After reading at the P3D site I understand that the most important improvement in P3D 2.2 compared to FSX is DX11. I find it hard to believe that this could mean any significant better looking world compared to FSX DX10 (which I use).

I have got the impression that these are other improvements over FSX which might make P3D worth the investment. But I'm not sure, correct me if I'm wrong.

1) Default scenery in P3D is better than FSX ?

2) I can expect better performance in P3D compared to FSX? But I understand that the video card is  important. What is the case with GTX770 2  Gb?

 

Hey, the graphics difference is very clear once in sim screen shots don't do it justice Id say its at least the difference from fs2004 to fsx graphics wise. The default scenery is the same as FSX but FTX global fixes that.

Performance is improved from FSX micro stutters and blurries are gone. In the Realair Duke v2 in FSX using DX 10 I get about 16fps and in p3d v2 I get in the mid 20s which is very smooth in DX11

As for video cards get at least a 3gb as I had a 2gb 660ti and it didn't cut the mustard so I got a 4gb 770

Hello,

 

1) not really.

There are some additions (Fort Rucker as example) but these are not really good sceneries compared to 3rd party sceneries. In other words: these additions alone are not worth buying P3D

You have also some additional aircraft, but same opinion for them, except the Alabeo Extra, which is ok and the IRIS T6A Texan. But also not worth getting P3D alone for them.

 

 

2) yes, much better performance on my side with a GTX580 3GB!

But you have to be carefull to not make the mistake and make the same settings as with FSX (example Autogen to max). Just start at the default settings and change slightly and look what happens.

 

Only downside is on my system over dense cities, the performance goes down a bit, but I would say in the same amount as with FSX also. Outside much, much better performance and most important: very fluid!

 

 

3) I will not go back to FSX

Current disadvantages:

no PMDG - and with the current speed they have with updates and solving their licencing issues I fear we will have to wait several month. And then I fear the pricing ...

 

And currently some Aerosoft Airports have issues with runwaylights. Don't know when or if they could solve it. 

 

 

 

Go and get P3D v2.2!

You have 60 days time for refund

 

 

As for video cards get at least a 3gb as I had a 2gb 660ti and it didn't cut the mustard so I got a 4gb 770

 

Buying a new video card is out of question. I have already payed much more than I planned on my current system (from advice in Flight1 forum from Nick)

So 2 Gb could be a P3D limitation for me? To the point where I get no benefit in performance in P3D compared to FSX?

Buying a new video card is out of question. I have already payed much more than I planned on my current system (from advice in Flight1 forum from Nick)

So 2 Gb could be a P3D limitation for me? To the point where I get no benefit in performance in P3D compared to FSX?

You will still see a benefit if not just get a refund but having the i7 4770k at 4.5 GHz will help you out a lot even at the base clock your processor is twice as powerful as mine which is why I'm building a new system

The one major reason I would keep P3d more than for anything else, would be the lack of pop up autogen. I said elsewhere on the forum, but I am still dismayed at the awful water that is present in P3d, I was always under the impression that the rendition of water was one of the main benefits of DX11!

Hi,

 

I do have a question about P3D (either V1 or V2). Does P3D offer sloped runways which are not only usable for me, but are also used by the AI traffic? Bacause thats the only thing I was really jeaolus of when I tried out the demo of Xplane and I´d be willing to change to P3D if they offer the same sloped runway feature.

 

Thanks

Nils

The one major reason I would keep P3d more than for anything else, would be the lack of pop up autogen. I said elsewhere on the forum, but I am still dismayed at the awful water that is present in P3d, I was always under the impression that the rendition of water was one of the main benefits of DX11!

 

I suppose that only apply if you use default water textures? I use REX. But it sounds a little bit strange. In FSX going from DX9 to DX10 made the water look better for me. I would expect the same going from DX10 to DX11.

Hi,

 

I do have a question about P3D (either V1 or V2). Does P3D offer sloped runways which are not only usable for me, but are also used by the AI traffic? Bacause thats the only thing I was really jeaolus of when I tried out the demo of Xplane and I´d be willing to change to P3D if they offer the same sloped runway feature.

 

Thanks

Nils

 

They are working on that.

 

 

I have got the impression that these are other improvements over FSX which might make P3D worth the investment. But I'm not sure, correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Implementation of the visibility layer and how it interfaces with the terrain is MUCH better in P3D. 

- no more popping up autogen

- volumetric fog

- cloud shadows 

- vegetation/building shadows

- cockpit shadows

- HDR lighting

- tessellation including 3D/dynamic waves on highest settings

- better terrain paging (although a few still have blurry issues)

- generally better performance IF* you have a good GPU to go along with your good CPU

 

A lot of other under the hood stuff as well. 

 

Your 770 2GB is plenty and a good card for P3D. But, do not buy P3D, slam on cloud and vegetation shadows and expect it to not be a slideshow. It will be. But, with some proper balancing, you can have P3D looking much better then FSX with better performance. P3D is not magic though. You still need horsepower to make it go.

 

 

So 2 Gb could be a P3D limitation for me? To the point where I get no benefit in performance in P3D compared to FSX?

You should definitely see better performance over FSX.  It is very unlikely that you will encounter an OOM, you will not have autogen-pop in your face, and you will be able to have more autogen render due to system optimizations.

 

You will also see features that you just simply have to experience that cannot be captured in screenshots or videos.  When you load up P3D, you will feel the sensation of flying in an environment that has dimension rather than in a flat environment.  Dimension in P3D is achieved through the application of shadows and light, through volumetric fog and clouds that you actually feel like you are flying through, and other elements resident in the sim that are hard to quantify.

 

Do not fear giving it a try.  If you don't like it, return it.  We are so conditioned to holding back in purchasing software because we cannot return apps, that we often decide not to take the plunge.  I know I have decided to not purchase many products because I did not want to waste my money and get stuck with a product that I just did not like.  If you don't like or want P3D within 60 days of purchase, just return it.  I do think you will likely keep it, however, when you experience frequent "wow"moments.

 

 

Do not fear giving it a try. If you don't like it, return it. We are so conditioned to holding back in purchasing software because we cannot return apps, that we often decide not to take the plunge. I know I have decided to not purchase many products because I did not want to waste my money and get stuck with a product that I just did not like. If you don't like or want P3D within 60 days of purchase, just return it. I do think you will likely keep it, however, when you experience frequent "wow"moments.

 

There is one thing more to this. If I want P3D I will need a new hard drive (SSD of course). One question comes to my mind here. Must my add on be stored in two places, one for FSX and one for P3D? Or can I in P3D simply point to the files installed for FSX.

There may be a few exceptions maybe because of some payware restrictions, but basically you can just point to the different locations.  I pointed to scenery in my FSX folder to work in my P3D with no issues.

Hey, the graphics difference is very clear once in sim screen shots don't do it justice Id say its at least the difference from fs2004 to fsx graphics wise. The default scenery is the same as FSX but FTX global fixes that.

Performance is improved from FSX micro stutters and blurries are gone. In the Realair Duke v2 in FSX using DX 10 I get about 16fps and in p3d v2 I get in the mid 20s which is very smooth in DX11

As for video cards get at least a 3gb as I had a 2gb 660ti and it didn't cut the mustard so I got a 4gb 770

 

Sorry but I disagree. It's not like going from fs9 to fsx. There is a big difference between them, everything is different starting with resolution of textures. P3d and Fsx using same textures and there's no difference between fsx and p3d versions of ftx global, everything is same. However, I agree about blurries,  it's crystal clear now (although AA is weak).  About micro stutters, I think this depends on system.