I've checked the system requirments and I've used the system requirments lab on www.canyourunit.com to make sure I could run it. My system passed both the required and recommended. When I look at other people's screenshots, theirs looks 100 times better than mine does. Why is this. I have all graphic settings on Ultra High and it still looks like crap :( Any idea's?

Hi,What exactly are your system specs?Sometimes what you see in screenshots is a FS on newer hardware, with a bunch of 3rd party programs that make FS look very differently than out of the box.

Hi,What exactly are your system specs?Sometimes what you see in screenshots is a FS on newer hardware, with a bunch of 3rd party programs that make FS look very differently than out of the box.

The main thing I'm trying to make look better is the cockpit view. I've found a enviorment upgrade, but the cockpit still looks extremely dull. And on fsx you can use your mouse to look around the cockpit. Is this possible one FS9? Processor-Intel pentium 4 2.4 GHzRam-1 GIGVideo Card- not sure what kind but it is 93mbLatest drivers2x 80 gig Hard drivesAny other specs you need?Thanks

Suggest you learn more about your system. What is in it and how to make it work. For Flightsimulator it's all about how to set it up.93mg video sounds like on board graphics. In that case you really want to upgrade to a video card. Looks like you have an older system. I think you want to get a 256 MB AGP style card. That would be better than a PCI card. I have played FS9 on a P4 with a 256mb card and it works OK.If your joystick has a hat switch (well worth getting) you can move around the VC that way.Bob

Suggest you learn more about your system. What is in it and how to make it work. For Flightsimulator it's all about how to set it up.93mg video sounds like on board graphics. In that case you really want to upgrade to a video card. Looks like you have an older system. I think you want to get a 256 MB AGP style card. That would be better than a PCI card. I have played FS9 on a P4 with a 256mb card and it works OK.If your joystick has a hat switch (well worth getting) you can move around the VC that way.Bob

I'd also say have another gig of RAM. That usually helps too. As was mentioned, a lot of screenshots you'll be seeing on forums will include programs like Active Sky, Ultimate Terrain, Ground Environment etc. which all enhance the "default" look of Flight Simulator. Plus, the screenshots you'll see taken by Microsoft will be of the spots and situations that are the best looking in the entire game.

As mentioned, your system would probably work very well with default fs9 but I don't think you'll meet anyone where running default. Most screen shots are with high grade modern hardware with 100s of dollars in add-ons, all tweaked and arranged. Your system will not be capable of looking as good as theirs. If you really want to use the mouse to look around you can get a program called ActiveCamera. You may also look into TrackIR.As for cockpits...I assume you are using the default planes that come with the sim. Most of the screen shots you're seeing are using either payware add-on planes (search Dreamfleet, PMDG, Carenado, etc) or freeware that you can find here in the library.

As far as mousing around the VC, yes you can do it. You need either Active Camera, or the free program Flight1 ( I think it was called FSView?) released a couple years ago to do it though.

As mentioned, your system would probably work very well with default fs9 but I don't think you'll meet anyone where running default. Most screen shots are with high grade modern hardware with 100s of dollars in add-ons, all tweaked and arranged. Your system will not be capable of looking as good as theirs. If you really want to use the mouse to look around you can get a program called ActiveCamera. You may also look into TrackIR.As for cockpits...I assume you are using the default planes that come with the sim. Most of the screen shots you're seeing are using either payware add-on planes (search Dreamfleet, PMDG, Carenado, etc) or freeware that you can find here in the library.

FWIW I run default FS9. I do use repaints of default planes. Not important to the thread, though

I've checked the system requirments and I've used the system requirments lab on www.canyourunit.com to make sure I could run it. My system passed both the required and recommended. When I look at other people's screenshots, theirs looks 100 times better than mine does. Why is this. I have all graphic settings on Ultra High and it still looks like crap :( Any idea's?

canyourunit doesny guarentee anything. i had an old system, amd 3000 with onboard graphics card and it said i could run crysis. failed! lolcanyourunit will only compare your machine to the default game of fs9 or fsx, i.e. it wont compar it to fs9 plus all the add ons most people use. and you ned a fine machine to play fsx on ultra high. consider buying a new pc

FWIW I run default FS9. I do use repaints of default planes. Not important to the thread, though

:( May i ask why, as I see your computer is more then willing to accept. Or do you just use FSX now a days?

:( May i ask why, as I see your computer is more then willing to accept. Or do you just use FSX now a days?

I only mentioned it because I wouldn't be surprised if lots of people don't use a lot of addons. My FS9 rig is an E6750,2GB 667,8800gt. Other than some airports I created, repaints, and a few freeware planes, it is stock. I like it just fine. I am not a pilot, so my guess is that a highly detailed plane with perfect flight dynamics, would be lost on me.Same goes for my FSX rig. I have spent more money than I wish I had, trying to get good performance. Now I just want to fly.I did use TileProxy for a while. I liked it but it was a drain on the computer I had at the time.Bob

canyourunit doesny guarentee anything. i had an old system, amd 3000 with onboard graphics card and it said i could run crysis. failed! lolcanyourunit will only compare your machine to the default game of fs9 or fsx, i.e. it wont compar it to fs9 plus all the add ons most people use. and you ned a fine machine to play fsx on ultra high. consider buying a new pc

Ya, I've decided to buy a new one. I've looked around at a few at wal-mart. This one kinda stood out at me. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?...uct_id=11007926The computer I have now isn't compatible with any of the new pci-e cards and ram. Would this be a good computer to start with?

I only mentioned it because I wouldn't be surprised if lots of people don't use a lot of addons. My FS9 rig is an E6750,2GB 667,8800gt. Other than some airports I created, repaints, and a few freeware planes, it is stock. I like it just fine. I am not a pilot, so my guess is that a highly detailed plane with perfect flight dynamics, would be lost on me.Same goes for my FSX rig. I have spent more money than I wish I had, trying to get good performance. Now I just want to fly.I did use TileProxy for a while. I liked it but it was a drain on the computer I had at the time.Bob

I'm no pilot, but I can certainly distinguish between a really well made add-on and something else. You should treat yrself to one or two well-respected items. Personally, I'd recommend absolutely anything by RealAir.

Ya, I've decided to buy a new one. I've looked around at a few at wal-mart. This one kinda stood out at me. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?...uct_id=11007926The computer I have now isn't compatible with any of the new pci-e cards and ram. Would this be a good computer to start with?

I would strongly advise not buying that computer and not buying computers from walmart period. As always, its best to build one yourself. Great parts can be ordered from NewEgg.com and the building process is very straight forward. If you don't want to go that way, someone here can give you a few websites where you can get good pre-built computers. Dell is always a safe choice but you'll be paying a lot more then its really worth.

No, I'm sorry, but that computer has been outdated now for probably two years. If you really want FS2004 to look good and run very well, you want a good computer. Something that's twice as fast, preferably dual core, with at least an 8-series nVidia geforce graphics card (8800GTX or something). Put in at least 2GB RAM, and I'd say take abig HD, so you can fit on it all of your addons. Don't underestimate that last part! I have been entirely succesfull in making my previous 2GB FS2004 install 46GB!