Anyone using PREPAR3D?

**flightsimfred** · 06-14-2012, 02:34 PM

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone is using PREPAR3D instead of FSX? It looks very good(yes I know that it is based on Micro$oft's ESP which was sold to Lockheed last year). It is a bit pricey but it does look smoother than FSX. I may just bite the bullet and purchase the software. FSX and it's fault are starting to get old. I have viewed You Tube videos on a comparison between FSX and PREPAR3D but any comments would be appreciated.

***JSkorna*** · 06-14-2012, 02:48 PM

Just an FYI that there are a number of topics about this already if you wish to read what others have experienced.

**rickbarnes** · 06-16-2012, 08:13 PM

From my perspective, Prepar3D is not worth it. I originally found about it through FSPS.com. There is a DX10 bug in FSX that won't be fixed, but I was led to believe that Prepar3D is updated. It probably is, but I found the performance much worse than on FSX. I have an AMD based FX-8150 with 2 ATI 6800 graphics cards and 16 GB memory. I have no problem hitting 30 fps on FSX with the sliders to some pretty demanding levels. On Prepared, with similar settings, I am getting less than half the frame rate. Yes, If I had things set minimally, I could get the frame rate up to acceptable levels. But what good is it to buy the bells and whistles if you have to limit them to get things to run?
Maybe you will have good luck. Maybe I am doing something wrong. But I am in the process of getting a refund from Lockheed-Martin (the makers of Prepar3D), and I can only say from my own experience that any potential benefit seems very much outweighed by negatives.

I do find it telling that tech support states that multiple graphics cards are not helpful in Prepar3D. Seems they missed a tremendous opportunity by not programming to what gamers are looking for. I would just like fome fixes in FSX, like taxi lights on the 747, and cleaned up runways and taxiways, like in Auckland, New Zealand, but I will live with it for now!

**mgh** · 06-17-2012, 05:10 AM

There is a pinned thread at the top of this forum with a poll showing how many people say they "own" Prepar3d.

***vgbaron*** · 06-17-2012, 09:28 PM

I use it and find it just as good as FSX with add-ons. Not better but just as good. LM states that version 2 will be directx 11 compatible so that will be a big plus. Other comments that I have heard is that P3D is better on marginal hardware than FSX. When I first tried it, I found that it was worse all they way around but after setting it up like I did FSX, I was pleasantly surprised.

Vic

**andyjohnston** · 06-18-2012, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by rickbarnes

Seems they missed a tremendous opportunity by not programming to what gamers are looking for.

LM stated from the outset that their program is not geared towards gamers at all, and that you should not get involved if that is what you are looking for. Prepar3d is geared toward industry professionals.

**alaskancrab** · 06-18-2012, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by vgbaron

I use it and find it just as good as FSX with add-ons. Not better but just as good. LM states that version 2 will be directx 11 compatible so that will be a big plus. Other comments that I have heard is that P3D is better on marginal hardware than FSX. When I first tried it, I found that it was worse all they way around but after setting it up like I did FSX, I was pleasantly surprised.

The problem is the PMDG aircraft use GDI which are windows systems calls, versus Xplane and Flight that use OpenGL/DX9 hardware calls exclusively. Regardless it's still a much smoother FSX.. far more stable and it doesn't crash nearly as much. Just lacks the performance benefits since nothing has been written exclusively for the platform, other than installers.

***vgbaron*** · 06-18-2012, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by alaskancrab

T Just lacks the performance benefits since nothing has been written exclusively for the platform, other than installers.

Don't follow what you mean by 'performance benefits'? Almost all of my add-ons work in P3D. Some of the more complex like Flight1 Mustang, PMDG, etc do not port over very well and are not licensed for P3D but I don't fly those anyway. I think that P3D is something to keep an eye on. Note that as I understand it, when P3D Version2 is released, it will be considered a new product and will not be a free upgrade.

Orbx has made their stuff available for P3d and there are other developers who are working on P3D versions of their products.

Vic

**wj.mcdermott** · 11-05-2012, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by flightsimfred

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone is using PREPAR3D instead of FSX? It looks very good(yes I know that it is based on Micro$oft's ESP which was sold to Lockheed last year).

For the first time since FS2004 I no longer have a Microsoft flight sim on my PC. You are right, FSX is old and a "dead" platform in that no further development is taking place. I have loaded up Prepar3D with Rex, orbx scenery and my favourite accusim P51, spitfire and P47 (couldn't get the B17 to load) and am enjoying it immensely. I can get 25 fps but am looking forward to the DX11 version next year. My advise would be to go for it and support it as it is now the only alternative to x-plane (which I also run).

**johnan** · 11-05-2012, 01:28 PM

Quite agree.

P3D runs all my add-ons including the B17 (A2A) so I am very happy with it.

It is the only flight simulator I use now and don't see any need for FSX as well which I really had become quite bored with, with the constant trying to tweak to get rid of stutters, OOMs, blurries etc.

Once I had done the Nvidia inspector tweaks and that online cfg optimisation facility, P3D has not needed any more tweaking.
It just runs smoothly, for me anyway, which makes a nice change from FSX.

The ongoing development is another nice change from FSX, which is now dead in the water in that respect.