My machine can't handle it!!!

[morrir]

I just got me CFS3. Problem is I don't think my PC is ready for it. What would you experienced people recommend for RAM (SDRAM only) and graphics card on a PIV 2GB machine. At the moment I have matrox G550 and 384 RAM.  ???
I see the potential but it's all to slow to have a decent dogfight even.
Regards

[Katahu]

In the CFS3 misc section, there is an addon that teaches you on how to tweak CFS3 to work decently in your PC.

With the kind of RAM that you have, you shouldn't have any problem. Especially since you have a P4 2GB processor.

If you have already explored your options and you can't get the decent performance you were promised to have, then I suggest DUMP CFS3 and go for something else.

Other alternatives:

If you are the kind of person who like to fly modern jet fighters, then try Lock On: Modern Air Combat [LOMAC].

If you don't have CFS2, then give it a try.

If you don't like CFS2 and CFS3, then try IL-2 Sturmovik: Forgotten battles [IL-2: FB].

If you don't want to keep wasting money, then try out the demo-version of IL-2: FB. It's free to download. However, it has less quality because DUHH it's a demo. But it's worth a try.

If you like IL-2: FB, then go buy it. If you can't find it in the stores, buy it online. It costs only $25-$30 USD.

But make sure you have gone through all your options with CFS3 before you go out and buy a different combat sim.

I learned my lesson with CFS3 the hard way.

[bobc1]

Hi morrir,

I wrote my recommendations here:

http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb/ ... 1072031846

1- Simply put, you want at least 512MBs of system RAM to run CFS3. 768MBs would be better.

2- Your graphics card really needs upgrading. The Matrox 550 (32MBs) is getting so old that you can buy one for around 30 bux now. It just can't run the newer flight simulators of today.

If you can afford one get at least an ATI Radeon 9700 Pro. I've had mine for over a year now and it's a great video card. They're around $220.00 now. Make sure that you get the Pro version.

The ATI Radeon 9800XT is the best video card available now but they cost between $450.00-$500.00. OUCH!

Your P4_2.0GHz processor is plenty fast enough for CFS3. It's just your RAM and video card that's holding you back. You'll see a HUGE difference if you just do these 2 upgrades.

Good luck.

[morrir]

Thanx for your replies. The RAM upgrade is a definite must. Then I'll have to save some skill points for a new graphics card! (wish it was that easy!!!) I also performed some of the tweaks as recommended, but alas I'm still flying a sloooowwww machine. BTW by this I mean the plane is slow to respond to flight changes.
Regards