OLD CHESTNUT

[froggy]

I've been out of circulation for a while, so haven't been keeping up with events and opinions so here's question which may have been already dealt with several times.

I'm getting a new Vista PC, what 'extras' are required to run FSX? As I understand it, the Acceleration Pack is what should have been in the original release of FSX had the software been complete in time. SP1 is not required if you have the Accelerator and SP2 is required for those who want to indulge in online gaming. Is that about right in a nutshell?

I guess my FS9 will still run on Vista and I'll still be able to try and build aircraft and scenery using FSDS3.5.

A confused froggy

[Roger]

Yep froggy that's about it. I installed FsX and Acceleration on the same day and no need for separate installs of SP1 or SP2. Also if you haven't bought FsX yet I'd get the Deluxe version.

Regards,

Roger

[Deleted]

Not quite.....

SP1 and SP2 are freeware service packs for FSX

Acceleration, which is a payware addon that gives you more missions and a 101 heli, a Mustang and an F18, incorporates SP2 (and SP1) so they don't have to be installed separately

SP1 is an essential addon as it improves the performance of FSX and corrects certain terrain errors that were present in the original (RTM) version of FSX

SP2, which is installable completely independently of Accdeleration, does not contain any performance enhancing features but merely aligns compatability of FSX with DX10.

Whereas many aircraft created for FS9 are compatible with FSX/SP1 (or have minor visual issues eg clouds and props), those same aircraft will not be compatible at all with FSX/SP2. Obviously if you are a designer you will want to create aircraft that fully conform with the FSX SDK (ie FSX/SP2) so this will probably dictate what elements you will need to install.

If you merely want to fly as wide a range of aircraft as possible in FSX it is most likely that it will be preferable to stick with FSX/SP1 as new, fully FSX compatible aircraft are very slow coming and as far as I am aware, DX10 at present looks like being another potential MS technical/marketing car crash.

I think that about covers it......

PS Roger's right - the SDK only comes with the Deluxe edition