Short of that, is there anything I can do? I don't get much time to fool around with FS much anymore. No sense in dumping $500 on a card that would rarely get used. I'd use it to buy powder, primers and bullets for my target rifle. Or spend it in the whorehouse 20 miles from here...
rootbeer,
If you can spend some money, not as much as $500 and have a little spare time, contact Michael from FS-GS. He will work wonders on your PC and you WILL get a huge improvement in FS, and you will start to enjoy flying more.
You PC is not that bad, but it's just not setup correctly to take full advantage of FS9. Trust me!!!
The link to thier site is at the bottom of this post. You have nothing to lose, and you will see things differently.
I really hope this helps, and that you will take my advise. I am only trying to help.
Cheers,
Steve.