Graphics card query

[pfx]

Hi folks.

I'm currently considering upgrading my graphics card from the in-built motherboard capability which is passable, just, to either a GeForce GT 220 or GT 240. I am interested to know if anyone has the same card and if it runs, glitch free on Trainz 2009?

Muchos thankos in advance.

 

[fran1]

It'd not just your graphics card, you may upgrade that and the cpu may be to slow for that. I bought better graphics cards not thinking that the cpu was the main problem. Then you need RAM min 4gig.
Overall it's about getting a good balance between CPU, graphics+ RAM.

Post your full system specs and you'll get some ideas.

 

[meatloaf747]

Hi folks. I'm currently considering upgrading my graphics card from the in-built motherboard capability which is passable, just, to either a GeForce GT 220 or GT 240. I am interested to know if anyone has the same card and if it runs, glitch free on Trainz 2009? Muchos thankos in advance.

I have two PC's with Trainz loaded. One has a Nvidia's GTX 280 & the other one has a GT 240 video card. I'm really happy with the GTX 280 and are able to have all the Trainz settings "maxed out".

Re; the GT240 PC. - Because I have some really large detailed routes/layouts, I have to leave the setting in TRS2006 & TS2009 to Auran's "default video settings" to avoid any jerking when coming to very large detail area's.
Forget the GT220, unless your budget is really tight. If you can afford to stretch your budget, go up to the GTX 260 (or the GTX 275)...

The GT 240 isn't a big card & doesn't require it's own 6 pin (or 8 pin power connectors). The 260/275/285/295 are very big cards and do require their own 6 & 8 pin power connectors. So check first, that you power supply is up to scratch and that your case has the room to fit the video card if you are going for any of the higher end 2xx series.
If you can't stretch your budget, then settle for the GT 240. It's a reasonably good card. It's the same old story, you get what you pay for. In my case, I wish I had stretched my budget out more on the 2nd card...

I'm waiting for Nvidia's next generation cards (Direct X 11 capable) to replace the GT 240. Next step up from the 2XX series. Hopefully it's only a few months before they are available Downunder (NZ). Hope this helps.
Cheers, Mac...

 

[SuperFudd]

I am VERY happy with my 1G GT220 (system specs below). It uses very little wattage because it has a newer technology than the others. If I had gone with another card it would have been the 260 but, because of the older technology, it would use more wattage (run hotter) and would be allot bigger, as well as more expensive. I don't think my GT220 even has a fan.
If you don't have at least a 400 watt supply, go with a 1G GT220.

 

[pfx]

Thanks guys. Very helpful indeed. Difficult to know where to go when compromising between cost and performance. The budget is pretty tight though. Most unfortunate.

I was surprised that TS09 ran at all with only the in-built graphics card but I took the chance. Everything else is pretty much up to the job, AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual core 5200 CPU with 4Gb RAM and of course, plenty of disk space. The PC case and power supply aren't an issue. I was thinking ahead when I had the system built so there's room for expansion. I'll just need to find somewhere else to keep my cornflakes when I upgrade.

Thanks again.

 

[AussieNightcrawler]

The biggest limiting factor is budget, worse luck.

Anyway, if you go a GTX220 or GTX240, just be careful of what one you get, why is because the GTX220 is a nice card performing card on a tight budget, but with the tight performance too. On the other hand the GTX240 is only slightly more costly (about $40 - $45 AU) but will easily out perform it, double it even, especially if you get the model with the GDDR5 memory.

But of course do what is in your budget.

 

[SuperFudd]

Keep in mind that a more capable card will not be if the rest of the PC can't keep up with it.
What is thw wattage of your power supply?

 

[pfx]

The biggest limiting factor is budget, worse luck.

Anyway, if you go a GTX220 or GTX240, just be careful of what one you get, why is because the GTX220 is a nice card performing card on a tight budget, but with the tight performance too. On the other hand the GTX240 is only slightly more costly (about $40 - $45 AU) but will easily out perform it, double it even, especially if you get the model with the GDDR5 memory.

But of course do what is in your budget.

Thanks.

Budget constraints are a pain alright but as Trainz runs almost acceptably on my in-built card (which isn't great) I'm going to plump for the GT 220 with 1024Mb memory. It should take me light years beyond whereI am right now. IT costs much be much lower in Aus. Cheapest I can get a 220 is for 51 quid! The 240 is 70! Stink.

SuperFudd, the power supply can easily cope. For once I was using my loaf and thinking ahead a bit.

Thanks again.

 

[RRSignal]

If I'm right that works out to about $80 USD but nVidia is supposed to be releasing new stuff in just a few weeks, about mid-March or so. If you can wait a bit, you might be able to pick up a GTX 250 for about the same price you are looking at now, or at least spend a little less. Here in the U.S., the 240 is hovering around USD$110, and the 250 around USD$155. The 250 looks really nice!

Just a thought.