Hi all, I finally got the PMDG 737 NGX update installed and the FPS has increased by a few. I am just curious as to measures I could take to improve my frankly dire FPS further. My specs are below and they run other games decently, although the PC is over a year old now. I currently get around 12-17 FPS over areas such as London in the PMDG on settings shown below. I also have Orbx FTX England and FTX Wales installed and running. I get around 30FPS in the countryside and I am happy with between 24-30 FPS. I am also using Rex Essential with Overdrive and using the HD cloud textures, as well as some nice textures for the runway, taxiways e.t.c. I have already tried running fsx.exe as "realtime" priority and this gains a few frames. I could really use some advice on what to do here, as I feel I should be getting more frames on a 9 year old game, be it a very power hungry one. Running 1920x1080. Thanks for your time and my specs + FSX configuration are below (There is a lot to read )

 

Settings:

 

Frame Rate Unlimited

1920x1080x32

Preview DX10 - Off

Lens Flare - On

Light Bloom - Off

Advanced Animations - On

Global Texture Resolution - Very High

High-Res 3D Virtual Cockpit - On

Aircraft casts shadows on the ground - On 

Aircraft casts shadown on itself - On

Aircraft landing lights illuminate the ground - On

Level of detail radius - Medium

Mesh Complexity - 76

Mesh Resolution - 19m

Texture Resolution - 15cm

Water effects - Mid 1x

Scenery Complexity - Very Dense

Autogen Density - Normal

Ground Scenery Shadows - On

Special Effects detail - High

Cloud Draw Distance - 80 miles

Thermal Visualisation - None

Cloud detail - Detailed Clouds

Cloud Coverage Density - Maximum

Download winds aloft data with real world weather - Off

Disable turbulence and thermal effects on aircraft - Off

Rate at which weather changes over time - No change 

Airline traffic Density - 0%

GA Traffic Density - 0%

Airport Vehicle Density - None

Road Vehicles - 10%

Leisure boats - 0%

Ships + Ferries - 0%

Aircraft labels refresh 1 sec and all ticked

 

Installed Addons:

 

A2A Cessna 172

PMDG 737 NGX

Orbx FTX Wales

Orbx FTX England

Rex Essentials with overdrive

Cessna 152 Freeware

A couple of addon missions

 

My PC Specifications:

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.3Ghz (Unparked all CPU cores)

GPU: AMD Radeon R9 290 4GB XFX Double Dissipation

RAM: 8GB DDR3 PC12800 1600Mhz

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H

HDD: 1TB SATA 7200RPM (250GB free)

5 fans (get low temps when gaming)

650W XFX PSU

Windows 8.1 64 bit

 

fsx.cfg: 

 

[GRAPHICS]

HIGHMEMFIX=1

SHADER_CACHE_PRIMED_10=1693500672

SHADER_CACHE_PRIMED=1693500672

D3D10=0

TEXTURE_MAX_LOAD=1024

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=1

TEXTURE_QUALITY=3

IMAGE_QUALITY=0

See_Self=1

Text_Scroll=1

[sOUND]

AmbientUIMusicVolume=-6.000000

SOUND_FADER1=1.000000

SOUND_FADER2=1.000000

SOUND_FADER3=1.000000

SOUND_FADER4=1.000000

AmbientUIMusic=FSX01

PrimaryDevice={DEF00000-9C6D-47ED-AAF1-4DDA8F2B5C03}

VoiceDevice={DEF00002-9C6D-47ED-AAF1-4DDA8F2B5C03}

SOUND=1

SOUND_QUALITY=2

SOUND_LOD=0

UISound=1

AmbientUI=0

[bufferPools]

RejectThreshold=131072

UsePools=0

Poolsize=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=40

UPPER_FRAMERATE_LIMIT=0

WideViewAspect=False

[Main]

FIBER_FRAME_TIME_FRACTION=0.20

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=11307

PerfBucket=7

HideMenuNormal=0

HideMenuFullscreen=1

Maximized=1

Location=440,151,1480,929,\\.\DISPLAY1

[JOBSCHEDULER]

