Moving from an ATi to an NVidia GPU ...

[rohan]

I've started a process in which my two desktop PCs will be rebuilt / reconfigured as a result of the beginnings of a failure of the main PC's motherboard. The current and target environments need to support the following software -

- FSX acceleration (boxed and / or Steam) DX9 and / or DX10 under Win7Pro.
- RW / TS under Win7Pro.
- FS9, CFS2 and MSTS under WinXP.
- Steam games ETS2 and X3TC / AP under either Win7Pro or WinXP.
- RoF and Open Rails under either Win7Pro or WinXP.

My current GPU is an ATi 7850 OC but for a variety of reasons I want to move over to an NVidia GPU. I've been looking at what drivers are currently available for what GTX cards, and that's why I need some expert advice, though perhaps just some opinions as food for thought.

For the Win7Pro system, I'm going to splash out on a GTX 980Ti, which in itself is no cause for concern for me (though my wallet is getting a bit twitchy). However, I have two choices for the WinXP environment - I can either retain a dual boot system running both systems on the new motherboard, CPU and 980Ti, or I can beef up the second PC and make that exclusively WinXP. The problem is what would I do for a WinXP driver for the 980Ti ?

I found a WinXP driver at version 347.88 over at Guru3D, but that is quoted as supporting a 980 (not a 980Ti specifically, possibly because that driver was released before the cards were). As such, are there any risks attached to using this driver and a 980Ti card ? The other possible issue here is that the release notes for 347.88 DON'T mention WinXP even though Guru3D have that WinXP driver available, but I'm not familiar enough with NVidia to know whether they are likely to have made a simple admin error over this. Then again, is it possible that Guru3D simply forgot to take a copy of the 347.88 WinXP release notes if such a thing existed ?

Over on the NVidia site, the only WinXP drivers available (version 355.60) support either 700 series or 960 GPUs. It seems that only 750Ti and 960 cards are currently available. Although there are 4 Gb versions of the 750Ti, I would imagine that 2 Gb would be sufficient for what I want to run under WinXP. Then again, I imagine that the 960 would run rings around the 750Ti, as well as being more up to date in every way.

So, unless there's another internet archive holding older WinXP drivers somewhere, it looks as if the very latest driver I could use would be 347.88, which may or may not support the 980Ti, and I'll never be able to upgrade that driver. The same situation would pertain even if I downsized my ambition to a 980 instead of a 980Ti.

On the other hand, if I invest in a second card for the second PC (either a 750Ti or a 960), then I can get WinXP driver upgrades, at least in the short term.

If anybody can see any flaws in my logic above, I'd appreciate their input ! Or if I've missed any aspects of a GPU move that you think I should have considered, I'd certainly like to know.

Thanks in advance for any input,
regs,
Ro

[rohan]

Really appreciate all the helpful advice given here. It's certainly helped me to know what I'll be doing in the future ...

[DaveB]

I've been at work Ro and have only just seen this thread. I doubt I can be of much help though as I'm still chugging along with a 560Ti on both my WinXP rig and this one (Win7 Ultimate).

Does Nvidia differentiate between Ti and non-Ti cards Can't remember as it's been so long since I've changed mine. I'm of the opinion that once a card gets to a certain age.. new drivers mean little.. especially as I only fly FSX exclusively on this rig and a mixture of FS9/FSX on the WinXP rig. Later drivers seem to address later games.. none of which I have so why bother!

Someone with a 980Ti may pipe in but is there anyone outside you, me and GeorgeD still using WinXP
ATB
DaveB

[Airspeed]

I wasn't ignoring you, Rohan,
It's just that those questions are way too advanced for me.
I honestly have enough trouble just keeping my Nvidia driver up to date.
I've had updates that refused to install, and others that caused display problems when they did install.
(admittedly, not so much in the past 12 months)
Like Dave, I'll be plodding along until something breaks.
I have software and hardware stored outside because I can't get it to talk to my current system.
Good luck with some techy responses.

[GHD]

I am using 355.98 with a GTX 570 (2GB) on my XP system.

I have GeForce Experience installed which prompts when a new driver is available.

[dfarrow]

Dave , 'fraid i'm still on Win XP . Don't have time or brain cells to do a type rating on a new system ...'' if it ain't bust don't fix it '' syndrome . XP seems to do wot it says on the packet .

rgds dave f .

[GHD]

The main problem with XP is that it can't run P3D.

[petermcleland]

The main problem with XP is that it can't run P3D.

Depends on which version of P3D you are running.

[dfarrow]

George , being Naarfick , I'm still on fs04 , but with heaps of add-ons ! Thinking of FSX as this winters project , 'tho a bit flummoxed by the variety of models . Reading this forums other posts , am I right in thinking the '' gold '' is the latest model and contains all the updates ?
P3D is even more confusing . Is it correct that I have to train on it ? And am not able use it for entertainment ? Or is '' train '' the work around the agreement ?
Re another post , I'm certainly of the '' tennis player scratches butt '' era of students . so , I guess thats the $200 version and not the $59 one ? It may have to wait until 'pooter is upgraded / worn out and one with a more modern os is purchased .

rgds dave f .

[GHD]

The main problem with XP is that it can't run P3D.

Depends on which version of P3D you are running.

V2 or V3