Bossco82

HI Ram69, There are a few rules to follow to get a smooth experience in DCS using Track IR. I can tell you more if I have your GPU and your monitor model. Basically if you do not have a Freesync or Gsync capable monitor then you need to run with V-sync set to on. Otherwise you will get some tearing regardless of if you are using a Track IR or not. You will also get tearing if your framrate fps drops below probably 55ish for any length of time. Ideally you need you GPU to be able to stay at about 65 to maintain 60. So its a balance of settings vs what your GPU can handle. I had this problem for ages and ages and it could be a few things. This is what can affect Track IR only. Do you have usb selective suspending disabled in your Windows power options? Are you using a non powered usb hub? Is the actual Track IR unit plugged directly into the motherboard? What are your Track IR settings, do you have a smooth enough profile in the first place. I have a AMD 6800xt and a Freesync monitor so I can play around with variable framerates. In DCS if you drop below about 55ish FPS Track IR will look very choppy, thats normal. Your DCS settings look ok, maybe change FXAA=on but I need to know your GPU first. 100-120fps over Syria, what altitude id that at though. Whats the fps down low?

Hi Bravohorn, Ok mate no need to pay at all. Plenty of very decent and knowledgeable people in this community forum to help you out with this. Can you please read the questions carefully and try to answer as best as you can. That way anyone responding can read them and provide specific answers to your problem. These threads can go off topic and only confuse the subject matter. #1. What flight sims are you trying to get to work, only DCS or are there others? #2. Are the controllers your only problem? What is it they are not doing, describe anything and everything no matter how daft it sounds? #3. Have you gone on Youtube and searched for "DCS controller Hotas setup"? If not please do and check out "Matt Wagners" or "Grim Reapers" they do very well explained guides. Look at what "Dracanos" posted its a direct link to one. #Do you have USB power savings disabled? This stops Windows interrupting your USB controllers. Check here please, Windows Icon (bottom right) /Settings "COG" icon / System / Power & Sleep / Additional Power Settings / "Your selected power plan, should be High" / Change Plan Settings / Change Advanced Power Settings / USB Settings / USB Selective Suspend / Set this to Disabled. This is the one that screws Track IR too. #5 Are you trying to use the Logitech HOTAS Profiler? You can simply set your X52 hotas up in DCS directly. Refer to the Youtube videos I suggested. #6 Are you using a USB hub? Is the X52 plugged into the back of your motherboard directly? #7 Have you checked that the X52 Hotas is working outside of DCS? You can test it in Windows. Go to Windows Icon (bottom right) /Settings "COG" icon / Devices / Devices and Printers (on the right in blue) / Right click on your controller, X52 / Game Controller Settings / Properties.... Rotate all your axis's and check all your buttons. This simply helps to problem solve the issue. Thats what I can think of for the moment, best of luck and please let us know how you get on with this. The only other thing is regarding your system. For the one you play DCS on stick to using your GTX 1080, its the best GPU, you have for DCS. Other than that your CPU and Dram look ok.

