Getting low CPU usage in FSX but still below target fps.

[dude7691 0]

Hi guys, 

So basically I upgraded my PC a few weeks back. FSX is all set up now with a bunch of addons. I get low CPU usage on my i7-4930K of between 40-60% on 5 of the 6 cores, the other 1 mostly idles. However, i'm still only obtaining frame rates of 20 or so, possibly less whilst in London with the PMDG 737 NGX. However, there seems to be little pattern to my frame rates and they can go as low as 15 but up as high has 32 although it does seem proportional to my CPU usage percentages. With ground scenery shadows off my frame rates are significantly higher so I keep them off generally while most other sliders are all the way to the right except for the traffic which is completely disabled. My temps are around 55 degrees celsius at this load and max out around 75 on a CPU stress test. If FSX is getting low frame rate, why doesn't it just go and make use of the extra CPU percentages that are available? I know you can unpark CPU cores but apparently this significantly reduces life of the CPU. Would you recommend this? I use affinity mask 1364 as recommended by an affinity mask calculator for a hex-core CPU with hyperthreading. I am aiming for a stable 30 fps in big cities as landing becomes difficult at lower FPS. I bought all these new upgrades to get this frame rate and I'm annoyed that FSX won't even use the system resources I've given it, even when setting fsx.exe to high/realtime in task manager. 

 

On another note, I can't overclock past 4.5Ghz on my i7-4930k or my PC just becomes unstable and I get BSOD. My CPU VCore is 1.4V currently. Here's my system specs:

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-4930K OC to 4.5Ghz 1.4V CpuVCore HyperThreading Enabled.

GPU: AMD R9 290 XFX Double Dissipation 4GB GDDR5

RAM: 16GB Usuable (32GB installed). 1600Mhz DDR3

Motherboard: Gigabyte-Z79-UP4

1TB SSD For FSX + Windows + Programs

1TB + 500GB HDD's

Windows 8.1 64 Bit

Using a 144Hz 1080P monitor. Second monitor is 1080P at 60Hz but just showing desktop. Disconnecting this does not appear to improve frame rate.

 

Addons: 

 

Orbx FTX England

Orbx FTX Wales

Orbx FTX Scotland

REX Essentials + Overdrive

PMDG 737NGX

A2A Cessna 172

Active Sky Next

REX Soft Clouds

 

Config is shown below: 

 

[bufferPools]

RejectThreshold=131072

Usepools=0

[VirtualCopilot]

VirtualCopilotActive=1

[sOUND]

AmbientUI=0

AmbientUIMusic=FSX01

AmbientUIMusicVolume=-6.000000

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

SOUND=1

SOUND_FADER1=1.000000

SOUND_FADER2=1.000000

SOUND_FADER3=1.000000

SOUND_FADER4=1.000000

SOUND_LOD=1

SOUND_QUALITY=2

UISound=0

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

[slewTextInfo.1]

AirSpeed=1,5

Altitude=1,3

Heading=1,4

Latitude=1,1

Longitude=1,2

[DISPLAY.Device.AMD Radeon R9 200 Series.1]

Mode=1024x768x32

[AContain]

LabelColor=FFFF0000

LabelDelay=1000

ShowLabelAirline=0

ShowLabelAirlineAndFlightNumber=0

ShowLabelAirspeed=0

ShowLabelAltitude=1

ShowLabelContainerId=0

ShowLabelDistance=1

ShowLabelFlightPlan=0

ShowLabelHeading=0

ShowLabelManufacturer=1

ShowLabelModel=1

ShowLabelTailNumber=1

ShowLabels=1

ShowUserLabel=1

[ATC]

AutoOpenAirTrafficWindow=1

COMM_MSG_AI_ATC_COLOR=FFFF7840

COMM_MSG_ATC_AI_COLOR=FF00FF00

COMM_MSG_ATC_USER_COLOR=FFB6FFB6

COMM_MSG_NONE_COLOR=FFFFFFFF

COMM_MSG_USER_ATC_COLOR=FFFFD21B

PilotVoice=0

ShowATCText=1

UsePilotVoice=1

[TextInfo.1]

