IM BEGGING FOR HELP with FPS & RAM!

[full_metal]

hey all, i currently have a pretty decent computer setup -

AMD Ahtlon XP 2600
512 RAM (have to check out waht exactly)
80 GB Harddrive
Nividia FX5200

FS9 runs well, EXCEPT FOR CLOUDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

as soon as i hit clouds, thick ones in the sky, my FPS drop from about 17-22, to about 7-8, its appualing!

now then, i know im recycling old topics, but i just want one helpful reply! PLEASE!

i have a Soltek Motherboard that supports DDR400 ram, i want to know, if upgrading to a GB of ram (an extra 512 strip) would give me just a few extra FPS, to run smoother and also, what ram would be best, and most suitable for my setup!

please help!

[Ivan]

Standard FS2004 problem, everyone has it. the clouds can bring a Radeon 9800pro to its knees

[michaelb15]

yup, sorry I have the same thing, but not AS dramitic...I have an ATI 9200, I get an even 20 FPS (locked at 20 FPS) and when I hit the clouds it drops down to about 10-11 FPS.... Mabe you could turn your 3D cloud slider down

That is all I can say

[Daz]

yep the 5200 is lmited to its performance.. low entry graphics card the gf4 ti 4200 trouces that by far

[Fozzer]

When I bought FS 2004 I was excited about the possibility of getting "real" clouds.... ...!
But...
After noting the enormous frame drop when using them, I have gone back to my lovely old FS 2002 and using "Weather Maker" for generating clouds, weather, etc,....with NO frame rate drop... ... ... ...!
FS 2004 is collecting cob-webs on my hard drive now*... ...!
LOL...!!

Cheers all... ...!
Paul.
(England)

* ...sorry Bill.... ...!
LOL...!

[RollerBall]

FS 2004 is collecting cob-webs on my hard drive now*... ...!

* ...sorry Bill.... ...!
LOL...!

Blimey Fozzer, you're totally heartless when it comes to ill-treating that nice Mr Gates

[4_Series_Scania]

yep the 5200 is lmited to its performance.. low entry graphics card the gf4 ti 4200 trouces that by far

True, to a degree.

The FX5200's are slow compared to the ti 4200 - however, not for nothing are most U.K. hardware magazines reccomending FX cards over ti cards.

Overall price & DX9 Support.

The FX 52's are cheaper than the ti4200 equivalents - over here in the U.K. anyway - whilst supporting DX9 something no GF4 chipset can do.
The performance differance is frankly marginal to say the ti4200 "trounces" the FX is simply wrong! take a look at most benchmarks for the FX5200 http://www.tomshardware.com is a good site to start at,
- from what I've seen, the FX5200 is faster in some cases, the ti4200 quicker in other's - the FX cards seem better with "Quality" settings i.e anti alaising enabled.

Being blunt, Forget them both and go for the FX5600 or 5600 Ultra ,which, after hours of reading reviews and trying various cards, is what I decided to do!


One thing for sure, once you've bought the damn thing, the price will drop - just as it did 2 days after I bought mine!

[Silver1SWA]

Seems there is a consistent 10-15 FPS drop for everyone when high cloud settings are enabled and present.

[Polynomial]

why do companies put things in their products that absolutely drain ur FPS? ? it isnt logical. . . .

[Daz]

yeah but my card keeps up fine with fs9 full settings and clouds.......rarely ever goes below 14 fps.. i use a ti4200 (overclocked to 370/700)

[philsymonds]

In the UK, for value for money, my vote goes FX5600 EVERY time.  My tests show them a VERY close second to ANY top end card i tested.  As for FR drop - live with it, we all do.

[capn_sonic]

Greetings from the Uk here also.

FX cards are not a patch on the ti range, believe me.
I heard that Nvidia are gonna reinstate the ti chipset into their nex generation cards. I'll stick with my Asus ti4600. Knocks spots off any of the FX range in the same or lower price bracket. Check the test on Toms hardware and you will see.

Also, I have the same problem with 3D clouds. I have changed them to simple clouds and the increase in FPS is phenomenal. I can certainly live without the unrealistic 3d clouds anyway. I only enable them when I wanna get a good screenie......lol

Oh and BTW: 512 MB Ram is plenty, you aint gonna see a vast improvement for your money.

Regds

Geoff

[swanny338]

A while back i went from 512 MB PC2100 got some new ram (took out the stick that was in there) the new ram i got was 2x sticks of 512MB OCZ PC3200 there was a great improvement, then i upgraded to a 9800 Pro no problems with FPS sometimes slows down a bit when i get to tons of clouds but i am usually still at about 24 (locked at 26).... of course my 9800 Pro is way OCed when i am flight simming

Core: 435     Memory:390

then my AMD 2600+ is OCed to 3200+ plus some also i dont recomend Overclocking with out a bunch of fans and a really nice heatsink or a bunch of fans and Watercooling

[Delta_]

An R9600pro/xt will be just the thing that your system needs.  The fps drop will be a lot less.