Hello avsim! Yes I'm very new to all of this. But from the time I loaded FSX onto my computer, I was hooked! Now before you judge the title... yes I know there have been thousands of topics on this but, please listen to what I have to say. I purchased a MacBook Pro last fall, before school started, it's my baby! I purchased the 13-inch model for portability, and processor speed. Before I go any further here are the specs:

• 13-inch (Early 2011) MacBook Pro
  
• 2nd Generation Intel CORE i7 dual core (four virtual cores) processor 2.7GHz-3.4GHz max turbo dependant upon active cores (i7-2620M)
  
• Intel HD 3000 Graphics Processor (on CPU chip)
  
• 500GB HDD @5400 RPM (partitioned in half for Mac OS X, and windows)
  

I have Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit installed in a 250GB BootCamp partition. Now to my question. I love using the PMDG 737 NGX, right now I have the high-res textures installed in the VC, and I'm getting 11-12 fps at Fly Tampa's Tampa Rebooted add-on scenery. Outside the VC in spot view I get 25-30fps. I have learned that I can install an external GPU via a Thunderbolt port (Lightpeak). If I were to install a Nvidia GTX 570, and overclock it, plus add 4GB-8GB more RAM, and possibly an SSD, would I see significant improvement in fps? I would not be running REX, or anything else, just the NGX, and add-on airports. I realize my current GPU is not the best, but my processor does fairly well, and with everything but the CPU replaceable, I'm stuck with it, and no way to overclock it. I would even be willing to opt for the 580, or 590 if it would guarantee me more fps. This is getting long... wow. I'm just looking to increase my fps to 20+ in the NGX's VC. The only thing I cannot change is my CPU, or its speed. Please help, all post are greatly appreciated, thank you!

 

I also wish to use an external monitor. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Updating your video card should help as well as adding ram. Your integrated video is a definite weak link, it's a wonder you can get as good performance as you do with that. The SSD is unlikely to give any fps increase but programs might load faster.

Dont get your hopes up about an external GTX 570. Where have you seen that you could add that?

 

You don't say how much RAM you have now. If it's 2GB upping it to 4GB might remove some stutters. Getting faster storage might also remove some stutters. Neither will give you better FPS.

 

Try adding these lines in FSXs .cfg file

[JOBSCHEDULER]

AffinityMask=9

 

That might give you a bit more FPS at times.

 

Unfortunately you are most likely severly limited by your iGPU. And any external GPU you could possible add via thonderbolt will be severly handicapped by the x4 PCIe buswidth.

 

Your best bet is probably to lower the sliders

Dont get your hopes up about an external GTX 570. Where have you seen that you could add that?

 

You don't say how much RAM you have now. If it's 2GB upping it to 4GB might remove some stutters. Getting faster storage might also remove some stutters. Neither will give you better FPS.

 

Try adding these lines in FSXs .cfg file

[JOBSCHEDULER]

AffinityMask=9

 

That might give you a bit more FPS at times.

 

Unfortunately you are most likely severly limited by your iGPU. And any external GPU you could possible add via thonderbolt will be severly handicapped by the x4 PCIe buswidth.

 

Your best bet is probably to lower the sliders

 

Hiya, I think I am right in saying that a quad core CPU should have the AffinityMask value set at 14...

Hiya, I think I am right in saying that a quad core CPU should have the AffinityMask value set at 14...

 

Only that it's a dual core I7 Howard

I think I am right in saying that a quad core CPU should have the AffinityMask value set at 14...

You're absolutely right. But this is Dual-core + HT. In this case AM=14 will give better Texture loading but less FPS

Have another drink Howard... "Oh don't mind if I do old chum." :Monkey: