Good flight simulator?

[jbass]

My grandfather is interested in reliving his days as a pilot and is interested in getting a flight simulator. He has a brand new computer with a Pentium D, 1GB Ram and Windows Vista.

Are there any decent flight simulators that will play on this system? It doesn't have the be the latest and greatest, and I dont mind buying a cheape graphics card if needed (the comp does have a PCI express 16x slot).

 

[pontifex]

If he's looking for WWII, look up the IL-2 Sturmovik games and Pacific Fighters.

 

[manimal]

If he can get past the learning curve-which is steep-then the IL2 series will give a real pilot a ton of content since the expansions over time have kept the community active. Th Falcon series with the community made mods has developed a truly immersive and challenging flight experience if your grandfather is interested in flying more modern aircraft. Ask him if hes interested in learning how to cold start a Falcon B and flying realistic sorties.


If hes wearing depends and wants something more arcadey the MS combat flight sim from a few years ago will do and will run on a voodoo 1 covered in peanutbutter.

 

[jbass]

Hhaha.. thanks

 

[Modular]

The reality is that you will need to buy a GPU before he'll be able to play anything on his computer. A 7600gt at least for flight sims. They are generally quite demanding on hardware.

 

[Cutthroat]

If he doesn't want a combat sim, FS2004 would work OK on that system, and it's more realistic.

 

[videopho]

MS's latest FSx may fit his bill but not his PC.
Integrated graphic needs not apply for most flight sim games today.
There is no point playing at the lowest settings and the slide-show frame rate.
Tell him to upgrade to at least a 79xx as someone already suggests.

 

[Modelworks]

I would recommend MS flight simulator (century of flight edition).
It came out a few years ago but its still a great flight sim and runs on moderate hardware.
It was the first flight sim I ever really got into and the community is really great.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: Modelworks
I would recommend MS flight simulator (century of flight edition).
It came out a few years ago but its still a great flight sim and runs on moderate hardware.
It was the first flight sim I ever really got into and the community is really great.

Check out avsim and simviation while you are at it. Be amazed at the library of downloads.

 

[VoteQuimby]

IL2 1946 FTW

 

[fallenangel99]

IL2 is awesome. I belive Best Buy has it for $20 or so. VERY VERY detailed, and you need to know your controls!

 

[gorcorps]

Originally posted by: fallenangel99
IL2 is awesome. I belive Best Buy has it for $20 or so. VERY VERY detailed, and you need to know your controls!

How detailed? I was planning on picking this up but not if I can't use a joypad.

 

[JRich]

Flight Gear?

 

[schneiderguy]

Originally posted by: JRich
Flight Gear?

:thumbsup: that will run a lot better on integrated graphics than MS Flight sim will