SurClaro Flight Simulator Resources

a321-399 · Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 212

I will be buying a new graphics card. What is the BEST graphics that is suitable for fs2004

Exxman · Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2004 1:33 am Post subject:

Check this site out for more info...

http://forums.hardwarezone.com/showthread.php?t=856678

Exxman

Sandpiper-N121PP · Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 2:53 pm Post subject: Best Graphics Card

No question... The GeForce 6800 Ultra... but it will cost you over $580.00!!! Without a doubt the best graphics card on the market hands down.

a321-399 · Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 212

wow the GeForce 6800 is pretty expensive

wiseman45 · Joined: 10 Aug 2005 Posts: 10 Location: London

Buy an ATI.

Anyone above 9600 will run fs2004 better than a Nvidia.

Nvidia lack drawing speed with high geography.

Proven fact :D

Mythrilfan · Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 11:02 am Post subject:

NEGATIVE wiseman. nVidia is better at the present times.

and while i already posted, i might as well give an additional comment:
at this time the best of the best would be the nvidia gf7800, however i do not know if two gf6800 conected via SLI is better or not.

Sandpiper-N121PP · Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 12:03 pm Post subject: GeForce

wiseman45 wrote: Buy an ATI.

Anyone above 9600 will run fs2004 better than a Nvidia.

Nvidia lack drawing speed with high geography.

Proven fact :D

So sorry to inform you but Nvidia beats the 9600 hands down. I have seen it with my own eyes and NVidia renders better, does shading better, and has higher frame rates than ATI. I just purchased the NVidia 6800 GT from EVGA and ATI doesn't even come close to comparison tests. I personally have everything in MSFS 2004 with my card set on A/A at 8XS and my A/F at 16X, 1024 X 768 and am getting screaming frame rates and no jer to be seen. Alot goes into how a video card will react on your system... not just the card... your CPU speed, system memory, ect. But ATI is just not as good as NVidia when it comes to performance overall.

Also currently you can urchase a NVidia 6800 GT for around $294.00 or an Ultra for $345.00 from sites on the internet. Mind you these are AGP versions of this card but the PCI-X is not much more. Where this is spendy for most... I looked at it this way. My EVGA 6800 GT cost me $310.00 total for purchase and shipping... that is less than a dollar a day for blistering frame rates and the best graphics on the market. Not bad if you ask me.

viche12345 · Joined: 01 Apr 2005 Posts: 841 Location: San Diego, CA, USA

Face it. Everything has goods and bads. Sometimes, the results can be drastic. A Chinese opinion: Don't expect only good out of one thing. You will regret it.

NOTE: THE ABOVE POST WAS ONLY AN OPINION. DO NOT CRITICIZE.

Edit by Exx: Forums are made for critique...your statement is not valid.. ;)

Sandpiper-N121PP · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 4:31 am Post subject:

viche12345 wrote: Face it. Everything has goods and bads. Sometimes, the results can be drastic. A Chinese opinion: Don't expect only good out of one thing. You will regret it.

NOTE: THE ABOVE POST WAS ONLY AN OPINION. DO NOT CRITICIZE.

Edit by Exx: Forums are made for critique...your statement is not valid.. ;)

I was only stating both opinion and fact. I have been working on computers for well over 20 years and I have seen just about every graphics card come and go. From Trident to 3DFX, ATI to NVidia & Voodoo as well... they all have their bad and good sides. This is just the plain fact... NVidia does beat out ATI in both Frame Rates, performance, rendering, and shading. ( When put in the proper system ) Every computer is different and when you build your own it is best to investigate into the maker of the M/B and all of the other components to see if there are any known issues between any of your components that you are choosing. What works well in one computer may not work well in another.

Also even if you do have a high end video card in your system, MSFS 2004 is more CPU dependant than anything. You can have the best video card and a low end CPU and you will be dissappointed in your results. It is the correct combination of a CPU, Video Card, Memory, Hard Drive, and other components that will make your system run well. Do proper research before rushing into purchasing components for your system instead of purchasing an item because it is a name brand or because one person tells you it is simply the best.

rd · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:01 am Post subject:

Sandpiper is correct.

Now my opinion on g-cards and which is better. I have a great system. And up untill 3-4 weeks ago, my old nvidia 5200, gave me better screenshots compared to those that have an ATI 9800 whatever. I have tried the ATI 9800 and didn't like the performance of it, so it was returned. I should have gotten my 6600GT like I was going to originally, and did end up getting. I wasted time but saved money and have a better card with my 6600GT.

In order to see the better end of the ATI card, my understanding is you need a better O/S, than you do to run an awesome NVIDIA card of the same generation. To run an ATI 9800 ???, I would need a new case with new m/b, processor, etc, etc. To beat what I have now. That's what I have been told, so don't hold me to it. But I was not happy with it when I had it.