HI Flyboy there is a point a few people are trying to make. You want it to look "exactly like real life" but also use VR. If I take that statement on face value that is not really possible right now. If you said "like real life" then said 55" Oled 4k screen with a 3090 GPU..... I hope you see my point. Now I admit I tried an Oculus Rift S, not the best by a long shot. However this is my point. It took a load of setting up to get that to run on a 2080ti and it took a weekend fiddling with settings to get it running at a good framerate. VR looks realistic because of its three dimensional appearance, things look like you can touch them. However on a purely visual basis the visuals are usually lower because you have two tiny screens for lenses. The visual fidelity of VR cant match a flat screen, in my experience not even a good 1440p monitor. Starting from scratch you would need to spend upwards of $8'000-10'000 to get the most realistic VR experience at home in DCS. Compare that to probably $2000-2500 to achieve the same with a 1080p or 1440p monitor and a head tracker. Please dont underestimate how graphically demanding DCS is, even more so in VR. Much more than I-L2 Sturmovik. This is the good news though. I know you fly in Sturmovik on your system at 1080p. If you enjoy that, just upgrading your system or even building a new one to fly in DCS at 1080p should be very enjoyable too. I fly in both and the visual realism of DCS is higher. I have very high standards for visual quality. I recently downgraded from a 4k monitor to a 1440p so I could max the settings in DCS and still run 60fps. I own a 6800xt, no slouch of a GPU. It looks fantastic, for me. For the best possible in VR though, this is the minimum you would need. AMD system, 5800x, X570 mobo, 64gb DDR4 3200Mhz C16, 1tb Nvme (OS and DCS only installed), 1tb Sata SSD for other games, Nvidia 3080ti minimum!!!!! 1000w gold PSU minimum.... Intel system 12700k, Z690 mobo, 64gb DDR4 3000Mhz C15 or 3200Mhz C16, same storage as AMD, Nvidia 3080ti 1000w PSU Then add you VR headset and a good case with airflow, plus a 240mm AIO minimum. These specs are the minimum mate for what you are asking to achieve. After all of this you then have to learn to fly a few modules like the F-16 Viper in DCS. Its not like Sturmovik, you cant jump in pull a trigger and shoot things down. Its very rewarding and loads of fun once you learn it. However it is why I said "please try it first mate, please". DCS is not a "game" its a proper simulator you have to put aside a few hours of not being disturbed to properly learn and enjoy it.

I think Svsmokey has a good point to make there. Before spending money check some Youtube video's of DCS at different resolutions and settings. If you see something that you would like to replicate then go for that. I tried VR and I didn't like it, personal taste. For me anything 1440p and above on a 32" monitor at high settings with some MSAA and a head tracker is real life enough for me. Youtube videos of other users actual gameplay will give you a good idea of what is achievable.

Hector has got a point, its really not that difficult at all. I find it a lot of fun and satisfying too. Plenty of video's on Youtube to use as a guide.

Sorry mate, I have never bought from CEX, I tend to shop on eBay for used stuff, then sell whatever I have replaced. As for a benchmark, I dont use those either. I just pick a more graphically demanding game, such as Battlefield 5 for an example. Set everything to ultra, turn V-sync off and see what fps gets produced. I then compare that to the result on a review site and if its close enough. I'm happy, in the last 10 years I only bought a new GPU "due to the shortages" once so its not failed so far.

HI Flyboy, I'm sure many on here will chip in to offer you some advice on PC parts. First though can you tell us where in the world you are? Do you have a preference of AMD vs Intel? Or do you just want what is best? Then, is there a budget limit? Others might want to know what VR headset you plan to use as the resolution might determine how powerful the PC will need to be. I am not an expert on VR but I am sure many will help you out.

HI Nikita, Buying a used GPU. First look at the advert, check for signs of a scam, obviously. After that, look at the advert, the way it is written and the photographs. If the seller has put some effort into that. They probably put effort into looking after the GPU. Buy boxed with paperwork too. I sold a 2080ti in June this year. The buyer asked for a video to be taken of the GPU running showing it on the monitor, I made a simple video on my phone, job done. I had no problem with this because I knew the GPU I was selling had no problems. So dont be afraid to ask for evidence its working. If you get sent evidence check the date on the PC its running on in photo's/videos. Also get them to ship using a known 24hr courier with tracking. This way you reduce the chances of it damaged in transit. I'm in the UK and use DPD or UPS if I sell my computer parts on eBay and similar. If you receive a used GPU. Before installation, check the heatsink for excess dust and the copper traces on the PCIE connector. When installed have a good look and check the fans spin up. When in Windows test with a game you know well. Its also useful to go to websites that have reviews like "Techpowerup" and similar. See what the framerates are for the games they used to test the exact GPU you bought. If you own one of those games see how it compares. It wont be exactly the same because your CPU and Dram could be different, but it should be similar. For example I use Battlefield 5 as my benchmark as its often on GPU reviews. If my system is within 5-10% and I have no artefacts or errors at all. Give it a good 30 minutes minimum running flat out, IE no V-sync. Then your all good.

