New system, P3D 4.5 Settings

[Pro Avia 4]

I built a new computer and installed P3D 4.5. Requesting guidance for setting up P3D

I7-9700K - no overclock, will consider at later date

Gigabyte Aorus z390 Pro Wifi

32GB 3200 RAM - XMP set in BIOS - 16GBx2

nVidia 2070 Super

2x - Samsung EVO 970 1TB M.2 - OS on one, P3D on other

Samsung EVO 860 1TB SSD

4GB HHD - repurposed from old box

27" 1920x1080 primary and 19" 1280x1024 secondary

Looking for baseline FFTF and AM settings, along with any other settings to look at. Any specific programs to use for setting Vsync, frame rate, etc? Hoping maybe @SteveW and other knowledgable members will chime in. If more specifics are needed, please let me know.

Thanks

Gene

[LRBS 946]

Hi Gene,

Before there is an answer from @SteveW see this please.

http://www.codelegend.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=688&sid=e0f5ab9c7c8bedaa38030f04c7db448f

 

[Fatback 84]

Exact same system I was thinking of getting but with a 2550 monitor. How is it working for you?

[Pro Avia 4]

9 hours ago, killthespam said:

Hi Gene,

Before there is an answer from @SteveW see this please.

http://www.codelegend.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=688&sid=e0f5ab9c7c8bedaa38030f04c7db448f

 

Thanks Alex. I will have a detailed read thru that article tomorrow. 

[Pro Avia 4]

8 hours ago, Fatback said:

Exact same system I was thinking of getting but with a 2550 monitor. How is it working for you?

Well, coming from an 8+ year old i7-930 w/6GB RAM and mechanical HHD, I am impressed so far. This is my 3rd Gigabyte board and I have had zero issues with the two previous board - hence why I stuck with them for this build.

Still lots of addons to install. Looking for a baseline for AM and FFTF to start - and any other input is most welcome too.

[AnkH 2,233]

You do not really need an AM with a 9700K, as you only have "real" cores in this CPU. If, you might free some cores for addons or you might want to free core0. All you need to know is how to convert the binary code into the decimal code for the prepar3d.cfg and the fact that counting starts contraintuitively from the right (means core0 is the most right digit). Simply use your calculator for this... example: if you want core0 disabled for P3D, your binary code would be 1111 1110, translated into 254 for decimal code. This might be a good starting point, if you are unhappy with the default setting (all cores in use).

FFTF: you are aware that a to low number quickly results in bluries when your settings are as such that the CPU is overloaded? I stopped using a defined FFTF value due to this fact, instead take a look for the FFTF Dynamic tool. It is payware, but a really nice tool as it adjusts the FFTF value dynamically. So you get the best of both situations: on ground on heavy airports, a low FFTF value will provide you some extra FPS while in air, when you do not really need the extra FPS anymore, it will revert back to the default value (or whatever value you set).

Personally, I do not use it that often, really only when flying in and out of heavy airports such as EDDF, EHAM, EGLL etc. For my VFR flying, I am fine with the default FFTF value...

[Pro Avia 4]

Thanks Chris. It's been over 8 years since I even looked as AM. Time to read up on it again. I think I may want to reserve 2 cores for ancilliary programs. I will also try your suggestion of reserving a single core.

As for FFTF, I remember it will cause blurries if set too low. I guess it's about finding the right balance for each individual and their system. I will look into the dynamic FFTF tool.

Edited January 7, 2020 by Pro Avia

[Nemo 1,305]

I have a 7820x with 8 cores (+ 8 LPs if HT enabled). I've never seen any performance improvment when enabling HT and using an AM with 8 LPs dedicated to P3D. So I stay wit HT off.

[AnkH 2,233]

14 hours ago, Nemo said:

I have a 7820x with 8 cores (+ 8 LPs if HT enabled). I've never seen any performance improvment when enabling HT and using an AM with 8 LPs dedicated to P3D. So I stay wit HT off.

Not entirely surprising as 8 cores is more or less the hot spot of the engine. According to my experience and my readings, it seems that 6-8 cores is what you need for P3D to run perfectly. I limited P3D to the six cores of my 8700K via AM (HT on) and this is absoulutely sufficient for me. The reason I do not turn HT off is simple: the AM setting does the same but the whole rest of my system can still profit from HT on and I do not need to switch between HT on and off depending on what I use my rig for...  And, of course I did not spend 500$ for a processor capable of HT to turn it permanently off...

Every additional core or lp is nice, but most probably the gains are extremly minor, like allowing a little higher settings without the risk of getting blurries, a little smoother sim with slightly less stutters etc. For sure not something you can measure with an FPS counter...