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2004, FS9, FSX - Recommendations please

https://www.nzff.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=11822

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PostPosted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 5:34 pm
by AllanJames
Hi everyone, some of you may remember me from about 9 years ago (before I started building an online business, serving four years in our embassy in Moscow and then wandering the world) but my absence has put me well out of touch as I now begin to become active in flight simulation once again.

I've done a search through the site but haven't quite go my questions answered so hope you can point me in the right direction to get up and running again.


My interest were, and still are:

MSFS - military jets, sports aviation aircraft, and some nostalgic cCessna's, esp C130Rg (and I used to fly online, and will do again a bit later down the track)

Lockon - started to fly it with some locals while in Russia - wow, those boys could fly! - Considering now if I should get Flaming Cliffs 2.0

Falcon Allied Force - but it's really hard going isn't it.


My computer is:

Intel Core 2 Duo 2x 1.86 CPU
Display card: XFX 8800GS
1GB memory


So... my questions are:

Of the three MS offerings, assuming heavy on local scenery, mesh and airports, which would you recommend I run on my existing rig?

Will my rig run FSX in an acceptable manner?

If not what would you recommend is needed to run it? Upgrade Graphics Card? Other?


Would my rig run Flaming Cliffs 2.0 in an acceptable manner?


I know we have a lot of MS nuts here <grin>, but how many do we have that are active in the Lockon variants, and Falcon?

Thanks
Allan

PostPosted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 6:01 pm
by Chairman
At the risk of being both helpful and unhelpful, FS9 *is* FS2004 so you only have 2 choices not 3.

Sorry I can't cvomment further, I run FS9 but not much in the way of scenery addons, and never Lockon or Falcon.

Cheers

PostPosted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 7:07 pm
by happytraveller
your computer spec. looks a bit weak to run FSX, certainly with the FSX sliders at anything above absolute minimum, so perhaps better to try FS9 instead. With new computers so cheap now, perhaps think about buying something a bit more powerful, in the long term it will be far more satisfying to experience FSX as it was intended, so take the plunge now. As FSX is very CPU dependant, your basic computer spec. looks like it would have problems. FSX is great, and if you can afford to upgrade then you will not regret it.

Also, when you do get FSX, the Lotus L-39 Albatross is highly recommeded, a fantastic add-on and superb quality.

smooth landings.

PostPosted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 10:54 pm
by Nzeddy
AllanJames wrote:
QUOTE (AllanJames @ Apr 25 2010, 05:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My computer is:

Intel Core 2 Duo 2x 1.86 CPU
Display card: XFX 8800GS
1GB memory

Will my rig run FSX in an acceptable manner?

Nope. It will lag like crazy on your pc.

QUOTE
If not what would you recommend is needed to run it? Upgrade Graphics Card? Other?[/quote]
A new gaming computer with an i7 and a good Nvidia GPU card.

PostPosted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 1:27 am
by Adamski
AllanJames wrote:
QUOTE (AllanJames @ Apr 25 2010, 05:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Lockon - started to fly it with some locals while in Russia - wow, those boys could fly! - Considering now if I should get Flaming Cliffs 2.0

Falcon Allied Force - but it's really hard going isn't it.

Would my rig run Flaming Cliffs 2.0 in an acceptable manner?

I know we have a lot of MS nuts here <grin>, but how many do we have that are active in the Lockon variants, and Falcon?

Hi Allan ... welcome back!!!

I've only relatively lately got into MSFS. Prior to that, it was all military sims - from CGA Falcon (yes, I'm that old!!) and Su-27 Flanker to F4 A/F and LOMAC. For the props, there was a lot of Warbirds, then IL-2/PCF.

I must have done the F4 campaign at least a dozen times (the last time totally from the planning GUI). It's still an amazingly captivating sim - even after all these years. I've tried all the latest reincarnations of Freefalcon etc. but couldn't get them to behave with my new system/graphics card.,

Some of my old Flanker chums have just persuaded me to get Flaming Cliffs 2 (I never bothered with the old FC as I was put off by the Starforce thing). Only a couple of days into it so far - so still re-learning - but it's a great looking sim (though the campaign is as hard as ever). I'd say your system should be able to cope - just - if you turn the settings down a bit. The real test, inevitably, will be when things get a bit "busy" in the target area. It's a huge improvement on the old LOMAC.

