Graphic card

[stewartkingswood]

Hi All,

After a bit of advise re graphics card specs always baffle me, I have a second hand PC from my son in laws works, not bad for free.


The CPU is Q6600 2.43 with a 7600gs card and a 365 PSU. This works with FSX but not brilliantly, so looking to a cheapish upgrade, PSU up to 500Watts and a graphic card probably Nvidia GT640 which is about where my cash will stretch to.

The question is does anyone think this will improve FPS I know I can run the extra monitor from this card but not whether speed will be improved MSI and Asus are fudging there answers with words like could and maybe.

So any help will be appreciated
Stewart

[ScottyB]

FSX Is hugely processor thirsty, rather than graphics card. My first step, if I was you, would be to get a better processor (3+ GhZ)

Good luck mate

[stewartkingswood]

Hi Scotty,

CPU upgrade is not possible without buying new motherboard, it only supports upto 2.66. Was just trying to improve a. Little until I can afford a new PC. Retired and on fixed income so not a lot of spare cash.

Thanks

Stewart

[Mynameisnemo]

Hi,

I'm currently running the GT640 (2GB) with an old Athlon 64 X2 fx5200 (2.7GHz), after upgrading from the HD6450 I've Definitely noticed a big increase in FPS with various payware & freeware sceneries installed.

The Asus 2GB GT640 can be found for as little as £60 (118.45 nzd) and although it takes up two bays on the desktop (one dedicated PCIe for graphics & another PCIe smaller version) its practically a quiet card & will run everything you throw at it!

Hope this helps!

[rocky289]

As ScottyB said, FSX is processor thirsty.
My advice would be to run it as it is.
Any money you spend on it will be waisted.
You will only be dissapointed with the result.
Read the flight sim forums & find out how to best run FSX on minimum settings.

[stewartkingswood]

Thanks for the comments, especially Nemo as it shows you have first hand experience of the GT 640 and favourably it seems. As to the views that it would be a waste of cash, I know I would need a new PSU and graphics card when I add a new motherboard so they could be reused there.

Thanks to all and all comments welcomed.
Regards
Stewart

[stewartkingswood]

Just a quick update to anyone else thinking of upgrading this way. I did install a GT630 as I couldn't fit the GT 640 in as the case and board turn out to be a BTX design.

However results are better than I expected small increase in FPS but it does allow me to run two monitors at reasonable rates.

So overall for a small outlay £56 (I already had 2 monitors) I have gained what I consider a good bust to gaming pleasure.

Thanks for all comments