Greetings,I am writing to you in order to know if you can offer me any advise on how can I tune FSX so that it can run as smooth as possible. Here's my situation, ever since I installed FSX on my mid 2010 MacBook Pro I have been testing out a few settings in hopes to see how can I make the simulator run a bit better. So far I am ok with the results most of the times frames remain around the 15-25 mark (FPS capped at 25fps via FSX in game FPS Limiter), yet I am often surprised that in some airports where I expect FSX to perform good such as default KMCO I am getting lower framerates than at KATL (avg of 17fps vs 20-22fps respectively). This situation has got me thinking on whether I should now venture myself to tweak the FSX.cfg file. I would like to get your concensus on what FSX cfg tweaks should I perform on my system based on the specs attached to my signature.Many thanks. I am also open to the idea of adding an external FPS limiter which I have read often provide a more stable framerate in FSX, again thanks for your assistance!

Greetings,I am writing to you in order to know if you can offer me any advise on how can I tune FSX so that it can run as smooth as possible. Here's my situation, ever since I installed FSX on my mid 2010 MacBook Pro I have been testing out a few settings in hopes to see how can I make the simulator run a bit better. So far I am ok with the results most of the times frames remain around the 15-25 mark (FPS capped at 25fps via FSX in game FPS Limiter), yet I am often surprised that in some airports where I expect FSX to perform good such as default KMCO I am getting lower framerates than at KATL (avg of 17fps vs 20-22fps respectively). This situation has got me thinking on whether I should now venture myself to tweak the FSX.cfg file. I would like to get your concensus on what FSX cfg tweaks should I perform on my system based on the specs attached to my signature.Many thanks. I am also open to the idea of adding an external FPS limiter which I have read often provide a more stable framerate in FSX, again thanks for your assistance!

Anyone?

http://www.venetubo.com/fsx.html

Well, with your system specs as listed, you are clearly going to need to dial back settings significantly. Here are a few things I would recommend:

1. Post your fsx.cfg file so we can see how you are already configured, so we can see if your performance expectations don't match your machine specs.
2. Set the internal frame limiter at UNLIMITED. See if the sim will run as well as when you had it and let us know how jumpy the frame rate is as you are flying. If the video moves then jumps forward at times, try adding the external frame limiter (FPS_Limiter.exe) and lock frames somewhere around 30 for starters, but keep in-game FPS control at UNLIMITED. You may not be able to use thirty, unless you've compromised enough to be able to maintain 30, or whatever you set the external limiter at.
3. Send your specs to Bejote to give you his recommendation. He has just a few primary tweaks that are really helpful I have found. You have special needs w/ your graphics unit I believe. It appears like it must be quite weak with 256mb ram, but I don't really know the device enough to know anything for sure on it. It would be helpful to know the bandwidth and GPU clockspeed and memory speeds, and memory bandwidth, etc.
4. You might set process priority for FSX.exe to higher than normal.

I think you should be able to enjoy FSX well when you've got it fine tuned. The CPU and ram are fair by today's standards.Noel

Well, with your system specs as listed, you are clearly going to need to dial back settings significantly. Here are a few things I would recommend:

1. Post your fsx.cfg file so we can see how you are already configured, so we can see if your performance expectations don't match your machine specs.
2. Set the internal frame limiter at UNLIMITED. See if the sim will run as well as when you had it and let us know how jumpy the frame rate is as you are flying. If the video moves then jumps forward at times, try adding the external frame limiter (FPS_Limiter.exe) and lock frames somewhere around 30 for starters, but keep in-game FPS control at UNLIMITED. You may not be able to use thirty, unless you've compromised enough to be able to maintain 30, or whatever you set the external limiter at.
3. Send your specs to Bejote to give you his recommendation. He has just a few primary tweaks that are really helpful I have found. You have special needs w/ your graphics unit I believe. It appears like it must be quite weak with 256mb ram, but I don't really know the device enough to know anything for sure on it. It would be helpful to know the bandwidth and GPU clockspeed and memory speeds, and memory bandwidth, etc.
4. You might set process priority for FSX.exe to higher than normal.

I think you should be able to enjoy FSX well when you've got it fine tuned. The CPU and ram are fair by today's standards.Noel

Actually, the computer handles the simulator well and the settings are High. Now I went to Bjote's website and I can't seem to find the closest card category for the nVidia 330m GPU can anyone help me on this? Thanks!