Some of these Russians are simply unbelievable. There's an amazing video of a *live* multiplayer aerobatics performance by a Moscow group that just takes your breath away. When we tried m/p in LOMAC, we could hardly even keep our aircraft in visual range of each other, let alone fly close formation manouevres.

PostPosted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 6:37 pm
by Shamrock55
Just a guide for FSX frame rates for you...my specs:

Athlon x2 64 3800 2.0Ghz
3Gb DDR Ram
Radeon 3650 AGP 512Mb

Pretty much darnation compared to new machienes, I bought it second hand and stuck in the extra ram and graphics card.

Frame rates:

Standard aircraft/scenery: 15-25fps
PMDG Jetstream and Windowlight Wellington Scenery: 10-15fps depending on weather.

Its possible to run it and get decent frame rates, you just have to find the best mix of settings for your system.

PostPosted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 1:17 am
by AllanJames
Adamski wrote:
QUOTE (Adamski @ Apr 26 2010, 01:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi Allan ... welcome back!!!

I've only relatively lately got into MSFS. Prior to that, it was all military sims - from CGA Falcon (yes, I'm that old!!) and Su-27 Flanker to F4 A/F and LOMAC. For the props, there was a lot of Warbirds, then IL-2/PCF.

I must have done the F4 campaign at least a dozen times (the last time totally from the planning GUI). It's still an amazingly captivating sim - even after all these years. I've tried all the latest reincarnations of Freefalcon etc. but couldn't get them to behave with my new system/graphics card.,

Some of my old Flanker chums have just persuaded me to get Flaming Cliffs 2 (I never bothered with the old FC as I was put off by the Starforce thing). Only a couple of days into it so far - so still re-learning - but it's a great looking sim (though the campaign is as hard as ever). I'd say your system should be able to cope - just - if you turn the settings down a bit. The real test, inevitably, will be when things get a bit "busy" in the target area. It's a huge improvement on the old LOMAC.

Some of these Russians are simply unbelievable. There's an amazing video of a *live* multiplayer aerobatics performance by a Moscow group that just takes your breath away. When we tried m/p in LOMAC, we could hardly even keep our aircraft in visual range of each other, let alone fly close formation manouevres.



Yes, it was some of the guys on that video I flew with while I was in Moscow - not for aerobatics though, we flew ground attack strikes in the A-10 while others flew the supporting missions.

I'll give some more thought to FC2 based on what you've said. Trouble is I'm my own worst enemy, if I can't have everything maxed out it tends to annoy me :-)

Are you and your mates flying online?

PostPosted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 1:24 am
by AllanJames
Nzeddy wrote:
QUOTE (Nzeddy @ Apr 25 2010, 10:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Nope. It will lag like crazy on your pc.


A new gaming computer with an i7 and a good Nvidia GPU card.


Ok, given that I hate throttling back graphics I'll stick to FS9 until I buy my next machine.

Can someone catch me up on scenery please?

I have to 20m mesh.

What else do I need?

What's the best airport and best area scenery for Christchurch/Canterbury Area these days.

And whats the best overall for NZ?

Thanks

PostPosted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 1:35 am
by Adamski
AllanJames wrote:
QUOTE (AllanJames @ Apr 27 2010, 01:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yes, it was some of the guys on that video I flew with while I was in Moscow - not for aerobatics though, we flew ground attack strikes in the A-10 while others flew the supporting missions.

I'll give some more thought to FC2 based on what you've said. Trouble is I'm my own worst enemy, if I can't have everything maxed out it tends to annoy me :-)

Are you and your mates flying online?

Wow! You actually *flew* with them??!!! thumbup1.gif

I'm exactly like you. I install a new game or sim with everything maxed out to the full ... then work backwards winkyy.gif

Haven't tried a linkup yet. Early days! With my performance at it's current level, I'm not showing my face in public laugh.gif. I'll PM you with more info as and when.

