Biting the bullet after newest patch- I need to upgrade.

[jamesdietz]

Here's my system's specs:
GPU processor: GeForce 9800 GT
Driver version: 304.79
DirectX support: 10
CUDA Cores: 112
Core clock: 600 MHz
Shader clock: 1500 MHz
Memory data rate: 1800 MHz
Memory interface: 256-bit
Total available graphics memory: 4095 MB
Dedicated video memory: 1024 MB GDDR3
System video memory: 0 MB
Shared system memory: 3071 MB
Video BIOS version: 62.92.24.00.80
IRQ: 16
Bus: PCI Express x16 Gen2

[Components]

easyDaemonAPIU64.DLL 1.10.8.0 NVIDIA Update Components
WLMerger.exe 1.10.8.0 NVIDIA Update Components
daemonu.exe 1.10.8.0 NVIDIA Update Components
ComUpdatus.exe 1.10.8.0 NVIDIA Update Components
NvUpdtr.dll 1.10.8.0 NVIDIA Update Components
NvUpdt.dll 1.10.8.0 NVIDIA Update Components
nvui.dll 8.17.13.0479 NVIDIA User Experience Driver Component
nvxdsync.exe 8.17.13.0479 NVIDIA User Experience Driver Component
nvxdplcy.dll 8.17.13.0479 NVIDIA User Experience Driver Component
nvxdbat.dll 8.17.13.0479 NVIDIA User Experience Driver Component
nvxdapix.dll 8.17.13.0479 NVIDIA User Experience Driver Component
NVCPL.DLL 8.17.13.0479 NVIDIA User Experience Driver Component
nvCplUI.exe 4.8.720.0 NVIDIA Control Panel
nvWSS.dll 6.14.13.0479 NVIDIA Workstation Server
nvViTvS.dll 6.14.13.0479 NVIDIA Video Server
NVSTVIEW.EXE 7.17.13.0479 NVIDIA 3D Vision Photo Viewer
NVSTTEST.EXE 7.17.13.0479 NVIDIA 3D Vision Test Application
NVSTRES.DLL 7.17.13.0479 NVIDIA 3D Vision Module (0)
NVMCTRAY.DLL 8.17.13.0479 NVIDIA Media Center Library
nvDispS.dll 6.14.13.0479 NVIDIA Display Server
PhysX 09.12.0604 NVIDIA PhysX
NVCUDA.DLL 8.17.13.0479 NVIDIA CUDA 5.0.1 driver
nvGameS.dll 6.14.13.0479 NVIDIA 3D Settings Server

I'd like to take my PC in to the Geek Squad & have them put in a graphics card that will get me from the FPS 4-20 average I have now running with forest very low etc. to at least 40 average or so with everything on perfect.
I don't have the bucks to go first cabin , but want to buy something with staying power fot the next few years or so.I'm nor nearly PC/game savy to know what to recommend.Can someone give me a hand?
Thanks!
p.s. Hope above is enough info,if not tell me what more you need & how to find it.

[ElAurens]

Your card is indeed holding you down.

Don't know your budget, but an Nvidia 560 Ti would be the minimum card I would go with. I currently run an EVGA GTX 570 Super Clocked.

They are not that hard to install on your own BTW, buy online and save some cash.

Another consideration is your power supply. It is powerful enough to support a faster card?

[SlipBall]

The more important info is what os, and what psu...and just buy a card and put it in yourself, takes only a few minutes:)

[Luftwaffepilot]

- CPU
- RAM
- Power Supply

Budget?

[ATAG_Dutch]

I don't have the bucks to go first cabin , but want to buy something with staying power fot the next few years or so.

Hi JD.

It might be a bit easier for the chaps to advise if you could give a ball park budget (obviously you'll save some $ if you fit it yourself, which is really easy).

I bought the card in my sig about a year ago and still find it runs Cliffs very well. Also the old benchmark Crysis can be run on very high settings.

It's about $300 currently through amazon.;)

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Superclocked-Mini-HDMI-Lifetime-012-P3-1572-AR/dp/B004EYSMGW

[jamesdietz]

A short list of recommended online suppliers?I'd say something in the $300.00-500.00 range-something I wouldn't have to replace when BoM comes out ...should i say when/if?
Thanks!

