Brian Koeneke 1036419 Posted January 1, 2008 at 09:40 PM Posted January 1, 2008 at 09:40 PM I just got FSX loaded and up and running. It is very slow to open, choppy in flight, just poor performance all around. Do I need to upgrade my video card possibly? Or perhaps my RAM? What is everyone running to maximize FSX enjoyment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Atkielski 985811 Posted January 1, 2008 at 10:31 PM Posted January 1, 2008 at 10:31 PM I just got FSX loaded and up and running. It is very slow to open, choppy in flight, just poor performance all around. Do I need to upgrade my video card possibly? Or perhaps my RAM? What is everyone running to maximize FSX enjoyment? The performance of flight simulators is more dependent on CPU power than anything else. Unlike most games, flight simulators do not make heavy use of the 3D visual elements that high-performance video cards can handle autonomously, so a powerful video card can only provide a modest improvement, if any. A video card with a great deal of memory on board may help a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruno Lindenblatt Posted January 1, 2008 at 10:36 PM Posted January 1, 2008 at 10:36 PM And the good thing is FSX supports multi-core processors so your safe there, unlike FS9. I am running a QX6800 Extreme (4 CPUS) at 2.93 GHZ and really FS9 is only using one core, I believe. So you lose abit in FS9 with the new technology. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry James 901346 Posted January 1, 2008 at 10:55 PM Posted January 1, 2008 at 10:55 PM I just got FSX loaded and up and running. It is very slow to open, choppy in flight, just poor performance all around. Do I need to upgrade my video card possibly? Or perhaps my RAM? What is everyone running to maximize FSX enjoyment? Upgrading will always give added performance. We can't suggest for you to upgrade your Video Card if you already have the best video card but don't have a system to drive it. So we can't suggest upgrading your video card if we don't know which one you have. We also can't suggest you to add more ram, if you already have the max, but don't have your computer optimized where it matters. My system is slightly higher than the recommended specs for FSX. When I first got FSX, I believe it was a little lower. I believe you can get (what I would consider) satisfactory performance with a computer that has at least the recommended minimum specs as prescribed by Microsoft. Minimum System Requirements * Windows XP SP2 / Windows Vista * Processor: 1.0 Ghz * RAM: Windows XP SP2 - 256MB, Windows Vista – 512MB * Hard Drive: 14GB * Video Card: 32MB DirectX 9 compatible * Other: DX9 hardware compatibility and audio board with speakers and/or headphones * Online/Multiplayer Requirements: 56.6 kbps or better for online play For more details on my perspective on the performance, look at: http://flightsim.apollo3.com/blog/apoblog.pl?type=f&article=41 . So the bottom line, you can get the performance on most computers that you can actually load it on. You’d have to sacrifice visual for performance if you don’t have the hardware. That’s what I’ve been doing, while in the process of gradually upgrading my hardware to provide for more visual. I have never had a performance issue. -- L. James -- L. D. James [email protected] www.apollo3.com/~ljames sticky: Not a regular post, but a special thread/message stuck to the top with special meaning… containing important forum information. For FSInn/VATSIM issues, please test the FSInn Installation sticky and linked FAQ. It really works! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ahmed Hasan 958620 Posted January 2, 2008 at 06:16 AM Posted January 2, 2008 at 06:16 AM be sure to install SP1 I got shocked also after installing SP2/Acceleration Pack that my Video Card won't work on FSX Acceleration pack requesting a minimum of a Radeon card or GFORCE 4 which means that microsoft is playing a bad game to keep increasing the specifications Ahmed H[Mod - Happy Thoughts]an Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Kolin Posted January 2, 2008 at 06:22 AM Posted January 2, 2008 at 06:22 AM I got shocked also after installing SP2/Acceleration Pack that my Video Card won't work on FSX Acceleration pack requesting a minimum of a Radeon card or GFORCE 4 which means that microsoft is playing a bad game to keep increasing the specifications Uh, a GeForce4 is 2001-era technology at best. This isn't some evil conspiracy on Microsoft's part if they require technology that's less than a half decade old for their latest game. Besides, FS9 was getting rather choppy on my old GF2Ti (which is the same GPU as the GF4MX, iirc). I pity the fool who tries to run FSX on it. Cheers! Luke ... I spawn hundreds of children a day. They are daemons because they are easier to kill. The first four remain stubbornly alive despite my (and their) best efforts. ... Normal in my household makes you a member of a visible minority. