SurClaro Flight Simulator Resources

[viche12345]

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/ATI-Radeon-9200-Video-Card-100-436006-/sem/rpsm/oid/73860/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Is this a nice video card?

[groundsquirrel]

I have run the 9200 before, in fact it has been moved to my old machine to boost it's performance. My new machine sports the 9600xt. The 9200 does just fine but tends to lay down a bit at the high end of graphics demand. For the price advertised it is a pretty fair deal, in order to step up you would have to add upwards of $100 more.

[viche12345]

Yes, but I am concerned about Flight Sim because this is the only high-end game I have and I plan not to buy any other game. Is this a good graphics card to take screenshots with? How is the frame rate with all of the settings on ultra high?

[boeingman777]

I have the ATi/Radeon graphics card in my machine, which is limited by my processor. Your processor chip can be a "bottle-neck" for your graphics card. I have the Pentium 4 1.8ghz processor, and I have all of my settings almost maxed out. I have autogen and dynamic scenery set to very dense and dense respectively. I have render to texture, transform and lighting, and global size also checked and maxed out. My anti-aliasing=4X, and my anisotropic filtering=16X. Depending on model selected, location, and weather conditions, I do experience "stuttering" of the frame rates, but it's not enough to be annoyed with.....most of the time.... :lol: If you're flying through dense clouds or over extremely dense scenery, of course you'll notice that stuttering increases. Some models hardly affect my framerates at all. As I said, my processor chip limits my machine for now. Concerning the screenshots, well, not to be boastful, but I was one of the winners of this year's contest...... :lol:

[groundsquirrel]

As to the screenshot quality, that is dependant on resolution also. Just for the sake of screenshots, you can step on the settings and push the resolution waaaay up, take your pics and then tune it back down a bit for playability. The 9200 will get up to high resolution.

[rd]

Hi all. Answer this. I was told I need a new system (PC). As Viche 12345, my only high graphic use is FS9/FS2004. I have a 3.2 Ghz system with 256 MB Ram, and 100 GB Hard Drive. I am using an old 5200 g-card. As most know, I have great screenshots (not bragging, but won the Capt Sim screenshot contest). I have been happy with my FPS (30-35), UNTILL, I got the Capt Sim!! Now I have the same problem as Boiengman777, but worse. When flying I have alot of stuttering and texture/detail lag. Do I need another system? or should I get the 6800GT that I have been thinking about??

Any info/help would be appreciated :D

Ardie/rd

[rd]

Sorry, I meant the 6600GT.

[boeingman777]

Yes, Groundsquirrel is correct, of course :wink: I always leave my resolution @ 1280x960x32, whether taking shots or not. I also forgot to mention there are small details like "simple clouds, detailed clouds, sight distance" and so on that you'll have to tweak until you find the "sweet" spot. :D It's nice to have a system that you can just slam those sliders all the way up and still maintain at least 20fps, but I can't do that for now..... :roll: LOL Good luck viche, and I'm sure it will satisfy you until you decide to upgrade again. :D

[boeingman777]

Hey rd :wink: My personal opinion is, if that's the ONLY model giving you that headache, I wouldn't worry about upgrading. I suppose it depends on just how much you want to fly that 707.... :wink: I can't imagine what they have put into that model to give you such problems when you've flown the IFDG MD-11 with no problems. That model kills my frame rates so bad I can't even fly it....LOL :x Groundsqurrel or Exx might be able to offer more assistance for a solution, but other than changing your settings to compensate for the frame rate drag of the model, I have no clue. GOOD LUCK, BUD :D

[Exxman]

Viche...that card should be fine for running FS at a good FPS and taking good screenshots. Ask for a return policy just in case though...

Ardie, apologies mate. Your PC is fine, your card needs the upgrade. For some reason I thought your PC was a P4 2.1 GHz??? With your system you should be getting almost double the FPS you get now with a decent vid card and most settings tilted. The reason for your stuttering with the CS pack is because they use some pretty heavy duty textures and your card is choking trying to get them displayed. It's the way things are going to be with newer addons coming out folks. Try the Level D sim and watch your framerates plummet even with a good system! Go for the upgrade Ardie. Might suggest a boost in ram too. FS doesn't use much (250MB tops) but you are on the low side.

Agree with GS as well as everyone else here on resolutions. Keep in mind the fact that getting a smokin gfx card won't assure you high quality for images or pics as your monitor is responsible for dislpaying the output of the card. So if the card says max resolution 2100x1600 but your monitor is only capable of 1024x768 then the gfx card isn't being utilized to it's max potential.

Cards vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, model to model and even in the physical cards themselves compared to identical makes. Each card has it's own attitude as well as your monitor! Best advice? Try to go to a place where you are allowed to return the part for exchange/refund. That way, if you don't like it, you can try something else at no extra cost or loss...

Good luck all!

Exx

[viche12345]

What is 'bottle-neck'? Sorry, stupid question.