Erratic frame rates

[Torontorob]

I am having a problem with FSX regarding erratic frame rates which basically means I get huge spikes and dips. From reading some other postings, I think my frame rates overall, are fairly good. In the default 737, I get 15-30 on take off, and 20-70 the further away I get from an airport. My biggest problem is landing and approaching a major airport (ie: Toronto). My frame rates will go from 20 to 3 to 25 to 5 to 29 and then may stay at 4 for the last 5 miles, until touchdown (very uncomfortable flying at 4 frames per second when trying to land), then go back up once on the runway, only to go way down again on taxi to the gate.

My second frame rate issue is that I cannot use Captain Sim software as I get the erratic frame rates every 5 seconds, causing a continuous jerking motion.

My third frame rate issue is I cannot watch instant replay, as again, my frame rates are all over the place and the picture is erratic.

My settings (scenery) are set to almost maximum with the exception of Mesh resolution which is set to 10M, and water effects are at high 1x. I am using Ultimate Terrain Canada (which I find is excellent) and Matrox Trippleheadtogo (3 screens).

My system is about 8 months old. It is a Dual core, 4gb ram, ATI Radian 4850 video card, 1 TB hard drive, with Vista Premium 32 as the operating system.

If any body has any suggestions that will help stabilize my frame rates so I can enjoy a smooth overall flight, be able to use Captain Sim aircraft (I do not have any other company's payware software installed so I cannot compare to other add ons), and be able to review my landings through instant replay, I would greatly appreciate it?

Thanks in advance

Rob

[ArrowPilot]

I think part of the problem is your high scenery settings. If I were you I would tone it down a bit. The default *high* setting is really good. Medium High if its still to jumpy. Also I recommend capping your frame rates at around 20-30.

As for the captain sim stuff, I dont think anyone has alot of FPS with that.

EDIT: Just realised, part of the problem is probably to do with the 32bit OS and its handling of RAM. If you can, or a willing to I'd recommend going to 64 bit as it handles memory much better. (Made the change myself and will never go back)

[bernie1]

Hi Torontorob,

I can not give you the answers you are looking for but thinking logically to myself, it seems that whatever it is that you are flying towards causing lower frame rates when landing seems to be passed onced landed. This to me indicates that something on the approach to the airport is hindering your frame rates by tying up your CPU. After you have landed your frame rates increase again until you point the aircraft in the direction of the Airport. Do you have any other activity around your Airports. Your Ram would be better utilised with the 64 Bit version of Windows but the 3GB swich may help. Others more knowledgeable may say otherwise. What other specifications have you for your duo core.

Kind Regards

Bernie.

[Jun aka Pekto]

I'd also add the TH2G. Although FSX is CPU-intensive, you're still pushing pixels across the screen with the GPU. Multiplying that by 3 simply adds to your woes.

[kennyhall]

My third frame rate issue is I cannot watch instant replay, as again, my frame rates are all over the place and the picture is erratic.

Rob

Can't help with the others points but in Instant Replay use the LOCKED SPOT view (F11).

Ken.

[Paxx]

... My settings (scenery) are set to almost maximum with the exception of Mesh resolution which is set to 10M, and water effects are at high 1x. I am using ... and Matrox Trippleheadtogo (3 screens). ...

As stated above, this is why your frame rates are so low around detailed scenery and traffic. You will need to lower your FSX graphical settings (sliders), lower your AI traffic (Air traffic, Ship Ferry and Boat traffic, Auto traffic), turn off Bloom and Lens Flair, and lower your Anti-Aliasing with your video cards control software.

A dual core CPU isn't anywhere near ideal for FSX and this may be your problem also. Now if you have a Core 2 Duo or later type Intel processor there may be options for your system that will help with FSX performance. Please tell us exactly what kind of CPU you have and how fast it is clocked (GHz).