8800 flashcards

[kiwibarguy]

I'm no computer whizzkid but i have 2.4 ghz, 2gig ram, pci-e express and am running the moment on a nvidia 7600. I would like to upgrade my flashcard for Christmas so was wondering if i could ask a couple of questions.

1. JAFA (just another friendly aucklander) Question- Is there a good store here on the shore that i could purchase new but cheaper priced flashcards?
2. There are so many 8800 flashcards out there made by so many companies. What is a well priced flashcard or an 8800 that will see me right for another couple of years. Nvidia8800?
3. I was wanting to spend $200 max, which i think is reasonable if you shop around, do you think i should be saving my money and look at wait till middle next year? With the economy the way it is, i worry that the price of electronics will go up soon.
4. Will i notice such a big difference from a 7600 to a 8800?

I appreciate any help. Thanks so much!

P.S I will be flying my next world trip leg this weekend, look out for it on Monday.
P.S.S GO THE WARRIORS!!

[Adamski]

QUOTE (kiwibarguy @ Sep 19 2008, 02:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm no computer whizzkid but i have 2.4 ghz, 2gig ram, pci-e express and am running the moment on a nvidia 7600. I would like to upgrade my flashcard for Christmas so was wondering if i could ask a couple of questions.

1. JAFA (just another friendly aucklander) Question- Is there a good store here on the shore that i could purchase new but cheaper priced flashcards?
2. There are so many 8800 flashcards out there made by so many companies. What is a well priced flashcard or an 8800 that will see me right for another couple of years. Nvidia8800?
3. I was wanting to spend $200 max, which i think is reasonable if you shop around, do you think i should be saving my money and look at wait till middle next year? With the economy the way it is, i worry that the price of electronics will go up soon.
4. Will i notice such a big difference from a 7600 to a 8800?

Do you mean video card? Certainly an 8800 will help. There are even newer cards out there - but pricey. They do bring down the price of [slightly] older cards ... but not by much!!

Are you running FS9 or FSX? XP or Vista? Both are system hogs - from CPU and video points of view. Don't get seduced by "extra" DX10 features in FSX - it's poorly supported at the moment. Fancy hardware effects that may help in shootemups don't really apply in flight sims (I think). I have a 2GHz CPU with an 8800 GTS - running Vista/FSX. No way can I get decent "screenshot quality" without crippling the framerate. I just wonder what sort of machine they developed FSX on!!!

Try PBTech (Wairau Rd area) http://www.pbtech.co.nz/ ... it's where I've been buying most of my hardware lately. Do your research elsewhere - then check them for price. Like many PC stores, they're primarily "box shifters" and - though friendly and helpful - won't always be able to answer "techie" questions.

If anything - with the economy going the way it is, electronics may even get cheaper - as stores start dumping stock as sales start to diminish (which they already are).

If you're anywhere near Birkenhead, PM me --- you're welcome to pop over ... and meet another JAFA

[kiwibarguy]

Thanks for your help Adamski. Yeah video card, i'm such a knob! Thanks for taking the time to help me out!