I have an average computer system for todays standards-an athlon 2100, Geoforce 4 ti4200, 512 k ram-fsgenesis mesh and ultimate traffic add ons. For my basic setup I run just about everything in fs maxed out at 1600 32 bit resolution.I think we all dream of the perfect system (and perfect tweaks) that will allow everything run to the max at great performance. I think we have to accept-not possible at this point.However-after trying countless tweaks like everyone else and finally deciding that not one tweak has produced a consistant measurable response (improvement) I have found the more than satisfactory solution on my setup:Much of the time I use fs as a serious training tool (I just got my multi engine rating and used it the last two months to help train exclusively for this)When I want to practice serious procedures of performance/flight dynamics (e.g. best smoothness of controls/ instruments/fps/) I simply turn autogen all the way down, turn ai traffic off, and use a default weather scenerio. I get 30-50 fps-and xplane like smoothness. Since I am concentrating on this particular area of flight I don't really miss the little buildings/trees on the ground, or the buzzing aircraft. I do appreciate the ability to control the aircraft with smoothness and precision, and with these two sliders turned down I get it.When I want to practice serious ifr-I also set the autogen and ai traffic to zero. I either at this point download real weather (small performance hit), or set the weather manually real low-which actually increases fps-again 30-50 on my computer. Since the weather is low I don't really miss the trees/buildings, or ai traffic-I do appreciate the increased smoothness.When I want to have fun-enjoy the scenery, and fly vfr, and ooh and ahh-I turn autogen and ai up to 100%-get sometimes 6-8 fps at Chicago o'hare with countless aircraft taxing around (ultimate traffic installed here), and stutters on the taxi/climbout-then once in cruise up to an acceptable 18-20 fps in general,but stutters in turns. Since at this point I am enjoying the visuals more than anything-a few stutters here and there don't really ruin the experience-I am having more fun enjoying the visuals.Simply-autogen and ai traffic 100% seem to cause the biggest performance hit at least on my system (AA also which I leave off). So for serious flying-I leave these two items off and concentrate on flying! For fun flying and increased visuals-I turn them all up and wow myself.The key to me though is-change these two settings(and perhaps a few more if your system is less powerful than mine)depending on the type of flying you expect to do. Don't look for the Holy Grail of a magical single setting (and perhaps mythical tweak) that will allow all types of flying at a consistant high performance level.This is the first version of FS (I've been here since fs1) that I haven't found a need to rush out and get a new computer. I am more than satisfied with my system using this technique-and willing to wait for the eventual system which will allow one maxed setting for all flying.I guess my advice is-instead of trying to tweak and find a single setting that works for all flying-find the settings that work for the type of flying you will be doing. There is a freeware program in the avsim library called fssetup-it appears to be a program that allows a user to save multiple configs. for the type of flying they want to do and load them at startup-a great idea and I think MS should explore having this built in to the next version.http://mywebpages.comcast.net/geofa/pages/Geofdog2.jpg

Geof,You are absolutely right. I have been doing exactly same thing - tailoring the visual options to the type of flying I am doing. When I know I will be flying in hard IMC I don't need pretty water reflections or autogen.Michael J.http://www.reality-xp.com/community/nr/rsc/rxp-higher.jpg

Words of wisdom, indeed Geof.BTW, congratulations on your multi-engine rating. :-jumpy Now I suppose you'll be trading in that Debonair for a twin??? }( -Lindy :-beerchug:-rotor

Hi Lindy!-I am considering a partnership in a Baron-but every time I think about selling the deb I get all clammy!A long term relationship with an airplane creates a strong bond....http://mywebpages.comcast.net/geofa/pages/Geofdog2.jpg

Geof,How right you are regarding the owner/aircraft bond...I just couldn't resist this one. I own a 1946 Cessna 120 that my Dad bought when I was 3 yrs. old, and I'm currently 50. I do not remember a time in my life without the 120, and can't imagine the future without it. Leon

Wow-how cool!I wonder how many have situations like that!http://mywebpages.comcast.net/geofa/pages/Geofdog2.jpg

"This is the first version of FS (I've been here since fs1) that I haven't found a need to rush out and get a new computer. I am more than satisfied with my system using this technique-and willing to wait for the eventual system which will allow one maxed setting for all flying."Same here!I also do not have a supercharged pc but am very happy with how it runs fs.AI and weather seem to have biggest affect on my fps.

" guess my advice is-instead of trying to tweak and find asingle setting that works for all flying-find the settingsthat work for the type of flying you will be doing."Of course!!! Good advise is always the simplest. Well said Geof! As always.I'll bet it's hard to contemplate a partnership if you've had sole use of your current plane.Best of luck.John