Intel Core2 Quad CPU Q6600 2.4 GHz4 GB RAMWindows 7 64 BIT400W PSUAll stock items from Gateway, bought in 2007 from Best BuyI just upgraded from the 8600 GT (which came with the system) with the GTS 450. I installed, updated drivers, but I'm getting worse frame rates than with the 8600. With high settings on the displays, I'm only getting around 3-6 FPS at major airports on the ground. Granted, I'm using Captain Sim 727 as a test case, but still I was getting better results with my old card. Can someone please provide any help/advice?Thanks.

Intel Core2 Quad CPU Q6600 2.4 GHz4 GB RAMWindows 7 64 BIT400W PSUAll stock items from Gateway, bought in 2007 from Best BuyI just upgraded from the 8600 GT (which came with the system) with the GTS 450. I installed, updated drivers, but I'm getting worse frame rates than with the 8600. With high settings on the displays, I'm only getting around 3-6 FPS at major airports on the ground. Granted, I'm using Captain Sim 727 as a test case, but still I was getting better results with my old card. Can someone please provide any help/advice?Thanks.

Are you running at higher settings than you were before? It is really easy to go to highersettings with a "new" card and get no performance benefit..If you have the exact same settings as before - something is not right.Rename the fsx.cfg file and let FSX rebuild it as a start.Also, have you considered clocking your 6600 higher?Mine runs happily at 3.2 GHz with stock cooling..

Are you running at higher settings than you were before? It is really easy to go to highersettings with a "new" card and get no performance benefit..If you have the exact same settings as before - something is not right.Rename the fsx.cfg file and let FSX rebuild it as a start.Also, have you considered clocking your 6600 higher?Mine runs happily at 3.2 GHz with stock cooling..

Bert, thanks for the reply. Yes, I can't figure it out either. Do I need to set anyting special in the NVIDIA control panel? I never really touched that before. I did read about the fsx.cfg file. I deleted mine so FSX could rebuild it, but no changes still. Overclocking...I"ve read about it, but never attempted it. From what I've read, it should be able to be done in the BIOS setup screen...correct?

Bert, thanks for the reply. Yes, I can't figure it out either. Do I need to set anyting special in the NVIDIA control panel? I never really touched that before. I did read about the fsx.cfg file. I deleted mine so FSX could rebuild it, but no changes still. Overclocking...I"ve read about it, but never attempted it. From what I've read, it should be able to be done in the BIOS setup screen...correct?

First of all, make sure you have the latest 266.xx drivers, you can download them from nvidia.comThen, get a copy of Nvidia Inspector and use this guide:http://forum.avsim.net/topic/324786-nvidia-configuration-guide-inspector-2xxxx-drivers-version-20-explanations-of-all-settings/Regarding overclocking a Q6600, read up on it on the web.. in it's simplest form, you increase theFSB speed in the BIOS.. but read a bit first.. and go in steps.

Ok.Downloaded Inspector and used Nick's settings from the page I downloaded it from. Yes, checked drivers again and I have most current. FINALLY, AA is working after I used Inspector. With sliders set to about 3/4 way up in FSX and traffice at aobut 25% with the same for moving vehicles, etc, I'm getting around 12-14 FPS on takeoff at KCLT with CS 757. PMDG Jetstream is worse at around 10-12 FPS. Spikes down to about 7-8 with both. Default FSX aircraft seem to get about 40-50 with high graphics settings and severe weather on approach. While monitoring Inspector, I'm only seeing about tops of 20% GPU Load. Fan 30%, Temp around 50 deg C, Voltage 1.050, MCU 8%. While monitoring my performance monitor it hovers around 80% with spikes up to about 100%. Is there more optimization I can do somehow? Something I'm missing here? Also, in Nvidia control panel, I have "PhysX Processor" set to Auto-select. Does this make a difference. Anything else in the contorl panel I should set up, or does Inspector do all of that for me?Other items from Inspector:- Clock: 783 MHz, Memory 1804 MHz, Shader 1566 MHz, Memory usage (around 32%, 328 MB).Lot of questions and data I know, but I don't know a lot of the ins/outs and just trying to get FSX to work best on what I got. Thanks a lot for your help.

Ok.Downloaded Inspector and used Nick's settings from the page I downloaded it from. Yes, checked drivers again and I have most current. FINALLY, AA is working after I used Inspector. With sliders set to about 3/4 way up in FSX and traffice at aobut 25% with the same for moving vehicles, etc, I'm getting around 12-14 FPS on takeoff at KCLT with CS 757. PMDG Jetstream is worse at around 10-12 FPS. Spikes down to about 7-8 with both. Default FSX aircraft seem to get about 40-50 with high graphics settings and severe weather on approach. While monitoring Inspector, I'm only seeing about tops of 20% GPU Load. Fan 30%, Temp around 50 deg C, Voltage 1.050, MCU 8%. While monitoring my performance monitor it hovers around 80% with spikes up to about 100%. Is there more optimization I can do somehow? Something I'm missing here? Also, in Nvidia control panel, I have "PhysX Processor" set to Auto-select. Does this make a difference. Anything else in the contorl panel I should set up, or does Inspector do all of that for me?Other items from Inspector:- Clock: 783 MHz, Memory 1804 MHz, Shader 1566 MHz, Memory usage (around 32%, 328 MB).Lot of questions and data I know, but I don't know a lot of the ins/outs and just trying to get FSX to work best on what I got. Thanks a lot for your help.

