When I was testing my friend's GP7, I found conventional operation very unsatisfactory, whereas F/C operation was fine.
Response to the direction button (MTH Z1000) and even throttle-off reversing was very erratic and unpredictable. Also, under conventional operation, the locomotive was very susceptible to any dirt on the track. The locomotive would sail across the same areas under F/C control.
I would suspect whatever motor control electronics are used to smooth out operation under F/C, are bypassed in conventional.
Rusty