There have been lots of threads about video cards.. and now it is my turn to make a decision.New system parts arrived today. Gigabyte nForce4SLI PCI-E mobo, AMD 4000 939 socket, 1GB DDR2700 RAM, 2 SATA 120GB drives. Now I need to add a video card for using FS2004. I run FS9 at 1280x1024x32.My past 3 systems have used nVidia cards, most recently the 5700LE w/256RAM. The performance tests posted here show some difference in top end speed between the 6800 Ultra and the ATI 9800XT, but it does not appear to be a large spread, though my understanding is the core clock speeds give an edge to the ATI card.I would appreciate some advice about several things:1. Should I attempt to overclock the AMD 4000? I've never overclocked before so am a bit leery on this part.2. Can either video card be easily overclocked?3. Does there appear to be a problem with drivers on either the nVidia or ATI cards? I notice some posts indicate the use of particular drivers for the ATI cards.4. With the nVidia nForce4SLI on the mobo, would I be likely to experience less difficulty with an nVidia card as opposed to the ATI?5. Are there other video cards I should consider?6. How can I utilize the capability of the SLI supported mobo?My tendency is to go with the nVidia because of past use and experience. Have never had an issue with one of their cards. But I'd like to get a top end card that will take advantage of current technology... not be wishing tomorrow that I had considered something else. I realize that as soon as I purchase my card it will be obsolete but that's the name of this computer business.Sorry, no more questions, any helpful comments will be greatly appreciated.:-) :-) donmac

Hi oldngray,First off, I'm going to assume that you did not mean to suggest the 9800 XT but rather something from the X800 series. While the 9800 XT is a very good card, it is rather expensive (for the performance it offers) and yields poor bang for the buck.Also, I see one major problem with your specs... the PC 2700 memory. Using that memory will hold the rest of your system back. The hot ticket in memory today is anything that uses Samsung TCCD or TCC5 modules. The nF4 boards just love the stuff! It overclocks well and does so at low voltage (lower power to your system components means lower heat in your case). Here are some of the products available today."1. Should I attempt to overclock the AMD 4000? I've never overclocked before so am a bit leery on this part."By all means. If it's San Diego core they are proving to be pretty good overclockers."2. Can either video card be easily overclocked?"Yep, but I always install a good after market VC cooler before attempting to overclock. I prefer the Arctic Cooling products. They are a large cooler (take up an additional PCI slot in your motherboard, but most top end video cards have the same style coolers), and they work great. One of their best attributes is that they expel the heat of the GPU out the back of the case rather than just mix that hot air around inside the case."3. Does there appear to be a problem with drivers on either the nVidia or ATI cards? I notice some posts indicate the use of particular drivers for the ATI cards."I've been with ATI now for almost 2 1/2 years and never had a bad driver set from them. And I try alot of different tweaked ATI driver sets (Omega, UniAn, zer0point, etc.). Can't speak for the current nVidia drivers (been too long away from them)."4. With the nVidia nForce4SLI on the mobo, would I be likely to experience less difficulty with an nVidia card as opposed to the ATI?"Nope, won't make any difference at all."5. Are there other video cards I should consider?"For gaming performance and quality nVidia and ATI are the best choices. Can't go wrong with either manufacturer... just depends upon how much moeny you want to spend."6. How can I utilize the capability of the SLI supported mobo?"Go with nVidia video cards. ATI just this week announced their answer to nVidia's SLI technology, but you would have to go to a proprietary ATI chipset motherboard. I wouldn't rule that out for myself (I've had nothing but great luck with the numerous ATI products I've owned) but I believe I'll wait awaile until they get all the wrinkles ironed out. Just my perspective on the matter. The big advantage of the new ATI dual card design is that it is not game dependant (as is nVidia's). So the drivers and games don't have to be written to capitalize on the dual card set-up.Keep in mind that nVidia's SLI technology will do absolutely nothing for FS9, and we still don't know if the next version will take advantage of the technology. Unless you play game(s) that do indeed put the technology to best use you might be better off putting that money elsewhere in your system.Another thing that concerns me about dual card designs is heat and power. The two go hand in hand. Put two high end video cards in an SLI system and you will absolutely have to have a powerful high end PSU and deal with the heat those two video cards make in the case."My tendency is to go with the nVidia because of past use and experience. Have never had an issue with one of their cards. But I'd like to get a top end card that will take advantage of current technology... not be wishing tomorrow that I had considered something else. I realize that as soon as I purchase my card it will be obsolete but that's the name of this computer business."Nothing wrong with going with the brand you're comfortable with. Seriously, it just depends on how much money you're willing to spend.A couple of other things I might add... don't skimp on the case and power supply. Buy top quality case and PSU, especially if you intend to overclock. I continue to be amazed at the number of folks who buy top end components and then put them all in a poor breathing case with a cheapo PSU. Might just as well shoot themselves in the foot.A final word about overclocking. It's as much art as science. And it can be rather time consuming. Takes alot of study, and then slow and thorough testing. It's not for the faint of heart nor anyone who wants instant gratification. But it's alot of fun and enlightening, and it's dirt cheap performance enhancement (actually I'll admit it... it's a form of theft that no one can bust you for :-) ).Good luck,Greg

