Btw. did a little test for you:

4xSGSS 8xs cloud test 18fps

2xSGSS 8xs cloud test 27fps

2xSS 16xS cloud test 19fps

4xSS 8xS cloud test 36fps

 

How do those modes compare (IQ and performance) to what I'm running, which is 8xSQ?

8xSQ is actually worse in some visuals than 8xS, due to lower multisampling. I would refrain from using 8xSQ, never saw any real benefit in it, if you are using any kind of SGSS, only worse performing. But, if you are using only transparency SS, then SQ is not enough.

 

How do those modes compare (IQ and performance)

 

Ryan, why don't you load my situation file from above and see how it performs? And for visuals, just judge yourself... I think that visual/performance ratio is the best with 8xS+2xSGSS. The best visuals come from 4xSGSS, by far, but the performance drop is considerable.

I'll try that too...

 

What about light effects rendering? Some payware airports' lights don't show up unless I'm really close, namely the FSDT sceneries. Do those modes do a better job with lights? And finally VC glass cockpits.. like the Mustang... how well will it display text?

How many MS runs do 8xS and 16xS do?

 

going by this(posted by Ryan at the PMDG forums), you need to combine SSGS with an AA mode with the same amount of multisample passes

 

Interesting reading there Dario.

 

8xS uses 8 MultiSamples

16xS uses 16 MultiSamples

4xS uses... 4 MultiSamples

Oh and btw... I tried loading 8xSQ + 2x SGSS into my cloudtest, saw a drop to 15fps. Terrible. As said, performance vs. quality is the best with the mode I wrote already. If you find anything better looking, better performing, let me know!

 

Interesting reading there Dario.

 

8xS uses 8 MultiSamples

16xS uses 16 MultiSamples

4xS uses... 4 MultiSamples

 

Yes, I found that read also interesting, taught me couple of things, but I don't think these apply to FSX, as I can see no connection. I mean, just would like to know if there is anything more optimal to set in FSX (look at above results).

Interesting reading there Dario.

 

8xS uses 8 MultiSamples

16xS uses 16 MultiSamples

4xS uses... 4 MultiSamples

 

Are you sure Lars? I can't check in Inspector now cause I've got no nVidia card at the moment, but I've got a screenshot and 8xS is listed as 1x2 SS + 4x MS, so 4 MS passes I guess

 

EDIT: from the customsettingsnames.xml:

 

2x [2x Multisampling]

4x [4x Multisampling]

8xQ [8x Multisampling]

4xS [Combined: 1x2 SS + 2x MS (D3D only)]

8xS [Combined: 1x2 SS + 4x MS]

8xSQ [Combined: 2x2 SS + 2x MS]

16xS [Combined: 2x2 SS + 4x MS]

32xS [Combined: 2x2 SS + 8x MS]

 

So I guess it would be:

 

For 2xSGSS:

- 2x [2x Multisampling]

- 4xS [Combined: 1x2 SS + 2x MS (D3D only)]

- 8xSQ [Combined: 2x2 SS + 2x MS]

 

For 4xSGSS:

- 4x [4x Multisampling]

- 8xS [Combined: 1x2 SS + 4x MS]

- 16xS [Combined: 2x2 SS + 4x MS] (although this is not a good combination unless you want FPS in the single digits)

Yes, in NI it says 4x MS for 8xS.

I tried them all.... (without fraps though)... your recommendation (8xS + 2xSGSS) vs my present 8xSQ didn't change things much.. Maybe just maybe your suggestion has a bit better IQ. It's hard to tell though. Performance in clouds is similar...nothing I could discern with my naked eye. IQ in glass cockpits is fine, comparable to 8xSQ. Regarding airfield lighting - same thing happens with your settings... I guess I'll stick with your's anyway for the moment.

 

P.S. My the mustang's VC at FSDT's KDFW really kills performance lol!

Did you try 8xSQ + 2xSGSS ?

Are you sure Lars? I can't check in Inspector now cause I've got no nVidia card at the moment, but I've got a screenshot and 8xS is listed as 1x2 SS + 4x MS, so 4 MS passes I guess

We use 2*4=8 MultiSamples per displayed pixel as we are SuperSampling the picture as well. So I am not sure if 8xS refers to 4 or 8 MultiSamples in this case. I guess someone could try 4xS with 4xSGSS and see if it works better than 8xS with 4xSGSS.

No I didn't but that would surely drop frames?

We use 2*4=8 MultiSamples per displayed pixel as we are SuperSampling the picture as well. So I am not sure if 8xS refers to 4 or 8 MultiSamples in this case. I guess someone could try 4xS with 4xSGSS and see if it works better than 8xS with 4xSGSS.

 

Yeah, that would be a good test. Damn, I want my GPU back now!

Did you try 8xSQ + 2xSGSS ?

 

Oh and btw... I tried loading 8xSQ + 2x SGSS into my cloudtest, saw a drop to 15fps. Terrible. As said, performance vs. quality is the best with the mode I wrote already. If you find anything better looking, better performing, let me know!

 

I guess someone could try 4xS with 4xSGSS and see if it works better than 8xS with 4xSGSS.

 

30 FPS in my cloud test situation. Seeing jagged edges on the aircraft. No-go.

But thinking of it a bit more I would guess 4xSGSS should be combined with 8xS and 2xSGSS should be combined with 4xS as this is the "base FSAA level" when we refer to TSAA.

I tested 8xSQ + 4xSGSS and I had jaggies on the aircraft but no shimmering water. FPS were also decent around 30.