Hi everyone,

I built a completely new system specifically for MSFS2024 with the goal of running it in 4K at the highest possible quality. Unfortunately, despite powerful hardware, the experience isn’t as smooth as expected.

 

My system:

• Ryzen 7 9800X3D

• 64 GB DDR5 RAM (EXPO enabled)

• RTX 4070 Ti Super 16Gb (Palit)

• MSFS installed on a fast M.2 SSD

• Windows 11, HAGS enabled, latest Nvidia driver

• Latest DLSS version installed via DLSS Swapper

• 4K Monitor, 60Hz with G-Sync

 

Current MSFS2024 settings:

• Resolution: 4K

• DLSS: Quality

• Frame Generation: On

• Terrain LOD: 120

• Object LOD: 120

• Texture Quality: High

• Volumetric Clouds: Ultra

• AI Traffic: Completely off

• Rolling Cache: 15 GB

 

The micro-stutters are minor, but it’s still not fully smooth.

I especially notice it while taxiing to the runway, during takeoff, and on approach to dense city areas.

Also worth noting: The dev mode performance overlay often shows “Limited by MainThread”, though it’s usually in the yellow zone with a maximum frame time of around 20 ms.

I’m honestly a bit disappointed, as I expected better performance from this build – and I’m hoping some of you with a similar setup might have tips, ideas, or optimizations to suggest.

Thanks in advance!

Are you using a high end gaming mouse? Like the Logitech G series?

I recently watched a youtube video on Stutters on high end systems. In this youtuber's  case, it was found that the sample rate for the mouse was defaulting to 1000 scans per second. When they changed it in the Logitech settings to 250, the Stutters disapeared.   Not saying this is your issue, but if you have a gaming mouse, you might try changing its setting to see if it makes a difference.

 

This sounds like the age-old quest of pushing to the jagged edge.. and then being disappointed at the result..

We had this big time in FSX, and I guess we still have it today..

I understand you are disappointed, but all I can suggest is to back off a bit until it is smooth enough for you to enjoy the sim.  Or... look past the minor stutters in certain situations and focus on the other 90% where the sim operates the way you want.  "Glass 90% full"  😊

I have no experience with DLSS, but have the same video card and simply limit my fps to 30 (1/2 monitor refresh in the sim).  That gives me a very smooth flight and I do not go beyond that..  Just my 2c..

Edited March 30, 20251 yr by Bert Pieke

What size is your screen and what is performance like with FG off?

 I have a 4070ti super too and I think it’s a great card…but I’m running at 1440p…

Internet connection. and Latency is the key. Without that you could have the best computer in the world but MSFS 2024 will still run like trash. That is the most important factor here.

MS 2024 is going server base and going away from your desktop or laptop. Total complete control by the bean counters and MS have more beans than anyone else here.

Edited March 31, 20251 yr by JBDB-MD80

1 hour ago, JBDB-MD80 said:

MS 2024 is going server base and going away from your desktop or laptop. Total complete control by the bean counters and MS have more beans than anyone else here.

And yet think about how expensive it must be to run the servers for worldwide coverage.   Are they making more beans because of that?  If so, why?  

Could be traffic as well. Traffic loads as you enter an airspace. I put all traffic down to High instead of ultra. Traffic programs can really increase that. Have you tried AutoFPS? Keeping your lower TLOD to around 100 and your upper around 250ish. That could help as well.

Less likely to be servers but we can't rule that out. If its your main thread then its likely attempting to load too many "things"

4 hours ago, Bert Pieke said:

This sounds like the age-old quest of pushing to the jagged edge.. and then being disappointed at the result..

We had this big time in FSX, and I guess we still have it today..

I understand you are disappointed, but all I can suggest is to back off a bit until it is smooth enough for you to enjoy the sim.  Or... look past the minor stutters in certain situations and focus on the other 90% where the sim operates the way you want.  "Glass 90% full"  😊

I have no experience with DLSS, but have the same video card and simply limit my fps to 30 (1/2 monitor refresh in the sim).  That gives me a very smooth flight and I do not go beyond that..  Just my 2c..

Absolutely had it big time in FSX and also to a lesser extent in 2020 and I'm sure in 2024. I have to do the same running 2020 on my older 3080 system. FPS always locked at half of monitor refresh rate (30), and in detailed locations with lots of traffic drop my resolution to about 70% of my usual 4k. Good advice to lower settings instead of endless tweaking.

Edited March 31, 20251 yr by desbean

I've been having the same battle and have spent too many hours trying to solve this issue.

