I would like to thank the OP for posting this, as I had not heard of it before.I have had very good results with this tweak, and it has allowed me to get closer to my personal holy grail: 20fps, Tongass Fjords @ Sitka in the Realair Duke.I had to swap out my ATI cards for a nvidia 285 with 2gb of vram, but other than that it has been a great find. The ATI card actually got me ridiculous frame rates with this tweak like 30fps but due to the lower amount of VRAM I was getting crashes. The Nvidia is slower on the frames but the AA is nicer and it's rock stable.Thanks again.

I would like to thank the OP for posting this, as I had not heard of it before.I have had very good results with this tweak, and it has allowed me to get closer to my personal holy grail: 20fps, Tongass Fjords @ Sitka in the Realair Duke.I had to swap out my ATI cards for a nvidia 285 with 2gb of vram, but other than that it has been a great find. The ATI card actually got me ridiculous frame rates with this tweak like 30fps but due to the lower amount of VRAM I was getting crashes. The Nvidia is slower on the frames but the AA is nicer and it's rock stable.Thanks again.

It makes sense for the ATI to give you better frames with PoolSize=0 *IF* the ATI is GDDR5 (newer ATI's) If that is the case, I suggest you get the new nVidia GTX 480 or GTX 470 (due first week of March) the absolute MUST for this tweak to work is 2GB cards, which is a shame... because most people have <1GB cards

I use triple head 2 go which I think takes up a huge amount of Vram as my desktop is 5040 x 1050. I got the ATI for Eyefinity and it actually has 2gb of ram but since it is a dual processor card(5970) it is using 1 gb for each GPU. I was hoping the Vram on the ATI card was somehow shared between the two GPUs but no such luck.I set the tweak on an older core 2 due I have with a GTX 280 with 1 gb Vram and it works great, buuuut that one is not triplehead so it's not as demanding on the vram.

I use triple head 2 go which I think takes up a huge amount of Vram as my desktop is 5040 x 1050. I got the ATI for Eyefinity and it actually has 2gb of ram but since it is a dual processor card(5970) it is using 1 gb for each GPU. I was hoping the Vram on the ATI card was somehow shared between the two GPUs but no such luck.I set the tweak on an older core 2 due I have with a GTX 280 with 1 gb Vram and it works great, buuuut that one is not triplehead so it's not as demanding on the vram.

Yeah a 1GB card it WILL work, however, sucess is entirely dependant on your VRAM usage.. and that, is something that is VERY specific to each setup. A lot of 'hardcore' simmers, have nHancer with lots of tweaks... this creates a huge overhead on VRAM usage, not a bad thing, just, not the best scenario to use the PoolSize=0 tweak because of the already increased demand on VRAM.In the 4+ years I've using FSX, I never has seen a post of someone saying they were 'worried' about VRAM usage... everyone takes for granted that it will ALWAYS work.. however, EVERYBODY knows, that FSX on a 32-Bit system its a big no-no because of the huge demands on system RAM. Now people are complaining about black & dissapearing textures... well, isn't it obvious this is VRAM related and REGARDLESS of the BP setting?? we have a way to KNOW how much Video Ram FSX is using (at least, an aproximate) with the GPU-Z tool.. my theory, and, this is purely speculation on my part, is that PoolSize refers to an aditional 'buffer', independent of the VRAM FSX is already using via D3D API calls, otherwise, PS=0 will affect VRAM usage in FSX, which is NOT the case because I see FSX still using huge ammounts of VRAM with this setting set to 0.For 'SOME' NOT having this buffer (PS=0) will show an improvement if some conditions are met:1) You have enough, available Video RAM (at least 1GB needed)2) The conditions in which you are testing demand excesive use of textures inside FSX (e.g dusk, AI, Manhattan X, Complex Add-On)3) You are using DX9 (DX10 seems to completely ignore BP settings)4) You have 'normal' AA, AF settings and don't use nHancer (related to #1)if the above conditions are NOT met, or, if you ALREADY have good performance in FSX, it is POINTLESS to set PS=0!! now, having said that, WHO will see an improvement? those who met the above conditions and use VERY complex sceneries, with lots of textures and CURRENTLY experience LAG/STUTTERING.I don't know if I mention this before, but, I NEVER had any performance problems in my setup (i920 @ 4.2) even when using a PoolSize of 450 000 000I decided to post my experience here when I noticed that, AFTER installing FSDT KJFK and Manhattan X some 'lag' was introduced *IF* using a high BP/PS setting. I was under the 'incorrect' impression that this was a 'holy grail' for ALL.. which, unfortunately was NOT! true, it works for some, but.. KNOW the reasons why it might be NOT working for you so you can adjust and still try if you have the hardware!

