A plea for help. Nick, I'm looking at you.

[kwynn]

I've had Microsoft Simulator since the '98 days. I've had FSX for over a year and messed with it for a while and then gave up because of performance issues. It's winter here now and with not much to do I decided to give it a second chance. I did a complete re-install and have updated all SP's(no accelerator). Much to my dismay it became obvious why I gave up on it the first go around. After reading for a week here and seeing things had changed quite a bit I decided to give a last ditch effort to make this thing work decent enough to use.

Please give me some time here to get everything posted if you will before replying. This will take a few post to get you the info you need.  Thanks.

I feel I'm probably in the majority with this system/setup and hopefully more than just I will get some good concrete answers and/or solutions.

What I've done so far:

Fresh install of FSX.
Updated all drivers and have gotten everything up to date(system and windows wise).
Defragged (Microsoft version, couldnt use O&O because of the Dell delima)
Set all sliders in FSX to the left and have unchecked all availible boxes.

Added line in the boot.ini file to give me a choice on boot;
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition 3GB" /fastdetect /noexecute=optin /3GB /userva=2560

Cleaned up windows as per Nicks previous post. (Worked pretty slick)
Installed and ran Drive Sweeper.
Installed/setup nHancer.

The dilema. Before the above was utilized the max at those settings(sliders left) I could get was maybe 30 FPS. After the changes it's went up but to only a 59 FPS average.

There has to be something I'm missing. At least I hope so. I would think I could get well over 100 FPS before I start moving sliders to the right or I'm sure I'll be fighting a winless battle. I'm hoping someone can spot the problem with the inforation that will follow in the next several posts. Please bare with me.

System:
Dell Dimension 4600i
Intel Pentium 4 Processor 3.0GHz
3 MB Ram
GeForce 7600GT DDR2, 512MB, AGP 8X (Can be overclocked)
Dell E207WFP Monitor
Level 2 Cache 512KB Integrated
Bios version A10(Dell)
Windows XP Professional (SP3)

Bios Settings:
*Installed Memory - 3072MB
*System Memory Speed - 400MHz
*System Channel Mode - Dual
AGP Aperature 32 64 128 256
Hyper Threading - Enabled
CPU Speed - Normal Compatible
*Bus Speed - 800MHz
*Processor 0ID - P29
*Clock Speed -  3.00GHz
*L2 Cache - 512KB
Primary Video Controller - Auto AGP
Onboard Video Buffer - 1MB 8MB

* Can't be changed from the Bios.
Bold = What is currently chosen.


More to follow...

[kwynn]

CPU-Z 1.48 report file
Processor(s)      
Number of processors      1
Number of cores      1 per processor
Number of threads      2 per processor
Name      Intel Pentium 4
Code Name      Northwood
Specification      Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz
Package      Socket 478 mPGA
Family/Model/Stepping      F.2.9
Extended Family/Model      F.2
Brand ID      9
Core Stepping      D1
Technology      0.13 um
Core Speed      2993.4 MHz
Multiplier x Bus speed      15.0 x 199.6 MHz
Rated Bus speed      798.3 MHz
Stock frequency      3000 MHz
Instruction sets      MMX, SSE, SSE2
L1 Data cache (per processor)      8 KBytes, 4-way set associative, 64-byte line size
Trace cache (per processor)      12 Kuops, 8-way set associative
L2 cache (per processor)      512 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
Chipset & Memory      
Northbridge      Intel i865P/PE/G/i848P rev. A2
Southbridge      Intel 82801EB (ICH5) rev. 02
Graphic Interface      AGP
AGP Revision      3.0
AGP Transfer Rate      8x
AGP Side Band Addressing      supported, enabled
Memory Type      DDR
Memory Size      3072 MBytes
Memory Frequency      199.6 MHz (1:1)
CAS# Latency (tCL)      3.0 clocks
RAS# to CAS# (tRCD)      3 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP)      3 clocks
Cycle Time (tRAS)      8 clocks
Performance Mode      enabled
System      
System Manufacturer      Dell Computer Corporation
System Name      Dimension 4600i
System S/N      C3LP851
Mainboard Vendor      Dell Computer Corp.
Mainboard Model      0F4491
BIOS Vendor      Dell Computer Corporation
BIOS Version      A10
BIOS Date      05/17/2004
Memory SPD      
Module 1      DDR, PC3200 (200 MHz), 1024 MBytes, MOSEL
Module 2      DDR, PC3200 (200 MHz), 512 MBytes, Nanya Technology
Module 3      DDR, PC3200 (200 MHz), 1024 MBytes, MOSEL
Module 4      DDR, PC3200 (200 MHz), 512 MBytes, Nanya Technology
Software      
Windows Version      Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (Build 2600)

