Which PCI card for flight sim?

[AndyMoody]

My brother has asked me to help him get a graphics card for his PC which is a Dell 2350. From what searching I've found it has 5 PCI slots and maybe even a 8xAGP slot. Apparently it has onboard 64mb graphics only and he wants to run Phoenix helicoptor flight sim software. I've no idea really about PCI cards these days, what do you recommend assuming I've searched the right info about having PCI slots.

 

[FrannoBaz]

well if i has an 8X AGP slot then great... I would reccomend One of these

PCI graphics cards arnt too great... so if he doesnt have an AGP slot on his motherboard, i would reccomend upgrading.

 

[fobose]

Well from this site: http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review146_specs729.html

It shows that it has an AGP slot, however it might be best checking how much system memory the computer has - either take note when your turn the PC on or go in to control panel and double click "system" and a box should appear with CPU and memory infomation.

I dont know what spec that game requires but I would say you should have atleast 512mb or memory but 1gb would be recommened. You can pick up an AGP 7600GS for £60 if you search the web. PCI cards cost atleast £50 and are rubbish and not worth half that.

<edit>

well if i has an 8X AGP slot then great... I would reccomend One of these

You can get an AGP 7900GS for £6 more

 

[Darkwave]

well if i has an 8X AGP slot then great... I would reccomend One of these

PCI graphics cards arnt too great... so if he doesnt have an AGP slot on his motherboard, i would reccomend upgrading.

I hope you're kidding at that price.

It's much more sensible to get one of these or one of these.

 

[Gog]

Unfortunately it looks like it only has 3xPCI slots
From Dell site:

You might be able to pick up an old PCI card somewhere, but check he actually has a spare PCI slot first.

 

[Darkwave]

Looks like AGP is out of the question then.

I'd look for the Geforce 6200 and Radeon 9250 in PCI.

 

[fobose]

Hmm well the link I found says it has onboard video and AGP, I think the best thing to do would be to take the side panel off and have a look inside?

 

[squiffy]

Buy a new system.
I take it he's interested in FS 2004?

 

[Gog]

I read your link to say that the onboard video used the AGP bus, not that it had an AGP slot. I may be wrong though, so double check inside the case (and "accidentally" snap the mobo while your in there so he has to upgrade )

 

[pmbuzz]

A friend of mine has the same Dell PC with that mobo, i got him a Radeon 9250 PCI so he could play FF11.

 

[fobose]

I read your link to say that the onboard video used the AGP bus, not that it had an AGP slot.

Ah well spotted, I blame my tired eyes

 

[Darkwave]

A friend of mine has the same Dell PC with that mobo, i got him a Radeon 9250 PCI so he could play FF11.

Yup I think the Radeon 9250 is the best option here. Very cheap and quite cheerful.