24.03.2010, 13:20
Actually, I agree with almost everything that you are conveying, bacially the facts based ones, in the last post by you. The only exception that I take ( maybe a clarification ) is how a user manages settings. This will effect stuttering in the broader scope of RAM. Obvious to you and I is the fact that the RAM challenged system begs to have the user go to performance based settings.
Also, about the cost of the ATI and NVIDIA cards, I will really put this into clear perspective:
The first point here is that the big hassles of dealing with the anomalies of late model ATI cards and drivers make the price savings over NVIDIA to actually be not worth it for many ATI users. Granted, this is a bit easier for the ones who will only be using ATI for IL-2 (unlikely once Storm of War is released), but the ones who will be using ATI for both IL-2 and other games will have a gigantic problem on their hands. This makes the price savings seem to be not worth it for many ATI buyers.
Secondly, NVIDIA users have it much easier with late model NVIDIA cards over ATI anomalies in IL-2. For many, the price is worth not having the headaches and being able to really enjoy the whole thing. The down side is that current NVIDIA cards are not the DirectX 11 that Storm of War will require. However, wait a couple months and the new NVIDIA cards with DirectX 11 will be released.
Third major technical category is the fact that NVIDIA can use the nice nHancer program which boosts image quality, performance, and makes smooth frames possible at higher settings. Granted, this is only for the ambitious one who likes tech stuff. However, the nHancer is free and makes NVIDIA cards perform at levels often competitive with ATI cards, while allowing the NVIDIA user to feel good about his purchase and avoiding ATI anomalies in IL-2.
In the broader picture of things, the average IL-2 user who is only interested in spending a little time on graphics card and related issues will probably be %#@*! off once they hit the anomalies issue with ATI late model cards and drivers.
Please keep in mind that I am essentially recommending ATI or NVIDIA depending on the skills and wishes of the looker:
On the other hand, a guy who likes challenges and learning about the technical issues while he tackles the problems, then any late model card from ATI or NVIDIA will do. The ambitious guy should get an ATI late model card-I recommend, of course with DirectX 11, but keep in mind that there are two ways to solve the anomalies with these cards. One is to use an older driver for IL-2, but this could mess with the rendering of other games both now and in the future. The other is to dig into the dll files, which is also risky in regard to other games. How to do this is covered at the other end of a link in my ATI Enhancements, Trouble-shooting subtopic in the PC Tech Help Sticky at the top of the Forum ( for the benefit of AKA_Mountain and other readers ).
In this sense, the ATI buyer who uses it for IL-2 and other games is getting ripped off big time! See my point? The guy who will only use the ATI card for IL-2 is less "ripped off" and has fewer hassles, but he still must fix the driver anomalie issue.
The absolute best advice that I can offer is to wait a couple months for the newer ATI cards, updated ATI drivers, NVIDIA next line-which is DirectX 11, and if a guy can wait about six months, buy Storm of War and then decide on his graphics card purchase. Yes, I understand that this is asking a lot for the true IL-2 lover who wants everthing NOW (!), but wisdom is calling, too. Of course, the rich guy who can throw the hundreds or thousands of dollars here and there, well frankly, he can do want he wants.
Buyers are supposed to get the value of what they paid, but with ATI late model cards as far as IL-2 is concerned, it's a travesty of "Let the buyer beware".
Nice, civil conversation, and very useful to the readers, Axial-thank you.
Also, about the cost of the ATI and NVIDIA cards, I will really put this into clear perspective:
The first point here is that the big hassles of dealing with the anomalies of late model ATI cards and drivers make the price savings over NVIDIA to actually be not worth it for many ATI users. Granted, this is a bit easier for the ones who will only be using ATI for IL-2 (unlikely once Storm of War is released), but the ones who will be using ATI for both IL-2 and other games will have a gigantic problem on their hands. This makes the price savings seem to be not worth it for many ATI buyers.
Secondly, NVIDIA users have it much easier with late model NVIDIA cards over ATI anomalies in IL-2. For many, the price is worth not having the headaches and being able to really enjoy the whole thing. The down side is that current NVIDIA cards are not the DirectX 11 that Storm of War will require. However, wait a couple months and the new NVIDIA cards with DirectX 11 will be released.
Third major technical category is the fact that NVIDIA can use the nice nHancer program which boosts image quality, performance, and makes smooth frames possible at higher settings. Granted, this is only for the ambitious one who likes tech stuff. However, the nHancer is free and makes NVIDIA cards perform at levels often competitive with ATI cards, while allowing the NVIDIA user to feel good about his purchase and avoiding ATI anomalies in IL-2.
In the broader picture of things, the average IL-2 user who is only interested in spending a little time on graphics card and related issues will probably be %#@*! off once they hit the anomalies issue with ATI late model cards and drivers.
Please keep in mind that I am essentially recommending ATI or NVIDIA depending on the skills and wishes of the looker:
On the other hand, a guy who likes challenges and learning about the technical issues while he tackles the problems, then any late model card from ATI or NVIDIA will do. The ambitious guy should get an ATI late model card-I recommend, of course with DirectX 11, but keep in mind that there are two ways to solve the anomalies with these cards. One is to use an older driver for IL-2, but this could mess with the rendering of other games both now and in the future. The other is to dig into the dll files, which is also risky in regard to other games. How to do this is covered at the other end of a link in my ATI Enhancements, Trouble-shooting subtopic in the PC Tech Help Sticky at the top of the Forum ( for the benefit of AKA_Mountain and other readers ).
In this sense, the ATI buyer who uses it for IL-2 and other games is getting ripped off big time! See my point? The guy who will only use the ATI card for IL-2 is less "ripped off" and has fewer hassles, but he still must fix the driver anomalie issue.
The absolute best advice that I can offer is to wait a couple months for the newer ATI cards, updated ATI drivers, NVIDIA next line-which is DirectX 11, and if a guy can wait about six months, buy Storm of War and then decide on his graphics card purchase. Yes, I understand that this is asking a lot for the true IL-2 lover who wants everthing NOW (!), but wisdom is calling, too. Of course, the rich guy who can throw the hundreds or thousands of dollars here and there, well frankly, he can do want he wants.
Buyers are supposed to get the value of what they paid, but with ATI late model cards as far as IL-2 is concerned, it's a travesty of "Let the buyer beware".
Nice, civil conversation, and very useful to the readers, Axial-thank you.