Many, many thanks Gregm for the thoughts presented. You assumed right... I had intended to compare the 850XT series with the nVidia... that's part of what comes with being "oldngray".Thank you for the tip about overclocking and the heat problems that are a natural result.I had not given as much consideration to the case as to the power supply. Did purchase a PC Pwr&Cooling 510 Quiet for this rig. I do have a PC Pwr&Cooling case (older, but still an xt board) that I could use.Thanks also for the tip about additional cooling for these top end video cards. Had not given that any consideration but am considering changing the heat sink and fan that came with the CPU. Perhaps I'll get both when I make my decision.The matter of the relatively small difference in price between the two cards is not a consideration for me.Thanks again.

Greg... couple of more thoughts.Had not thought there would be a SIGNIFICANT difference between the dual channel memory modules. Went to the site you listed (thanks for that) and the only mfg I recognized were KIngston and Corsair. Haven't hunted for prices yet but I am going to assume they can be purchased many places.My only "game" is FS9. I play no other. This rig will be used almost exclusively for that purpose.I am planning to keep my old one (great system but no pci-e capability and didn't want to spend the money on a new AGP card. The 5700LE just doesn't cut the mustard with what I run on FS9... 1-2 second black holes when going from 2D to VC, etc. Anyay, I can use the memory modules I have already purchased or sell them.Happy to have those thoughts about the memory speeds.

"...the only mfg I recognized were KIngston and Corsair."OCZ is very good, as are PDP and PQI. Of course the G.Skill is my first choice (if you can find the stuff). Scary fast and doesn't have those useless (but cute) "heat speaders". On my motherboard the Thermalright XP-90 overhangs the memory slots, which means that air from my CPU fan blows right on the memory. Good (and easy) way to move air over those priceless little buggers.Seems you can afford to go with good quality memory. Good thing... these nF4 boards almost demand it.GregEdit: Wow!! This is a deal almost too good to pass up! More than $100.00 less than what I paid for my G.Skill and top quality. Killer deal (if they still have it in stock... me thinks this will sell very fast).

Greg... you got me really wondering what I had ordered. Just went back and checked the specs. I have 2x512 Kingston DDR400 PC3200, not 2700 as I had originally stated.In your opinion, would I find a vast differnce by going with the OCZ modules?

What are the product info numbers on the Kingston? And and all numbers you can find.Greg

Kingston9930521-001.B00LF KVR400x64C3A/512 - That's the first lineP763749-1702550 2.6v - Second lineAEP S0850502 - That's the header on the label

I think this might be it. Not blistering fast, but you might try it with the Gigabyte motherboard just to see how well they play together. Certainly won't cost you anything now to give it a shot.Hmmm... just looked at Kingston's site but couldn't find anything where they are selling that in 1Gb packages (perhaps I missed it). True Dual Channel is sold in matched pairs (ie. two 256MB sticks that have been tested to run together or two 512Mb sticks tested together, etc.) Is the memory true Dual Channel (sold two sticks in one package), or did you but two sticks of the same RAM?Greg

I ordered the dual channel. They put it on the motherboard before shipping... as a courtesy they said. I don't have the packaging but the numbers on the chips are identical.

Thanks Greg, you've been a great help. Appreciate your kindness.