Ardie/rd

Exxman · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:33 am Post subject:

wiseman45 wrote: Buy an ATI.

Anyone above 9600 will run fs2004 better than a Nvidia.

Nvidia lack drawing speed with high geography.

Proven fact :D

Like to see the facts on that one!

I am currently putting together a system for my video editing suite. One thing I found...any system that is worth over $10,000 won't have an ATi in it...it's all Nvidia. Still, to each his/her own...you use what's best for you. I wanna go pro...so I use what the pro's use.

Lets not have a flame war over it.

Exx

rd · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 9:00 am Post subject:

WOW,

How did I miss THAT quote? I would have burned that comment the same day. Quote: Buy an ATI.

Anyone above 9600 will run fs2004 better than a Nvidia.

Nvidia lack drawing speed with high geography.

Proven fact .

Read my post before Exxman's, it's all right there. And all very true. ATI (unless you have the wonder with the TV crap you don't need for gaming) is less superior than an Nvidia. PERIOD, PROVEN !!!

Ardie/rd

EDIT BY ARDIE: MOST systems that are average to above average will do very good with the 6600 GT. Sandpiper has an awesome system, so it works great for his/her O/S. I have a lesser O/S than him/her. I wouldn't see the benefits that much of a higher card. But the money I spent was well, WELL, spent for the card that I have with the system I have.

Sandpiper-N121PP · Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2005 10:04 am Post subject:

rd wrote: WOW,

How did I miss THAT quote? I would have burned that comment the same day. Quote: Buy an ATI.

Anyone above 9600 will run fs2004 better than a Nvidia.

Nvidia lack drawing speed with high geography.

Proven fact .

Read my post before Exxman's, it's all right there. And all very true. ATI (unless you have the wonder with the TV crap you don't need for gaming) is less superior than an Nvidia. PERIOD, PROVEN !!!

Ardie/rd

EDIT BY ARDIE: MOST systems that are average to above average will do very good with the 6600 GT. Sandpiper has an awesome system, so it works great for his/her O/S. I have a lesser O/S than him/her. I wouldn't see the benefits that much of a higher card. But the money I spent was well, WELL, spent for the card that I have with the system I have.

Thanks Ardie. I have spent quite a bit of time builing this system as I could afford it. Here is what I am playing with now...

I am running Windows XP Home Edition
AMD 64 Bit 3000+ CPU
Asus A8V Deluxe M/B
Ultra X-Connects 500 W Power supply
1 gig of PC2700 Mem
EVGA GeForce 6800GT
Sound Blaster Audigy
40 Gig Primary Drive - Seagate Barracuda
200 Gig Secondary Drive - Segate Sata
and not to forget my 10 Fans and Lights as well! :roll:

This allows me to play MSFS 2004 on full graphics with my A/A at 8XS and my A/F at 16X, plus have my sliders in the game at max. I have my frames locked at 25 because a great friend on here told me it would draw out the Eye Candy and boy it does... but if I unlock them I get 40 to 60 depending on where I am. Around major cities and airports it drops to like 15 but that is what I am told happens to all of us by my friend if you have the graphics on high or not. Airports and major cities are a frame rate killer in the simulator! :roll:

I plan in the next couple of weekends to upgrade my memory to PC3200 - 2 gig. I have alot of stuff in my flight sim and am planning on adding a bunch more. I eventually will move up to PCI-X but for now this system does everything I need and more. =D> 8)

wiseman45 · Joined: 10 Aug 2005 Posts: 10 Location: London

Deary me....
So many Nvidia brainwashed paople!

But then again Having been one myself before my eyes were opened so I can't blame you all....

ATI rules! Forever! :twisted:

Please I only offered my opinion, there was no need for a barrage of opposition... but fair play Nvidia are ok to a point. Just run two equal cards from both companies using AquaMark and you will see why I say such things.... Hands down the ATI runs faster.

Its good to talk :lol:

wiseman45 · Joined: 10 Aug 2005 Posts: 10 Location: London

Oh and just to Lay down some facts for Exx

3DMark2001SE Scores. Best in Britain.

Score Card
1st, 2nd 3rd place
ATI
31512 X800 XT
25224 Radeon 9800 pro
24522 X800 pro

4th
Nvidia
24069 FX5900 ultra

in fact, in the top ten only Two were Nvidie scores...
Dont make me put up the second score its pretty bad..... :twisted:

These are all unclocked marks before anyone jumps the gun...
If you can get a better score then fair play to ya :D and maybe you might convert me back to Nvidia.....

Note to :
Exx
The reason Nvidia are in all the top brand pc's is because they pack a big money punch. Nvidia is like Microsoft or any big corp. If Nvidia could, they would be the only sellers of G cards.... Nvidia motherboards come with ATI chip sets? NO! So what do you HAVE to buy to work well with your Nvidia board? Good god a Nvidia G Card.... well that was unseen!