I'll also add that even if you set the clock speed to for your RAM in BIOS, to whatever the advertised clock speed is on the RAM's box, you may still be overclocking.  My DDR4 RAM I bought 3 years ago, is rated to go up to 3600 MHz, and it clearly says 3600 MHz on the box.  The computer shop that assembled my computer also set the RAM speed to 3600 MHz in the BIOS when they assembled my computer.

All is good, right?  Nope, my RAM was overclocked because my CPU's manual states that RAM speed for DDR4 RAM over 3200 MHz is not supported by the i5-12400. Somehow, the computer shop technician was not aware of this detail for the i5-12400.  I lowered my RAM speed back to 3200 MHz, and MSFS 2020 became stable for me on my computer. 

 

Edited July 15, 2025Jul 15 by abrams_tank

MSFS and its predecessors have always been great for stress-testing a PC. I've had several PCs that were stable under all conditions, except MSFS or its predecessors.

That's not "sensitivity" in the part of the software: it's just software exposing a hidden instability in the kit.

I (and others) have often pointed this out. It's always an unpopular point because nobody likes the possibility that his own kit might be the problem. But very often when someone has a "unique" issue, it's because of some obscure problem with the kit.  

4 minutes ago, tfm said:

I've had several PCs that were stable under all conditions,

I'm kind of curious what are you doing to ensure the stability of your PC if not for MSFS and it's predecessors. I can't imagine MSFS is more reliable than using something like OCCT and Memtest for at least 12 hours.

40 minutes ago, Lucky38i said:

I'm kind of curious what are you doing to ensure the stability of your PC if not for MSFS and it's predecessors. I can't imagine MSFS is more reliable than using something like OCCT and Memtest for at least 12 hours.

Yep, all of that stuff. MSFS / FSX has always been able to reach parts other software would leave untouched. 

43 minutes ago, Lucky38i said:

I'm kind of curious what are you doing to ensure the stability of your PC if not for MSFS and it's predecessors. I can't imagine MSFS is more reliable than using something like OCCT and Memtest for at least 12 hours.

MSFS 2024 found issues with my RAM, that MemTest didn't. Albeit, my last MemTest was about a year before the issues with my RAM were discovered by my computer shop's technician: https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/663938-how-msfs-2024-stressed-my-computer-and-found-ram-issues/

Edited July 15, 2025Jul 15 by abrams_tank

3 hours ago, jcomm said:

I suspect the AI Traffic caused it. I am using default AI Traffic and ATC

For what its worth, I was doing some testing with default traffic, and noticed it seems to use up a lot more ram than something like fshud/Fsltl.

I have to do more fiddling to confirm that, but i wonder idly if simmers sometimes have more issues because of our tendencies to throw tons of additional programs at our sims.....

If I remember correctly, original FSX traffic was a ram-pig, too.

Edited July 15, 2025Jul 15 by HiFlyer

14 minutes ago, tfm said:

Yep, all of that stuff. MSFS / FSX has always been able to reach parts other software would leave untouched. 

Definitely interesting. Would be pretty funny to see overclocking groups just spinning up MSFS to test the stability of their OCs haha.

 

14 minutes ago, abrams_tank said:

MSFS 2024 found issues with my RAM, that MemTest didn't. Albeit, my last MemTest was about a year before the issues with my RAM were discovered by my computer shop's technician: https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/663938-how-msfs-2024-stressed-my-computer-and-found-ram-issues/

Yeah I mean in that case it would be more fair to have done an overnight memtest when that occured. Though the forum post you linked mentions you didn't mention how long you ran memtest for, last I remember memtest doesn't stop, it only stops when you tell it to and when overclocking 12 hours is the standard. Might be worth asking what your technician did to discover your RAM was faulty.

6 hours ago, GSalden said:

Start with a non OC system with all drivers updated. No addons.
That is the starting point

Agree, should always start with a baseline stable setup that works with Prime95, Cinebench, 3DMark suite.

Once a stable baseline, then start the OC process performing the same stability tests above (Prime95, Cinebench, etc.).

What I see many do, is OC their PC and because it seems to work in one game they believe it will work in all games/sims.  They rarely go thru the stability testing process, just sorta wing it and hope.  I get the approach as many just don’t have the time or patience to do stability testing.  But that does leave one open to failure and convoluted conclusions with many variables sending one down a road of frustration.