[kwynn]

Task Manager

[kwynn]

[kwynn]

[kwynn]

Ran FRAPS for 5 minutes: (While running FSX with all sliders left)

Frames 17890
Min FPS 41
Max FPS 78
Avg FPS 59.633

This is the log file from the GeForce card while that ran:

Current Time      

[kwynn]

I wont post the rest of that log file. As you can see it leveled off only using 30% of the GeForces available memory.

If there is any more info you need just let me know. I have more, but hopefully something sticks out like a sore thumb.

Again, sorry for the flooding of info. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

FYI, Back when I was into this pretty heavy I developed the scenery objects "FedEx Trucks". I had been working with Seev on some Airport towers for China locations but we both kind of lost interest in that project. That was a year or so before FSX.  Maybe a few of you have used them over the years. I was saddened to see that Seev had passed away.

Thanks everyone and Happy Holidays.

[kwynn]

Oops, forgot the fsx.cfg



[BUFFERPOOLS]
Poolsize=5000000

[SOUND]
AmbientUIMusicVolume=-6.000000
SOUND_FADER1=0.500000
SOUND_FADER2=0.500000
SOUND_FADER3=0.500000
SOUND_FADER4=0.600000
AmbientUIMusic=FSX01
PrimaryDevice={DEF00000-9C6D-47ED-AAF1-4DDA8F2B5C03}
VoiceDevice={DEF00002-9C6D-47ED-AAF1-4DDA8F2B5C03}
SOUND=1
SOUND_QUALITY=2
SOUND_LOD=0
UISound=1
AmbientUI=0

[Display]
ChangeTime=4.000000
TransitionTime=4.000000
ActiveWindowTitleTextColor=255,255,255
ActiveWindowTitleBackGroundColor=0,28,140,64
NonActiveWindowTitleTextColor=255,255,255
NonActiveWindowTitleBackGroundColor=24,33,87,64
InfoUpperRightTextColor=255,0,0
InfoUpperRightBackGroundColor=0,0,0,0
InfoLowerLeftTextColor=255,255,255
InfoLowerLeftBackGroundColor=255,0,0,128
InfoLowerRightTextColor=255,255,255
InfoLowerRightBackGroundColor=255,0,0,128
InfoBrakesEnable=True
InfoParkingBrakesEnable=True
InfoPauseEnable=True
InfoSlewEnable=True
InfoStallEnable=True
InfoOverspeedEnable=True
BLOOM_EFFECTS=0
SKINNED_ANIMATIONS=0
TEXTURE_BANDWIDTH_MULT=40
UPPER_FRAMERATE_LIMIT=0
WideViewAspect=True

[Main]
FIBER_FRAME_TIME_FRACTION=0.33
HideInfoText=1
DisablePreload=1
User Objects=Airplane, Helicopter
SimObjectPaths.0=SimObjects\Airplanes
SimObjectPaths.1=SimObjects\Rotorcraft
SimObjectPaths.2=SimObjects\GroundVehicles
SimObjectPaths.3=SimObjects\Boats
SimObjectPaths.4=SimObjects\Animals
SimObjectPaths.5=SimObjects\Misc
ProcSpeed=3236
PerfBucket=5
Maximized=1
Location=324,115,1356,889,\\.\DISPLAY1
HideMenuNormal=0
HideMenuFullscreen=1

[PANELS]
IMAGE_QUALITY=1
DEFAULT_VIEW=1
QUICKTIPS=0
PANEL_OPACITY=100
PANEL_MASKING=1
PANEL_STRETCHING=1
UNITS_OF_MEASURE=0

