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[commoner]

Hi all.
       I have recently come back to FS from FS98, the reason being that I got a new computer a few months ago and can now use FS9 as it seems to be known (FS2004) .....My new PC has the AMD Athlon XP3000+ (2.16 GHz) processor with 512 MB of RAM and the Radeon 9200 graphics card.....thing is ....what sort of settings should I be aiming at regarding the display. The defaults are not set very high and the frame rate says "locked at 20FPS" It all looks great ..at least in comparison to the 98 version, but up 'til now I am only pottering around with the Cessna at various airfields. Is this set up OK? or should I be looking for higher frame rates etc.............My old pc was just a pentium 200MMx so I am not sure just what to expect from this rig. :-/ Thanks................

[Politically Incorrect]

The "frame rate" subject can be a touchy one, for many think differently as to what your rates should be.
The main thing is finding what is acceptable too you. 20fps is great, in my opinion your eyes won't notice anything much higher (again a debateable subject).

There is no point in locking your frame rates at something like 50 knowing that your not going to achive it, it doesn't do any good and waste valuable resources as your computer is trying harder to hit the mark, so 20-25 fps is good, starting there increase your settings (clouds,AI traffic, scenery detail etc) to the highest amount possible in order to get the best graphic quaility and frame rates.
Unfortanately all computers are different even if they are identical "twins", so one persons "perfect" settings may not be the case with yours.
It is all trial and error, and the main thing is too find what works best for you.

[commoner]

Thanks PI..........I'll play it by ear then from this point on. It certainly is smoooooooth, at the moment. My old 98 version used to have a break every few minutes  ;D

[garymbuska]

Good advice Politically Incorrent
Dont forget to try different aircraft and put your self at different airports as well. Once you get a idea on what you get for frame rates with each setup you can shoot for the middle that way you know that no matter where you go what weather you find & the aircraft you are in at the time you will still get descent frame rates.
I realize this sounds like a lot here but it is really the best way I can think of, so you do not have to mess with the settings because you go to a different airport or use a different plane or the weather goes bad.

[Skittles]

One thing to do when finding your target frame rate...

Pick a busy area. I use KSEA. Slew up to about 2000ft. Unslew and pause the sim. Set Target Frame Rate to unlimited.

Using the default Cessna 172, switch to external views, about 75 ft from the aircraft.

There are six angles to view the aircraft from. Top, Bottom, Left, Right, Front and Rear.

From all these angles and using the SHF-Z display, determine the average FPS for each. NOTE: There is a line in the FS9.CFG file you need add to activate the average FPS. I currently don't remember what is is and I'm at work.

After determining all six AVG FPS, average them together. Use that to determine your starting target frame rate.

Joe

[commoner]

Wow...I'm just gobsmacked at all this advice...Thanks

[Skittles]

Just take one step at a time.

[Mozz]

Another thing. I was reading in PCpilot that if you want just set your frame rates to unlimited (slider maxed out). Theres no need to lock frames in fs 2004 like fs 2002 as you shouldn't get in game jumpiness from this. Worked with me .

[commoner]

Hey...could it be THAT easy?  

[SaVas]

Three things I would recommend. One is free, the other two are not.

First the free one (shareware donate if you have a few bucks to spare)

Download and install [link=http://www.fs-gs.com/downloads.htm]Ken Salter's FSAutoStart[/link] found on Michael's (Ramsa) website FS-GS

Now the ones that cost money

Get another 512 MB of Ram. It makes a huge difference

Secondly, on the same website [link=http://www.fs-gs.com/]Flight Simulator Graphics Solutions[/link] Michael can, from testimonials here, and on his site (ask Fly2e on the boards here about it) tweak your system so your computer runs smoother and your graphics are tweaked to perfection. Its a Payware I will soon be getting once I have time that I can allocate a day to.

As for locking or unlimited framerates, I personally lock mine at 25fps. Anything over 20 you wont really notice and there is no sense in making your computer allocate more information to higher framerates. At 25fps I see my sim run smooth as melted butter.

---Stephen