It was time for a new video card to get me through to the mass release of DX10 cards sometime early next year. I decided to measure the frame rate improvement between my former 256MB ATI X800XT and my new 512MB ATI X1900XTX cards. The test wasn't too scientific but did provide measurable (subjective) results.With the computer freshly restarted using the X800XT (set at 4xAA, 8xAF) I started FSX Beta (all default setting except changed to 1280x1024x32 and unlimited frames) and started the default flight. The instant the flight appeared and fully loaded and stabilized I hit pause and recorded the FPS. I was showing 17.5 - 20.2.I then removed the X800XT and added the new X1900XTX (also set at 4xAA, 8xAF) and restarted the computer and repeated the steps above. The resulting FPS from adding the x1900XTX was 20 - 24.2.So, adding a more powerful video card did NOT have a significant impact on FPS but DID have a HUGE impact on the overall look of FSX. Textures were clear all around as far as the eye could see and there was no apparent texture loading (popping). And smooth, very, very smooth!Yes, FSX is still very CPU dependant. I haven't yet seen credible measures of equivalent performance between single and dual core computers, but I'm confident my setup (specs below) will be just fine for FSX.DougDell XPS Gen3 (3.6GHz/800FSB) | 2GB DDR SDRAM | 74GB SATA, 10k RPM (C: ) | 120GB SATA (D: ) | 512MB ATI Radeon X1900XTX PCIe (Catalyst 6.8) | Audigy 2 ZS Sound | MS Force Feedback 2 | WindowsXP Pro (SP2) | DirectX 9.0c

Hi Doug,a very interesting post, but, what I would have liked to have known is the same information, but relating to FS9.1.did you by any chance have similar results or better with the before and after when using FS9.1Thanks.

Hi Doug...from what I've read, the 1900XTX and my card, the 7900GTX are performance peers. I agree with your observations, especially on the texture clarity side. Seems that extra 256mb of vid ram is just enough to put FS over the top with massive textures and allows it to focus on just rendering, rather than swapping and popping!Cheers,bt

That's kind of funny, all things considered.I upgraded TO a X800 (the GTO flavor) to hold me over until DX10 cards arrive and mature.So far, it's doing ok. But I think your observations are certainly correct. I saw a huge performance increase based on moving to a Core 2 Duo, while the graphics features (besides being able to run AA) don't make big jumps. The biggest thing I saw graphics card related was being able to run autogen, which in non-city areas, I can max out.

That's good info Doug. There will be many of us wanting to know what makes FSX tick when the final version comes out. A simple before and after comparison of FPS, and noting settings, for a particular hardware change will be most informative to us all.As I have stated before in the hardware forum, I really hope one of the major FS websites does a proper "what hardware makes FSX tick" review when the retail version is released. And I'm not just talking the "more RAM, bigger/badder GPU and CPU makes it tick" generalities that we usually see, I mean some cold, hard, clinical benchmarks of the changes we can expect to see going from common low and middle end system components to the latest and greatest on the market. I'd be more than happy to do the review myself, if someone is willing to lend me new hardware for the task ;)Failing my dream above being realised, more info like you have provided Doug will be useful to all us intending upgraders.Gary

Thanks for reporting on this, and especially for reporting on qualitative results (sharper textures, fluidity).

sb55mv,I blew out my computer earlier this week and haven't yet reloaded FS9.1 and may not since we're so close to the release of FSX. I loved FS9.1 and have many addons, but from what I've now seen of FSX Beta with the X1900XTX I don't believe I'll be going back to FS9.1If I do decide to reload, I'll do the test.DougDell XPS Gen3 (3.6GHz/800FSB) | 2GB DDR SDRAM | 74GB SATA, 10k RPM (C: ) | 120GB SATA (D: ) | 512MB ATI Radeon X1900XTX (Catalyst 6.8) | Audigy 2 ZS Sound | MS Force Feedback 2 | WindowsXP Pro (SP2) | DirectX 9.0c

Yes, it really in kinda funny. But with an awesome job and retirement less than a decade away I'm in a position to splurge when it comes to my hobby... and I'm glad I did. FSX was OK with the X800XT but the visual and performance improvement with the X1900XTX is amazing IMHO!And thanks for all the videos you're creating and input you're making to this forum. The information echange here is terrific!DougDell XPS Gen3 (3.6GHz/800FSB) | 2GB DDR SDRAM | 74GB SATA, 10k RPM (C: ) | 120GB SATA (D: ) | 512MB ATI Radeon X1900XTX (Catalyst 6.8) | Audigy 2 ZS Sound | MS Force Feedback 2 | WindowsXP Pro (SP2) | DirectX 9.0c

