573: A Quick Update on P3Dv5

I flew the P3Dv5 continuously for nearly three hours this afternoon.  Besides the landclass issues that I mentioned in my Post 568 earlier, I didn’t encounter any other issues reported in P3D forum during the session (perhaps some but not noticeable to me) luckily.

Of course the ATC service was kept silence all the time except during take-off and landing.  This is a known bug so far causing freezes or CTDs.  Other than that, I really feel the new simulator runs smoother.

Be the way, I have clean installed the latest Nvidia drivers again and

570: X99 Cold Boot Issue Fix

My flightsim computer is built on the ASUS X99 Deluxe II motherboard with Intel i7 6850K CPU.  Not the top highend nor the latest model but it works nicely.

However, it has an annoying problem that it seldom boots up succcessfully from cold and dark — sorry, no prime function boost here.  Most of the time the system goes to Windows only from the second or sometimes the third or fourth startup attempt.

My computer and peripherals all have the latest firmware and drivers.  The issue persists whether I overclock the PC or not.

I searched the Internet and found the issue isn’t uncommon especially among systems built on the X99 chipset running Windows 10, regardless of brand.

I tried many suggestions, such as unplugging all USB devices when booting the computer, disabling/enabling certain features in BIOS, etc.

None of them helps until recently I found the following tweak:

568: Really No Need to Rush for P3Dv5

After running P3Dv5 for two days, my initial impression stated at Post 564 continue to be valid.  Also true is my earlier comment saying that “there’s really no need to rush for it.”

If I remember correctly, every time when P3D had a major update (1.xx, 2.xx, 3.xx, 4.xx), the very first version always full of issues.  This latest version 5.0 is of no exception.

Followings are a couple of photos comparing the Sion Airport (LSGS) and Bowermen Airport (KHQM) between version 4.5 and 5.0.

The big trench on the left is flat actually.   Orbx Base Pack & EU open LC don’t help.

564: A Quick Impression on P3Dv5

I ran the new P3Dv5 for a few hours this morning with many addons (such as Orbx scenery and Carenado Aircraft) I used on P3Dv4.  As expected, it didn’t give me too much excitment, including the new logo and the new design of the option menu in the program, for which I am well prepared from what I experienced from the company’s previous updates in about every two years.

But to be fair, there are still many improvements and some are very nice indeed,
for example the Enhanced Atmoshperics feature, from which I get the sky color tone on my HDTV more true to the reality.  This is the first time from all the flight simulators I’ve ever played so far.

482: Logitech FIP Driver Migration

Some friends email me saying that they are interested to know how I upgraded (“migrate” I think is more accurate) my Saitek drivers to the Logitech version.   Again, as mentioned a few times, such a migration is not necessary if the Saitek drivers are working fine.

Anyway, it does no harm if anyone want to keep up with the Logitech version.   But ensure to AVOID using version 0.8.144.0 as it has error.   Version 8.0.132.0. is fine, which I am currently using.

Followings are the steps I took for the migration:

479: Time to Move On

FSX Times in January was a bit quiet after the Christmas and New Year holidays because there were many things happening to my flightsim system.    For one, I have “upgraded” the FIP driver from Saitek to Logitech version.

Truly, back in last August, I mentioned in my Post 447 that the “new” Logitech drivers are in general the same as the “old” Saitek drivers.   “Upgrade” is not necessary and it is still valid.

However, as my new X-Plane gauges were developed under the Logitech plugins; and the number of my FIP gauge users running the Logitech version are steadily growing, the switch, to me based on my own situation, is inevitable.

This also means that all my existing installers and utilities have to be upgraded accordingly — so that they will not only fit for the previous Saitek and SPAD.neXt installation, but also good for the new Logitech setup.

I am glad that all works are completed after weeks of intensive programming.

It’s time to move on.

 

469: My Latest Nvidia Setting

Thanks to all who shares their ideas about adjusting refresh rate to reduce micro-stutters in my last Post.  Frankly speaking, I didn’t really pay any attention to adjust it until recently.

And after a second thought, although I said the trick doesn’t have any effect on my rig, I think it could still be a candidate solution to those who have the issue.

For those who are interested, following is the Nvidia Settings (under native 60Hz refresh rate) I’ve been using in the last few months.

468: A Probable Micro-stuttering Cure

Micro-stuttering is one of the most severe headaches to almost all flightsimmers and it is not easy to cure.   If have a 4K monitor or a 4K TV, you may try cutting its refresh-rate from 60Hz to 30Hz.

I didn’t invent the trick.   I was told by a friend, who found the trick on the Internet.   Probably some of you knew it or even tried it already.

Is it a panacea or just another placebo?  

456: A PC Building Guide for Beginners

Many of us bought pre-assembled PCs for flight simulation from brand-names, like HP, Dell.   I did the same until one day I stepped forward to build one myself.

Frankly speaking, the first time was scary.   Fortunately, I had done a lot of preparations; the work turned out to be far less difficult than anticipated.
Above is “A Complete How To PC Building Guide for Beginners” from MSI, which I found universally good.   Definitely worth a favorite entry in your browser.