AirSpeed=1,5

Altitude=1,3

Heading=1,4

Latitude=1,1

Longitude=1,2

WindDirectionAndSpeed=1,6

[AccelerationPack]

ControlsFirstRun=0

HomePageFirstRun=0

[iNTERNATIONAL]

ASLAT=2

ASLON=0

MEASURE=0

[CONTROLS]

Controls_Current=Standard

Controls_Default=Standard

JOYSTICKS=1

KBDAIL=64

KBDELEV=64

KBDRUD=64

[FACILITIES]

CITY=

COUNTRY=

GTL_BUTTON=1261

STATE=

[TextInfo.3]

AirSpeed=1,5

Altitude=1,3

FrameRate=2,1

FuelPercentage=2,4

GForce=2,3

Heading=1,4

Latitude=1,1

LockedFrameRate=2,2

Longitude=1,2

WindDirectionAndSpeed=1,6

[PointOfInterestSystem]

CycleSetting=0

[GRAPHICS]

AC_SELF_SHADOW=1

AIRCRAFT_REFLECTIONS=1

AIRCRAFT_SHADOWS=0

ALLOW_SHADER_30=1

COCKPIT_HIGH_LOD=1

D3D10=0

EFFECTS_QUALITY=2

GROUND_SHADOWS=0

HIGHMEMFIX=1

IMAGE_QUALITY=0

LANDING_LIGHTS=1

NUM_LIGHTS=8

See_Self=1

TEXTURE_MAX_LOAD=2048

TEXTURE_QUALITY=3

Text_Scroll=1

SHADER_CACHE_PRIMED_10=1693500672

SHADER_CACHE_PRIMED=1693500672

[TrafficManager]

AIRPORT_SCENERY_DENSITY=3

AirlineDensity=0

FreewayDensity=0

GADensity=0

IFROnly=0

LeisureBoatsDensity=0

ShipsAndFerriesDensity=0

[DynamicHeadMovement]

HeadMoveTimeConstant=1.000000

LonAccelOnHeadLon=-0.020000

LonAccelOnHeadPitch=-0.010000

MaxHeadAngle=5.000000

MaxHeadOffset=0.300000

RollAccelOnHeadLat=0.010000

RollAccelOnHeadRoll=0.100000

YawAccelOnHeadLat=-0.100000

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

Anisotropic=1

AntiAlias=1

Mode=1920x1080x32

[REALISM]

AllowEngineDamage=False

AutoCoord=True

AutoTrim=False

CrashDetection=False

CrashTolerance=0.000000

CrashWithDyn=False

GEffect=False

General=0.000000

GyroDrift=False

GyroEffect=0.000000

ManualLights=False

PFactor=0.000000

RealMixture=False

StressDamage=False

Torque=0.000000

TrueAirspeed=False

UnlimitedFuel=True

[Weather]

AdjustForMagVarInDialog=1

CLOUD_COVERAGE_DENSITY=8

CLOUD_DRAW_DISTANCE=6

DETAILED_CLOUDS=1

DisableTurbulence=0

DownloadWindsAloft=0

DynamicWeather=0

MaxGustRampSpeed=200

MaxGustTime=500

MaxVarRampSpeed=75

MaxVarTime=50

MinGustRampSpeed=1

MinGustTime=10

MinVarRampSpeed=10

MinVarTime=5

THERMAL_VISUALS=0

TurbulenceScale=1.000000

WeatherGraphDataInDialog=0

WeatherServerAddress=fs2k.zone.com

WeatherServerPort=80

WindshieldPrecipitationEffects=1

[Misc]

Com_Rate=7

[Main]

