These test results were derived by and posted on the MSFS forum by azmidi. The test was done in VR. But the chart should be very applicable for a PC monitor screen as well. 

(Note that Volumetric Clouds and Ambient Occlusion costs lots of fps)

The linked version has more information, because you can click on any arrow for more details.

The image I pasted below has no arrows.

https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/vr-bang-for-buck-performance-guide/315982

 

 

5 minutes ago, Fielder said:

These test results were derived by and posted on the MSFS forum by azmidi.

I would expect terrain LOD to be closer to the top of the list. Strange.

Volumetric clouds are an FPS killer. I think that’s why the volumetric clouds in XP 12 are so blurry and poor quality, because Austin didn’t want to torpedo the FPS.  

It’s amazing that MSFS has such beautiful clouds while giving such good FPS. I think Asobo has done a stellar job on giving us such good looking clouds while also giving us such good FPS.  All we need now is the variation of clouds before SU7 (you can still get the variation of clouds using preset weather).  Some of that variation of clouds is back in SU 10 so that’s good news.

Thanks does the chart. This chart, if the data is accurate, would be very valuable in optimizing settings for MSFS.

Object LOD < 1% 

Handy. Thanks

Doesn’t take in to account stutters as far as I can see. Not sure what this obsession is with fps numbers. It’s smoothness we want.

 

Also, from my experience with VR, I believe the settings had different impact to that when used in 2D. Because the resolution was just way higher (G2). That was my experience anyways 💁‍♂️

Edited September 9, 20223 yr by Ianrivaldosmith

On my non-VR rig glass cockpit refresh rate definitely has more impact than "less than 1%"

This was done in Nov 2020 so may or may not be as relevant now with latest Sim Updates.

G.

The most popular guide in the official forums is a bit more accurate because it shows how each setting affects performance under both CPU- and GPU-limited scenarios. It was last updated for Sim Update 5 so it should be generally representative of today's state.

Volumetric Clouds is indeed the most demanding setting from the GPU, while the only ones that affect CPU usage in a noticeable way are Terrain/Objects LOD, Buildings and Glass Cockpit Refresh Rate.

1 hour ago, Mace said:

On my non-VR rig glass cockpit refresh rate definitely has more impact than "less than 1%"

If you go to the original and click the appropriate arrow, he says glass cockpit refresh rate had no fps penalty whatsoever. He saw the effect as zero.

Interesting topic, but a lot is going to depend on whether you are GPU or CPU bound insofar as the impact of various settings goes.

TLDR:

Lowering graphics settings improves performance

2 hours ago, Ricardo41 said:

TLDR:

Lowering graphics settings improves performance

Very true.  My system is good enough to run everything at ultra at 1440 rez.  I generally run with a LOD of 300 (I can run at 400 in some areas) but if I run into performance issues (usually due to using large airport or photoscenery addons) I will dial back the LOD to 200 or even 150.  With a couple of photoscenery packs, I have even taken the render scaling down to 90%.

These are the settings which impact my system the most by a big margin.

I've run all the flight simulators since the early 1990s so Ive had a lot of experience tinkering with different versions and hardware and have tried and tested nearly all of the tweaks (a lot of which are snake oil).

On 9/9/2022 at 3:36 PM, Cpt_Piett said:

I would expect terrain LOD to be closer to the top of the list. Strange.

Yep--this chart is going to be hugely dependent on the specific hardware involved.  Volumetric clouds on Ultra have zero impact on the main thread which is where I'm limited always and they don't touch the 3080Ti.  Since PMDG 737 arrived I've been all the way down to T-LOD of 100 in complex airports and even that can be challenge.  With AS CRJ and B78X HD I'm up to 130 at those same airports.

Thanks for posting.

But the kind of hardware being used might be have its influence on placing too…

Edited September 11, 20223 yr by GSalden