Forget all of the video cards. Who has the most hours behind the yoke? You are allowed to count actual flight time and simulator time.
As I posted last year, "A big powerful computer does not make you a better pilot".
PS: I don't post my hardware setup because I prefer to concentrate on learning how to fly and not worry about counting individual blades of grass that appear on my monitor or bragging about my Frames per Second.
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I just want to make a quick comment about my posting above. There are several internet forums where "Computer Geeks" spend time bragging about who's computer is bigger, faster, flashier, and more expensive. I feel that it is very appropriate for our members to seek advice about what hardware to purchase, how to utilize their existing hardware, or how to resolve hardware problems. However, I don't want our forum to turn into one of those Computer Geek forums where our members compete over who has the biggest Video Card, most powerful CPU(s), or the greatest amount of RAM.
Note: I used to be a Computer Geek. In my younger years, I served as President of the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania chapter of the Data Processing Management Association and also served on the National Board of Directors. Therefore, I have a great deal of respect for Computer Geeks. However, they have their own internet forumns.
However, I don't want our forum to turn into one of those Computer Geek forums where our members compete over who has the biggest Video Card, most powerful CPU(s), or the greatest amount of RAM.
I have a great deal of respect for Computer Geeks. However, they have their own internet forumns.
I could not agree more, I stand beside you on this one Skip.
Forget all of the video cards. Who has the most hours behind the yoke? You are allowed to count actual flight time and simulator time.
As I posted last year, "A big powerful computer does not make you a better pilot".
Skipper, you know I love ya and in some ways envy you for being able to do what I am afraid to do.
But your statement to me is false, a big powerful computer does make you a better pilot in my humble counts for nothing opinion.
Case in point, my old Dell.
It would not run FSX, nothing wrong with the program, just the computer was not big and powerful enough to run it.
No this does not account for FS9, it ran that program moderately well, not great... just good enough.
I am a moderator in the FSX forum but I hardly post there because I have no first hand knowledge of what it's about.
What does this have to do with piloting an aircraft?
If the computer makes the sim into a slide show, how am I going to become a better pilot. My answer is I'm not, I'll stop "wasting" my time trying to fly on a machine that isn't up to the task and pack the sim away for when I have a system that can create some enjoyment with the software, and this really is what I did, I have owned a copy of FSX since the first week end it was released to the retail market.
What I was lacking was a machine to fly it on, that effected my piloting skills and really my overall motivation to fly in general.
So, to me in some cases having a big powerful computer does make you a better pilot because you can actually use the tool rather than sitting in the pilots seat watching a slide show, contemplating stabbing yourself in the eye with a cactus because of the overwhelming lack of enjoyment.
Now with the Core i7 I have built, I too get to see all the things I was missing, like motion... an external aircraft view that doesn't take five minutes to render... ground that looks like ground instead of some acid trippers vision of an oil slick in a bowl of water.
Now it all makes sense, and I see what the hype was and still is about.
Now its fun without the cactus in the eye.
BFG GTX295 1.7GB. (RD's SLi set up will beat this card)
I'm still running on my '04 ATI 9600xt128pro and I am flying FSX. Mind you I cant crank it up or my card will start to gush electrons, but it is more than flyable and the visuals are very good.
I'm still running on my '04 ATI 9600xt128pro and I am flying FSX. Mind you I cant crank it up or my card will start to gush electrons, but it is more than flyable and the visuals are very good.
Wow, you're still on that old thing?! You had that card ever since I joined this board!
I should use you as an example when kids come to me whining that they can't afford the latest technology. (Hey, I'm sometimes do that too. Comp sci majors are naturally attracted towards the latest and baddest technology).
That's because they do not know what to do with the junk they already have...so they cover up by claiming they neeeeeeeeeed this new thang or that better thang. Nothing gives me more joy than to see systems analysis win the day again over the magic bullet. Mind you, this was a well researched system. I agonized over motherboard, video card combos till I arrived at this. My core system is an Intel D865GLC with a Pentium 4@3ghz now sporting 2gbyte of RAM. Sometimes, there is value to the old ways.
I agree with you 100% when it comes to a computer that performs like a slide show. My comment pertains to the Computer Geeks who already have a good system but instead want to see "each individual blade of grass".
Just like GroundSquirrel, I have an older system that serves me well.
Since I am getting close to retirement and my 401K is declining, I need to "spend my money wisely" and hope that you young kids will put more into Social Security to support me.
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I wasn't trying to start a competition. I was trying to use this forum as a resource and get feedback from the members on what cards are available, what they can do, and how they perform.
And yes, a big powerful computer makes the difference. Trust me, I know this from experience, not by myth. If your machine is slow and your frame rates can't get near 24, the simulation will be so sluggish that you will have difficulty flying the airplane and will learn nothing but you need a better machine.
For people like me who don't make much money and has ADHD, my chances of obtaining a private license are slim, so I rely on my compy to help tame my taste for flight. And if I'm going to do that, then it needs to look as good as it feels or it would be a waste.
Bottom line: Low frame rates and crappy graphical perfromence leads to difficulty in flying the airplane. Nothing learned and enjoyment.......zero!
Location: COMFORTABLY NUMB, in U.S.A. *** KOFF ***
Age: 19
Gender: Male
I didn't build this rig for bragging rights, but out of necessity. My old rig was 7 yrs old, and burned up the CPU.
4 yrs ago SurClaro had a screenshot contest, that I won, with an old, dilapidated 5200 card. The reason I beat the others with that 5200 card, is because I did my homework. As GS, I made it a point to know what I had, and how to tweak it, to get better screenshots, and enjoy my flying time. I made what I had work for me, when others with high dollar systems and G-cards, couldn't. I laughed back then when I could say my "5200" beat your ATI whatever. (Exxman loved to point out that "you" got beat by the 5200)
The rig I'm on now, was built on and for the future, and the need to know that it will be useable 5-7 yrs down the road. It was not built for bragging rights. The total cost of my rig is under $1,400. And yes, I'm still using my 7 yr old 19 inch CRT.
Cat1.... stop reading here.
As for my G-card choice, I picked the best bang for buck card. I got the (2) 9800GTX+ cards for half the price of what Cat1 payed for his one card. And as he knows, mine kicks his ass. (sorry Clay).
As for Skippers worries, I do agree with him. I also don't want these forums to be about who has the kick-ass, faster, more expensive system. But, there is no reason why we can't post up, what works, on a limited budget, and/or, how to make what you have, work better.
One of the reasons why I don't put my rig specs up in my signature, is because it doesn't matter.
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BFG GTX295 1.7GB. (RD's SLi set up will beat this card) 
