Hey guys (and gals)!I just got a new computer, and I'm having problems. When I first ran FS with it, it got about 18-20 fps at KSEA with default scenery, default weather, add-on AI, etc in the Level-D 767. But now, I'm only getting 2-3 fps at KSEA under the same conditions, but in the default Cessna! In the 767, the frames are about the same. This is with all sliders on max. Everything was maxed out when I first started flying on the new computer as well.Here are the specs of the computer:Pentium D 840 overclocked to 3.52 GHz2GB DDR2 in dual-channel modeXFX GeForce 7800 GTX overclockedSATA 250GB DeskStar driveSoundBlaster Audigy 2 X-GamerAsus P5ND2-SLI deluxeWater CooledIt's not a spyware issue (I ran a full scan in Spysweeper), and it's not a virus, because I used Mcaffee on it. Like I said, it was running great for awhile, and I didn't change anything, but one day, it just went all to ####, and I get awful framerates now. Even in a default scenery where there really isn't much (such as KJAX) the framerate goes to around 8. Before, I was getting around 30 there.All the drivers for everything are up to date as well...Thanks! - Paul

Hi Paul,Nice rig you have there! (I would have gotten AMD... hee hee... but that's just personal opinion).... :(Anyway, SOME thing's got to have changed or else you wouldn't be having this problem. I would first identify whether this is a hardware/Windows problem vs. an FS-specific problem. Specifically, try running some kind of benchmark program (like PCMark or Sandra), not so much to benchmark your entire system but to try to identify the "bottleneck". Another way is to play games like Far Cry, Half-Life 2, Doom 3 etc and see whether you're getting low FPS there. If everything checks out outside FS, then you know it's an FS problem so you can just wipe your entire FS directory and reinstall FS9. If your FPS are low in other applications, you know it's a hardware/Windows problem and the benchmark should give you some hints as to where the problem lies (motherboard? RAM? CPU? Video card? etc.)Two other things you could try: defrag your hard drive (unlikely to make a large difference but try it anyway) and reinstall your video drivers (don't just reinstall - uninstall your existing one first and then install the driver again).Hope this helps and please let us know how things go.Edwin

Hi Edwin!Thanks for the speedy reply! And I'll forgive the blasphemy of the AMD remark (Just kidding, haha). ;-)I did run some benchmark tests, namely, the demo version of 3DMark05. I also ran some other programs to check it out, and what I came up with is the following;Far Cry, all settings maxxed - Smooth as silkLock On, all settings maxxed - Smooth as silkSo I am assuming it's an FS issue. Whats weird is the famerate jumped up earlier back to around 25 at KSEA in the 767, and about 50 at KPIT...again with all settings maxxed. Hopefully, the problem resolved itself, and won't start being an idiot again. I'm still going to do what you suggested. Can't hurt to protect myself! I'll post here after I'm done doing it all!Thanks again for the uber-quick response! - Paul

Hi Paul,No problem at all. If it's an FS-specific issue, I'd suggest you reinstall FS9 to test which add-on is being the culprit. Uninstall all your add-ons and then FS9 itself. Wipe the FS9 directory. Then install FS9 again with everything in default. Check what your framerates are. And then install the FS9.1 update. Check what your framerates are. And then install each add-on in turn, checking what your framerates are after each add-on. It's a tedious process but given that you've isolated the problem to FS, you can be pretty sure you'll eventually find what's causing the problem.BTW, for the sake of testing, I would suggest you go back to stock frequencies for now. Once you've got the problem identified, you can go back to your overclock. This reduces the number of variables that could be contributing to the issue.Again, hope this helps and please keep us posted!Edwin

BTW Paul, just occurred to me: you mentioned you get up to 50FPS. Please try to lock your frame rates (i.e. do not leave it unlimited) via the Display Settings (Hardware tab, I think). No matter how high-end of a machine you have, it's best to lock your frame rates as I have heard it reduces a memory leak. Besides, if left unlocked, FS often tries to sacrifice some image quality in order to maintain the high frame rates. Locking them ensures you get the image quality that you want. I have mine locked at 40FPS.Hope this helps.Edwin

Edwin, buddy. You really went above and beyond anything I ever expected! Thank you so much for your help!!! I can't stress that enough. The hobby really does need more people like you in it!That being said, what you suggested hasn't really made a difference as of yet. Like I said, after I posted the message, the fps went back up to what they once were. I haven't tried locking my framerates yet...infact, I didn't even know you could. I thought you could only set the target framerate! As of right now, I'm averaging about 36fps with all the sliders maxed (KSEA, KLAX, etc), and thats with add-on traffic at max, etc!Thank you so much again Edwin! And I'll report back here again as soon as I lock the frames.Thanks! - Paul

Paul,Thanks so much for your kind words!Sorry, the target framerate was what I meant by "locking". If you press Shift+Z twice after setting a target framerate, you'll see the FPS with the words (locked at xx FPS) next to it. 36fps sounds about right for your system - I get similar in default airports with Ultimate Traffic at 100%. My FPS varies quite a bit though, probably because I use the 512x512 clouds that come with ActiveSky V, which are known to have a pretty big impact on framerates. I worry less about the specific fps and more simply on the overall 'feel' of the simulator. As long as it 'feels' smooth, I leave things the way they are.Hope this helps.Edwin