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Casey Posted January 2, 2008 at 08:38 AM Posted January 2, 2008 at 08:38 AM I found that absolute key to FSX was swapping to a dual core (or more) processor. Mine was choppy on a single core but I swapped to an ironically slower dual-core CPU and FSX came to life immediately. Bill Casey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ahmed Hasan 958620 Posted January 3, 2008 at 01:46 AM Posted January 3, 2008 at 01:46 AM I got shocked also after installing SP2/Acceleration Pack that my Video Card won't work on FSX Acceleration pack requesting a minimum of a Radeon card or GFORCE 4 which means that microsoft is playing a bad game to keep increasing the specifications Uh, a GeForce4 is 2001-era technology at best. This isn't some evil conspiracy on Microsoft's part if they require technology that's less than a half decade old for their latest game. Besides, FS9 was getting rather choppy on my old GF2Ti (which is the same GPU as the GF4MX, iirc). I pity the fool who tries to run FSX on it. Cheers! Luke I am using a laptop which is a cure 2 duo 1.8 GHZ With 2 MB Cache and 1 GB RAM the problem is only the VGA Card which is an intel chipset also according to Intel's website they say that FSX is a supported game so ... ??!!! Ahmed H[Mod - Happy Thoughts]an Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Kolin Posted January 3, 2008 at 02:19 AM Posted January 3, 2008 at 02:19 AM also according to Intel's website they say that FSX is a supported game so ... ??!!! Intel doesn't make Flight Simulator, nor do they determine what Flight Simulator supports. Sorry to say it, but most laptops are not designed for 3D acceleration. Cheers! Luke ... I spawn hundreds of children a day. They are daemons because they are easier to kill. The first four remain stubbornly alive despite my (and their) best efforts. ... Normal in my household makes you a member of a visible minority. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ahmed Hasan 958620 Posted January 3, 2008 at 03:53 AM Posted January 3, 2008 at 03:53 AM also according to Intel's website they say that FSX is a supported game so ... ??!!! Intel doesn't make Flight Simulator, nor do they determine what Flight Simulator supports. Sorry to say it, but most laptops are not designed for 3D acceleration. Cheers! Luke I know that Intel don't make FS But they have a list of games that is supported or tested to work with their Cards A Supported game for Intel is a game that have been tested and proved to work and if it have any performance issues they report it on their website that's what I meant Regards Ahmed H[Mod - Happy Thoughts]an Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ahmed Hasan 958620 Posted January 3, 2008 at 03:55 AM Posted January 3, 2008 at 03:55 AM (edited) Would u mind checking this link Someone else complaining of the same thing http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.simulators/browse_thread/thread/c07d0e1e9df3535f/928dee1af49866f1#928dee1af49866f1 also here is the link for my Video Card Game playability list issued by intel : http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/intelgm965/sb/CS-026146.htm Edited January 3, 2008 at 03:59 AM by Guest Ahmed H[Mod - Happy Thoughts]an Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Malek 1025020 Posted January 3, 2008 at 03:55 AM Posted January 3, 2008 at 03:55 AM I'm not sure if it still works with faster modern hardware but it used to help to have the FS installed on a different hard drive from the one with the OS. While your primary drive is constantly busy reading your system, giving it even more job to read from FS files makes it slower. It requires two hard drives but perhaps worth it. Is it still the case? K. Christopher Malek Sydney, Australia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Kolin Posted January 3, 2008 at 04:07 AM Posted January 3, 2008 at 04:07 AM A Supported game for Intel is a game that have been tested and proved to work and if it have any performance issues they report it on their website that's what I meant I think what's happened is that MS has increased the hardware requirements for SP2 over the RTM version of FSX. Not much you can do in such a circomestance. Cheers! Luke ... I spawn hundreds of children a day. They are daemons because they are easier to kill. The first four remain stubbornly alive despite my (and their) best efforts. ... Normal in my household makes you a member of a visible minority. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ahmed Hasan 958620 Posted January 3, 2008 at 04:16 AM Posted January 3, 2008 at 04:16 AM A Supported game for Intel is a game that have been tested and proved to work and if it have any performance issues they report it on their website that's what I meant I think what's happened is that MS has increased the hardware requirements for SP2 over the RTM version of FSX. Not much you can do in such a circomestance. Cheers! Luke exactly and that' why I said that MS is playing that bad game with us HaPpY NeW YeAr Ahmed H[Mod - Happy Thoughts]an Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Kolin Posted January 3, 2008 at 04:24 AM Posted January 3, 2008 at 04:24 AM exactly and that' why I said that MS is playing that bad game with us I see your point. It's probably not great for a Service Pack to dramatically increase the hardware requirements for the software. At the same time, they're not exactly onerous and short of the ability for SimConnect clients to use Named Pipes instead of TCP/IP, SP2 isn't exactly a compelling upgrade like SP1 was. Cheers! Luke ... I spawn hundreds of children a day. They are daemons because they are easier to kill. The first four remain stubbornly alive despite my (and their) best efforts. ... Normal in my household makes you a member of a visible minority. