Requesting video card advice

[Major SNAFU]

Hi all,

 

I am looking for some advice re: a video card.

 

I have a use DCS:BS and my system handles it fine. However, with DCS:A10 I am experiencing some low FPS when on a mission with lots of untis and or lots of heavy weather.

 

I am not is a position for another 6 months to replace motherboard, OS and etc.

 

Here are my system specs:

 

Asus P5K-E based

Intel Core 2 Quad CPU 2.4 GHz

2 Gigs of RAM

New, fast main HDD with new XP Pro SP3 install. DCS:BS and A10 are installed onto the new, fast HDD

 

Current Video card:

 

NVidia GeForce 8800 GTS in PCIEX16_1 slot

 

 

Question: Is their a Video card I can purchase that will improve my performance in DSC:A10 without having to change OS, motherboard, etc.

 

Question 2. Would Switching to Windows 7 (32) be an advantage? Can I upgrade (having just spent much time rebuilding) or do I need to wipe and start over?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

SNAFU

[Nate--IRL--]

I'd suggest waiting for the final release before spending money.

 

However, that said, WIN7 (preferably 64bit) will yield better performance from Warthog (and FC2 and Black Shark) You can keep your current win xp install if you create a new partition on your Hard Drive and install Win 7 there. You can select either OS on startup.

 

Nate

[Konovalov]

I agree on the above from Nate. Windows 7 64bit runs DCS Blackshark and FC2 great. Hold off on GPU to release of DCS A10c if you can. Hopefully by then you will be looking to build a complete new rig. :thumbup:

[Major SNAFU]

Hi Nate:

 

Thanks for the advice.

 

I should have created a second partition before I installed XP Pro. Wish I had thought of that. The whole HDD is one big partition.

 

I have to say that up until the FPS dropped, I was impress with a winter storm mission I was flying. Initially the FPS was fine, but as I approached the MLR it was too much for my system to model the clouds, snow and ground units at the same time.

[Major SNAFU]

I agree on the above from Nate. Windows 7 64bit runs DCS Blackshark and FC2 great. Hold off on GPU to release of DCS A10c if you can. Hopefully by then you will be looking to build a complete new rig. :thumbup:

 

My problem with switching to 64 bit is that I have many older simulations and hardware that I doubt will function properly until a 64-bit environment.

 

Also a few old wargames that I would be loath to part with..

[Nate--IRL--]

Hi Nate:

 

Thanks for the advice.

 

I should have created a second partition before I installed XP Pro. Wish I had thought of that. The whole HDD is one big partition.

 

I have to say that up until the FPS dropped, I was impress with a winter storm mission I was flying. Initially the FPS was fine, but as I approached the MLR it was too much for my system to model the clouds, snow and ground units at the same time.

 

FYI You can move, resize, create, add and delete partition easily, I use Minitool partition wizard (freeware) -> http://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html

 

Nate

[Konovalov]

My problem with switching to 64 bit is that I have many older simulations and hardware that I doubt will function properly until a 64-bit environment.

 

Also a few old wargames that I would be loath to part with..

Microsoft were decent enough to provide a 32bit and also 64bit version on disk so you could choose which one to install.

[wickedfastball]

I have an 8800 GTS as well. Actually, two. I expect that a single GTX 400-series card will outperform the SLI'd 8800's. GTX 470's are down to $265 so I'm going to pick one up soon. We'll see how it does.

 

EDIT: some are even cheaper. Found one for $250 plus a $30 MIR. Will be ordering from NewEgg shortly!

Edited January 11, 2011 by wickedfastball