Which is better, FS2004 or FSX? (Assuming your system can handle FSX)

**sofakng** · 06-10-2007, 11:16 PM

I have a pretty high-end system:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 @ 3.0 GHz
2 GB RAM
nVidia 8800 GTX

...and I'm wondering if I should be playing FS2004 or FSX. I think my system handle FSX (if it can't then I don't know what can!), but I know that FSX is new and probably doesn't have as much support/modifications/addons that FS2004 has.

I have very little experience with flight simulators but I'd like to learn how to play them so I'd think that FSX would probably be the better choice for me. I've tried learning on FS2004 but for some reason I just didn't get hooked.

I'd also really like to learn about air traffic control and I heard that FSX is much better with this than FS2004 (even with addons installed?).

Please help me decide which one is better for me...

Thanks!

**lnuss** · 06-11-2007, 12:37 AM

If FS2004 didn't hook you, I'd be surprised if FSX would do so. To make full use of either version, you have to spend a lot of time and effort learning to control the aircraft and systems -- real flying is the same way, though a bit more so.

Though I've not used it much in FSX, I've not noticed much difference between the two version as far as ATC is concerned, though there are some slight changes. Neither of them is more than vaguely like real world ATC except in some basic areas, as there is just so much that real controllers have to handle, especially in terms of flexibility.

All in all, FSX has somewhat better visuals (lots better in some circumstances) and a number of improvements, especially in multiplayer, though the user interface there is (my opinion) much worse unless you're in a situation where the host needs to control what everyone is allowed to do, to minimize "cheaters." The end result of that is that, for my type of usage, I've lost a lot of flexibility that a friend and I used to enjoy. In return, however, the aircraft positioning and some other factors are MUCH improved over FS9 (or FS8, for that matter).

[HR]
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Larry N.

**CUJO** · 06-11-2007, 09:49 AM

I'll make my sell for FSX.

If your going to spend money on a sim you might as well get the newest one. Simple enough but by getting the Deluxe FSX you get pretty much the same sim as FS9, but it looks better, it has ALOT more potential to use your system than FS9 ever could, and it has a bit more variety to what MIGHT interest you than FS9 ever could without adding a few hundred dollars more in software to make it interesting.

My system can't handle FSX with all its whistles on, but can FS9 maxed with other add-ons too to make it look good. It still won't look as good as FSX. Once I get a DX10 system and the bugs are out, I can see where FSX will blow FS9 away in graphics. We're at a tought spot for people to decide to upgrade or not. I think that is the real debate about FSX. Most people have lower-end, or like me, just hanging on systems and FSX demands better systems that because of the major hardware changes in the past two years will require a big open pocketbook to get the most out of it.

In retrospect, you can pick up either version and learn to fly a plane. Don't expect it to be "as real as it gets", and you can read about hundreds of maticulous (sp?) nickpickers talking about how this plane dosn't or hasn't got this, blah, blah, blah. Point being you can learn alot for either.

FSX, as far as ATC goes, is better in FSX. If you get the deluxe and you have a fast internet connection you can take control of a tower. Getting people to go to where you are controlling might be a different story, but ther is an avenue for learning.

FSX, also has its own missions. Yes some are kind of hocky. But for the money you can play the missions and probably get as much out of your money trying to do those as you would if you slapped down 50 clams for any video game anyways.

**N700MS** · 06-11-2007, 10:37 AM

FS2004 definitely runs better on my system but I enjoy FSX a heck of a lot more than FS2004. I still have FS2004 installed so I can still use the PMDG 747, PMDG 737 series, and the Level-D 767. Once these are all compatible with FSX I will probably uninstall FS2004. For me, the new enhancements and features make FSX much better than FS2004. I will never fully go back to FSX, espedcially once I have a new system.

As someone else said, if FS2004 didn't hook you then FSX probably won't hook you either so that's up to you to decide.

**sofakng** · 06-11-2007, 11:55 AM

Thanks for all of the replies!

What is the multiplayer like? Controlling a tower sounds REALLY interesting and exciting.

Is there a central FSX server somewhere that you can connect to? ...or is it peer-to-peer with small groups of people?

**CUJO** · 06-11-2007, 11:59 AM

There is a central FSX server.

Multiplayer is fun as long as you get a good group of guys. There are alot out there that are trying to learn how to control towers. There are non-serious towers where you ask questions and don't have to be all protocal, and then there are real-life super serious towers where you have to go to websites and find passwords etc. to get into. It hasn't seem to of caught on as much as I figured, but i've still been able to loose a couple of hours with the multiplay when in with a good group.

Funny thing is that there are alot of kids plaing to, so when you tower sounds like he's 12, he probably is. LOL.