Would upgrading my GTX295 1782MB graphics card to one of the newer GTX460, GTX470 or GTX480 cards make much difference in a system used almost exclusively for FSX? If so, which one of the 400 series cards is best. Apart from the hit in the wallet, what are the pro's and cons here?

Greg, don't waste your money, you will see zilch difference. FSX is highly CPU dependant, and since you already have a very high end graphics card there would be no benefit what so ever by upgrading. Unless your a hardcore Crysis fan or simular then there will be no noticable difference. Save your money for the NGX

Oh yes, I am waiting for NGX. ^_^

Would upgrading my GTX295 1782MB graphics card to one of the newer GTX460, GTX470 or GTX480 cards make much difference in a system used almost exclusively for FSX? If so, which one of the 400 series cards is best. Apart from the hit in the wallet, what are the pro's and cons here?

Yes, it is well worth it. Check out the tests in my signature,Kind regards,

So maybe I get NGX and a GTX480? One of the reasons I asked is that there is much talk on the forums that FSX was never programmed to use SLI (at least efficiently). So I theorise that if FSX is only really using half of my GPU's true power, a more potent single GPU card would be better. PLUS, with the GTX295 it reports each GPU has 891MB of RAM. Does that mean FSX only has access to 891MB or the entire 1782MB?While my CPU is o/clocked, my GPU is not but it sure does run hot. Is the GTX480 also a room heater in disguise?

I'm with Sam. Stand pat

Yes, it is well worth it. Check out the tests in my signature,Kind regards,

They are certainly interesting results, but a few concerns I have; your testing the 470 and 480 on a higher clocked system compared to the 275, thats going to increase frame rates anyway without taking the graphics card into consideration. Secondly your not testing the 295 which is basically two 275's pasted together. Please don't get my wrong, I'm not saying in anyway that your reasons are not valid, and to be honest, I do not know that much about the 295 and there doesnt seem to be any benchmarks available for FSX to support any true facts.

So maybe I get NGX and a GTX480? One of the reasons I asked is that there is much talk on the forums that FSX was never programmed to use SLI (at least efficiently). So I theorise that if FSX is only really using half of my GPU's true power, a more potent single GPU card would be better. PLUS, with the GTX295 it reports each GPU has 891MB of RAM. Does that mean FSX only has access to 891MB or the entire 1782MB?While my CPU is o/clocked, my GPU is not but it sure does run hot. Is the GTX480 also a room heater in disguise?

If you can afford it, why not!? Rumours have though that Nvidia will be looking at a GTX590 in the near future so might be worth waiting if you really want to upgrade!

They are certainly interesting results, but a few concerns I have; your testing the 470 and 480 on a higher clocked system compared to the 275, thats going to increase frame rates anyway without taking the graphics card into consideration. Secondly your not testing the 295 which is basically two 275's pasted together. Please don't get my wrong, I'm not saying in anyway that your reasons are not valid, and to be honest, I do not know that much about the 295 and there doesnt seem to be any benchmarks available for FSX to support any true facts.If you can afford it, why not!? Rumours have though that Nvidia will be looking at a GTX590 in the near future so might be worth waiting if you really want to upgrade!

The CPU overclock difference is just 3% and his results are almost 10 x that, which having tested these cards does seem a tad high, however the 295 does not perform much better than a stock 275 as far as FSX goes until you run at ultra wide high res with high filtering on and only then is there any advantage (If you can get it working as it is a SLI type of config for FSX).The 580GTX is being released this Monday 8th November, Asus and EVGA already have a supply.

I went from a GTX 280 (far better than a 295 for FSX) to a 480, and I can't believe the difference. COMPLETELY worth the money in my eyes.

I'd say the same thing or just wait a few days and the price may drop even more with the GTX580 comming out monday!

Well, I took the plunge and purchased an EVGA brand GTX480. Here are my initial thoughts/observations:I ran the only benchmark program I have which is 3D Mark 06. With the GTX295 I was hitting around 24200 and with the GTX480 I am getting 24900. My CPU is o/clocked but the GPU is not. This in itself would hardly justify the outlay.However in FSX I am seeing some improvements. Stuttering/jerking certainly is reduced (not that it was bad before) and things appear just a little smoother. Actual FPS is hard to compare but it seems I can push graphics settings a little harder without making an impact on FPS. Of course the CPU is the main limiting factor on both cards.Also, this card actually seems to run cooler (contrary to some other comments on the internet) and is (so far) a more stable addition to my FSX. With all but PMDG's 744X and J41, I am running all sliders at max including water (and using lots of detailed add on scenery and airports) and FPS never flinch from the "locked" 30. With the two PMDG aircraft I find it best to set frame rate to unlimited (only on these two acft) and then I am still in the high 20's around busy add-on airports with overcast skies and Traffic X at 60%. Out in the open skies FPS rise up to 40-60.I am not using an external frame rate limiter because it does not work/make a difference and does not give the option to run FSX as an administrator (very much a necessity for my setup). I am using 260.99 drivers with nVidia Inspector set up as per Nick N and some of the key ******* Bojote fsx.cfg tweaks.So, as I type, I would say it was money well spent. Touch wood

You can start FSX as an administrator using the "runas" command instead of "start" in the batch filerunas /profile /user:mymachine\administrator F:\"flightSim\fsx\FPS Limiter\"FPS_Limiter.exe /r:D3D9 /f:24 /x:OFF /l:OFF "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\fsx.exe

I went from a GTX 280 (far better than a 295 for FSX) to a 480, and I can't believe the difference. COMPLETELY worth the money in my eyes.

Hi Cirrus, I am just weighing up whether to go from a 285 to a 480. When you say you can't believe the difference are you abole to explain how FSX improved for you.Reason I ask is we have very simalr specs and it would be great to know your experience.