Hi,I'm currently using a 9800 Pro with omegadrivers and I've been happy with the results, but now I feel with add-ons becoming more and more complex, I need a better card.I've had my sights on a ATI X850 XT PE for a while, but I'm not sure if this is the ultimate choice for the money. I want to spend somewhere between

I forgot to mention that it must be AGP!

What are your other system specs? Changing the video card may not help things all that much. The problem you have may be more a lack of CPU cycles than a lack of video card capability. Research this carefully as that's a lot of money to spend for what could be little, if any improvement. The 9800 Pro is, indeed, a little dated (I have one too) but it still runs FS9 quite well. Remember, FS9 is coded around DX7 capabilities, not the latest DX9 capabilities that the newer cards can utilize.Doug

Thanks for the reply,I have a P4 3.2 with 1GB DDR400

Just from the standpoint of increasing framerates, I think it's an iffy proposition. Maybe someone with a similar CPU who has done the swap will comment on the results. But I wouldn't want to make that big an outlay without being able to return the card if things didn't work as hoped.Doug

Thanks for your help Doug.Anyone made the jump from a 9800 Pro on the same CPU or near?

Hello Adeym....I'm fairly close to your system specs,,,3 Ghz,and 1 Gig RAM. Went from the 9800 PRO to the 800XL and saw a pretty good increase overall with FS9. I can now run with most sliders maxed,except clouds,1600x1200 res,FE,and Level-D 767,all pretty smoothly.No major increase in FPS,although better,and the sim looks great vs the 9800.....if you get the 850XT,I am sure you won't regret it.....Stan

Thanks for that stan, It looks like i'll be going for the X850 XT PE unless someone post's a reason why I should take a look at some Nvidia cardsAnyone else? :)ThanksAdey

Anyone else?:)[image]http://members.lycos.co.uk/electronicplayground/forum/files/700easydriver.jpg[/image]

Upgrading a video card will basically give you more eye candy.For example, i went from a 9800pro to a X800XT PE... I use several scenery programs (Ultimate Terrain and FSGenesis mesh).. Do notice little frame rate losses when i crank up settings...Plus blurries are reduced because the scenery rendering is almost always GPU intensive;.As for overall FPS, i do notice that my system takes less of a hit with thick clouds. I can now fly in thick overcast cumulous clouds with FPS in the low 20's (with the PDMG aircraft). This is settings maxed..In addition i upgrade my CPU to a 3500+ ..My FPS are 20+ in the majority of areas. However, unless you spend major bucks on a FX-57 processor , forget about tons of AI traffic at busy airports and 20+ FPSAI traffic will bring even the most high end system to its knees