SurClaro Flight Simulator Resources

Sandpiper-N121PP · Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 6:49 am Post subject: AGP versus PCI - Express

Well I have seen the future and it is PCI - Express! I just got thru upgrading my computer's mother board, CPU, and hard drive. I am very happy with my computer but then my friend upgraded his system to and I was just blown away.

My System...

AMD 3000+ ( 64 Bit Processor )
GeForce MSI FX 5600 256 Meg AGP 8X Video
Seagate 200 GB SATA Hard Drive ( 8 MB Cache )
1 Gig of PC 2700 Memory
Sound Blaster Audigy

With this I am able to run my video on Antialiasing and Atisotropic filtering at 2XQ and 2X... and get decent frame rates in flight sim as well as other games at 1024 X 768. Some lag in the video in spots... and unable to get all of the graphcs in some games.

My friend built the following...

AMD 3200 ( 64 Bit Processor )
GeForce MSI NX6600-TD128E 6600 128MB PCI-E
Seagate 80 GB SATA Hard Drive
2 Gig of DDR 400 Memory

Well needless to say... I get about 30 to 40 FPS on my computer in MSFS 2004 and in other games less... and am running as I stated above my card in 1024 X 768 ( 32 Bit mode ) and my A/A & A/F at 2XQ & 2X.

He on the other hand is running is screen in 1600 X 1200. He has his Antialiasing at 16 and his Antisotropic Filtering at 8X!!! Ummm... shall I say about 60 + FPS and no ( NO LAG AT ALL!!! )

I tested a few other games as well ( Halo, Far Cry, Dungeon Siege ) and these games as well had no lag at all and ran in Full Graphics at 1600 X 1200! The difference is Night and Day!

In short... AGP is on it's way out and PCI - Express is the way to go in my book!

Exxman · Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 6:53 am Post subject:

Oh ya! PCIx cards are cheaper than the so-called highend agp cards now. Just the mobo technology that was a little behind but it's pretty much even now.

tip: wait till at least end of summer/fall to upgrade to PCIx systems. Prices will stabilize and technology will have bugs worked out. Believe me, there are bugs. ;)

Exx

rd · Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 7:23 am Post subject: video cards

Sandpiper and Exxman, thanks on info. I am (was) about to buy the 6600GT. I have read before that this PCI performs much faster and cleaner. Now the problem is, what are the bugs to the PCI as of now.

thanks

Ardie/rd

Exxman · Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 8:27 am Post subject:

The bugs list is quite long depending on system and card products. Just the general stuff that happens whenever a new technology or product first enters the market. Check around the web for the product you wish to purchase I guess. Tom's Hardware is a popular one as is www.guru3d.com forums.

Never buy a beta product... ;)

Exx

Mythrilfan · Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 8:59 am Post subject:

SP, please note that you still have one of the not-that-high-end video cards but he has the 6600 gt. should be a very-very-very-very etc. great advancement over the 5600fx.

rd · Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 9:15 am Post subject: video cards

Correction, I still am using my old 5200 card to date. I have not yet gotten the 6600 gt. But I am seriously going to get one in july. Just don't know which one yet.

Ardie/rd

Exxman · Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 4:33 pm Post subject:

I have the 6800U and it's okay. Been having problems with it lately but that is a h/w compatability issue and no fault of the card.

I'm a firm believer in use whatever works for you rather than what is high-end or low-end. I've seen RD's shots...blow away shots made by top-end ATI's or Nvidia's. Also, SP's shots as well. All depends.

I see guys come in with the newest Marshall rigs and top end rackmount gear with the most expensive guitars and they can't play worth saving their life for. And then in walks a person with the crappiest rig and they sound so huge. All depends on the player, not the h/w in my opinion.

Wait till summer RD, good prices then.

Exx

groundsquirrel · Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 5:15 pm Post subject: Yep..

Yep...I gotta back up Exx' also. Even in the hot rod world, I often find it to be 20% machine and 80% driver/mechanic.

Sandpiper-N121PP · Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 12:05 am Post subject:

Mythrilfan wrote: SP, please note that you still have one of the not-that-high-end video cards but he has the 6600 gt. should be a very-very-very-very etc. great advancement over the 5600fx.

It would be a great improvement over my card, yes... but when compared to a PCI - Express Card... there is no comparison! I personally just think it is rediculous to spend a couple hundred on a AGP video card when for about the same... you can get a much better card! Granted you will have to upgrade your M/B and CPU to do this in most people's cases... but if you can afford to... I would choose PCI-Express over AGP anyday!

rd · Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 3:05 am Post subject: video card

Hey Sandpiper and Exxman. I just found out earlier today that if I do go with the PCI, that I have to change my MB and CPU. I have alot in my system now, that it would be cost "stupid" for me to do this just to be with everybody else, having the "MOTHER OF ALL GRAPHIC CARDS" to be. Like you said Exxman, my cheap card (no you didn't say cheap, i did) I have better s/s than most with the better cards (not bragging). I still get to play my games and I don't lose anything as frame rates and i have it all for less. Exxman, your musical rig example is a perfect example for me. Don't fix it if it isn't broke.

I can wait, maybe a year from now, seeing whats what, then I will do a complete overhaul.

Thanks for all the advice and compliments, we'll see in a year what happens.

Ardie/RD

harkonnen · Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 4:51 am Post subject:

Thanks for some good info folks, I'm going to put a system together soon and would have naturally gone with an AGP card, but will have to do some research first by the sound of things! Hey Exxman, I remember Pete Townsend talking in an interview way back about a gig that The Who played with a pile of other bands, all using the same venue-supplied Marshall stacks. He said " We played our songs and the amp sounded like a mouse fart, immediately after us came out Jimi Hendrix, plugged into that same amp and it sounded like World War 3." 'nuff said!