Microsoft Flight Simulator X on a GT550m

UKFX

UKFX

UKFX

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Didn't know what section to put this in, but since it is game specific I felt that it'd probably be best put here.

Issue. I have a Dell XPS L702X Laptop, it's pretty sweet, but when I play Flight Simulator X, most of the time it'll pick Intel HD 3000 even if I right click the program (the actual running .exe) and run it with the Nvidia option. Adding it to the Nvidia program settings doesn't do much half the time. However sometimes it does work, an the GT550m is listed in the game settings. The problem is the aircraft preview is black, an when the game loads into the environment so you can hear the control tower, an the engines of the plane, all you see is a black screen. Back on Intel HD 3000, not a problem, but obviously the performance is subpar compared to the GT550m, which seems like it can't be used. Intel 3000 gives me dodgy frames at Ultra settings. Would like to be able to use the GT550m for this.

I have the Flight Simulator X Gold Edition (Deluxe + Acceleration) installed. Patched to SP1. Latest Nvidia drivers. Running on Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit.

Any suggestions?

:)
 
Everything is set to 100% usage, changing power settings makes no difference, an I'm usually plugged into the mains when gaming. Never had a problem with any other game, which includes the likes of Crysis, TF2, Combat Flight Simulator 3 which is actually like 3 years older than Flight Sim X, an a bunch of other games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R., Sims 3, Minecraft, etc.

It's one buggy game, it's unstable, but playable... I just want to make use of my GT550m, so I can stop using the Intel HD 3000. Game looks great on Ultra, but the low FPS accompanied with it isn't fun at all and actually makes landing difficult.
 
Having done a search around for similar issues, it's been reported in applications other than FSX (especially OpenGL ones), and across both AMD\Nvidia solutions...so I wouldn't be inclined to immediately blame the game for not working.

Does the XPS let you manually disable the switching so you can narrow down the problem? Did you check the Dell forums or contact their tech support?
 
Have you checked the BIOS options?

I seem to recall that on some Optimus laptops there is an option in the bios to disable Optimus i.e. force use of the GPU only. Not sure if the Dell has it or not.

There seems to be a few threads kicking about the web complaining of the very same issue you are having with FSX.
 
I don't think I ever saw such a setting in the BIOS the last time I checked, but I'll take a look later anyway.

It seems this is mostly just FSX's fault. Most unstable, bug ridden, incomptible game of all time, yet made by Microsoft. Bunch of idiots.

Run all sorts of compatibility options last night, an running it via Nvidia option... about 99 times out of 100 it said Intel HD graphics in the games settings for selected display device. Optimus should come with a warning. It should say "only compatible with modern games".
 
UKFX said:
I don't think I ever saw such a setting in the BIOS the last time I checked, but I'll take a look later anyway.

It seems this is mostly just FSX's fault. Most unstable, bug ridden, incomptible game of all time, yet made by Microsoft. Bunch of idiots.

Run all sorts of compatibility options last night, an running it via Nvidia option... about 99 times out of 100 it said Intel HD graphics in the games settings for selected display device. Optimus should come with a warning. It should say "only compatible with modern games".
Click to expand...

I take it you've tried running as Admin, XP Compatablility etc?

It sounds like FSX isn't always telling your OS it's a 3D application which triggers the switch (simplistic approach!) to GPU from on-board.
 
I have tried that yes.

What doesn't help, is that FSX opens the game as a small active window, which cannot be maximised, even from the properties menu on the icon.

Only on a few occassions has the Nvidia GT550m came up as a display device in the game, an I spent a good hour last night trying to get it to come up again but sadly not. 20fps or less, on Medium settings on the Intel HD 3000, isn't fun, because when I set the FPS to 40, it only manages 20 half the time. Landing is a nightmare when the frames are that bad.

I'd love to know what idiot thought it was a good idea to have seperate windows loading for different environments in FSX. You can even see active windows switching during loading, noticing the outline of windows open or minimise to take anothers place. should have all been done in the same screen, maybe then these issues wouldn't occur with switchable graphics.

I'm surprised I'm not seeing more solutions online. I've seen a few mentions of it, but only once on a forum did I see someone mention switchable graphics, but they said it was so intolerable, they sent their laptop back. I won't be doing that.
 
FSX is one of the most resource intensive games out there - it's heavily CPU bound and this is well known by the community. Try Soya's thread for FSX if you want help.
 
It's definitely not the CPU mate. My CPU is Core i5 2540m (top Core i5 mobile model), at 2.6ghz although up to 3.1ghz on two cores.

The problem is, very clearly, that Intel is always assuming control over the game. I know 100% that it's GPU bound and not a CPU issue.

That video showing the Nvidia Whitelist, is something I always do with my games anyway.

Windowing the game, doesn't help.

Major balls up this. Not pleased.

Do remember that the game / aircraft preview window, is pure black when the Nvidia Card is used.

:(
 
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