Simviation Forums

I just recently purchased a Dell XPS 8700 computer and I'm in the process of choosing between Flight Simulator 2004 and Flight Simulator X (SE) for my new computer. However, before I decide, I need to know if my computer is capable of handling the most recent flight simulator (FSX: SE - my preferred choice).

My computer specs are as follows:

-Windows 8.1

-4th Generation Intel® Core i7-4790 processor (8M Cache, up to 4.0 GHz)

-16 GB DDR3L

-NVIDIA GeForce GTX 745 4GB DDR3 video card

-2 TB hard drive with 7.200 1/min.

I've read polarising view points on whether this system is able to smoothly and efficiently run FSX: SE. I'm really quite eager to start with a flight simulator game again and would greatly appreciate some thoughtful insight into this. Thanks!

I would say you shouldn't have a problem with FSX SE or a boxed edition. My first machine that I had FSX on was half those specs and I was able to bring the sim to life with some tweaks. Although Dell wouldn't have been my first choice..

No problem with your specs.
I have an HP Pavilion i7 2.7 Ghz, 8Gb memory, upgraded from a GTX260 2Gb to a GTX660 2Gb (in order to have DX11).
All I can say is that FSX-SE runs perfect and has been like "plug and play", no tweaks needed, no Nvidia Inspector adjustments. Dovetail has done a great job.

If you use the steam version you will not have to worry about any privileges as this will not instal into the Program Files folder.
In either case you specs or more than enough to run either version full blast. You can see my specs in my signature and I am running it full blast locked frame rates at 20 .
If you have a second drive handy FSX will run better installed on it that is what I do but I built my system from scratch and have two internal drives and 1 external USB 3.2 drive.
That is one of the advantages of building your system instead of buying a store bought one. Some are hard or impossible to add extra internal drives on.

Thanks for the replies!

I haven't installed one yet; I'm still torn between the two. I'm not looking forward to having to do some of the tweaking with FSX: SE to get it working properly that I've read about on a couple different boards. I've been away from the Flight Simulator world for several years and have forgotten all there is to know about it and I know that I'm going to have a difficult time moving files and folders and all that (I know I'll have to manually move the location of my add-ons in order for them to work in the Steam Edition). I like the ease of installing and just going with FS9 BUT not the lack of current add-ons that FSX has. So I really don't know what to do. But now that you say that I should have no problem playing this on my computer, that's at least taken away one of my problems.

papituwall - Are you able to play FS: SE on max settings; have you run into any problems with it on full settings?

garymbuska - Can I message you for assistance if I decide to add an additional drive to my computer?

What I would recommend....

Just install FSX...and there you go!

Start off with the default stuff, do a few adjustments, see what you think of it....then start to improve it..slowly!

I have FSX Boxed, and FSX SE, and FS 2004 all on my hard drive, all running flat out on my settings!

Just pop them on your HDD...nuffin' to lose!

Paul.... ...!

Thank you Fozzer! I think I'm finally ready to install it (FSX: SE). Wish me luck, yeah.