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell D'cunha 1016093 Posted January 13, 2008 at 05:32 AM Posted January 13, 2008 at 05:32 AM I have the same problem as the original post in this thread. Just got FSX Deluxe Edition and tried it out. I cannot run any settings higher than about "Low" or at the maximum "Medium Low" without the program lagging significantly. As for my PC specs: 2.93GHz Pentium 4 1MB L2 Cache (dunno how what this does if anything at all) 120GB Hard Drive Integrated Intel GMA 900 Graphics with up to 128MB dynamic video memory. Tried SP1 for FSX. There is some slight improvement, but hardly noticeable really. After playing the game and exiting it, my computer gives me the following warning message: "Windows Virtual Memory Critically Low - Windows is attempting to boost/increase local RAM". Would a 256MB Graphics card do? Or should I push for a 512MB? Would appreciate the help. Cheers Russ If you are not the solution, you are the problem! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Kolin Posted January 13, 2008 at 06:05 AM Posted January 13, 2008 at 06:05 AM Would a 256MB Graphics card do? Or should I push for a 512MB? If you are serious about FSX, you need a Core 2 Duo CPU and a high-end video card (not integrated graphics). Cheers! Luke ... I spawn hundreds of children a day. They are daemons because they are easier to kill. The first four remain stubbornly alive despite my (and their) best efforts. ... Normal in my household makes you a member of a visible minority. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell D'cunha 1016093 Posted January 13, 2008 at 11:40 PM Posted January 13, 2008 at 11:40 PM If I get a 512MB PCI-E graphics card plus upgrade my DDR RAM from the current 512MB to 2GB, would that be enough to get around upgrading the CPU? How much would a Core 2 Duo CPU cost on its own? If you are not the solution, you are the problem! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Kolin Posted January 13, 2008 at 11:49 PM Posted January 13, 2008 at 11:49 PM If I get a 512MB PCI-E graphics card plus upgrade my DDR RAM from the current 512MB to 2GB, would that be enough to get around upgrading the CPU? Nope. How much would a Core 2 Duo CPU cost on its own? I can give you a US price, but I doubt that would be of much value to you. Hopefully one of our Australian members can give you a hand. Cheers! Luke ... I spawn hundreds of children a day. They are daemons because they are easier to kill. The first four remain stubbornly alive despite my (and their) best efforts. ... Normal in my household makes you a member of a visible minority. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wycliffe Barrett Posted January 14, 2008 at 02:20 PM Posted January 14, 2008 at 02:20 PM Hi I'm sot sure why some of you posters are getting so upset with MSoft regarding FSX. They where very open, when they said they didn't think there was a PC commercially availble at the time that would run FSX to its full potential. I knew my old PC would struggle with FSX long before FSX was released. How did I know this, well quite simply, research and more research. I spent ages reading, trawling blogs, going to the Microsoft site and reading more blogs, magazine articles and so on and so forth. I downloaded the Demo and realised immediately that it was a cut down demo but could see the potential. In Fact I have a screen shot on my PDA from the demo over Hawaii that I used to use to show people what was possible. I knew from the get go that my old PC would struggle but I still bought FSX on the day of release. With the slider set to minimum I had an enjoyable and smooth flight at 15 fps, the 15 fps in FSX was smoother than the 45 fps I was getting in FS9. I knew this was going to be the case, I knew that there would be no addon aircraft or scenery for FSX for sometime. Now of course I have a machine that some say can run the NSA in the states and a flying experience online that is pefect (in my view). I'm sorry guys but there is nothing better than doing a little research. Would you buy a car just based on the fact it was a pretty colour.....no I dont think so. (although my wife did, bright yellow) So my answer to you all is bite the bullet, buy a new machine or do your research before buying software that you might struggle with. As for buying extra ram and new video cards yes these will all give a performance advantage but if one aspect of your PC is below par, the cpu, the gfx card, the ram or motherboard it wont make that much difference at all. You need to consider four things together when looking at a pc for FSX. . main cpu . ram . gfx card . motherboard The best advice I can offer is quite simple, buy the best and most expensive you can afford. A motherboard that has an intel chip set, a intel duo chip (the fatstest you can get) quad is not that much use as FSX can only utilise two cores at the moment, an Nvidia 8800GTs card not the ultra, its overkill and get a matched pair of ram. That lot wont cost the earth about £500 but to some I do realise is a lot of money. Good Luck and remember research, I'm already reading about the new quantum mechanics chips with nano technology and oled displays but thats for the future. Wycliffe Barrett: C3 Controller "if god meant for us to fly, he would have given us tickets" Mel Brooks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell D'cunha 1016093 Posted January 17, 2008 at 01:54 AM Posted January 17, 2008 at 01:54 AM So what are the optimum specs to look for in a PC if you want to buy a new one for FSX? If you are not the solution, you are the problem! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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