As I have had a break from Flight Simulation (P3D) it appears that v5 is still having problems with EA and cloud textures, therefore, is there a definite performance boost using v5 compared to using v4.5 or is any performance boost negligible compared to the excellence of v4.5?

Why does LM continue to use v5 with such unrealistic effects when using EA and cloud structures resembling  "waffle or pixilated mess"?

Clive alexander

In short. P3Dv4.5 is an stable but no more update platform, not the case of P3D 5.X, still in development. Your choice, your call.

I find v5 (I'm still on 5.1 HF1) gives an appreciable performance bump over v4, especially in areas that were the hardest hitting, like the western Los Angeles basin--but with the caveat that your system has to be up to the job, e.g. a fast 8+ core CPU and at least a 2080Ti or 3080.  V5 uses DX12, which is unforgiving when it comes to running out of VRAM, so those with GPUs equipped with 11+ GB of VRAM can operate with few constraints, and 8 GB or less can require some careful compromises to keep from hitting the VRAM wall.  EA, from my perspective, is still too problematic for my tastes, so I operate with non-EA atmospherics using ASP3D and ASCA.  So v5's primary selling point, to me, is the improved performance that better takes advantage of the capabilities of a modern GPU.

v4.5, on the other hand, is less VRAM-dependent, and as a DX11 application won't blow up in your face if you do press the limits.  There's also currently a wider variety of compatible add-ons, both aircraft and scenery.  I run parallel installations of v4.5HF3 and v5.1HF1, as there are some acft and destinations that make it worth keeping v4.5 around.  V4 is not being developed, that's true, but it's very stable and no further development also means it's not being messed-with on a periodic basis.  Having 4.5 on-hand also means I can take some risks with v5 upgrades and, if worse comes to worse, I can always revert back to v4 for a while if a v5 point version release hits the streets boogered-up enough to have to wait for a fix.

@clive6354, like polosim said, your call.  There are other threads here with the same question. 

For performance:  v5
If you have an aversion to EA:  v4
If you want to tell LM what they should do:  post in their forum

V5. If you don't like the new features of v5 you don't have to use them, which will essentially give you v4.5 but with better performance.

 

 

@w6kd, is there a way to pin your post for those not sure what do upgrade to?  

Question from someone still using 4.5:

Has the performance boost gotten better/worse since 5.2? I thought I remembered reading some comments about how in 5.2 more load was moved to the CPU to lighten the VRAM load, causing a reversal of the performance gains, is this correct?

I just got my hands on a 3090 so I was looking forward to finally making the switch to V5 considering how much I heard (at least before 5.2) that it was utilizing the GPU. 

P3Dv5.2 : Better fluidity, performance and very stable for me.

Richard.

V4.5 is solid. V5, while having increased performance has been a lack of stability rollercoaster and I find it hard to trust for a flight. I have come to expect it to crash. I have yet to try v5.2 though. 
 

I have a GTX1080 so perhaps it isn’t up to the challenge. 

Good luck on your decision!

 

15 hours ago, clive6354 said:

As I have had a break from Flight Simulation (P3D) it appears that v5 is still having problems with EA and cloud textures, therefore, is there a definite performance boost using v5 compared to using v4.5 or is any performance boost negligible compared to the excellence of v4.5?

Why does LM continue to use v5 with such unrealistic effects when using EA and cloud structures resembling  "waffle or pixilated mess"?

Clive alexander

No one mentioned hardware here. Although v5.2 is more fluent, it needs also a better GPU with more VRAM. It needs DX12 capable GPU and more than 8 GB of VRAM to not have crashes in complex areas with lots of high res textures. So if you have still your old computer from before your break, it may not be ready for 5.2.

The clouds can be managed with addons like Hifi ASCA, AS and TOGA Envtex or REX. 

Dan

I haven't upgraded to v5 yet personally (though I plan to within the next few months if feasable). 4.5 serves me fine at present.

As others have already said 4.5 is the more stable platform. If you want minimal fuss and next to no CTDs 4.5 is a great way to go, lacks some of the fancy visual stuff like EA but I've personally found that EnvShade & Rex Sky Force doesn't do a bad job in the visual department.

Most addons compatible with v5 are also backwards-compatible with v4 which helps in the addon department.

If you have the hardware I'd suggest considering v5 for the performance & visual enhancements though.

Edited August 24, 20214 yr by SimeonWilbury

I manage fine in v5 with an old 1070 in VR. So older hardware is fine, although I have of course reasonable settings to go with it.

1 hour ago, SimeonWilbury said:

Most addons compatible with v5 are also backwards-compatible with v4

I find a few "airport sceneries" recently compiled / made  in the first instance for v5 (from scratch) & then ported "backwards" to v4 are too much for the later ....... some of WFSS's come to mind.

Edited August 24, 20214 yr by vadriver