Well, with your system specs as listed, you are clearly going to need to dial back settings significantly. Here are a few things I would recommend:

1. Post your fsx.cfg file so we can see how you are already configured, so we can see if your performance expectations don't match your machine specs.
2. Set the internal frame limiter at UNLIMITED. See if the sim will run as well as when you had it and let us know how jumpy the frame rate is as you are flying. If the video moves then jumps forward at times, try adding the external frame limiter (FPS_Limiter.exe) and lock frames somewhere around 30 for starters, but keep in-game FPS control at UNLIMITED. You may not be able to use thirty, unless you've compromised enough to be able to maintain 30, or whatever you set the external limiter at.
3. Send your specs to Bejote to give you his recommendation. He has just a few primary tweaks that are really helpful I have found. You have special needs w/ your graphics unit I believe. It appears like it must be quite weak with 256mb ram, but I don't really know the device enough to know anything for sure on it. It would be helpful to know the bandwidth and GPU clockspeed and memory speeds, and memory bandwidth, etc.
4. You might set process priority for FSX.exe to higher than normal.

I think you should be able to enjoy FSX well when you've got it fine tuned. The CPU and ram are fair by today's standards.Noel

I read that the setting a higher bufferpool size will help the simulator to be more stable is this true? Also why setting up FSX as a higher prioroty process help???Thanks!

http://forum.avsim.net/topic/333332-fsx-tips-and-tricks-by-tom-rogers/page__pid__1965722#entry1965722

I'll give it a try but it seems that FSX tuning is a hit and miss due to its strange nature...

I'll give it a try but it seems that FSX tuning is a hit and miss due to its strange nature...

I think its hit or miss nature has to do alot with timings and sychronization of different components in each unique system. Plus, it is very hard to evaluate 'performance' unless you truly commit to standardized test routines. I think it's important to define 'performance' to include all dynamics that affect the execution of the sim. My personal definition of 'performance' is something like this: freedom from stutters + texture update rate (ie, freedom from blurries) plus frame rate. You may have the sim running well by one or so of these parameters, but you clearly don't with all of them else you would be not be looking for means of improving smoothness. Step one could be to dial back FPS and allow the other two areas to catch up as it were.Dial back some of your settings. I think you need to dial back your frame rate w/ the EXTERNAL limiter first, then dial back settings (autogen first, then a few others such as traffic to almost zero, weather distance, cloud density, etc) until you start seeing SMOOTHNESS improve. It has not always panned out this way, but I think it might for most: changing the INTERNAL limiter to UNLIMITED generates some optimizations and in some systems is quite significant. For example, if I set up a given high-complexity scenario, so that when I set to UNLIMITED in the internal limiter it runs at say steady at 25FPS, then if I then change the internal limiter to 25fps, I'll often only get 20. On the other hand if I set to UNLIMITED and set the EXTERNAL limier at 30, I'll get the full 25fps. The external limiter is only used to allow the benefit of optimizations when int is set to UNLIMITED, plus it can constrol video surges.Bufferpools is completely system dependent. I have Bufferpools disabled for best results. I have a 1GB video card with high memory bandwidth.

Well, with your system specs as listed, you are clearly going to need to dial back settings significantly. Here are a few things I would recommend:

1. Post your fsx.cfg file so we can see how you are already configured, so we can see if your performance expectations don't match your machine specs.
2. Set the internal frame limiter at UNLIMITED. See if the sim will run as well as when you had it and let us know how jumpy the frame rate is as you are flying. If the video moves then jumps forward at times, try adding the external frame limiter (FPS_Limiter.exe) and lock frames somewhere around 30 for starters, but keep in-game FPS control at UNLIMITED. You may not be able to use thirty, unless you've compromised enough to be able to maintain 30, or whatever you set the external limiter at.
3. Send your specs to Bejote to give you his recommendation. He has just a few primary tweaks that are really helpful I have found. You have special needs w/ your graphics unit I believe. It appears like it must be quite weak with 256mb ram, but I don't really know the device enough to know anything for sure on it. It would be helpful to know the bandwidth and GPU clockspeed and memory speeds, and memory bandwidth, etc.
4. You might set process priority for FSX.exe to higher than normal.

