Why FS9 over FSX?

[Mafoo]

Hello everyone. So I am very new to this, but I noticed a lot of experienced members of this site use both FS9 and FSX, or FS9 and Flight.

I assume there is a reason to stick to the old release of FS, but am unaware why. What does it provide the user that FSX is lacking?

Thanks!

[JSkorna]

Better performance on older computers.

Less tweaking and problem solving needed.

Lots of quality freeware.

Not wanting to re-purchase payware for FSX with so much invested in FS 2004.

FS 2004 still looks good to many users.

[DVA1847]

Well for starters, FSX in my opinion is a Processor HOG. Yea, it looks great, but to run it at those levels, it takes one heck of a machine. However, that is not my main reason. I have been playing FS for a long time, back when the default flight was from Meigs field in Chicago, so I have a LOT of stuff for the older version of FS, and truthfully, FS9 runs better on my machine with all the addon software I have.

Jim

[tgibson_new]

Another reason is that FS9 scenery is not compatible with FSX, and I have already created many, many FS9 airports that I don't want to rework.

An MS blogger during FSX development said that it would be compatible with FS9, but that is sadly not the case...

[Mafoo]

ahh, so if I am new to all of it, have a fast enough computer (i7 16 gig ram etc...), I have no pay ware yet, do you see any reason to run both?

[JSkorna]

In that case I would start with FSX.

[DVA1847]

If you have a machine that is spec'd like you describe, then no, I don't see a reason not to run FSX. Just be aware that the AC/scenery/utilities you download now may not work in the future. I didn't think about that when I started buying stuff for FS9.

Jim

[JSkorna]

What AC/scenery/utilities that he might download now, may not work in the future?

Windows 7 support isn't going anywhere so that can't be it.

[Mafoo]

Thanks everyone.

I have a mid 2010 27" iMac with an i7 2.93 and 16Gig of ram. The only limiting factor, is my video card is a Radeon 5750 HD with 1 Gig of ram.

Not all that fast by todays standards, but very fast by FSX launch standards. I could see possibly running into issues with high quality scenery add ons I suspect (provided that's not just CPU intensive), but for now, I should be good.

My main focus for playing this game, is to help with my private pilots license. I am a Software Developer with a lot of gaming background, so I would love to make it as real looking as I can, but functionality is my main concern at the moment.

If in the end, all the capability important to learning is in both, I will just stick with FSX.

On a side note, my Yoke and Peddles just came in. Tomorrow, the game, throttle, trim wheel, an Tracker IR5 show up . I am very excited. All I have been able to do up to this point, is setup Windows 7 64 bit in bootcamp, and install the demo to make sure it works. Excited to get everything up and running!

[JSkorna]

Now, based on the new information I would suggest FS 2004.

By default FSX is very CPU intensive and was never programmed for Macs even under bootcamp. The demo might give you an idea.