I have one add-on for terrain mesh that takes a whopping 12 Gigabyte of space. It is in its' own dedicated partition.
Just to give you a frame of reference here:The size of my aircraft folder alone is larger than your system can hold at present.

Take a look at the system requirements on the box for FS9. Those specs will get the simulation booted but not much in the way of "as real as it gets". and multiply times 4 if you want to have all the bells and whistles.

I have sliders maxed and get about 20fps as long as AI is not too heavy in the area.

[Exxman]

Honestly...

That system you have is not worth upgrading at all. The ram you are using in there is actually more expensive to upgrade than the newer/faster ram out now. Ram additions will not speed up FS. It will load screens as images a bit quicker but not run it's animation/rendering engines faster.

Eric hit it on the head with his points there. I'd suggest a completely new system. There is no way that you will see all FS has to offer by upgrading your current PC. For around $500-800 you can get a new system that will allow you to run FS at a good FPS and take the shots that you see in the s/s forums.

Hope that helps.

Exx

[mrchainsaw]

Exxman, when you say a new system for $500-800, you mean buy a new everything for that price? Keep nothing of what I'm currently using? Cause that sounds like a good price to me.

Thanks for the help from all of you out there.

[Exxman]

Pretty much. If you shop around you'll find some really great deals. Just make sure that if you are doing the parts shopping that all parts are compatible is all. Ask your local PC shop or check the forums on the Net for the products you are looking at.

Exx

[mrchainsaw]

Wow, five hundred just seems too low, but I trust you. So you think I should buy all new parts for an all new tower and get my local store to put it together?

[rd]

EricEsasco and Exxman are dead on with their recommendations. Your system now is too slow, too small. You basically have a VW trying to do a Ferrari's job. You will need a BRAND NEW SYSTEM,, PERIOD. And yes, if you can do it (build it) yourself, you can have a system set up for 500-700 dollars. And it will totally amaze you with what you can do, see, run, and operate at the same time. I am running Windows XP Pro (you CAN run XP HOME edition no problem with no loss), a 5200 graghics card (out dated/old, but very good) (get the 6600GT), speed is 3.2ghz and 2 gb of ram ( just updated for other things, make sure you get 1gb of ram, you will like it). Everything else will fall into place and make you a VERY HAPPY CAMPER (FLYER LOL).

[mrchainsaw]

Cool. I don't know how to put a computer together though. How much do local computer shops usually charge for assembly?