What is a good video card for FS2000?
From FlightSim
Q:
I have K6-3 400Mhz, 64Mhz RAM, Matrox G400 16Mb, and the frame rate with all options full is dismal: 8-12 fps. What's a good video card for this FS2K beast?
Thanks!
A:
- In the game's display options, selecting a low Terrain Texture Distance value will help the MOST. I run the thing at about 26 or so. BIG HELP!
- Resolution: on my TNT-1 card (old technology) there is almost no difference between 1024 x 768 and 1280 x 1024. This is significant as it suggests the video card is not really the bottleneck for this sim often. So I run it at the desktop res of 1280x1024x16 which is nice, real nice.
- Back on to display options. Keep the Terrain Mesh Complexity down to 40 or so. Visibility at 80 miles or so. Scenery Density at normal or dense is OK. Pretty much everything else should be run at as low as you can tolerate. I find the Image Quality (or whatever it is on top left of the slider series in display settings) is best at #2. Still looks nice but is a bit less taxing.
- Cloud layers are beautiful, but brutal. Use them sparingly!
- On the heavy jets--learn to use the autopilot wherever possible as this offers smooth and realistic flight. It takes the JS input out of the mix and you get ultra smooth flight (unless in heavy weather . . .)
- For takeoffs and landings in busy areas--use the full max front view to smooth the sim out dramatically. When I am on final approach I get down to 80 feet or so and hit the W key (or a programmed button on my JS) to bring up full main view and lose the panel. Landings then are silky smooth.
Noel
