KSFO : The full FPS test campaign

Flightbeam claims that his first airport has been optimized for good framerate. But be gently warned that in the documentation, it is written that KSFO has been best optimized for an I7 core processor. Too bad, this is not the usual standard processor in a lot of countries and not only in Europe. I will not enter in political consideration, money change politic etc. Here is a full test on my quadcore configuration.

Test condition :

I splitted the test in two : normal 1280 x 1024 x 32 resolution and a triple head 3800 x 1024 x 32

I tested San Francisco platform at gate, taxiing to runway and on final approach, all these situations at daylight and dusk. Each time, i rebooted the computer.

My processor is a quadcore, 2,33 Ghz, with 8 mb RAM. My graphic card is an ATI HD 5850, that is better than my Nvidia GTS 250 in performance but not really nice on AA and image quality management. For the test, my settings were on low quality, high performance. I have installed Ultimate terrain USA and KSJC San Jose but this airport, in fact, did not have any effect on the test. (Oakland airport will have for shure). I did not put any traffic as it is usually not used in Gamespy nor in Vatsim and IVAO. My FSX settings are at average levels (See screens below). Oh!  important thing, the aircraft is the Quality Wings 757, normal American Aairlines One world texture (no HDT). I chose this aircraft because it is not the best one on framerate optimization, even after its SP2. The test sequence is Departure at gate, taxy to runway, take-off and 180° turn for a final approach.

Scores :

On a matrox triple head 3840 x 1024 x 32 ; 

AT DAY :

At gate ; 11 - 12,5 (if pc was used prior to FSX) and 15,5 - 17 after reboot.

on taxiway ; 10 - 12,5

on final approach ; 9 - 12,5

AT DUSK ;

At gate ; 8,5 - 9,5

On taxiway ; 9,5 - 12,5

On final approach ; 12,5 - 14,5

Now on a basic 1280 x 1024 x 32 resolution ;

At DAY ;

At gate ; 18,5

On taxiway ; 12 - 14

On final approach ; 7,5 - 13,5

At DUSK ;

At gate ; 8,8 - 10,6

On taxiway ; 8,8 - 10,6

On final approach ; 9,5  - 11,5

Conclusion ;

The good ;

On the paper, scores are not very good but i made several exciting take-off around 12-13 FPS.

Lights on runways have some bloom effect and give sensation of a high speed acquisition.

Without UTX, you will gain maybe 3-6 FPS.

Changing the aircraft for a PMDG 747 or an Airbus X, maybe 2 - 4 FPS.

The bad ;

On image quality, my settings were at lowest rate.

I will publish a second test campaing this week end / and others on FSDT and Fly Tampa.