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Ungrading a FLigh sim computer, need card than can run a projector + 2 or 3 monitors

MG44

MG44

MG44

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Joined
27 Dec 2008
Posts
76
I am a member of the local Air training Corp squadron and we are looking to upgrade out flight sim.
The current computer is 5 years old and is ok for what we using at the moment
Ouir current set up use MSFS 2004 with 2 screens, coupled with an eliet flight panel console.
We have now secured some funding and are now going to upgrade the computer so we will have a cockpit surround to sit in. A projector for the main view and 2 22" screens for intruments and ILS views.
I know what we need hard wear wise and can transfete the old ATA hard drive with an ATA to SATA connector.
What am not sure on is the graphics card, I know we will need atleast a 1GB for the size of pictures we are using. What is availible.
Needs to run FS 2004 and preferably FSX if possible but not a major need.

Thanks
 
From my research, nvidia 8* and 9* series GPUs from nvidia top the charts. 2* series seems to be the worst performer for some reason, probably drivers as nvidia did not pay attention to simmers.

For example, a 9800GTX is WAY to better than a 295GTX according to tomshardware.

CHeck it out ...



I am in the same situation myself, and I am thinking to get a 9800GTX+ (or 250 if soon and good price) which is very cheap and based on benchmarks the best performing.

Edit: I just read in the other thread that they rebranding the 9800 to 250 and will have 2GB memory which is what you need for the res (4 march release roumor has it. Check that out also and google "FSX benchmark" to get the charts.

Hope this helps!
 
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rolypolyman said:
I'm currently playing FSX and find it plays very well on my setup(see sig). Only playing at 1680x1050 on one 22" monitor though.
Click to expand...

You seem to have the "best" GPU for the game according to ALL the reviews/benchmarks I have seen.

THe new rebranded 9800GTX -> GTS250 with 2GB memory should be the absolute benchmark I think.

I hope they release the card early march and add a few quid for the premium of 2GB ram and I am definately getting one.
 
What processor are you running for FS2004?

A beefier CPU may be needed also if you're running it through a projector and screens as the game is very CPU intensive. You dont want to have any bottlencks, especially if you plan on installing FSX.
 
Your going to be needing a fair few outputs (DVI ports) on the card you choose and from taking a quick look at the 9800s OCUK stock, non have more than two. I would say you need 3, 2 for the monitors and 1 for the projector? Obviously you can get DVI to Analogue or DVI to HDMI adapters as required (if required) to match the ports on your output screens.

What you probably want is a 9800GTX (or similar powerful card) to run the projector and then a second cheaper card (9400GT maybe?) to run the two 22"ers so long as they only run the ILS and instuments. You would need a motherboard with two PCI-ExpressX16 slots though!
 
currently we are using a AMD athalon 2.3 GHz not duel or quad
would we need SLI or just a MOBO with 2 PCI-e and put 2 9800GTX for the out puts
if we are getting a new computer what eles will we need, idealy we want 2 keep the old hard drive so we dont have 2 mess around with eliet coz they get really grump about people reinstaling will try and get more money off us.
 
lukext said:
Your going to be needing a fair few outputs (DVI ports) on the card you choose and from taking a quick look at the 9800s OCUK stock, non have more than two. I would say you need 3, 2 for the monitors and 1 for the projector? Obviously you can get DVI to Analogue or DVI to HDMI adapters as required (if required) to match the ports on your output screens.

What you probably want is a 9800GTX (or similar powerful card) to run the projector and then a second cheaper card (9400GT maybe?) to run the two 22"ers so long as they only run the ILS and instuments. You would need a motherboard with two PCI-ExpressX16 slots though!
Click to expand...

You need to use TripleHead2Go Digital to get a uniform picture. GPU needs to have the power to render the high ress though. SLI/Crossfire is poor on FSX also, again drivers/bad coding ... not sure :(

What you said with dedicated cards for instruments and flight is another way to make good use of multiple GPUs.
 
I'd probably stick with FS2004 if I were you. a lot easier to run and more support for addons at the moment although this is changing quickly with a lot of developers porting their products to FSX.

I run FS9 on my ancient box here. AMD XP3000+, 1GB Ram, and a 7300Gt card. Runs perfect!
 
MG44

Before you do anything, please make sure you talk to Bob at RC Simualtions http://www.rcsimulations.com/ who has been in the flight sim business for years, and has done lots of commisioned jobs for the RAF and Air Training Corps, as well as supplying and building the simulators for the BBC program a while back where the dambusters relatives saw if they could do what there elders had done.

Whatever you will want too do, he will have done it before. He is a really nice guy to talk to and be glad to give you any help and advice as needed.

I should say that i am not affiliated with him at all, just a happy customer!

Craig
 
well running flight sim x is a bonus we have just got FS2004 going and there are lots of problems between the eliet stuff and X due to driver issues ect

IF we did go for 2 serperate cards would we just b ableto set them up as usual through windows or with the program mentioned in an earlier post
 
MG44 said:
IF we did go for 2 serperate cards would we just b ableto set them up as usual through windows or with the program mentioned in an earlier post
Click to expand...

When you say the prgram mentioned earlier I assume you are refering to the triple head to go? Its not a program but an extremely expensive (£250) piece of hardware with one input from you graphics card. It then splits this signal three ways to three monitors/projectors to trick windows intothinking it has a ultra widesceen monitor pluged in. Not sure if this is what you want particularly as this is best used if you want a surround visual out of the cockpit ie have 3 monitors side by side with the outside world on. Whereas you want a dedicated projector for the outside world and then use your 2 tfts as your cockpit instuments no? Your prbably best talking to the guy from rcsim
 
As an owner of a TH2GO, i dont think that its what you want. More likely a card with 4 DVI ports as mentioned above which will allow you to dedicate one port to FSX, and 2 others for the instruments/gauges and ILS.

Your other possibility if you are getting a brand new machine and can re-use your current box, is to use that to host your instruments and gauges, allowing your main PC to be dedicated to running FSX. This has the advantage of giving the computer all of its resources to dedicate towards running flight sim, and you will still be able to run it in full screen mode which gives best performance. In order to view instruments on a seperate monitor on a single pc i think you have to run in windowed mode which isnt as good (i may well be wrong on that though).

On my rig the main PC is connected to a TH2GO and the single cockpit image is spread over 3 monitors giving much better peripheral vision and immersion. The 2nd compuer which cost all of £80 can run gauges for the main flight sim (requires an additonal software interface), real world weather programs like ASX, FSCommander which is a bit like an ATC radar view, and also NATS (free place to view real world airport charts).

p1010112r.jpg
 
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well i had a look at the spliter box and for the cost would be better to get a 4 DVI card
when u mention using 2 computers how are u linking them with a eathernet cable???
 
Yes, if you only have 2 computers you can link them back to back via a crossover cable. Other than that normal CAT5 into a hub/router/switch etc.

As mentioned, depending on what you want to achieve and what software you want to run, you will need software like widefs and simconnect that let the flight sim programs talk to each other.
 
with the age of our current sim its probbaly easier to ditch it completly and go with a new rig
i myself hav a 4850 and its a smashing card so the x2 is a real possibility
i will get more info on how much money we will have acess to and wil also try and post a JPEG of the cockpit design?? how can i do that on OC???
 
To post a pic use an image hosting site such as image shack, then use the forum reply thread tools to point to the image.

Do google for advice on nvidia versus ati for flight sim as i think generally speaking nvidia is the preffered choice (dont know why)
 
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