As with most people, Im struggling to get FSX frames smooth. Im not looking for anything dramatic, just smooth non stuttering flight. 25FPS is all we need to see.

Despite the enormous amount of fsx tweaks and guides, I still struggle and this is a machine I just built recently, with an I5 2500k overclocked to 4.5 and temps are solid 45deg running fsx.

 

My fault is when building i went with an ATI Radeon 6870 card which in itself is an excellent performing card and was great value at the time. I got a smoking deal on it. However it seems that this may be a bottleneck as all the gurus are using nvidia cards. Will switching it out to an equal performing nvidia make that much difference? If its a few extra frames i dont think its worth my time and effort to go through the trouble. Plus its not like i have unlimited funds being on disability.

 

If it will make a difference, I can dive into savings, and get an nvidia and sell the radeon hopefully at a decent price. Anyone have thoughts on this?

Experiences switching it out?

 

Thanks

 

Dave

When flying in clouds, switching over to Nvidia will make a tremendous difference in performance.

 

Also, with Nvidia cards, we can use a small utility called Nvidia Ispector to force higher levels of Anti-Aliasing and Antistropic Filtering. - This makes the in-sim experience much more immersive due to the incredibly sharp image quality and the incredibly smooth performance from Adaptive Vertical Synchronization.

 

If you are planning on switching over to Nvidia, I would reccomend the GTX660Ti from EVGA. This card is small(for budget cases) and it runs cool and quiet. The 660Ti also packs quite a punch from a very resonable price point.

You shouldn't have to many issues with that card in FSX at all. I had a 1gb 5850 with my I5 2500K at one point and it worked great. Moving to my current GTX 580 was a pretty impressive jump in overall performance but it still remains your current rig should run FSX pretty well.

 

One thing you can try is go to Bestbuy and grab a 560TI to try out (I would suggest a 660TI but they don't have them instore afaik). Compare and see what you find, you have at least 14 days to try it out and can the return it for a full refund. Many of the local PC shops in will want to charge you a restocking fee.. It's an easy hassle free way to try out a new video card.

Overall improvement - you bet! Worth the $$ - no, unless you fly a lot in heavy clouds. The suggestion to try Best Buy and return is a good one. Suggest you check prices even if you do keep it as BEst Buy may not be the lowest.

 

Vic

5870 for the GTX580 (Jan 2011 I think) and have never looked back.. the 580 rules.

 

One thing... DON'T buy a mid-range card - you will never be happy. :smile:

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I did several hours of testing between my 560Ti and 6970.

 

Bottom line, the ATI was a slight bit faster in frame rates BUT the 560Ti was 100x more consistent and didn't stutter when panning view looking around. I sold the 6970 and never looked back.

 

Plus with nVidia Inspector, I have lots more graphic choices now.

And if you want to just bite the bullet and go for it.. Here are 2 that are available in town and in stock.

 

660TI for $309

http://www.ncix.ca/products/?sku=75685&vpn=GTX660%20TI-DC2O-2GD5&manufacture=ASUS

 

Or a 670 for $379..

http://www.ncix.ca/products/index.php?sku=71107&vpn=GV-N670OC-2GD&manufacture=Gigabyte&promoid=1210

 

Both very impressive cards and would do your FS very well.

Wow that is pretty definitive comments. Yea I like have dynamic weather to make as real as possible and if its overcast then so be it.Guess I have to take the plunge and start shopping. The 580 is way too expensive. Ill have to look at the 660.

 

Thanks for the input

Just did some preliminary research on the 660 vs660ti. From Toms Hardware tests, an overclocked 660 matches and even beats a stock 660ti!

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-660-geforce-gtx-650-benchmark,3297-15.html

 

Thats pretty good, and if it saves me the $100 difference, then I wont have to cut back on food. LOL

 

The 660ti is just that much out of reach price wise. Im seeing 660's superclocked versions for $230. And if the performance is close I'll have to go with that.

 

 

One thing... DON'T buy a mid-range card - you will never be happy. :smile:

 

Nonsense!

 

I've got the 660Ti and it outperforms the 580 by a good margin... The 580 already gave me great performance and the 660Ti just gives me bragging rights FPS LOL!!!

There isn't much need to go out and get the 670s and 680s unless you are running super resolutions.

 

 

 

The 660ti is just that much out of reach price wise. Im seeing 660's superclocked versions for $230. And if the performance is close I'll have to go with that.

 

The 660 Superclocked would be a great choice! :smile:

 

Once you get it installed, be sure to get Nvidia Inspector to crank up the AA settings! :biggrin:

Ok, made the jump and Asus GTX 660 Direct CU II Overclocked. Found it at a local computer store that had it on sale. First impressions are that I gained a few more FPS and much less stuttering. The FPS is also more consistent even flying through overcast conditions. So I think it was a good replacement upgrade.

 

Anyone want a Radeon 6870? lol

 

thanks for the inputs.

Short answer: NO.