Could use some advice for improving my systems performance when running KSP

[space guy]

At the moment I have a 400 part space station that I get 10 FPS on.

Info about my computer:

OS: Windows 7 base - upgraded to Windows 7 ultimate

CPU: AMD Phenom II X6 1100T BE

GPU: XFX Radeon HD 6870 1 GB GDDR5 ram

system ram: 8GB ( only 4 usable for game though )

MB: Gigabyte M68MT-S2P

Sounds card: Creative sound blaster Audigy SE, 24 bit

Add ons I currently use:

KW Rocketry

Squad Texture Reduction Pack 0.1c – Update

[0.23] Kerbal Engineer Redux v0.6.2.3

[0.23] BioMass – Renewable Bio-Fuel Modules

[0.23.5] RCS Sounds

Kerbal Joint Reinforcement v2.3

UbioZur Welding Ltd

[0.23.X] Astronomer’s Visual Pack V3 ALPHA

[0.23] KERBAL NRAP v1.3 – Adjustable test weight for lifter building

HyperEdit

and which ever version of mechjeb is the latest working version.

Edited April 27, 2014 by space guy

[cantab]

In my experience the biggest performance boosts were from reducing the Render Quality Level, and during re-entry the Aerodynamic FX Quality. The other options gave only minor improvements at best. Bear in mind a Render Quality Level of Fastest or Fast results in no shadows, which can make landing tricky without using IVA view or a mod for surface (AKA radar) altitude.

Even then, there's only so much that can be done. With larger ships KSP becomes physics-bound and thus depends on the single-core performance of your CPU.

[Drew Kerman]

reduce the physics time frame in the settings - it will dump some physics calculations but will increase your FPS and if your station is already in a stable orbit you don't really need a lot of physics. I'd say launch whatever you're taking to the station with your physics time frame turned up, then dial it back for actual rendezvous when the station is loaded. Also, look into "part welding" - a search will turn up information on it and Felbourn here (Bob Fitch) uses it a lot in his YouTube videos. Basically you're turning many parts into a single part to reduce part count.