I like ATI (AMD now) for a couple of reasons. I think it works particularly well with CAD software, which I will also be using; and because my motherboard supports AMD Crossfire, but not Nvidia SLI. So going with AMD would allow me the option of adding a second GPU if it seemed warranted sometime in the future.

 

After taking a look at what GPUs are out now, I like the AMD 7850 at under $200. It seems to hit a sweet spot for power and value.

 

As for my RAM, I have 4x4GB. There's no changing that now. 4x4GB was far less expensive when I bought it in Dec 2012 than 2x8GB.

 

 

You'd be all set even with 2x4GB.

 

If your new video card has 2GB it's hard for me to see why you should ever need that crossfire/SLI thing.

I suggest you to take default FSX + some SP or acceleration pack, and pass all FSX lessons and checkrides, and then you are ready for something more complicate.

I like ATI (AMD now) for a couple of reasons. I think it works particularly well with CAD software, which I will also be using; and because my motherboard supports AMD Crossfire, but not Nvidia SLI. So going with AMD would allow me the option of adding a second GPU if it seemed warranted sometime in the future.

 

After taking a look at what GPUs are out now, I like the AMD 7850 at under $200. It seems to hit a sweet spot for power and value.

 

As for my RAM, I have 4x4GB. There's no changing that now. 4x4GB was far less expensive when I bought it in Dec 2012 than 2x8GB.

 

Hi Tom, welcome to the simulator community and the land of heaps of opinions.

 

I'm a long time NVidia user/fan and switched to ATI a couple of years ago to try something new and there was a good price on one I wanted but I worried my FSX experience would take a punch. Once I found the right settings, I realized I had nothing to worry about. Currently, I run a 6950 2GB ATI card and, dollar for dollar it looks every bit as good and runs as smooth as NVidia. I know there is still a lot of "don't use ATI with FSX" comments being passed from user to user. This is based on old data though which is understandable. And there are way more NVidia setup guides out there for sure so I can see how that would happen. I have seen threads where people have bad experience with ATI but I can guarantee this is due to mis-configuration. I have set up 3 models of ATI on my own three builds and a few on others and have found the best results. I'll link that below.

 

Lots of good how to's out there. What a super community. No doubt this is the best NVidia inspector setup guide I have seen and NVidia is a great choice for FSX but so is ATI. These guides are to achieve good AA and reduce shimmer and stutter and whatever other gremlins you may want to stomp out. All good info. Both cards need the right settings. I find ATI easier to set up though. There are less things to tinker with and you get the same results.

 

NVidia Setup Guide for FSX

http://forum.avsim.net/topic/324786-nvidia-configuration-guide-inspector-2xxxx-drivers-version-20-explanations-of-all-settings/

 

ATI Setup Guide for FSX 

http://forum.avsim.net/topic/404430-optimal-settings-for-ati-users-with-fsx-great-results/#entry2639144

 

As for the card you were looking at (7850 2GB) in FSX, it is the equivalent to an NVidia GTX570 in FSX and is a tick faster than my HIS 6950 2GB. If your getting a good $$$ get it you will dig it.

 

Just remember....

 

in ATI CCC TURN OFF SURFACE FORMAT OPTIMIZATION and set AA to 4x SuperSample AA and 16xHQAF but really just read my guide. It's like 5 settings and your done.

 

I would recommend a twist joystick to start with to make sure you are going to stick with flightsimming and go from there. One with Throttles on board like the Saitek AV8R. It's a great starter stick and works extremely well with FSX.

 

Charles.

For someone with virtually no experience in flight simulators, who wants to try it out recreationally:

 

 

is MS FSX the best AVSIM software for a beginner?

 

 

Is so, why?  

 

 

If not, why not--and which software is better?

 

 

 

Since this is the FSX forum I am not surprised by the answers. I had never touched a flight sim until April of last year.....

 

 The correct answer is MS  FLIGHT. Very simple user interface with great graphics and introduction to flying . After you get bored with it's limited land mass and limited AC move over to FSX.

