Microsoft Flight Simulator X (Deluxe Edition) (PC Games, 2006)

This Simulator is excellent, each release keeps getting better and better!!! Unfortunately the minimum requirements are kind of deceiving although however they are correct, they are the minimum requirements to run the game, but not enjoy it... It only makes sense that to run a great robust game like this, your obviously going to need the hardware requirements behind it. This game was released in late 2006 and was designed for the Windows Vista system, although it works on Windows XP also. So guys if your installing this game on a Celeron PC, with 500mb of ram and an onboard graphics card (a graphics card built into the motherboard that ships with the computer) sorry but your not going to get the best experience with this game, infact FS 2004 would probably better suit you. Remember games that are just being released and have been released since mid to late '06 are going to be designed to be used on today's systems, they are no longer developing games based on a pentium 3 systems requirements or even pentium 4 anymore for that matter. Folks do you remember how long ago Intel released these chips? There is a reason the product line is shipping out dual core processors today.

I have a new AMD Athlon Live dual core processor with each core running at 2.6GHZ, 2GB of DDR2 Ram, 2000GHZ bus speed, 256MB GeForce 8600GT graphics card (bought separately) and a 365GB sata hard drive, with Windows Vista Home Premium

I can run the game with everything set at ultra high settings running at 31fps, I didn't go get some huge $4000 gaming beast but just got a regular "Today" computer. I personally prefer and would recommend AMD over Intel chips because AMD offers higher bus speeds (the speed at which data is transferred over the board), where as intel will offer a high powered GHZ processor but much slower speeds. AMD has been known to be the gamers chip.

Also purchasing a new stick of ram isn't just going to do it for you, there are two types of ram video ram (built into the graphics card) and regular system ram, which snaps into the mother board the difference between the two is that the processor runs two work loads, it runs the work load of the game, and also has to run the work load of running and maintaining the system, obviously the ram on the graphics card is specifically going to be just for that "Graphics" it decreases the load of the processor and stores processed data so that the processor doesn't have to reprocess data after data. Thats the reason for the choppiness of the game. System ram stores all data that is processed by the processor and Windows vista takes up usually 500mb of your system ram automatically. Although Windows Vista is preferred for gaming over XP, it reduces the gaming workload on the processor and Ram, it also holds its main focus on active system process', so it kind of temporarily shuts down background programs and applications that are not currently being used.

Another great way to increase performance on Flight Simulator X is to download the the current service pack 1, it has an increased performance fix, some graphic changes, and some changes of misplaced scenery, it can be downloaded here.

www.fsinsider.com/downloa​ds/Pages/FlightSimulatorXServi​cePack1.aspx

Please don't give bad ratings on the game because its not compatible with your system, it really is an excellent simulation and a great teaching tool for those who may want to or are actively working on a pilots license.

Being the sons of a pilot, our boys are aviation enthusiasts...always wanting to "upgrade" their flight simulator programs. This is a nice program BUT you must have a super powerful computer to play the game at full capacity. If you want air and runway traffic, great weather and terrain graphics, you MUST have a powerful computer...unfortunately, this isn't easily recognized until after you purchase the program. The minimum computer requirements are pretty basic, but, like I said, the plane will fly slow and choppy, without great graphics unless you have more than the minimums. We even purchased a great deal more RAM for our computer and it didn't help...very disappointing for our children.

This game is amazing, i hope to get my pilot's license this summer and this sim is a great trainer. The only problem is that you need a pretty good computer and a pretty good video card to run it. But if you got that, then it's amazing.

I wish I saw these reviews before I bought the Deluxe edition. Unless you have a very powerful video card, Do NOT buy this HUGE program. You will be sorry. I have a new powerful computer (aveage video) and this game still took way toooooo long to do anything.

Not to say I have vast PC game experience or am I a pilot, but I bought the item and went through some of the different options and found the simulator to be very impressive in regards to detail. I found flying over familiar areas amazing in regards to topographically detail. I think this is the closest a home based simulator could take you to the real thing. I hear that the simulator takes a lot of space, that may be true, but I didn't have any problems with it on my DELL XPS 400.

This is by far Microsoft's most aggressive answer to the neverending question; can it get better?! The answer is, of course it can, but at what cost? Most importantly, are simmers willing to pay that cost? If so, then expect to spend thousands of dollars for a new system or major upgrade just for starters. In anticipation of FSX, I built an AMD64 3500 (single core), with a gig of Corsair, a Radeon 850XT PCI vc, a 120 gig sata drive, and a ATI Xfire mb! Of course now, I can max out FS2000, and it plays smooth and great! About 98 fps constantly! Never-the-less, I built this new system for FSX not FS2000! Unfortunately, I was to be disappointed. FSX is slower than ever. Even with the eye candy turned way down, I only manage to peak at about 11 fps. Now that would be fine, if it was consistent. The problem is that my system averages about 7 fps. At that frame rate, the sim is slow, choppy and refreshes every time I change the view. If you like me have spent hundreds of hours on the previous FS titles, then I recommend the sim. However, like most of us, we won't experience the full pleasure of FSX until our wallets and common cents catch up with the latest hardware. For me, that's at least another 2 years from now. Hopefully, my first future new purchase will be upgrading the video card. I'll probably buy a X1950. Maybe then it'll be under $200. But if you have the money now, then definately go for it. Buy the fastest computer on the market. Finally, as a hope-to-be soon licensed pilot with about 63hrs in the Jet Ranger, I can definately say, the 206B's flight characteristics are pretty realistic. For that alone, it's worth the purchase. Remember to check six!