I have a 7800X3D 4070 super and 64G RAM.

The best results I have gotten have pretty much eliminated micro stutters and surging.

Frame gen off

vsync on in game 50%, 120hz monitor. deleted the NVDIA APP after trying all the suggested settings.

TAA

no frame cap

OLOD/TLOD 100

I use FSLTL static aircraft only, No ATC.

I get a solid 55+ FPS all sceneries, odd micro stutter when looking around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 31, 20251 yr by LEFTSEAT

I have the exact same setup as you, but I'm not running 4K. There are so many things that can cause stutters, and finding the cause is literally like trying to find a needle in a haystack. However, I've tested MSFS2024 extensively to find the best balance since upgrading to the 9800, and here are a few things I've found that help with stutters.

I keep my TLOD set at 200—raising it even to 210 causes stutters. It's bizarre how a small change can trigger stutters.

Another "hack" that works for me is setting the frame rate limit to 50%. Even though this option is greyed out when using FG, setting it to 50% keeps my main thread green. If it's set to 100%, I still get the same frames, but it turns the main thread red. It also eliminates stutters.

Lower your shadow map and terrain shadows—this helps reduce VRAM usage and help stutters. Turn off ray-traced shadows; it has a big performance hit.

AI traffic: I personally don't like AI traffic, so I turn it off and use static AI. This makes a huge difference in reducing stutters. I usually turn AI traffic back on during cruise since it doesn't cause FPS drops or stutters at that stage.

General traffic: This can also cause stutters, so play around with the setting. Turn off Fauna, it impacts performance.

Add-ons: Make sure your add-ons are updated for MSFS2024. A lot of add-ons from MSFS2020 cause stutters despite working in 2024 because they aren't optimized, which causes spikes ans stutters.

Rolling cache: Make sure this is set up correctly. I have mine at 150GB, and it works great. Also, delete your cache when sim updates are released.

MSFS is like an old car that always needs tuning, you have to tweak the settings and figure out what works best for you.

 

 

5 hours ago, Noel said:

And yet think about how expensive it must be to run the servers for worldwide coverage.   Are they making more beans because of that?  If so, why?  

My point is MS is going no where any time soon but your system realize on running their software. From hardware to internet. GET IT.

MSFS is just chump change for them and giving you a reason to fly fake planes at home "to a small market for them".  MSFS is not going to make or break (That Company Powerhouse) them and that is reality so just live with it or just move on to something else. Just enjoy it while we have it.

Late Edit they could shut down the servers today and what do you got?

Let me answer XP, P3d or back to  FSX.

Edited March 31, 20251 yr by JBDB-MD80

Maybe the reason why I never get problems and always get great smoothness in MSFS 2024 is because I have TLOD/OLOD both at 50 !

Edited March 31, 20251 yr by jcomm

I use TLOD 200 , LOD 150 and do not have any stutters at 3840 x 2160. DLSS is at Performance. 

I have turned off Fauna and have Trees, Rocks, Plants and Grass all at Medium. Rolling Cache at 200GB

1 hour ago, jcomm said:

Maybe the reaso why I never get problems and always get great smoothness in MSFS 2024 is because I have TLOD/OLOD both at 50 !

Yup, this. I found that the only setting that greatly induces stuttering is this one. Most of the other settings are GPU related. Ths one, however, pushes the CPU. I never understood why people run this past 200. 

Use the autofps program to limit the LOD when on the ground etc... Most of those other settings are GPU related and don't really cause much, if any stuttering.

Oh and stuttering on the ground, approach etc, seems to be related to MSFS servers. Just got to live wth it. Try aim for higher FPS using FG, stuttering is far less noticeable the higher the frame rate. Don't go chasing stutters though, you'll be here in a decade time doing the same thing 😉 

Edited March 31, 20251 yr by Ianrivaldosmith

24 minutes ago, Ianrivaldosmith said:

Oh and stuttering on the ground, approach etc, seems to be related to MSFS servers. Just got to live wth it. Try aim for higher FPS using FG, stuttering is far less noticeable the higher the frame rate. Don't go chasing stutters though, you'll be here in a decade time doing the same thing 😉 

Interesting !

I have not been using Lossless, although I tried it for a whole week with both Xp12 and FS 2024, and really liked the results.

I'm setting 30 FPS through Riva Tuner, but I had it like that + Lossless x2 factor, getting 60 FPS, TAA for AA. 

I didn't know the higher the FPS the lesser the stutters !

Edited March 31, 20251 yr by jcomm