New to the site. Intro/questions

[daltex21]

Hey guys, new to the site just wanted to chat with some like minded simmers. I have been out of flying the sim for a couple of years now. So I was actually hoping I could get some help with some stuff?

I just got out of college and was lucky enough to land a good job. So I'd like to get back into MSFS, I used to fly with FS9 and stopped right when FSX came out and remember everyone complaining about FSX and that they were staying with FS9. So has anything changed? Is FSX better? Also I have about $1800 saved up to spend on a system I already have a really nice monitor so I just need the actual computer. What do you guys suggest?

Thanks for helping me out. I'm not very educated in the computer area so I have no idea what I'm looking for. Just want it to run smooth and have good graphics, doesn't have to be great graphics.

[ScatterbrainKid]

..Is FSX better?..

Yes..
I flew FS9 for several years but switched to FSX four years ago purely because the terrain looked better, and I could never go back to dear old FS9.
However FSX is a tad more difficult to set up properly and will throw glitches at you if you upset her, so watch out.
As for computers I'm a PC dummy so I simply asked my local shop to build a PC for me capable of playing FSX and all the high-end games out there, and this is what they came up with for 600 GB pounds (960 US dollars) plus about 200 GBP for a monitor, and everything works fine-
Intel Core2 Duo E8500@3.16GHz
RAM 4.0GB Dual-channel DDR2@400Mhz
NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 1024Mb
WinXP Home SP3
HannsG 28" widescreen

[djadlib]

Welcome to the forum. The secret to running FSX smoothly is CPU speed. FSX highly depends on your CPU for it's calculations. So a fast Intel i7 processor together with a good Nvidia video-card is a good step in the direction of smooth fps.
And after installin FSX use venetubo's tweak to properly set up your fsx: http://www.venetubo.com/fsx.html
Several other tweaks and tips can be found right here in the forum pages. Take some time to browse around and you'll learn a lot. I know I have

Harro

[mrzippy]

Hi, welcome! I'm still running an older 2Ghz processor and I found the best way to run FSX was to upgrade my RAM to the max! Now that I've done that I seem to run smoothly with just about all sliders to the max position. Happy flying!

[daltex21]

Thx for all the help guys. It sounds like FSX will be the way to go. Next question I loved flying the flight 1 super 80 as the DC-9/MD-80 is my favorite airplane but what I really loved about it is the realism, it wasn't simplified but it was user friendly at the same time. I'll definitely be buying the super 80 pro for FSX. But this time around I'd like to have a little more variety, I'm really only interested in airliners and realistic flight operations is a must (starting apu, bleeding pneumatics, FMC, etc.) My list of planes I'd like to give a shot:

737
727
757
747
777
Maybe DC 10/MD-11 depends on how good it is
and some kind of Jetprop

So let me know what yall think and what is good. I'd really appreciate it!

[djadlib]

PMDG for sure. If you are looking for realism the 737NGX is superb. Their 747 is a tad older but still very good, as is their MD11. And they have a Jetstream 41 (but I don't know that one myself). Later this year they will come out with a 777 and an updated 747.
CaptainSim has a good 727 and 757.

Harro

[nashvillecsx]

These may help:

NICK'S 737NGX Cockpit Overview (1hour 7min) Mind blowing! Be sure to watch in HD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsRbX...eature=related

Boeing 737 Cockpit Takeoff and Landing in Corfu with FSX PMDG NGX B737-700 (51min) I couldn’t keep up with this actual 737 pilot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeqQz...eature=related


ANGLE OF ATTACK 737NGX TRAINING for PMDG 737NGX (45 hours Ground, 33 hours Flight)
http://www.flyaoamedia.com/pmdg-737-ngx-training/

[sleightflight]

If you go to your local shops & get a copy of pc pilot magazine there are a few pc builders advertising in there that know the specific requirements of fsx.

[fxsttcb]

Welcome to the Forum!

...I have about $1800 saved up to spend on a system I already have a really nice monitor so I just need the actual computer. What do you guys suggest?...

I've created two public wishlists at Newegg for budget FSX High Performance(Not MAX performance).
At a little under $1100 they are easily capable of overclocking into the 4.5GHz+ realm and will give very good results.
Adding an SSD will help with texture load stuttering when the sliders are pushed up.
I recommend 128GB+ for FSX alone, or much larger for FSX and Windows both. Within your budget a 512GB screamer is available.

This is DIY, but, is very easy and rewards you with a cheaper, higher performing computer.
Read this: Paxx's How to build a Computer.
If you get stuck or have questions, there is always plenty of assistance available here.

Ivy Bridge{i5-3570K} http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Pu...umber=27118948
Sandy Bridge{i5-2500K} http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Pu...umber=15562305

Before someone notes that the PSU is only 550W: It has 44A on a Single 12v Rail. More than many 600+ Watt units.
Plenty of extra current for an overclock and the listed GTX 560Ti(30A PSU req'd)...Don