Now with some time on my hands, I want to start setting up a flight simulator. I suspect this will be something that I will have fun with and will plan growing with it over time.

I just started exploring the possibility of using X-Plane 11 (I have a copy of X-Plane 10 that's a few years old, but didn't get time to play with it much in years past). Per the website of X-Plane, they recommend the following minimum requirements:

Recommended Hardware Requirements:
CPU: Intel Core i5 6600K at 3.5 ghz or faster
Memory: 16-24 GB RAM or more
Video Card: a DirectX 12-capable video card from NVIDIA, AMD or Intel with at least 4 GB VRAM (GeForce GTX 1070 or better or similar from AMD)

I am not up on comparing details of GPUs and how to use them (external vs internal, etc.). I would hope that I could find a Mac to do the job. What do I look at in the specs of Mac GPUs to compare to requirements?

If a Mac doesn't work out, I also saw the DELL 5040 that is listed in the For Sale section, I am intrigued with the specs on that. I am thinking for now that's a good price to start with, add a capable GPU and go. The specs on the DELL 5040 (except for maybe integrated GPU) looks like good match for now:

Dell 5040 Mini Tower
Intel Core i7-6700 3.4Ghz
16GB DDR3/L Ram
Windows 10

I think some people use flight simulator with up to three monitors. I will probably keep a path open towards moving to that, at least two monitors. If any of you folks that have systems with graphics intensive equipment that have recommendations or opinions, feel free to let me know. Thanks. In the mean time, I will start looking for information online.

Open to hearing about opinions on other simulators also.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 06/17/2020 05:39PM by SKYLANE.

I have been looking at getting the new 2020 Microsoft flight sim. It has been released in beta. I have looked at the reviews that seem to be mostly positive. I know I will need to get a gaming pc with yoke and rudder pedals. I was a corporate pilot for 32 years , but I haven't flown in over 5 years. I don't know when it will be released, but I am looking forward to doing the sim.

jims

It doesn't take long googling in YouTube to go "wow"....

I could start showing links here, but there are just way too many. I just need a starter system for now to get a feel for what I might need later. So, I will explore more to see what I need to just get started. I already have a yoke and pedals, which at sometime no doubt will need an upgrade.

Now, back to the Mac/PC and GPU hardware I need to get started...



I have seen the 2020 MS Flight Sim too, keeping an eye on that too...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/17/2020 06:55PM by SKYLANE.

Learned a lot today, came across this fellow and his site that builds gaming computers. Worth a look:

[xforcepc.com]

Michael Brown has tons of stuff on YouTube. Sells stuff at link above...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/18/2020 03:29AM by SKYLANE.

Great info. I will check it out. Thanks for sharing.

Keep us updated SKYLANE. There was a time I thought about doing something similar, but that was more than 10 years ago. No doubt the options are much greater now. Probably a great time to put together a sim. Btw Jims, what did u fly in the corporate world? I worked for Hawker Beechcraft most of my career.

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Carnos Jax
Keep us updated SKYLANE. There was a time I thought about doing something similar, but that was more than 10 years ago. No doubt the options are much greater now. Probably a great time to put together a sim. Btw Jims, what did u fly in the corporate world? I worked for Hawker Beechcraft most of my career.

Carnos Jax

For 16 years flew for a company with an Aztec, Aerostar, Mooney 201 and a C-172. Then freelanced and flew 690 Turbo Commander, King Air C90B, Cheyenne 2 and 3A, as well as co-pilot on 1124 West Wind and Citation CJ2. I feel very blessed to have been able to do something I loved for 32 years.

Were you based in Little Rock? I am in Ft. Smith.

Yes, Little Rock. Hawker used to have a completion center here for its midsized jet line. That’s a nice run of aircraft you flew there. Didn’t realize u were in Ft. Smith. I think Willy B is there too. Zoidberg is not far from me. The three of us had a get together back in the 2000’s. High time we did it again.

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Carnos Jax
Yes, Little Rock. Hawker used to have a completion center here for its midsized jet line. That’s a nice run of aircraft you flew there. Didn’t realize u were in Ft. Smith. I think Willy B is there too. Zoidberg is not far from me. The three of us had a get together back in the 2000’s. High time we did it again.

Spent a lot of time at Central Flying Service and lunch at the Flight Deck. I really miss flying, but I guess there is a season for everything.

A get together sounds like fun!!