I have been doing lots of playing around with different settings and add-ons and came across something that has me scratching my head.  This may be discussed somewhere in this forum and may also be a well know phenomenon, but it just struck me as odd and I wondered if someone would please explain it to me.

 

Flying out of, the boondocks, North Georgia (9A5) north towards KCHA my VAS loads up extremely fast.  It will pass 3.0 before takeoff and climbs fast to 3.7 in less than 15 minutes.  12 noon, clear & sunny conditions.  FPS average around 30.  LOD_Radius at 7.5.  A really beautiful visual GA flight with occasional texture popping.

 

Flying out of John Wayne-Orange County, CA (KSNA) with identical settings, time of day, weather etc; my VAS doesn't break 3.0 after flying around for 30 minutes?  FPS average around 30 with occasional jumpy's and regular texture popping.  I can run LOD_Radius at 9.5 in the Southern CA area with less VAS Usage than the above flight at 7.5.

 

I wanted to fly outside ORBX areas so I disabled all ORBX!OPENLC entries in my scenery settings but left the Library and references to ORBX Vector checked (without vector the airport elevations were problematic).  I enabled all of my UTX NA v2.0 entries which make a huge visual difference (disabled when flying in ORBX Regions).

 

Settings:

FTX Central set to Global, nothing ticked.

ASN not running.

REX4 TD, highest settings

REX Soft Clouds not active

DX10Scenery Fixer

 

Scenery settings:

FS Global 2010, all unchecked

FS Global Ultimate , all checked

All normal FSX items checked as normal.

Note: nothing else in scenery except as listed.

 

FSX.CFG:

 

[GRAPHICS]
HIGHMEMFIX=1
SHADER_CACHE_PRIMED_10=1693500672
SHADER_CACHE_PRIMED=1693500672
TEXTURE_MAX_LOAD=4096
D3D10=1
NUM_LIGHTS=8
AIRCRAFT_SHADOWS=1
AIRCRAFT_REFLECTIONS=1
COCKPIT_HIGH_LOD=1
LANDING_LIGHTS=1
AC_SELF_SHADOW=1
EFFECTS_QUALITY=2
GROUND_SHADOWS=0
TEXTURE_QUALITY=3
IMAGE_QUALITY=0
See_Self=1
Text_Scroll=1
MultiSamplesPerPixel=4
MultiSampleQuality=16

[JOBSCHEDULER]
AffinityMask=84

[sOUND]
AmbientUIMusicVolume=-6.000000
PrimaryDevice={DEF00000-9C6D-47ED-AAF1-4DDA8F2B5C03}
VoiceDevice={DEF00002-9C6D-47ED-AAF1-4DDA8F2B5C03}
SOUND=1
SOUND_QUALITY=2
SOUND_LOD=0
UISound=1
AmbientUI=0
SOUND_FADER1=0.400000
SOUND_FADER2=0.400000
SOUND_FADER3=0.400000
SOUND_FADER4=0.970000
AmbientUIMusic=FSX01

[bUFFERPOOLS]
Usepools=0

[Display]
ChangeTime=4.000000
TransitionTime=4.000000
ActiveWindowTitleTextColor=255,255,255
ActiveWindowTitleBackGroundColor=0,28,140,64
NonActiveWindowTitleTextColor=255,255,255
NonActiveWindowTitleBackGroundColor=24,33,87,64
InfoUpperRightTextColor=255,0,0
InfoUpperRightBackGroundColor=0,0,0,0
InfoLowerLeftTextColor=255,255,255
InfoLowerLeftBackGroundColor=255,0,0,128
InfoLowerRightTextColor=255,255,255
InfoLowerRightBackGroundColor=255,0,0,128
InfoBrakesEnable=True
InfoParkingBrakesEnable=True
InfoPauseEnable=True
InfoSlewEnable=True
InfoStallEnable=True
InfoOverspeedEnable=True
BLOOM_EFFECTS=0
SKINNED_ANIMATIONS=1
TEXTURE_BANDWIDTH_MULT=120
UPPER_FRAMERATE_LIMIT=0
WideViewAspect=False

[Main]
FIBER_FRAME_TIME_FRACTION=0.20    // .10 Default=0.33 - may cause stuttering. Generally 0.12 – 0.22 gives very smooth
// flight. Lower than 0.1 may give blurring of ground textures when flying fast at
// low level.
DisablePreload=1    // This helps prevent vsync tearing.
User Objects=Airplane, Helicopter
SimObjectPaths.0=SimObjects\Airplanes
SimObjectPaths.1=SimObjects\Rotorcraft
SimObjectPaths.2=SimObjects\GroundVehicles
SimObjectPaths.3=SimObjects\Boats
SimObjectPaths.4=SimObjects\Animals
SimObjectPaths.5=SimObjects\Misc
//    ProcSpeed=20536
PerfBucket=7
HideMenuNormal=1
HideMenuFullscreen=1
Location=1799,20,3479,1030,\\.\DISPLAY1
Maximized=1
//    ProcSpeed=19927
ProcSpeed=11769