[bobd]

Like Luftwaffepilot is pointing out. Just a faster gpu may be a waste if you don't have a adequate system.

[CWMV]

Seriously system specs please

[Zoom2136]

A short list of recommended online suppliers?I'd say something in the $300.00-500.00 range-something I wouldn't have to replace when BoM comes out ...should i say when/if?
Thanks!

Check out this article to make out your mind on a card:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107.html

Then go here to shop for one:

http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=48&name=Desktop-Graphics-Cards

And here a video (one of many that you can find on YouTube) on how to install it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7dBELhb7n0

(They don't specifiy it but unplug your system before working on it :) ).

[BigC208]

James, you can take your rig to the geeks at Best Buy and get a $500 graphics card. If the rest of your system is as archaic as your graphics card it will not do you much good.

You'll want at least an Intel I5-2500k overlocked to at least 4-4.5Ghz. This will push the GPU to it's maximum performance. Post your full specs and then we can advise you on what to keep or throw out.

[MB_Avro_UK]

Last week I spent over £900 on an upgrade. ($1,350 US).

With every game setting at maximum, I achieve 60 fps.

Best Regards,
MB_Avro.

[Blackdog_kt]

A lot depends on what settings you want to achieve.
I'm running the sim fine on mostly medium settings on this:

i7 920 @ 2.7 GHz (the very first that came out, no overclocking at all)
Ati 4890 1GB
3GB RAM
Windows 7 64-bit.

I'd say my main issue the low RAM. There was no win7 when i got it and i didn't want to install xp 64bit or vista, so i stayed with xp 32 bit and got just as much memory as it could utilize.
I think that installing another 3GB of RAM would cure a few small problems and help loading times.

Apart from that, if you want to run higher settings then of course you will need a new graphics card.

Just like everyone else pointed however, the system components must match each other. You don't want to spend money on a fast card if it's going to be held back by the rest of your system, or if your OS can't utilize at least DX10.

As also pointed out already, make sure you have a good power supply. Graphics cards can be very power hungry beasts when working at full load and if your PSU isn't up to it, it could lead to crashes.
In my experience, looking only at the nominal wattage for a PSU isn't enough. It's best to get a unit with a slightly lower nominal wattage from a reliable manufacturer and be sure that it achieves it, than get one of dubious quality just because it quotes more watts on the box.

Also keep in mind that bigger wattage doesn't necessarily mean bigger power bills. In fact, it's usually the other way around because most PSUs start to have increased thermal losses the closer they are to their limits. For example, if you have a PC that requires 400Watts and you try it on a 500Watt and a 700Watt PSU, most of the times the 500Watt PSU will waste more power because it's operating closer to its limits.

Generally speaking, most of the PC components can be upgraded with budget solutions, but there are three things you should generally not skimp on: motherboard (for upgradeability), PSU (for optimal power delivery and fail-safe features) and monitor (for easy and tireless viewing).
These are not only important for your day to day PC usage, but also don't require as frequent upgrades as other components, so it makes sense to pay a bit extra and be set for a longer time. I've had a case where my PSU saved my system, when a power surge/spike occured. The PSU died and got replaced thanks to warranty, but everything else in my system survived. ;)

[SlipBall]

A lot depends on what settings you want to achieve.
I'm running the sim fine on mostly medium settings on this:

i7 920 @ 2.7 GHz (the very first that came out, no overclocking at all)
Ati 4890 1GB
3GB RAM
Windows 7 64-bit.

I'd say my main issue the low RAM. There was no win7 when i got it and i didn't want to install xp 64bit or vista, so i stayed with xp 32 bit and got just as much memory as it could utilize.
I think that installing another 3GB of RAM would cure a few small problems and help loading times.

Apart from that, if you want to run higher settings then of course you will need a new graphics card.

Just like everyone else pointed however, the system components must match each other. You don't want to spend money on a fast card if it's going to be held back by the rest of your system, or if your OS can't utilize at least DX10.

