Is upgrading my RAM worth it for X-Plane 10?

Question

Hello everyone, just a quick question. My X-Plane 10 doesn't run very fast (I have a pretty weak computer), and it runs at 10-15 FPS. So I was wondering if upgrading from 4 to 8 RAM is worth it. Will it help render more stuff? Will it run faster? Any help is appreciated! Thank you!

Answer 1

Hi, you should send all your hardware specifications, otherwise, there is no chance we can tell you anything.

The GPU is often very important.

You can also try and find a way to monitor your computer (under windows, ctrl+alt+suppr can lead you to such a possibility) in order to check if you RAM is saturated or not.

Comments

Well off memory, it's an intel pentium, 4gb RAM, 2.16GHz

Answer 2

Hi ethanyo6,

You should look at the recommended specifications not the minimum specifications for X-Plane 10 at this link  http://www.x-plane.com/desktop/system-requirements/

Also look at the recommended specifications not the minimum specifications for X-Plane 11 at this link http://www.x-plane.com/2016/11/x-plane-11-system-requirements-announced/

Whatever you do, go for a Nvidia graphics card rather than an AMD system for better performance.

Hope this helps

Glenn 

Comments

How do I get an Nvidia card?

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If you are planning to run this game at medium-high settings you are going to be spending some serious cash-I built my PC and the total cost was about $1200

1) Google Nvidia to visit their website

http://www.geforce.com/hardware

2)Buy a GPU online from Amazon for example or a store

3) Their cards aren't cheap-I got my GTX 970 for $325

4)If you are on a budget, get a GTX 1050 or 10 series card but the 1080 is expensive-$600 I believe (refer to the website)

Honestly, you need a new CPU-you won't get very far even with a insane GPU, more RAM-8 or 16, and a new GPU. Basically means a new computer but I doubt you want to do that. You can save a lot of $$ and build your own PC instead of buying a pre-built PC since vendors will charge a ridiculous price ;)

Hope this helps,

-Rishi

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Hi ethanyo6,

Firstly, Nvidia is the chipset used in the design of the graphics card.  If you go into you local computer parts store and ask for a Nvidia graphics card they should know exactly what to show you.  If they don't then exit the store and don't waste your money within the store.

In relation to Rishi's comments and having read your initial question again I respectfully suggest you need a new computer to do the job.

If you chose to build your own then have a look at the following link to get an indication on where to start.  The link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_YQMSeNM-M

The producer of the video, Michael Brown, is the owner of XForce PC, the company recommended by Laminar Research as supplier of PCs for X-Plane in the USA.

Hope this helps.

Glenn

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Thank you rishi for the help! When you buy an Nvidia card, is it like a soft ware? You just download it on ur computer or laptop? Thanks for the help!

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Thank you for the help Glenn, I will definitely do some research!

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Hi,

It's an actual card not software(Google Nvidia cards-you'll see what I mean). You have to buy it, open up your computer, take out your old card and plug in the new one.

Google it on YouTube-How to install a graphics card, you'll get plenty of vids to watch:)

However do you have a laptop or desktop since changing parts in a laptop are extremely difficult?

Cheers,

Rishi

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I have a laptop. A dell Inspiron 15 5000

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Hi ethanyo6,

From your initial question you indicated your computer (laptop) is aged which suggests that it may be 32-bit rather than 64-bit.  64-bit is the latest technology for designing/building computers.

64-bit technology allows and uses computer memory in excess of 4GB RAM (up to 128 GB - an overkill) whereas 32-bit uses/allows/restricts a maximum of 4GB irrespective how much memory you have in the computer.  FSX is based on 32-bit technology whereas X-Plane is based on 64-bit technology.  So, if your laptop is 32-bit then I am of the belief that it will not run X-Plane.

If you want to stay with a laptop, to be used for gaming as well, you need to look at either a ASUS or MSI "gaming" machines, preferably 17 inch.  One of the problems with laptops is you are restricted in the flow capacity of the builtin cooling fans.

One of the advantages of a PC is you can add additional cooling as and when required as well as upgrading your components at a future date.

For the amount of money you will outlay for a laptop you can build or have built a computure of much higher specifications.

If you want to become "serious" with flight simulation then go for a PC.

Again, I hope this helps.

Glenn 

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Hi ethanyo6,

Since you have a laptop, the information I provided above doesn't really help you. Glenn pretty much nailed it and I would have said the same thing so refer to his comments :)

When I was building my PC, I visited places such as Microcenter and Fry's Electronics since they provide some really awesome deals and price matching as well. I live in the U.S so these stores apply to me. Not sure about you but Amazon, Newegg is a great alternative if you don't live in the U.S. PC Part Picker (Link at the bottom) is great as well-you can literally build your PC from scratch and it gives you the necessary information like price, etc.

I plan on getting a gaming laptop this summer and some great brands to look at are ASUS, MSI, and Origin (I didn't list Alienware since reliability is a big issue with them) however they are quite expensive (A good laptop is $1400 or more)

Newegg: https://www.newegg.com/

PC Part Picker: https://pcpartpicker.com/

Hope you found this helpful,

-Rishi