FPS drop when on Final Approach - Possible Solution

[Angels40]

Over the years, many have reported this phenomenon, especially on Short Final.   I had tried just about everything to deal with it and till recently, always had to Save the flight when nearing my destination, exit FSX then restart/load the flight.  This was the only way to keep my frames up (i.e. for a stutter-free approach). All other efforts proved entirely fruitless, apart from reducing my monitor resolution a few notches which helped keep the frames in the teens, rather than flicking into the single digits.   But this of course, blurred the picture.

 

Then purely by accident, I went into fsx.exe in the root folder and found that I had my compatibility setting set for Windows XP.   This I had done a couple of years ago, if I remember correctly, so that FSX would start up and load up to its main menu.   Had I not set it for XP, FSX would not start up and I would just go back to desktop.   Since changing my compatibility to Windows 7, I have not yet experienced any drop of frames or stutter when on final approach, landing, or taxiing to the tarmac.   Having said that, one could ask, why does FSX work now with Win 7, and no longer need Win XP compatibility?   I have no real answer for that, though it seems that using a widescreen LCD monitor rather than my old 19" CRT, may be a factor in that.   

 

Anyway, I hope it helps someone who is still wrestling with this issue, cause I know what a frustration it can be, when constantly searching/tweaking/adjusting for answers.   So...try the compatibility setting in fsx.exe, as a possible solution for you.

 

Chris

 

 

[Mephic]

Have to say I have never used any compatibility modes - I am under win 8 but I have never got any bonus from any compatibility modes.

 

Are you 100% positive that you have not changed anything else?

[scianoir]

Have to say I have never used any compatibility modes - I am under win 8 but I have never got any bonus from any compatibility modes.

 

Are you 100% positive that you have not changed anything else?

 

Neither have I! My impression about FPS drops on final approach is that they are normally related to increased demand for computer resources from the airport scenery as you get closer to it, particularly with very high quality airport addons.

 

Bill

[Angels40]

Have to say I have never used any compatibility modes - I am under win 8 but I have never got any bonus from any compatibility modes.

 

Are you 100% positive that you have not changed anything else?

In the past, I've had to use compatibility mode for Win XP/Vista so that FSX could start in Win 7.   That XP mode worked fine in all respects, except for the fps drop on final.   I've not changed anything else in cfg or anywhere else;  it was simply finding out that I was still in that Win XP mode and I then unticked that box, so that FSX would start (I hoped) normally in Win 7.   I've completed several flights since that find and had normal 30 fps right through.

 

Neither have I! My impression about FPS drops on final approach is that they are normally related to increased demand for computer resources from the airport scenery as you get closer to it, particularly with very high quality airport addons.

 

Bill

I'm sure that the more resources you're using, will put an added strain on your hardware.   Am not suggesting that that is not a probable cause for fps loss.   But for those who have used the compatibility mode to an earlier OS, may want to check that option out.   I know that this compatibility issue was a suggestion for those who couldn't start FSX in Win 7 several years ago.

 

Chris