As also pointed out already, make sure you have a good power supply. Graphics cards can be very power hungry beasts when working at full load and if your PSU isn't up to it, it could lead to crashes.
In my experience, looking only at the nominal wattage for a PSU isn't enough. It's best to get a unit with a slightly lower nominal wattage from a reliable manufacturer and be sure that it achieves it, than get one of dubious quality just because it quotes more watts on the box.

Also keep in mind that bigger wattage doesn't necessarily mean bigger power bills. In fact, it's usually the other way around because most PSUs start to have increased thermal losses the closer they are to their limits. For example, if you have a PC that requires 400Watts and you try it on a 500Watt and a 700Watt PSU, most of the times the 500Watt PSU will waste more power because it's operating closer to its limits.

Generally speaking, most of the PC components can be upgraded with budget solutions, but there are three things you should generally not skimp on: motherboard (for upgradeability), PSU (for optimal power delivery and fail-safe features) and monitor (for easy and tireless viewing).
These are not only important for your day to day PC usage, but also don't require as frequent upgrades as other components, so it makes sense to pay a bit extra and be set for a longer time. I've had a case where my PSU saved my system, when a power surge/spike occured. The PSU died and got replaced thanks to warranty, but everything else in my system survived. ;)



Adding some flash drives devoted only to memory helped my system...I bought them when at 1/2 price, BestBuy.

[jamesdietz]

I'm no PC wizard- I mean I can install a new Graphics Card , but I have no idea how to figure out what my system will handle - that's sort of why I thought dropping it by Best Buy & their Geek squad might be the best thing to do.My system was set up nearly 3 years ago & modified to Win7 & 64 bit when I bought CloD nearly a year & a half ago.I have no problems really except for slow FPS numbers in all the usual places.No patch so far has made much of a difference.The guy that built it is no longer around and so I guess I need some concrete advice on what to do next with what i've got.

[Kittle]

I am running a 9800GT as well and I get better then 4 - 20 FPS. The system is a Dual core AMD @ 2.5Ghz, 3 GB RAM, and the 9800GT 512MB (EVGA model). I get dips from time to time, but manage to enjoy my dogfighting and it looks better then IL2 ;) Granted, most everything is turned way down, but it does run at a playable FPS.

My mother board will support up to Quad-Core AMD chips (I do have the specifics, just not off the top of my head). I run Vista 32-bit so 4 GB RAM is the most I can use anyway. I do plan on getting a 550 at some point, but it can wait till I get a good deal. I only paid $20 for this 9800, so who knows :)

[mazex]

Hi!

The problem on an old rig is often that you reach a point where you need a new CPU, and then everything really needs to be switched as you need a new motherboard, which uses a different type of memory etc...

So, for an old rig like that buying a new low-mid card like a GTX560 ti may create an unbalanced system that will still be rather slow anyway... So I would either buy a second hand GTX460 for your old rig on ebay for a few bucks that would for sure boost your performance in many cases (if you have a PSU that can handle it), or go for a new basic gaming rig with a cheap Z77 motherboard, i5 CPU, 8gb memory, 750w PSU and a GTX560 ti...

The problem with going for a second hand GTX460 or similar in your old rig is that it will run most games accept CloD ;)

Edit: I bought a new rig (see sig) last year to replace my old Core 2 Duo 3.0 Ghz with 8gb memory and a GTX275 GPU. Just for fun I put the new GTX580 GPU in my old rig for a day... Most games got a boost, but CloD only gained 1 fps :) With the 580 in the new rig it doubled the fps (from an average of 35 to 70 in Black Death if I remember it correctly). Same memory amount and OS in both the old and the new rig. CloD very much needs a fast CPU to fly it seems...

[Stublerone]

James, you can take your rig to the geeks at Best Buy and get a $500 graphics card. If the rest of your system is as archaic as your graphics card it will not do you much good.

You'll want at least an Intel I5-2500k overlocked to at least 4-4.5Ghz. This will push the GPU to it's maximum performance. Post your full specs and then we can advise you on what to keep or throw out.

Right, you need to state all your stuff and your budget. 4-4,5 Ghz is a bit too high, but for sure appreciated :) CPU isn't a big problem, if it runs slower. Some guys really overestimate the influence of the cpu. Bit a 2500k is a good upgrade so far. You can do a lot with it, but you don't need to put 4,5ghz on it. The good point is: You can do it! ;)

First you should state your whole system (cpu, gpu, mainboard, ram and your hdd specs). These are the main components to influence the performance. And you can configure best, if you know the budget. It doesn't help you a lot to speak about only 1 component!

