SurClaro Flight Simulator Resources

I have a Dell Inspiron 8200, 2.20GHz Intel processor, 1 GB Ram, 40 GB HD, and the broken leg... A Mobile Raedon 9600 64Mb Video card.
I called Dell today and tried to get another video card, short answer was "nothing above your 64Mb card will work with your system because of the chip set". POO!
I can run FS9 well enough to enjoy it in this system, FS X is a no go. I can't even play Sid Meiers Pirates! with out having huge chunks of land blocked out in black.
I am a CAD drafter by trade (Aerospace Electrical Engineer), I use some very high end CAD software, CATIA, AutoCAD, Solid Works, ETC. I know that if I configure a system that will run my CAD applications I will have no problem running any games.
But I'm curious to know how many others use a laptop exclusively to do thier computing/ Gaming. And along with that, what type of system do you use?
I spend a lot of time on the road as well, at least 4-9 months out of the year. I have been in Wichita, Kansas for the past 6 months, though I'm thinking of building a micro-ATX type system as a replacement to the laptop. Cheaper, more options, easier to upgrade, less hastle over all. The down side is the loss of portibility, that is a major factor and the fact that to make myself current with the industry is going to be a time consuming process.

Thanks for the replies, suggestions and input.
I appreciate it.

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 12:02 am Post subject:

i currently have a Dell Inspiron 2200 laptop, running Windows XP Home (SP2) ... Intel Celeron M ~1396Mhz, 1Gig of Ram, 30Gig HD (24.24 writeable - 9.63G free), .... not sure of video card...

but I am able to run FS9, AOL, YAHOO! MESSENGER, MSN / WINDOWS MESSENGER, WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER, TEAMSPEAK 2 (CLIENT *AND* SERVER*), FSHost (FS9), TS NOISE, Nortons Antivirus ... and up to ***60*** other processes at the same time,.. and i STILL get 30FPS while in single player mode in FS9, and 10FPS in multiplayer.

i guess i am just lucky.

hope this helps in your quest.

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 12:59 am Post subject:

I believe graphics settings play a very big role on your frame rate. So, I think it really also depends on how high you set the settings.

Also, I'm curious as to why you only get 10fps in multiplayer. I'm guessing it should put less strain on your computer since there are less planes flying around. But flying in muliplayer also means that TeamSpeak and some other background programs are running.

Smile

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:02 am Post subject: Who runs FS9 ?fsx on a laptop

Hello Cat1,

I have a 'whitebox' machine. I have been running FS9 with a 64mb graphics card for some time (recently jumped to 128 then 256 to see the difference). The only thing that slowed me down was Mega Scenery (still does. Think I'll remove it and try UT). If I loaded ANY ac from anyplace outside my Mega Scenery area, everything was fine (good FPS). Of course, you will want to shut down un-necessary MS systems and software. TomCat has listed many speedem ups in past posts. Even the good people at Mega Scenery have many good tips.

Bottom line, just as in life make compromises. You can still have an awesome time with your 64mb card.

Dandog

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 11:57 am Post subject:

I run Fsx on my Toshiba SATELLITE M60 it runs okish i cant set it to full but i had fs2004 on it wrk like a charm

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 12:08 am Post subject:

well i do have 60 processes running in the background, as well as a WI-FI Router > Cable modem connection to my ISP. my wireless connection to the router usually runs from 36Mbps to 48Mbps, with the occasional 54Mbps. (i have a 54 / 125 router if that helps)

as for my FRPS (frame rates per second) i have everything at mid level for display... weather, scenery... etc etc. But you do have to take into account that i have 1 A/C that has 50 liveries, and about 49 other craft (including defaults) that have roughly 2-3 liveries each, and about 10 add-on sceneries that it is having to process also. Not to mention i usually fly when there are about 15-20 pilots on the flight server.

i can run everything just fine, and i dont mind the 10Fps in multiplayer... i just mind it when it gets down to 2Fps.

If anyone would like to take a look at my website, just check the link below for the 437th Virtual Airlift Command. It has all the instructions for flying with us.

Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 12:07 pm Post subject:

I enjoyed my brief visit to your site Capt., well done and friendly.
Maybe down the road a bit when I'm not so busy I could help with some scenery creation if you still have equirements. Smile