I'm about to order a new graphics card, but I'm not sure what will be best for FSX - the Nvidia 8800 GT or the Radeon ATI 3870 (the single version). The 8800 is supposed to be the more capable card, but it runs at 600 mhz and has 112 stream processors. The 3870 runs at 775 mhz and has 320 stream processors.I don't run any other games except FS9 and FSX and I'm getting acceptable fps. I had a difficult time getting FSX SP2 to work with the Nvidia driver (finally used nHancer to solve this). I think going to a 512 mb card will help texture loading.I've read lots of reviews on both cards, but they don't tell me much about performance with FSX. Any advice?Dale

Have you read topic 35416?Chris

>Have you read topic 35416?>>ChrisYes, but it didn't answer my question, or at least it was very confusing to me. I'd be interested in feedback from 3870 users - any issues? If performance of the two on my system would be approximately the same, I think I would prefer to go with the 3870 because they seem to have the best drivers for FSX (at the moment).Dale

When I build my new PC about a month ago:1. Bought an nVidia 8800GT 512 as most articles said it's the best.2. Had SEVERE problems with TVOut (no overscan, black stripes top & bottom, so my FMC was useless), AND unable to use FSAA into FS.3. Took it back and got an ATI X3870 512Mb instead...4. Very happy with it. Same performance with the 8800GT in FS (despite what benchmarks say), got correct TVOut with overscan and FSAA at the click of the mouse!Truth is, the 8800GT is a very nice card, but nVidia shot themselves on the leg with their drivers. They need serious re-writting!!!!So, MY opinion, the 3870...George DorkofikisAthens, Hellashttp://online.vatsimindicators.net/811520/1704.png

>>Have you read topic 35416?>>>>Chris>>Yes, but it didn't answer my question, or at least it was very>confusing to me. I'd be interested in feedback from 3870 users>- any issues? >>If performance of the two on my system would be approximately>the same, I think I would prefer to go with the 3870 because>they seem to have the best drivers for FSX (at the moment).>>Dale>What I am getting from all the 3870/3870x2 users is that the ATI cards perform at close to the same level in FS, but the difference is that the ATI cards give better image quality--with none of the display issues that 8800 users often report. I too am doing intense research on vid cards for FS right now, so I have been paying attention to all of this.The problem we have, is that as FS users, we see all of these reviews where the reviewers use 3DMark/Crysis/GhostRecon/etc./etc. to bench these video cards. FS is not like of those titles and 3DMark scores don't always tell the story as to how a card actually performs in FS.RhettAMD 3700+ (@2585 mhz), eVGA 7800GT 256 (Guru3D 93.71), ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2gb Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8 (1T), WD 150 gig 10000rpm Raptor, WD 250gig 7200rpm SATA2, Seagate 120gb 5400 rpm external HD, CoolerMaster Praetorian

The 8800GT wins over the 3870, but the 3870x2 is apparently the new thing...everyone's doing it lol!And the IQ is better too

>The 8800GT wins over the 3870,>In FS?RhettAMD 3700+ (@2585 mhz), eVGA 7800GT 256 (Guru3D 93.71), ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2gb Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8 (1T), WD 150 gig 10000rpm Raptor, WD 250gig 7200rpm SATA2, Seagate 120gb 5400 rpm external HD, CoolerMaster Praetorian

I'm running with a Asus 3850 with 512MB, I have no complaints what so ever. I would recommend the 3870.

Thanks to everyone who replied. I realize I am asking the impossible question, how will a video card perform on my system, and just on FS9 and FSX. Right now, I'm leaning toward the Diamond Viper 3870 w/512 mb. User feedback at Newegg is running 93% excellent or very good on this board.Once installed, how do you measure the temperature of the video card? I have a large case (Apevia Telstar) with 3 120 mm fans, so I don't anticipate any problems, but it would be wise to at least check it now and then.Dale

You might have a look here before making a final decision:http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics_200...=1057&chart=289Jim Harnes

I have an older 939, AMD 3800x2 system running Vista with a 3870. I am very happy with the video card. It is plenty with FSX and I will continue to use it when I upgrade to a new Intel Quad in a couple of months.

I've used both. I had thr 880GT for 3 weeks and returned it for the 3870. The 3870 has better looking graphics and is easier to use for non-techies" My vote is for the 3870. I've never had issues with ATI stuff.TurnipSPECS:VISTA Home Basic 580 WATT Sunbeam PowerCrucial Ballistix 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAMASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E6550ATI Radeon 3870 512SB LIVE 24250 GB WD SATA HD 120 GB WD IDE HD[/url]

>You might have a look here before making a final decision:>>http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics_200...=1057&chart=289>@tankerTom's Hardware tested at 1024 x 768 (how many of us will fly with that?), and also with no AA (how many of us will fly that way?). You might also consider that while looking at Tom's VGA charts.Also, Image Quality is not a part of Tom's VGA charts. Only raw framerate. That doesn't tell us the whole story on what card is best in FS.RhettAMD 3700+ (@2585 mhz), eVGA 7800GT 256 (Guru3D 93.71), ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2gb Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8 (1T), WD 150 gig 10000rpm Raptor, WD 250gig 7200rpm SATA2, Seagate 120gb 5400 rpm external HD, CoolerMaster Praetorian

Then see this:http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics_200...=1057&chart=291or any of the other test parameters on that page.Beyond frame rates, which certainly aren't everthing, it becomes a matter of setup and drivers, not to mention personal preference.Jim Harnes

I used to be an ATI fan.. my last few videocards were the original Radeon, Radeon 9700 Pro and Radeon X800XT.When upgrading this time however, it just didn't make sense to go the ATI route. The Geforce 8 and 9 series cards offer greater performance and equal image quality at lower prices.You can't compare the number of Stream processors like that. The architectures are completely different. Even Nvidia's high-end cards only have 128 Stram processors, but they're more advanced than ATI's 320.The card just *flies* through everything, despite my slightly aging CPU. Benchmarks confirm this. The 8800GT is faster than the 3870 in virtually everything.As far as image quality, both offer superb AA and AF, and both allow you to turn off the optimizations if you want perfect image quality with lower performance.Anyone who knows how to operate a personal computer will know how to use a Geforce card. If you can't set it up, maybe you need to take computer courses? It's really plug and play - plop the card in, hook it up the PSU and install the drivers.I've had more problems with ATI's control panel, because it requires you to install .net 1.1, THEN .net 2 and finally the drivers. If you try to install .net after installing the drivers, or only install .net 2, you'll get strange .net-related errors until you reinstall the driver. Nvidia's control panel is much more minimalistic and looks like any Windows app, without the fancy graphics and skinned windows and controls, and associated problems.