FIBER_FRAME_TIME_FRACTION=0.20

HideMenuFullscreen=1

HideMenuNormal=1

Location=440,129,1480,908,\\.\DISPLAY2

Maximized=2

SimObjectPaths.0=SimObjects\Airplanes

SimObjectPaths.1=SimObjects\Rotorcraft

SimObjectPaths.2=SimObjects\GroundVehicles

SimObjectPaths.3=SimObjects\Boats

SimObjectPaths.4=SimObjects\Animals

SimObjectPaths.5=SimObjects\Misc

User Objects=Airplane, Helicopter

ProcSpeed=10289

PerfBucket=7

[Trusted]

C:\Program Files (x86)\EZCA\EZCA.exe.houkcahzzcillqhuqbnknhnqozkunialuewbuwkw=1

C:\Users\will\Desktop\FSX Install\GAUGES\PMDG_737NGX.DLL.bbtwccewwtzwakrohqlnuuhwbtcwouqbhwneuoor=2

C:\Users\will\Desktop\FSX Install\GAUGES\PMDG_737NGX_3.DLL.oarizoqqurwiaelzzqchczqqkqhhbcluowuzozah=2

C:\Users\will\Desktop\FSX Install\PMDG\DLLs\PMDG_HUD_interface.dll.bebwchotbkwahiukcwehlbletuhhckzalqiqakte=1

C:\Users\will\Desktop\FSX Install\as_srv\as_btstrp.dll.kiqcwazculttizqwcbnkekrrzbiecuitknuzabql=1

C:\Users\will\Desktop\FSX Install\as_srv\as_btstrp_config_manager.exe.ruwctcakehnwiiqbluabwhtuckkutaralhrecqqw=1

[TextInfo.2]

FrameRate=1,1

FuelPercentage=1,4

GForce=1,3

LockedFrameRate=1,2

[uSERINTERFACE]

Map_Orientation=2

OpenATCOnCreate=0

PAUSE_ON_LOST_FOCUS=1

PROMPT_ON_EXIT=1

PageID=1

SHOW_MISSION_CAPTIONS=0

SITUATION=FLIGHTS\OTHER\FLTSIM

ShowAllACPaintSchemes=0

SelectAircraftManufacturer=All

SelectAircraftPublisher=All

SelectAircraftType=All

[sIM]

SYSCLOCK=1

[Display]

ActiveWindowTitleBackGroundColor=0,28,140,64

ActiveWindowTitleTextColor=255,255,255

BLOOM_EFFECTS=0

ChangeTime=4.000000

InfoBrakesEnable=True

InfoLowerLeftBackGroundColor=255,0,0,128

InfoLowerLeftTextColor=255,255,255

InfoLowerRightBackGroundColor=255,0,0,128

InfoLowerRightTextColor=255,255,255

InfoOverspeedEnable=True

InfoParkingBrakesEnable=True

InfoPauseEnable=True

InfoSlewEnable=True

InfoStallEnable=True

InfoUpperRightBackGroundColor=0,0,0,0

InfoUpperRightTextColor=255,0,0

NonActiveWindowTitleBackGroundColor=24,33,87,64

NonActiveWindowTitleTextColor=255,255,255

SKINNED_ANIMATIONS=1

TEXTURE_BANDWIDTH_MULT=40

TextureMaxLoad=30

TransitionTime=4.000000

UPPER_FRAMERATE_LIMIT=0

WideViewAspect=False

[JOBSCHEDULER]

AffinityMask=1364

[slewTextInfo.3]

AirSpeed=1,5

Altitude=1,3

FrameRate=2,1

Heading=1,4

Latitude=1,1

LockedFrameRate=2,2

Longitude=1,2

[PANELS]

DEFAULT_VIEW=0

IMAGE_QUALITY=1

PANEL_MASKING=1

PANEL_OPACITY=100

PANEL_STRETCHING=1

QUICKTIPS=0

UNITS_OF_MEASURE=0

[sTARTUP]