AffinityMask=14

[PANELS]

IMAGE_QUALITY=1

DEFAULT_VIEW=0

QUICKTIPS=1

PANEL_OPACITY=100

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=5

DETAILED_CLOUDS=1

CLOUD_COVERAGE_DENSITY=8

THERMAL_VISUALS=0

[DISPLAY.Device.AMD Radeon R9 200 Series.0]

Mode=1920x1080x32

AntiAlias=1

[AccelerationPack]

ControlsFirstRun=0

HomePageFirstRun=0

[CONTROLS]

Controls_Default=Standard

Controls_Current=Standard

KBDAIL=64

KBDELEV=64

KBDRUD=64

[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

[Trusted]

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\Modules\FSUIPC4.dll.nzeznhrinenrzhhcitcbeezlieilkinbubrawqhl=1

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\A2A_Accusim.DLL.iielecqzrltoulzbololblhlkcrlthokwzuuzcun=2

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\SimObjects\Airplanes\A2A_C172\panel\C172.DLL.rictkabeqzkobioqneeorroibtutbrczcqiuzriq=2

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\SimObjects\Airplanes\A2A_C172\panel\C172_Illumination.DLL.bkcecnnhtckhniozrltoknotzlrqeihwekbtwikt=2

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\PMDG_737NGX.DLL.bbtwccewwtzwakrohqlnuuhwbtcwouqbhwneuoor=2

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\PMDG_737NGX_3.DLL.oarizoqqurwiaelzzqchczqqkqhhbcluowuzozah=2

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\BoeingGeneric.DLL.ntcbtacchozoeitketktlaueawwoqhrtbeehcole=2

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\Magnetic_Compass.DLL.rhacuinrwnktlkcwkelwkwnozkiakrckttwetzau=2

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\PMDG\DLLs\PMDG_HUD_interface.dll.wutbqkekaclnaccbznackabctacrurcinbawnchu=1

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\GAUGES\PMDG_737NGX.DLL.ezibbwnocknqnhlonbenhkzkawbbrnwtwlluhrkt=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

SHOW_MISSION_CAPTIONS=0

PAUSE_ON_LOST_FOCUS=0

PROMPT_ON_EXIT=1

SITUATION=FLIGHTS\OTHER\FLTSIM

Map_Orientation=2

ShowAllACPaintSchemes=1

SelectAircraftManufacturer=All

SelectAircraftPublisher=All

SelectAircraftType=All

OpenATCOnCreate=0

[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=0

[sCENERY]

LENSFLARE=1

DAWN_DUSK_SMOOTHING=1

IMAGE_COMPLEXITY=4

[TrafficManager]

AirlineDensity=0

GADensity=0

FreewayDensity=10

ShipsAndFerriesDensity=0

LeisureBoatsDensity=0

IFROnly=0

AIRPORT_SCENERY_DENSITY=0

[TERRAIN]

LOD_RADIUS=3.500000

MESH_COMPLEXITY=76

MESH_RESOLUTION=21

TEXTURE_RESOLUTION=28

AUTOGEN_DENSITY=2

DETAIL_TEXTURE=1

WATER_EFFECTS=2

[AContain]

ShowLabels=1

ShowUserLabel=1

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=0

MEASURE=0

[REALISM]

PFactor=1.000000

Torque=1.000000

GyroEffect=1.000000

CrashTolerance=1.000000

General=1.000000

UnlimitedFuel=False

AllowEngineDamage=True

TrueAirspeed=False

AutoCoord=False

RealMixture=True

StressDamage=True

GEffect=True

ManualLights=True

GyroDrift=True

CrashWithDyn=True

CrashDetection=True

AutoTrim=False

[sIM]

SYSCLOCK=1

[sTARTUP]

DEMO=0

SHOW_OPENING_SCREEN=1

STARTUP_DEMO=

LoadWindow=1

[FACILITIES]

COUNTRY=

STATE=

CITY=

GTL_BUTTON=1276

[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

[DISPLAY.Device.AMD Radeon R9 200 Series.0.0]

Mode=1920x1080x32

AntiAlias=1

[MULTIPLAYER]

condAccoutPassword=0

VoiceVolume=2.000000

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FSX is heavily CPU dependent. Most people who are running FSX, and P3D as well, are running their processors over 4.0 GHZ at least. The current gen i-5's and i-7's get more power from equivalent hz, so they don't have to overclock as much, but even then they're running over 4 ghz. You have an older processor. 3.3 stock just isn't going to cut it.

