Due to my desire to have all the goodies in FSX, I blew alot of money on a new computer. Pentium D 3.4 dual core, 2Gigs of RAM an an ATI X550 video card and I am getting abysmal frame rates, usually between 7 and 10 FPS. This is with the default settings. For weeks I've culled everything I can on this and other forums, printed out endless settings from people who are getting over 20 fps. Nothing I try seems to work. I surrender! I really need some advice, since I must be doing something wrong. For example, after installing MY Traffice, I got a wopping 4 fps. I uninstalled it. I've been flight simming since my c-64 days and am not a complete techno idiot, but I really need some concrete advice. I must have overlooked something.

Your cpu should be fine not to sure of the video cards power. Just let FSX set its default settings then you can work from there.Try this page then follow the tweak links from there and see what you can find good luckhttp://www.fox-fam.com/wordpress/?page_id=41Others will also have tips to help you.:)

I have the same processor but the problem for you appears to be the video card. The x550 is one of those all-in-wonder ati types and it has low memory (128 meg). I'm guessing your pc is a HP or Compaq? Is the video on-board or is it actually a seperate card? If it is on board do you have an open PCI x16 slot? If you have the X16 slot, I would recommend repacing the x550 with a 512 meg or better card from nvidia or ati. FSx is a video hog compared to FS9 and you will need the memory for texture rendering. I've just gotten back into flight simming again. Fsx has been a disappointment in the FPS department and despite all the tweaking, I can't get above 12 FPS sitting on the ground at KLAX, but I can get 30fps + on the runway at Lake Tahoe. Hope this helps. (miss the days of playing F-19 on my Commodore 128) Will