Increase FPS ?? Processor or graphic card ?

[aaa007]

Hello !!

I have an amd 2600+, 1.5Gb DDR, Gforce ti 4200 128Mo...
I would like to upgrade my computer for fs2004 (i have about 250 euros)

Do i have to change motherboard and processor like amd 64 3000+ or the graphic card for a 6600 gt 128 Mo ?

thanks a lot

[Paul Golding]

Have you tried FS2004 on it yet?

[aaa007]

hello

yes i have between 10fps (clouds,ai,...) and 30 (no clouds, medium graphics)

[LGA]

I'm no expert on hardware but in general, processor speed really counts. So in any upgrade, unless you have a really terrible card, or little memory, most people will probably recommend a processor upgrade. However, your system sounds like it should be able to handle FS2004. My honest advice to anyone is to have a dedicated computer for running FS. By that I mean an installation of Windows, FS2004 and FS add-ons only. Any computer that goes online with a mother of other programs and virus software will sooner or later take a bite out of resources for FS.

[slarente]

I'd start with a new processor.

[sandokan]

Increasing both, processor and graphic card it should be the best solution.
Sandokan

[zfehr]

I am still using my Athlon 2000XP with 1GB DDR and find FS2004 to run smoother and better than FS2002 did. I was using a GeForce ti4200 until just a few days ago when the fan finally gave up turning. I replaced the graphics card with a GeForce nx6600GT rather than just replacing the fan. I have to say the improvement is not real noticeable. My advice would be to go through the tips section here in the forum for improving frame rates, install Ken Salter's FSAutostart and some of the lower resolution cloud sets before spending money on a newer/faster computer. I don't plan on upgrading my motherboard/CPU until the next generation of MSFS comes out as I'm quite satisfied with the performance I am getting now with FS2004. I have no doubt that I will need a new computer for the next version of MSFS ;).

Zane

[aigean]

>Hello !!
>
>I have an amd 2600+, 1.5Gb DDR, Gforce ti 4200 128Mo...
>I would like to upgrade my computer for fs2004 (i have about
>250 euros)
>
>Do i have to change motherboard and processor like amd 64
>3000+ or the graphic card for a 6600 gt 128 Mo ?
>
>thanks a lot

i'd get the mobo/CPU. you'll probably need a gig of faster RAM though too. you'll need DDR400 (pc3200) RAM. i imagine your current RAM is a lot slower.

also, if you can make it happen somehow, i'd go for the athon 64 3400+. it's only another $60 US, definately worth it IMO. the 3400+ is very quick (benches about the same as my 3500+, despite the differences in names, which cuts through fs2004 very well). and stay away from the semperon chips, they're for budget computers, in case you didnt already know.

if you need to wait a month or so to save up the money to make this happen, i think it would be better than getting the 3000+ or a gfx card now.

[Wichita]

>Hello !!
>
>I have an amd 2600+, 1.5Gb DDR, Gforce ti 4200 128Mo...
>I would like to upgrade my computer for fs2004 (i have about
>250 euros)
>
>Do i have to change motherboard and processor like amd 64
>3000+ or the graphic card for a 6600 gt 128 Mo ?
>
>thanks a lot

My answer would be both but I know that would blow the budget so...

There's this,I go with the second chart where AA and Anistropic are being used instead of turned off:

http://graphics.tomshardware.com/gra...charts-09.html

And CPU's there is this. Sorry no FS2004 but other games give you the general idea.

David

http://www17.tomshardware.com/cpu/20...charts-15.html