[Weather]
WindshieldPrecipitationEffects=1
MinGustTime=10
MaxGustTime=500
MinGustRampSpeed=1
MaxGustRampSpeed=200
MinVarTime=5
MaxVarTime=50
MinVarRampSpeed=10
MaxVarRampSpeed=75
TurbulenceScale=1.000000
WeatherServerAddress=fs2k.zone.com
WeatherServerPort=80
WeatherGraphDataInDialog=0
AdjustForMagVarInDialog=1
DynamicWeather=0
DownloadWindsAloft=0
DisableTurbulence=0
CLOUD_DRAW_DISTANCE=3
DETAILED_CLOUDS=0
CLOUD_COVERAGE_DENSITY=5
THERMAL_VISUALS=0

[DISPLAY.Device.NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT.0]
Mode=1280x1024x32
TriLinear=1

[CONTROLS]
Controls_Default=Standard
Controls_Current=Standard
KBDAIL=64
KBDELEV=64
KBDRUD=64

[TextInfo.1]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
Heading=1,4
AirSpeed=1,5
WindDirectionAndSpeed=1,6

[TextInfo.2]
FrameRate=1,1
LockedFrameRate=1,2
GForce=1,3
FuelPercentage=1,4

[TextInfo.3]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
Heading=1,4
AirSpeed=1,5
WindDirectionAndSpeed=1,6
FrameRate=2,1
LockedFrameRate=2,2
GForce=2,3
FuelPercentage=2,4

[SlewTextInfo.1]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
Heading=1,4
AirSpeed=1,5

[SlewTextInfo.2]
FrameRate=1,1
LockedFrameRate=1,2

[SlewTextInfo.3]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
Heading=1,4
AirSpeed=1,5
FrameRate=2,1
LockedFrameRate=2,2

[Trusted]
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\Modules\FSUIPC4.dll.qqinwukqroonhqwqqteeeticwcztclqueacluuwl=1

[DynamicHeadMovement]
LonAccelOnHeadLon=-0.020000
LonAccelOnHeadPitch=-0.010000
RollAccelOnHeadLat=0.010000
YawAccelOnHeadLat=-0.100000
RollAccelOnHeadRoll=0.100000
MaxHeadAngle=5.000000
MaxHeadOffset=0.300000
HeadMoveTimeConstant=1.000000

[VirtualCopilot]
VirtualCopilotActive=1

[GRAPHICS]
SHADER_CACHE_PRIMED=1693458432
D3D10=0
TEXTURE_MAX_LOAD=64
NUM_LIGHTS=8
AIRCRAFT_SHADOWS=0
AIRCRAFT_REFLECTIONS=1
COCKPIT_HIGH_LOD=0
LANDING_LIGHTS=0
AC_SELF_SHADOW=0
EFFECTS_QUALITY=0
GROUND_SHADOWS=0
TEXTURE_QUALITY=3
IMAGE_QUALITY=0
See_Self=1
Text_Scroll=1

[USERINTERFACE]
OpenATCOnCreate=0
PageID=1
SHOW_MISSION_CAPTIONS=0
PAUSE_ON_LOST_FOCUS=1
PROMPT_ON_EXIT=1
SITUATION=FLIGHTS\OTHER\FLTSIM
Map_Orientation=2

[ATC]
ShowATCText=1
COMM_MSG_NONE_COLOR=FFFFFFFF
COMM_MSG_ATC_USER_COLOR=FFB6FFB6
COMM_MSG_USER_ATC_COLOR=FFFFD21B
COMM_MSG_ATC_AI_COLOR=FF00FF00
COMM_MSG_AI_ATC_COLOR=FFFF7840
AutoOpenAirTrafficWindow=1
UsePilotVoice=1
PilotVoice=0

[PointOfInterestSystem]
CycleSetting=0


[SCENERY]
LENSFLARE=0
DAWN_DUSK_SMOOTHING=1
IMAGE_COMPLEXITY=0
SmallPartRejectRadius=1.0


[TrafficManager]
AirlineDensity=0
GADensity=0
FreewayDensity=0
ShipsAndFerriesDensity=0
LeisureBoatsDensity=0
IFROnly=0
AIRPORT_SCENERY_DENSITY=0

