Flight Simulator 2004

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Flight Simulator 2004

Posted: 12/27/2003 6:29:33 PM EDT

I hinted around that I wanted this for Christmas.

What I got was Flight Simulator 98.

I says for Win 95/98/NT. Will it work on Win XP?

Even if it will run on my computer, should I take it back and spend another $40 on FS 2004? Anyone with experience with both versions?

I understand you can practice flying into the Twin Towers with 98, should I just keep it for anti-PC (politicaly correct) reasons?

Posted: 12/27/2003 6:48:26 PM EDT

[#1]

I've had every version of FS since Bruce Artwick was doing the orginal version pre IBM-PC.

GET 2004!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What's the specs on your PC?

Posted: 12/27/2003 7:33:17 PM EDT

[#2]

1.3 Ghz
40 gig drive
256 meg ram
dvd rom

I'm sure my PC has the ablility to run it, but will XP support it?

I've had other older programs that run fine on 98 not work with XP.

Posted: 12/27/2003 7:44:04 PM EDT

[#3]

Holy geez dude, take it BACK!!! Wtf, FS 98??? Who went out of their way to pick that up for $3 in the discount bin for you? Go get 2004. You will be happy.

Posted: 12/27/2003 7:55:12 PM EDT

[#4]

FS98 and FS2004 can't be compared. get 2004 if your system can handle it.

minimum requirements are
windows 2000/xp-128 mb ram
processor 450 MHz
hard drive 1.8 GB free
video card 8MB/3D direct x 9.0 or later

if you get it try doing aerobatics in the Tri-Motor, its a real trip.

Edited to add I see your system now, get 2004, it is the best game I own.

98 is fun but no comparison, just be sure to have a joystick with a twist grip for the rudders.

Posted: 12/27/2003 7:56:23 PM EDT

[#5]

Don't know, but if it doesn't you're screwed...

If it's still NIW, maybe exchange it towards 2004 (or 2003. 2004 = 2003 + old plane models)...

Posted: 12/27/2003 8:06:13 PM EDT

[#6]

FS 2004 is awesome. No comparison in the two. I have and love FS 2004.

I got Lock On: Modern Air Combat for Christmas, and it's been kicking my ass, and that of my PC (Athlon XP 1900, 1.24Gb memory, 128 Mb GefoRCE fX5600 Video Card). The graphics are so intensive and realistic that during low level flight (the closest to real I've seen) with explosions, I get down to 3 or 4 frames per second. Kinda sucks, but happens to all the systems, even those with more "OOMPH" than mine. I highly Recommend this sim if you like to shoot at things. Just be prepared to die alot.

Flyable aircraft are:

A-10 (Rocks!)
F-15C
Sukhoi Su-33
Su-27
Su-25
Mig-29A

I now have to upgrade my processor (probably to a P4 3.2 GHz HT and more memory, about 3 gHz) and as I read it, the sim will still push hell out of the frame rate. Damn Them.

It's awesome.

SG

Posted: 12/27/2003 8:13:53 PM EDT

[#7]

I got FS 2004 from the big guy a few days ago...gets installed tomorrow

Posted: 12/27/2003 8:14:20 PM EDT

[#8]

Get 2004. No question...

Posted: 12/27/2003 8:20:10 PM EDT

[#9]

If you decide to use it, you should just have to run in in compatability mode for 98.

Posted: 12/27/2003 9:46:58 PM EDT

[#10]

Ditto what ScaryGuy says about LOMAC. Flying the A-10 ROCKS! I have an Athlon XP 2400, 1.5GB and a GeForce 4 and it's very smooth in all situations.

Posted: 12/27/2003 10:03:11 PM EDT

[#11]

Is it memory then? I have a 1.8gHz P with 512k and the Lock On demo looked like a slide show.

Posted: 12/27/2003 10:09:45 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
Is it memory then? I have a 1.8gHz P with 512k and the Lock On demo looked like a slide show.

View Quote

I hope you mean 512MB [:)]. With those specs, if it runs choppy I'm going to guess you have a crappy video card. What do you have in there? (And if you don't know, I'd be 99.9% sure it's crappy! [:D])

Posted: 12/27/2003 11:38:56 PM EDT

[#13]

2004 is a must. I downloaded a F16 model and flew it over baghdad.. wish you could drop bombs or fire missiles.

Posted: 12/28/2003 12:32:58 AM EDT

[#14]

I'm running a 2800+, 1GB RAM and a Radeon 9700 Pro under XP Pro. I can kick up the settings in the ATI control panel to max and run 2004 at 1024x768/32 with almost everything topped out and hardly drop below 30fps.

If you have a decent CPU and RAM the GPU makes or breaks the sim.

Get 2004 and never look back.

Posted: 12/28/2003 6:13:17 AM EDT

[#15]

Is 2004 a big improvement over 2002? I haven't had that one that long and have hesitated to get the upgrade.

patsue

Posted: 12/28/2003 6:16:49 AM EDT

[#16]

2004 Rocks. Love the internet downloadable current weather.

Aviator

Posted: 12/28/2003 6:26:57 PM EDT

[#17]

It depends on what kind of flying you're doing. If you use it for "Instrument flying practice, to just stay ahead of the airplane", then F.S.'98 will do just fine. The graphics are not that important since you're in the clouds most of the time anyway. And there is an instrument approach to practice to almost ALL major and municipal airports, no matter where you live. For VFR, and just "flying around", '04 is the better call. Here's the best idea; spend $5,000 on your instrument rating, and save the $28 more you need to spend on Flight Sim 2004!
Radioman12

Posted: 12/28/2003 6:46:10 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
2004 is a must. I downloaded a F16 model and flew it over baghdad.. wish you could drop bombs or fire missiles.

View Quote

Try Falcon 4.0...

Old (1998/1999), but it's to military sims what MS FS is to general aviation sims...

LOMAC

View Quote

Is this of the 'Falcon 4.0' (a serious attempt at realisim) or 'F-15 Strike Eagle' (shooting arcade in the sky) style game?

Posted: 12/28/2003 8:10:33 PM EDT

[#19]

Falcon 4.0 is NOT an arcade game in any way, shape or form. The manual comes in a 3 ring binder, is a few hundred pages and written by a Viper pilot if I remember correctly.

I was running 4.0 back when it was first out with a full Thrustmaster setup and it ROCKED! All you needed to do is figure out how to rig up a G-suit and it would be the closest thing to being there.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Flight Simulator 2004

General » General Discussion

Win a FREE Membership!

Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!

You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us