Video Card Recomendation for Flight Sim'04

[Papageoff]

I have been using the on board GF2MX for a while now and it handled FS98 just fine. But it is choking on flight sim 2004. Any recomendations? I don't want some $300 card. The game just doesn't need that. In fact if it was under $100 I would be thrilled. I have just been out of the video card market for so long I don't know what to get.

[SamuraiCatJB]

eVGA 256-A8-N340-TX Geforce 6600 256MB DDR AGP 4X/8X Video Card - Retail $113.00

would be more than suffient for this and any other game available now.

However, MSFS 2004 does not have heavy graphics requirements, so you can easily pick up the previous generation's mid-range card
PNY VCGFX57LAPB Geforce FX5700LE 128MB DDR AGP 4X/8X Video Card - Retail $93.00

or low end on current generations:
MSI NX6200AX-TD128 Geforce 6200 128MB DDR AGP 4X/8X Video Card - Retail $68.00

you might even be able to find the latter one, from evga or a generic at your local computer store brick&mortor, today, for under $100.00 even with the markup of local businesses it will still be about $75-$90. Walmart is even starting to carry them in some locations.

yup, just peeked at walmart.com and saw this:
PNY GeForce FX 5500 128MB AGP Graphic Card
PNY, GeForce, FX 5500, 128MB, AGP, Graphic Card
VCGFX55APB
New Item!
$78.23

and this (not sure where the ATI compares, but it still will be well above what you have)
ATI Radeon 9200SE AGP 128 MB Graphics Card
Delivers a dazzling visual experience optimized to support the most compelling next-generation 3D gaming environments of today and tomorrow
S80AGP
$69.88

[Rampax]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1476852&CatId=1559

not the best, but will do for what you need it for.

[jjesusfreak01]

I must agree. I have FS2002, and the graphical requirements are not that large. I think the physics requirements cause more stress on the system.

[Papageoff]

I must agree. I have FS2002, and the graphical requirements are not that large. I think the physics requirements cause more stress on the system.


Absolutely. I have an xp1800 w/512MB(64MB shared) so it can handle the number crunching, I just wanted to be able to run it at full graphics. Don't get me wrong it runs it really well otherwise. Just can't seem to handle it at full throtle as it were. I figured that since the board is so old, at least 3-4 generations of cards have passed me by. After all the GForce2MX was fairly slow when the Nforce 2 came out. But, it was a darn sight better than the Voodoo3 3K I had before! :D Later next spring I hope to be able to replace this computer with a A-64. Just waiting on the OS to have better support and programs to warrant the extra equipment costs.

[Papageoff]

Thank you all for your reconmendations. I needed a starting off point.

[SamuraiCatJB]

So you have a better idea....

Starting from Geforce2MX
Geforce3 was 50% faster
Geforce4 was 40% faster
Geforce5 was 50% faster
Geforce6 was 100% faster
Geforce7 is 100% faster

This also means you can take a lower end on the Geforce5 & 6 line or an equivalent ATI and still be waaaaayyy faster than what you have.

I have owned the Geforce2MX, Geforce3, Geforce5-5600, Geforce6 6800, and Geforce7 7600GTX. We have owned all models of Geforce4 through Geforce6 at work. Due to compatibility problems at the Geforce3 vs 7000 series ATI we went nVidia 100% at work. I know those compatibility problems have gone away in the 8000 and 9000 series, but I have no experience to base a comparison. When you make a decision you can peek over at tomshardware, they often use MS FS 2004 as a benchmark, so you can see how your choice compares.

[Papageoff]

Thanks man, and I had totally forgotten about tom's hardware. I must be getting old in my young age.

[SamuraiCatJB]

Naw... I always put off my purchases for a few weeks if only to get input from others and get reminders from others. It is easy to get excited when we know we are going to upgrade our computer. It's like getting a new car, or a new home, or candy as a kid. :) Just enjoy!

[dragonsgames]

t's like getting a new car, or a new home, or candy
or a new PDA :D

[Tam Hanna]

Well, I mainly need a graphics board that produces sharp output....
What do you suggest here? My old GeForce3 ti200 works decently...

[Papageoff]

I just want whatever I get to be fully DX9 approved or whatever.

[Rampax]

Well, I mainly need a graphics board that produces sharp output....
What do you suggest here? My old GeForce3 ti200 works decently...

If your current card works perfectly and you dont have any application that needs anything better, then dont upgrade yet. Wait until you actually need a new card to run a game or something. By then, there will be better cards out.

[SamuraiCatJB]

Well, I mainly need a graphics board that produces sharp output....
What do you suggest here? My old GeForce3 ti200 works decently...

If you just want to up the screen quality, keep the same speed, figure each generation you can do a 2x AA and 2xAF better (not quite right, but close enough). So moving to a 5000, you can improve the appearance quality 4x with same speed, 8x with a 6000 series. I'd wait on a 7000 series until there is a 7600 or what ever they want to call the mid-level. Your best bang for your buck is usually at the midlevel cards.

[SamuraiCatJB]

I just want whatever I get to be fully DX9 approved or whatever.

ATI 9000 series, or nVidia 6000 series is DX9. Double check the board, but that is a good starting point.

[Tam Hanna]

I meant the quality of the signal that reachesd my current LCD or my soon to use 19 inch Siemens CRT;)(0wnage-altough it is old, its quality rules!!!). I almost never do 3d....