OK specs...?

[gypsymoth]

I have a Dell 9150  running XP Professional/SP2/P4-3.4GHz/2GB Ram/Nvidia GeForce 6800/300GB HD/20" Dell widescreen.    

I get stuttering at Heathrow & such-like airports but not at the new Hong Kong, eg.
Most of my fs9 sliders are to the right but down on weather.    Some panels (SkDecks, eg, & the PMDG747-400 also give me a big drop in frame rates, locked at 22.

I've been reading about video cards here & wonder if anyone thinks I would benefit from an upgrade & what to?    I'm not too worried about the cost & I have noted UK links here about where to buy.  I am more interested about the end result.  Oh - I have just got FSX too but not yet installed.   Untill I bought fs9 I have always used Macs so I am a pc novice!    

Thanks in advance for any help & suggestions.  
TerryW.

[Hai Perso Coyone?]

Strange you're getting those kinds of FPS in FS9...Try tuning down your AI, and try messing around with the Autogen levels and such...My rig which is a little lower than yours gets me 20+FPS at Heathrow with 100% AI... :-/

[ctjoyce]

Alright heres what you do.

First off, uninstall the OEM nVidia driver from Dell, and install the latest forceware. Once you have done that, crank up all your settings in the nVidia control panel. Then go back into FS9, turn off all AA and AF in game. Let your card do the work, not the software.

That should fix it for ya.

Cheers
Cameron

[gypsymoth]

Thanks Cameron.   I'll have to read the Fact pages first before fiddling with the card settings - you know what to do & I don't!
Cheers,
TerryW.

[congo]

Dell fact pages?

[Mees]

Wow, are you sure you don't run MSN iTunes, MS Outlook etc also?


Nice screen name btw

[gypsymoth]

Thanks congo.  The FAQS I meant were the Simv ones  :)   I did surf some about tweaking some time ago but I wasn't too au faix with terminology so didn't delve deeper then.   I have seen a 7900GS for a decent price at Amazon, so....!!  In the meantime I'll find the tweaking stuff & educate myself.

I've just checked via System Information & the video drivers are maunfactured by the nVidia Corporation.  Does this mean they're OK ?

[congo]

They are all by nvidia, it's just that they get modded by third parties. The current official version is 93.71 I believe.

[ctjoyce]

Thanks congo.  The FAQS I meant were the Simv ones  :)   I did surf some about tweaking some time ago but I wasn't too au faix with terminology so didn't delve deeper then.   I have seen a 7900GS for a decent price at Amazon, so....!!  In the meantime I'll find the tweaking stuff & educate myself.

I've just checked via System Information & the video drivers are maunfactured by the nVidia Corporation.  Does this mean they're OK ?

You read my stickie!!!! YAAY!!! You get the new member of the moth award.

Anyway, Amazon? Pssht....once you know.....you NEWEGG!!!

Cheers
Cameron

[gypsymoth]

Hi Cameron.   I'm in the UK.  It's not the same.    Amazon here have good prices sometimes  ::)
That 7900 was

[cheesegrater]

Newegg? There are other countries besides the USA, you know.

[ctjoyce]

Newegg? There are other countries besides the USA, you know.

Yes but I don't live in them. Therefore don't have a knowladge of what stores are there. I do know you have staples in the UK.

Cheers
Cameron

[gypsymoth]

Good morning from my side of The Pond.    Yes - Staples is here but surfing their web-site was a nightmare for getting info, so good old Amazon came up trumps.   Comparing prices with electronics stores shows a good deal with Amazon, too.    BUT - I may get a high spec Dell 'gaming' machine in the spring, though    

[congo]

[quote] a high spec Dell 'gaming' machine  

[ctjoyce]

a high spec Dell 'gaming' machine  

Aaargh! You did it again!  

He did put quotes around it.

In all seriousness though if you're going to drop 1000+ GPB or EUR on a gaming rig, you had best be building yourself. Better parts, better preformance, more satisfaction.

Cheers
Cameron