Graphics

I would think so. That system shouldn't have any trouble at all running
FS9, or anything else for that matter :-) As for video cards, I
researched and tried several high end cards before ordering one for my
high end Hypersonic system. Be advised that when it comes to the choice
of video cards, someone suggesting one over another is not unlike
walking into the nearest bar and yelling, "I can lick any SOB in this
place" :-))
I'll only tell you that I opted for the FX 5900 Ultra 256 and it's doing
a superb job in FS9 with the sliders exactly where I want them, and this
doesn't mean maxed out to the right. Video settings should be custom set
in for each system independently and using an arbitrary "everything to
the right" and "as much frame rate as I can get" in my opinion isn't the
way to approach flight simulator.
If you have a good system, get a high end card; then "adjust" the
settings until you get them the way you want them to be. It's a
complicated process really, and there isn't a short answer. You'll no
doubt get a lot of short answers, but in my opinion anyway, what I've
told you is the way to go if my personal experience is of any value.
Best of luck with your card purchase regardless of which you decide on,
and have fun "tweaking" the system.
Dudley Henriques
International Fighter Pilots Fellowship
Commercial Pilot/ CFI Retired
For personal email, please replace
the z's with e's.
dhenriquesATzarthlinkDOTnzt
"Pilot Pete" wrote in message
...
I am thinking of upgrading my graphics card too.
My system is as follows.
Windows XP Home
120 gig HDD
1024mb of pc 3200 400mhz ram
AMD Athlon XP2600
Gigabyte 7vaxp mainboard.

Is this enough "main" hardware to do the radeon 9800 or equivalent
some
justice.

Phil.
"Dudley Henriques" wrote in message
link.net...

"Jim Chambers" wrote in message
...
HI pilots, Is it worth getting the expensive new boards like the
Radeon
9800 or gforce FX 5900 ie. is there sufficient detail in FS 2004
to
show
off these boards?.......Comments welcome......Jim. N. London

Flight simulators are extremely system intensive. That means the
entire
system as a unit, not just the video card. A good card is definately
an
asset, but a total waste if not installed in a fairly fast system
with
adaquate ram to back it up.
Anyone contemplating a high end video card as an upgrade for flight
simulators is well advised to take a good look at their entire
system
and make a decision based on the system as it will be after the card
is
installed. In other words, I's say that a HUGE percentage of people
who
spend big bucks on a high end video card should have spent the money
first to upgrade their general system. It's a shame to see these
people
time and time again put out hard earned money and then want to know
why
their high end video card only gives them 5 FPS increase in
performance
along with driver conflicts caused by having to upgrade video
drivers
that are way ahead of their system's basic performance level.
There comes a point when upgrading the system as a whole is the FAR
better choice than just upgrading the video card!
Dudley Henriques
International Fighter Pilots Fellowship
Commercial Pilot/ CFI Retired
For personal email, please replace
the z's with e's.
dhenriquesATzarthlinkDOTnzt