JohnsonPBX

Thank you for your reply, Dan. I indeed confirmed that newer installers come with all previous updates included. Just to be sure, I also manually deleted all PMDG-related folders in SimObjects, as well as the RAASPRO one in the FSX root folder and the Operations Center one in Program Files. I deleted all of these folders fearlessly as the 777 is the only PMDG product I have installed right now, so there's no worry about messing any other installation up. After this update I noticed that now there seems to be a less noticeable fps drop when the mouse cursor is active while on the 3D cockpit. Feels awesome so far, will do some tests and post my outcome. Thank you guys for your effort in keeping the airplane up-to-date!

Hello guys, thank you for the update. I have two questions: 1. Do these latest installers come with all previous versions included? (e.g. SP1C/D, etc.) or do I have to install the service packs as well separately? 2. In order to do a "cleaner" re-install, after uninstalling the product via Programs / Features I also deleted the PMDG folder left on FSX's root folder (I have the normal FSX, non-SE). Is there any issue with this or should I not do this again in the future? Thank you beforehand.

Hello guys, I finally went for the Gigabyte G1 GTX 970. It is a neat looking card, and also gigantic—it barely fit on my case. I quickly tested a few games and they're fine. However, I preferred to uninstall FSX and start all over with tweaks, graphics enhancement programs, etc., as I had it previously configured with AMD-oriented tools and tweaks (such as ******* Altuve's Shader 3 mod), which was causing graphics corruption. Today I will re-install FSX when I get back home and tweak-test it. Now the new challenge is to properly set up the videocard in regards of setting up its options from the Nvidia Control Panel. There are many options I have no idea about as I was using an ATI card for the last 6 years. Any advice about how to set it up? Also, is there any third-party program I should download in order to improve performance? Thank you all for your help! I hope to have everything set up soon in order to enjoy this awesome card.

Hello guys, thank you for your responses. To quote some of your answers: Well if it was about the looks I would choose the one with the default nVidia case, to me that's the best looking one! ASUS' Strix does look very good, but Gigabyte's doesn't look bad at all either. Oh yes, thank you for mentioning this. I forgot to do so in my previous post. Regarding this scandal, I don't really mind, as I don't think the games I'll run will go past 3.5GB VRAM. Right now I am only using a single 23'' monitor on 1080p (1920x1080). I might consider getting a second and maybe even a third one in the future, but all of them on 1080p. By the time that happens I suppose I will have upgraded my videocard again anyway. Only question I have in this regard is, if I get a second 23'' monitor on the same resolution, and my plans are to have FSX in one and utilities like charts / PFPX / browser / etc. in the other, will I be fine with the 970? I suppose having a second monitor for just programs, etc. should not be that intensive and therefore not have a big impact in performance. It is for me at the moment with my current videocard however. In my case it would be 3.5GB is still better than 512MB! In theory, in the worst case scenario I'll have at least 7 times the VRAM amount I have right now with my 4870. Thanks. It is to note though that my PSU is about 3-4 years old now, so I am not very sure if it is 80+. Other than the videocard, however, I am not planning to add any hardware components for now though, nor am I planning to go SLI in the near future. This is going to be a tough decision. I suppose I'll choose it when I am at the store and see both personally. Thank you all guys for your help! Greatly appreciated.

Hello guys, I think this is it. After reading a lot of reviews this weekend, I almost made my mind for the GTX 980. However, after investigating a little more, I decided that the price difference of $249 USD (that'd be a 63% percent increase compared to the GTX 970) does not justify the performance difference. With the current conversion rate of the dollar, the GTX 970 is $394 while the GTX 980 is $643 at local stores. Ordering online is not a practical option as import taxes would make them way more expensive. This becomes even more true when the main use I will give it is FSX (not planning to migrate to P3D yet), GTA V when it is released for PC, and a FEW other videogames I might like on the run. I was never a hardcore gamer nor do I have the time to become one now because of my job, so latest videogames are not my main focus. Therefore, I decided that the GTX 970 is my best option right now. Now the question is, which manufacturer and why? Right now the two options I have are the ASUS Strix version, and the Gigabyte Gaming G1 one. EVGA ones are pretty much sold out. Even though I like ASUS' cooling system, which seems to be one of the most efficient, I'm leaning towards the Gigabyte one as I have read very good reviews about it (both for the 970 and 980), and it seems to be the most powerful one right out of the box. Has any of you had either? I'd appreciate any input. I am planning to get the card tomorrow if I leave early from work. Thanks!

