HiI searched the forum for "UTX" and "Ultimate Terrain X" because I don't want to post redundant questions, but for UTX it didn't return anything and for the whole description it returned some error, so I decided to ask.I am about to purchase UTX USA from Flight1, now I read the demo PDF and all the info they had.My question is; would this drop performance? I have a lowly system; Q6600 @2.4Ghz, 4GB DDR2 800 RAM, and dual 8800GT 512 video cards, running Vista Pro 64. FSX runs under desktop reso, 1440x900, with all video settings on highest, except Autogen is at Normal, plus all the cars, boat etc traffic is set to around 15%. I don't look at FPS numbers, it runs smooth enough for me. The problem - if we can call it that -, is that if I go Dense with the Autogen I have crackling sound and the sound even cuts off for 20-30 seconds at a time. I tweaked the PC following the advice of Nick posted on Simforums and it helped a lot, especially the JOBSCHEDULE entry got rid of the microstutters for good. Now, I'd like to know before I drop $40, that given my system and its settings, should I even consider getting UTX (and in the future I'm planning on getting GEX as well) and other scenery add-ons, or would be just too much hassle to start tweaking again if these add-ons happen to bomb the system performance wise?Thank you all

I believe that both UTX and GEX are essential addons that greatly enhance the appearance and enjoyment of FSX. As regards UTX's framerate hit, I haven't seen anything significant EXCEPT for road traffic...UTX will add a lot more car and truck traffic on the roads, and this WILL affect framerates. However, you can configure this easily to minimize or avoid this impact simply by either eliminating road traffic altogether or lowering the road traffic slider within FSX itself.

the road traffic does hurt frame rates a little but the killer is the night lighting i think. i do not use the night lighting because my system does slow down too much for my liking when i use it and i have a stronger CPU then you do. i also keep my road traffic to 14 % and i think that works well. i do agree that UTX makes a huge difference for the look of FSX. Flight1 gives you a 30 day no questions asked money back guarantee so if you think it slows your system down too much you can get your money back, you have noting to lose by trying it.kyle

Thanks for the answers.I will go ahead and purchase it tonight and hope it will work well, but it's nice to know they have a money back guarantee just in case.

Thanks for the answers.I will go ahead and purchase it tonight and hope it will work well, but it's nice to know they have a money back guarantee just in case.

Make sure to give it a chance. UTX really does help add to the immersion and realism. Your system should run fine with it. You may want to consider lowering some of your video settings as well. Especially if you have the water cranked up. Definitely turn off bloom if that is there, and even turning off shadows helps perf, too. You probably won't notice much difference and your system will run better. And look into overclocking. I'll bet you can get over 3 GHz, and you will really see a difference in performance by doing it.

You will find a complete install and tuning guide for UTX at the end of the FSX Tuning thread

I don't find night lighting too much of a problem even on a fairly modest system, but UTX itself does warn against using Light Bloom and Moving traffic unless you have a top spec machine.In fact, as you configure UTX, each feature gives a rating of how demanding it's likely to be on your system.Nothwithstanding those 2 things, I think UTX is very worthwhile: it's worth it just so that as you take off from your favourite airport, you can actually recognise the road network around it!

It has been quite a long time since I installed UTX and GEX, but I seem to remember that one of the two actually improved FR's somewhat. I was told it had something to do with the way the scenery tiles are generated (?). You might want to look into SceneryTech landclass (also from Flight1) for better (IMHO) vegetation and general country side scenery than that of UTX.

Hey thank you all.I went ahead and installed it. I thought the setup process is very helpful where the user can enable or disable certain features based on the performance hit graph bar. I left everything on except night lights for intersections but I left the major road lights enabled. I didn't have much time because it was dinner and movie time at home:) but I managed a quick 45 minutes VFR flight at 3000 feet around the place I live and the visual difference is simply amazing, for example little towns that I know exist were nowhere to be found before but now they are actually appear. Also coastal waterways were nowhere to be found before show up. I didn't see or I should say so far haven't seen any performance degradation even with the little cars moving around on major and minor roads. I believe I still have some room to turn visuals down if the system seems to slow down at more congested areas.Now I see what raves were all about that I have been reading on this and other FSX forums. The only problem that remains now is that I really want the European version as well. I can't wait to do some more flying.

You will find a complete install and tuning guide for UTX at the end of the FSX Tuning thread

Ok thanks I'll check it out

Hey thank you all.I went ahead and installed it. I thought the setup process is very helpful where the user can enable or disable certain features based on the performance hit graph bar. I left everything on except night lights for intersections but I left the major road lights enabled. I didn't have much time because it was dinner and movie time at home:) but I managed a quick 45 minutes VFR flight at 3000 feet around the place I live and the visual difference is simply amazing, for example little towns that I know exist were nowhere to be found before but now they are actually appear. Also coastal waterways were nowhere to be found before show up. I didn't see or I should say so far haven't seen any performance degradation even with the little cars moving around on major and minor roads. I believe I still have some room to turn visuals down if the system seems to slow down at more congested areas.Now I see what raves were all about that I have been reading on this and other FSX forums. The only problem that remains now is that I really want the European version as well. I can't wait to do some more flying.

I find that it's also helpful for performance and for visual affect to turn off RD4 Minor Urban Roads (residential).

I am quite happy with UTX Europe.But one need to have a peek at the settings before it really shines. I have made a lot of roads and coastlines narrower. Especially for roads near fjords, this make the mesh look more correct; too wide roads and coastlines can deform the mesh. I used a lot of time on this.I have also shut off the "effect" night lightening and moving road traffic. Plus I had to disable autogen bridges in the Amsterdam/Rotterdam area, as tons of them slowed down the sim. I also turned off Minor Urban Roads.