[PANELS]
IMAGE_QUALITY=1
DEFAULT_VIEW=0
QUICKTIPS=0
PANEL_OPACITY=50
PANEL_MASKING=1
PANEL_STRETCHING=1
UNITS_OF_MEASURE=0

[Weather]
WindshieldPrecipitationEffects=1
MinGustTime=10
MaxGustTime=500
MinGustRampSpeed=1
MaxGustRampSpeed=200
MinVarTime=5
MaxVarTime=50
MinVarRampSpeed=10
MaxVarRampSpeed=75
TurbulenceScale=1.000000
WeatherServerAddress=fs2k.zone.com
WeatherServerPort=80
WeatherGraphDataInDialog=0
AdjustForMagVarInDialog=1
DynamicWeather=0
DownloadWindsAloft=0
DisableTurbulence=0
CLOUD_DRAW_DISTANCE=6
DETAILED_CLOUDS=1
CLOUD_COVERAGE_DENSITY=8
THERMAL_VISUALS=0

[AccelerationPack]
ControlsFirstRun=0
HomePageFirstRun=0

[CONTROLS]
Controls_Default=Standard
Controls_Current=Standard
KBDAIL=64
KBDELEV=64
KBDRUD=64
JOYSTICKS=1

[TextInfo.1]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
Heading=1,4
AirSpeed=1,5
WindDirectionAndSpeed=1,6

[TextInfo.2]
FrameRate=1,1
LockedFrameRate=1,2
GForce=1,3
FuelPercentage=1,4

[TextInfo.3]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
Heading=1,4
AirSpeed=1,5
WindDirectionAndSpeed=1,6
FrameRate=2,1
LockedFrameRate=2,2
GForce=2,3
FuelPercentage=2,4

[slewTextInfo.1]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
Heading=1,4
AirSpeed=1,5

[slewTextInfo.2]
FrameRate=1,1
LockedFrameRate=1,2

[slewTextInfo.3]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
Heading=1,4
AirSpeed=1,5
FrameRate=2,1
LockedFrameRate=2,2

[DynamicHeadMovement]
LonAccelOnHeadLon=-0.020000
LonAccelOnHeadPitch=-0.010000
RollAccelOnHeadLat=0.010000
YawAccelOnHeadLat=-0.100000
RollAccelOnHeadRoll=0.100000
MaxHeadAngle=5.000000
MaxHeadOffset=0.300000
HeadMoveTimeConstant=1.000000

[VirtualCopilot]
VirtualCopilotActive=0

[uSERINTERFACE]
PageID=1
OpenATCOnCreate=0
SHOW_MISSION_CAPTIONS=0
PAUSE_ON_LOST_FOCUS=1
PROMPT_ON_EXIT=1
SITUATION=c:\users\rick s\documents\flight simulator x files\infligh.FLT
Map_Orientation=0
ShowAllACPaintSchemes=0
SelectAircraftManufacturer=All
SelectAircraftPublisher=All
SelectAircraftType=All

[ATC]
ShowATCText=1
COMM_MSG_NONE_COLOR=FFFFFFFF
COMM_MSG_ATC_USER_COLOR=FFB6FFB6
COMM_MSG_USER_ATC_COLOR=FFFFD21B
COMM_MSG_ATC_AI_COLOR=FF00FF00
COMM_MSG_AI_ATC_COLOR=FFFF7840
AutoOpenAirTrafficWindow=1
UsePilotVoice=1
PilotVoice=0

[PointOfInterestSystem]
CycleSetting=2

[sCENERY]
LENSFLARE=0
DAWN_DUSK_SMOOTHING=1
IMAGE_COMPLEXITY=5

[TrafficManager]
AirlineDensity=20
GADensity=21
FreewayDensity=7
ShipsAndFerriesDensity=6
LeisureBoatsDensity=0
IFROnly=0
AIRPORT_SCENERY_DENSITY=1

[TERRAIN]
LOD_RADIUS=7.500000
MESH_COMPLEXITY=100
MESH_RESOLUTION=25
TEXTURE_RESOLUTION=29
AUTOGEN_DENSITY=5
DETAIL_TEXTURE=1
WATER_EFFECTS=4

