Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler | PC Support |
Would I benefit from a new Graphics Card? |
DVA4595
Senior Captain, A320
OLP
Joined on June 15 2007
B757 100 Club
Everett 500 Club
Tri-Jet Triumph
50 State Club
Millennium Club
Online Millennium Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
"How 'bout them Dawgs?" Cumming, GA
1,369 legs, 1,902.0 hours
1,272 legs,
1,763.2 hours online 1,322 legs,
1,831.0 hours ACARS 52 legs,
95.6 hours event 3 legs dispatched, 10.8
hours
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Posted onPost created on
December 14 2009 16:07 ET by Mark Springsteen
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I was thinking of buying myself a new graphics card for Christmas but was wondering if it would make a huge difference in my flight sim performance. I currently have a Nvidia 8800GTS card that runs Flight sim pretty well. I would like to see if I can improve my performance in cloudy weather as I can get an average of around 70fps in nice clear conditions with all the sliders maxed out (FS9 of course) When I do a performance test my computer scores a 7.4 in the processor rating, a 5.9 in the Memory rating, 6.9 in the Graphics rating, 6.9 in the gaming graphics, and a 5.9 in the primary hard disc rating. I have an Intel Core i7 CPU with 3.00GB of ram and running windows7. I was looking to get the Nvidia GTX260 OC card for about $189.00. Would I see a performance boost or not? I like the way everything looks, but I am always striving for better. Thanks for the opinions.
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DVA7373
Captain, B757-200
OLP
Joined on May 31 2009
"Howdy" Southeastern United States
72 legs, 187.6 hours
32 legs,
85.4 hours online 67 legs,
153.2 hours ACARS 2 legs,
3.1 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
December 14 2009 16:22 ET by Nicholas Taylor
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Have you overclocked your processor? If not, I'd look into that first. If you have, possibly bump it up even higher, or a GTX 260 is a great card too!
Nicholas TaylorCaptain, B757-200
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DVA6695
Captain, MD-88
Joined on November 26 2008
Century Club
Online Century Club
"We are....Penn State" Phoenixville, PA USA
153 legs, 206.0 hours
108 legs,
149.6 hours online 149 legs,
200.2 hours ACARS 11 legs,
20.0 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
December 14 2009 16:26 ET by Jack Urie
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Mark, unless you plan on moving to FSX, it would seem at first to be a waste of money. You get 70fps now, and I'm sure the new card would give you more, but you wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
You didn't mention your "cloudy weather" performance. If your fps drops to 10-15, maybe (although I thought that FS was CPU bound, not GPU bound). Anything above 25fps, don't bother.
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DVA7373
Captain, B757-200
OLP
Joined on May 31 2009
"Howdy" Southeastern United States
72 legs, 187.6 hours
32 legs,
85.4 hours online 67 legs,
153.2 hours ACARS 2 legs,
3.1 hours event
|
Posted onPost created on
December 14 2009 17:22 ET by Nicholas Taylor
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Jack Urie wrote:
Mark, unless you plan on moving to FSX, it would seem at first to be a waste of money. You get 70fps now, and I'm sure the new card would give you more, but you wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
You didn't mention your "cloudy weather" performance. If your fps drops to 10-15, maybe (although I thought that FS was CPU bound, not GPU bound). Anything above 25fps, don't bother.
It is much more CPU dependent than GPU dependent. Like I initially said, have you overclocked your processor yet, Mark?
Nicholas TaylorCaptain, B757-200
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DVA4595
Senior Captain, A320
OLP
Joined on June 15 2007
B757 100 Club
Everett 500 Club
Tri-Jet Triumph
50 State Club
Millennium Club
Online Millennium Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
"How 'bout them Dawgs?" Cumming, GA
1,369 legs, 1,902.0 hours
1,272 legs,
1,763.2 hours online 1,322 legs,
1,831.0 hours ACARS 52 legs,
95.6 hours event 3 legs dispatched, 10.8
hours
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Posted onPost created on
December 14 2009 17:44 ET by Mark Springsteen
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No I have not overclocked my system. Not sure I want to try that. My frames drop to about 25 to 35 in heavy clouds.
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DVA7373
Captain, B757-200
OLP
Joined on May 31 2009
"Howdy" Southeastern United States
72 legs, 187.6 hours
32 legs,
85.4 hours online 67 legs,
153.2 hours ACARS 2 legs,
3.1 hours event
|
Posted onPost created on
December 14 2009 17:56 ET by Nicholas Taylor
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Why wouldn't you want to overclock!? That's the best thing for the system. I was talking to another DVA member who overclocked is processor from 2.8(I think) to 3.4 and he said he witnessed a huge increase in frames. If you are apprehensive about frying your CPU, I seriously suggest you visit http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/ and their forums. Best thing about overclocking is that it's free! And even if you need a new fan, it's going to be cheaper than a new graphics card. Also, 25 to 35 FPS is still great.