Indeed, thank you for the info, Bert. I wasn't even aware of that! It was already in my plans to get a second 8GB stick anyway. Regards.

Surely will! Thanks for the information. I'll let you guys know what my final decision was and what was its outcome.

Oh yes, thanks for pointing that out as well! I am aware that once I upgrade the video card I'll need to upgrade my power supply as well. I was thinking about 800W - is that enough? I don't plan to do SLI in the near future. Only further parts I plan to add later on would be another RAM memory stick and one or two SSDs.

Thanks Bert, I'll check over there, and I was going to answer your question but forgot: actually I do only have one 8GB RAM memory stick. I got only one back then because of my budget (not even mine, I was using my mom's credit card haha), but I do plan to get at least a second stick in the future to make it 16GB.

Thank you guys for your replies. Honestly I didn't expect so many answers supporting the GTX 970! I think I'll be leaning towards that one instead, given the amount of good reviews on it. I don't want to sound stubborn (this is pure ignorance!) but will there be a difference with demanding games like the upcoming GTA V, or other heavy, GPU dependant games? Second question: how much do both cards cost at your countries? I ask this because since in my country (Colombia) everything has to be imported, prices are always higher than in countries like USA. Lastly, which manufacturer? Or I would be fine with either? Most "common" cards I've seen, and from which I've heard good reviews are EVGA. I don't really mind that much if it's Super Clocked / noisy or not; all I need it to do is perform its job well and be good looking. This last point could be totally non-sense for some of you, but I really like Nvidia's factory design. That doesn't mean I wouldn't buy a different looking one if it has a better cooling system. Thank you all for your answers, and sorry for asking so many questions, I just wanna make sure because I'll be investing a good amount of money! Cheers.

Hello guys. I created this topic on the "Monitors, Video Cards and Drivers" section as well, but I also created it here because my build is mostly FSX-oriented, most specifically for PMDG aircraft, and I'd like to hear opinions from PMDG guys. First off I will share my current build with you: Processor: Intel Core i7-4770K @ stock speed (Turbo Boost and HT enabled, not overclocked yet). Motherboard: ASUS Z87-PRO RAM Memory: Corsair Vengeance 1x8GB (don't know the exact reference / speed / latency) Hard disks: 128GB Corsair SSD & 1TB Western Digital Blue HDD Case (not relevant anyway): CoolerMaster HAF XM Power Supply: CoolerMaster something, 600W Cooling: Corsair Hydro Series H105 Only thing left to upgrade is my videocard. Right now I have a 6 years old (MSI) ATI Radeon HD 4870 (512MB). For some months I've been reviewing posts on forums and trying to keep up with latest releases, and how they perform in FSX. While I understand that FSX is more CPU than GPU dependant, I do know that it does use the video card up to some point for rendering complex sceneries, clouds, water, etc. At this point, and considering how old my video card is, it's evident that it's bottlenecking my system right now. A few days ago I was about to get an Nvidia GTX 770 2GB, but then thought "well, I've waited for over six years and will pay a good amount of money, so why not save a bit more and go for the best card at the moment so it doesn't get "outdated" so fast?" The GTX 980 has been in my sight for a while now. Now here are my questions: 1. Will I be fine with an 980? Even though I'm not a hardcore gamer and my main focus is FSX (especifically PMDG aircraft), I'd like to go with the best one because there's a few games I'd like to play, such as GTA V when it comes out for PC, Euro Truck Simulator 2, some of the latest games that come out and I like, and then, eventually, move on to Prepar3D. 2. Which manufacturer? I've heard good and bad things about either of them. I like EVGA ones, but would like to hear opinions on all of them. 3. What's the difference between normal, Super Clocked and ACX 2 (?) and / or other variants if there are? Thanks in advance for your help guys!