I think you should be able to enjoy FSX well when you've got it fine tuned. The CPU and ram are fair by today's standards.Noel

Below is the outline of my FSX.cfg file:[sOUND]AmbientUIMusicVolume=-6.000000SOUND=1SOUND_QUALITY=2SOUND_LOD=0UISound=1AmbientUI=0PrimaryDevice={DEF00000-9C6D-47ED-AAF1-4DDA8F2B5C03}VoiceDevice={DEF00002-9C6D-47ED-AAF1-4DDA8F2B5C03}SOUND_FADER1=0.500000SOUND_FADER2=0.500000SOUND_FADER3=0.500000SOUND_FADER4=0.500000AmbientUIMusic=FSX01[Display]ChangeTime=4.000000TransitionTime=4.000000ActiveWindowTitleTextColor=255,255,255ActiveWindowTitleBackGroundColor=0,28,140,64NonActiveWindowTitleTextColor=255,255,255NonActiveWindowTitleBackGroundColor=24,33,87,64InfoUpperRightTextColor=255,0,0InfoUpperRightBackGroundColor=0,0,0,0InfoLowerLeftTextColor=255,255,255InfoLowerLeftBackGroundColor=255,0,0,128InfoLowerRightTextColor=255,255,255InfoLowerRightBackGroundColor=255,0,0,128InfoBrakesEnable=TrueInfoParkingBrakesEnable=TrueInfoPauseEnable=TrueInfoSlewEnable=TrueInfoStallEnable=TrueInfoOverspeedEnable=TrueBLOOM_EFFECTS=0SKINNED_ANIMATIONS=1TEXTURE_BANDWIDTH_MULT=30UPPER_FRAMERATE_LIMIT=27WideViewAspect=False[Main]User Objects=Airplane, HelicopterSimObjectPaths.0=SimObjects\AirplanesSimObjectPaths.1=SimObjects\RotorcraftSimObjectPaths.2=SimObjects\GroundVehiclesSimObjectPaths.3=SimObjects\BoatsSimObjectPaths.4=SimObjects\AnimalsSimObjectPaths.5=SimObjects\MiscMaximized=1Location=200,40,1240,818,\\.\DISPLAY1HideMenuNormal=0HideMenuFullscreen=1ProcSpeed=6297PerfBucket=7[PANELS]IMAGE_QUALITY=1QUICKTIPS=1PANEL_OPACITY=100PANEL_MASKING=1PANEL_STRETCHING=1UNITS_OF_MEASURE=0DEFAULT_VIEW=1[Weather]WindshieldPrecipitationEffects=1MinGustTime=10MaxGustTime=500MinGustRampSpeed=1MaxGustRampSpeed=200MinVarTime=5MaxVarTime=50MinVarRampSpeed=10MaxVarRampSpeed=75TurbulenceScale=1.000000WeatherServerAddress=fs2k.zone.comWeatherServerPort=80WeatherGraphDataInDialog=0AdjustForMagVarInDialog=1DynamicWeather=0DownloadWindsAloft=0DisableTurbulence=0CLOUD_DRAW_DISTANCE=3DETAILED_CLOUDS=1CLOUD_COVERAGE_DENSITY=6THERMAL_VISUALS=0[DISPLAY.Device.NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M.0]Mode=1152x864x32Anisotropic=1AntiAlias=1[CONTROLS]Controls_Default=StandardControls_Current=StandardKBDAIL=64KBDELEV=64KBDRUD=64JOYSTICKS=1[TextInfo.1]Latitude=1,1Longitude=1,2Altitude=1,3Heading=1,4AirSpeed=1,5WindDirectionAndSpeed=1,6[TextInfo.2]FrameRate=1,1LockedFrameRate=1,2GForce=1,3FuelPercentage=1,4[TextInfo.3]Latitude=1,1Longitude=1,2Altitude=1,3Heading=1,4AirSpeed=1,5WindDirectionAndSpeed=1,6FrameRate=2,1LockedFrameRate=2,2GForce=2,3FuelPercentage=2,4[slewTextInfo.1]Latitude=1,1Longitude=1,2Altitude=1,3Heading=1,4AirSpeed=1,5[slewTextInfo.2]FrameRate=1,1LockedFrameRate=1,2[slewTextInfo.3]Latitude=1,1Longitude=1,2Altitude=1,3Heading=1,4AirSpeed=1,5FrameRate=2,1LockedFrameRate=2,2[DynamicHeadMovement]LonAccelOnHeadLon=-0.020000LonAccelOnHeadPitch=-0.010000RollAccelOnHeadLat=0.010000YawAccelOnHeadLat=-0.100000RollAccelOnHeadRoll=0.100000MaxHeadAngle=5.000000MaxHeadOffset=0.300000HeadMoveTimeConstant=1.000000[VirtualCopilot]VirtualCopilotActive=0[GRAPHICS]SHADER_CACHE_PRIMED=1693458432TEXTURE_MAX_LOAD=512NUM_LIGHTS=8AIRCRAFT_SHADOWS=1AIRCRAFT_REFLECTIONS=1COCKPIT_HIGH_LOD=1LANDING_LIGHTS=1AC_SELF_SHADOW=0EFFECTS_QUALITY=0GROUND_SHADOWS=0TEXTURE_QUALITY=3IMAGE_QUALITY=0See_Self=1Text_Scroll=1SHADER_CACHE_PRIMED_10=1693458432D3D10=0[uSERINTERFACE]PageID=6OpenATCOnCreate=0SHOW_MISSION_CAPTIONS=0PAUSE_ON_LOST_FOCUS=1PROMPT_ON_EXIT=1SITUATION=FLIGHTS\OTHER\FLTSIMMap_Orientation=2ShowAllACPaintSchemes=1SelectAircraftManufacturer=AllSelectAircraftPublisher=AllSelectAircraftType=AllDisplayFuelAsWeight=1[ATC]ShowATCText=1COMM_MSG_NONE_COLOR=FFFFFFFFCOMM_MSG_ATC_USER_COLOR=FFB6FFB6COMM_MSG_USER_ATC_COLOR=FFFFD21BCOMM_MSG_ATC_AI_COLOR=FF00FF00COMM_MSG_AI_ATC_COLOR=FFFF7840AutoOpenAirTrafficWindow=1UsePilotVoice=1PilotVoice=0[PointOfInterestSystem]CycleSetting=0[sCENERY]LENSFLARE=0DAWN_DUSK_SMOOTHING=1IMAGE_COMPLEXITY=4[TrafficManager]AirlineDensity=60GADensity=0FreewayDensity=0ShipsAndFerriesDensity=0LeisureBoatsDensity=0IFROnly=0AIRPORT_SCENERY_DENSITY=0[TERRAIN]LOD_RADIUS=4.500000MESH_COMPLEXITY=75MESH_RESOLUTION=21TEXTURE_RESOLUTION=28AUTOGEN_DENSITY=3DETAIL_TEXTURE=1WATER_EFFECTS=4[AContain]ShowLabels=0ShowUserLabel=0ShowLabelManufacturer=1ShowLabelModel=1ShowLabelTailNumber=0ShowLabelDistance=1ShowLabelAltitude=1ShowLabelAirline=0ShowLabelAirlineAndFlightNumber=0ShowLabelFlightPlan=0ShowLabelContainerId=0ShowLabelAirspeed=0ShowLabelHeading=0LabelDelay=1000LabelColor=FFFF0000[iNTERNATIONAL]ASLAT=2ASLON=1MEASURE=0[REALISM]PFactor=0.000000Torque=0.000000GyroEffect=0.000000CrashTolerance=0.000000General=0.000000UnlimitedFuel=FalseTrueAirspeed=FalseAutoCoord=TrueRealMixture=FalseStressDamage=FalseGEffect=FalseManualLights=FalseGyroDrift=FalseCrashWithDyn=TrueCrashDetection=TrueAutoTrim=False[sIM]SYSCLOCK=1[sTARTUP]DEMO=0SHOW_OPENING_SCREEN=1STARTUP_DEMO=LoadWindow=1[FACILITIES]COUNTRY=STATE=CITY=GTL_BUTTON=2237[Misc]Com_Rate=7[Trusted]C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\737-400.DLL.lqwkelzerkraztlwaarirueawirribtohozrbwkz=2C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\L1011XTRAS.GAU.cazacownatrukezoqliarnrcucrutqheiwalione=2C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\dsd_xml_config.GAU.uatcztcanbiecqtkieuebhnrccbeuhieawhkzbrq=2C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\dsd_fuel_dump.GAU.ihwebkqhkwqzboncqehcnneaioekiotakatubanh=2C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\dsd_fsx_xml_sound2.DLL.zzauoaqlcrazuoqaooakateolhrlrzazblazucwn=-2C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\Bendix_King_Radio.DLL.ruizcezrqtaonbahwhowbbncwqkqqnqzbrqiqcna=2[MAPVIEW_MAP]SHOW_AIRPORTS=1SHOW_VORS=1SHOW_NDBS=1SHOW_APPROACHES=1SHOW_INTERSECTIONS=0SHOW_VICTOR=0SHOW_JET=0SHOW_AIRSPACE=1SHOW_FLIGHTPLAN=1SHOW_WEATHERSTATIONS=1SHOW_WEATHERSYSTEMS=1SHOW_DATATAGS=1SHOW_TERRAIN=1show_flight_history=1[FlightPlanMap]LineWidth=2SHOW_AIRPORTS=1SHOW_VORS=1SHOW_NDBS=1SHOW_APPROACHES=1SHOW_INTERSECTIONS=1SHOW_VICTOR=0SHOW_JET=0SHOW_AIRSPACE=1SHOW_FLIGHTPLAN=1SHOW_WEATHERSTATIONS=1SHOW_WEATHERSYSTEMS=1SHOW_DATATAGS=1SHOW_TERRAIN=1show_waypoints=1show_airways=1show_markers=1show_volume_boundaries=1show_ac_twr=1[MULTIPLAYER]condAccoutPassword=0 EDIT:I upgraded the prioroty on FSX and saw that it gave me a small bump in performance about 2-3 frames. I also noticed that if I set the slider to unlimited FSX will dance between 37-55 FPS at current settings which tells me that the computer is not that bad. Do you think I should consider the external FPS limiter I think it will provide some FPS stability. However, I have one question:1. Why my fsx.cfg does not have any of the tweaks mentioned in the FSX forums? BTW I have FSX SP2 installed