DEMO=0

LoadWindow=1

SHOW_OPENING_SCREEN=1

STARTUP_DEMO=0

[slewTextInfo.2]

FrameRate=1,1

LockedFrameRate=1,2

[TERRAIN]

AUTOGEN_DENSITY=5

DETAIL_TEXTURE=1

LOD_RADIUS=6.500000

MESH_COMPLEXITY=100

MESH_RESOLUTION=25

SWAP_WAIT_TIMEOUT=2

TEXTURE_RESOLUTION=29

WATER_EFFECTS=6

[sCENERY]

DAWN_DUSK_SMOOTHING=1

IMAGE_COMPLEXITY=5

LENSFLARE=1

MAX_ASYNC_BATCHING_JOBS=3

SmallPartRejectRadius=4.0

Mode=1920x1080x32

[MULTIPLAYER]

condAccoutPassword=0

VoiceVolume=2.000000

 

Thanks for reading and I'm open to all suggestions

 

 

 

 

[Bert Pieke 7,584]

The main fsx load will always run on one core only.

 

The other cores will vary depending on scenery loading requirements.

 

So, no matter what you do, that single core will be the limiting factor.

[dude7691 0]

Well throughout my testing, I was seeing no CPU usage higher than 66% on the most used core and all the others were hovering around 40% fairly equal. I just thought that surely if there was a low frame rate then fsx would seek more resources which it does have available which is simply not being utilised. Thanks for the info Also would getting a GTX 980 increase my frame rate much? Or getting another R9 290 and running them in crossfire. 

[Bert Pieke 7,584]

Typical performance in my experience is one core pegged at 100 percent when looking at the windows task manager.

 

Is the 66 percent the average of two virtual cores?

[dude7691 0]

Yes I imagine so, on OpenHardware Monitor, the core in question shows around 60% which I am guessing is an average of the 2 virtual cores, of which there are 12 I imagine as it is a hexa core. processor. This is hard because it's very inconsistent usage, just now I have 50% on 4 cores and the other 2 idling. It just doesn't make sense. Was getting around 29fps with ground scenery shadows off which does make a massive difference. Would a new graphics card e.g a GTX 980 be the best thing to get my fps up? 

[SteveW 1,792]

"I am guessing is an average of the 2 virtual cores, of which there are 12 I imagine as it..."

 

You do have Hyperthreading on? You would need that with your AM=1364=(01,01,01,01,01,00), with HT=Off that would give you use of only two cores. Also with HT=On you could try AM=1016=(00,11,11,11,10,00).

[dude7691 0]

I do have hyperthreading on. Okay, I will try 1016 soon and report results. Thanks for the info  

[Bert Pieke 7,584]

Yes I imagine so, on OpenHardware Monitor, the core in question shows around 60% which I am guessing is an average of the 2 virtual cores, of which there are 12 I imagine as it is a hexa core. processor. This is hard because it's very inconsistent usage, just now I have 50% on 4 cores and the other 2 idling. It just doesn't make sense. Was getting around 29fps with ground scenery shadows off which does make a massive difference. Would a new graphics card e.g a GTX 980 be the best thing to get my fps up?

 

I very much doubt it.

The Windows Task Manager, Performance tab should give you cpu load per core.

[dude7691 0]

All I can see in task manager is the total CPU usage of FSX and this never goes above around 40% or so. With OpenHardware Monitor I can view the temps and usage of each core. However, resource monitor which is linked from task manager in win 8.1 shows me the usage for each of the 12 virtual cores.

[Mean Aerodynamic Chord 269]

All I can see in task manager is the total CPU usage of FSX and this never goes above around 40% or so. With OpenHardware Monitor I can view the temps and usage of each core. However, resource monitor which is linked from task manager in win 8.1 shows me the usage for each of the 12 virtual cores.

Open Task Manager, go to Performance tab, click CPU, then right click the graph and select "Change Graph to" > "Logical processors".