I tried downloading reduced cloud textures, but it still stutters my system. I have switched to simple clouds (in the display options) when flying through storms. This helps tremendously. They don't look nearly as well I guess it's a trade off.Is there any compromise between simple clouds and detailed clouds? Something in between?

I'm using the REX DXT clouds in the 1024 resolution and even on my older rig, low FPS or stuttering are a thing of the past for me. Prior to using the REX DXT clouds I was using the FEX DXT clouds at the same res and got the same good results. The default 32bit cloud textures can be a killer even at reduced resolutions.I keep my cloud draw distance at 100 miles and detailed clouds set at max and using DXT versions of the REX sets seems to work great for me. You could also try turning your cloud draw distance down to 60 miles if you haven't already.You may also want to take a look at your video card settings. Have a look here at Nicks setup guide for more on that. http://www.simforums.com/forums/setting-up-fsx-and-how-to-tune-it_topic29041.html

I'm using the REX DXT clouds in the 1024 resolution and even on my older rig, low FPS or stuttering are a thing of the past for me. Prior to using the REX DXT clouds I was using the FEX DXT clouds at the same res and got the same good results. The default 32bit cloud textures can be a killer even at reduced resolutions.I keep my cloud draw distance at 100 miles and detailed clouds set at max and using DXT versions of the REX sets seems to work great for me. You could also try turning your cloud draw distance down to 60 miles if you haven't already.You may also want to take a look at your video card settings. Have a look here at Nicks setup guide for more on that. http://www.simforums.com/forums/setting-up-fsx-and-how-to-tune-it_topic29041.html

I alays thought FSX default clouds were DXT5 at 256x256 resolution?

I tried downloading reduced cloud textures, but it still stutters my system. I have switched to simple clouds (in the display options) when flying through storms. This helps tremendously. They don't look nearly as well I guess it's a trade off.Is there any compromise between simple clouds and detailed clouds? Something in between?

Post your system specs, it would help point you in the right direction.

Post your system specs, it would help point you in the right direction.

AMD Phenom II X6 processor 2.59 GHZ, 8g ram, ATI Radeon HD 5450 Win 7 64

One thing that will help you a lot with cloud performance is Bojote's Shader Mod. It's in the file library. Works wonders with ATI cards. I agree with the previous statements about REX and FEX clouds. They help a lot too.

I alays thought FSX default clouds were DXT5 at 256x256 resolution?

There are a variety of them.The stratus clouds are 512X512 at 32bit. Most of the cumulonimbus and cumulus are 512X512 at 32bit, 256X256 32bit, and 256X256 DXT5. The cirrus clouds range in a variety of sizes but are all 32bit from what I saw when I checked an unmodified version of FSX.Frankly, I dont remember which texture files exactly REX or FEX changes since I know they dont overwrite all of the cloud textures, however, using the DXT5's even in 1024X1024 from either REX/FEX made a huge difference in cloud performance on my system, which for me was a big deal since I only run 2GB of RAM and a 1GB video card. That being said, for me at least, problems with FPS or stutters are a non issue for me now when flying complex a/c in bad weather scenarios, and the only ******* tweak I am using is the HIGHMEMFIX and a Bufferpool tweak. I haven't done anything with the shader mods since I have heard you cant use the FS Water Config utility which is a must for me.

I always fly with the 'Fair Weather' theme which never causes performance issues. Forget about real world weather.. Maybe it will work acceptably in MS Flight.jja