The FSX move

[Peppermint]

Decided I wouldn't be reformatting my computer this time, far too much to re-install again and half of the things I have for FS9 are no longer on avsim. So seeing as FS9 has decided to be a lemon on me, I'm going to move on to FSX. Though everytime I've tried, after installing 1 or 2 addons the FPS drops to unplayable levels.

Getting the techie stuff out of the way, on this machine I've got E8500 3.10ghz dual core, GTX280, 8gb ram, vista 64bit.

The last time I tried FSX was about a year ago, I'm hoping that there's some up-to-date .cfg changes I can do once I've installed it. I'll be going the full way, FSX + Acceleration. The last time I read a guide on cfg changes for FSX, I remember seeing at least half of the changes that should be made, wasn't even in the .cfg file its self which really got me stuck.

Anyway, what are some of the 'must do' changes and 'must have' addons in terms of getting FPS up there?


On FS9 I was mainly using it for FSpassengers, flying the jetliners. FSX I'm going to go back to what I started doing in FS, flying the warbirds, bush flying etc etc. Small planes.

[Naki]

FSX is great for warbirds, bushplanes etc...I wouldnt like to try running a PMDG type add on into JFK in RW weather and heaps of AI and autogen in FSX unless I had a Cray Super computer!

The best guide IMO (and most up to date) for FSX tweaks is here:

http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=29041

[ZK-MAT]

Having just gone down this track (although my PC is somewhat lesser than your - 2.6AMD (=2.1ghz actual) and 2 gig Ram) I have my system running smoothly at 20FPS. Last night on the multiplayer serer with 4 other pilots it was smooth for me over Auckland. From what I have read and experienced, FSX is less responsive to cfg changes, especially since SP2. I changed some values in my cfg and it made things worse. It's better to change it on the main settings pages in the GUI.

I have autogen and other special scenery settings (on the right of the main settings slider page) in the middle (normal) area, with the sliders on the left side of the page (terrain complexity etc) at higher or max settings. I have water set as low and don't have ai cars, ships etc. It probably helps that I don't fly alone so never use AI planes either.

Here's a link I found helpful.

I have Real NZ TG and WN installed, and they do slow things down. I may not have the eye candy but keeping the settings lower makes for a good experience, so far....

[Peppermint]

I'd say once POSKY bring out their new 767 and CRJ-900 I'll end up reformatting and putting FS9 back on, but until then it'll be FSX. Will look into the tips on those links.

[tdale]

Re ZKMAT's link it is a little dated, but the FSX settings info is very useful.

With SP2 Acceleration, quad cores are best, SP2 enables multi core support

NickN also says NO to RAID

[Ian Warren]

Only thing i can add is that its the next most expensive hobbie after real world flying keeping it up , .. drrrr what the hell am i doing here !

[Zöltuger]

QUOTE (Peppermint @ Jan 12 2010, 02:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Getting the techie stuff out of the way, on this machine I've got E8500 3.10ghz dual core, GTX280, 8gb ram, vista 64bit.

Unplayable FSX with those specs? Hmmm, you must be doing something wrong along the way. That's a very good machine, better than mine and I have no problems whatsoever.

My thoughts:
1. Settings: start with this: http://www.nzone.com/object/nzone_fsx_techtips.html and tweak from there (use the 8800 settings).
2. Don't tweak the cfg straight away - wait till you have everything set up nicely first. On your PC, you shouldn't need cfg changes.
3. get FSX addons. FS9 addons aren't optimised to run in X and really drag things down. Most vendors (even POSKY) put out FSX optimised aircraft.
4. Defragment
5. Run fullscreen (stop me if I start stating the obvious here)

[towerguy]

theres a good set of articles in PC Pilot magazine - available in whitcoulls - covering optimizing , both for fs9 and FSX
rgds