LucShep

Yep. All across the board, it's really bad. Basically same thing as the RTX4070 Super it replaces. Not even an upgrade in the slightest over previous generation. (but hey, at least you can get the fake-frames of MFG... with a huge latency penalty!) I honestly don't remember a generation of GPUs so bad as the RTX5000 series, probably not even the maligned FX series back in 2003 (curiously, they too were 5000 series). It's really ironic that it's now the lower budget 5060 and 5060Ti becoming the last hope of this generation, as saving grace for Nvidia. And I'm not sure they'll hold up.

Yeah, for those considering the RTX5070... just don't. It's not worth it. Tomorrow reviews will tell if AMD finally got it right and has the solution for this price point (with the RX 9070 and 9070XT), or if it's another disapointment.

I completely forgot, there's the Sony PSVR2, though it only works through OpenXR via SteamVR. While not "universally praised" like the Reverb G1/G2 has been, there are users who are happy with it. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=psvr2+pcvr

You and me both (...I'm alergic to social media ). I'm still hopeful that someone will find a way to bypass WMR on latest Windows, with a free open source alternative. Though I suspect it'll only happen soon on Linux. Not only the HP Reverb G1/G2 but also the old Samsung Odyssey+ are still popular WMR headsets that a lot of people keep using.

I think the problem you'll realize is finding a "better" headset in all parameters combined (image, comfort, sound, I/O tracking, HW resources consumption, and price) is hard. Honestly, I think the closest you'll get (in my experience) as a direct replacement for the HP Reverb G1 or G2, is the Oculus/Meta Quest 3, or maybe the Quest Pro. But you'll need a Wifi 6E router (as it works best wireless), a better headstrap (look at BoboVR and KIWI-design ones for Quest 3) and, of course, a Facebook account...

Can't help with the comparison to the Crystal, as I haven't tried one yet. I did try the Pimax 8KX, and the wider FOV does impress right away, somewhat fixing that downside of the HP Reverb G1 and G2 (which feel like looking through "divers goggles" or "binoculars" if compared) but the image is not as crisp, it was more demanding on resources, and comfort was appaling in comparison (HP Reverb G1 and G2 still better). Reading instruments is not as easy or imediate on the Pimax 8KX. It's not that it's bad (it isn't) and I guess one could get used to it, but I personally couldn't get over it. I think it's a matter of what you're looking for and prefer. The "sweet spot", as is the FOV, on both the HP Reverb G1 and G2 may be a bit small, but it's still so good, as are the colors, that I find even newest headsets barely improving in these aspects while being quite a bit more demanding on resources (and far more expensive). Same for the comfort, and the sound. I haven't tested many but, from all HMDs I tried with DCS - HP Reverb G1 (v1 and v2), HP Reverb G2 (v1 and v2), Oculus/Meta Rift-S, Quest 2, Quest 3, Pico 4, and Pimax 8KX - both the HP Reverb G1 and G2 proven to be the best and by far (for me). Also, and perhaps controversial, but I even found the 2nd version of the HP Reverb G1 (aka Reverb G1 Pro) as good, if not better, than both the Reverb G2 v1 and v2, with only the sound and comfort being better for me on the G2 v2. Could be from the units themselves and not representative of all in the market, but... there is that. There's the issue of cables, on both HP Reverb models, that may get broken with time and harsh use. But there are sellers on EBAY selling replacements at lower prices than before (as are the G1 and G2 headsets themselves, plenty mint ones available in second hand market), as VR users have abandoned them due to the WMR software breaking issues with latest Win11 24H2 update (now also affecting Win10 with latest updates). There are also mods to atempt fixes on cables, but may be complicated for most users. I think the downside of Windows updates breaking WMR, and HP no longer producing them, are really the only main problems on the HP Reverb G1 and G2. Otherwise, they'd still dominate as the unbeatable balanced choice of VR headsets for people who are into simulators today, for DCS inclusively. Great image, comfort, sound, and inside-out tracking, all provided right out of the box, without outrageous prices or brutal hardware requirements.

