Slow performance

[LuisC]

I just bought the sim for SR20 G1000 but it seems slow in performance, it is using a lot of CPU, frame rate drops to half compared to the c172. 

Is there any tweak I can make to make it perform better?

[Cameron]

Luis,

What are your hardware specs?

[LuisC]

MacBookPro 16", Processor: 2.3 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9, 32 GB RAM, AMD Radeon Pro 5500M 4 GB

[Cameron]

Hi Luis,

Sorry to say, but the 4GB is likely limiting some, and more importantly, while that processor is capable, the MacBook Pro in that configuration will start hitting thermal throttling, which then causes the simulation to run slower. Apple has done a good job of getting around this in their latest M1/M2 chip MacBook Pro's, but not so much Intel. External GPU's can help the situation drastically if running an Intel MacBook.

The Cessna 172 is not a great benchmark because it really doesn't impact much on the CPU (very simple aircraft), whereas more complex add-ons are going to actually require the CPU to pick up a lot of load.

[LuisC]

I thought the GPU was more for the textures, clouds, other objects not for the aircraft performance calculations.  the amount of  data  loaded is well below the 4GB of Ram of the GPU. The laptop has 32GB RAM which I guess holds the simulator info and is enough? 

Can you help me understand what is done in CPU/GPU and any recommendation on a basic eGPU ?

 

thanks

 

[Cameron]

The 4GB's is a fringe case. How things are reported (especially on Mac) isn't the most accurate in terms of GPU usage either. The GPU is responsible for all of the rendering, including being dependent on monitor resolution, object rendering, and, again anything visually output (think displays). Behind the simulated displays, code will also be dependent on the CPU, and many other tasks will be piled onto that. These are demanding tasks on the CPU and GPU.

Most importantly is going to be your thermal throttling in that MacBook Pro. It's just not going to work out real well here, because as the laptop heats up, it's going to compensate for this by slowing the computer down to try and cool things off. Thermal dynamics are against you.

For the eGPU, I would recommend a Razer Core X and either an AMD 5700 XT or 6900XT. Ideally the 6 series GPU at the top end, but I don't know your budget. The eGPU will cut the performance down about 20%, but as a whole things will run MUCH smoother and quite because not having the GPU and CPU both working hard is going to cut back on the thermal throttling issue.

A word of caution...

1. The 6900XT will only work if you're running macOS Monterey 12.1 or later.

2. An eGPU will NOT work with Apple Silicone CPU's like the M1/M2. If you plan on going that route soon, I would not buy the eGPU. Invest the money in your new Mac. If you won't be upgrading your Mac to the new Apple Silicone CPU's in the near future, an eGPU for your situation is going to be the way to go. 

[LuisC]

So the M1/M2 don't do thermal throttling and would do much better performance wise? would that be comparable to intel+eGPU or better?

[Ben Russell]

https://www.google.com/search?q=m2+thermal+throttling