I am looking for information. I don't want to start a fanboi post as to "G3 sux, AFPD rulz, or XTR bites", etc. What can I Realistically run? I have a...

1.7Ghz P4 (Gateway)
768mb RAM
64MB Nvidia GeForce 2 MX 400
80GB HD
No Bling Bling or Overclock

The Transmitter I currently have is a Multiplex Cockpit MM.

What can I expect of this machine? Please give me realistic impressions of what you have experienced with your sims. I want to get a sim to learn Pattern (airplanes), 3D Airplanes, and 3D Helis. I can already fly but I want to learn how to do it accurately without risks to my actual airplanes and helis.

I have had G2 before and it was good but I sold it a couple of years ago. I'm looking for a new sim, I would consider getting G2 again but there are new sims out so I thought one of those would be better. But I am limited by computer specs. I would like to get something that would run on this machine but if not I would *consider* buying a new video card under $200 if I absolutely have to. G2 ran fine but the new ones might not.

I would prefer to have a controller that comes with the sim and the only one I know of that does that is G3. I think that there are adapters that will work for the other sims but since I have a Multiplex instead of a Futaba or JR my options are limited. I remember I tried to learn Autos with G2 and it was hard because you would auto down and all of a sudden the ground was there and it was almost too late to increase pitch. Maybe the new ones have an increased field of vision?

FWIW I am currently getting back into the hobby and the planes I currently have are a Shockflyer F3A, Mini Funtana (powered by Saito 30), Tower Kaos ARF 40, ACE Simple Ultimate Bipe, and Sig 1/5 Cub. (The only one i have flown so far is the Shockflyer). I will be getting a Century Hawk IV, and maybe a Caliber 30 heli soon. (I used to have a raptor 30v1 about 5 years ago but the second time I tried to fly backwards at 50mph and entered a turn it bit the dust )

Thanks for any input.

AeroFlyPro Deluxe comes with or without a radio.

G3 wont run on your system BTW

Also, the requirement for AFPD are acceptable, but may be marginal.

BUT ... you can use it for 15 days and if it works ... great. If not ... send it back.

You should consider upgrading your video card and probably be able to run any of the sims.

Thanks for the replies. I downloaded the free FMS flight sim and have used it with a standard joystick, it's fun to play with but not very close to the real thing and unless I spend $40 for an adapter can't use my TX. I think you are right, unless I use FMS or Realflight G2 I am going to have to upgrade my video card. I'm going to start looking and see where the best performance/dollar line is.

Look at ATI 9550 at Best Buy. Great price right now.

SLTPilot,

I purchased the ATI 9550 256MB AGP card and while I find it to be adequate for running AFPD on my 1.6 GHz P4, I would not recommmend the 9550 over other cards as I consider the performance to be less than desired and certainly less than I expected. I would be interested to hear comments from other users of this card.

Interestingly the ATI 9500 and 9600 series cards are frequently included in various test results but not the 9550...

For example see this link to a review of graphics cards by Tom's Hardware http://graphics.tomshardware.com/gra...110/index.html

Although the ATI 9550 card performance was equated with the 9600 in the text, the 9550 is not actually included in the benchmark tests results... and note that the 9600 ranks very low in the benchmarks compared to other cards tested...

Anyone else with personal experience care to comment on ATI 9550 card?

Thanks, Bucko

My Coworker bought a new card for a game he wants to play but then found out his computer doesn't have an AGP slot so he said he would sell the card to me for $100. It's a "XFX GeForce 660GT 128MB DDR3 AGP Dual DVI&TV P450-8529". Would that run any of the sims really well? I was going to buy a better one with 256mb but this is alot cheaper. I'm still up in the air but starting to lean a little towards AFPD or Reflex XTR.

Correction, that's a 6600GT.

Inverted how about looking for ATI 9700 too. I know that's a great card ... cheap.

Thanks for the advice STL, (even though I know you are a little biased towards AFPD) I just found this on Tom's hardware though.

"The direct competitor of the GeForce 6600 GT from ATI, the Radeon X700 Pro, is clearly inferior in terms of 3D performance in direct comparison with the GeForce 6600 cards tested here."

I'm still doing research.

One or two more ehay auctions and I'm gonna pick up an ATI9800 pro. 30fps just ain't cuttin it for me and I want to get up into the 50fps area.

$100 for the 6600GT is a good deal, I would get that if you have an AGP slot before I bought any of the dated Ati cards(9550, 9600, 9700 or 9800). Its not the fastest card and your CPU is gonna bottleneck the 6600GT's performance however you should be able to run AFPD or Reflex at several hundred frames per second with it..

I have a 6800GT and I am not thrilled with G3's performance.

Doesnt matter which sim you buy ... what you like best. I just go off what my customers tell me.

Well I bought the 6600GT card and installed it in my computer. And after almost clicking on the "purchase" button for all three sims and not being able to make up my mind, this afternoon I purchased G3 on ebay. I went with it because I'm going to be flying alot of helis and for ease of use. I really wanted XTR but would have had to make an adapter for my Multiplex TX and just wanted something I could plug in and go. They all look good, I like the indoor stuff on AFPD best. It's hard to decide because they all seem to be good, it would be an easy decision if one of them is a piece of junk or way better than the others, but that doesn't seem to be the case. The good thing is if you buy a sim and don't like it you can always turn around and sell it on ebay for about what you paid for it, as long as a new version hasn't come out. Thanks for all the input and opinions.

Nice choice

Let us know if you have any questions about the sim once it arrives. You have a virtual support TEAM here on RCU.