Basically, and overall, the AMD RX9070/XT are supposed to be direct alternatives (at lower prices) to the more expensive Nvidia RTX 5070/Ti and also RTX4070/Ti Super (prices on these also went up recently). The upcoming AMD RX9070XT 16GB is supposedly as fast (if not faster) than the previous RX7900XT 20GB, possibly closer to the previous RX7900XTX 24GB flagship. Rumoured to be as fast as an Nvidia RTX4080 and RTX5070Ti in rasterization (so, if no upscaler is involved). The in-depth reviews from the usual tech experts will be out tomorrow (March 5th), so we'll see how it pans out. The two unknowns I see for DCS, yet to be clarified, is 1) how it works for VR and 2) if 16GB VRAM becomes short for the most demanding modules+maps combos in MP. Both RX7900XT 20GB and RX7900XTX 24GB of previous generation will remain as excelent options for 2D (non-VR) users, even at 4K resolution. But, while valid, they're not as good in VR as Nvidia's counterparts. There's also the issue of FSR, which is far less efficient as an upscaler, with inferior image quality (compared to Nvidia's DLSS and Intel's XeSS). So, one has to rely on MSAA when using these models. The new RX9000 GPU series will feature an all new and exclusive FSR4 upscaler algorithm (not available for previous GPUs) that is supposed to be a monumental improvement, but ED will need to update the old FSR version in-game. Until that happens, DCS users will still have to rely on MSAA with these new GPUs.

Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) headsets no longer work with Windows 11 version 24H2 and newer (so, since October 2024). You can still use it with Windows 11 if it's version 23H2 (or older), and you pause/lock updates. Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) headsets still work with Windows 10 latest version (22H2). The problem is, latest KB5052077 update of 25th February 2025 (a non-security update is not "fundamental" by any means) has broken it, though this seems unintentional. Noone knows if this will be rectified by Microsoft but, considering the non further development of this app, it's likely that they won't bother fixing the issue. So, for now, any WMR user should imediately pause/lock any non-security updates of Windows 10. If want to block updates, you can do it with either WUB (blocks all updates) or InControl (blocks only non-security updates). Any of the two work with both Win10 and Win11.

Yes, because Sapphire, Powercolor, XFX and ASRock are direct AMD board partners, with no connection to Nvidia, they put more effort in AMD based GPUs. Especially their premium models (Sapphire Nitro, Powercolor RedDevil, XFX Mercury, and ASRock Taichi) are usually the best AMD GPUs you can get for the time period and segment in place. Have better details and higher effort placed on custom PCB, components and power distribution (VRMs, etc), cooler/heatsink, thermal pads, quality fans. Besides the higher clocks than reference, of course. Comes at a price, but then it's no different for the premium Nvidia equivalents like Asus Strix or Astral, MSI Suprim, etc.

Gigabyte now also lists their custom Radeon RX 9070 series: Gigabyte RX 9070 XT ELITE 16G https://www.gigabyte.com/us/Graphics-Card/GV-R9070XTAORUS-E-16GD#kf Gigabyte RX 9070 XT GAMING OC 16G https://www.gigabyte.com/us/Graphics-Card/GV-R9070XTGAMING-OC-16GD#kf Gigabyte RX 9070 GAMING OC 16G https://www.gigabyte.com/us/Graphics-Card/GV-R9070GAMING-OC-16GD#kf MSI is no longer a board partner for AMD GPUs, there won't be any RDNA4 models from them. The few models using the 12V-2x6 power connector are premium OC models (f.ex, Sapphire Nitro and Pure) and none surpasses 330W, so within safe margins.

The RX9070 price is strange indeed. I'd expect a smaller price tag, but then it could be the case that the performance difference is not that far from the XT, that its price is justified (reviews will tell, I guess). I believe so as well. I think it'll all end up being based on two things: FSR4 being trully equivalent in quality to DLSS (or not) and how previous FSR supporting games get to be updated for the new version. Upscaling being more and more important now, and a deciding factor for many investing on a new GPU for resource demanding games. Price, and here I mean the "real price" on retailers (physical and online), because we all know MSRP has been kind of BS in the end. Here in Europe the RTX5070Ti is at ~950,00 EUR for a couple reference models, but much higher for the other OC models (usually ~1150,00+ EUR) and not selling well. Now, if given similar(ish) performance (not confirmed so far) and the RX9070XT ends up selling for ~730,00 EUR (and 850,00 EUR at max for the premium OC models), I think it may have a good chance to do well.

