Hey Guys-- I'm running MSFS 2004 on a Dell Notebook (Inspiron 1100) with a Pentium 4 and over a Gig of RAM, plus I've updated my graphics driver and DirectX plug-ins several times and I still have very jagged graphics and the frame rates seem jumpy. Oh and one more thing, just in the last couple of days the AI traffic and surrounding buildings when I get started are staying "blank" or having no graphics at all for a second or two while it seems my computer is rendering the data. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO TO FIX IT!! It's getting really frustrating and I think my machine is not to blame. Can anyone help?? I'm by no means a software engineer so use alot of layman's terms, I know my way around a computer but I get a case of idiot from time to time if I start to get confused. HELP!!

My guess is, the problem is probably your graphics card. Most notebook computers just don't have very high-powered video in them. That's why you're getting the jaggies, and strange texture rendering.What graphics subsystem does your notebook have? Specs...(vid ram, video chipset, etc.)Rhett

Assuming I'm looking in the right place, here's what I do know. If i'm missing anything, let me know where to look so I can give it to you...like I said I'm no computer genius, although I do kinda know my way around....but usually I do better with roadmaps..Looking at my DXDiag screen my display properties read as follows:Device: Intel 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics ControllerDAC Type: InternalTotal Memory: 64MBCurrent Display Mode: 1024x768 (32 bit) (60Hz)

Assuming I'm looking in the right place and I'm giving you all the info you need, here's what my DXDiag tells me. If there's anything missing, let me know, but also let me know where I can find it. Device: INTEL 82845G Graphics ControllerDAC Type: INTERNALTotal Memory: 64MBDisplay Mode: 1024x768 (32 bit)(60Hz)

Hi,There is probably no AA or AF with that rather inexpensive video system, so there may be nothing you can do.Hope this helps,Jimhttp://www.hifisim.com/Active Sky V6 Development Team Active Sky V6 Proud SupporterHiFi Beta TeamRadar Contact Supporter: http://www.jdtllc.com/AirSource Member: http://www.air-source.us/FSEconomy Member:http://dot.kelder.net:8080/fseconomy/

I've been thinking of putting together a dream machine of sorts for at home, as I use my notebook for alot of work stuff and it'd be nice to have something to dedicate my MSFS to. Any suggestions on what I should get to build into it?? I'd rather build than buy since A) It will cost me less :( I can get EXACTLY what I want from the start.

>Assuming I'm looking in the right place and I'm giving you>all the info you need, here's what my DXDiag tells me. If>there's anything missing, let me know, but also let me know>where I can find it. >>Device: INTEL 82845G Graphics Controller>DAC Type: INTERNAL>Total Memory: 64MB>Display Mode: 1024x768 (32 bit)(60Hz)>As I suspected, that video setup is not well suited for FS. It is great for 2D work, but not for 3D. Also it doesn't have the vid mem you need.As Jim said it probably isn't capable of much, if any anti-aliasing...and that's the thing that would eliminate your jagged edges.I would want to use the laptop for work-type things and build a nice desktop rig for FS if it were me.Rhett

Hi,1. Are you going to purchase FSX when it is released?2. Are you going to purchase Vista with DX10 when it is released?Hope this helps,Jimhttp://www.hifisim.com/Active Sky V6 Development Team Active Sky V6 Proud SupporterHiFi Beta TeamRadar Contact Supporter: http://www.jdtllc.com/AirSource Member: http://www.air-source.us/FSEconomy Member:http://dot.kelder.net:8080/fseconomy/

