**I'm not an expert. What works on my system doesn't mean it works on others**IntroWe all know that fsx is CPU dependent, but how much do the other items in a computer affect the fps. I attempt to find out. I know that frame rates don't tell the whole story, but it's hard to measure qualitative items, but I will attempt to try as well.How the tests are runFor these benchmarks I'm more interested in the low-end performance than top end, such as big cities and clouds. By running fsxmark07 and looking at the results I found that the low end numbers are during the first half of the test. So I only run fsxmark07 for 2.5 min instead of 5 min. For clouds I tried different cloud settings and found that fog had the lowest fps. Each series of tests starts off with a trial run then the next 3 runs are recorded and the average of the three runs are shown here. I figured this would give a better result as I've found some variation between same tests.All OS tray items were shut down such as skype, anti-virus, etc.System SetupMotherboard: ASRock P43Twins1600 (P43 chipset, supports DDR2 & DDR3)CPU: E8400 @ 3.6GHz (can run DDR2 @ 1066 & DDR3 @ 1333)PSU: Antec 550WGPU: XFX 8800 UltraHard Drive: 500GB WD SATA II (OS) / 160GB SATA II Samsung (FSX)OS: Vista32 SP1 (not a fresh install)FSX SP2Addons: GEX, UTX, SceneryTech NA Landclass, and a bunch of planesnHancer setup: http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_p ... 769#156769Test 1: Battle of the DDRs (2GB DDR3 vs 4GB DDR2)I am going to upgrade my ram from 4GB DDR2 800. The price difference between 4GB DDR2 and 2GB DDR3 was very close together so I bought and tested them out here. The contenders:* 2GB DDR3 1333 OCZ Reaper 6-6-6-18* 4GB DDR2 1066 Corsair 5-5-5-15I used the 16xS in nHancer as it had less blurries than the 8xS setting. Results:http://www.iwilliams.org/fs/bench/DDR2vsDDR3.JPGhttp://www.iwilliams.org/fs/bench/DDR2vsDDR3-2.JPGConclusionIn the default run the DDRs are close together, but in the clouds the DDR2 is the clear winner. So in this case more RAM is better than faster. Also, when I fly I often have a browser open which would also use some ram. Qualitatively I didn't notice any difference between the two.Up NextTest2: Battle of 8xS vs 16xS (nHancer)-Kevin

I take it the y axis is frames per second (fps)and the x-axis is linear time? hours? years?allen

my bad. The X is time in seconds. 0 to 150 (2.5 min). The Y is FPS. I'll go change that.Edit: I just fixed the graphics.

Would not one expect better performance from more RAM especially in Vista? and that is 32 not 64? Vista 64 is better for system memory management.To make your conclusion stick, you need to compare it to 4G DDR3which might after all be faster than 4G DDR2

yep, no argument there. I'm sure that if I did have 4gb of DDR3 CL6 or 7 then the DDR3 would win. The test I was running here was based on cost, which was around $60 for each. So if someone asks you what's better (at least on vista) we now know the DDR2 option is the way to go. If I had xp and set it up as Nick N has outlined then it may be different story.

I forgot, but here are the settings used:http://www.iwilliams.org/fs/bench/setup1.jpghttp://www.iwilliams.org/fs/bench/setup2.jpghttp://www.iwilliams.org/fs/bench/setup3.jpghttp://www.iwilliams.org/fs/bench/setup4.jpghttp://www.iwilliams.org/fs/bench/setup5.jpghttp://www.iwilliams.org/fs/bench/setup6.jpg-Kevin

Your tests are flawed.. first and foremost the memory timing and speed you are using are not going to show much of any difference, and, your tests rely on the frame counter which can not in any way shape of form relay correct data about perf in FSXI have demo'd a very long time ago the difference between DDR2 and DDR3 speed on the correct timing and settingsThe only thing that was changed in the tests I ran were memory speed and memory timing... everything else was exactly the samehttp://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho..._id=37210&page====================================Quote:I would probably pay more attention to those +3% to +5% TRUE average increases in benchmark frame rates in conjunction with the lower timing, lower latency memory products

