Sorry for the crappy thread title, but I couldn't think of anything else.

 

I just wanted to share my findings in XP after a minor upgrade I did to my computer.

I built a computer for my son out of parts I had left over from previous upgrades. The only thing I was missing was a case and Video card.

 

So I gave him my ASUS 660Ti (2gb) and bought an MSI 960 (4GB) for myself.

 

When installing the card in my computer, I noticed there was only one DVI connection on the back and several others I'm not too familiar with, one being HDMI. Since I have 2 monitors on my computer, A 27" at 1080p and a small 22" inch Dell I just use for Plan G, I realized Id have to run out and pick up an HDMI cable for the second monitor. No problem.  

 

When I got home, I had this crazy idea to hook up this 32" TV we had in the basement but had never used. Its an RCA 720p.  I wasn't expecting it to look very good at least not in comparison to the 27" 1080p.  When I connected it, I left the 27" on next to it to use as comparison. I was surprised it looked as good as it did. The icons were larger, but the clarity was about the same. In fact it was easier to read the web on the TV.

 

On to X-plane.  In XP, things initially did not look so great. Clarity was there, but lots of shimmering. I normally had XP at 4X SSA and 8X Anisotropic. Even with the new video card and my old monitor, this was the max I could set it to otherwise frame rates would drop too low for my taste. Maybe because of the lower resolution of this monitor/TV, I was able to turn up the HDR anti alliasing to max. and anisotropic to max as well and still maintain my target Frame rate of 25-30. In addition, there was virtually no shimmering and everything looked fantastic. The larger screen is a nice addition, but the lack of shimmering and being able to crank things up higher, makes a big difference.

 

The new graphics card certainly helps, but I'm also getting a nice boost from running at a lower resolution, which honesty, is a nice trade off.  I tried another spare TV we have, this ones native resolution is 1080p. But a 1080p, I had to turn things down again to maintain a nice frame rate. Running it at 720, looked horrible, because its not its native resolution, so I went back to the 720p TV as the best combination for me.

So right now, I'm using the 720p TV as my main monitor (I know it sounds horrible, but you have to see it) and the 27" for Plan G moving map. 

Ill do this for a week or so and see how I like it after a while, I Tried some of my other sims, P3d, DCS, ROF etc and they all look great as long as there are set to the same native resolution of 1360 X 768.

 

Rob

 

 

 

 

 

Very nice looking and great information... Thanks.

 

John

What you "see" is, of course, a combination of several factors.  The pixel density determines detail on the screen and is also dependent upon viewing distance from the screen, and even visual acuity of the viewer.  Another factor is the zoom factor used in the view and the ability of the sim to display detail of the image(s).  Photoreal scenery often lacks bit depth and becomes blurry "up close" for example, or panel gauges depend on the resolution of the displayed image, not the monitor.  Finally, Resolution settings also determine the texture detail that is "grabbed" by the video card.  Then we have little things like the video refresh rate of the monitor (flickering, shimmering), and the video card and drivers themselves.

 

Regardless, nice screen shots, @Comanche, and a nice desk setup.  (Sorry you can only fly Airbus and Cubs without a yoke!   )

Nice setup....  totally OT but did you buy the A2A Comanche?  Seeing as how your username is Comanche lol

No, I haven't picked it up yet, but will this weekend when I have time. My dad owned a Comanche 180 back in the 70's + 80's and that was the thing that got me hooked on flying. That's why I took this name when I registered on avsim years ago.

 

His did not have the wing tip tanks and was lower horsepower, but still a great little plane.

I recently was able to track down my dads old plane. It changed hands 2x before ending up in a farm in Kentucky. Turns out the guy wanted to sell it and my brother and I were seriously considering it, but my brother opted to by a Cirrus and that was out of my ballpark cost wise, so I passed off on it.

 

Rob

Hi Rob, great job, that's the first time I've seen a plane in XP that's painted white actually look white instead of a light grey, but on to another topic, where did you get that desk ???, it looks to be to be the perfect set up for a HOTAS .

Its actually two identical desks, one is turned length wise and against the other. I only installed the keyboard try on one of them. The tower goes under the second table and has plenty of room for air and easy access. 

 

I bolted on home made wood trays for the joystick and Throttle to go on either side of the keyboard . They are out of the way when I want to use my computer for non flight sim stuff. I works out pretty well. Keyboard can still slide in and out. I won the joysticks set in a contest last year (Saitek X -55 Rhino) , so I moved my old Saitek throttle tot he side table. You can still see it in the pic. I use it for Mixture and prop settlings in X-plane.

 

I got the tables from Office Depot about 10 years ago. They were not that expensive and very strong. Not particle board, and have steal frames.

Thanks Rob, I'll have to check out Office Depot, would like to find one similar to yours, not the cheap particle board

Best thing was howorganized those tables are..my table is spewed with wires across.haha

Best thing was howorganized those tables are..my table is spewed with wires across.haha

 

That and papers.... papers and more papers lol

Those aren't "papers," those are CHARTS!