AMD introduces RDNA4 - Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB at $599 and RX 9070 16GB at $549 (MSRP) https://videocardz.com/newz/amd-introduces-599-radeon-rx-9070-xt-and-549-rx-9070-rdna4-gpus AMD and some AIBs already list models that will be available soon (March 6th). There are some models using the 12V-2x6 power connector: AMD RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 ASUS RX 9070 SERIES (TUF and Prime models) SAPPHIRE RX 9070 SERIES (Nitro, Pure and Pulse models) POWERCOLOR RX 9070 SERIES (Red Devil, Hell Hound and Reaper models) ASROCK RX9070 XT and RX9070 (Taichi, Steel Legend and Steel Legend Dark models) XFX RX 9000 SERIES (Mercury, Quicksilver and Swift models) Acer, Gigabyte and Yeston should also announce and list their models sometime very soon.

This is really bad news, both intriguing and worrisome.. It does seem like the latest Win10 update breaks WMR. Which then makes VR headsets that depend on WMR not function anymore. Just brainstorming here.... Any of you afflicted by this, have you tried to make a system restore, back to a restore point with date prior to this update? (see video below) Supposing that it does fix the problem (no guarantees, but fingers crossed!) do NOT let Windows update work in the background, imediately block it either with WUB or InControl.

No problem whatsoever here with the Windows Update Blocker app. No interference with WMR for the two years I've ran it, still today. All is good here (see image below). In any case, you have another 3rd party app as alternative, which disables Windows non-security updates. InControl: https://www.grc.com/incontrol.htm

To be constantly updating to the very latest NV drivers is not the best option, it will backfire at some point. They're also historically prone to errors when a new architecture is launched - as has been the case this month. And it's even worse with "Beta" non-WHQL drivers (never, ever, install these). None NV driver is perfect, they are always in constant corrections, and new bugs appearing at times (when previously those weren't present). Latest GPU hardware and popular game titles are the priority for improvements, while others are deprecated and can become worse in the process (and eventually they do). Simply put, stick to the good old "if it ain't broken, don't fix it". If you have an RTX 40 series GPU, stick with driver 566.36 (link here) as that was the last "trouble free" driver for those models. There's a better performance alternative in driver 566.03 (here) but it's not as refined bugs-fix wise. If you have an RTX 30 series GPU (or older), stick with 537.58 (link here) because this is still the very best driver (great overall framepacing) for those models. I also strongly suggest to debloat the NV drivers before installing them - they always have a heap of nefarious bloatware taking precious HW resources for no good reason. You can do this by using NVCleanstall (link here). If you never done this, there's a tutorial here (there may be others around) to see how it works.

I don't have any issues with mine (so far), but I remember reading some mods people done when their cable went kaput (stuff I researched before commiting to a used unit). Look into one of these three threads (there may be more around), perhaps it may lead to a solution?

I have no idea atm but, seeing that it's a cumulative non-security update released just two days ago (25th February 2025), it could be interfering with WMR somehow, yes. https://www.tenforums.com/windows-10-news/218354-kb5052077-windows-10-cumulative-update-preview-build-19045-5555-22h2.html Personally, I'm not going to update Win10 until it's proven WMR is not affected. Others unwilling to give up on WMR (essential for VR HMDs like the HP Reverb G1 and G2) shouldn't either, as reverting a cumulative update is not guaranteed to fix such process.

You can do that with a 3rd party app, with just one click on a button. Windows Update Blocker: https://www.sordum.org/9470/windows-update-blocker-v1-8/

i7 9700K to i9 9900K is too small of a jump for gaming today, though the price on a used one is tempting. The AMD Ryzen 7700X is a good balanced CPU, but it's not really all that great for gaming. Better choice would probably be something like this popular combination: CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D (yes, others will recommend the 9800X3D but it's expensive and only a tiny bit better) CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 (any version of the Phantom Spirit 120 is good) MOTHERBOARD: an inexpensive(ish) mid-range B650 motherboard with robust VRM. For example, any of these is great for the AMD 7800X3D: - Asrock B650E Steel Legend WiFi - Asrock B650E PG Riptide WiFi - Asrock B650 Steel Legend WiFi - Asrock B650 Pro RS - MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk Wifi - MSI PRO B650-P WIFI - Gigabyte B650 GamingX AX v2 MEMORY (RAM): any kit of DDR5 64GB (2x 32GB) 6000 CL30 "AMD EXPO" For example, Gskill X-Flare F5-6000J3040G32GX2-FX5 or Gskill Trident Z5 Neo F5-6000J3040G32GX2-TZ5N See if your budget allows for something like that - it'd be a kickass upgrade over your current system.

