Need some input on what to replace my old ati 9800 card. There have been so many cards developed since the 9800 I find it somewhat confusing to decide without some input from other FS9 members. Would like to keep the new card price under $160. Considering a 1650pro card. (ati chip set). Not sure how this card will perform with fs9.Basic conf.1 gig memwin xp sp2Pentium 4, 3.o gati 9800 video

Hi,Tomorrow I'm going to buy a Sapphire X1950 Pro 512Mb AGP card to replace my 9800Pro 128Mb. You have the same processor and RAM as me so should see the same benefits.I did three hours of research the other night on this card. I became aware of it on www.tomshardware.com a couple of months ago and it's now available. This is the fastest AGP card available.Here's a review of a PowerColor equivalent but with 256Mb RAM. Notice how it's virtually identical to the PCI-E equivalent.http://www.firingsquad.com/media/article_image.asp/2074/01The price over here is 155UKP but that will probably equate to 155USD!Cheers,

Hi mr.Do you want to shift the old ati card because of the sim?I'm running a 9800 pro iceq in fs9 and fsx, and it's doing well.If i were you, i'll just wait a little, because now it's going fast. The vista is coming and amd/ati, nvidia a.o. are working overtime. Soon you'll see whats coming. Just an advise. For me, i'm waiting.

I just bought an x1650pro 512, and though I'm not running fs9 any more, FSX screams now. I imagine that if I were running fs9, there would be nothing in it that this card couldn't handle. I'm very pleased.Earl

Why don't you run fs9 too at highest settings. You'll get flights at the top.With all my addons in fs9, i keep going.

Hi,Read my reasons for buying this card in the X1950 512Mb AGP thread in this forum. It's not increased frame rates in FS9 but it has allowed me to increase them in FSX and move many of the sliders to the right - previously impossible with the 9800 Pro. FSX performance is hugely improved.Vista will require more RAM, faster processors and faster graphics. There's plenty of life left in my system now I have replaced a 3 year-old card. You WILL need a lot more graphics memory for FSX - the 9800 just can't hack it I'm afraid.Cheers,

Hi Earl,The extra memory makes all the difference. I'm similarly impressed with the X1950Pro 512Mb AGP card.Cheers,

Maybe that's it. Without autogen (Autogen used to be a necessity for me, but with 8x AF and FSX textures, I like it more without) I'm running bloom, high cloud coverage, detailed terrain...it's amazing.

Well freind.I do not agree.I'm running fsx with medium tex and dense autogen. Fps locked at 20. I have a smooth flight and some views that'll make me go down.Keep your eyes off the speed, balance your settings, and you're on.But congratulate with the card and happy flying.

<>You don't agree with what? :-hmmm <>Autogen is a known frame rate killer. You'll get higher frame rates with it set to zero.<>It's that easy is it? :-hmmm Eyes off what speed? Air speed? Frame rates? llicit drugs? :-lol Perhaps you could post details of your system? I'm fascinated. I've had FS since the 5.1 days so I have a reasonable understanding of what settings to apply. ;)

Ok, here you are.Everybody seems to have eyes locked on fps. Forget it.In fsx lock it at 19-20.Close your running programs. (You see them in right down corner). And hope you got Spybot, in the settings you can close everything you want.Close any win fancy advanced settings you dont need. (There is a lot).Close any services in win you dont need. (There is a lot).Search for information.See this great information by a simv freind (hope i'm not banned from here):http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/Ya...?num=1167486266Defrag and clean your pc, and start the sim after a reboot.Then you'll see.

Hi,I'm well aware of the importance of closing all unnecessary programs before starting FS. I'm currently using FSAutoStart which does all I need. I also defrag and run remove all temporary files daily. However, doing all that will make very little difference to the performance of FSX which is not capable of running fast enough on many modern systems which is why so many people are staying with FS9.Your advice, whilst well-meaning, is devoid of any detailed instruction. Phrases like "Close any services in win you dont need." is not entirely helpful to the uninitiated.I'm not driven purely by frame rates but there is no other way of objectively measuring the performance of FS on a PC.I asked you for details of your system. Still waiting :-roll

Hi Ray.Sorry for the delay.My system:asus a7n8x dlatlon tm 3000+1 gb ram (2700)his excalibur 9800 pro iceq (360)audiqi 2seagate 120gb (7200)maxtor 80gb (7200)hotas cougar.You are completely right about the services. It all depends on what the pc is used for, network a.o.. I saw a thread somewhere about this, but ofcourse, now i can't find. Typical.As for my system. It's not new, i know, but at the moment i'm satisfied. I'll wait and see until vista is out, what the opinion will be and what it demans.Cheers.

Hi KT,I don't think there's much diference between our two systems. The Athlon 3000 is probably close to the P4 3.0.Your 9800Pro sounds as though it's supercooled so I guess you're overclocking. Whilst I'm not getting any faster frame rates with the X1950Pro the additional memory has made a big difference to the visuals in FS9 and FSX. I just ran out of memory with the 9800Pro in FSX.Vista will be even more demanding on a system than XP. 2Gb RAM will be standard. It won't improve frame rates on FSX - just give the option for DX10. We'll both need new system for DX10.Closing selected services will lessen the chance of stutters but won't improve frame rates. That requires a faster processor.Cheers,

Ray, sorry for my late betweens, busy time..No i'm not overclocking, but the card in on hard work. Good thing it has a superb coolingsystem, cause it's gets extremely hot in fsx. Need to run with an open tower too.CPU tho, runs like a hot winter 40-52 deg.Cheers