Nicholas TaylorCaptain, B757-200
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DVA5147
Captain, B757-200
Joined on October 25 2007
Everett 250 Club
Online Quadruple Century Club
Quincentenary Club
"Flying...A Dream,A Passion,It's Life!" Daytona Beach, FL USA
507 legs, 2,237.2 hours
498 legs,
2,211.4 hours online 476 legs,
2,147.7 hours ACARS 2 legs,
9.7 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
December 14 2009 19:11 ET by Caleb Gordon
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Mark you will benefit from the newer graphic card but not much at all in terms of performance...I don't think it'll worth the $189. It's quite cheap though but these card makers are not really making high performance card that will max out flight simulator performance. You'll see massive performance boost in games like Crysis and similar. (IMO) Flight simulator is all but forgotten by these card makers. Also about the overclocking....if you don't feel comfortable about overclocking your processor don't. Overclocking shortens your processor's life span even with proper cooling. But yet overclocking is one easy way of squeezing all the juice from your processor and it actually have it paying of in the performance of your games. I hope my input was of great help to you.
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DVA5259
First Officer, B777-200
Joined on November 15 2007
Sacramento, CA USA
45 legs, 70.4 hours
5 legs,
9.1 hours online 43 legs,
66.5 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
December 14 2009 19:30 ET by Daniel Haro
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I have my E8500 running at 3.80GHz and 35*C.
Very nice and stable processor!
Noticed an FPS increase but my video card was bad for FS so waiting for my GTS 250.
I recommend you overclock, but just know what your touching in the BIOS as all changes are made at your own risk.
Daniel HaroFirst Officer, B777-200
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DVA4441
Captain, B777-200
Joined on May 12 2007
Century Club
Online Century Club
Everett Century Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
"Illegitimi Non Carborundum" Glendora, CA
173 legs, 414.1 hours
145 legs,
362.0 hours online 145 legs,
345.1 hours ACARS 7 legs,
19.6 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
December 14 2009 19:35 ET by Mike Tomt
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I laughed when I saw that you get 70fps...I am glad to get 10, which is rare!! Sounds like a sweet system tho.
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DVA5147
Captain, B757-200
Joined on October 25 2007
Everett 250 Club
Online Quadruple Century Club
Quincentenary Club
"Flying...A Dream,A Passion,It's Life!" Daytona Beach, FL USA
507 legs, 2,237.2 hours
498 legs,
2,211.4 hours online 476 legs,
2,147.7 hours ACARS 2 legs,
9.7 hours event
|
Posted onPost created on
December 14 2009 19:48 ET by Caleb Gordon
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Hey Daniel what is your complete system spec? I'm very interested cuz I see you averaging 59FPS. Do you run FS9 at max with addons?
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DVA5147
Captain, B757-200
Joined on October 25 2007
Everett 250 Club
Online Quadruple Century Club
Quincentenary Club
"Flying...A Dream,A Passion,It's Life!" Daytona Beach, FL USA
507 legs, 2,237.2 hours
498 legs,
2,211.4 hours online 476 legs,
2,147.7 hours ACARS 2 legs,
9.7 hours event
|
Posted onPost created on
December 14 2009 19:48 ET by Caleb Gordon
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Oh and Daniel do you play on widescreen?
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DVA4595
Senior Captain, A320
OLP
Joined on June 15 2007
B757 100 Club
Everett 500 Club
Tri-Jet Triumph
50 State Club
Millennium Club
Online Millennium Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
"How 'bout them Dawgs?" Cumming, GA
1,369 legs, 1,902.0 hours
1,272 legs,
1,763.2 hours online 1,322 legs,
1,831.0 hours ACARS 52 legs,
95.6 hours event 3 legs dispatched, 10.8
hours
|
Posted onPost created on
December 15 2009 08:01 ET by Mark Springsteen
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Thanks for the info guys. I think I am going to leave my computer just the way it is. I see what you are saying Nick, but I am worried about messing my computer up by overclocking it.
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DVA6695
Captain, MD-88
Joined on November 26 2008
Century Club
Online Century Club
"We are....Penn State" Phoenixville, PA USA
153 legs, 206.0 hours
108 legs,
149.6 hours online 149 legs,
200.2 hours ACARS 11 legs,
20.0 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
December 15 2009 09:06 ET by Jack Urie
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In case anyone doubts that CPU is the name of the game in FSX, not GPU:
http://www.forum.aerosoft.com/index.php?showtopic=30796
Download the PDF written by Mathijs Kok, head of Aerosoft, entitled "Why I get 50fps in FSX and you don't". Interesting perspective from someone who doesn't believe you need a 500 dollar video card and 60 hours of tweaking to run FSX acceptably.
