SurClaro Flight Simulator Resources

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 9:32 pm Post subject: Optimum FS Computer

Greetings: I imagine there are postings on this subject, but I couldn't find them.....

Decided to get a second computer to use strictly for flight simulation. I am presently multiple tasking on my 3 year old Dell 4400 and FS2002 and FS2004 work OK but I am not stressing it with a lot of weather or AI. But it is on the ragged edge (screen freezes). My photography work really loads things.

I plan to stay with FS2002 and FS2004 for the near future. FSX doesn't excite me. I want to stay with XP. (Vista has too many warts). What would be a good computer set up with respect to Processor, Hard drive storage, RAM, and game card just to do flight simulation. I figure you folks are the best people to ask.

Appreciate all suggestions....Thanks Y'all Be Well Bob in Texas

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 5:17 am Post subject:

DO'H,

Your question is right here, where you put it. And if you did put it in FS2004, then one of Mods moved it to the right forum.

And with that, I deleted your question, "where's my post....".

POOF...

RD

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 5:49 am Post subject:

Well...it depends. I assume you want purely flight simulation without spectacular graphics, so I would probably build a system with the specs:
-AMD Athlon XP 3800 (or 4000 series? RD, help me here)
-1 gig of RAM
-ATi Radeon X1300 or Nvidia 6600gt

I think those three factors will give you lots of performance for purely flight simulation. As I haven't built a gaming rig myself, wait for others to respond with their gaming rig building experience. Selecting parts for a flaming gaming rig while keeping price in mind is tricky.

EDIT: Oh yeah, I forgot about the hard drive. The stock planes, AFCADs, and etc. are obviously not top-notch in FS2004. Therefore, add-ons might become of interest. Look at RD's hard drive and you will see 16 gigs used, JUST FOR FS2004!! Now that's insanity, lol.... What my point is that you might need lots of disc space for add-ons, and ulimately top-notch realism. I would recommend about 80 gigs for starters (which I think is the standard nowadays...). Good luck!

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 6:45 am Post subject:

OK then, for FS2002 OR FS2004, here is my list of parts, for a screaming system, and budget smart:

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3800+ (939)
O/S: XP Home or Pro
G/C: 6800GT or 7600GT 256mb
P/S: 500w no smaller
HD: 120 GB
RAM: 1,536MB (1.5GB)

The above is what I would be considered minimum specs for an awesome Flight Sim ONLY rig.

RD

My total size for FS9, ONLY, is 43.9 GB. My aircraft folder is 7.2 GB (gigs).

Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 5:58 pm Post subject:

OPPS Sorry for the TYPEO regarding Vista Compatibilities.

I meant to say NOT 100% downward compatible...

But, what new OP system has ever been.

I waited until SP2 came out before switching to XP. (I still remember the NT op system conversion nightmares at work)
Still there was a lot of driver compatibility problems with XP...

The main idea is to wait until the dust settles on the new stuff and in the meantime read all you can get about how the new stuff stacks up regarding hardware and software. Especially, the pros like Ultimate PC that ran weeks of tests on Vista and it's problems...

Hey rd, how about an article about your experiences with Vista and FS9 and FSX? Last I heard FSX DX10 wasn't out yet... List equipment specs and types and costs... Plus what level of Vista are you going to start with??

What cooling and power issues have you come across?? What kind of drives are you using SATA or EIDE?

I saw an add for a 80GB hybrid drive for 70 bucks.. Stuff is already coming down in price...

Simper FI, bro, Semper Fi

Tj

EDIT BY RD: The previous posts were deleted, they were not in line with the original thread. However, I will answer this. And get back on thread "FS9 and WINDOWS XP"

SUPER RIG SPECS: not this one:

OS: VISTA ULTIMATE : BETA3

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+

M/B: Asus A8N SLI PREMIUM

G/C: CANNOT SAY, but it is Nvidia, DX10

RAM: 4 GB Corsair, PC3200 (1GB ea)

HD: 3- 250GB Maxtor SATA

PS: 1,000 w, 845w Max/Force

Fans: 6 Total, smallest 2 on CPU & G-Card, 4 @ 120mm

21 in Monitor