Thanks! I will give it another try.EDIT:When i was using XP and my older PCs i thought all tweaks are BS but since i'm using the GTX260 and Win7 i have to tweak to avoid sound problems because even the default BP value is leading to sound problems on my system.I still have to find the perfect value to avoid sound issues and flashing squares. So i'm thankful for all contributions, no matter how crazy they sound.

Hi Nils79Just out of interest I too get sound problems, my sound crackles and pops with add on aircraft. What are the issues you have had and what tweaks did you do to solve them? I have tried everything new soundcard, looked thru all the formums etc but not found a fix yet and it is really annoying me.

I have tried everything new soundcard, looked thru all the formums etc but not found a fix yet and it is really annoying me.

just out of curiosity.. you have an ASUS P6T Deluxe v2... same as I, I use the internal SoundMax soundcard.. it gave me LOTS of trouble during the first weeks until I installed the LATEST drivers from the ASUS site, PLUS I selected the option to DISABLE all sound effects, PLUS I removed from the startup menu, EVERYTHING related to the SoundMax drivers (control panel) using msconfig. never had problems with sound in FSX or any other program.. HOWEVER, before doing this, I would always get crashes and weird sounds.PS for the sarcastics out there:removing SoundMax startup programs does NOT prevent your computer from using the NEW SoundMax DLL, which is what your objective is...

just out of curiosity.. you have an ASUS P6T Deluxe v2... same as I, I use the internal SoundMax soundcard.. it gave me LOTS of trouble during the first weeks until I installed the LATEST drivers from the ASUS site, PLUS I selected the option to DISABLE all sound effects, PLUS I removed from the startup menu, EVERYTHING related to the SoundMax drivers (control panel) using msconfig. never had problems with sound in FSX or any other program.. HOWEVER, before doing this, I would always get crashes and weird sounds.PS for the sarcastics out there:removing SoundMax startup programs does NOT prevent your computer from using the NEW SoundMax DLL, which is what your objective is...

Hi bojote, thanks for your reply, I understand everything else you are saying but when you say "PLUS I selected the option to DISABLE all sound effects" were did you do this please?

Bojote,After reading this thread 15 minutes ago, I placed that [bufferPools] PoolSize=0 (pasted it from your O.P.) and am flying in the densest graphics, weather, etc, having taken off from KLAS. I have your spec's , and am reporting really great performance. One poster stated that with panning, he got black texture squares with only A.G. on the blacked out ground terrain.I have:i7-975GTX285 1GBRaptor (10,000 rpm)W7 64bit UltimateNo such anomalies in graphics of any kind. In fact, pretty tight with a little texture firming up/fast snap over mountain terrain. I am just exiting the Valley headed over for Phoenix, and will report if I have any BSOD's, texture loss, etc...at the end of the flight. But for now though...nothing but great and smooth performance. Everything 'down there at 5,500 ft looks gorgeous! Ok, back to the paused flight....:)Mitch

Hey Mitch,Just when I thought I was done with all this FSX tweaking, they pull me back in. OK, I decided to try again for the last time :( Bufferpools=0 and I have to agree, things seems to be running smoother, my system specs are listed below and as of right now I have no complaints with this setting.

Hey Mitch,Just when I thought I was done with all this FSX tweaking, they pull me back in. OK, I decided to try again for the last time :( Bufferpools=0 and I have to agree, things seems to be running smoother, my system specs are listed below and as of right now I have no complaints with this setting.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mike...I got tired of looking down upon desert, so loaded up MAYNE ISLAND from Vic Plus...and I have only one comment with this Buff=0It's STAYING! The scenery is excellent...and the water...wow....:) Turns, very smooth, with equally smooth general scenery advancement. It works for my spec's. I have this entry as the VERY FIRST at the top of the .cfg file.Back to Vancouver and terrorizing the islands.... :)Post Edit: I'm just paused over the islands around Vancouver, Canada. Now, let me understand this tweak. Ok...I'm getting near-photo quality texture rendering here. Is this tweak Buff=0 forcing my system to use driver-level FULL USAGE of my 1GB GTX285 mem, whereby if you do NOT have this entry in the config file, FSX will 'decide' what is used and what is not? Is this correct? The reason that I ask...is that I am getting simply fabulous rendering of the textures that look as close to photo-real scenery as anybody has put out...and I am NOT flying over photo-real, but UTX ang GEX at the moment. Simply awesome tweak! Everyone, if your system can benefit (apparently have the right spec's to use it...) then absolutely throw this entry onto the top of the pile! So then, with BUFFER POOLS at '0', my nVidia driver is utilizing the entire 1 GB at hardware level? If so...then you seriously want to have this tweak working for you!Mitch

Hi bojote, thanks for your reply, I understand everything else you are saying but when you say "PLUS I selected the option to DISABLE all sound effects" were did you do this please?