Just to add my 2 cents here: I'm another RAM fan. I eventually (pretty much) followed Nick's advice on RAM. It took quite a long time and I don't pretend to know what any of this stuff is actually doing electronically but - rather to my surprise, I must admit - setting up the DDR3 properly did actually make a difference to the way my kit handles FSX. It's a subtle difference and it does not (in my case) increase PEAK framerates; but although it is difficult to measure, it does seem to improve AVERAGE framerates. But whether or not it's measurable in FPS terms, the overall effect is to add a little snappiness to texture loading and, above all, enhance the general fluidity and smoothness of FSX. In case anyone wants to know my points of reference: I've now got a Rampage Extreme with 4Gb of Corsair DDR3-1600 RAM running at the rated speed with 1.8 vDIMM and 1.55vNB on a 480MHz FSB with a 3:5 divider (available off the 200MHz strap), set at 7-7-7-20 at the 1N command rate with performance level 7, tRFC at 90 and tREF at 16383T. Everest reports latencies of between 46.7 and 47.3ns, read speed >11,000MB/s and write & copy each >10,000MB/s. With the default settings, the latencies were (as I recall) >70ns and the read write & copy speeds about 20-30% slower.Tim

Thanks for your responses! The i7 sounds promising, you'll have to tell us how it runs when you get it Nick!I am aware, as Nick pointed out, that fsx isn't all about fps but qualitative measurements are hard to measure especially to the untrained eye, such as me. For example I find it hard to tell the difference between scenery snaps but can defiantly tell the difference in blurries.I know that I have a pretty inexpensive system (~$600). I'm using a cheapo ASRock P43 motherboard (~$60) that uses jumpers for setting the CPU strap for memory. I set the jumper for the 1600 FSB (I imagine the 400 strap?). I did make sure that the timings were stock in the mobo. For overclocking the FSB was set at 400. I don't have too much experience in configuring a system or fsx and have zero experience in overclocking RAM, and only limited experience in overclocking a CPU. I will learn how to set the DDR3 Ram to 5-5-5-20 trd 6 and run it again. So if you have any pointers let me know.Thanks again for your comments guys! Keep it up.p.s. Nick, just curious, how much did you spend on your system?

>In case anyone wants to know my points of reference: I've now>got a Rampage Extreme with 4Gb of Corsair DDR3-1600 RAM>running at the rated speed with 1.8 vDIMM and 1.55vNB on a>480MHz FSB with a 3:5 divider (available off the 200MHz>strap), set at 7-7-7-20 at the 1N command rate with>performance level 7, tRFC at 90 and tREF at 16383T. Tim,What is the part number on the DDR3-1600 Corsair RAM you are using?

To NickN or the AVSIM moderator. The links in NickN's post don't work. Could you relink or post new jpg's. My next system is going to use DDR3 and I would really like to see the above results.Also, to NickN, corsair 4G DDR2-1066 dominator costs $78. The 4G DDR3-1600 is $400. In terms of, FSX flying, is there really a 320 dollar return on investemt? What if you unraided your MB and bought a $240 dollar raptor instead. Would that be money better spent?The budget is limited but the wants arn't. My goal isn't the most expensive or fastest but I'd like my FSX experience to be the best I can afford. It is always interesting reading what you guys say about cutting edge. Thanks for the info!

The part number is TWIN3X4096-1600C7DHX.Tim

>The part number is TWIN3X4096-1600C7DHX.>>TimThanks for the info Tim. I

I dont doubt itOCZ sticks are micron and those chips are not stable in high DDR3 clocking which is why I only recommend Corsair which is Samsung chips or Mushkin You will probably need to work NB voltage, GTL and SKEW to get OCZ sticks stableMuskin is another good DDR3 1600 product.. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820146777you can run 1600 7-7-7 1T CMD and TRD 6 on those babys without any special tweaks

Links work hereThe images in the other thread are gone because of the time limit on this forum for image postinghttp://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...37210&mode=fullI use BOTH the 300 dollar Vrap (2 of them and a 350 dollar RAID card) AND the DDR3 1800-2100 memorywould not fly without itbut with i7 coming I suggest if you wish to throw down the cash, plan on going with that system instead... and I would wait till after the 1st of the year to do it in order to give support products time to catch up to the i7 release