NVIDIA GeForce 8600GTS 256MB enough for flightsimming?

[thepilot 571]

Hello guys,I'm figuring out what graphic board I need for my new system.Actually, I want to spend around 800

[Guest glen.lewis]

You should be fine. I used to get around 25 Fps in FS when I had that card. Now I'm using a 8800 and get around 36 when everything is maxed out.G. Lewis

[thepilot 571]

Thanks for your reply!You mean 25 FPS with highest settings?Sounds really good to me.With my actual card I get 15-17 fps max at airports and while approaching an airport, and around 25 in the air.But often I have only 7 or even less with detailed scenery.I'm using the default moderate settings.No wonder with my Radeon 9500 Pro series ;)Should be at least 3 years old by now...Regards,Marius

[Guest wayupthere]

One KEY-point is missing to give accurate advice, and thats the resolution.. Resolution + GPU ALWAYS go together.One can have 25FPS in 1280x1024, but don't expect that with HI eye candy and high resolutions.In short, in order to give acurate advice, what resolution will/are you going to run the 8600.Regards,

[thepilot 571]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that.I plan to fly with 1280x960x12 or lower, if necessary.How many frames can I expect in case I use high-detail settings with this resolution?Regards,Marius

[Guest baksteen33]

Hi Marius, should be ok for FS9 at that resolution. For FSX I would take a GPU with more RAM. Hope this adds to thoughts, kind regards Jaap

[thepilot 571]

Thanks for your reply,Fs-x indeed needs a lot of graphic power...That's why I started thinking about saving the money a little longer and then buying a machine including a 8800GTS.Seems more useful to me.Regards,Marius

[Guest sunbear]

>Thanks for your reply,>>Fs-x indeed needs a lot of graphic power...>That's why I started thinking about saving the money a little>longer and then buying a machine including a 8800GTS.>Seems more useful to me.>>Regards,>MariusLook at the 8800GT which just came out. It's in the range of $250-290 or wait until the end of the month for the much heralded H3800 ATI card that will support direct 10.1 and will also be in the same price range.Regards,jack

[thepilot 571]

Hello jack,that seems to be a good price, really.In these day I just keep my eyes focused on graphic boards...I'm gonna have a new system in 2 months or so ;)If everything goes well and I'm satisfied.I just talked to a friend of mine who recently purchased the 8800GTS - he is in love with it, even though his machine grows older and older...His opinion about it and your answers convinced to keep waiting... I think this is the best way to take, and I'll be happy afterwards for sure ;)Regards,Marius

[Guest baksteen33]

Hi Marius, you probably have an AGP and no PCI-e slot. With a 128MB(?) 128-bit Radeon 9500, turn off the clouds in FS9 and they do fairly well upto 1280x. FSX is a different ballpark and 128MB wouldn't take you very far. Unless you can live with 256x and maybe even lower texture sizes ('Global Texture Quality' slider)? Case you have a 3GHZ P4 and 2GB RAM, a GPU swap alone should make a nice quaint difference in FSX. If you want more advise, you'd ideally be more specific about your software and goals. Hope this adds to thoughts, kind regards JaapEdit, PS, I wonder whether waiting is always the right strategy? If a CPU is 3 generations behind, the differences are very noticeable. Case you don't overclock (for example), the differences between a E6600 and AMD64-6000 are marginal. There's a well oiled marketing machine running... ;-) You don't need the latest and the greatest to enjoy FSX. If you don't need a monitor and OS, 1000 Euro will take you a very long way.

[thepilot 571]

Hi Jaap,thanks for your answer, I'll give a try...I don't need an OS (gonna use XP again) or a montior, my actual one is pretty good.But I have to say I'm not really experienced with overclocking. I'll have a look at it.What I eagerly want to get is-Core 2 duo processor-NVIDIA 8800GTS 320MB (maybe GT, but can't find any information about that card right now in Germany tough...)-2GB Ram, with space for additional 2GBI think that's pretty good.Regards,Marius

[Guest baksteen33]

Hi Marius, Alternate.de is a very good, reliable source. Without knowing certain preferences, it's hard to advise. Dense areas and the Bush make a big difference. FWIW, I would plug 4GB (2x2GB) in new boxes - RAM is relatively cheap and compatibility will be an increasing problem. Kind regards Jaap

[thepilot 571]

Thank you very much for the link, Jaap.The given site really offers extraordinary systems for almost unbeatable prices!Seems to be a good place for ordering a new PC.I think my local dealer is kind of overpriced...Regards,Marius

[Guest baksteen33]

Hi Marius, Indeed a great shop. They have a branch in Holland too. If you need help to sort certain issues, a local dealer is good to have IMHO. Alternate's (or any other online shop's) service ends at the door. Just to say, sometimes it worthwhile to pay a little bit more. It's still not totally clear whether you are looking for a FS9 or FSX FlyTendo? Kind regards Jaap

[thepilot 571]

Hi Jaap,Yes, you're right, but I'd pay a bunch more money for less.I've read that alternate.de offers a 2-year send-back warranty.That's enough for me.At first I want to continue with FS9... but as FSx keeps growing, I'm certain that I'll change... after a year or two.Regards,Marius