Hello guys. First off I will share my current build with you: Processor: Intel Core i7-4770K @ stock speed (Turbo Boost and HT enabled, not overclocked yet). Motherboard: ASUS Z87-PRO RAM Memory: Corsair Vengeance 1x8GB (don't know the exact reference / speed / latency) Hard disks: 128GB Corsair SSD & 1TB Western Digital Blue HDD Case (not relevant anyway): CoolerMaster HAF XM Power Supply: CoolerMaster something, 600W Cooling: Corsair Hydro Series H105 Only thing left to upgrade is my videocard. Right now I have a 6 years old (MSI) ATI Radeon HD 4870 (512MB). For some months I've been reviewing posts on forums and trying to keep up with latest releases, and how they perform in FSX. While I understand that FSX is more CPU than GPU dependant, I do know that it does use the video card up to some point for rendering complex sceneries, clouds, water, etc. At this point, and considering how old my video card is, it's evident that it's bottlenecking my system right now. A few days ago I was about to get an Nvidia GTX 770 2GB, but then thought "well, I've waited for over six years and will pay a good amount of money, so why not save a bit more and go for the best card at the moment so it doesn't get "outdated" so fast?" The GTX 980 has been in my sight for a while now. Now here are my questions: 1. Will I be fine with an 980? Even though I'm not a hardcore gamer and my main focus is FSX (especifically PMDG aircraft), I'd like to go with the best one because there's a few games I'd like to play, such as GTA V when it comes out for PC, Euro Truck Simulator 2, some of the latest games that come out and I like, and then, eventually, move on to Prepar3D. 2. Which manufacturer? I've heard good and bad things about either of them. I like EVGA ones, but would like to hear opinions on all of them. 3. What's the difference between normal, Super Clocked and ACX 2 (?) and / or other variants if there are? Thanks in advance for your help guys!

That's a nice setup there Rob! Regarding my issue, I've just run out of ideas now... I tried deleting both FSUIPC.ini and the Standard (FSX's internal controls file) in AppData\Microsoft\Roaming\FSX\Controls. At first, I tried re-setting ONLY the thrust levers in the FSX's internal controls menu and they were working fine. However, as soon as I re-assigned the remaining axes in FSUIPC the issue appeared again. I tried monitoring the two levers in real time in both Saitek's control panel and FSUIPC's axis calibration pop-up, but in both of them, when I move one of the levers, the remaining one does remain in idle. No crossed signals in this case. Again, I tried in a different aircraft (this case the default CRJ-700), and it works perfectly fine. This issue is only happening on the 777-300ER (haven't tried the other variants). I then deleted the axes from FSX's internal controls and set them up in FSUIPC's "Send direct to FSUIPC calibration", same issue :mellow: This was not happening to me when I was on SP1B...

Yes! I already double-checked that (that the default all throttles axis was deleted). I tried setting the axes individually through FSUIPC (Send direct to FSUIPC calibration), tried "Send to FS as normal axis" as both "Axis Throttle# Set" or "Throttle# Set", and even tried assigning them both on FSUIPC as "Send to FS as normal axis" and setting them in FSX's controls menu. With either alternative, same issue... I mean, I can control the levers individually (if I move either to 100% the other one will remain NEARLY at idle), thing is that if I advance either a little in order to break the aircraft's inertia, the other one will follow it... EDIT: I also just checked the airplane's pedestal and saw that when slightly moving either lever a little ahead the other one does move as well a little bit in the pedestal.

Oh I understand now, thanks!

