After numerous attempts to improve the performance of FSX, I still get bad FPS and cannot really enjoy FSX. So far I have tried to adjust the settings, reinstalled FSX and all of the addons, brought a new computer with a better hardware compared to my previous one, followed every guide I could somehow find that was about improving the performance and much more. Of course the FPS got a little better, but all in all it's still running awfully.

Today I was approaching FlyTampa's Chicago Midway airport in the NGX with clouds by REX. As I got closer to the airport I closed FSX because I felt like I was watching a slide show.

 

I think I can expect FSX to run much better than it actually does on my system, can't I?

 

My current system:

Intel Core i7 4x 3.8GHz

8GB of RAM

GTX560 1,2GB

Windows 7 64bit

Lower your settings in FSX. Really the main things holding back your FPS is your CPU. If you really want to get great FPS go for one of the new IB or SB systems.

So a SB or IB would be like yours with 4.8GHz or something and that would do the trick?

So a SB or IB would be like yours with 4.8GHz or something and that would do the trick?

 

Yes. - SB and IB have turned out to be the best platform for FSX yet.

 

If you have the money, I would recommend a system like this:

 

Intel Core i7 2700K or 3770K [Keep in mind that the 3770K @4.5 = 2700K @ 4.7-4.8. Also, the 3770K runs much hotter under load than the 2700K. Honestly, I have little preference from SB to IB. If you want the IB chip, then go for it.]

Asus P8Z77-V

8GB DDR3 2133

GTX670 or 680 - Personally, I'd recommend the GTX670. The 680 is only slightly faster and the higher price does not justify the minute performance jump.

Corsair AX750 Watt PSU

Corsair 650D Case

Corsair H100 Watercooling Kit

OCZ Agility 3 240GB SSD - For FSX

500GB Western Digital Caviar Black - Win7 64Bit

 

Overall, this system is about as good as it gets for FSX. You will be able to run much higher settings than your current system. The performance jump will be about 40% if you can OC the 2700K to 4.8GHZ.

Thanks a lot for your help!

 

Wow that's indeed a lot of money I would have to spend. Will simply using a better processor be enough or will I really have to buy all those other things?

 

By the way, how significant is that Windows performance index thingy really?

FW

What cpu do you have at present :

Intel Core i7 4x 3.8GHz

- this really tells us very little is it an i7 8xx series or an i7 9xx series? Is it indeed an i7 Sandybridge?

With FSX you do need to get well above 4GHz to see real improvements in performance, plus matched components so at around 4GHz the GTX560 is starting to become a bottleneck and you may need a 570 (670) or 580/680. If it is a 560TI it will perform slightly better.

Thw WPI is only a guide if you have a conventional HDD you'll get an overall low score - what does it say for your cpu, gpu etc.

It doesn't give you any concrete guide as to the performance you might see in FSX - that depends on may interacting parameters.

Regards

pH

More precisely, I use an i7-2600, 4x 3.8GHz.

 

Thanks for all your help!

As Ben said: lower your settings. Try different settings. FSX should be smooth even at 3.8.

Show us your fsx.cfg so we can analyze better.

Pierre

I already tried to lower the settings in FSX, but unfortunately still without any real success. I also read that if certain settings are too low the FPS can actually drop, too.

 

There's that simmer on YouTube, Jon5700, maybe you know him. My system is as far as I can say better than his, but he can run FSX with the settings obviously set to at least medium much better?!

 

His system:

Q6600 @ 2.4GHz

8GB of RAM

GTX460 (1GB)

You have something going on. (Really ya think!) You really shouln't be having that bad of issues. Try clearing your weather when you performance starts to drop a see what that does.. Oh and open the throttle on that 2700K and let it breathe! But I agree even 3.8 should give good performance.

Well, on my previous system the clouds by REX indeed led to a low performance, but on my new system they actually do not have any big impact on the FPS.

Delete your FSX CFG, and then follow Word Not Allowed's guide. Also, rebuild your shader cache.

I've already followed Word Not Allowed's guide as well as the guide by someone called Nick... Unfortunately, still now success.

 

Regarding rebuilding the shader cache, I have searched the internet and even this forum but haven't found any guide that clearly explained how to rebuild. I'm just careful in order to prevent damage I might cause. Would be kind if anybody told me exactly what to do.

FW

You could try a "clean" BOOT (Google to see what I mean) that will eliminate all non-windows services and if your performance improves (use a clean default FSX.cfg) you know that one of those services is affecting FSX. Then you have to find which one! Temporarily turn off your AV or give FSX and all add-ons full permissions in your AV).

There is also a program called "Game Booster" which may help, it has mixed results but it can help in some situations.

I guess that you defragged your conventional (not SSDs) recently?

Regards

pH

Okay, yesterday I tried a clean boot, but my performance did not improve, I only got problems with various addons. I'm now pretty desperate because it looks like nothing's really helping.