Hi everyone. I need some advice from the seasoned pros here. I currently have FS9 with the following ad-ons: Ultimate TrafficFSG MeshGround EnvironmentUltimate TerrainReal EnvironmentActive Sky 2004.5and a bunch of add on aircraftMy rid consists of:P4 2.531.5 mb RAMRadion 9700 128mb19" Samsung SyncMaster 931bf - running 1280X1024I had been runnning FS9 for years with just 512 of RAM and just recently upgraded to 1.5 gigs of RAM and it has made a huge difference in the overall performance of FS9. I can run most sliders either neutral or all the way to the right except for traffic and clouds which I need to keep around half or under half way settings, and usually maintain around 25-30 fps or better even with the PMDG 737.After upgrading my RAM in the last two weeks, I have decided I probably should change my video card, as it is the only bottle neck I have left that would be easy to improve. BestBuy has a Radion X1650 512 MB for around $200 dollars in an AGP format which is what my current card is. How much better do you think my system would run as far smoothness and perhaps better FPS is concerned, if I upgrade my card? Currently I don't have much of a stutter problem or blurry problem, except for in highly cloudy weather settings. I have already installed different cloud texture a few years ago by Chris Wills. I am hesitant to buy and try since BestBuy told me that they charge a 15% restocking fee for video card returns, so I need advice before I buy. Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide.Regards,Sean

Sean;If your experience is like mine the improvement will not be major.I switched from an Ati9600XT to an X800GTO and saw no FPS increase...it does however seem to be able to handle slightly higher settings inFSX

>Sean;>>If your experience is like mine the improvement will not be>major.>>I switched from an Ati9600XT to an X800GTO and saw no FPS>increase...>it does however seem to be able to handle slightly higher>settings in>FSXThanks for the reply Denny. I haven't even bought FSX yet, as I think I will wait to hear how the SP1 works on everyone elses systems. I was just think that maybe a new card would help get me through for another year or year and a half until I upgrade computers. I figured that a card probably wouldn't help FPS much but maybe it would help smoothness as the X1650 has a lot more on board RAM. Maybe it would make flying in cloudy conditions a little smoother.

I would say that the limiting factor in you machine is the CPU nowyou have upgraded the memory. I don't think that you will seeany improvement with a change of GPU. FS9 is much more CPU based ratherthan FSX that does better with a good graphics card - though ofcourse FSX requires a seriously powerful machine anyway.RegardsTom

>I would say that the limiting factor in you machine is the>CPU now>you have upgraded the memory. I don't think that you will>see>any improvement with a change of GPU. FS9 is much more CPU>based rather>than FSX that does better with a good graphics card - though>of>course FSX requires a seriously powerful machine anyway.>>Regards>TomThanks Tom. Do you think my money would go further by changing processors? I have seen some P4 3.0gh going for around $100 or less. Although I would have to take my machine into a shop to have them install a different chip, maybe I would get better performance? I have seen upgraded chips with the same socket(478), I think it was for not much money, except for the cost of having someone intall it.

Sean,My 2c:You will probably find, as I did, that a faster vid card will allow you to crank up the texture sizes, AA, and AF without the fps hit you take now. Stuff like clouds and other textures therefore will no longer hit you as badly when they're on screen.But 3d objects will still kill you, less than optimally designed airports, autogen, AI etc - that's more the CPU, so get the fastest one you can.regards,Markhttp://www.dreamfleet2000.com/a320/custbanner2.jpgPC Power Silencer 470/3.2HT/2048mb/ATI X1950pro/SB Audigy

>Sean,>>My 2c:>>You will probably find, as I did, that a faster vid card will>allow you to crank up the texture sizes, AA, and AF without>the fps hit you take now. Stuff like clouds and other textures>therefore will no longer hit you as badly when they're on>screen.>>But 3d objects will still kill you, less than optimally>designed airports, autogen, AI etc - that's more the CPU, so>get the fastest one you can.>>>regards,>Mark>http://www.dreamfleet2000.com/a320/custbanner2.jpg>PC Power Silencer 470/3.2HT/2048mb/ATI X1950pro/SB AudigyThanks Mark. Yeah, it's the clouds that hit me the most. The airports and autogen objects I have toned down and am happy with the settings I have there. I just wabt to improve the scenery tiles, get a little less blurryness, and help when it's cloudy. Right now my setup isn't bad, but if I get a little more smootheness for $200 then it's worth it until I change computer in the next year or two.

Hi Mark,I recently changed my graphics card from a 9800 Pro 128Mb to a X1950Pro 512Mb. It didn't improve my frame rates but what it did allow was to run FS9 at 1920*1200 with no reduction in frame rates.I wanted a larger display and I knew the 9800Pro couldn't handle that high res so a AGP X1950Pro was the answer. And at 150UKP it was quite reasonable.If you're going to keep your current system for a year or two then a 512Mb card will give you better visuals but not improved frame rates.Cheers,

BUT, make sure your power supply is big enough!! Newer cards need more power and older computers tend to have a 250 or 300w PSU which won't be enough. If you upgrade your card you'll probably have to upgrade your PSU to 450w.

Mesa,I thought I'd need to upgrade the p/s but I'm still running with the same one and haven't had a single problem. All I would say is give it a go with your current p/s and if you get problems then upgrade it.Cheers,

>BUT, make sure your power supply is big enough!! Newer cards>need more power and older computers tend to have a 250 or 300w>PSU which won't be enough. If you upgrade your card you'll>probably have to upgrade your PSU to 450w. Yeah Mesa, I just found that out. I went and bought the X1650 got it homr to install then realized that I only have a 250w power supply. Went back to BestBuy and bought a new power supply, got it home and it wont fit properly in my Dell. Took both back, the power supply and the card, and got an nVidia that only requires 250w. Thats when I need to start a new thread. The GeForce 6200 OC that I bought is giving me lots of problems. Installed the newest drivers I could find, but am getting all sorts of flashing and weird stuff on my screen. Have been fiddling with it for hours trying to figure out what settings but I am about ready to give up. This new card is only 128mb's more than the one I had and is supposed to be faster, but whats the point if I can't get it working properly. In fact, when I start FS9, the little plane that spins around in the middle doesn't show up. UGH.. Will post a new thread for nVidia users that maybe able to help me. Thanks for all the replies.Sean