Video-card Purchase

[Guest]

I am trying to decide on a low priced video-card for my brother's computer that is DX10 compatible for FSX/FS9 and other flight combat-sims to replace an Nvidia 6600GT which recently failed. The following cards are what I'm narrowing my search between:Nvidia..XFX GeForce 8600GT 256MB (PVT84JUSD4) Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814150258 Ati...HIS Hightech Radeon HD 2600XT 512MB (H260XTQT512DDN-R)Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...-HIS-_-14161174Both cards have DDR3 memory and excellent cooling but the ATI has 512mb of memory while the Nvidia card has 256mb and there is a $10 difference in price. Is there any difference in texture quality, previous Nvidia cards including my 7900GT indicate that textures never really load up sharply especially in FSX.Btw...system is using a Intel 6750 processor (OC to 3.2GHz), 2MB DDR2 memory and a 320Gb SATA hard-drive with max. resolution being 1280x1024 (may eventually go to 1680x1050) with a newer monitor purchase.Darryl

[Guest Scratch1964]

Hey Darryl,Both cards are great value. However, at resolutions of up to 1650x1080 and with a CPU at 3.2GHz I just wonder if an 8600GT/HD2600XT might be something of a bottleneck particularly in FSX. Your brother has a powerful CPU running at 3.2GHz. Perhaps an 8800GT 512MB might be better suited (depending on budget) if he is to run at 1650x1080. Is he running XP or Vista? If Vista then a firther consideration might be an additional 1GB or 2GB DDR2 RAM. Vista is very RAM thirsty at 2GB or below by comparison to XP.Scratch1964

[Guest baksteen33]

Hi Darryl and Scratch, FSX will definitely prefer the 512MB GPU. Just keep in mind that 512MB is then also snatched form the main memory. So, if, you'd - like Scratch said - ideally bump up the system RAM as well. With Vista, don't shy to plug 4GB, even if the OS doesn't see more than 3.2GB. Hope this adds to thoughts, kind regards Jaap Edit: I also agree they both might be a bit narrow for 1680x? Perhaps you can exchange it for a better model if X2600 doesn't deliver what you hoped.