[TERRAIN]
LOD_RADIUS=2.500000
MESH_COMPLEXITY=0
MESH_RESOLUTION=17
TEXTURE_RESOLUTION=22
AUTOGEN_DENSITY=0
DETAIL_TEXTURE=0
WATER_EFFECTS=0
TERRAIN_MAX_AUTOGEN_TREES_PER_CELL=2000
TERRAIN_MAX_AUTOGEN_BUILDINGS_PER_CELL=1000

[AContain]
ShowLabels=0
ShowUserLabel=0
ShowLabelManufacturer=0
ShowLabelModel=0
ShowLabelTailNumber=0
ShowLabelDistance=0
ShowLabelAltitude=0
ShowLabelAirline=0
ShowLabelAirlineAndFlightNumber=0
ShowLabelFlightPlan=0
ShowLabelContainerId=0
ShowLabelAirspeed=0
ShowLabelHeading=0
LabelDelay=1000
LabelColor=FFFF0000

[INTERNATIONAL]
ASLAT=2
ASLON=1
MEASURE=0

[REALISM]
PFactor=0.000000
Torque=0.000000
GyroEffect=0.000000
CrashTolerance=0.000000
General=0.000000
UnlimitedFuel=True
TrueAirspeed=False
AutoCoord=False
RealMixture=False
StressDamage=False
GEffect=False
ManualLights=False
GyroDrift=False
CrashWithDyn=False
CrashDetection=False
AutoTrim=False

[SIM]
SYSCLOCK=1

[STARTUP]
DEMO=0
SHOW_OPENING_SCREEN=0
STARTUP_DEMO=
LoadWindow=1

[FACILITIES]
COUNTRY=
STATE=
CITY=
GTL_BUTTON=1554

[NickN]

The dilema. Before the above was utilized the max at those settings(sliders left) I could get was maybe 30 FPS. After the changes it's went up but to only a 59 FPS average.

There has to be something I'm missing. At least I hope so. I would think I could get well over 100 FPS before I start moving sliders to the right or I'm sure I'll be fighting a winless battle. I'm hoping someone can spot the problem with the inforation that will follow in the next several posts. Please bare with me.

You have got to be kidding me

you are upset becasue you cant get to 100FPS in FSX?



I dont doubt it...

1. your hardware is not designed for FSX

2. when you installed Nhancer and set it up you enabled VSYNC FORCE ON

that locks the system to not go over the monitors refresh rate which if LCD in most cases is 60

so you stop at 59FPS

Most people would kill for 35 on good hardware much further advanced than yours

but apparently you are OK with running low sliders to get some rediculously unneeded frame rate amount

You dont need more than 30 on a properly configured system


Disable Vsync (FORCE OFF) in profile and global and that will release the system to run higher than the refresh rate of the monitor. But be ready for nasty tears in the image because that is what Vsync resolves.


[BUFFERPOOLS]
Poolsize=5000000

Get rid of that... your hardware cant support it and its not doing any good


FIBER_FRAME_TIME_FRACTION=0.33

get rid of that too

[kwynn]

I think you've misunderstood me. I wanted to at least get to 100 FPS before I started moving sliders right. It goes down to 25 now with them all left and if the cockpit panel is activated with everthing else off . I was looking for more performance before I tried to get to a decent FPS. The way I have to run it now I have nothing but flat terrain and zero everything else. Hell I'd be ecstatic with 20 FPS and something to look at but washed out aircraft and bare ground. If I use any settings at all I'm in the 3 to 7 FPS range.

[NickN]

you are not going anywhere on that hardware in FSX

what you have is 'OK' for FS9 but in FSX you are out CPU'ed, out video'ed and out motherboard'ed by 100+%

3GHz on a P4 is like 2.6Ghz on a AMD64 and 1.8-2GHz on a new Intel Core2

and a 7600 video card is just reaching the lower point of being decent in FS9

you are out-matched for hardware in FSX

[kwynn]

I pretty much figured that. Was hoping to squeeze a little more life out of it. I made the changes you mentioned above and it made a small difference. Read up some more on the AGP aperature setting in Bios. Reduced it to 32MB and it made a tremendous difference(now using 35% more Video card mem than hogging CPU mem). FSP hoovering 20 FPS and pretty smooth with sliders set to a previous post you made. A few more tweaks and I should hit at least 22 which is way better then when I started.