Rob.

10 minutes ago, Lucky38i said:

Definitely interesting. Would be pretty funny to see overclocking groups just spinning up MSFS to test the stability of their OCs haha.

 

Yeah I mean in that case it would be more fair to have done an overnight memtest when that occured. Though the forum post you linked mentions you didn't mention how long you ran memtest for, last I remember memtest doesn't stop, it only stops when you tell it to and when overclocking 12 hours is the standard. Might be worth asking what your technician did to discover your RAM was faulty.

I ran it overnight, so probably around 12 hours? I don't think I was using the original, original, MemTest. The one I used is one that's high up in the ranking when you Google for MemTest, and I remember it spits out a report after your run it overnight.

But I should have asked my technician what software or program they used to test my computer, but I forgot to ask.

besides starting with a non overclocked systems and empty community folder, some should also consider to just dial down their graphics settings in 2024. as usual YMMV but I have just few things on Ultra (like clouds) and many things high if not just medium or even off (like raytraces and fauna). But again, I am flying tubes. GA and bush pilots will see this differently which I perfectly understand. yet, start settings low and dial up step by step. not sure whether the PC was born who is able to run 2024 all on ultra...

15 minutes ago, DAD said:

not sure whether the PC was born who is able to run 2024 all on ultra...

Running on ultra, 4k, with the 14900ks here. XMP but no other form of overclock. It seems stable in SU2 in the Fenix A320 (that's all I "fly") with various add-on airports including Inibuilds EGLL etc and I've not noticed any stutters or other issues. 

2 hours ago, HiFlyer said:

and noticed it seems to use up a lot more ram than something like fshud/Fsltl.

Aye you counting total RAM usage (in either RTSS or something similar) or app RAM usage in Task Manager/Developer Mode? If it's the latter, makes sense: all the RAM usage is offloaded to FSHud or FSLTL.

2 hours ago, tfm said:

Running on ultra, 4k, with the 14900ks here. XMP but no other form of overclock. It seems stable in SU2 in the Fenix A320 (that's all I "fly") with various add-on airports including Inibuilds EGLL etc and I've not noticed any stutters or other issues. 

lucky you. now if you say your LOD settings are all at 400+ then I really envy you. my TLOD e.g. is at 100 but fine for me. all I wanted to say is that people should also consider dialing down some setting to see whether that cures any instability, stutter or low fps. 

It's also worth noting that:

• If your memory is a balanced kit (no mixing and matching, even two identical kits or identical sticks)
• If the exact memory model is available on your motherboard's QVL list (these are updated frequently and available on the support website for your board)
• You're on the latest BIOS version for your motherboard
• You're running an XMP/EXPO profile within the clock range of your CPU (that is you aren't overclocking any portion of the CPU to reach the memory's XMP/EXPO frequency)

Under the above conditions, you should be able to get a warranty replacement for the memory kit you are using. But you need to meet all of the above to ensure it's an issue with the memory and not something else in your system. And if replacement memory still has an issue, you may have lost the CPU or motherboard lottery, and I doubt you want to bother replacing those for an extra 1-2% of performance.

In my testing, I get more benefit from OC on the GPU than I do RAM or CPU.  Your graphics settings will determine your GPU/CPU balance.  My GPU is usually pegged at 99% (TAA=200 will do that) and pulling over 600 Watts (5090).  I don’t normally OC the GPU (just for limited testing) as I’m concerned about running more than 600 Watts thru those tiny power cables and have seen the many reports of melted cables/connectors.  So far, knock on wood, no cable melting.

I’m not really an FPS chaser, 40-60 FPS is plenty smooth enough for my needs.  I do run everything on Ultra, Photogrammetry On,  with DLSS OFF using TAA=200 (which is really max SSAA) on 3440 x 1440 and the usual set of Add-ons (GSX, Orbx, iniBuilds, FSDT, FSLab, PMDG, iFly, FS Traffic, SimBrief/Navigraph, VDSG, etc.).  Image quality is my focus not FPS (so long as there is enough FPS to not trigger input lag).

I haven’t done any testing on SU3 Beta.  For SU2 I’ve hit 34GB RAM usage and 24GB VRAM usage in worst case scenario.