New Graphics Card for FS9/FSX?

[angel0fmars]

Here's my current system:

Intel Q6600 Quad-core 2.4GHz
3GB RAM
500GB SATA HDD
350W PSU
Dell 19" 1440 x 900 monitor
...and Intel GMA 3100 graphics card. How sad

I want an graphics card that can run FS9/FSX without too much of a problem. It should be able to run at an average of 25fps with Fraps, if possible. If not, then 25fps without Fraps is fine. I've been looking at 9400GT and 9500GT, and also 8400GS, 8500GT, and 8600GT. I've determined that all of these cards should be able to run with the power supply using an PSU calculator. I don't plan on overclocking much, if at all. Please try to keep the prices below $60-70 USD please. And no suggestions like "Get two nVidia GTX 295 and run them in SLI mode!" Umm yea, not only will that fry my computer, that will also make my piggy bank quite angry.

And yes, if you're asking, I do have a job. :lol:


EDIT: I'm also open for ATI Radeon card suggestions!
It currently runs at a pretty bad rate, ~12FPS max sometimes!

 

[shadow187]

Get an HD5570 for $80. Only $10 out.

 

[angel0fmars]

Are you sure that can run on my system, especially with such a bad PSU? And plus, it's a little over the budget. I'll consider it though.

 

[-Fran-]

A 5670 doesn't require extra power to run and its a little better than all that lineup you're mentioning.

I suggest these 3 cards:

nVidia GT240 (512MB GDDR5): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150452
ATI 5670 (512MB GDDR5): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161319
ATI 4670 (1GB DDR3): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150449

The last one is a little overpriced/overfeatured IMO, but still will do it's job.

Cheers!

 

[angel0fmars]

Looks great! Thanks! I heard FSX and FS9 does better with nVidia cards though. I looked through Tom's Hardware and it looks like a 9600GT would be pretty good. Any experience with this?

And how would a 9400/9500GT do on this setup?

 

[sabot00]

A 5670 doesn't require extra power to run and its a little better than all that lineup you're mentioning.

I suggest these 3 cards:

nVidia GT240 (512MB GDDR5): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150452
ATI 5670 (512MB GDDR5): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161319
ATI 4670 (1GB DDR3): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150449

The last one is a little overpriced/overfeatured IMO, but still will do it's job.

Cheers!

Why will you give him that 4670????? Are you that big of an XFX fan that you will spend $10 more?
Get this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102855&cm_re=4670-_-14-102-855-_-Product

Out of all cards that don't need a PCI-E 6-pin the 9800GT is the best:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500154&cm_re=9800gt-_-14-500-154-_-Product

 

[angel0fmars]

I've updated the computer specs. I changed the PSU wattage (just checked and realized I need a good pair of glasses...) and added my monitor into the equation. So 9600GT or ATI HD4670? On the forums, the 9600GT seemed to run better.

 

[angel0fmars]

HD 5770!

I heard it was quite good for FSX, but its a little out of my budget range.

 

[shadow187]

The HD5670 is better than the 9600GT and the 9800GT. The 9800GT that doesn't need a 6-pin PCI-E is equivalent to a slightly OC'd 9600GT.

 

[angel0fmars]

Thanks for the suggestion, but the 5670 is slightly out of my budget range. I think right now its kinda down to 5570, 4670, or the 95/9600GT.

 

[sabot00]

4850:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102824&cm_re=4850-_-14-102-824-_-Product
Let me tell you something, this card is absolutely untouchable in it's range.

 

[angel0fmars]

Out of my budget range. Sorry!

 

[sabot00]

Well, the 9600GT is next but the jump from the 9600GT to 4850 is way more than there difference on newegg.

 

[angel0fmars]

I really want to know about the performance of FS9 and FSX on a 9500GT. How many FPS are you guys getting?

 

[angel0fmars]

I had a quick look around Newegg, and somehow found this:

8800GT http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143118&cm_re=8800_gt-_-14-143-118-_-Product

Only $45. Is this possible?

 

[sabot00]

Not in stock.

 

[angel0fmars]

Oh never mind. It was in stock the time I posted this. But I heard 8800GT's were much more expensive.