upgrade advice?

[zcottovision]

So since it's almost Christmas but it's the season of goodwill, I've been promised something half-decent for Xmas. I've decided to get either a yoke (so I can quit keyboard-simming!) or a new graphics card.

My current system is an Athlon XP2500, ASUS A7N8X motherboard, 512mb DDR, but with a GF4 MX420 graphics card (terrible!). FS doesn't run too badly, but it's hardly great, and other games aren't exactly fantastic. Since you guys are the pros, would you recommend a yoke or a gfx card?

[cleobis]

well I think you should get a decent graphic card, but if you're gonna get one, get a really good one, so that in a year you won't be getting low fps in other games, also when 2006 gets released you won't have to change your card...

As for the keyboard simming, that's bad I know, but for now get a graphic card and buy a normal joystick around 40eur.; and it will help....

[GunnerMan]

Altho flying with a keyboard is pretty harsh it can be done in FS, its not like yur playing CFS . So go with the graphics card but like Cleobis said get a really really good card so it will last you. You can pikc Up a cheap joystick for maybe 15 bucks correct me if Im wrong .

[Scottler]

You can have the best yoke in the world, but if you're getting 2 fps with sliders minimized, who cares?

[MattNW]

With that card you definately need something better. That's close to the card I have but I'm in the process of building a new computer and it's going to have a top notch graphics card.

You also definately need some kind of joystick. While you can fly with keyboard it's much easier and more realistic with a stick or yoke. Since you can't have both a graphics card and a yoke then your best bet is to get the card and a cheap joystick for now.

GunnerMan mentions a $15 joystick but I'd suggest going a little higher. You may find a good one really cheap but for the most part when it comes to computer hardware you get what you pay for so you may want to consider something in the neighborhood of $30-$50.

Even a high quality joystick isn't extremely expensive. I got a Saitek X-45 for around $80 which is less than the Logitech stick that quit on me.

[Scottler]

If you've got the extra cash to spend, I'd also recommend the X45....I've used it for two and a half years and LOVE IT.

You can buy a cheaper stick for now, but is it really cheaper if you have to buy a replacement for it in a month?  Then you're buying two!

[zcottovision]

I'd actually be looking at buying a yoke rather than a stick.....those Cessnas don't have sticks, and I don't fly Airbuses that much.

Thanks for all the input, though!

[Scottler]

Aforementioned problems don't change with a yoke over a stick....