HI Lee1, OK mate if your in the UK then please forget Alienware. Get in touch with Scan and have them build you a system. Overclockers UK were also very good, the only reason I say "were" is the fact that I have not seen a system built by them in over 10 years. Ive built my own computers since the late 90's, I sometimes swap out parts or do small repairs through word of mouth as a favour for friends etc. Ive seen a few pre built systems in that time. The only ones I have seen that I would buy myself are from Scan and Overclockers.

Lee1, I dont know where you are in the world. Plus, if your not confident in sourcing parts and putting your own system together, thats cool man. In the UK we have "Scan UK" they build 3XS systems and they are very good value for money. Personally I think that with Alienware your paying for the label, its no guarantee in quality of the parts or the build. IE, the fans and cooler chose and thermal paste cable management etc etc. I've changed parts in a few pre built systems for friends. A Scan 3XS system was one of the few I opened and it looked like the builder actually put some thought into it.

Similar experience here experiencing external ssd's. Get an internal 2.5" ssd, like a Samsung or crucial. Should knock that 8 minute down to 2-3. If you want an Alien system, fair enough. Better value for money is available though.

B550 Vs X570 for gaming, even in DCS the difference is negligible. Just check it has the expansion slots and usb ports you need.

I have not owned a custom water system myself for a few years. Mainly because I am lazy and put in an AIO. However I have built custom water for others for well over 10-12 years. So much so I remember the first full Thermaltake kits. Your doing the right thing following Bitmasters advice here. I would never encourage anyone to try hard tubing on a first attempt. I did a hard tube build for a friend this summer and with my experience it was tricky. Just getting the bends spot on is a pain. I think they look properly nice when they are done. I also almost always envy the ones I build for friends etc. However, I would probably never own or build one for myself. It makes any maintenance so much more of a headache.

That a nice setup there. Don't think the choice taking a 6600xt at the right price was a bad one at all. I tested resolutions on a 4k TV too and for me it matched what a dedicated monitor would produce. So you can use that to test 1440p performance. Since your on Radeon, you could always try frame rate control if you ever get access to a Freesync monitor.

Thats a good system there mate. I have a AMD 5600x, I dont think I ever run into something gaming that gets cpu limited at the moment.

Hi Guys, I think I have got this sorted out. I've got an AOC U32E2N 4k monitor which has adaptive sync. However I also had a chance to try a LG 32QN600 1440p monitor that has freesync, my mates selling it for an upgrade. As I use a AMD Radeon 6800xt, I wanted to keep my graphics settings up but avoid the very odd fps dips you can get when landing at a place such as Khasab. For about 2-3 second I can get a dip to 55fps just as you fly over the tree's. Now I have been a long term V-sync user, its always given me the smoothest experience with my Track IR. So I tried the following V-sync=OFF in DCS and all VRR and Freesync settings set to ON in Windows and Radeon. Then I first tried to limit fps with Radeon Chill set to min=60 and max=60. I tried other numbers but it was always a jumpy stutter festival. I disabled chill and used the "autoexec" trick to limit fps to 60 in DCS itself. Same again more stutter and pauses. The GPU clock was also all over the place. However if you look in Radeon "Global Graphics", look for "Frame Rate Target Control" then set max fps to 60fps. So far for me this has worked with my Track IR and is even smoother than V-sync. I have even tried provoking stutters by flying low and moving my head around quickly. It also works fine with Sturmovik, U Boat, Sniper Elite, Battlefield and Call of Duty. V-Sync off in all games. The 60fps limit left to that setting in Radeon. The GPU clock is so much more stable as if it anticipates it needs to go faster. It happily fluctuates between about 65%-95% load. If you have a Radeon GPU and a Freesync monitor something to try over the weekend maybe. It worked on the AOC adaptive sync too.