>I've been thinking of putting together a dream machine of>sorts for at home, as I use my notebook for alot of work stuff>and it'd be nice to have something to dedicate my MSFS to. >>Any suggestions on what I should get to build into it?? >Depends if you go AMD or Intel, and how much you want to spend. You can build a solid FS rig for $1,200. You can build a decent FS rig for only $800. Also if you already have a monitor, you don't need to buy that, which helps a lot.I know the most about AMD, but the Core2 Duo looks promising, and it is just about to come out...but then there is always something coming out :) Here's an AMD-oriented setup:AMD dual core cpu: 3800+ ($297), 4400+, etc. I cannot recommend FX60/62 at this time because of price vs. performance. That's soon to change though, because of Core2 Duo, I think. You could go single-core, but I feel like the winds are changing...you'll want dual-core on a desktop pretty soon with OS's and Apps.Motherboard: Asus, Abit, or DFI, in that order. I suggest buying a motherboard with SLI.Power Supply: Don't skimp here, get at least 500 watts. I like PC Power and cooling, but they are expensive; Seasonic, OCZ are good. DO NOT buy a modular power supply.RAM: I recommend 2 gigs of decent ram in a dual channel kit (expect to spend $200 for 2 gigs on decent ram) such as Corsair, Mushkin, OCZ, etc. unless you plan to replace the PC in a year or so, in which case you can just go for 1 gig of ram if FS is all you use.Video: Someone here said this recently, and I agree--Since DX10 cards are just around the corner, don't spend too much here, because next year you'll be wanting to replace your vid card. Spend $300 max. I like nVidia but ATI is good too. Get something with at least 256 megs of ram--quantity of video ram is more important that raw video speed in FS.Hard Drive: again, it depends on how much you want to spend. I would just go for a 7,200 rpm drive from Seagate or Western Digital, of at least 200 gigs. If you want to spend more, get a WD Raptor as your OS drive and use a 250 gig drive for storage. Or you could do some RAID setup. But a single 7,200 rpm drive will serve you just fine.Rhett

Firstly that video device isn't a gaming video card. It is actually just an impressively cheap chip display that helps manufacturers lower the cost of their computers at the price of killing 3d performance. Sorry to bring up the bad news. Recently I've posted my recomended hardward list. I'll quote it here: Here's the system information I'm targetting:CPU: 1x Dual-core AMD (64) or Intel (Core) CPU.-- FS is extremely CPU-intensive. Unlike most games a good dual-core CPU will assist greatly with FSX. Especially with the game utalizing multi-threading.Mem: 3GB DDR2 RAM-- 2GB is the min currently for optimal gaming experience. 3GB is a precaution to allow you 1 year of time with this computerMotherboard: NVIDIA nForce 4 or 5 with SLI. For AMD make sure you buy the AM2 models. DFI-Lan Party or ASUS brands recomended for quality of componentions and support.-- You want that integrated 1 Giga-bit ethernet and the nForce's SLI ability. Nothing makes you love FS more than a panarama driven by 2 videocards (on 3 displays).Video Cards: NVIDIA (unknown). Wait for DX10 compatibility.-- Buy one just behind the bleeding edge (See the 7800 GTX for $500 and pick up the 7800 GT for $350. You win). Purchase your second card in 6 months and run them in SLI mode.HD: SEAGATE 300 GB Min or Greater. SATA1 or SATA2-- Your PSS, CLS, PMDG, Reality-XP, Wilco and FS-Nav add-ons eat up space. Don't be afraid to wait for a Fry's sale and pick up the 500 GB Seagate monster for $205. Hd speed means little for someone running 4-hour flights. Seagate is currently the most reliable company around for MTBF. You wouldn't skimp on your instruments, why here?OS: Windows Vista Home Premium (minimum) / Ultimate (max)-- You want DX10? You want the best effects? Be ready to shell out another $300-$500 for Vista... or purchase it along with your system.Extras: Creative Labs X-Fi Sound Card-- Best hardware acceleration on the market combined with the worst drivers released. Creative will have to work hard to maintain their Green vendor rating when Vista releases. 128-hardware accelerated 3d sound channels means you can hear all four of your 744 engines spool while the rcyc fan clicks merrily above you.Anyways, that's my current recomendation for a 2006-October 2007 system.

