I am finally able to provide a bit of feedback on this new 2.3 version.
I went for the patch, I didn't want to redownload 10,5 Gb...Also, my P3D 2.2 had a lot of addons and I didn't really want to reinstall everything.
Also, I didn't read the recommendations regarding the things to save or to delete prior to the installation of the patch
The patch installed without issues. But of course, when I launched the first flight, I got a crash upon scenery loading (just after you reach the cockpit, and the screen is still blue/black and the objects solwly appear...). So I thought I had been too optimistic and that a full uninstall, download, reinstall was due....
But before that, somebody recommended me to update FSUIPC to the latest version.... which I did. And that solved the crashes !
I made my first test flight in the following conditions:
- fast aircraft (F-104)
- heavy storm theme
- photoscenery with additionnal autogen
- cloud shadows activated and set to the max
- cloud distance set to half
- most of the shadow boxes set, but not all (vegetation for example, would not cast or receive)
- water to ultra
- FPS limited to 25 in the sim settings
The result was outstanding. The FPS never dropped below the 20's. The global smoothness was constant, that was really a pleasant flight.
In the previous version, I had deactivated the cloud shadows because they were to costly on the FPS. So even with overcast weather, my cockpit was still illuminated by the sun, just like in FSX.
But this time, on the runway the cockpit was very dark, because of the cloud shadow. And then, I started climbing and got above the clouds, and the cockpit got the sunlight inside. That was cool
So I am fully satisfied for now.
The next step will be to perform the same test, but over OrbX scenery instead.