Video settings recommendations please!

[HighTick]

Hey all,

I'm not sure if this is the right forum to post to, but while I wait for my new FSX disc to come in the mail I figured I could use some advice on what video settings I should use to optimize my FSX experience on a new computer.

The specs of the computer are as follows:
Core i7 920 @ 3.2 ghz
12G Tri-channel DDR 3 RAM @ 1666
Win 7 64-bit
Dual Radeon 5870HD cards (1g each)
Regular 'ol 7200 RPM hard drive.

... and then there are the monitors. For work, I have 2x 1920x1200 monitors, one center and one to my left, and two 1680x1050 monitors stacked vertically on the right (each in landscape). The whole thing looks like a capital "T" turned 90 degrees to the right. I have to keep that shape intact for work but I don't need to use all those monitors for FSX.

I will run FSX with REX 2.0 but no other upgrades for now. I'm using a CH Products Eclipse yoke, which I liked on my previous set-up.

Soooo... the question is: is it possible to get good framerates and detail and still use all my monitors? If so, how? If not, what other set-ups should I consider? For instance, I've been thinking of just using my center monitor (1920x1200) as my primary view and my lower-right monitor (1680x1050) for cockpit stuff. Any other ideas?

[Foxtrot789]

I don't think it'll matter much with all that spiffy gear you got under the hood.

[Ragtopjohnny]

Yeah, I think you're all set - how about a photo of this fantastic sounding rig??? :eek:

John Thuot II
A+/Network+
Don't forget to visit our Modeler's website!
link: http://www.dreamscape-studios.com/

[HighTick]

Hey guys,

I couldn't wait to play around with the graphics so I downloaded the demo from Microsoft, set all the graphics sliders to the right, and filled my screens with all sorts of views...

2 minutes later, "Your computer has run out of memory." :eek:

I did play around with the sliders a bit and by reducing a few things I was able to get reasonable performance, but I really have no idea if what I did was the most efficient way to save memory. So it looks like -- as sweet as it is that I get to use my ridiculous work rig for FSX -- I'll have to sacrifice something on the graphics end. The question is: what will give me the most bang for the buck? Also, I've seen some people report increased performance with REX, which I haven't downloaded yet... is that common?

Thanks again,

Max

[napamule2]

For FSX I would add a good 3rd party cooler and overclock to 3.9 Ghz. I would have only 6 Gig of ram (anything over that is 'gray'). FSX does not 'SLI' anything so I would only NEED 1 video card (I am getting the HD 4870-plenty good enough). I would only need 1 monitor, unless I had Triple Head to Go adaptor. I would have desktop res and FSX res (and any other monitor) at THE SAME RES. Refresh rate at 60 would be ok. 7200 rpm HD is ok. I will get Win7 64 Bit PRO (so I can emulate XP progs). You should be getting 60 fps (unless you have IM, Skype, Facebook, YouTube, etc running in background-then only 20 fps-hehe).
CB
Napamule

[simonevans]

Hey guys,

I couldn't wait to play around with the graphics so I downloaded the demo from Microsoft, set all the graphics sliders to the right, and filled my screens with all sorts of views...

2 minutes later, "Your computer has run out of memory." :eek:

I did play around with the sliders a bit and by reducing a few things I was able to get reasonable performance, but I really have no idea if what I did was the most efficient way to save memory. So it looks like -- as sweet as it is that I get to use my ridiculous work rig for FSX -- I'll have to sacrifice something on the graphics end. The question is: what will give me the most bang for the buck? Also, I've seen some people report increased performance with REX, which I haven't downloaded yet... is that common?

Thanks again,

Max

Your out of memory failure has nothing to do with the system, except in the broadest sense. There's plenty of topics floating about for the fixes just google `fsx out of memory` and you'll pick up on one that is relevant to your hardware and OS installation.

My net tip is don't try to run before you can walk. Getting FSX established and sweet is not a simple question of installing it, installing addons and `go fly`. We have four years of experience on this product and I can GUARANTEE you will have problems if you adopt this cavalier `throw it in and hope` approach.

You need to be systematic, you need to research carefully, you need to commit to educating yourself as your rig with your combination of hardware and software is unique. There will be similar rigs out there, so before you commit to anything take a step back, a deep breath, and recognise that you are embarking on a learning curve that is quite steep.

As a first step, well before you consider ANY addons, suggest you actually complete your research on initial setup of the sim - the demo has almost no relationship with the current iteration of FSX/SP1/SP2/Acceleration.

[HighTick]

Your out of memory failure has nothing to do with the system, except in the broadest sense. There's plenty of topics floating about for the fixes just google `fsx out of memory` and you'll pick up on one that is relevant to your hardware and OS installation.

My net tip is don't try to run before you can walk. Getting FSX established and sweet is not a simple question of installing it, installing addons and `go fly`. We have four years of experience on this product and I can GUARANTEE you will have problems if you adopt this cavalier `throw it in and hope` approach.

