I recently built my own PC with FS2004 in mind. I wanted the best that I could afford so that I could run flight sim with as little FPS problems as possible. I use FS as a training aid and it is basicaly the only reason I have a PC. My spec isP4 2.8ghz 800mhx fsb + hyper thread512mb PC3200 400mhz DDRGFX 5200 128mb DDR (this is where the problems start, I think)80gb Maxtor hd40gb Western dig hdSoundblaster Live 5.1Asus P4P800 MotherboardMy problem is FS is behaving like a spoiled kid, ie it does exactly what it wants! It frequently freezes on the create a flight page, my performance is not as expected and the lastest thing is my planes turn a glow in the dark green quite often!Windows XP says that the A340 TDH driver is causing instability, so I contacted Leadtek and tried what they suggested. I even baught a new PSU rated at 550w, but did it work? You know the answer!Anyways I am looking to get yet another new AGP card and have been looking at either the 9600 pro or the 9700 pro. I am on a serious bugdget here, if you were me which card would you buy? Which card would be worth while upgrading to over my current card?I have had enough of all these problems, I just want FS to run smoothly!My monitor is quite old, could that be causing a problem?Any ideas guys?BTW I am UK based.:-zhelp

In between, the Radeon 9500 Pro, I have one and it kicks 9600 Pro is worse then 9500 pro, but 9700 Pro is better then 9500 Pro.9500 Pro is an awesome card! And with that system, you will have awesome performance :9No prfanity or atte,pt to use it by other means --- EDITORS

Thanks for that, I might just look at getting a 9500 pro then. :-yellow1

Just a quick note to say that I have gone for the Radeon 9800 pro 128mb graphics card. I just hope this one works out ok.Cheers:-spacecraft Radeon 9800 pro, out of this world performance (I hope!!)

Interesting topic,I too was looking at getting a 9600 Pro, but I am having second thoughts. If you guys think the 9500 Pro is better, I can save a little bit of money going with it. I am going to have to take a look at some of the bench marks at Toms and see what stacks up better. I am going to get a Asus A7N8X w/ Athlon XP 2800+ as well.Take care,-CJ

You :-lolI want a 2800+!!! :9But yeah, the 9600 Pro might by clocked higher and have a couple better DX 9 things, but the 9500 Pro has 8 pixel pipelines, and those reeeeeally help.Btw, get a 9500 Pro NOW, ATI is discontinuing the 9500/9700 cards.Again a warning no profanity --Editors

Radeon 9800 Pro?You :(That is gonna be one powerful machine I tell you what.Tell you whay ou got three strikes in this one thread SO why don;t youy take a break for a few days until you can learn to write without the profanity attempts --- Editors

I gave in to temptation in a BIG way! Financialy I'll probably end up regretting it, but my PC performance will hopefully more than make up for it! Can't wait to get it up and running :-saeCheers guys