Video Card Update

[Rose]

Okay, so I've had this nVidia GeForce 6800 card (is that a good card?) for a year now ... bought it with the computer (Dell XPS Gen. 5 :p). I just went on the website and updated my graphics driver with the latest Forceware update. Can someone please tell me WHAT a forceware update does? Does it improve graphics quality, etc.? Thanks :D.

[jumpy]

As I understand it the 'forceware' drivers are updated to fix small bugs and compatibility issues that occur with new programs/software/games etc. Example of this is the antialiasing sunbloom/corona effect in SHIII - you could either have AA, or sunbloom, not both; nvidia cards could not support this particular game graphic until a later video driver was released to correct it.

I have a 6800gt and have no intention of upgrading for another year or two. One thing to bear in mind is removing your old driver completely before installing the new ones, using a program like driver cleaner (google it) to clean any remenants left behind in the registry by the standard uninstall driver action. Sometimes there are issues if you do not completely remove all of the previous forceware version before you try to install the new one.

I'm sure that's roughtly how it works, if not then somebody else will be around here to put you straight ;)

[Skybird]

Since we are at it: what nVidia card today would roughly compare both in price and performance to what the FX5900XT has been in it's own days? I think about eventually updating my card, I plan to buy FSX at the end of the year (I am still with an addon-heavy version of FS2002), and maybe Oblivion, since I am hooked on wide landscapes and total freedom of action. I have to take into account that both games will not run well with my old 5900XT. However, very good card if taken for itself, good performance, not expensive, and ultra-silent.