A must read before buying FSX

[kiwiarcher]

Check out this Blog on FSX and how it performs, the full version by the way.

if you don't already know the beta testers now have the final full version.

This info is posted on Robins site; www.windowlight.co.nz

Here is the link to the Blog: http://jonpatch.wordpress.com/2006/10/0 ... y-fsx-now/

makes for interesting reading.

Rob

[Zöltuger]

very interesting reading. enough to make me think about waiting another 12-18 months before getting about a new computer. sounds like if i bought one now, it would still be woefully inadequate, especially trying to run it with vista and DX10

System requirements: very subjective! The sim can use up to 900Mb of RAM, so I suggest 2Gb of RAM. Many folks with 1Gb are reporting OK performance though.  Get a video card with as much video RAM as possible, the sim will use all it can get.  So if buying a new card, you'll want a minimum of 512 Mb.   For the processor, it's highly dependent on the features you want, and the performance you want.  I defer to those with experience with the newest processors on the market.  The specs on the website (256 Mb RAM, 1.0 GHz processor, 32MB video card) are, to put it as kindly as possible, grossly misleading and inaccurate.  It's possible FSX could run effectively on an older computer for IFR flyers with autogen, water detail and many other features turned off or very low.

[Alex]

Hmm, so what do I need, just another gig of ram and a new graphics card, oh, thats nothing....

Alex

[Zöltuger]

from the sound of it, you need a processor so fast that it has yet to be invented

[ardypilot]

Even though I am splashing out a grand on upgrading my PC, I don't think I am going to get FSX until later next year at the earliest.

Like Robin, I have spent a lot of time tweaking FS9 to get it just the way I like it, and want to enjoy playing it for a little while longer before I have to start the whole process again!

[deaneb]

I don't know why people aren't used to these performance issues by now!!! Upon every release of Flight Sim the threads start to fill up with speculation, and damming reports about the low frame rates and the fact that their latest PC's won't hack the latest FS version

The fact is this has happened with each release. Obviously MS delivers a product which is cutting edge and will only run at full capacity on the top level machines, but at least gives us all the ability to adjust sliders to suit our own machines.

The only way to judge performance is to run it for yourself and adjust the sliders to suit. I have downloaded the latest Demo and I'm very happy with the performance. Even with the sliders knocked backed a few notches the framerates I'm getting are about 20 fps and smooth and it looks so much better than FS2004. The biggest framerate killers are propbably the autogen - FSX can pack in so many more houses and trees per ground tile than FS2004 and also the dynamic traffic. I found with the slider for vehicles knocked back to 35% I was getting realistic traffic volumes but better frames.
My system is a AMD64 3500+ 1 GB Ram and 256 MB 6800 XT video card. I'm looking at maybe adding another Gig of ram.

For sure if you are planning a new PC then the longer you hold out the better, but look as FSX first and wait for all the performance tweaks to be released as well. I'm thinking things like making the autogen tree textures smaller and other tweaks will help.

Don't forget FSXI will be out in 2 or 3 years time and it will all start again !!!

Deane

[Jimmy]

from the sound of it, you need a processor so fast that it has yet to be invented

That'd ve right, microsoft making something to advanced no one can run it aparently just like in the early versions of fs, can you imagine a pc that couldn't handle a few wireframe modles lol

I'll have it on my harddrive but i proabably wont use it, whats the point you ask? im not quite sure hehe

[Zenith]

I am inclined to go along with Deanne on this.

Since FS98 I have jumped onto the new release of FS ordering from overseas in most case just to get it as early as possible! FS9 sat on my system for about 6 months until a few tweaks were added to improve it eg the dreaded missing Timezones, lower framerate clouds etc.

This time around there has been so many good addons around with FS9 I am less inclined to change over especially with the improved textures since the release of VOZ that are rapidly becoming Freeware. Some of the Freeware aircraft of late are simply better in some cases than payware a example is the Robin with the moving pilot.

Yes and each time a release comes along theres moans and groans on system specs and how FS does not perform as well as the last for Frame rates.

No Microsoft have had enough of my money time to look at better ways to waste it.

Like that article says think twice before buying! I doubt its going to be that great for our own regions experiance as per usual and the marketing ploy by micro$ indicates to me its going to be hard to sell the idea of a new FS!