>>Video Cards: NVIDIA (unknown). Wait for DX10 compatibility.>-- Buy one just behind the bleeding edge (See the 7800 GTX for>$500 and pick up the 7800 GT for $350. You win). Purchase your>second card in 6 months and run them in SLI mode.>There is the advice from the other thread I was thinking of. That is really good advice, given our current situation (FSX/DX9/DX10) I think...Rhett

Allow me to make an after-press correction. It looks like ATI will finally be including an internal SLI connector. So I can... well, still not recomend them. Their SLI-support is still shakey. If you wait 6 months to purchase your new system, see how ATI's drivers are doing then.If you're going for a single board, then take either ATI or Nvidia based on the price. Both of their product lines are very close with ATI possessing the slight edge at the moment with their XTX1900 vs the GeForce 7900GTX

I will not add too much as I agree with most everything above...Good stuff fellows...What I wanted to pass along is basically my expierence with graphics cards over the last year or so...I agree with the "Don't sink allot of money in a Graphics card right now" theory...Wait till DX10 cards and let them mature a bit...Then maybe go Full Bore...I have spent allot of money on graphics cards...My personal opinion is...If I were in your shoes...I'd take a look at the nVidia 7900GT or ATI X-1800XTX level of cards for a purchace Today...If you'll look at most Videocard Reviews...You should see either of those offering Upper Mid Range Performance...They should be pretty equal to each other...You'd be looking at a price tag of about $300 for either one...During my Video Card upgrading...I saw the Biggest/Best jump when I swapped my BFG 6800Ultra OC for a XFX 7800GTX OC...The 7800GTX(Older Technology) in most reviews should be pretty much on par with the 7900GT or X1800XTX(More Current Technology and Less Money)...If all of the data is correct...If either one of those cards perform as good or slightly better than the 7800GTX...I'd say they would be a great choice...(I have never owned a 7900GT or an X1800XTX..Only seen reviews)...My swap from the 7800GTX to an X1900 Crossfire Set-Up actually yielded me very little noticable performance increase...My 7950GX2 upgrade has been just a very tiny bit better...Now..Keep in mind that is performance you can get for $300 vs $1100 for the ATI CrossFire or $600 for the 7950GX2..Definatly not worth spending the money in *My Opinion*...Take that money and put it into the Best Processor you can afford...Then think about spending more on the DX10 card later on...The 7900GT/A1800XTX should be the Sweet Spot for now...In the next couple of weeks..We should see some "Adjusting" in processor price's...I would recommend holding off until after July 24th to go get a new processor!!Again Just My Opinion's...Have Fun!!

Here's the pricing charts for the Core 2 Duos (straight from Anandtech's -excellent- article on the Core 2 performance today)URL: http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2795Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 2.93GHz 4MB $999Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 2.66GHz 4MB $530Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.40GHz 4MB $316Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz 2MB $224Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 1.86GHz 2MB $183At this point they were able to (with high quality memory and motherboard) take the E6600 up to 4GHz with air-cooling alone. The E6600 is my recomendation for CPU to be purchased in October along with an NVIDIA nForce 5 (SLI) motherboard. The 4MB of L2 cache makes a nice little 3%-10% jump in performance which will help getting that 30FPS in FSX.Graphics cards I agree with you completely. I have a 7800GTX (that I purchased on release) and still see no use to upgrade until I move into Vista / FSX territory. The SLI configuration is -only- useful for pushing your resolution higher at this point. My VP2030b (Viewsonic LCD) has a native resolution of 16x12 and having SLI would allow me to run that at 60FPS easily; however, it is pointless to purchase a second videocard at this point. I'm still suspecting that October will be the prime area to target for a 1 to 2 year computer purchase that is still on the bleeding edge of performance.

I too have a 7800 series card (an XFX 7800GT, specifically) and I also don't feel like I need to upgrade it until the DX10 cards are out.I'd kind of like to have 512mb on it but 256 will get me by. For $300, I feel like it was the most card for the money at the time.That's some impressive pricing on the Core 2 Duo's. Especially the E6600, at only $316. Wow. This is REALLY going to push AMD's FX60 down, along with the 4400+, etc.Rhett