All this sounds normal.. your CPU is likely the bottleneck..Try cutting back on traffic in FSX, eg turn freeway traffic down to zero..Also, try Bojote's FSX optimizer if you have not alreadyhttp://www.venetubo.com/fsx.htmlPersonally, I have added [JOBSCHEDULER]AffinityMask=14to my fsx.cfg file and like it better.Send me a PM if you need more help..

Bert,Thanks for all of your help. Few more questions:Is there anyway to utilize more of my Graphic card's GPU? Maybe a dumb question, but 30% doesn't seem like a lot. Also, while my processor may be the bottleneck, why was I getting better results with my old card 8600 GT? I thought this new card I bought was better. Thanks.

Bert,Thanks for all of your help. Few more questions:Is there anyway to utilize more of my Graphic card's GPU? Maybe a dumb question, but 30% doesn't seem like a lot. Also, while my processor may be the bottleneck, why was I getting better results with my old card 8600 GT? I thought this new card I bought was better. Thanks.

Utilizing more of the GPU is limited by the FSX architecture.. but that does not explain why you were getting betterresults with the 8600..I've upgraded from an 8600GT to a 9600GT and now to a GTX460 and got better results every time.I can now run at 8XS AA comfortably at 30 fps locked which I sure could noton my 8600.

Utilizing more of the GPU is limited by the FSX architecture.. but that does not explain why you were getting betterresults with the 8600..I've upgraded from an 8600GT to a 9600GT and now to a GTX460 and got better results every time.I can now run at 8XS AA comfortably at 30 fps locked which I sure could noton my 8600.

Another dumb question...I assume a 450 GTX is better than an 8 series card?

Another dumb question...I assume a 450 GTX is better than an 8 series card?

I meant GTS

Another dumb question...I assume a 450 GTS is better than an 8 series card?

Quick comparison of the key specs (for FSX)Texture Fill Rate 8600GT: 9 billion/sec - 450GTS: 25Memory Bandwidth 8600GT: 22 GB/sec - 450GTS: 58so, yes for these two cards. (the 8800GTX is in a different league..)BTW.. what level of AA were you running the 8600GT at (and same monitor resolution?)

Nvidia Inspector lets you overclock your gpu (at own risk).What worked for me after gpu switch was using "Driver sweeper" to totally remove old drivers.

OK. I got fed up with the 450 and reinstalled my 8500 (sorry 8500, not 8600). Now, however, my fan is not working on my 8500. There is no supplementary power connection (which there was for the 450). I've tried cleaning off the fan, reinstalling, etc. Updated drivers again as well. Display is fine and computer recognize, but fan no spinny. Any ideas, or has this fan had it? Of note, the 8500 is giving far better results than the 450 with the same settings. According to another board, my system is too old to run the 450 effectively and recommended upgrading to an 8800. Any thoughts on if this would fare well on my system??? Again, thanks for all of your help.

So, I went out and bought a cheap case fan and basically just have it "sitting" on my old 8500 and temps are staying around 70 deg C when running FSX, so nowhere near where they were when no fan (upwards of 100). 1) Anything wrong or bad with just sitting the fan on top of the GPU heat sink? Seems to be working.2) I'm thinking now of just sticking with the 8500 instead of going to a higher card. I'm getting around 20 FPS with CS 757 with some moderately high settings on takeoff/landing at major airports. Weather tends to drop it down to around 10-13.3) IF I do upgrade, I'm thinking 8600 would be the only logical choice? Any advice here, as the 450 class just didn't seem to like my computer.Again, thanks for all of your technical expertise with the noob.

So, I went out and bought a cheap case fan and basically just have it "sitting" on my old 8500 and temps are staying around 70 deg C when running FSX, so nowhere near where they were when no fan (upwards of 100). 1) Anything wrong or bad with just sitting the fan on top of the GPU heat sink? Seems to be working.2) I'm thinking now of just sticking with the 8500 instead of going to a higher card. I'm getting around 20 FPS with CS 757 with some moderately high settings on takeoff/landing at major airports. Weather tends to drop it down to around 10-13.3) IF I do upgrade, I'm thinking 8600 would be the only logical choice? Any advice here, as the 450 class just didn't seem to like my computer.Again, thanks for all of your technical expertise with the noob.

No problem with your fan solution - 70 degrees is peachy..Wish I could recommend a card... you may want to talk to your local computer store..