Will FS2004 work on my computer?

[Cobra2]

Hey guys, I know its been forever since I've been on Milavia haha. Just been busy.
Anyways, I was wondering, I wanna upgrade to Flight Simulator 2004. I think my specs can handle it on some settings...probably around medium..or custom.

But anyway, I'm sure Viggen can help me here haha
I am going to get it tomorrow on Walmart.com 

So heres my specs:

Windows XP version 2002
Service Pack 2 Proffesional

Pentium 4 CPU
3.00Ghz
2.99Ghz
504MB of RAM

I have an integrated Graphics Controller also.

The computer itself is from around 2004 I believe.

I saw that some system specs of FS2004 says:

• Processor – 450-megahertz (MHz) processor
• Memory - 128 megabytes (MB) of RAM for Windows 2000 and for Windows XP.
• 64 MB of RAM for Windows 98 and for Windows Millennium Edition.
 
• Hard Disk Space – 1.8 gigabytes (GB) of hard disk space.
• Video – An 8 MB, 3-D video card.
• Audio – An audio card with speakers or with headphones.
• Modem – A modem that supports 56 kilobits per second (Kbps) or a modem that supports an Internet connection for multiplayer games.
• Joystick - A joystick is optional.
Note These are the minimum system requirements that a computer must have to run Flight Simulator 2004. You can increase the overall performance of your computer if you exceed these requirements.


So I see that I pretty much exceed all specs....but what level of graphics could I roughly play it on?

Thanks in advance

(Oh and does anyone know why there are 4 discs??)

[Viggen]

Im pretty sure you will be able to fly around in the world of FS2004.
The settings are highly customable, so i dont see a problem with finding the right settings for you with some experimenting.

Then there are files you can download and patches to increase the preformance of FS2004.

"(Oh and does anyone know why there are 4 discs??)"

Because Microsoft is a pain in the BU**!    Actually its because the game comes on CD and not DVD.

[Cobra2]

Well thanks for the help Viggen but...I just took a system test with that link you gave me a while ago..I exceed in everything it needs, but it reccomends a Nvidia graphics card! so thats it for FS2004 lol

So what do you think about FS2002? =[ I am certain I could play that. Its just I don't have a graphics card.

And Viggen do you think FS2002 is a good game?

[Viggen]

When it comes to graphics, there is not much diffrence between FS2002 and FS2004. Its a little better as always it the latest versions, but the basics are the same.

With FS2004 microsoft introduced the G-Max models (Format for 3D-models). They are easier to build for developers and they look much better. FS2002 does not have these (and dont support them, I think). So you end up with crappier looking aircraft.

ATC was introduced with FS2002, so you´ll get to "chat" with the tower atleast. Anyway,  You can fly all over the world and navigation is the same in all FS series. (From FS2000).

FS2002 is a good platform to start with. 

[Cobra2]

Ok then thanks Viggen. 

I think I will do FS2002 for now. Someday I might just get myself a graphics card so I can play even FSX one guy told me....if I have graphics card.

But I think 2002 will do for now, as its got vapor effects, water, contrails at high alititude, sparks and such landing without landing gear, and landing smoke. Not to mention realistic AI you can escort and ATC so....I might be able to deal with the graphics haha...some don't look too bad because it even has reflective paint.

Thanks alot Viggen

And I will see if I can play FS2004. I believe I can but don't want to waste my money if I can't play it. Maybe I'll get a lucky copy

[Cobra2]

Sorry for double post but, I got FS2002 Pro, Its awesome! the effects are great and it even has moving water that looks real. And best of all, houses, trees, and 3D Cockpits!

lol

[Viggen]

Nice to hear you like it!

So where have you been flying? Have you taken off and landed at Lukla yet (in a Cessna)? 

[Webmaster]

FS2002 is not bad at all, I downloaded some (free) aircraft for it, including the An-22. Which looks great! Inside and out, and is heavy to fly. I don't have a better screenshot at this moment than the standard one.

If you can't find it anymore on the web, let me know, and I can send the zip to you.

[Raptor]

Cobra-the computer i ran FS2004 on didn't have a graphics card either... Was using the Intel Extreme Graphics II thing... Ran perfectly fine...  I have a copy of FS1998 and Viggen's a bit wrong with the "navigation is the same in all FS series. (From FS2000)." bit...  anyway, if you have enough RAM to sacrifice, it's possible to dedicate enough of it to vram and download a pixel shader so you'll have specs high enough for FSX, although gameplay would be extremely choppy. 

[Cobra2]

Well Viggen, I found an extremely realistic Pakistani Air Force F-16C, so much fun to fly. It has a very detailed Virtual Cockpit, as well as working radar to intercept AI planes.
Infact I just got done with a fun flight in the plane, taking off from USAF Academy (I forget what state  ), and flew around 50-100ft along roads, over houses, antennas, radios stuff lol...one suprised me, I was flying low over houses watching this little red light infront of me, then out of nowhere the light got big and zoomed past my right wing...I was going 600mph and full afterburner LOL

@ Raptor, I think I could play FS2004 now, because I heard if you can play FS2002, you can play 2004...and i run 2002 on all specs to high and water reflection, plane reflection, water motion and 100% AI etc. and it works fluidly.

And another thing Viggen, I found a ton of servers that support both FS2002/FS2004/FSX, ALL different versions can fly together! So get FSHostSpay, it finds all servers for them. But the thing is, I try to connect, nothing happens. I know its port forwarding...but what ports do I forward in my router and firewall?? I really want to fly online with my two buds that play FS2002, and if you can play with FS2002 users, fly with you, too. Thanks

[Raptor]

True, Cobra, but i prefer full detail in all my graphics.  The specs for FS2004 are higher than those in your first post... Not your computer the 04 min specs

About the internet thing... I think for most games it's safe to shut down firewalls and anti-virus programs completely temporarily... I usually do. Can't help you with the router i never got that kind of problem before.

[Cobra2]

Well....I'm  pretty sure that its not only my Firewall, but my router. So, I know how to configure my router..I just need to know what ports to unblock.

And now that I look at my reply of that F-16 flight, I was actually anywhere between tree top level, below tree top (flying over roads  ), and up to 50 when over buildings and such.

Then after that I flew an F-14 for some fun carrier ops, landed on the aircraft carrier a couple times (on my 2nd landing...I decended too hard and collapsed the landing gear..LOL) then after the 2nd, I landed 3 more times without problems.

I love flight simulator