Selecting replacement graphics card - advice, please!!

[ddavid 149]

Hello Hangarians - can you help, please?

I'd like to replace my existing graphics card (nVidia GeForce FX 5200) with something with a little more byte! I don't want to spend too much, so I wondered about the nVidia 8800 GTS 320Mb card, which costs around £180. Have any of you got a better solution? My computer is 18 months old, has an Athlon 3000 processor with 2Gb dram. I guess I'll replace it sometime in the not too distant future, so the new graphics card should ideally enable me to choose motherboards/processors and not limit my choice (hope that makes sense!)

Any advice most welcome - even if it's 'Don't buy now, wait 'til after Christmas' or whatever.....

Thanks for helping - your reward will be even crazier posts (you have been warned - Ed)!!

Cheers - Dai. :mrhappy:

[hello_basil 0]

Hi David,

In my experience I've noted that a processor can prevent a Graphics Card from reaching its full potential so I think it would be wise to spend half and half if you follow me correctly! :-)

For example, spend £70 on an Athlon X2 Processor and £110 on a DX9 Graphics Card similar to an X1950XT/PRO.

I don't advise getting DX10, Vista or the 8800 series as they could be severely bottle-necked by your hardware.... :sadblinky:

[reef 3]

512mb 7900GTX does almost as well as a 8800GTS but for only £100. 9 series is due november which will probably mean yet another price drop. As said above though, don't expect too much if you don't upgrade the processor. Core 2 duo seem to out perform most equivilent AMD boards of similar price. read lots of reviews :mrhappy:

steve

[mutley 4,498]

I've got the nVidia 7900GTX difficult to fault it but beware, your power supply unit may have to be beefed up to accommodate a more powerful card?

[MartinW 0]

Depends on your priorities, if you'd like to take advantage of DX10/ Vista and the upcoming FSX service pack 2 enhancements then an 8 series card is the way to go.

Consider that flight sim is very CPU dependent; I would say about 60/40 in favour of the CPU so if you primarily use your system for flight sim then the CPU is the priority.

On the other hand if you play games primarily and not the sim much on the system, then the GPU is the priority as games are far more GPU dependent these days.

If the system is intended for flight sim and games then Theo's suggestion makes sense, best GPU and CPU you can afford.

As for nVidia or ATI, I have used both and feel that for a given price range they are both pretty much equal, you will always get those that favour one make over another, but I have found both to be equal in driver stability and performance.

I have the 7900GTX like Mut, and it performs close to the 8800GTX, so if you aren't bothered with Vista and DX10 then it would be a great card. On the other hand if you want a DX10 card and Vista then the best 8 series card would be the way to go.

Good advice from Mut on the PSU, check your current wattage and if it is enough for the new card.

[Magic Man 0]

I have the 7900GTX like Mut, and it performs close to the 8800GTX, so if you aren't bothered with Vista and DX10 then it would be a great card. On the other hand if you want a DX10 card and Vista then the best 8 series card would be the way to go.

Although, even if you are sticking with DX9 and XP, the 8800GTX is still the best at the moment (strictly speaking of course that honour would go to the Ultra). :mrhappy:

[MartinW 0]

And how is that mega beast of a PC of yours doing technoboy, now you’ve had chance to run it in a bit?

And what about your high tech, star trek style, bio gell pack, quantum PC console set up, straight out of the 24th century?

Managed to paint your MDF yet without it soaking the stuff up like a sponge and scoffing at you for having the audacity to think you could paint it. :mrhappy:

[Magic Man 0]

Took a break last weekend so only tried out the monitor arms to make sure they'll fit like I want them to - work fine but still have more MDF to cut...

Haven't even looked at paints yet - having fun flying it though... :mrhappy:

[MartinW 0]

Don't forget the pics when it's finished Technomarple. :mrhappy:

[ddavid 149]

Well, thanks for your replies, fellow Hangarians! I guess I'll have to bite the bullet some how and go ahead and buy one, rather than agonising about it. As soon as I take the plunge, I'll let you know!

Thanks again for your help. :mrhappy:

Cheers - Dai. :sad:

[mutley 4,498]

Choose wisely young Glasshopper :mrhappy:

Looking forward to hearing what it is.

Cheers