I'm pleased the information has been helpful, Gary (and dswo). My X800XT is now available since neither my wife's or daughter's computers have a PCIe slot. Maybe you can take it off my hands and start some reviews of your own :)As more opportunities arise to demonstrate hardware impacts I'll do my best to provide the information.DougDell XPS Gen3 (3.6GHz/800FSB) | 2GB DDR SDRAM | 74GB SATA, 10k RPM (C: ) | 120GB SATA (D: ) | 512MB ATI Radeon X1900XTX (Catalyst 6.8) | Audigy 2 ZS Sound | MS Force Feedback 2 | WindowsXP Pro (SP2) | DirectX 9.0c

Thanks for that review. I have the X800XT 256 mb. card. Looks like I'll be waiting for the DX10 compliant cards. Not enough of a frame difference for me to invest in the X1900XTX.

Interesting, I tried the same experiment using my stock Dell GeForce 6800 and got 22-24 fps with the these settings and 1280x1024, AA-8x, AF-16x.Graphics: Ultra HighAircraft: Ultra High Scenery: CustomLevel of detail: MedMesh Comp: 70Mesh Res: 19MTex Res: 1MWater Eff: Low 2.xScenery Complx: Very DenseAuto Gen: DenseSpc Effects: HighLand Detail Tex: CheckedWeather: HighTraffic: Med LowI was thinking about upgrading to a 7800GT but guess I'll hold off now.Dell 8400 640(3.2GHz/800FSB) | 2GB pc2-4200 | 256MB GeForce 6800) |WindowsXP Home (SP2) | DirectX 9.0c

Thank you for the hard data!RH

Hi Doug,I made the exact same upgrade as you about 7 months ago, also with a Dell XPS Gen3. After lost of usage, including being on the official FSX beta, I can tell you this:Not much FPS difference under most circumstances, except where you use a high resolution like I do (1600x1200) and you also crank up AA/AF. In that situation, the GPU is more of a bottleneck than the CPU. In lower resolutions, the X800XT produces roughly the same FPS.The Gen 3 has a 460W powers supply with two 12v rails, each rated max at 17amps. At peak load, this may not be enough for the X1900XTX, and I have had to RMA mine once alreay due to artifacts, most likely due to power issues. Several people on the Dell forums have reported exactly the same issues.I'm glad you've had good louck so far, but I thought you might be interested in my experience, since my system is the same. My advice to you, which you are free to accept or not, is to wait, but if you have to upgrade now, get an nVidia 7900GTX (and I'm an ATI fan) because it has significantly lower power usage under heavy load with close performance.

Thanks to all for posting your experiences - sure has helped me!KendallDell 8400 3.2 GHZ H.T.800 FSB/2MB L22 GB 533 DDR2X800XT 256MB/Cat.5.13's6x Adaptive AA/16x HQ A/FIntegrated SoundDual Monitor: Dell 2405/1905CH Yoke/Pedals

Thanks for the observations Neil. I researched the compatibility and discovered the minimum 450W requirement for the X1900XTX and decided to press on since the Gen3 had a 460W PS. I did not consider that under heavy loads there'd be the possibility of artifacts and have fortunately not seen any yet. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. If problems arise I can always go back to the X800XT until I get a new PC early next year after the DX10 stuff is released.Also, another discovery... my FPS increased another 70% or so after turing "Anisotropic Filtering" off inside FSX when I have it enabled (16x) in the video card. I see quite a few posts here where individuals with tricked out boxes show screenshots of their FSX settings and almost all of them have filtering set to anisotropic. There was zero degradation to FSX when I disabled it in the sim. Hopefully this trick will help some folks who are unhappy with their performance.DougDell XPS Gen3 (3.6GHz/800FSB) | 2GB DDR SDRAM | 74GB SATA, 10k RPM (C: ) | 120GB SATA (D: ) | 512MB ATI Radeon X1900XTX (Catalyst 6.8) | Audigy 2 ZS Sound | MS Force Feedback 2 | WindowsXP Pro (SP2) | DirectX 9.0c