Shadowe,

Hi.  Personally...... I think that is a question without a concrete answer for others to give you  .  Each machine and software setup is SO different from another one.  Unfortunately you really have to test, test, test.

The key points in your post for me are the 256 Meg of RAM and the 64 Meg shared video controller combined with running Win XP.

Win XP needs 128 meg of RAM just to load itself.  So that is leaving only 128 Meg of RAM to take care of both the video card and running the FS program.  That's not much to work with.

So my guess is to start with most sliders and options turned way down and start adding stuff back in one at a time until performance takes an objectionable "hit".

Suggestions:  Likely keep clouds to simple and not too heavy and sight distane short.  Keep the AI traffic way down.  Don't try to run too many multiple light sources and shadows and stuff.

If you can scrounge the bucks..... I'd suggest adding an AGP video card of the 128 Meg variety and then right after that some more RAM.


Hope this helps.

best,

.......................john

to save topic space in this al;ready over populated forum I ask this:

I'm getting the newest dell offer soon (The one with burner and printer) What graphics card and/or any thing else do you recomend for optimum performance: Things I like out of this game.

I like detailed clouds, lots of traffic , detailed scenery and as many fine details as I can possibly get.

What do you recomend how much does it cost, and why do you recomend it?

thankie!!!!! >.> 

oh and uh... how do I take screen shots? thanks.

Quote:



Screen shots are easy. Just hit "Print Screen" and then open up your paint program and select "Paste" and paste the image into that. Or alternately you can download a screen shot utility (best in my opinion). There are a number of them available. Just have a look through the file library. I use YAFScreen myself and FScreen (older version). There are several others and anyone you ask will have a favorite.

Some unsolicited advice. Go to a computer store and have them build you a PC. Those package deals like Dell and other companies usually include a few good features and a bunch of low end features. For example you may get a huge hard drive and great processor and then they throw in an onboard graphics card.

For best performance you want all components separate. Start with a good processor and MB then add the components onto that (memory, graphics card, sound card, drives etc. This way you can upgrade easily, if something breaks down replacement is cheaper and you get exactly what you need without features you will never use or features that are less than you need.

There are many computer stores who will build a machine to your specifications and they'll also let you tell them what you want and then suggest how to set up your system.

Personally that's what I suggest as the best way to go.

Quote:


That is SO hard to answer meaningfully.

I think you really have to come at it from the other direction.  Stipulate your MAXIMUM budget number for this project..... the "drop dead" top figure you'll not go over.  I don't mean that you need to do that here..... just figuratively speaking  .  Once you have that settled..... then you are ready to begin planning.

Then, within that overall budget number, ..... work backwards to get the best quality components that you can afford with that amount of money spent.

Unfortunately for budget conscious builders, FS2004 seems to have multiple  (expensive) requirements for top performance....... a fast CPU with a fast, wide data buss, heavy demands on size and speed of RAM, and intense graphics.  That makes it very difficult to "have it all" unless the budget it large.

So when you are "trimming" items or quality to fit it all into the budget you have...... those are the places to spend your money..... and save your money by forgetting stuff like the massive size HDs, the DVD burner, the printer, the scanner, the card readers, and so on.

Really, it does no good for someone to recommend the top-of-the-line components for everything...and then find out the total budget for the whole project is only $1000.00 USD.  The current top-of-the-line video card would eat almost half of that figure  .

And I agree with MattNW on the "have it built" to your specs concept.  The only way to go.  Most bang for the buck....... but you will have to do your homework.  

Hope this helps.

best,

...................john