Hardware recommendations

[Lazerbeak]

I recently upgraded to a semi-new rig (my dad bought a new system and gave me his previous one). It's got a few upgrades already installed, mainly RAM (2 GB) and another hard drive. As it is now, it's a great machine except for two very glaring problems:

1. My venerable old joystick is now incompatible with my new system (it's missing the proper connector), so I now require a new joystick.

2. This new comp is great, but the GeForce FX 5200 it came with is dreadfully underpowered, and as a result, FS is running just as bad as on my previous comp.

So, I needs a new joystick, and a new video card. I was hoping you chaps could help. Anyone know of any good USB joysticks and AGP video cards? If so, let me know.

Also, even though I'm looking for quality products, I am on a stiff budget, so I'd prefer not to have to shell out too much.

Cheers.

[GeForce]

As far as the joystick goes, down to personal preference in my opinion. However, there are gameport-to-USB converters if you want to keep your old stick (assuming connectors here, as you didn't state what they are - these are the most likely).

As for graphics, the 7800GS (Click Me!) is a good choice but at $300 it might be a bit over budget (but then, you didn't state your budget ).

If so, then the 6800XT is also a great card (Click me!). And for $150 odd that's a pretty good deal.

Jon

[congo]

there are gameport-to-USB converters if you want to keep your old stick

Where? Show me one person who has successfully found this hardware and it actually works? I'd be indebted.


Some mainboards don't have the gameport connector on the rear panel of the mainboard with the other connectors, it's often found (if it exists, depends on the board) on the mainboard itself in the form of labelled riser pins, all you need is a cheap dongle to hook it up and place in a spare rear expansion slot.

The dongle is just the  mainboard riser connector via ribbon cable to a gameport connector that fits in an expansion slot in the rear of the case. You could probably scavenge one from a local PC repairer. Just make sure the mainboard has a gameport riser first.

[GeForce]

Where? Show me one person who has successfully found this hardware and it actually works? I'd be indebted.

I'm using one myself. Sorry about picture quality:



And it works perfectly

Jon

[NicksFXHouse]

I recently upgraded to a semi-new rig (my dad bought a new system and gave me his previous one). It's got a few upgrades already installed, mainly RAM (2 GB) and another hard drive. As it is now, it's a great machine except for two very glaring problems:

1. My venerable old joystick is now incompatible with my new system (it's missing the proper connector), so I now require a new joystick.

2. This new comp is great, but the GeForce FX 5200 it came with is dreadfully underpowered, and as a result, FS is running just as bad as on my previous comp.

So, I needs a new joystick, and a new video card. I was hoping you chaps could help. Anyone know of any good USB joysticks and AGP video cards? If so, let me know.

Also, even though I'm looking for quality products, I am on a stiff budget, so I'd prefer not to have to shell out too much.

Cheers.

For AGP, you choice is simple, either an ATI x800xt -or- x850xt or the Nvidia 7800GS

I do believe those are the highest AGP choice for NV and ATI.

Which ever one you pick, get one with 256mb memory

Someone else can advise on sticks.

[Sukhoi_37]

If you get a 6800XT, get this instead. [EDIT-Working link!-Thanks GeForce!]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814130036
Newer tech, more pipes, 256MB frame buffer..and BRAND NEW!

[GeForce]

That link doesn't work

Jon

[Lazerbeak]

Many thanks for the recommendations, I'll definitely be looking at a few of those cards. As for the joystick, I never even knew they had those converters, one of those may be just what the doctor ordered.

[NicksFXHouse]

Many thanks for the recommendations, I'll definitely be looking at a few of those cards. As for the joystick, I never even knew they had those converters, one of those may be just what the doctor ordered.

Your best bet is probably Nvidia if you prefer a bit higher frame. ATI leans more on the image quality and runs hotter. I think the 7800GS is fairly new as was designed for the AGP holdouts.

[beaky]

I can definitely recommend a good USB joystick: the Saitek X45. The new X52 has more bells and whistles from what I hear, but the X45 is cheaper and it's fantastic. The throttle and stick are linked by a cable, so only one USB port is needed.  

[congo]

I'm using one myself. Sorry about picture quality:



And it works perfectly

Jon

Do you know what brand it is or maybe you have a link to it GeForce?

I've never heard of one that worked and I might need one for my next upgrade, seems all the latest boards are dropping the gameports  :P

[cheesegrater]

The thing that I hate about the 6800XT is that it has 8 pixel pipelines while the 6800GT has 16. But if you're on a budget I don't know if you can get anything better. Perhaps a 7600GS.

The PCI Express EVGA 7600GS with active cooling has terrible reviews on newegg because the DVI does not work. I don't know if the EVGA 7600GS AGP is the same.

[awk2]

How would FS run on an 9600XT? My old VGA cardd has 32mb memory! Too damn slow.

[congo]

A 9600XT is about the same as a GF4 TI4600. The 9800XT was quite capable, but the 9600XT will definitely show it's age.

[awk2]

What about an Gainward 6600-sounds good. What do you mean it shows it's age, I kkow it's not a Bigshot, but I will use it in 1024x768. What performance can I achieve with it?