FSX New Guy questions

Okay got FSX and Accleration (which includes SP1 and SP2 I think) installed and working, but many questions:

1 - Is is better to run in DX9 or DX10 ? I have two GTX 285 cards in SLI.
2 - Can someone list the top three things I SHOULD NOT enable to keep frame rates high (especially if I stay in DX10) ?
3 - I have everything set on full realism but am not seeing redouts, blackouts or torque effects (G effects are enabled in settings and I am flyng under 'hard' conditions). Any suggestions ?
4 - Where can I find a guide for properly starting up (step by step) the P-51 Mustang ? And if I choose, free fly, why do I always start with my prop going full speed on the runway ?

Thanks - Matt

1. I don't know if DX9 vs. DX10 makes much of a difference (I think SP2/Acceleration installs DX10 by default) but it is generally advised to just uncheck the DX10 Preview box in the setup menu. If you leave it activated, many of your addon aircraft and sceneries will have graphic anamolies including no skins at all.

2. AI traffic can be a killer, especially the aircraft at airports; move those sliders to the 5-10% mark for ground traffic and 15-20% for aircraft to start. Autogen density should also be scaled back also; I have mine at "normal", ie not even at the halfway point on the slider. I have my cloud draw distance set to the minimum of 60 miles but I'm not sure why.

3. Red out and black out effects don't seem to be working for me either; maybe this was deactivated to increase performance, just like the animated raindrops on the windscreen was removed. As for torque, I believe that I've read that the stock FMs are tame by design.

4. Which P-51? I assume you mean the Acceleration racer version. I wish I could tell you, as I can't get it to start in 'cold, dark' mode either.

If you want all of your free flights to start with the engine turned off:
A. Load a flight like you normally do. You might as well select your favorite plane and airport though.
B. Shut the engine off.
C. Open the menu bar at the top of the screen by holding the ALT key down.
D. Choose "Flights" and then "Save Flight." At the next screen, be sure to tick the "Make This The Default Flight" box.

Now, no matter what plane you choose in the Free Flight menu, you'll start with the engine turned off.

Ahhh, well, I just tested the Racer P-51D and of course it started right up for me on a full manual start.

All I can advise to do is to shut everything down first:

1. On the throttle quadrant, pull the throttle back all the way to idle and pull the mixture lever towards you to Idle Cut-Off. The engine should die.

2. Turn the magnetos switch (key on main panel) to "off."

3. Flip the generator, battery, avionics and instrument lights switches (behind control stick) to the down (off) position. Turn off any other lights that may be on.

4. Set the parking brake and open the canopy.

5. Save this flight.


*Now reverse these steps to start the aircraft:

1. Turn on the generator, battery, avionics and instrument lights switches.

2. Turn magnetos switch to "Both."

3. Turn on the fuel booster pump, near the magnetos switch.

4. Advance the Mixture lever on the throttle quadrant to about 50-60% (?)

5. Advance the Throttle lever forward just a little bit.

6. Flip up the red cover for the starter switch, next to the Magnetos switch.

7. Push the starter switch.

SLI doesn't benefit FSX. And if you don't want to run old FS9 add-ons you can run DX10. It's a matter of compatibility.



1. AI traffic, if not replaced by an add-on.
2. Water effects on more than 2.x medium.
3. Road traffic.

Okay SkyCat and Heretic, thanks very much. I am working on what you guys suggested. I also seem to have a strange problem: In either the F-18 or P-51 as I slow down and deploy flaps for landing, my throttle (and manifold pressure in the P-51) suddenly goes back up to like 50% power and I cant slow down. I have weird braking problems too. Sometimes, I land and brake very normally and other times, it is like it is haywire or something. I think I set up my controllers fine but very strange. Any suggestions ?

Thanks

I was getting flickering at airports during taxi and takeoffs with DX10 enabled. Once disabled DX10 everthing is smooth as butter.

Yeah, I gave up on DX10 since it breaks the textures on so many add on planes.

I've noticed that planes will start acting buggy if the computer is overworked by autogen, traffic, etc. Look for a pattern; if the FM becomes unstable when you're at a busy airport or at a major population center, but is otherwise fine when in a more relaxed environment, you may have to dial back some of your settings some more.

For me, much of the enjoyment of civilian sim flying is experiencing other planes in the air. Without A.I.traffic it feels sort of artificial, not a real world flight environment, which makes it harder to suspend disbelief. And when flying a big commercial airliner, it's just not realistic to be all by yourself on the runway waiting to take off. I don't advise turning off A.I. traffic. Why even play the sim, if you're going to turn off A.I. traffic?

I also have two GTX 285s in SLI (aren't they great?), and 'tho FSX may not benefit from SLI, I've found my rig can handle AI traffic at medium-high while keeping acceptable frame rates. My best suggestion is to experiment until you find your optimum settings.

Also, consider getting the add-on utility, 'TweakFPS for FSX' at TweakFS.com . They have a 30-day free demo so you can try-before-buy.