What Graphics Card?

[RoSPA_David]

Hi, first time post so please be gentle!

Just wondering what is regarded as the best graphics card around for FS2004. Currently i have an AMD Barton 2600, with 128 gforce card.

Any advise would be appreciated.

David

[congo]

128 refers to the memory on the graphics card itself, GeForce refers to a large range of nVidia graphics chip based graphics cards.

128mb of ram onboard a graphics card is generally adequate for FS2004, while 256mb cards are available.

The actual thing you are concerned with when buying a graphics card is what Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) it has installed. This determines the type of card it really is.

I'll take a stab in the dark and assume you have a nVidia GeForce FX 5200 128mb 8x AGP card.....

The 5200 number is the GPU, the one we are concerned with.

The current FX range of nVidia GeForce GPU's are:

5200
5600
5700
5900

and the new one is a lot different and very powerful, the

6800

All those GPU's have variants and they are only nVidia chips, ATI make a range of RADEON GPU's as well, as do others.

It's a complex subject and needs a lot of research, you can read through the threads here to get an idea.

The best graphics card for FS2004 is the latest and greatest and most expensive that money will buy.

I'm sure someone else here might tell you how good they are, but I haven't seen one yet......

[scruffydog]

I just finished upgrading my system. 3.2 AMD Barton, 1 Gig DDR RAM, G Force 5900XT on ASUS A7V800.  Will not say it is the latest or greatest, will say that both FS9 and CFS3 are maxed out and the frame rates are in the mid 70's.  Never thought it could be so good. The clouds in FS9 are as real as the real ones.

[4_Series_Scania]

If you want a superb FS2004 experience, a GeForce 6800 GT 256MB goes a looooooong way!  ;)

rock solid smooth framerates & zero feet, building dodging in central London..... all the clouds you like, all the sliders @ max Full Screen Anti-Alaising.....  ;D

Teaser!  Screenshot's uploaded once I've finished playing with it! (Just assembled a 6800GT based machine for a friend...)

To spend

[Gixer]

Thats an excellent 3dMark01 score  ;D  I dont think I will score that high when I get my 6800Ultra (Hopefully next week) as the rest of my system isn't quite as good as the one you built.

Though I am excited now that Im gonna be able to MAX the lot  ;D with max FSAA and FSAF  ;D

Scruffydog if your holding 70fps in complex areas then you cannot have Anti Alias of Anistropic Filtering on.  Have a play with these settings in your graphics card control panel.  They make the game look so much better.

[RoSPA_David]

Wow, thanks for all that information guys. It does seem that i need a new card. I do like the idea of maxing the settings!  ;D

David