What Video Card will do?

[Slate]

  What Video cards are capable of running the new version effectively?
I have a 5 year old dell p-4 dual core with a Nvidia 7300le video card.

I followed Bldeagle's advice on updated the driver and cleaning up my system. I found I have room to fill two more memory slots in my pc which I will add 2gb to. Should I replace the two 512mb also?

 The game is playable now and I have enabled terrain and water and most of the game looks good.
Problems I have are with the self shadow is blocky and the star on the F4u wing is blocky.
Is this due to the older video card or am I missing something? Suggestions on a new card would be helpfull, too many to choose from.

[BaldEagl]

In the prior version of the game about the minimum card needed to run it was an nVidia 9500GT or better.  I'm not sure that's still going to be the case until we start to hear from people running them.  If you want to be safe a 9800 shouldn't have any problems but you'll need to make sure you have a big enough power supply (min 450 watts with 28 amps on the +12V rail(s)).

You can keep your 2x 512 memory and add 2x 1 Gb sticks.  As long as they are matched pairs in the color-coded slots you will remain in dual channel mode.

Self shadowing looks blocky on my machine too on the windscreen frame (512 Mb 8800 GTS... the predecessor to the 9800 series).

[Slate]

 Thanks again Baldeagl for your help. The first day of the new version was terrible but it's getting better and better. 

[Fulmar]

I'm amazed AHII 2.13 was playable on the 7300le video card.  Let's just say, that current card you have is really suitable for high intensity spreadsheet gaming.

[danny37]

In the prior version of the game about the minimum card needed to run it was an nVidia 9500GT or better.  I'm not sure that's still going to be the case until we start to hear from people running them.  If you want to be safe a 9800 shouldn't have any problems but you'll need to make sure you have a big enough power supply (min 450 watts with 28 amps on the +12V rail(s)).

You can keep your 2x 512 memory and add 2x 1 Gb sticks.  As long as they are matched pairs in the color-coded slots you will remain in dual channel mode.

Self shadowing looks blocky on my machine too on the windscreen frame (512 Mb 8800 GTS... the predecessor to the 9800 series).

not entirely true,i atm have the nvidia 8300 gs that played 2.13 perfectly,59-60 fps,dosent play 2.14 well though.
also looking at reviews on newegg the 9800s are huge power hogs..just fyi

[john9001]

i replaced my video card with a ATI X1550, it works ok except when i get a lot of images on my screen, then it slows way down, they recomended a 450W or better power supply i only have a 250W, is that the problem?

second part, if i replace the power supply are they all universal, i mean mounts and wiring? I think my case is ATX form.

[Denholm]

I'm not sure if you can call it universal. Yet every power-supply you buy these days should come with the basics (Mainboard connector, Molex connector, and a 3 1/2" device connector), and some form of more, "modern" connectors (SATA connector and PCIe connector). I'm quite positive that if you buy a new power supply you will have all the cables your system requires.

[comet61]

I'm using a Nvidia 8300GS right now on the new version that is doing OK. It did better on the recent version. I am already looking into upgrading to a 9000 series card....soon.

[Krusty]

If you're using anything from Nvidia that has a 4-digit code, and the second number is a "3" you're using a super low end tight-budget card.

If you can, stick to cards where (at least with nvidia) the second digit is a 6 or if you can afford it a 8 or 9.

7300
8300
low low end. Cheap. Spreadsheet cards.

7600
8600
Better, decent for gaming, lower end of "higher quality"

8800
9800
high end, generally considered to be great gaming cards. Problems come up though, as you need to have a system that supports these cards, and can power these cards.

Just a down-and-dirty tip.

[Denholm]

Great advice from Krusty, there. To elaborate on his point of, "you need to have a system to support these cards." Here is what you need to be certain of:

You have a 2x Core CPU with a minimum of 2.00 GHz on each core.
You have at least 2GB of RAM running at or above 800 MHz.
You have an available PCIe (2.0) x16 slot.
Your Power-Supply is a minimum of 400-Watt with a minimum of 28-30 Amps on the +12V rail.
You have decent airflow within the case (Cables tucked away form the airflow and at least two or more fans for ventilation).
Your computer case has enough room to support the card.

NVIDIA's 8800, 8900, 9800, and 9900 cards are extremely large. Therefore you need to be certain that you have room for the card within the computer.

[Scratchman]

Great advice from Krusty, there. To elaborate on his point of, "you need to have a system to support these cards." Here is what you need to be certain of:

You have a 2x Core CPU with a minimum of 2.00 GHz on each core.
You have at least 2GB of RAM running at or above 800 MHz.
You have an available PCIe (2.0) x16 slot.
Your Power-Supply is a minimum of 400-Watt with a minimum of 28-30 Amps on the +12V rail.
You have decent airflow within the case (Cables tucked away form the airflow and at least two or more fans for ventilation).
Your computer case has enough room to support the card.

NVIDIA's 8800, 8900, 9800, and 9900 cards are extremely large. Therefore you need to be certain that you have room for the card within the computer.

Very good info, I would only add that the power "Hog" 9800 takes ( 2 ) 4+2 Pci-e rails.

[TilDeath]

An EVGA 9800GTX+ will require one 6 pin connection where as an ASUS 9800GTX+ requires two 6pin connectors.  Make sure you check your PSU output settings esp the Amps available on the 6 pin rails or the total amps if your PSU uses a single rail.  Each manufacture has its own requirements for needed voltage and amperage.

TD

[Scratchman]

An EVGA 9800GTX+ will require one 6 pin connection where as an ASUS 9800GTX+ requires two 6pin connectors.  Make sure you check your PSU output settings esp the Amps available on the 6 pin rails or the total amps if your PSU uses a single rail.  Each manufacture has its own requirements for needed voltage and amperage.

TD

Now that I didn't know. My XFX 9800GTX+ requires two 4+2 pci-e pin connectors.

[Slate]

  Good Info thanks All.