Video card--small bump on a budget?

[stevekirks]

All:

I'm currently using an Nvidia GT640 1GB GDDR5 card with great results. I consistently get 30+FPS with the FlyJSim 732 using default X-Plane mesh and MisterX6 airports. I do have several of the details turned down, but flying an airliner doesn't require VFR-quality roads and mesh. I've been wanting to add in more details so I was considering an upgrade to a new card with an artificial price limit of $100 shipped.

The GT640 is unique because it's Kepler architecture (DX11, low power, plenty of basic horsepower) but with 1GB of VRAM, I run out pretty quickly. The machine I have is a Dell Optiplex 960 that I remarkably bought for less that $300 with 8GB of RAM, Core2 Quad 2.66GHz and the Intel Q45 Express chipset that runs the PCI bus.

Assuming that I go with a now cheap GTX 750Ti, I would get more processing and more VRAM, but it looks like with the PCI Express 1.1 chipset, I'm guessing that I will not be able to move enough data through the card to see a difference.

Anyone have this class of computer that might be able to shed some light on this?

Note: Of course I should upgrade the PC, RAM, motherboard, etc. Money goes to flight lessons first before the sim PC, so therefore the money restrictions for upgrades.

Steve

[Pieces]

Initial thought is that saving up and upgrading CPU/Motherboard will be better. Not sure you'll get much from a video card upgrade when the CPU is still a Core2.

[wmburns]

I'm currently running an ASUS 750Ti with 2 gigs video card now and get good results. Very usable frame rates 30-60 FPS.

However my mother board is an i5 Haswell Z87 class. Which is significantly more horse power than a Dell Optiplex 760.

Note, I have a Linux test system running on an very old C2D MB mated to a GTX 610 card. Many settings turned way down but it runs at good frame rates. My point being is that X-Plane can be run on very modest hardware if willing to sacrifice external visuals.

My guess is that the 750 and 640 are close in HP. However the extra VRAM will make a difference in your set up. To me it makes the most sense if your goal is to save $$'s and don't mind making a near lateral move in the interest of saving $$'s. I have done this sort of trade off many times.

What I'm finding amazing is that the power supply in the Optiplex 760 is large enough to run either of these video cards. You must have the tower version as I can't see the desktop or small form factor unit having a large enough power supply.

Note, I have been considering a video card upgrade. If you would like to discuss a "deal", let me know. I may still have the original box. Will need to check. This may be an chance for you to improve the $100 budget figure.

[stevekirks]

I'm currently running an ASUS 750Ti with 2 gigs video card now and get good results. Very usable frame rates 30-60 FPS.

However my mother board is an i5 Haswell Z87 class. Which is significantly more horse power than a Dell Optiplex 760.

Note, I have a Linux test system running on an very old C2D MB mated to a GTX 610 card. Many settings turned way down but it runs at good frame rates. My point being is that X-Plane can be run on very modest hardware if willing to sacrifice external visuals.

My guess is that the 750 and 640 are close in HP. However the extra VRAM will make a difference in your set up. To me it makes the most sense if your goal is to save $$'s and don't mind making a near lateral move in the interest of saving $$'s. I have done this sort of trade off many times.

What I'm finding amazing is that the power supply in the Optiplex 760 is large enough to run either of these video cards. You must have the tower version as I can't see the desktop or small form factor unit having a large enough power supply.

Note, I have been considering a video card upgrade. If you would like to discuss a "deal", let me know. I may still have the original box. Will need to check. This may be an chance for you to improve the $100 budget figure.

Note: It's a 960 not 760 and it's a Mini Tower. I picked the GT640 due to the low power/high performance ratio.

Everyone: Your advice to save the money for the board is what will make the most sense and matches my gut instinct. I tend to buy a generation back on purpose so I'll start my research with that next.

[stealthbob]

Matching spec levels of your CPU/Mobo/GPU is important, doing otherwise bottlenecks are sure to happen and negate the whole intent.