New Build - New some settings recommendations

[avi8tir 25]

Just finished an i9 12900k build with an asus strix 3080ti. Going to push the graphics settings to max overall but I did have some questions on FXAA, AA, texture filtering, lighting, etc. 

Can someone share their recommended max-level settings?

[SteveW 1,792]

Before you start, if you have HT enabled then you need to set up the [JobScheduler] section in Prepar3D.cfg (v5.3):

12900K HT Enabled 8 HT cores and 8 non HT cores (24 thread)
1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,11,11,11,11,11,01,01,01=AffinityMask = 16777173
1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,11,11,11,11,11,01,01,01=P3DCoreAffinityMask = 16777173
0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,01=MainThreadScheduler = 0
0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,00,00,00,00,00,00,01,00=RenderThreadScheduler = 1
0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,00,00,00,00,00,01,00,00=FrameWorkerThreadScheduler = 2

[JobScheduler]
AffinityMask=16777173
P3DCoreAffinityMask=16777173
MainThreadScheduler=0
RenderThreadScheduler=1
FrameWorkerThreadScheduler=2

This prevents scenery loading threads sharing cores with time sensitive threads.

 

Depending on your monitor you will need to set up the display settings. What I use with a 60Hz monitor to VSync at 30fps:

Nvidia Control Panel, Manage 3D Settings menu, Program Settings tab, select Prepar3D.exe profile, Vertical Sync=Adaptive (half refresh rate). In P3D Display settings, Unlocked on the fps slider and VSync=on TP=off. That produces the smoothest frame rate for me.

I use FXAA=on, AA=4xSSAA, Texture Filtering=Anisotropic 16x. You can probably go higher with the 30 series cards.

 

If you install P3D in the stock Program Files location, then before installing add-ons I recommend setting that folder User Group to Modify Allow so that add-ons installed in there can write out to their files, and also allows easy editing of aircraft and panel configs:

Explorer, choose "C:\Program Files\Lockheed Martin", properties, Security tab, press Edit button, in the top pane choose Users (MyPC\Users), in the lower pane check Modify Allow, Apply OK. That's the Microsoft way to allow safe editing in a read only folder since members of the Users group (you and admins) are authenticated.

 

I hope that helps.

Regards

Steve
 

Edited March 25, 2022 by SteveW

[LRBS 948]

On my 42" 4K Dell this is what I have. There is a compromise on settings, for FSLABS, PMDG it would be difficult to push MAX settings without stutters.

To complete Steve's advice try also this:

 

[psolk 3,040]

33 minutes ago, SteveW said:

 

Nvidia Control Panel, Manage 3D Settings menu, Program Settings tab, select Prepar3D.exe profile, Vertical Sync=Adaptive (half refresh rate). In P3D Display settings, Unlocked on the fps slider and VSync=on TP=off. That produces the smoothest frame rate for me.

I use FXAA=on, AA=4xSSAA, Texture Filtering=Anisotropic 16x. You can probably go higher with the 30 series cards.

 

I hope that helps.

Regards

Steve
 

Great info as always,

Do you set AA/AF in P3D and NVCP or leave NVCP at Application Controlled?  

Thank you!

 

[fluffyflops 1,858]

 

Scenery and dynamic lighting that is not optimised for v5 will hit your system no matter what gfx card you have.   

 

 

 

Edited March 25, 2022 by fluffyflops

[LRBS 948]

39 minutes ago, SteveW said:

This prevents scenery loading threads sharing cores with time sensitive threads.

 

Steve,

 

If you have time, your expertise will be greatly appreciated regarding JobScheduler on a 10900K with HT on.

I can't get my head around this, for some reason doesn't click. Way beyond my understanding.

 

Thank you.

[psolk 3,040]

1 hour ago, avi8tir said:

Just finished an i9 12900k build with an asus strix 3080ti. Going to push the graphics settings to max overall but I did have some questions on FXAA, AA, texture filtering, lighting, etc. 

Can someone share their recommended max-level settings?

What Add-ons do you plan on flying?  Even with that HW you simply can't max everything in an add-on airline with AI, Add-on Airports, heavy clouds etc...  The settings @LRBS posted as he mentioned have to be compromised with a PMDG, FSL, QW etc.   

Also, what does Tesselation actually do?  LOL  I can't see a visual difference so have it set to off.  

[SteveW 1,792]

29 minutes ago, psolk said:

Do you set AA/AF in P3D and NVCP or leave NVCP at Application Controlled? 

 

The main rule to apply is that if the simulator provides a setting that is also included in NCP then it is best to use the sim setting rather than the NCP setting.

