Sorry, I type so slowly I missed the replies by @tomchk and @JakubCW...
I guess that i5 4590 is technically on spec, being a 4th gen Intel, but in many tests - assuming a similar OC - would be beaten by the older HT-enabled 2nd and 3rd Gen chip...in things that can take advantage of it. Basically, it's not too dissimilar to my own 2600k in essence, though perhaps there are architectural improvements that prove more significant in X4 than I realise.
@JakubCW's 8700k though...well, in theory it an my proposed 9900k should be near identical, yet an earlier poster mentioned flawless performance in X4, though they had a 2080 IIRC.
Performance does appear to be all over the place, with those having much newer CPU's than mine appearing to share a very similar experience. I'm sure there's at least some optimisation to be had. To be honest, I've fine with how things are in many ways. I knew my CPU was technically slightly below spec, despite being an overclocked i7, albeit of a slightly older generation. I'll be honest, I've been so used to running most games at near max settings (1920x1200) for so long now, that I was confident X4 would be fine.
I'd say that while I'd of course prefer
never dropping below 60fps, ever. Getting ~40fps or so in a VERY busy station, ~50fps or so just outside it and a solid 60fps (vSync limited) when moving 500m or so away from the station is pretty good. Low fps in a station is uncomfortable on my eyes sure, but there's no actual twitch-reflex gameplay in a station....yet...so I can cope.
I think X4 is very nearly my trigger point to upgrade...well, whole new build, but I'm going to hold off a little while.
Thanks to everyone who's responding to this thread, please keep commenting on your personal experiences and observations along with PC specs.
I'm off to actually
play for a bit now...that had been my plan eight+ hours ago but I ended up researching PC parts...the whole Z390 VRM thing...shudder...lots to read
@casualplayer - thanks for reporting. I suspect the starting area - BHS at least, the only area I've personally experienced - is a VERY busy are. This is great for ambience and really gives the impression of a bustling hub of activity, but it's hammering performance for many it seems. So, there's great environmental first impression here, but not so a great a performance once...I guess it's all a trade-off in that regard, though some fairly powerful systems are being...challenged by this it seems.
Edit: just to add that the starting Equipment Dock certainly appears to be quite an extreme example, performance-wise. I've docked at a nearby station and, despite there being a fair amount of traffic, my fps is a solid 60 currently. Just wandering around the station, taking in the sights
Scoob.