It appears that I am not giving enough information. I got the following by selecting a very small portion of the results produced when I typed "dxdiag" in the run bar on the start menu.Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.100216-1514) Language: English (Regional Setting: English)System Manufacturer: IBM System Model: 6223ATU BIOS: PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Release 6.1.U Processor: Intel® Xeon CPU 3.40GHz (4 CPUs) Memory: 2046MB RAM Page File: 1470MB used, 2471MB available Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)---------------Display Devices--------------- Card name: NVIDIA Quadro FX 3400 Manufacturer: NVIDIA Chip type: Quadro FX 3400So, if there is something else I should provide to help clarify what computer I am running do not hesitate to reply.

How much dedicated video ram does your graphics card have? (Nvidia no longer has that card model displayed in the shop) Because if you don't know; search "msinfo32" (or dive the System32 folder and find it manually) and after launching it, under Components>Display look for the line that says "Adapter RAM" and right next to it you'll see the Vram total memory.And also; the Xeon is built to run servers, not high end, high demand games. And if this computer is your work computer, consider getting a dedicated FSX machine (or building one, from comments I've read on PC building it's like building a lego set.)

How much dedicated video ram does your graphics card have? (Nvidia no longer has that card model displayed in the shop) Because if you don't know; search "msinfo32" (or dive the System32 folder and find it manually) and after launching it, under Components>Display look for the line that says "Adapter RAM" and right next to it you'll see the Vram total memory.

From a Google search it looks like it's a 256MB card, which is really minimal for FSX. He could probably get away with it with sliders to the left, but once he starts moving them to the right video memory starvation is a real possibility!

From a Google search it looks like it's a 256MB card, which is really minimal for FSX. He could probably get away with it with sliders to the left, but once he starts moving them to the right video memory starvation is a real possibility!

Yeah it is 256

Yeah it is 256

Then if you want any detail you will need a video card with at least 512MB. That will probably solve your graphic problem, but you are likely to have some performance issues with that system. 3.4Ghz on a Xeon is not the same as 3.4Ghz on a C2d or I7. Xeon's were mainly made for the business market, they're not primarily gaming machines.

From a Google search it looks like it's a 256MB card, which is really minimal for FSX. He could probably get away with it with sliders to the left, but once he starts moving them to the right video memory starvation is a real possibility!

Though ATI cards at 256 can get a bit farther due to having more shader processors, I can get medium settings with a good +-20 FPS on mine (Just forget about AA, and heavy clouds at big cities) I can run max autogen at times, but the Vram get's maxed out pretty quick that way (I get those nice tree spikes at that point, even faster with the ENB mod and in North Eastern Ohio, even at dense autogen.) I'm still trying to figure out the consistently timed and spaced stutters (3 to 5) followed by the local scenery area dropping a few LODs (My thought is the Vram is being flushed, I could be wrong. :( )I've heard integrated cards are faster to get the data to the processor (due to being directly connected to the chipset not having to go through a PCIe bus for the I/O process,) is that true? :(

So.... in short; I need to get a much better computer to properly play this game?

I've heard integrated cards are faster to get the data to the processor (due to being directly connected to the chipset not having to go through a PCIe bus for the I/O process,) is that true? :(

HelloYes Integrated graphics solutions are the gold standard when it comes to FSX. I have no idea at all why Nvidia sells all those GTX480's and 470's to FSX usersOnly kidding :(

'smooth' performance of FS is a relative thing between users. 'performance' and 'smooth' is a great way to start a cat fight on this forum.

On a side note, that statement is so true it's not even funny! :( Kind Regards,Stephen

please be more specific -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_IntelliStationpicture is showing me you have an overheat and/ or GPU failing and/or powersupply failing. for overheating -* make sure all fans, both on the computer case and CPU and GPU are clean and running. * make sure all computer case vents are cleanpower supply and/or GPU failure are more difficulty to diagnose as the components sometimes work.--

My specs are included in the attachment below which has all of the details given at time of purchaseIt's a picture because I wasnt able to attach a word document... :(

Ahh, refurbished, and a 73GB HDD, that drive is likely more than 2 years old (after 2 years of use an HDD's perf can drop over 50% from heavy use,) if the system case is the standard design of 2000 through '5 with only 2 spots of airflow "In the power source, out the back (the fan directly below it)" design, then it's likely that the excess heat is not getting out. And the CPU and GPU are likely a good few years old.For under 1,000$ dollars you can make a much better machine and just have the software you want on it (just don't get any Google stuff on there, FOR the exception of Google Earth, just turn off any auto updaters that may launch in the startup programs.) And DO NOT use the windows defrager, Smart Defrag and Defraggler do a much better job (If installing Windows and FSX on a HDD, first time defrag from O&O defrag. If installing Windows and FSX on an SSD, forget about defraggers, SSDs don't need to be defaged.) For CPUs either go with the Intel i7 or the AMD Phenom II series. For the GPU the Nvidia 8800 GTX is a good place to start, above that the GTX 2-- GTX 4-- series is a good choice if going Nvidia, for ATI go with the 5--- series.This was typed on a 10 year old keyboard plugged in to the laptop I (Me) is currently using and has a 10 year old sound system plugged in too, which has the best sound for plug in speakers I've heard, concert sound.