hmmmmm.... Have you tried booting the PC with just one stick at a time, with XMP profile loaded in BIOS? It could be that one of the sticks is faulty. I've heard inumerous times that 4 sticks of RAM of such high-density (4x 32GB) can be complicated sometimes, depending on specific module and vendor (SK Hynix, Micron or Samsung) and motherboard / BIOS version. But if the memory kit is advertised at such speed/timings (3200 CL16-18-18-38), and seeing that your motherboard (MSI MPG Z690 EDGE WIFI DDR4 ?) is listed in its QVL by GSKILL themselves, then I think it's worth contacting them directly for assistance, via email. GSKILL support: https://www.gskill.com/techsupport Your RAM QVL in the model's page: https://www.gskill.com/qvl/165/166/1582537062/F4-3200C16Q-128GTZR-QVL Tell them what mem kit you have, what motherboard you have, what you already done to try make them work (and still no luck) and ask for their help. They're not fast in answer (i.e, it can take time to get a reply from them) but they're usually very helpful, and I don't recal a single time GSKILL didn't stand behind their products once contacted. PS: not related but FWIW, I have 4x 16GB of Micron 3200 16-18-18-36 1.35v (it's two kits of Crucial BL2K16G32C16U4B, for 64GB total) and it's been working overclocked at 3700 17-19-19-38 1.40v (done over XMP base profile) for nearly four years now with two different motherboards - first on MSI Z490-A Pro, then ASUS Z690 TUF Gaming Plus DDR4. MemTest, Karhu, Y-cruncher, etc, it doesn't matter, always passes with flying colors, rock solid reliable.

I suppose you mean the 16-cores/32-threads AMD Ryzen 9950X (there is no 9950XT model in their lineup). It's not worth going to that from an Intel i9 14900K, because they're direct equivalents, i.e, it'd be a side grade at best, and an expensive one at that. There's the upcoming AMD 9950X3D 16c/32t later in March (next month), same chip as the 9950X but with one of the two CCDs making use of 3D V-cache. Maybe wait for in-depth reviews of that, and see if it's worth the big money and all the hassle. I have my doubts that it's worth leaving behind what you already have for it, but I'll reserve judgement until that's out and thoroughly tested. Notice also that you have a 128GB DDR4 based system. Meaning, you'd need to at least buy the CPU + Motherboard + RAM and, being a completely different architecture, it's basically a whole new system being built from the ground up, all over again. Personally, and looking at your signature, I would keep that system (still very, very good) as is until 2026 or so, when the following new generations of Intel (16th gen) and AMD (Ryzen 10000 series?) chips should be announced, then later released. But then I don't suffer from FOMO (a very common affliction in these forums). Meaning... that's up to you. You may be interested in changing platforms right away if only for the novel experience, and there's nothing wrong in that if you can spend on it. I see that you have a Pimax Crystal for VR. So, all that said, and if that much, it wouldn't be a bad idea to look for an RTX 4090 24GB (last units in stock, or used in mint condition) if at a good price. While your RTX4080S is a great GPU for that task, you'd notice a bigger jump in performance with that swap alone, than with the new CPU + Mobo + DDR5 combined investment. And yes, you'll notice the new RTX 5090 32GB but it's outrageously expensive for what it is (totally absurd, and a fire hazard waiting to happen), it can not be recommended.