 

BTW stay away from XPLANE!

You'd be all set even with 2x4GB.

 

More than 6GB its overkill for FSX, there's the issue of DDR3 memory working best in multiples of 3 (triple-channel), which means 6GB it's usually faster then 8GB.

The correct answer is MS  FLIGHT. Very simple user interface with great graphics and introduction to flying . After you get bored with it's limited land mass and limited AC move over to FSX.

 

Are you saying MS FLIGHT is easier to get started with because it's simpler to use; and FSX is not as good to start with because it's more complicated than optimal for a beginner?

 

Hype? That's not hype at all.

 

 

 

Screenshots? Links?

More than 6GB its overkill for FSX, there's the issue of DDR3 memory working best in multiples of 3 (triple-channel), which means 6GB it's usually faster then 8GB.

 

I'm no hardware wizard. Have heard 2x4 should be better than 4x4. 3x2 sounds convincing, but the OP mentions blocks of 4GB, he owns already. 3x4 instead of 4x4 for him, in his case?

 

Are you saying MS FLIGHT is easier to get started with because it's simpler to use; and FSX is not as good to start with because it's more complicated than optimal for a beginner?

 

You can have an easy start with FSX, too. It offers way more opportunities with ongoing addon development, so I would refrain from spending additional money on MS Flight. (You'll end up with FSX or Prepar3D some day, anyway.)

Get FS9 starting out it has tons of add-ons and lots airports are free for download.  Start out with the cessna and pipers and learn the basics of flight because once you get the basics can understand easier how to handle the bigger planes.  Visuals mean nothing if the plane cant get off the ground and land in one piece.  FSX is fine for beginner but be prepared to micromanaging running the program instead of flying. 

Are you saying MS FLIGHT is easier to get started with because it's simpler to use; and FSX is not as good to start with because it's more complicated than optimal for a beginner?

 

 

 

Yes, no tweaking required. Just download and fly.

Are you saying MS FLIGHT is easier to get started with because it's simpler to use; and FSX is not as good to start with because it's more complicated than optimal for a beginner?

Though it is true is "easier" to use from the beginning. If your like many, you quickly will want to take the next step to a more realistic simulator so you might as well do yourself a favor get started right off with FS2004,FSX. Xplane or whatever. I see folks ever day going from FLIGHT to FS and having to start over and have no clue how to get started. Flight will only "dumb you down". Kinda depends if you want a "game" or you want to learn a more realistic flight environment? It's an individuals choice.

Get FS9 starting out it has tons of add-ons and lots airports are free for download.  Start out with the cessna and pipers and learn the basics of flight because once you get the basics can understand easier how to handle the bigger planes.  Visuals mean nothing if the plane cant get off the ground and land in one piece.  FSX is fine for beginner but be prepared to micromanaging running the program instead of flying. 

 

The OP has the hardware to run FSX successfully.

 

Yes, no tweaking required. Just download and fly.

 

FSX has only two essential tweaks: the HIGHMEMFIX and the UIAutomationcore.dll

All the others are "nice-to-have" or can even destabilize your system.

The OP has the hardware to run FSX successfully.

 

 

FSX has only two essential tweaks: the HIGHMEMFIX and the UIAutomationcore.dll

All the others are "nice-to-have" or can even destabilize your system.

lol heard that one before. :lol:

 

The OP can actually try Flight for FREE.

The main selling point for FSX for a beginner is it has lessons and  tutorials that hold you hand. The con is it's legacy software and will not be updated. For most a lot of tweaking is involved to get it to run acceptably.

 

You can download the X-Plane demo for free and see how you like it. More modern, less tweaking needed, and when you fly the air actually has wind in it. But X-Plane has it's quirks, too.

 

I'm assuming you want a civil sim, but if not DCS World is an option. The base pack is free and comes with an aircraft.

lol heard that one before. :lol:

 

The OP can actually try Flight for FREE.

 

 

In fact, there's nothing wrong with testing Flight for free. It's simply nothing more than a short road to travel ...