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DVA3672
Senior Captain, A320
OLP DISPATCHER E-MAIL
Joined on October 29 2006
B757 100 Club
50 State Club
Two Million Mile Club
Bi-Millennium Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
US Capital Club
Toulouse Millennium Club
Online Fifteen Century
"Chris, NOT in Seattle" Northeastern United States
2,534 legs, 6,223.1 hours
1,537 legs,
3,252.2 hours online 2,243 legs,
5,407.0 hours ACARS 4 legs,
6.0 hours event 2 legs dispatched, 19.5
hours
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Posted onPost created on
December 15 2009 10:46 ET by Chris Frasure
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Wow Mark. What do you have your frame rates set on? I have mine set for a MAX of 25. That way the cpu can use the resources for other things. I have a top end rig built by AP. Anything over 25 is worthless to the human eye. If you are getting 25-30 with heavy clouds, you are doing incredible. I use REX and AS and get 23-25 in heavy clouds. I suggest keeping your money.
CF
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DVA5259
First Officer, B777-200
Joined on November 15 2007
Sacramento, CA USA
45 legs, 70.4 hours
5 legs,
9.1 hours online 43 legs,
66.5 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
December 15 2009 10:55 ET by Daniel Haro
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Caleb Gordon wrote:
Hey Daniel what is your complete system spec? I'm very interested cuz I see you averaging 59FPS. Do you run FS9 at max with addons?
Computer specs:
Antec Three Hundred Case - 10 Fans I think not loud at all
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium X64
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R Mobo
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 @ 3.16GHz ~ 3.80GHz
On order: NVIDIA GTS 250 1GB GDDR3 PCI-E @ 760MHz/2300MHz
Seagate 640GB HDD @ 7200RPM
Sound Blaster Audigy 24-Bit Sound Card
Saitek X52 Flight Controller
Resolution: 1366x768x32 on Dell Monitor 19''
HDTV HDMI Connection w/Sound
Direct DSL Ethernet Connection @ 1.5 Mbps
FS's:
FS9 - Running Highest Settings
FSX Standard/Acceleration - Medium to High Settings
Current graphics card is an ATI HD 4870 about to replace as soon as my new one comes in.
Only connect my HDTV when giving demonstrations to friends or family and it still runs at 59-60FPS.
-Daniel
Daniel HaroFirst Officer, B777-200
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DVA5147
Captain, B757-200
Joined on October 25 2007
Everett 250 Club
Online Quadruple Century Club
Quincentenary Club
"Flying...A Dream,A Passion,It's Life!" Daytona Beach, FL USA
507 legs, 2,237.2 hours
498 legs,
2,211.4 hours online 476 legs,
2,147.7 hours ACARS 2 legs,
9.7 hours event
|
Posted onPost created on
December 16 2009 00:00 ET by Caleb Gordon
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Nice indeed. Thanks Daniel. I'm looking to build a new system for my B-day next month and your specs give me a great idea of what parts I can really invest in to run FS9 smoothly.
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DVA5259
First Officer, B777-200
Joined on November 15 2007
Sacramento, CA USA
45 legs, 70.4 hours
5 legs,
9.1 hours online 43 legs,
66.5 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
December 16 2009 00:18 ET by Daniel Haro
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No problem!
Just one tip don't buy an ATI graphics card for FS it will perform poorly in other things besides FPS.
All of my PC parts, were bought from Newegg. While building my computer I almost fried it in my kitchen when I connected a Floppy Connector to a pin on the board by mistake. Luckily I didn't fry the board.
So always revise what you're going to do and check everything thoroughly before going for the "Power On".
-Daniel
Daniel HaroFirst Officer, B777-200
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DVA4595
Senior Captain, A320
OLP
Joined on June 15 2007
B757 100 Club
Everett 500 Club
Tri-Jet Triumph
50 State Club
Millennium Club
Online Millennium Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
"How 'bout them Dawgs?" Cumming, GA
1,369 legs, 1,902.0 hours
1,272 legs,
1,763.2 hours online 1,322 legs,
1,831.0 hours ACARS 52 legs,
95.6 hours event 3 legs dispatched, 10.8
hours
|
Posted onPost created on
December 17 2009 01:12 ET by Mark Springsteen
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Chris, I have mine set on 99. I know what you are saying about the over 25, but I find if I set it higher I don't get as many stutters. I am keeping my money. Darn, I have to find something else to buy myself for Christmas.
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DVA7176
Captain, B747-400
E-MAIL
Joined on February 16 2009
50 State Club
Millennium Club
Two Million Mile Club
Everett Millennium Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary
Wasilla, AK USA
1,291 legs, 5,878.5 hours
90 legs,
370.7 hours online 1,261 legs,
5,676.9 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
December 17 2009 23:44 ET by Jerry Friz
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Jack, I read the PDF by Mathijs Kok, [from Aerosoft] And tried his settings. I am getting much improved FSX, and trying the DX10 mode out. He is right on... it is obvious that no one has read it. Thanks for passing it on.
Jerry
Jerry FrizCaptain, B747-400
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