 

[AContain]
ShowLabels=1
ShowUserLabel=0
ShowLabelManufacturer=1
ShowLabelModel=1
ShowLabelTailNumber=0
ShowLabelDistance=1
ShowLabelAltitude=1
ShowLabelAirline=0
ShowLabelAirlineAndFlightNumber=0
ShowLabelFlightPlan=0
ShowLabelContainerId=0
ShowLabelAirspeed=0
ShowLabelHeading=0
LabelDelay=1000
LabelColor=FFFF0000

[iNTERNATIONAL]
ASLAT=2
ASLON=1
MEASURE=0

[REALISM]
PFactor=0.500000
Torque=0.500000
GyroEffect=0.500000
CrashTolerance=0.500000
General=0.500000
UnlimitedFuel=False
AllowEngineDamage=True
TrueAirspeed=False
AutoCoord=False
RealMixture=True
StressDamage=False
GEffect=True
ManualLights=True
GyroDrift=False
CrashWithDyn=False
CrashDetection=False
AutoTrim=False

[sIM]
SYSCLOCK=1

[sTARTUP]
DEMO=0
SHOW_OPENING_SCREEN=1
STARTUP_DEMO=
LoadWindow=1

[FACILITIES]
COUNTRY=
STATE=
CITY=
GTL_BUTTON=1370

[Misc]
Com_Rate=7

[FlightPlanMap]
LineWidth=2
SHOW_AIRPORTS=1
SHOW_VORS=1
SHOW_NDBS=1
SHOW_APPROACHES=1
SHOW_INTERSECTIONS=1
SHOW_VICTOR=0
SHOW_JET=0
SHOW_AIRSPACE=1
SHOW_FLIGHTPLAN=1
SHOW_WEATHERSTATIONS=1
SHOW_WEATHERSYSTEMS=1
SHOW_DATATAGS=1
SHOW_TERRAIN=1
show_waypoints=1
show_airways=1
show_markers=1
show_volume_boundaries=1
show_ac_twr=1

[RWW_WEATHER_MAP]
SHOW_AIRPORTS=0
SHOW_VORS=0
SHOW_NDBS=0
SHOW_APPROACHES=0
SHOW_INTERSECTIONS=0
SHOW_VICTOR=0
SHOW_JET=0
SHOW_AIRSPACE=0
SHOW_FLIGHTPLAN=1
SHOW_WEATHERSTATIONS=1
SHOW_WEATHERSYSTEMS=1
SHOW_DATATAGS=1
SHOW_TERRAIN=1

