Is it best to set frame rate limit or not?

[stevehookem]

Is it best to set a frame rate limit or leave it at unlimited? Conventional wisdom says "unlimited" but I thought I read somewhere that this actually causes the CPU to work harder than needed.

I can get 40-60FPS at times and consistently get 25-30. At some point, it seems to be diminishing returns.

[TSC.]

I think the popular theory is that the human eye can't tell the difference above approx 30fps, so having a limit set any higher is just a waste of resources that could be used elsewhere.

TSC.

[Rich H]

Lucky. I'm happy if I get over 15.

[Brando14100]

Lucky. I'm happy if I get over 15.

I'm lucky if I get mine over 6! (I really need to get a better computer, since when my dad got this one that would be "great for all your games" he apperantly forgot about the games part).

8-)

[a1]

I think the popular theory is that the human eye can't tell the difference above approx 30fps, so having a limit set any higher is just a waste of resources that could be used elsewhere.

TSC.

What he said. I set mine to 24.

[Steve M]

I set my fps at 40 because my rig seems to be able to handle it. Over water it stays pegged on 40. ( 39.1 to 40.2 ) Dense cities at low altitudes depending, my framerates drop as low as 15 to 18. To me, in my case, I dont have a reason to run unlimited.

[jime59]

Lucky. I'm happy if I get over 15.

I'm lucky if I get mine over 6! (I really need to get a better computer, since when my dad got this one that would be "great for all your games" he apperantly forgot about the games part).

8-)

Don't get me wrong, I'm not laughing at you I'm just laughing at what you wrote about your Dad.
Gave me a good chuckle.

[Dr.bob7]

I have mine set at 46 for a while I thought my poor FPS was my cards fault but bumping it up helped alot (its still not that great though)

[NickN]

If the system is correctly balanced for the settings and you are running at least decent hardware, and, you run LCD.. then

lock 30 outside of urban (unless in heavy weather and large number of AG trees, then unlimited)

run unlimited inside large urban

thats one way I can tell when thing are set up right..

[Steve M]

nickN, I have always adhered to your sticky's and you are the guy on simv that has helped my learning curve go upwards. I just have a question about running unlimited frame rates. Lets say you are flying low over an intense area  maybe such as New York or Los Angeles and your highest frame spikes are around 25 fps. Or 30 if your lucky, what actually does unlimited do in that situation? I am just wondering, and definatly not questioning you in a bad sense.
We are lucky to have you here.
                                                  Steve  

[markag]

I think the popular theory is that the human eye can't tell the difference above approx 30fps, so having a limit set any higher is just a waste of resources that could be used elsewhere.

TSC.

What he said. I set mine to 24.

I beg to differ. There is a difference between frames per second with film and with computer graphics. If you were to pause on a single frame during motion in a movie, you would see that the whole picture is blurry. Your graphics card renders crystal clear pictures for each and every frame, therefore, 30 fps on you PC isn't as smooth as 30fps of film. To get the same effect from your PC's GPU you would need to be getting around 60fps.

Now, some newer games (Crysis for example) are incorporating motion blur. If you've ever played crysis, you will notice that it appears smoother at lower framerates because of the extensive use of motion blur (assuming you have your settings high enough to see it).

Markag

[flaminghotsauce]

I think the popular theory is that the human eye can't tell the difference above approx 30fps, so having a limit set any higher is just a waste of resources that could be used elsewhere.

TSC.

What he said. I set mine to 24.

I beg to differ. There is a difference between frames per second with film and with computer graphics. If you were to pause on a single frame during motion in a movie, you would see that the whole picture is blurry. Your graphics card renders crystal clear pictures for each and every frame, therefore, 30 fps on you PC isn't as smooth as 30fps of film. To get the same effect from your PC's GPU you would need to be getting around 60fps.

Now, some newer games (Crysis for example) are incorporating motion blur. If you've ever played crysis, you will notice that it appears smoother at lower framerates because of the extensive use of motion blur (assuming you have your settings high enough to see it).

Markag

Agree. I did some testing with FS9 on my laptop. When I would look down at the aircraft from outside view, the frames would shoot up to 60+. This is where it looks like a movie, smooth and responsive. When the frames are at 30, is still looks like a simulator. Not smooth and fluid to the eye.

I set my FSX to unlimited.

[SubZer0]

I set mine to 21. I also like to lock at 30 outside urban areas and unlimited in large cities, but I don't want to be switching every once in a while like that. It takes away from the continuance of flight and realism. I get constant 21 wherever I go basically and it's still quite smooth.

Lock your frames based on SMOOTHNESS, not AMOUNT

[Paul Mohr]

I have played a lot with my settings and I have to lock mine in around 15 or 20 and I cannot max my display out or my settings.

I'm running an E machine with an AMD Sempron LE-1250 (2.2 GHz)
2 gigs of ram and 4 gigs of ready boost.
ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 512 Megs of DDR2 ram
On a 22" widescreen lcd digital monitor

I also have Vista Basic with most of the services shut off.

I can list my settings if anyone is interested.

Paul

[Fozzer]

Multiplayer Rules say set the Frame Rate to 20 FPS Max to ease Bandwidth for all other Players on line......!

F....G-BPLF...