I know that this subject has been a regular request, but please bear with me.FPS are very poor now since I've purchased Misty and Tongass and downloading all the scenery available. Since my video card is a few years old, I need to update. So what to get? My current card is AGP, Radeon 9200 w 256m and the latest drivers (been trying other drivers, e.g. Omega, but no better results).Other sys specs are as follows:CPU P4 3.40 mhzOP Windows XP SP2.01G ramMoB IntelR AWRDACPI Bios Phoenix Tech LD6.00PGNow when I go to my electronics provider, I am faced with a multitude of choices and really not too much help from the sales force. I am told that the 7800 GS 256 is the fastest @ retail of $350.00. I also see an ATI X800 256 for $100.00 less. Then there are the new PCI-e cards that also range from $450 on down to $200 more and less.I want to upgrade for the best possible results and for the best possible price. My goal is to maintain FPS @ 20-30. I know everone has an opinion and all can be relative as to results. Is there a site that tests these with FS9 loaded to the hilt or at least loaded above what the average (again that's subjective) user has installed and posts the results?Also, where can one find an on-line seller for the best price and service? I know of a few like TigerDirect and some others. Do you have a favorite you would like to share with us?Well I'm not going to make this any longer, but I hope you can see the dilemma we face.Thanks ahead of time for your imput.Jim

The only AGP cards worth considring anymore are the 7800 GS as you mentioned or the Radeon X850 XT PEThe 7800GS is expensive and the X850 is VERY expensive (if you can find one)For the money you are going to spend on the 7800GS, I would highly recommend getting a new motherboard with PCIe and a PCIe GPU. You can get better performing PCIe GPU's and a motherboard for around the same price as the 7800 GSHowever, I notice that you are using a Radeon 9200 (very low end) so even the jump to the X800 you mentioned will make a big difference.On line retailers:My favsUSA - newegg, monarch, zip zoom flyCanada - NCIX

And keep in mind, whatever card you buy, it will be technically obsolete come early next year, when DX10 cards come out.At some point next year, you are going to WANT a DirectX10 card for FS, because Microsoft is going to put out an update to FSX to support DX10 graphic effects.Rhett

Thanks, and I agree with your observations. But now if one was to purchase a PCI-e card & MB, again thare are choices that range in very expensive to more or less reasonable. So who has had better than average results(or great results) using which video card and MB setup?Also this may require a new CPU since mine is a 478 socket and the newer ones are 775.I have seen a 7800GS on line for $250 +-.Maybe I'll excercise a little patience since I'm due to receive a free copy of FSX since I registered a couple of months ago to attend the AVSIM convention next month and as of a week or two ago there were some still available. Then I'll make a decision as to which way to go.Jim

Might want to look at either of 7600GS or X800GTO.scott s..

I concur. You don't want to outspec the rest of your system.Either will set you back around $140-150 for the AGP variety, with overall performance being better on the 7600GS. See http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html...GhlbnRodXNpYXN0 for a comparison of the 7600 with the X800GTO's big brother, the X1800 GTO.Gary

Thanks Scott & Gary for the input.Am I mistaken in thinkng that the 7600 GS is a PCI-e card? That is what is seemed to be indicated in Gary's posted link to the review. So if it is, I'll have to upgrade a lot more than just the graphics card if I go that route. Jim

It comes in AGP flavour too, and should perform about the same. I just gave the link above to give you a rough idea of just how well it does perform.Gary

Hello Jim,My advise to you is hold your plan to upgrade until FSX will be release about 2 months from now if you can wait. I had the same urge to upgrade or buy a new one 3 months back and I did bought a new computer two weeks ago. Chuck and the rest were absolutely correct that what we got from FS9 is already at its maximum limit. There's nothing more the application can give us. Although there are improvements on the performance and quality but you can not say you're flying in heaven. Below is the specification of my new system;GIGABYTE nForce4 - (SLI ready)PCI-e; AMD 64X2 4600+ dual-core; 3GB RAM; ATI X1900 XTX (512 MB); 160GB HDD; 21"LCD; Saitek X52Note: I even tried to overclocked once to find out how much it can give me considering that I am using the top video card of ATI but as I said there's no more we can get. So I just reset it back to default clock speed as I am only over-stressing the hardware for nothing.Hope this help,Isagani

Well I appreciate all the help. And in regard to your suggestion Isagani, I don't really feel the need to spend tons of money the minute FSX is released on a new system. Even building one myself would set me back several hundred dollars. I have what I need right now except for frame rates. To think of purchasing a new MB, graphics card, CPU and possibly memory, I'm content to wait. Let's face it, this is a hobby and I do not want it to hobble me. I can wait for a couple of years and then, when prices come down, consider upgrading. I do the same with cars, purchase one 1-2 years old and let the original owners take the losses, just as long as it was well taken care of and still under warranty.Jim

Note: Update to my last post;Just to let everyone know, I purchased an ATI X1600 Pro card yesterday for $200.00 just to try it out. Frame rates are great and the detail is outstanding too. I will also try out the GS 7600 card as was recommended to see if it performs better or as well since I can get it for about $150.00 +- and I can return the X1600 within 30 days for a full refund. So nothing lost there.I'm still open to ideas but will let you know what I settle on (that is, if anyone's interested).Thanks again for all the help.Jim

Jim,Glad you are pleased with the X1600 Pro. It is however, very weak. In real terms, it only compares with a Radeon 9800 Pro, which is a much older generation. I think the Nvidia option may be the better one in AGP flavour....Glenn

Thanks Glenn, but I'm not yet convinced on this card. As I mentioned, I'm just testing it at the moment. I will test the others as well and then make a final choice. I noticed a considerable frame rate drop when appraoching and landing @ Ketchican (PAKT) and it is not that busy of an airport. Landing was smooth though. I'll try it out on a busier airport.Jim

Jim, If you come across a Radeon X800XL, this would be an excellent choice, especially on AGP.Check out shopati.comThey sometimes have the AGP version (or the X850 Pro) on for a good price.Good luck whichever way you end up going.Glenn

Thanks Glenn, I'll keep a lookout for it.By the way, I agee that the X1600 Pro is not the best for my needs. Flew out of and landed at Invergargil in Australia and had a couple of, although minor, stutters. So I think this one will be returned. On to the next.Jim