Hi,I was having a lot of stuttering and computer crashes since I installed FS2004 on my PC. Yesterday when I was flying my brand new PMDG 737, I again had a computer crash. Normally I had to wait 1hr to let the computer cool down (please note that it is not overclocked!!), but this time I was not able to restart it again. So I concluded that some part of the computer must have died.Today I tried to find out which part had died, so I took out each component one by one and replaced it by a spare component that was left over since I upgraded it earlier this year. So, when I took out the DDR PC2100 memory (512 mb) and replaced it by a SDRAM PC133 256 MB, the PC luckily started again. I added some additional SDRAM to end up with 384 Mb.Then I decided to see if I could run flight simulator 2004. I noticed that it took a couple of more seconds or so to fully load the sim, but when I took of with the default Cessna I was amazed how fluidly the fs2004 runs. I also noticed that the scenery was more attractive (less fuzzy). I was amazed that downgrading my memory improved the performance and looks of FS2004.Another funny part of the story is. The DDR memory I took out works great on the computer of my partner (which has the same motherboard as I have), but when I took it out again and put it in my PC it did not work! I was planning to extend my memory to 1 gig, but what should I do? Put in some new DDR memory banks (they might not work as my "old" DDR memory only works in the PC of my partner) or just buy some additional SDRAM. Could someone please explain my findings and advice me what to do.My system specs:ECS K7A5 motherboardAMD XP 2100+ (I am thinking of upgrading it to 2400)384 MB SDRAM (PC133)Geforce Ti4200, 128 MbSoundblaster Audigy PlatinumThanks,Gerald (EHAM)

Just wondering if somebody might give some adviseGerald

Hi Gerald.It appears your motherboard accept eithe type of memory.If the memory chip is fine, then your motherboard is defective.Dick

Hi, -Each Motherboard have their certified Ram company, using others brand not certified for this board, could have non stability and misc issue. -The memory order placed on the slot could cause problems.-Latest bios should be installed and Bios SettingThanksChris Willis[link:fsw.simflight.com/FSWMenuFsSim.html]Clouds And Addons For MsFs

It has been noted that some lower end machines do better with FS2004 then do some newer "fast" machines. I have an old Dell PII 400 that I up dated with a new PIII 1000 cpu, It uses 384 megs of pc100 memory.I have used it with FS2002, CFS3 and now FC2004 and I am very happy with the preformance. I am afraid at this point to get a new "fast"machine for fear that it will be worse. I don't know why.Steve A

Hi Steve, " am afraid at this point to get a new "fast"machine for fear that it will be worse. I don't know why.I run fs2004 at full without any problems with my spec. p4 Intel 2.53 ghz, 512 ram certified, Asus p4p800 8X board. About your statement, I have seen the completly reverse here, for those have similar system spec, most users that`s have under 1.5 GHZ have trouble or low fps with fs2004, 2d fps panel drop and similar others issue that`s do not appears on higher spec. It's a matter of buying the good stuff, board,cpu, videocard, specialy certified stuff, how it was builded, a good managing system updated, bios, chipset driver and non a corrupted system + the right OSPerfect example;http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...id=143672&page=ThanksChris Willis[link:fsw.simflight.com/FSWMenuFsSim.html]Clouds And Addons For MsFs

Steve I am with you, for a while I thought yeah I wanna get a new computer, but hearing all these stories of people getting 10 FPS with there 2.4 GHZ computer, I can get 13 FPS with the Aerodesigns A340 at LAX, now thats really putting a load on my system, I got other places and the frames get much higher, I have mine lokced at 17, and often I see 15+, so for now I think I am sticking with my "old" clunker!

Hi Kurt, "Steve I am with you, for a while I thought yeah I wanna get a new computer, but hearing all these stories of people getting 10 FPS with there 2.4 GHZ computer, I can get 13 FPS with the Aerodesigns A340 at LAX, now thats really putting a load on my system, I got other places and the frames get much higher, I have mine lokced at 17, and often I see 15+, so for now I think I am sticking with my "old" clunker!""I can get 13 FPS with the Aerodesigns A340 at LAXGeess if you are happy with 13 fps;I got between 20 and 30 all fs20004 running at full slider to right, 600 mb of 3rd party mesh at 85%, All PAI traffic at 100% , with two cumulus clouds layers, full 100% autogen, full scenery 100%, 2x Antialasing, between 30 and 80 fps higher than 10 000 feet. 20 fps near detailed airports. If I reduce some slider I get confortable 30 fps in any situation.Try this and see your frame rate and stutters on your system. I have an old P3 500, I have to reduce alot of slider, disable the autogen and able to run the sim, not even compare with mid and higher spec, there is no comparaison at all apple and candy.The cry you have seeen from others about 10 fps, it's because they use high resolution and full antialasing and others things. ThanksChris Willis[link:fsw.simflight.com/FSWMenuFsSim.html]Clouds And Addons For MsFs

I would like higher FPS but still 13 is not all that bad, but yes you are right, people who run 1600x1200 resolution and 8x AF and 8x AA do for sure probably have some troubles, I found that for me a lower resolution and turn the AA up higher provides a smooth image and that looks good.