PostPosted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 1:39 am
by Ian Warren
I'm going to be bias and say the best Christchurch Intl Airport was done by a fella called Ian Warren , also there is a Wigram to match . you will find these at Flightsim.com , also many other freeware areas and airports , other people to search is Peter Lohr and Heath Wells and off course Robin Corn smile.gif .

PostPosted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 9:17 am
by Charl
Welcome to FS9 New Zealand - still one of the best flightsim experiences in the world!

Simpilot Experience's "Roads and Rivers of NZ" is pretty much required for VFR.

Try this for a one-stop freeware shop:
http://snowman.ozsimdev.com.au/index.php?ind=downloads

PostPosted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 9:24 am
by AllanJames
Adamski wrote:
QUOTE (Adamski @ Apr 27 2010, 01:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Wow! You actually *flew* with them??!!! thumbup1.gif

I'm exactly like you. I install a new game or sim with everything maxed out to the full ... then work backwards winkyy.gif

Haven't tried a linkup yet. Early days! With my performance at it's current level, I'm not showing my face in public laugh.gif. I'll PM you with more info as and when.


Excellent! Keep in touch.

PostPosted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 12:04 pm
by ZK-LGD
Howdy Allan,

QUOTE
What's the best airport and best area scenery for Christchurch/Canterbury Area these days.[/quote]

Christchurch (as a city) appears to have been bypassed in FS9, unfortunately. sad.gif

There is a photoreal FS9 Christchurch/Rangiora scenery but this was created long before the introduction of Christian's NZ mesh and topo. It sits reasonably okay with the newer mesh and can be downloaded here. There are two versions, an NZCH standalone, and Christchurch/Rangiora/NZCH.

QUOTE
And whats the best overall for NZ?[/quote]

"Best" is so subjective, ya know smile.gif

North or South of the Bombay Hills?

Anywho, my vote equally goes to Robin Corn's FS9 Wellington (and Paraparaumu) and Marlborough sceneries. It's a great scenic chunk of the country and with freeware addons such as Cook Strait and Sounds shipping and a good water texturiser, very immersive. Well, that's my two penneth's worth.

PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2010 5:18 am
by AllanJames
Ian Warren wrote:
QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Apr 27 2010, 01:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm going to be bias and say the best Christchurch Intl Airport was done by a fella called Ian Warren , also there is a Wigram to match . you will find these at Flightsim.com , also many other freeware areas and airports , other people to search is Peter Lohr and Heath Wells and off course Robin Corn smile.gif .


Gidday Ian. I remember your good work now, so will go for them both again.

PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2010 5:35 am
by AllanJames
ZK-LGD wrote:
QUOTE (ZK-LGD @ Apr 27 2010, 12:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Howdy Allan,



Christchurch (as a city) appears to have been bypassed in FS9, unfortunately. sad.gif

There is a photoreal FS9 Christchurch/Rangiora scenery but this was created long before the introduction of Christian's NZ mesh and topo. It sits reasonably okay with the newer mesh and can be downloaded here. There are two versions, an NZCH standalone, and Christchurch/Rangiora/NZCH.


Hey, thanks for the input!

Just been into NZFS Scenery, and will grab the Christchurch area one.

Do you mean above that it will sit reasonably ok with the Christian's 20m mesh, which I already own?

And do I need Roads and Rivers as well? I seem to remember they made a big difference, but can't remember what scenery I was using at the time.

PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2010 8:05 am
by ZK-LGD
QUOTE
Do you mean above that it will sit reasonably ok with the Christian's 20m mesh, which I already own?[/quote]

Yep. Although, like many airports in FS9, the 20m mesh will position NZCH atop a slight plateau (unfortunately it's just the nature of the beast).

QUOTE
And do I need Roads and Rivers as well? I seem to remember they made a big difference, but can't remember what scenery I was using at the time.[/quote]

Well, I wouldn't leave home without it laugh.gif In fact, Roads & Rivers (or NZ Topo) is what makes NZ in FS9 home. thumbup1.gif Christian also produced a freeware LandClass and NZ Air Space addon (available from his web site).
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