SurClaro Flight Simulator Resources

f2a8 · Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 135

I have been trying to get a new video card for a looooooooooong time but i never got around to it. I have now made up my mind and i'm going to get a videocard sooner or later but first i need to be sure of something:

I know that my PC has a PCI slot and i cant put AGP cards into it unless i buy a new motherboard. I dont have that kind of money right now. So one thing is for sure, i need a PCI card.

How do AGP and PCI compare? Can anyone post 2 screenshots of a plane in fs2004.... one taken with a AGP card and one taken with a PCI card. I asked my friends about this and they said that a AGP card shows better graphics than a PCI card on average. Are they right?

I looked on the www for a good PCI graphix card and i think i found one but i would like you guys to take a look

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143032

Is it a good buy? ^^ and if not... what is a good PCI card to buy if i only have around 90$ to spend on it?

Plz help me out!! 8-[

Exxman · Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 9:07 pm Post subject:

I'd say save the $90 and try to increase it to upgrade your motherboard and then purchase an AGP card to go with it. PCI is an old, outdated technology and will not be supported in the near future. It is slower, takes up more resources and is quite a bit more expensive than AGP or PCIx systems. All you are doing is buying a steam engine while the technology is moving towards internal combustion and beyond...thats my take on it.

Exx

121a · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 1:39 am Post subject:

I bought a pci-express mobo for $80. Works pretty well, it is for AMD 939.

http://www.chaintechusa.com/tw/eng/product_spec.asp?MPSNo=13&PISNo=318

Go to tigerdirect.com as well.

Mythrilfan · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 4:48 pm Post subject:

there's a big difference between pci express (which is the best technology right now) and pci (old! that's where you connect your sound cards etc, isnt good for gfx at all).

121a · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 10:39 pm Post subject:

I know it was just a suggestion. I had a pci card until i got the new 7800.

here is a link to my old card.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7215364&type=product&productCategoryId=cat01151&id=1114614364423

it ran fs on full everything with about 7-10 fsp. in other places around 11-18 fsp. but the one you picked is probably better.

f2a8 · Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 135

Thank you all for your replies but i think i will go exxman's way. I might as well get a whole new system. My friend is a computer nerd and he built his own custom pc. I asked him what i should do and he said that i might as well buy a new system, new mobo, and all that stuff ( i dont know half of what hes talking about). But then i asked one of my other friends and he said that my computer is actually good, the only thing it lacks is a AGP slot and, of course, a AGP videocard. I have a pentium 4 2.5 GHz proccesor (which he said is good) but a bad videocard. i think my vidcard is built in. He suggested i just go to Best Buy or wherever and somehow change the pci slot to agp (not exactly sure how???) and then just buy a new AGP card. Do you guys know if any of this is true? And if so, can u direct me toward some sites that sell this stuff? Thanx again for all your help!

here is a link that might help-> this is exactly what my pc looks like and is. BE QUIET!! It was my first buy :)

http://www.office-discounts-online.com/store/DesktopPersonalComputers_CompaqDesktopPCs/919675.asp

rd · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:15 am Post subject:

try these sites for hardware:

http://www.tomshardware.com/index.html

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Home.jsp

http://www.newegg.com/

Ardie/rd

Exxman · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:52 am Post subject:

Hmmm...changing the PCI over to AGP...ok. You'll have to:

a. Unsolder the PCI slot and resolder in an AGP one via computer controlled soldering system
b. Change all the PCI bus chips and bus architecture
c. Change BIOS chip
d. Install bridge for AGP bus
e. GO BUY A NEW MOTHERBOARD!

Hehehehe. Your friend, albeit trying to assist you...is not very well informed as to how to upgrade a PC via minimal cost and work involved. As you can see...your mobo lacks more than just an AGP slot. Work smart, not hard. Just save up for a new system. You'll be happier in the long run. And do check out the sites Ardie has most graciously put up there...

Exx

f2a8 · Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 135

thanks guys, this has all been great help and advice. I will surf the sites ardie posted and try to find the best offers.