Simviation Forums

..... have got enough dosh for one or the other ..... which do I need the most?, .... better graphics card or faster cpu? ..... an fx5600 256mb or an amd athalon xp 2800+ ? ....  to improve the specs I currently run (as below) ..... my motherboard will take that cpu, I've checked ..... just looking for advice/ ideas ..... cheers  ;)

hmm hard choice id go with the graphics card for now...

but the xp2800 or above i would suggest aswell because you can play an mp3 have about 10 programs open and still run fs flawlessly- prividing you have the right graphics card

absolutely no doubt - go for the graphics card upgrade.

IanR

This kind of question is why I was wanting to do some testing  ;).  To figurer out what really matters for sure.

There was a posting at one point about a prior version of the simulator dependingf more on the CPU tthan the graphics card for performance upgrades once you reached a "base" minimum level of graphics card.  Don;t know it this applies in FS2004.

best,

...............john

..... have got enough dosh for one or the other ..... which do I need the most?, .... better graphics card or faster cpu? ..... an fx5600 256mb or an amd athalon xp 2800+ ? ....  to improve the specs I currently run (as below) ..... my motherboard will take that cpu, I've checked ..... just looking for advice/ ideas ..... cheers  ;)

Graphics Card is what you need. Plus I'd recommend getting Windows XP on your computer, much faster than 2000 when it comes to running games.

the difference between the 2000 and the 2800 is the fsb and the clock speed which is abuout 400MHz more.

The graphics card would be a massive improvement.

Maybe you can have both, well almost. Try to get hold of a 333mhz XP2600+, it's the same speed as a Barton 2800, it just lacks the extra cache ram which you don't need anyway. The XP2600+ is a lot cheaper.

Also, The GF FX5600 isnt much faster than a GF4 TI4200, But...... The Radeon 9800 is a stonking leap forward from both those cards.

Do a bit a research and you can probably get both. See my post: Best Video Card Is Too Cheap!

www.pricewatch.com shows the CPU for $88 and the radeon 9800 for $144.

So, for around $250 with postage and insurance you could pull it off!



Good Luck,

Congo

P.S.

The Radeon 9800 is a stonking leap forward from both those cards.

.

Yup, many people in the FS2004 forum think the drivers arn't too clever, simply the reason I've got an Nvidia.

To agree to everybody else, get that card upgraded!!!  ;)

Then, swap your mobo for an 800fsb p4 setup once they've got a little cheaper after Christmas... (He says with fingers crossed! )

Paul.

Daz, did you ever fry that ti4200 of yours

If the standard ATi drivers don't work, go with the ATi supported Omega drivers, these work 99.9% for those people with problems.

I think "ATI supported" is probably an overstatement.  But they are an option if all else fails.

Personally I'll stay on ATI's case to fix their own darn product.

best,

.................john

I agree.