FX5200 128Mb - Anyone use one??

[Professor Brensec]

I've been given some excellent advice regarding a 'not so expensive' card for my Mid-range Dell (1.7Gb 512 RD Ram). After all discussion and considering availablility etc, I decided to give the FX5200 128mb a go.

The last I was involved with CFS3 was when I first bought it on release and I was taking part in the discussions regarding how 'ripped off' everyone felt because the thing wouldn't work as it was claimed to. Has most of this been sorted out yet????

What can I expect with this card and system? If very much at all. Considering I've only used the Sim once (at work on a PC there that had the capacity to run it), I've been much more into CFS2, FS2002 (and even CFS which I enjoy).

Does anyone run this card on a similar size system? A review would be nice. Thanks.  :D

[HawkerTempest5]

I can't help you out with info on this exact card but I can tell you that a cheap and chearful upgrade from my Kyro II 64 meg card that would not run CFS3 at all to a GeForce 4 MX440 128 meg card on my old 2 gig machine really did the trick. Make sure however you get the M$ update and the No CD patch.
CFS3 runs flat out on my new machine but I've had it for two years and this is the first time I've been able to get top notch performance from the game. I've just reinstalled CFS2 after not having it on my machine for about a year since it stopped working for whatever reason and it's like a breath of fresh air. I love that sim and it's still the best combat sim I have.
To  be honest Professor, I would not spend big money just to get CFS3 to run but if the card is cheap then go for it.

[Mathias]

I have a Gainward FX5200  on an Athlon 1800+, Gigabyte Mobo, 1024 MB DDR RAM.
Went to the Gainward from an MX200.
I can't archive the high fps the guys with the 5800's claim to get but my game is running smooth in the 20ish in QC with sliders in the upper midrange 3 - 4.
That is with the terrain texture tweak applied, Winding Man's scenery and high detailed third party aircraft.
Not great but ok, in particular since the price for the 5200 is really down thesaday.

[Professor Brensec]

Thanks boys. Appreciate the feedback. This PC I recently got, has the MX200 installed from original also. It runs CFS2 like a dream, but I figured, I've got $100 worth of CFS3 I've never used, so why not try and get something cheap if it's going to do the trick AND improve my CFS2 and FS2002 experience at the same time.

(Even with he MX200, I can finally see the wooden boards on the Carrier decks. I could never see them on the old PC, just a smooth brown surface. It makes such a difference. )

Hawk, I love the CFS2 Sim better myself (I have used CFS3 on other PC's). I can't see what all the original fuss was about, but I'd still like to have a go at the extra features and newer aircraft etc.

Anyway, I got an FX5200 128ddr for $62-00 ($US44-00) at ebay auction yesterday arvo. Very pleased with myself. Just have to wait for it to arrive (and get my office set up - moving from one office to the other because the Mrs has crowded me out with all her Uni crap )

[Iroquois]

The FX5200 is ok but is a bit outdated. Will handel FS2004 and CFS3 to a respectable level but struggles with newer games. I'm saving my pennies for a 6600GT. It all boils down to getting the best you can afford.

[4_Series_Scania]

The FX5200 is ok but is a bit outdated. Will handel FS2004 and CFS3 to a respectable level but struggles with newer games. I'm saving my pennies for a 6600GT. It all boils down to getting the best you can afford.

I struggle with CFS3 and my FX5600 (I always have!) interestingly, CFS3 runs better on my old p4 1.8, 512 MB 2100RAM and an Asus 9520 FX5200!!!  ??? - it makes no sence, my main machine (specs below) kills the 1.8 on every game I own except CFS3......

I'm not giving CFS3 serious consideration again until I've got a 6800 - or 6600GT if AGP variants are here by Christmas! I foolishly bought Just Flights Battle of Britain add on for CFS3, it runs like a dog even with sliders set to 1 !  :'( - I go back to CFS2 with 8X Anti alaising,max detail & smooth stutter free gameplay......  :-/

[Professor Brensec]

Well, I received the card last week. I popped it in and everything seems to work OK.

I haven't installed anything except CFS2 on the PC yet, because I've been fixing the new Office up. Just finished painting and will move back in there on Monday or Tuesday.

I'll install all my software once I get everything set up (and solve the mongrel modem problem I have!! >:( )

I did have a quick go on CFS2 and the frame rate was 60 to 75 with everything set to Max. and Detailed Textures etc (I just pushed all the slides to max. which in some cases was actually higher than level 6 has them). So it seems that the card, at least, eats CFS2 for brekky.
But we shall see what happens with CFS3. (I'm not expecting miracles, but I'd like to be able to have a reasonable go at it, without problems and stuttering and slowing down etc.

Do I have to go through alot of tweaking and stuffing about to get the best CFS3 performance. Which is the best 'Tweak' tute for setting up for CFS3??

Thanks

[4_Series_Scania]

http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=cfs3;action=display;num=1044849793  ;) - Not that it works to any extent for me and my FX5600 !  :'(