I'd recommend getting addon airports for those places you've been to IRL or know very well. If you're not careful you'll fall into the trap of only going to places you've got highly detailed scenery for; or feel that you have to get the airport scenery before going to some place - when the route itself may provide ample interest.

 

Chris.

I run most things high except the FPS killers.

 

Autogen I run on Sparse or Normal. I've never liked autogen that much, textures are usually fine if it's not default.

Traffic I run 5% only cars, 15% boats, I use UT2 for traffic not the bad MS models.

 

Never had an OOM with 8gb, I think something is going wrong for you there.

 

Did you try Kostas guide?

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I will stay with the defaults with enhanced AFCAD free from Ray Smith et. al. Then choose your routes and buy the payware airports for only those routes with the NGX. I have switched to the "dark" side and spent enough money already! The trouble with Airport sceneries is this: they details are pretty much gone after 3 minutes of take off, and unless you let the AP does everything, you will only see the gate and a bit of scenery when taxiing. The payware airports will really pay off when paired off with your favorite flights.

 

Very true.

 

Thats why I look for an approach sceneries..meaning.. Not Just an airport, but the entire approach should have sceneries.. The immediate viscinity.

 

Just the airport is fine provided there is another scenery for its immediate viscinity. I like FSDT's KLAX because of Megascenery So Cal. I would buy any "Just the airport" scenery for the So cal area.

 

Same with Orbx, they have not just the airport, but the entire approach to landing is gorgeous.

 

Fly Tampa's Hong Kong is awesome because of the entire city along with the airport. So does their Princess Juliana.

 

Just the airport doesn't do it for me anymore. Either the airport vendor gives us the immediate vsicinity or there is a scenery for the visicnity is available.

 

I have stopped buying "Just the airport" if I don't have the entire viscinity/approach area enhanced anymore.

 

"Flight Scenery" started it with their "Flight zone" concept. I wish they would be back..They went AWOL on us.

 

 

Manny

A few tips when debating 3rd party scenery:

 

1. Get your PC's CPU running fast as possible (talkin' some OC here).

 

2. Try some high-end freeware airports like SunSkyJet or Flyhalf's.

 

3. Try some FSDT airports in Trial mode with your NGX. That will tell you right off what your machine is capable of so not to waste $$ on scenery you can't really use at full potential.

 

4. Get a feel for your system's output by starting all sliders to the left and then slowly move them to the right to find a good mix.

 

5. LOOK FOR SALES! Some of the best developers will have sales throughout the year which can really help your wallet. I've picked up Megascenery in the past with 50% savings, FSDT - 30% savings. Bundle airport deals can also save $$. Just have to be patient and research.

 

6. Don't try to buy everything that comes out! You'll end up being a collector of airports rather than using them. Plas many may have a few bugs that need an update or two so I usually wait to hear feedback from those other "addicts", ha! I can spend months flying out of one airport and not get weary of it - if it's well made. I stopped the "gotta have it now" habit. I have airports I bought last year that I haven't even installed yet!

 

7. Pick an area you enjoy to fly in and build up that area. For me it's been California up the coast (I live in San Diego), and out to Las Vegas. Building up the airports and the scenery.

 

Hope that helps,

 

Clutch

Never had an OOM with 8gb, I think something is going wrong for you there.

 

 

Naw it's just the huge load we put on our systems with various HD addons (and FSX's old code really). I usually get OOM's but only with NGX, and payware airports/scenery. I also run almost maxed settings and custom 6.5 LOD hehe.

 

Anyway more on topic...

 

I enjoy the pretty payware airports but with AI traffic when going offline plus payware airplanes the fps really start to plummet. I easily go from 22 online (a few SB4 ai models) to about 14 offline (with AI on) at major payware like FSDT's JFK or FT's KTPA