How to test your computer
Microsoft© Flight Simulator provides a way to
test how many frames per second is your computer drawing on the screen. Usually
a fast computer will deliver higher frame rates, however, other
system components are key factors to get good frame rates.
In order to display the frame rate you must
press SHIFT-Z four times. A red text line at the top-left corner of
the screen will display the frame rate.
In order to standarize the frame rate test and
have homogeneous results that can be used to compare one computer
against others you must adhere to the following method to test
your computer and report the results. We count on you!.
| Situation #1 (FSFW95 & FS 5.x): |
The Standard test:
- Configure Flight
Simulator to start at the default airport
(Meigs).
- Full detail, ground
scenery shadows on, aircraft shadow on, cloud
effects, etc.
- Very dense scenery
& dynamic scenery.
- No weather.
- 640x480x256 full
screen mode (640x400 for FS5.x).
- Front view, only
window #1 activated.
Report
*highest sustained* frame rate.
|
| |
| Situation #2 (FSFW95 & FS 5.x): |
In the middle of the ocean:
- Configure Flight
Simulator to start in the middle of the
ocean.
- Position: LAT 35d 00m
North, LON 35d 00m West.
- 10,000 ft. AMSL
- Full detail, ground
scenery shadows on, aircraft shadow on, cloud
effects, etc.
- Very dense scenery
& dynamic scenery.
- No weather.
- 640x480x256 full
screen mode (640x400 for fs5.x).
- Front view, only
window #1 activated.
- Fly to the north (360
deg.), keep heading and altitude stable.
- After flying a while
take the frame rate reading (to allow things
to get stable).
Report
*higest sustained* frame rate.
|
| |
| Situation #3 (FSFW95 only): |
Exactly the same situation
as #1, however instead of using 640x480x256 full screen,
you must use 1024x768x256 maximized window with
taskbar visible.
Report
*highest sustained* frame rate.
|
All tests assume...
- Please adjust your FS program to use the
"Haze driver" instead of the "High quality
driver".
- If you are testing FSFW95 close or
deactivate any program that may use CPU time, like virus
scanners, system monitors, connected to the Internet,
etc. The same applies to FS 5.x with resident programs.
- For tests #1 and #3 please be sure to
deactivate any commercial/freeware addon you have
installed for the Chicago area.
- If you run FS 5.x please run it over DOS
only, not over Windows 3.x/95. In other words, boot your
computer in plain DOS and then run FS. Of course, all
memory optimization is perfectly valid (i.e. using
emm386.exe, qemm, etc).
- All test assume that you are using the
stardard Cessna 182RG that comes with the program.
- Please do not run any adventure while
testing the computer.
- Should you have any problem with these
guidelines or the test themselves please drop
me a note indicating your problem/suggestion/inquiry
and I'll do my best to help you.
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Copyright © 1996-97 Eduardo Béeche.
All rights reserved.
Information in this document is subject to change
without notice.
Microsoft® Flight Simulator is a trademark of Microsoft Corp.
Other products and/or companies referred to herein are trademarks
or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark
holders.