Hello guys. After formatting my computer and installing PMDG's 777 SP1C (both for the base package and the -300ER expansion) I noticed something rather odd with the throttle: I have the Saitek Pro Flight Yoke with its included Throttle Quadrant. I also have the latest FSUIPC 4.937. Since there's a known issue in which the throttle cannot sent directly to FSUIPC's calibration, I assigned the throttle lever axes individually through FSX's internal Controls menu. What happens is that, for example, when I have the engines in idle, and advance ONE of the levers a little to perform a single engine taxi (let's say engine ONE's lever), engine TWO's N1 automatically advances to the same N1 percentage as the moved lever, EVEN THOUGH that engine's physical lever in the Throttle Quadrant is left in idle; then, when I return engine ONE's lever to idle, engine TWO's N1 remains in the "advanced" percentage, so, in order to bring it back to idle as well I need to advance that engine's physical lever a little and bring it back to idle. I tried checking Saitek's control panel to see if it was a spiky axis or if by moving either of the levers the other one advanced automatically, but that's not the case. I also tried in other aircraft (default), and this does not happen there. Has anyone experienced this or can reproduce it? Or is it a normal behavior of the airplane's throttle / is there something I forgot to configure in the airplane's configuration options? I don't remember experiencing this in SP1 / SP1B. This basically means that right now I cannot perform a single engine taxi since even if I move one of the levers the other engine's N1 will advance as well, as if I was moving both levers together, which I'm not. Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance!

I was also curious about this. In my case, for example, these days I'm only flying circuits in my local airport for testing purposes. Therefore, I do not enter a flightplan in the FMC (although I could just enter one with departure / arrival airport being the same). Now, what happens is that after noticing this yellow indication, I went on the airplane's electronic checklist and saw this: "> LANDING ALTITUDE < Condition: One of these occurs: - The FMC does not supply a landing altitude -The landing altitude selector is pulled ( ) LDG ALT selector......PULL ON, set manually" In that case I tried pulling the landing altitude selector and manually setting the landing altitude as-per my local airport's elevation, and selected (checkmarked) the "( ) LDG ALT selector......PULL ON, set manually" option in the ECL, but I still see the yellow LANDING ALTITUDE indication in the EICAS. Only case in which this one disappears is by entering an actual flight plan in the FMC. Is something missing? Is there any way to get this indication disappear without needing to enter a flightplan on the FMC? Sorry for the ignorance but I haven't figured this one out. Thanks!

Got it now, thanks!

Hello guys, I got a quick question. I know it was basically answered a few pages ago, but I just want to be 100% sure. Since I just formatted my computer (last time I touched my simulator I was on SP1B), are updates cumulative or can I just install the RTM version and then directly SP1C for both the -200LR/F and -300? Thanks in advance for your help!

Now this is weird (or I was doing something wrong). I was trying to assign one axis as "Steering Tiller" via "Send direct to FSUIPC Calibration", and then calibrated the axis, but it would still move both rudder and steering tiller together. However, I tried to assign it as "Steering Set" via "Send to FS as normal axis" and now it works as it should. Does anyone know why's that? Shouldn't "Send direct to FSUIPC Calibration" do the trick?

There is an axis called "Steering Tiller" that can be sent direct to FSUIPC calibration, but it has the same effect as the normal "Rudder". Tiller and rudder move together.

Hey Luke, could you please provide a screenshot of your TO / Landing view? I still haven't figured out which is that so-famous white cross! Yes, in the future I'd also love to get a TrackIR. Only problem is I'm unemployed now, which means I can't afford something as expensive. Right now max I could afford would be EZCA / OpusFSX, which is why I was asking for opinions on both. TrackIR is a must have for me in the future, nonetheless!

Good point, will do so. I'll let you guys know which one did I finally prefer and why. Thanks for your points of view, from both sides of the coin!

Well I'm using Active Sky Next, wouldn't Opus generate conflict with it? Would it be better to buy EZCA since it's a camera-dedicated program or Opus even though I already have another weather engine? Both Opus and EZCA cost exactly the same ($34.95).

Thanks for your replies guys! Your opinions on EZCA convinced me even more. As I mentioned, EZCA is my next to-buy addon, as soon as I free some space up in my creditcard that is haha. Later on I'm planning on buying a TrackIR as well. It's hard to get used to the new eyepoint but well, practice is what it's all about!