We're getting way off topic, but anyway... I personally don't have experience with 128GB kits (4x sticks of 32GB), so can only speculate about it. Looking at your sig, that's DDR4. And if it's Gskill it's most likely 3200 CL16-18-18-38 1.35V (is it?). My guess is that with such high mem density, you may have to adjust DRAM voltage (slight increase) and/or frequency and/or timings (to relax them a bit). That's not uncommon with 4 sticks of RAM, even with Intel 13th/14th gen CPUs (which are a bit more memory agnostic if compared to AMD Ryzen). For example, and just supposing that memory is DDR4-3200 CL16-18-18-38 1.35V, one quick method could be atempted. Once in the BIOS, I'd try loading XMP first (or set that to Auto if all else fails, then repeat following procedure), then manually adjust things as below, one section at a time: DRAM voltage ---- 1.35v (increase to 1.40v, should be safe to go upto 1.45v but not more) Get into the DRAM timing control settings (for manual timing adjustments) and drop down a step or two in the main ones, something like this CL --------- 16 (drop it to 17, if it fails then try 18) tRCD ------- 18 (drop it to 19, if it fails then try 20) tRP -------- 18 (drop it to 19, if it fails then try 20) tRAS ------ 38 (drop it to 39, if it fails then try 40) CR -------- 2T (because 1T is pushing it with 4 sticks of such high density, IMO) Last resort (IMO) would be dropping the mem speed a notch. DRAM Frequency ---- 3200 (decrease to 3000)

I still refuse to "upgrade" my Win10 Pro x64 installation for now. Because 1) it still works very close to flawless while being a bit less resource hungry and 2) I've seen enough shenanigans on W11 machines (that I've built or helped build) out of nowhere after an update - a PITA to solve issues that shouldn't have happened at all. It's time people start realizing this - the days when everybody absolutely needs to use Windows for PC, especially for gaming, are ending. The general discontent with Win11 (perceived as much higher than it already was with Win10) is a reality and, exactly because of that, alternatives start to exhist (with varying degrees of success). Some may soon become direct alternatives. As we all know, Steam is pretty much the #1 gaming platform in PC gaming. You have the store from where you can buy pretty much every PC game there is (save a few exceptions from some publishers) and this platform also has a community market for in-game items of different games. It also has a working social platform for games there, inclusively modding support for plenty games (Steam Workshop). And then, currently, there's a profusion of handheld devices for PC games (boosted no less by the SteamDeck) which require light and uncomplicated OS, for performance and ease of use motives. You may think "okaay... but what does that have to do with my gaming desktop PC ?" Well, this has been igniting interest and fast developments in the OS area (especially Linux distros), ones that can "game out of the box" (right after OS installation) with hardware, peripherals and gaming controller drivers already implemented in the OS. This directly benefits PC desktop systems used for gaming (so, what most of us here use). There are people already converting their main PC to such OS alternatives. Now, with all this said, I'm not saying people should jump head-first on this. That is not what I mean. What I mean is, be curious, start paying attention to developments that are happening. Because, at a certain point (probably sooner than most expect), and for any "normal" PC user, gaming or not, you'll start to see 100% valid solutions, very optimized and far less fussy to use/maintain (than what we have today with Win11). For now, the transition to such new OS alternatives is not yet 100% guaranteed to anybody/everybody (problems with some drivers, incompatible software and games, limitations, certain game's anticheat systems, etc) but we are certainly getting there soon. BAZZITE is one good example today. Among others Linux Distros, this one is quickly getting popularity because it's a simplified hassle-free Linux + Steam based OS (cloud based for updates), one that is considered very user friendly, for both old-time Windows users and PC newcomers (many coming from consoles now).

LOL as if melting connectors and price gouging wasn't enough.... nice job Nvidia and AIBs!

I'd take that video with a grain of salt.... I look at it as somewhat of an anomaly (related to specific mission or game version). What you should notice, because it's important, is that AMD inverted the CCD+L3D stack for the 9800X3D (and upcoming 9900X3D and 9950X3D), which resulted in corrections to the IPC issues seen in past X3D chips (so, it has higher clocks now), which is where most of the performance improvements come from. In the past two generations of X3D desktop processors, namely the 7800X3D and the 5800X3D, the 3D V-Cache die was stacked on top of the CPU complex die (CCD), which then required lower CPU clocks than their non-X3D CPU brethren, due to thermal constraints. With the 9800X3D, AMD has inverted the CCD+L3D stack. The CCD is now on top, and the L3D is below it. What this does is make the CCD's thermals behave like they do on the regular Ryzen 9000 series processors without 3D V-Cache (much improved now), which is how AMD was able to increase the base frequency significantly. And it's considered to have the same overclocking capabilities as the regular 9000-series processors (not the case before).