Best recommended video-card > I Need advise,

[Guest JMV]

Hello everyone.Yes, I NEED recommendations, Im in the market for the best video-card to run FS, most smoothly as possible up to date.A friend gave me a NO on the nvidia7800, geforce cards are not good?Money to spend: -350/400 U.S. dollars.Please start giving me some recommendations on the latest cards that you guys have tried and know is the best on the market, worth the money!thank you.

[Guest Edwin]

Hi,Funny I was just about to recommend the NVIDIA 7800GT for you. I'm using the 7800GTX right now and it's a great card. I don't really understand why your friend doesn't like NVIDIA but hey, it's an opinion and I respect that. The only other choice then would be ATI and for that budget, I'd go with the X1800XL. It's comparable to the 7800GT in price - between US$369 and US$419.See review here: http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=ODIyLDIyBTW, since you said "best", I'm giving you "best" although you have not mentioned the specs of your computer so I can't be sure your system supports PCI Express. Also, FS9 performance increases more with CPU than with video card so for FS9, it's generally advised to upgrade your CPU before your video card. But seeing that you asked about video cards, I'm assuming you have done the relevant research on this already.Hope this helps.Edwin

[Guest JMV]

Hey , thanx for the advise, If you have an NVIDIA 7800GT, and you say is great, then I guess is a good inspiration on purchasing it.About the CPU, Ill get on that right away.I have an MEDION MD1704.The only hardware Ive installed on this puppy is an NVIDIA 5200FX!!!It did halp alot with the standard that came on the PC, but I still feel like I need more speed and great rendering.So, what would it be?well thanx!

[Guest JMV]

BTW, Which CPU would you recommend me?which one do you have, and what FPS do you get in the PMDG 737NG on FLY-TAMPA- KMIA,? If you have those add-ons?thanx again.

[Guest Edwin]

Hi,I've never heard of a "Medion MD1704". I think you'll have to give me the full specs of your machine. However, based on your NVIDIA FX5200 graphics card, I would speculate that your motherboard only supports AGP, which is not compatible with the latest round of high-end video cards (such as the 7800GT). Moreover, I'm guessing from your video card that your CPU is also starting to get antiquated, which goes back to my previous mention that in general, FS9 scales more with CPU than with GPU.Anyway, please post your full specs and then I'll take a look at what is possible upgrade-wise. Is there any chance you could up your budget a bit? Buying a new CPU would entail getting a new motherboard as well (and possibly new RAM too) so the more money you can scratch together the better. Nonetheless, if that's all you can afford right now, I understand.Edwin

[Guest JMV]

This is my MEDION MD 1704Processor Intel Pentium 4 2.66 GHz Installed Memory 512 MB (DDR SDRAM) Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Processor Processor Type Intel Pentium 4 Processor Speed 2.66 GHz Processor Manufacturer Intel Motherboard Bus Speed 533 MHz Memory RAM Technology DDR SDRAM Installed RAM 512 MB Max Supported RAM 1 GB Installed Cache Memory 512 KB Hard Drive Hard Drive Capacity 120 GB Hard Drive Interface DMA/ATA-100 (Ultra) CD / DVD Optical Drive Type CD-RW Optical Drive Read Speed 48x (CD) Optical Drive Write Speed 40x (CD-R) Optical Drive ReWrite Speed 20x (CD-RW) Other Drives Floppy Drive 3.5" 1.44 MB floppy Audio / Video Audio Output Type Sound Card Modem Modem Type Fax / Modem Networking Networking Type Network Adapter Data Link Protocol Ethernet

[Guest CHRISH]

Hi I would agree with Edwin the Nvidia 7800 Gtx is superb !!!Great quality good FPS even at 1600 x 1200. Make sure it is super cooled though, as it gets very warm quickly.BTW Nvidia are releasing today the 512 version, if you have the money! Not sure what difference that would make to FS9 thoughBest Wishes,Chris

[Guest Edwin]

The 7800GTX gets warm? Well, sure it does but compared to what I've read in ATI's X1800XT, it's nothing! Quite a shame, really... I have been a huge fan of ATI because of the 9800 Pro but lately, it's just not been executing as well as NVIDIA has been. There seems to be a ray of hope though, given what's mentioned in Anandtech's latest article: http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2609Edwin

[Guest Edwin]

Hi,As I had thought, your entire system is quite antiquated so really, it isn't just about the video card but it's almost everything. The only things I can see which you may be able to keep are your CD-RW drive, sound card (you didn't specify which one), and your hard drive.You'll need to give a specific budget (i.e. a $ amount) for me to be helpful but you may want to check out this thread for ideas: http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...11507&mode=fullHope this helps.Edwin

[Guest JMV]

If I just want to start with the performance, what do I get first?Or do you recommend me to get me a new system? from scratch?thanx alot Ed.

[Guest Edwin]

Yes, I'm recommending that you pretty much start from scratch. There may be individual components that you can keep (e.g. hard drive, sound card, maybe RAM) but by and large, I think your system needs an overhaul. Of course, if you have a very limited budget, we can work with that but obviously, the better scenario would be to start from scratch.Hope this helps.Edwin

[Guest JMV]

Hi again,WhatS the most powerful videocard for my current system that you can recommend me? thanx.

[Guest Edwin]

Well, your machine uses AGP, which is a dying standard. So I'd pretty much just get whatever you can find. The absolute best would be NVIDIA's GeForce 6800 Ultra or ATI's X800XT PE. But I really wouldn't spend that much money on an AGP card at this point since you're bound to be throwing it away when you next upgrade. If you want any other recommendations, you'll have to give me a budget (sorry, excuse me for being a bit blunt here but I've asked you this before and you haven't given it to me. Without a budget, I can't help you much.)Edwin

[Guest JMV]

haahhaha, "blunt", It's alright.My actions on upgrading this PC has cancel, I prefer to spend the money on the next machine, It's useless, but I appreciate your helping hand and understanding.When I'm ready for the next PC, I'll make sure to contact you and give you a budget.Thank you.

[Guest Edwin]

Hi JMV,I'm actually glad you decided to save up for your next machine instead. It's the right thing to do - frankly, your machine needs more of an overhaul than just the replacement of one piece of hardware.Good luck and please let us know if you need help picking your next system!Edwin