See the little 'speaker icon' on the lower right corner of your desktop? Right click on it, then select 'Playback devices' and select the one who corresponds to your speakers, then click properties.Then, while in the properties tab navigate to the option called 'System Effects' and click the option that says: 'Disable System Effects' also, make sure that the one that says 'Enable Sonic Focus' is disabledwhat you are basically doing here is 'preventing' the SoundMax card to use its 'Sound Acceleration' features.. they are SOFTWARE based, and they seem to conflict with lots of games specially in Win7. Hope this helps and please report back for other users to benefit if it works for you.

It's STAYING! The scenery is excellent...and the water...wow....:) Turns, very smooth, with equally smooth general scenery advancement. It works for my spec's. I have this entry as the VERY FIRST at the top of the .cfg file.

Hi Mitch,Unfortunately, not a lot of people have the right specs to try it. PLUS, the sarcastic comments of some users scare others away and they don't even try the tweak. I'm glad it worked for you :) just make sure you DONT share your experience, otherwise you'll get all kind of sarcastic posts and people will make fun of you! seriously, keep it to yourself.

See the little 'speaker icon' on the lower right corner of your desktop? Right click on it, then select 'Playback devices' and select the one who corresponds to your speakers, then click properties.Then, while in the properties tab navigate to the option called 'System Effects' and click the option that says: 'Disable System Effects' also, make sure that the one that says 'Enable Sonic Focus' is disabledwhat you are basically doing here is 'preventing' the SoundMax card to use its 'Sound Acceleration' features.. they are SOFTWARE based, and they seem to conflict with lots of games specially in Win7. Hope this helps and please report back for other users to benefit if it works for you.Hi Mitch,Unfortunately, not a lot of people have the right specs to try it. PLUS, the sarcastic comments of some users scare others away and they don't even try the tweak. I'm glad it worked for you :) just make sure you DONT share your experience, otherwise you'll get all kind of sarcastic posts and people will make fun of you! seriously, keep it to yourself.

Hi Bojote,It's me again. I just remembered something. Shortly after I installed Windows 7, I re-installed Vista driver 185.50 in order to eliminate problems with a newer one. When I tested my system (please review my earlier post and specs below) it was a mess with flashing and jumping. Could that have been because of the older, pre windows 7 driver?What do you think?Stephen

See the little 'speaker icon' on the lower right corner of your desktop? Right click on it, then select 'Playback devices' and select the one who corresponds to your speakers, then click properties.Then, while in the properties tab navigate to the option called 'System Effects' and click the option that says: 'Disable System Effects' also, make sure that the one that says 'Enable Sonic Focus' is disabledwhat you are basically doing here is 'preventing' the SoundMax card to use its 'Sound Acceleration' features.. they are SOFTWARE based, and they seem to conflict with lots of games specially in Win7. Hope this helps and please report back for other users to benefit if it works for you.Hi Mitch,Unfortunately, not a lot of people have the right specs to try it. PLUS, the sarcastic comments of some users scare others away and they don't even try the tweak. I'm glad it worked for you :) just make sure you DONT share your experience, otherwise you'll get all kind of sarcastic posts and people will make fun of you! seriously, keep it to yourself.

--------------------------------------------------------------------Bojote, thanks very much for posting! It's sure working on my rig. I've been flying over different areas of the world (for different texture demands) and only have good to report. My texture rendering is excellent! Thank you.... Your finding is staying put in my .cfg file.Mitch

Hey Mitch,Just when I thought I was done with all this FSX tweaking, they pull me back in. OK, I decided to try again for the last time :( Bufferpools=0 and I have to agree, things seems to be running smoother, my system specs are listed below and as of right now I have no complaints with this setting.

Mike,What driver are you using?Stephen

--------------------------------------------------------------------Bojote, thanks very much for posting! It's sure working on my rig. I've been flying over different areas of the world (for different texture demands) and only have good to report. My texture rendering is excellent! Thank you.... Your finding is staying put in my .cfg file.Mitch

Mitch,You too, if you don't mind. What driver are you using? Thanks.Stephen

See the little 'speaker icon' on the lower right corner of your desktop? Right click on it, then select 'Playback devices' and select the one who corresponds to your speakers, then click properties.Then, while in the properties tab navigate to the option called 'System Effects' and click the option that says: 'Disable System Effects' also, make sure that the one that says 'Enable Sonic Focus' is disabledwhat you are basically doing here is 'preventing' the SoundMax card to use its 'Sound Acceleration' features.. they are SOFTWARE based, and they seem to conflict with lots of games specially in Win7. Hope this helps and please report back for other users to benefit if it works for you.Many Thanks bojote!