Dear Fellow Flightsimmers and Avsim readers,

 

Recently I returned to FSX after nearly ten years away from Microsoft's venerable sim. I used to be a regular here on Avsim's forums, contributing to many conversations and the screenshots forum, along with the likes of Edetroit back in the day.

 

My return a year or so ago started with DCS and the incredible study sim which is A10C. I invested in a powerful rig that runs DCS maxed out at 60FPS and beyond. I learned the ropes of flying the Black Shark, and the shockingly powerful Mig21 module. All the while feeling nostalgic about my days flying heavies in FS2002 and FS2004.

 

About a month ago I installed FSX. I honestly wasn't expecting much having followed the release and reading about the typical problems a few years ago - but I wanted to fly those heavies again, I wanted to feel the strain of thinking many miles in advance, managing a giant boat in the sky, and following SIDS and STARS. After basic install I searched and found some fabulous tweaks and made some excellent changes that almost doubled frame rates in a PMDG 747 virtual cockpit for example (around 20fps to 40). In order to improve the look of the old workhorse simulator, I bought REX and FTX Global and PNW. All the way struggling to contend with a Saitek-X55 throttle and stick and the FSX won't fully recognize.

 

Now, my PMDG 747 VIRTUAL cockpit is back down to less than 20fps. With REX weather activated my i7, 16 Gig RAM, Nvidea 970 4gb video card, is brought down to between 10 and 15 frames per second on finals to any major airport **without** AI traffic. I am now in that place I was in 10 years ago, where I tweak, fly, struggle, breath a sigh of relief, rage quit, and wonder why I spent that valuable two hours doing this to myself. I could have sat on the couch with the wife, or continued my "studies" in DCS. Also, my saitek throttle won't configure correctly (in FSX). And it goes on....

 

So, my fellow simmers, what should I do? X-plane does not seem to be the answer. Do I completely reduce REX clouds and fly in fair weather or with 20 mile visibility. I love having AI and want to fly with consistent frames with confidence. I want that smile I get from DCS, iL2 Cliffs of Dover (Fusion patched) and Elite Dangerous. I do not wnat to give up because flying the civilian heavies is what I love most.

 

Lenny

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am now in that place I was in 10 years ago, where I tweak, fly, struggle, breath a sigh of relief, rage quit, and wonder why I spent that valuable two hours doing this to myself

 

I feel your frustration, Lenny.  Having moved from FS1 all the way up to FS2004 quite happily (excluding FS2000),.I seemed to hit a wall with FSX.  It didnt really gel with me and piling on the add-ons made it more unstable.  It was for all the world like Windows Xp vs Vista. i.e. FS2004 being XP and FSX being Vista.

 

Having said that, some of the most recent Youtube videos of FSX look quite convincing..so I'm thinking..'shall I give it one more go and throw some more money at it?'  

 

FSX can perhaps be likened to an elderly gent who has more recently found a new lease of life..and even turns a few ladies' heads (and some men's) due to his recent makeover -which includes many addons such as a hip-replacement, false teeth, a nose job and a toupee. ;-)

 

Having said that...I might just give the old fella a spin one of these months. ;-)

..

Now, my PMDG 747 VIRTUAL cockpit is back down to less than 20fps. With REX weather activated my i7, 16 Gig RAM, Nvidea 970 4gb video card, is brought down to between 10 and 15 frames per second on finals to any major airport **without** AI traffic. I am now in that place I was in 10 years ago, where I tweak, fly, struggle, breath a sigh of relief, rage quit, and wonder why I spent that valuable two hours doing this to myself. I could have sat on the couch with the wife, or continued my "studies" in DCS. Also, my saitek throttle won't configure correctly (in FSX). And it goes on....

 

FSX performance will not decrease with age. It's not like being married. It should still perform the same forever granted you don't change anything. So what has changed since you were getting 40 FPS? Different setting? I noticed you installed those scenery packs. Orbx autogen is fairly expensive, especially around cities. You may need to turn down the autogen density when you are departing/arriving to/from cities.

Thanks guys.

 

AviatorMoser - That's just it. I reduced auto-gen significantly and in accordance with reccomendations from the Orbx product, I have reduced clouds quality. All to gain a few FPS that otherwise are doubled in DCS or Il2 CLOD and X-Plane. I think I'm really hoping to hear that others who use PMDG and advanced payware simulations experience the same thing...

 

What do you guys do to get the smoothest happiest experience flying a resource hungry aircraft in FSX with these scenery enhancers?

 

Thanks,

Lenny