Best graphics card for FS9?

[masmith]

Whats a good card for fight sim 2004?

[NicksFXHouse]

Whats a good card for fight sim 2004?

You said best, not 'good' so I will give you the best: Baring SLI, Nvidia 7900 GTX. It is just a tad overkill for FS9 but it will run FSX better than the 256mb 7900GT

[masmith]

Sorry I meant good like not over expensive, but good FPS like is a Nevida 7600gt or 7800gt any good for fs or are certain cards better for flight sim?

[ctjoyce]

Not really. I would suggest a 7900GT, if you don't want to spend the $260 or don't have a PCI-E slot look at the 7800GS.

Cheers
Cameron

[cheesegrater]

FS9 doesn't really benefit from SLI.

7600 GT and 7800 GT are both great.

If you are looking to buy a new card you should post your budget and your system.

[congo]

Why recommend a 7800GT over a 7900GT?

Isn't the 7900GT a newer, better card based on new process technology, uses less power, runs cooler and takes up less space in the PC for a similar price as the old 7800GT ?

The 7900GTX has had an exceptional amount of bad press and the user forums are inundated with issues.

I'd like to hear some positive comments on the 7900GTX from owners who haven't had any dramas with it.

[ctjoyce]

The big question here though is what interface he needs. If I remember from awhile ago its AGP.

In that case we look at a 7800GS

Cheers
Cameron

[masmith]

Well that's was I different computer, were I now have four monitors running!

But I was considering awhile back to build a comp for fsx but now I think about it would be best if I use vista and all new OS are no good due to bugs and problems. so Now I'm considering building a good computer for fs2004 and XP.

Which would probable have a Pci-e

[ctjoyce]

But I was considering awhile back to build a comp for fsx but now I think about it would be best if I use vista and all new OS are no good due to bugs and problems. so Now I'm considering building a good computer for fs2004 and XP.

I've been running Beta 2 for a good 4 months now, and I can tell you that its really not all that buggy. Yes the driver support for 3rd party drivers isn't the best, but its a beta. Vista is actually increadably stable and I would recomend it to anyone.

As for parts I would suggest

Conroe E6600
ASUS nF5 Motherboard
2GB OCZ Platnum Ed DDR2-667 (nF5 dosn't support DDR2-800)
eVGA 7900GT (Upgrade to a 8 series when they come out for DX10 support)

A rig like that will run you somewhere like $1500. You could dump the conroe for a AM2 or Pentium D system and save about $100 or so, but I wouldn't suggest it.

Cheers
Cameron

[Boca]

You'd have thought that a game ,,,OK,,,Simulator,,launched in 2003 would be easy meat.. Meaning, the present day cards would eat it up, even with all the sliders set to maximum.
  I mean, the high end cards then would have been something like a Nvidia 6600 or something, so you'd think that my current card  ( a XFX 7600GT XXX Edition 256mb DDR3 590mhz clock Dual DVI PCI-E ) would have no problems..but no...I still get low framerates coming into LA International or London City airports.  ( I'm talking 6 - 9 fps here ).. :(
  Honestly, I can't see too much improvement over my old AGP Geforce 5900.  :-[   Wonder if my new card's holding out on me.  >:(

[cheesegrater]

You'd have thought that a game ,,,OK,,,Simulator,,launched in 2003 would be easy meat.. Meaning, the present day cards would eat it up, even with all the sliders set to maximum.
  I mean, the high end cards then would have been something like a Nvidia 6600 or something, so you'd think that my current card  ( a XFX 7600GT XXX Edition 256mb DDR3 590mhz clock Dual DVI PCI-E ) would have no problems..but no...I still get low framerates coming into LA International or London City airports.  ( I'm talking 6 - 9 fps here ).. :(
  Honestly, I can't see too much improvement over my old AGP Geforce 5900.  :-[   Wonder if my new card's holding out on me.  >:(

6 to 9 fps on a 7600GT? What CPU do you have?

[Boca]

Only a AMD 3500+ Venice core on this motherboard.
http://www.asrock.com/product/939Dual-SATA2.htm

I know I've got scope for upgrading, especially with the drop in prices and my capability to go AM2 if need be. Money's a little tight at the moment, though, so that won't be happening anytime soon.
The fact is, it's not unfeasably bad,( I can get a smooth 35 fps outwith city areas) but it's not so totally much better than my old Geforce 5900 or even my ati X600.  Both those cards were fuelled by an Athlon 3200 XP.
Who knows, maybe I'm expecting too much, but I'd like to think I've got something unabled in the Bios I could change, or a bottleneck I haven't noticed.  

[cheesegrater]

7600GT should be a big improvement over 5900.

I think the ASRock motherboard is a big bottleneck because it is using an ULi 1695 chipset. When you buy a motherboard you want to get one with an Nvidia nForce or ATI chipset because they are designed for gaming and not opening emails. The motherboard is the center of the system, and a slow board will result in a slow system.

To my knowledge ASRock makes cheap motherboards. Next time you upgrade get an board from a better company with an nForce or ATI chipset.

[ctjoyce]

Well that motherboard wouldn't be creating a bottel neck. I have a 915P intel chipset, not a nForce or ATi and my frames / OC is just fine. I think that you installed the card wrong. Or you have a lac of memory. You should be getting 40+ FPS in most places.

Cheers
Cameron

[Boca]

Well I did some experiments there, I flew a default Cessna 172 out of London City Airport and got between 8 and 10 fps..  I also did a similiar test through Manhattan and Los Angeles, and got about 25  ( I've limited it to 26 ). So I can only conclude that this is the killer.
http://www.visualflight.info/products/london

They've got a chapter there dedicated to faster fps, but I've followed those instructions. Maybe if I toned down my 'typical British weather' .