Hi, I'm looking to update my PC and will be using it primarily for FSX and also working/surfing the net.I have found a system (http://www.chillblast.com/pconf.php?productid=18570) with an Intel E8600 3.33Ghz with an ATi 4850 graphics card, 500GB or a more expensive system (http://www.chillblast.com/pconf.php?productid=18540) with an Intel E8500 3.15Ghz processor but a 9800GTX graphics cards.COuld anyone please tell me which graphic card would be better for FSX, the 4850 or 9800GTXAny help would be greatly appreciated, thanks :)

I tried both the 4850 and the 9800GTX+ and found the 9800GTX+ faster.The 4850 looks cheap, with a small fan, and only uses one slot. I thought of it as a "fixed" 3870, which I also have.I did not try the 9800GTX but did try the 9800 GTX+ and from what Ive read there is a significant difference but not a whole lot.I now have a GTX260 which I like more than the 9800GTX+

>COuld anyone please tell me which graphic card would be better>for FSX, the 4850 or 9800GTXTom's Hardware Guide results for FSX Fraps/Freeflight (1680x1050, Game AA, Game AF, Ultra Quality)9800GTX = 33.90FPS4850 = 26.30FPSArtBiostar TF560-A2+, Athlon 64X2-6000+, 4GB RAM, Geforce 8800GTS-320MB, 500W PSU, 250GB HD, FSX(SP1-SP2), Audigy SE sound, Vista Home Premium 32 bit, CH Yoke & Pedals, 22" WS LCD monitor

>Tom's Hardware Guide results for FSX Fraps/Freeflight>(1680x1050, Game AA, Game AF, Ultra Quality)>>9800GTX = 33.90FPS>4850 = 26.30FPS>>ArtI just posted another couple of links to Tom's video card FSX testson another hardware topic and like you I was amazed at how poorly ATI/AMD run FSX.Is it just drivers??? The ATI/AMD specs are there yet they don't run FSX well at all.K

Tomshardware frequently uses FSX as part of their benchmark suite.In most games the 4850 is better and faster. However, since FSX is 100% CPU bound and uses an ancient 3D engine that doesn't stress the GPU at all, driver efficiency comes into play and Nvidia wins there. Also note that Nvidias GTX260/280 cards are actually slower than the 9800/8800 series in FSX. Again because there's less driver CPU overhead with the simpler, older cards. So for FSX, the slower, older 9800GTX or even something like a $140 8800GT is faster than the $450 GTX280.So if you only play FSX, the 9800 or other mid-range Nvidia card is better. If you play any other games at all, the 4850 is slightly better.

>Also note that Nvidias GTX260/280 cards are actually slower>than the 9800/8800 series in FSX. Again because there's less>driver CPU overhead with the simpler, older cards. So for FSX,>the slower, older 9800GTX or even something like a $140 8800GT>is faster than the $450 GTX280.Thats only until the drivers have been tweaked properly. I remember when I got my 8800GTX when it first came out and it could not get much more than 10fps out of it with FSX. Now the lowest it drops to is 20fps with all the eye candy turned on max even in the heavy scenery areas.

Thanks for all your help. Its been really useful.>Thats only until the drivers have been tweaked properly. I>remember when I got my 8800GTX when it first came out and it>could not get much more than 10fps out of it with FSX. Now the>lowest it drops to is 20fps with all the eye candy turned on>max even in the heavy scenery areas.How would I be able to tweak the drivers properly? I'm not that great when it comes to computers, so would I easily be able to do it?Additionally, I have either the choice of a 3.33Ghz processor with the 4850 OR a 3.18Ghz processor with the 9800GTX. I'm guessing I should go with the 9800GTX/3.16 CPU, given your recommendations?

>>Thats only until the drivers have been tweaked properly. I>How would I be able to tweak the drivers properly? I'm not>that great when it comes to computers, so would I easily be>able to do it?I was talking about NVidia tweaking their drivers with program optimisations and such. Almost every new release seems to speed them up in some small way.