Nvidia or ATI to run Trainz 2010

[steve123]

Which video card do you think is the best to run Trainz Nvidia or ATI
Recently it was said in Anand forums that when benchmarks are tested on videocards it isnt a real test because the games are not complexed enough,rather than using games like crysis or mass effect why not use a game like Trainz with a very detailed map that is really going to put the videocard to the test.
your views on this

 

[RRSignal]

I haven't used ATI in years, but I'd pick nVidia for two reasons: First, because they support OpenGL as well as DirectX. I find Trainz runs better under OpenGL than DirectX, although I haven't done that much tinkering in DX. Second, Trainz (and other programs) apparently have had some issues with ATI, although I do not know if they have been patched or not.

YMMV. Some newer ATIs have certain advantages e.g. DirectX 11 support, but I don't think that affects Trainz or much else right now.

 

[Paulsw2]

The card on my new PC is an HD5870, which is meant to be a very good card, and ready for DirectX 11. I got it because there is a view that ATI have the edge right now over Nvidia for gaming cards.

However, Trainz does seem to be optimised to run with Nvidia cards and there have definately been issues for TS10 and ATI cards which I am not sure SP1 has sorted out (particularly relating to draw distance).

Paul

 

[johnwhelan]

Both ATI and nVidia support OpenGL 2 and directx 9 which are what Trainz uses today. ATI has Directx 11 today nVidia will have a directx 11 solution March 26th.

ATI cards currently are using 40 nm technology nVidia 55-65 nm but the new nVidia card due out March 26th will use 40 nm.

In general 40 means smaller so you get more cards out of the same silicon slice, lower prices or more profit, it also means faster speeds at lower voltages so less heat and less drain on the power supply.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-graphics-card,2544-7.html

No one supports OpenGL 3 and OpenGL 2 is quite an old standard. Both nVidia and ATI have propitiatory extensions to the OpenGL standard and nVidia has a program that assists companies achieve the best performance from their cards. It is almost certain that Auran makes use of this program.

There should be no major differences on the DirectX side between the two cards but the larger the sales the more resources the companies have to get the drivers right. The more mainstream your motherboard the less likely you are to have video driver and compatibility issues. So Intel and ASUS motherboards have fewer issues than Brand X ones.

Driver stability used to be an issue but is becoming far less of one today.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/future-3d-graphics,2560-7.html

I've been running ATI cards with Trainz for years without any issues. Auran Helpdesk say they see more issues with ATI cards than with nVidia but their programmers do have access to machines with both and it is tested with both.

So you pay your money and take your choice.

Cheerio John

 

[HiBaller]

I just bought a PNY NVIDIA GT220 w/1Gb of RAM that seems to run 2010 just fine.

Bill

 

[IsambardKingdomBrunel]

Nvidia of course........."The Way It`s Meant To Be Played".

 

[Baureihe41]

I run the ATI 5750 and am very content with its performance.

 

[xinrobbie]

Although perhaps not relevant to Trainz (although I stand to be corrected)

Nvidia is the better choice in video cards these days given that Nvidia won the Ageia PhysX battle, which does add a significant edge with certain PhysX enable games.

I used ATI for many years, still run an ATI card on one of my machines, but also run a new Nvidia card and can safely say that I prefer it.

I have run into far less problems as far as patch requirements are concerned with Nvidia too so their marketing statement really seems to be true.

"The Way It's Meant To Be Played"

I know in Rail Works for example, PhysX is supported, Trainz I don't think so but I may be wrong.

 

[Baureihe41]

Although perhaps not relevant to Trainz (although I stand to be corrected)

Nvidia is the better choice in video cards these days given that Nvidia won the Ageia PhysX battle, which does add a significant edge with certain PhysX enable games.

I used ATI for many years, still run an ATI card on one of my machines, but also run a new Nvidia card and can safely say that I prefer it.

I have run into far less problems as far as patch requirements are concerned with Nvidia too so their marketing statement really seems to be true.

"The Way It's Meant To Be Played"

I know in Rail Works for example, PhysX is supported, Trainz I don't think so but I may be wrong.

What if you don't play PhysX enabled games? Why would Nvidia be a better choice? Doesn't it just come down to personal preferences? Half the times I read a review about graphics cards I have no clue what they are talking about anyway ... not to mention that lots of the differences in "performance" of two cards within the same prize slot is minimal and, for me, not noticeable.

I look forward to your reasoned opinion ( by using vast numbers of test results ) why these days Nvidia is the better choice.

 

[saintjimmy]

nVidia really isn't the better choice. But then again, neither is ATI. It all depends on what one's needs are in a graphics card. If you have games that support Phys-X or you love running games in 3D, then your choice will probably be nVidia. But if you have games that run better on ATI cards or you want an easy HDMI connection with full 7.1 audio and bitstreaming, then ATI should be your choice. I know personally, I prefer ATI cards, and still plan on getting an ATI Radeon HD 5870 (or 5890 if one is released). I have had no problems with Trainz and ATI cards or nVidia cards. No complaints from this mainly-ATI user.