I had a read of the XP12 manual and found the FPS recommendations interesting.  It states 19fps is 'terrible, 25-35 ideal and higher FPS indicates the computer isn't rendering as much detail as it could. So the official stance is no more than 35FPS.

Comments?

I have always aimed for 30fps in both sims and then use Lossless Scaling to get 60fps to match my monitor refresh rate.  That has always resulted in the smoothest experience for me...

Well, more FPS feels smoother for one, so I do not concur with that statement from the manual.

What should be avoided is large fluctuations in FPS. It doesn't help having super smooth 140 FPS when aloft and a 19 FPS stutter fest when at airports. Dynamically adjusting the LOD bias of drawn objects is the best method to do this, displaying them farther out when enough FPS overhead is available and displaying them more closely to recover FPS. The latter is required when very close to the ground where draw distance isn't that important anyway. A drawback is that one might see objects pop up and disappear on the horizon. Scripts like this control LOD bias automatically: https://forums.x-plane.org/forums/topic/331906-dynalod-adjusts-lod-distance-to-maintain-fps/

(IMO automatic LOD bias adjustment should be a default feature and replace the draw distance slider, which merely sets a fixed LOD bias value anyway.)

Mine has always been fixed at 30 FPS.

I use a command option when starting Xp12.

"You can't have too many FPS".

https://www.instagram.com/snlreelz/reel/C8xj8C1y7n1/?hl=en

IIRC, an Austin interview said he really wanted to see upwards of 60fps. 
 

I generally keep mine in the 40-50 range unless at a very heavy urban airport  (which I generally avoid 😁). 

With that aspiration, I’m usually well above the recommended Absolute Minimum of 30fps. 

Edited July 14, 2025Jul 14 by UrgentSiesta

3 hours ago, UrgentSiesta said:

wanted to see upwards of 60fps

Thats a commercial requirement I believe. Im happy, lets see what the CPU thread thing does

Let's say that 30fps locked is a golden standard in flight simming, for stable experience. But from my POV, that was the case between 2005 to 2018 in all that hectic tweaking mania in FSX and Prepar3D. Sorry for mentioning another sims as I started using XP11 more seriously in circa 2018 (can't remember exactly), but the same rule was used - 30fps locked. When I got better CPU and GPU, and experienced 60fps locked, there was no going back! Simply, the difference in smoothness is more than just 2x the framerate. Everything looks and feels extremely fluid at 60fps, from physics, gauges, displays. Why? Because at native refresh rate framerate (60hz=60fps), there is no latency at all, at least not a visible one. At 1/2 of refresh rate (30fps), at least on my system, I see pretty visible latency, starting from flicking switches, pressing buttons, camera panning, etc.

Now as a VR user, things are a lot different, and I chase half of refresh rate always, then VR headset reproject the frames so I see 90fps with very little to no artifacts. But for 2D, as I said, 60fps is now a golden standard for me because of the reasons above.

Edited July 15, 2025Jul 15 by Pe11e

More pixels + bigger screens + moderately fast action = need for higher refresh rates. A quick barrel roll in the F14 becomes a bit slide-showy at 60hz. ~30hz was safe for CRTs. But Bjoern's point above, an even 30 can be better than bouncing between 45 and 60.

Hi,

I have locked my 75" Samsung monitors frames at 30fps and my monitors refresh rate at 30 for years. This has given me smooth performance throughout most of my flights for the longest time.

This is from six years ago map of the earth with afterburners full.

 

Edited July 15, 2025Jul 15 by Mike_CFII_MEL

8 hours ago, Pe11e said:

When I got better CPU and GPU, and experienced 60fps locked

Would love to know your XP settings, because I can't run at 60fps locked unless I turn the settings right down

 

Hace 19 horas, jcomm dijo:

El mío siempre estuvo fijado en 30 FPS.

Utilice una opción de comando al iniciar Xp12.

What comand ?

 

 

?

Edited July 15, 2025Jul 15 by Aglos77

8 minutes ago, Aglos77 said:

 

What comand ?

 

 

?

% more xplane.sh
open -a X-Plane.app --args --lock_fr=30

I find it easier to lock the frames in Nvidia Control Panel.

Edited July 15, 2025Jul 15 by Mike_CFII_MEL

12 minutes ago, Aglos77 said:

 

What comand ?

 

 

?

This may better answer your question.

https://www.x-plane.com/kb/using-command-line-options/#:~:text=Macintosh Users&text=To run X-Plane using,application into the terminal window.

1 hour ago, Aglos77 said:

 

What comand ?

 

 

?

Ok, @Mike_CFII_MEL was faster 🙂

His suggestion can also be used in your Windows program icon for X-plane 12, by choosing "Properties" then in "Target" end the line with the "falg" : --lock_fr=30

According to "Copilot":

 

If you're using a desktop shortcut:

1. Right-click the shortcut to X-Plane.exe.

2. Select Properties.

3. In the Target field, add the command after the path:

    

   "C:\Path\To\X-Plane.exe" --lock_fr=30
   

4. Click Apply and then OK.

✅ If you're using Steam:

1. Right-click X-Plane 12 in your Steam Library.

2. Go to Properties.

3. Under Launch Options, enter:

    

   --lock_fr=30
   

✅ If you're using a batch file:

Create a .bat file with something like:

bat

start "" "C:\Path\To\X-Plane.exe" --lock_fr=30

🎯 Why use it?

• Keeps frame rate stable, which can reduce stutters.

• Helps maintain consistent CPU/GPU usage.

• Especially useful in VR setups or when flying in dense scenery areas.

 

Edited July 15, 2025Jul 15 by jcomm