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Hardware recommendations: Difference between revisions
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Added section "components" and some other edits based on personal experience
(Added section "components" and some other edits based on personal experience) |
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These '''hardware recommendations for [[FlightGear]]''' are based on community feedback, be sure to consult other sources before making serious decisions regarding computer hardware. | These '''hardware recommendations for [[FlightGear]]''' are based on community feedback, be sure to consult other sources before making serious decisions regarding computer hardware. | ||
The performance of FlightGear depends on three main components in your computer: the CPU (processor), which makes all the computations; the graphics card, which renders the visual aspect of FlightGear, and RAM (also known as memory) which generally allows FlightGear to have more information running (for the lack of a more technical phrase). | |||
You may also want to check out the following article on building your own FlightGear box based on decommissioned and refurbished server at [[Howto: Build a cheap FlightGear box]], and also learn about how the FlightGear project handles old hardware support at [[FlightGear and old Hardware]]. | You may also want to check out the following article on building your own FlightGear box based on decommissioned and refurbished server at [[Howto: Build a cheap FlightGear box]], and also learn about how the FlightGear project handles old hardware support at [[FlightGear and old Hardware]]. | ||
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== Recommended hardware for FlightGear 3.20+ == | == Recommended hardware for FlightGear 3.20+ == | ||
Generally, if you want to see frame rates in the 20's and above and medium/high graphical settings, which is typically preferred, you should have a budget of at least $1000. The following list is recommended hardware. It is not required to any degree; however, if you're purchasing a new computer dedicated to FlightGear, it is highly recommended that you get a computer with at least these requirements. | |||
; Display | ; Display | ||
* A screen with a resolution of at least 1024x768 @32bpp (most GUI dialogs cannot be used otherwise currently) | * A screen with a resolution of at least 1024x768 @32bpp (most GUI dialogs cannot be used otherwise currently) | ||
; Graphics processing unit | ; Graphics processing unit | ||
* A 3D video card (with AMD or | * A 3D video card (with AMD or NVIDIA chipset) with support for [[OpenGL]] 2.1 or better and at least 1024-2048MB of dedicated DDR3+ (DDR5 preferred) VRAM (i.e. 512 Mb VRAM minimum). FlightGear requires an '''OpenGL 2.1-compliant''' hardware-accelerated 3D video card to run at reasonable frame-rates. Most modern PCs have hardware-accelerated 3D cards. If your FlightGear video is not running smoothly, see [[Graphics drivers configuration]]. | ||
* See [[Supported Video Cards]] for a list of video cards known to work with FlightGear. | * See [[Supported Video Cards]] for a list of video cards known to work with FlightGear. | ||
* Cards with working GLSL/shader support will enable FlightGear to run with more visual effects. | * Cards with working GLSL/shader support will enable FlightGear to run with more visual effects. | ||
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== Notebooks == | == Notebooks == | ||
If you are interested in running FlightGear on a notebook, you may also want to check out [[Notebooks known to run FlightGear]]. | If you are interested in running FlightGear on a notebook, you may also want to check out [[Notebooks known to run FlightGear]]. A regular notebook is not recommended if you plan to fly often on FlightGear. | ||
== Components == | |||
Your overall experience on FlightGear generally depends on these components: | |||
*Your '''CPU''', which makes all the calculations. This component isn't as important as your graphics card. However, you should keep in mind that your CPU is the brain of your computer. As stated above, it's recommended that you purchase a CPU that has at least 4 cores. | |||
*Your '''graphics card''', which renders the visuals of FlightGear. This component is extremely important. If you have an amazing CPU but a lackluster graphics card, your framerate will be low. Also, it's recommended that you purchase a relatively new graphics card, as old ones (even if very powerful) have been known to cause rendering glitches. | |||
*Your '''RAM''' (memory), which allows temporary storage of information. Memory is probably least important of the three when it comes to framerate; however, any less than 4 GB memory has been known to cause crashes in FlightGear. | |||
=== Should I purchase a computer or build my own? === | |||
It is generally recommended that you build your own computer. Your money will get you much farther. However, it is also recommended that if you build your own computer, you know someone who knows their way around computers. Buying parts that you ''think'' may be powerful but truthfully are not, or worse case, not compatible, can lead to disappointment. | |||
== Related content == | == Related content == | ||