[Trusted]
D:\fsx\GAUGES\Cessna.DLL.zhwenunkqwonikwthtahzqauacoenbwurrhwkqzb=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\Cessna172.DLL.lbboichezhulzblwtnoczkiahnhkozekewlalaui=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\Cessna182s.DLL.riqhoehaatzbrtzbbthwcckukoqclbekwluwkrbi=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\CessnaWAlpha.DLL.azqkqortctriwkeqbranaktqarewqewuclelrtku=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\Bendix_King_Radio.DLL.kcubuchzeuwkabzuzrolaihueucekeqcqbcohwqq=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\Bell_206B.DLL.kkkququleeazbioroqkbokbaberiibtealnlnenu=2
D:\fsx\Modules\FSUIPC4.dll.zhkbinnkualwcrahwuaakizaqzzqkiibicbzqcot=1
D:\fsx\GAUGES\fa-18.DLL.iinwnzwwhwhohtekqclkahlqacirhiqncenoirww=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\Mooney_Bravo.DLL.zakkealootiiclurriaazonauqhorantwwbalbql=2
D:\fsx\Modules\A2A_Feel.dll.lloolbulahlthbwltnqkhhrlwicequuheqonuitr=1
D:\fsx\Modules\AccuFeelMenu.dll.oireztbeezicczweubzenatkbrlqnatbluucczoh=1
D:\fsx\as_srv\as_btstrp.dll.qoahbtcuzkqoakoiuwzzeahwkcturaewlilucori=1
D:\fsx\ORBX\FTX_AU\FTXAA_ORBXLIBS\Scenery\ObjectFlow.dll.illcbcrzianzloqwkhqcbcwziecazorebizhbeew=1
D:\fsx\ORBX\FTX_NA\FTX_NA_SAK05_SCENERY\scenery\ObjectFlow_SAK.dll.illcbcrzianzloqwkhqcbcwziecazorebizhbeew=1
D:\fsx\GAUGES\CessnaRG0.GAU.wubrcenqworbwnbkterlalhqtzrwnqtekotnolez=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\CessnaRG1.GAU.leaoirczubcckqairnkrzoohuzrcctoerqtqrtli=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\CessnaRGVFR.GAU.wrcothiiclqacnnbrnqzkbuzrincihzhohnhztzc=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\CessnaRG4.GAU.qnenhauruoceczrwznnzkzizleeiahwltrcwhqhr=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\CessnaRG6.GAU.iillqueiranioocriiknbzhizhhutlewuhueiqhl=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\CessnaRG2.GAU.urharzwhorzbworqlehnzttkekoqwqnzzoohechk=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\CessnaRGRadios.GAU.awalkkibqzaulawtehkuritizbqtutkkhknqrrer=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\CessnaRG3.GAU.caazqtqobqhbnhrbtrwbztaluowozbabroooqolz=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\CessnaRG7.GAU.rloihlaatoookbchrhlwlbqirhqqauzkuhlobbue=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\CessnaRGM.GAU.wqekzqqqbtoazkbzuklutzzaerweeehlaiczhirb=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\CessnaRG5.GAU.qqcobnekuabaruowichkawoetwehniwhrluhuckl=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\RadioC210.DLL.oqiukoahwtccuhkzuzkwueaqtneitnubuekuawow=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\CCTC2.DLL.kczizolckhkhnhohkwuzbobzhlouzczhiwoiaeia=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\MilVizC310.GAU.hrlqnbwhzwrzcbntkrnbeebatzqeiawonqouaaat=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\Magnetic_Compass.DLL.ztotctkaawabczlwuihllueboarkthnbllhwzezw=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\BonF331.GAU.awclurnlohcwbktinlnuaawnnouwritenqlkktkn=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\BonF332.GAU.lwrqeohiturntwkhruhqekwnntrblnqhhcqnnonu=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\Kingair.DLL.ahcizcqrrcknqaeznqincbairrihotbcnoeqiihu=2
D:\fsx\GAUGES\737-400.DLL.hhthaoqatwibebozcuwqrkrartzwwlulkcorbzar=2
D:\fsx\SimObjects\Airplanes\Aerosoft Beaver Standard Wheels\panel\dhc2_eng.GAU.qctltqknchbcooahbtileozukkezelqotrhorknl=2
D:\fsx\SimObjects\Airplanes\Aerosoft Beaver Standard Wheels\panel\checklists.GAU.hreantarkektqakulaauwcckoellnocnizhubenk=2
C:\Program Files (x86)\EZCA\EZCA.exe.hlwnikuhrnhqutqcwruhccnnzltkozklukiaizel=1
C:\Program Files (x86)\Saitek\DirectOutput\SaiFlightSimX.exe.qieoelqbtbqrnkrrkqkltchwtqrztitzrkaarulh=1

[MAPVIEW_MAP]
SHOW_AIRPORTS=1
SHOW_VORS=1
SHOW_NDBS=1
SHOW_APPROACHES=1
SHOW_INTERSECTIONS=0
SHOW_VICTOR=0
SHOW_JET=0
SHOW_AIRSPACE=1
SHOW_FLIGHTPLAN=1
SHOW_WEATHERSTATIONS=1
SHOW_WEATHERSYSTEMS=1
SHOW_DATATAGS=1
SHOW_TERRAIN=1
show_flight_history=1

[DISPLAY.Device.NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980.0.0]
Mode=5278x1050x32
Anisotropic=1
AntiAlias=1

[MULTIPLAYER]
condAccoutPassword=0
VoiceVolume=1.940000
 

You are disabling unnecessary scenery...good.

 

However, all dlls that you have installed as part of your add-ons are loaded at runtime...unless you change 'load' (I believe, not at my fsx pc) to false in dll.xml for dlls you don't need for the flight at hand. I do this with SIMStarter, but you can also do this manually. For instance, captainsim, pmdg, aerosoft,a2a etc, all have dlls that load to provide functionality for their aircraft...these take up VAS...you can look in Process Explorer and see that they are loaded whether you are using the plane that uses the dll or not.

 

You might start there....

Not sure I am with you Johnathan.  May be my fault.

 

My question concerns why I am using more VAS in a mostly rural area like Northern GA than in a heavily urban area like LA, CA.  Seems to me there is much more detail like Autogen and Scenery to display in a large city like LA than in Northern GA. 

 

My common sense says there should be way higher VAS usage in the highly detailed Urban area but it seems to be the opposite?  I can run LOD_Radius=9.5 in LA but barley 7.5 in the sticks with everything else equal?

 

Wait, I also disabled all of the ORBX Regions in the FSX scenery sections, sorry I forgot to mention that earlier.

 

Thanks

Rick S.