I'm just not satisfied.

**Adam4543** · 04-19-2011, 05:08 PM

Ok, Im not too heppy about the way my PC is handling FSX.
Here are my specs.
: AMD Phenom(tm) - Triple core 2.5GHz
: 2046 RAM.
: GeForce GT 240 (Graphics card).. 1255MB Memory.

I have all the sliders bumped up all the way in FSX/Settings, except for traffic and Im dropping frames in bad weather, most of the time I have a steady FPS. What I'm not happy with is the graphics. At max settings, my visuals dont compare to those on youtube. E.g.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6KFy...eature=related

My PC is also custom built. I know RAM could be alot better, but I had a low budget when I was building the PC.
Has anyone got any ideas on how to improve my graphics? Im going to do a heavy over-clock tomorrow, do you reackon this will solve my problem?

thanks.- Adam.

**f16jockey_2** · 04-19-2011, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by Adam4543

Im going to do a heavy over-clock tomorrow, do you reackon this will solve my problem?

How's your cooler ?
I'm not very technical, but I sure hope you know what you're doing, or your problems will ALL be solved, as you'll need a new PC.

Wim

***JSkorna*** · 04-19-2011, 05:33 PM

Even if you get a 20% OC that only gets you to 3.0 and you need close to 4.0. You need to move those FSX sliders to the LEFT.

**Adam4543** · 04-19-2011, 05:36 PM

I Don't have a water cooler, but Ive got 4 large fans, and 2 smaller ones. My PC is pretty cooled. Also I was looking at a water cooler but im on the edge.
I think im just going to buy another graphics card and have them work coincide, also a new AMD quad core @3.20 and more RAM. <--- I think that would fix my problem.
Im on the edge though, it costs around 190-240, i have the money, but its alot seing as i just built this PC in November.

***fxsttcb*** · 04-19-2011, 06:22 PM

If you don't need to run any apps that require a lot of threads, an AMD 555 BE or 565 BE Dual Core and CoolerMaster's Hyper 212 will be cheaper and should get near 4GHz if not over that with a careful overclock.
I would do that first, then if you see that your memory use is consistently above 90% while flying in detailed areas with your newfound capability, add RAM.
Monitor your GPU's in game usage too. The 240 is more of an entry level card, but like the memory, if your system is not capable of using it to the max, it would be hard to justify another added expense. That's why I suggest the CPU and OC first...Don

**jeh** · 04-19-2011, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by Adam4543

I Don't have a water cooler, but Ive got 4 large fans, and 2 smaller ones. My PC is pretty cooled. Also I was looking at a water cooler but im on the edge.
I think im just going to buy another graphics card and have them work coincide, also a new AMD quad core @3.20 and more RAM. <--- I think that would fix my problem.
Im on the edge though, it costs around 190-240, i have the money, but its alot seing as i just built this PC in November.

Adam, I have taken the time to outline some major points for you. I hope they help.

#1 SLI of 2 GT240's isn't going to help as FSX doesn't fully support it.
#1.5 FSX is largley CPU dependant. Your graphics card is 'ok' for the job and not a priority at the moment.
#2 4gb's of RAM is enough. (Assuming you keep a clean OS)
#3 If you are planning to just drop a new processor into your motherboard make sure it's the best sort for the job, i.e. low heat emmision/low power consumption and proven easy to overclock. I actually have a 6 core AMD at the moment @3.8 ghz and it does a pretty good job with FSX.

In conclusion. I would consider scrapping your ideas of a new graphics card and put that extra money towards a new pre-overclocked motherboard bundle.
For example.
1.http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...id=339&subcat=
OR
2. http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...id=339&subcat=
OR
3. http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...id=339&subcat=
OR
4. Something simmilar \o/

I linked overclockers assuming you are a UK resident as they do good pre-overclocked bundles. Also, I don't know what OS you use but Win7 x64 is generally considered best for FSX.

Feel free to PM me anyway. I'm more than happy to help.

Jeh.

***loki*** · 04-19-2011, 08:20 PM

First, your system is on the low side for FSX and pushing the settings up is the wrong thing to do. Use the guide below to get it set up properly on your machine. Many have got the sim running smoothly on similar hardware with the settings turned down a bit.

http://www.simforums.com/forums/topic29041.html

Second, if you are going to upgrade, you need a CPU running fast as possible for FSX. A faster video card like a GeForce GTS 250 or faster would help, but the CPU is the main driver for performance. 4GB of RAM is enough, especially with a 64 bit OS.

**Adam4543** · 04-20-2011, 01:07 PM

So, what do you reackon overall, I need to improve my FSX graphics / frame rate? Is there anything I can do the fsx.cfg to improve the FPS?

**opaplano** · 04-20-2011, 01:20 PM

In addition to what has already been suggested, you might try this automated (free) service:

http://www.venetubo.com/fsx.html

Many have found it very helpful.

**cianpars** · 04-20-2011, 02:22 PM

Also on a triple core, try an affinity mask setting of 6. That should make it run smoother (though not faster).

That will make the operating system and background processes run on core 0 leaving cores 1 and 2 to run FSX smoothly without interuption for the stuff that is now being run by core 0.

Insofar as Bjoote's service and tweaks are concerned, I found that most of them work better on high end systems with high video memory. Wouldn't hurt to try them though.

IAN