Great game for people who love planes. Graphics are awesome, played on my laptop the program works fine. Worth getting a joystick, I played it with mouse a few times and had to buy something better. Do the training, and then enjoy the missions. Heli is difficult!!

Never seen better. highly recomended!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a pilot, it's pretty realistic scenery and traffic, but still not quite the feel of a real airplane. Great for instrument PROCEDURE practice.

I like this game a lot. It has great graphics and is entertaining. If you have any interest in planes I am sure you will like it. The only thing is that the game takes about 20GB of your hard drive and you have to have a decent computer in order to play the game without the computer freezing.

This is an excellent simulation game for Windows Vista. The graphics are as realistic as any I have seen and the realism in the flight simulator is as good as actual lessons.

Seller informed me that he doesn't take Paypal which I used to pay for this item. I asked what form of payment he accepts and was told personal check or cashier's check. The item was listed as having free shipping. Now the seller informs me that I have to pay an additional $25 for shipping even if I conform to his desired method of payment. I'm not sure what language seller speaks but FREE SHIPPING to me means I don't have to pay shipping. I have already had my credit card debited by Paypal and I presume that if Paypal and seller cannot come to some accord my payment will be refunded. As, in my opinion, the seller has not lived up to the terms of the contract (asking for shipping charge when item as listed as shipping being free), I feel that I am not obligated to take this item on his terms. Therefore, if I have to pay a penny more than the amount I paid by Paypal he can keep the item. So far, I have had good luck purchasing on eBay but this incident has made me a little less trustful of eBay purchases. Proper and correct resolution of this problem might restore my faith in the process.

most realistic simulator yet! I cannot say much more than that! I am at a loss for words! With 21000 airports to fly to it makes for an interesting game!

Flight Simulator does an excellent job doing exactly what it is supposed to do.
I enjoy free flight around cities and taking snapshots of places I have visited or would like to visit.
The 15 GB that the game requires makes the game somewhat long to load at first, and long to load while in the game.
Overall I think FSX is a great addition to your gaming experience

I am learning to fly and my school told me The flight simulator X Deluxe edition is good and that I can learn a lot of techniques from it. I bought a simulator yoke too, over all the experience is not closer to real plane. Very good for those who do not want to fly the actual plane.
Might be helpful for Instrument Flight, which I have not yet tried.

If you love flight simulator's then this is your game. It would help a ton if you have a fast computer, as this game will soak up your memory like a sponge. Overall though, good graphics and very real.

I was very impressed with the pricing and the timeliness in which this product was shipped to me! It was in excellent condition for the price and it made a perfect gift for my father-in-law for X-Mas who is a plane fanatic!

I like this item very much but it works horrible for slow computers even slow on my sony ns-140e laptop.

It's great for real life pilots or flight sim enthusiasts like myself. A lot of improvements made over previous versions. Great buy

Great program/game that I thoroughly enjoy. One of Microsoft's finest. If you like a challenge this is the game for you. It's quite realistic and have no doubt and individual could learn how to fly an airplane or helicopter with it.

I have owned every version of MS Flight Simulator since it's launch in the 1980's. Although the early versions were primitive, I continue to be amazed at the realism the developers continue to build into the software. I now own Flight Simulator X Deluxe along with the Acceleration Pack and what a blast I am having!! I can really take off and land on the carrier (except for an occasional crash while doing so). Who would have thought when operating the early versions of the program that we would see this level of realism.
Don't let anyone fool you into thinking this software is a game. In fact, you can very easily fly the most complex of IFR approaches on a night full of crosswind and freezing rain!! If "severe clear" is your style, the software can be configured to suit your needs too. Whether it is in the clouds turbulence you like or low & slow circles around Mt. Rushmore, you will love MS Flight Simulator X Deluxe. Happy flying!!!!

great fun easy to setup (but takes a while) and use.. do need at least VISTA o.s. to run it. I have just the basic proccessor.that comes with DELL 530/w Vista
a little choppy at high setting but not bad. lots of settings to make it more real weather, fuel, radio, much much more. so much stuff i haven't even tried yet.

When this program is working, it is very realistic. Does require alot of memory and a decent video card. Microsoft was very helpful is answering installation questions. It makes sense to buy a joystick as keyboard controls detract from enjoyment. I use Saitex 52 controls. Video card should have a minimun of 128 mb, not the 32mb the game suggests if you want more than basic graphics. I recommend 256mb. Hard drive space will take 36GB,not 15GB. Microsoft lists minimum requirements that are only for the basic graphics. More is needed. Once into the game, it will eat up hours of your time.