 

I'd suggest a few things. Get rid of lens flare. Disable aircraft shadows on itself definitely. Maybe even aircraft shadows period. Do you see those shadows on final? You may need to drop a notch of autogen to sparse. Do you see trees at the flight levels in PMDG? Ground scenery shadows, nope can't have those. Shadows and autogen are all wasted cpu cycles. Do you want eye candy or fluidity with PMDG? You can't have both, at least to extremes. With a less demanding aircraft you may be able to increase this stuff. You have to compromise though with PMDG.

 

Your config looks good with one exception. It's been awhile since I read up on buffer pools, so please someone correct me if I'm wrong. But i think with buffer pools off; ie Usepools=0, there is no reject threshhold. Remove that. And poolsize=0 is obselete as well. Usepools=0 is all you need to turn it off.

Ok, thanks for the response. I remember reading somewhere this cpu can't be overclocked? Can you confirm if this is correct for i5-3350P. I will apply the settings you suggested asap and enjoy the fluidity  

Also, how has this guy got good fps with same cpu?

https://youtu.be/tdnoMM_MLaU

Did you buy this system premade (eg. from HP, Dell, retail, etc) or build it yourself? The premade systems won't get as much performance as the ones you put together. Most of them won't even allow overclocking, except for perhaps the standard TurboBoost which comes with any modern Intel CPU. 

 

I didn't build mine, but I did pick all the parts and had someone put it together for a fee. 

 

 

I remember reading somewhere this cpu can't be overclocked? Can you confirm if this is correct for i5-3350P.

Correct.

Replace your CPU with a 3570K or 3770K and overclock. I see your MOBO is Z77 so it should be capable of overclocking as long as its not a Dell or similar with locked down BIOS. Your FPS will increase in line with your clockspeed. So if you manage a 4.3GHz overclock your FPS will be 30% higher than with your current CPU.

NickN's FSX guide might be useful.

Q1) Is FSX installed in your C:\Program Files folder? If so get it out of there! Ideally to a separate physical drive.

Q2) Are you sure you've disabled background software like antivirus before an FSX session?

Q3) What frame rates do you get without all the graphics tweaks?

 

[GRAPHICS]

GROUND_SHADOWS=1

Consider GROUND_SHADOWS=0 to remove buildings casting shadows.

 

[bufferPools]
RejectThreshold=131072
UsePools=0
Poolsize=0

I don't know much about ATI cards but NickN's Nvidia guide discusses bufferpools (scroll down)

 

[Display]

TEXTURE_BANDWIDTH_MULT=40

WideViewAspect=False

Consider TEXTURE_BANDWIDTH_MULT=80 or 120

(Also if you have a wide screen display you might prefer WideViewAspect=True.)

 

[Main]
FIBER_FRAME_TIME_FRACTION=0.20

Consider starting at FIBER_FRAME_TIME_FRACTION=0.33 and work your way down. I believe this setting is related to the bufferpools tweak setting (???)

 

[Weather]

CLOUD_COVERAGE_DENSITY=8

Consider lowering the cloud coverage density a bit.

There was a guide that I found to get the best TBM, etc settings for your system. It certainly helped mine with texture loading and/or stutters. 

Hi guys, I am currently making some tweaks to FSX, getting EZDOK working (without success so far) and I have been bombarded with exams the last month or so. Apologies for not getting back to you

guys I will post some stuff here in the next few days.

Thanks for all the support Greatly appreciated