Edited May 25, 201115 yr by L1011_pilot

EDIT:I upgraded the prioroty on FSX and saw that it gave me a small bump in performance about 2-3 frames. I also noticed that if I set the slider to unlimited FSX will dance between 37-55 FPS at current settings which tells me that the computer is not that bad. Do you think I should consider the external FPS limiter I think it will provide some FPS stability. However, I have one question:1. Why my fsx.cfg does not have any of the tweaks mentioned in the FSX forums? BTW I have FSX SP2 installed

Keep focused on the fact that FPS is only one component of 'performance'. My belief is that in the optimized configuration, you will get smoothness, good texture update rate, and then lastly FPS. FPS starts becoming a problem as you know below maybe 20 or so. You can give the sim more frames thru certain configuration settings but lose on the other two qualities involved in 'performance', and end up with a poorer experience.37-55 is one behavior that suggests indeed you could benefit from the limiter. Definitely go grab it and make sure you get it running correctly. I would start with a limit of 25 and leave internal limit at UNLIMITED. You can set the default limit within the batch file involved and use the F11 and F12 keys in the game to inc/dec the lock limit. Report back after that.I'll look at your .cfg file tomorrow hopefully. Make sure you have the correct file. If you added lines of changes and they aren't there, they are either lines overwritten by making changes within FSX to the Display settings, or you edited the wrong file, or both.

Keep focused on the fact that FPS is only one component of 'performance'. My belief is that in the optimized configuration, you will get smoothness, good texture update rate, and then lastly FPS. FPS starts becoming a problem as you know below maybe 20 or so. You can give the sim more frames thru certain configuration settings but lose on the other two qualities involved in 'performance', and end up with a poorer experience.37-55 is one behavior that suggests indeed you could benefit from the limiter. Definitely go grab it and make sure you get it running correctly. I would start with a limit of 25 and leave internal limit at UNLIMITED. You can set the default limit within the batch file involved and use the F11 and F12 keys in the game to inc/dec the lock limit. Report back after that.I'll look at your .cfg file tomorrow hopefully. Make sure you have the correct file. If you added lines of changes and they aren't there, they are either lines overwritten by making changes within FSX to the Display settings, or you edited the wrong file, or both.

My cfg file has never been modified in any sense other than tweaking the settings via the FSX menu... Can you suggest me some limiters?

My cfg file has never been modified in any sense other than tweaking the settings via the FSX menu... Can you suggest me some limiters?

You can also simply limit fps in FSX at 30. That will give you a smoother ride...I noticed your texture_max_load at 512... Suggest 1024 for better quality visuals.This can also be set within FSX, BTW. Not a "tweak".

You can also simply limit fps in FSX at 30. That will give you a smoother ride...I noticed your texture_max_load at 512... Suggest 1024 for better quality visuals.This can also be set within FSX, BTW. Not a "tweak".

Bert, are you completely contradicting my recommendation because of his i5 Duo? I know the suggestions I made are very valid for many Core 2 Duo and Quads, but I have heard not necessarily so for his CPU type.

My cfg file has never been modified in any sense other than tweaking the settings via the FSX menu... Can you suggest me some limiters?

I'd see if you can get with Bejote for fastest results as he has experience with a broad range of GPU capabilities and may be able to get close to what would be best for your config of fsx.cfg.You can still get it from here: http://www.4shared.com/get/Txs31sTN/FPS_Limiter_02.htmlAfter that you will need to check here on avsim doing a search and there is alot of discussion about proper setup which is required. You will need JAVA installed to use it fully. You may be able to dispense with JAVA as long as you have the exe installed correctly, and use a batch file like this operating by default at 30:start C:\"FPS_Limiter\"FPS_Limiter.exe /r:D3D9 /f:30 /x:OFF /l:OFF "F:\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\fsx.exe