[SteveW 1,792]

30 minutes ago, LRBS said:

regarding JobScheduler on a 10900K with HT on.

No problem:

HT Enabled 10 core i9 10900K (20 threads)
11,11,11,11,11,11,11,01,01,01=AffinityMask = 1048533
11,11,11,11,11,11,11,01,01,01=P3DCoreAffinityMask = 1048533
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,01=MainThreadScheduler = 0
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,01,00=RenderThreadScheduler = 1
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,01,00,00=FrameWorkerThreadScheduler = 2

[JobScheduler]
AffinityMask=1048533
P3DCoreAffinityMask=1048533
MainThreadScheduler=0
RenderThreadScheduler=1
FrameWorkerThreadScheduler=2

 

Regards

Steve

[LRBS 948]

Steve, thank you so much!

[LRBS 948]

Yes Steve, it does a huge difference.

Again, thank you so much for the help!

[rafikihd 11]

Hi @SteveW sorry to bother.

I know mine is kinda old, but any recommendation for an i7 4790K? Is it better to use it with HT on or off?

 

Thank you so much!

Edited March 25, 2022 by rafikihd

[SteveW 1,792]

1 minute ago, rafikihd said:

i7 4790K? Is it better to use it with HT on or off?

That's a 4 core / 8 LP in HT mode. Assuming you don't have an extreme overclock, with HT enabled it will load files faster but it's a close call between two variations to try which depend on the system. I would first try:

HT Enabled 4 core
11,11,11,01=AffinityMask = 253
11,11,11,01=P3DCoreAffinityMask = 253
00,00,00,01=MainThreadScheduler = 0
00,00,01,00=RenderThreadScheduler = 1
00,00,10,00=FrameWorkerThreadScheduler = 2

[JobScheduler]
AffinityMask=253
P3DCoreAffinityMask=253
MainThreadScheduler=0
RenderThreadScheduler=1
FrameWorkerThreadScheduler=2

That will load scenery faster but RenderThreadScheduler and FrameWorkerThreadScheduler will occupy the same core. They usually don't consume the entire core bandwidth together, depends on scenery mainly. If the core is hitting 100% (second core which is the 3rd and 4th logical processor combined) then try:

HT Enabled 4 core
11,01,01,01=AffinityMask = 213
11,01,01,01=P3DCoreAffinityMask = 213
00,00,00,01=MainThreadScheduler = 0
00,00,01,00=RenderThreadScheduler = 1
00,01,00,00=FrameWorkerThreadScheduler = 2

[JobScheduler]
AffinityMask=213
P3DCoreAffinityMask=213
MainThreadScheduler=0
RenderThreadScheduler=1
FrameWorkerThreadScheduler=2

That will be a little slower at loading files but still faster than HT disabled at the same clock rate.
 

 

 

 

[psolk 3,040]

28 minutes ago, Rob_Ainscough said:

My settings are very similar with PMDG, FSL, QW ... I increased textures to 4096 x 4096 is about the only difference ... also use AIG with lots of routes/traffic, Orbx TE, Regions, etc.  FPS will vary from 40-60.  AMD 5950X and 3090.  Moving to the next gen AMD CPUs and AMD GPUs, I'll be looking at a rock solid 60 FPS no matter what add-ons or settings I use.

Why do you think those settings are not possible at acceptable FPS?

Cheers, Rob.

Because like you said FPS vary from 40-60 FPS which introduces stutters.  I have a 49 ultrawide that is G-Sync compatible so not true G-Sync with a 48-144hz range.  So in order to have no stutters I personally need to dial my settings back to ensure I never drop below 48 FPS.  That's with a 12700 and 3080ti.  A variation from 40-60FPS isn't an issue if you are locking at 30FPS but I find the input lag and view panning unacceptable at 30FPS so I'd rather go a hair lower on the settings and ensure 48fps is my minimum.  

In short I can't achieve 60FPS everywhere with those settings, that's why.  

[psolk 3,040]

4 minutes ago, Rob_Ainscough said:

Not to worry, next gen AMD CPU and GPU will have no problem achieving 60 FPS everywhere with everything installed.

The LG C9 gsync range is 40-120 ... as you know stutters are possible (regardless of hardware) at various locations across the globe, hopefully LM address this.  LG is releasing the C2 in May that's OLED 42" with Gsync, but don't know it's Gsync range ... it's on my to buy list for my dev PC.

Cheers, Rob.

The first with a 49 ultrawide gsync premium with an onboard processor can have my money 🙂  

Honestly, it's really close to achievable but sadly KEWR is my home airport so I have to dial my settings down to the performance there with DD KEWR as my least common denominator 😞