You need to be systematic, you need to research carefully, you need to commit to educating yourself as your rig with your combination of hardware and software is unique. There will be similar rigs out there, so before you commit to anything take a step back, a deep breath, and recognise that you are embarking on a learning curve that is quite steep.

As a first step, well before you consider ANY addons, suggest you actually complete your research on initial setup of the sim - the demo has almost no relationship with the current iteration of FSX/SP1/SP2/Acceleration.

I wouldn't attribute a cavalier attitude to me. I understand that this is a complex issue with which I'm not familiar; that's exactly why I posed my question here... a few days before I even got the program.

Thanks for the "out-of-memory" lead and for explaining that the demo isn't relevant, though. I'll begin tweaking when I get my FSX Gold discs today.

[Ragtopjohnny]

Hightick,

If you go here, this http://www.flightsim.com/fswiki/index.php/OOM_Error WILL solve your out of memory issues. This some reason happens on all the best systems.

Hope this helps, but follow the warnign though on doing it too much.

There is also a wonderful FSX Setup guide on SimForums over at Flight1.com.

Hope this helps you out - I understand those irritations - they can be a hassle.

John Thuot II
A+/Network+
Don't forget to visit our Modeler's website!
link: http://www.dreamscape-studios.com/

[loki]

If you go here, this http://www.flightsim.com/fswiki/index.php/OOM_Error WILL solve your out of memory issues.

That link largely doesn't apply to his system as he is running Win7 x64. He does need to install Acceleration though in order for the sim to take advantage of the increased address space Win7 x64 provides.

[noell]

Unless I'm reading him wrong, at this point the OP is running the demo which I don't think includes any SPs. Once he gets the full version installed along with SPs he shouldn't have any OOMs seeing he's running a 64-bit OS and has more than enough RAM (for FSX).

[simonevans]

Precisely why I counsel against making rash jumps to conclusions.
Get the product, install the product, learn the product, THEN tweak the product.

Frankly, with that rig setup, a lot of the modifications are going to depend to a large extent on what choices he makes. He may even find a use for the Crossfire'd cards...

[napamule2]

There is nothing like wipe of all HDrives, including re-format. Think of it as a new computer that never had anything on HDrives. Clean install. Then do the homework. Make sure you reset your CMOS. RESTART PC. Then install OS and all the patches. Restart. Get, and install, your motherboard chip drivers, Bios upgrade (if avail) and video card drivers BEFORE YOU INSTALL FSX. When you get your Bios, check to see your hardware is listed. Check your memory latancy ('Auto' setup / parameters-recommended). Do RESTARTS for every single change / adjust. NO EXCEPTIONS. Install your Anti Virus (did I say RESTART?). Install DirectX. Restart. Sound card? Go tweak that thru dxdiag ('Run'). Download 'FoxIt' PDF reader (and NOT Adobe reader) so you can read PDF (Help files). Choose what version of Internet Explorer you NEED, install, Restart (I think it's IE8 for Win7). Go take a break.

Then, to avoid problems, install FSX to 'C:\Flight Simulator X' (ie: NOT 'C:\Program Files...'. With Win7 you have to 'change' normal install due to permission issues. Make a folder before hand and point FSX installer to IT. It will work much better. RESTART after every part of install. FIRST FSX install (without Accel install). Do activation NOW (while connected to net with ISP connected/running). Restart. Run FSX a few minutes, change view, change aircraft, etc. Restart. THEN Install Acceleration. Activate that NOW. Restart. Start FSX and fly and do changes. If everything is ok, save a flight (use default C-172). Exit. Restart. Done. Go take another break.

Go get the updates / patches that tie Win7 to FSX. But read what each update 'does', as MS is always 'pushing' stuff you don't want. Check Control Panel for what gets installed. And of course, do Restart after updates/patches. Now you can begin install of '3rd party' software / payware / scenery / aircraft / utilities. After each 'change'-aaaaaaah- right!-RESTART PC.

Now go read NickN guide to tweaking FSX. No shortcut there. You should be able to open and edit your fSx.cfg, so go 'find' it and open and look or even make / rename your own copy as a backup (as you WILL be making changes). Then go book a long flight and see what else needs changed (preferences, etc). BUT, do use recommended slider settings you see after install (automatically set by FSX), for now. The only way to see any changes is to leave everything 'as is' and only change one thing at a time. Make note of what your settings are (longhand, or do printscreen for jpg's of Options menus). Don't ever mess with the scenery.cfg. FSX does a very good job of keeping that file as it should be. Did I miss anything? Oh yeah, don't hurt yourself (coffe table, etc) while jumping up and down while celebrating after you see 65 fps. Yoke & pedals? Sorry, I don't do YOKES (hehe).
CB
Napamule

[fxsttcb]

The Demo doesn't have any Scenery that really works your video set-up. Getting in the Lear and screaming through the airports at 100feet is the hardest test it has to meet. nVidia has an older FSX settings page that only goes up to their 8800 card. Those should give you a good start. If you extrapolate the card to card increases you'll see what things affect the sim more...Don

http://www.nzone.com/object/nzone_ttpop_fsx.html