[tanker 21]

All 2500k will do at least 4.2 on stock cooling with just upping the multiplier in bios . You would be foolish not to ;)

[kendo65]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/game-performance-bottleneck,2738-16.html

Above link dates from almost two years ago, but they concluded that in most cases overclocking CPU did not achieve noticeable improvements in most games.

Expect that situation is somewhat similar today, but would be interesting to see tests repeated.

[Borsch]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/game-performance-bottleneck,2738-16.html

Above link dates from almost two years ago, but they concluded that in most cases overclocking CPU did not achieve noticeable improvements in most games.

Expect that situation is somewhat similar today, but would be interesting to see tests repeated.

Overclocking produces definite improvement in average/min FPS in both IL2:CLOD and RoF - been there, checked it myself (I'm a 2500K user)

[janpitor]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/game-performance-bottleneck,2738-16.html

Above link dates from almost two years ago, but they concluded that in most cases overclocking CPU did not achieve noticeable improvements in most games.

Expect that situation is somewhat similar today, but would be interesting to see tests repeated.

The only problem with this test is, that flight sims are not like most games. There is a lot of computing going on.

[Walrus1]

Can anyone comment on results running a Radeon HD 7750 1 MB card for CloD?

SAPPHIRE Ultimate Radeon HD 7750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102980&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=100&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo)

My GTX 460 just expired and I need to replace it.

I don't want to spend very much money at this time, and like this one because it is fanless (and therefore silent) as well as cheap and has low power requirements.

In less then a year I will build a new system and maybe splurge on a GTX 670, but until then I would like a stopgap. Expectations will be only for medium type settings and performance.

[Borsch]

Can anyone comment on results running a Radeon HD 7750 1 MB card for CloD?

SAPPHIRE Ultimate Radeon HD 7750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102980&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=100&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo)

My GTX 460 just expired and I need to replace it.

I don't want to spend very much money at this time, and like this one because it is fanless (and therefore silent) as well as cheap and has low power requirements.

In less then a year I will build a new system and maybe splurge on a GTX 670, but until then I would like a stopgap. Expectations will be only for medium type settings and performance.

7750 is inferiour to your gtx460 by a good margin (http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/614?vs=542) , so dont do it. Save up and get the 7850 which is about £150 (if you shop around) and will get you about x2 460 performance when OCed. Or maybe 560ti - if you can find one significantly cheaper than the 7850. Anything less is not worth it for CLOD imo.

[tk471138]

I'm no PC wizard- I mean I can install a new Graphics Card , but I have no idea how to figure out what my system will handle - that's sort of why I thought dropping it by Best Buy & their Geek squad might be the best thing to do.My system was set up nearly 3 years ago & modified to Win7 & 64 bit when I bought CloD nearly a year & a half ago.I have no problems really except for slow FPS numbers in all the usual places.No patch so far has made much of a difference.The guy that built it is no longer around and so I guess I need some concrete advice on what to do next with what i've got.


DO NOT drop it off at best buy.....DO NOT!!! putting in a new video card is slightly more involved than putting in ram, both are easy...and may start you on the road to computer competence and soon you will be building your own system as you learn....

[robtek]

And try for a card with more than 1 GB Video ram.

[Stublerone]

Better say try a card with more than 2gb! :) 1.5 perhaps won't make you happy.

Concerning 2.5k or even other cpu: If a cpu is too slow, it bottlenecks, but a 2500 k doesn't need to be running on 4,2ghz as it perhaps gains 1 or 2 more fps in clod in comparison to tweaking it to 3.3 or up to 3.7. From then on, the cpu should not bottleneck and mor cpu power do not gain much more fps. To gain fps and performance, better buy a video card with more than just 1 gb. I would say, that 2gb is minimum in my point of view!
all additional stuff helps you stabilizing like better ram or an ssd drive, as streaming engines are performing better, when u use ssd. Even your general experience of your whole pc will invrease.