I might have just got this to work ok, but, I have not tested properly yet. Found it and gave it a quick test before I shut my gaming PC down. DCS, full screen or not didn't matter. V-sync off, Freesync on with monitor and Radeon, also in Windows display settings. Then in Radeon "global" graphics settings in the advanced drop down menu, "frame rate target control". I set it to 60fps. Had enough time to test a DCE mission in DCS and a quick mission in Sturmovik. It looked like it was ok, even with my Track IR. I'll test this more tomorrow. Its always a setting in a setting then hidden in a corner.

I have tried over and over again to get this to work. I cannot get it to run limited to 60fps with Freesync enabled. I dont use fullscreen because I enjoy DCE campaigns, running fullscreen can interfere with the little pop up progress windows that pops up. I have tried it with fullscreen enabled but the result was the same. I have tried every version of settings I can think of, however its always the same. Smooth gameplay, pause, smooth gameplay, pause and so on. 5-7 seconds ok then a 1/4 second pause. Disable any VRR and freesync, put V-sync on. Its still 60fps but smooth as butter. I was trying to do this so I can turn a few settings up. DCS runs fine in the air with higher settings but when landing for example at Khasab as you go over the patch of trees the game understandably drops fps down to 55ish. With freesync this would not be noticeable. With V-sync you get those few seconds when it forces a drops to 30fps. I know I am missing something but I cant think what. Its that or freesync at 60fps and flight sims just doesn't work as well as a fps game, I dont know.

OK hang on there a sec, You play IL-2 Sturmovik? Which one? Flyboy if you can run I-L2 Sturmovik and its the latest "Stalingrad" version what settings do you use. Sturmovik "Stalingrad" is not as demanding as DCS but it is still fairly resource heavy. My PC spec would be irrelevant because I use a 4k monitor so it needs to be much more powerful. You are going to use a 1080p monitor it makes a big difference. I would still encourage you to try the DCS game for yourself first. However if I had your system and wanted to play DCS at 1080p spending the least money possible I would do this..... I know you will need a SSD so I would buy a Crucial MX500 SSD on a SATA connection, you can also get Samsung, Sandisk etc etc. I would buy 1tb and put DCS on this. You could also put Sturmovik on it too. Your choice..... I dont know if you want one drive with Windows and your games on or just a drive for DCS on its own. My DCS folder is nearly 300gb and I "THINK" the DCS vanilla install is about 80gb. I would look in the bios of the motherboard and look to see if the boost function of my CPU was enabled. Refer to your manual or online guides. Then I would download HW Monitor to check the CPU speed and temps. At the same time I would download and use CPUZ to run a quick benchmark. This would force the CPU to work at its highest speed so I could check the speed and temp in HW monitor. Then "IF" I was using the stock Intel cpu cooler. I would buy a small/medium aftermarket air cooler with a single 120mm fan so that the CPU can run at its higher speeds for longer. For example during a gaming session. I would go and buy 2x8gb "16GB total" of DDR4 probably 3200Mhz C16, fit that and see if it improved things. Then I would install MSI Afterburner, I would go into the part called Riva tuner and click all the boxes I wanted shown in the overlay display. CPU, Dram and GPU usage. I would then load DCS in a mission, fly fairly low and use this information to see how high I can push the graphics settings without anything being maxed out to 100%. Look on Youtube for videos by "POINT BLANK" on DCS optimisation. Basically you will be doing the same thing. The weak spot the is your GPU. I dont know what to advise because of the markets prices and shortages. again "IF" it was me I would look on eBay for something like a GTX 1070/1080, but I am not afraid of buying used to build a gaming PC. If it was new, maybe a RTX 3060 or 3060ti. The GPU you buy depends on the power supply you have mate. Flyboy I am telling you what I would do if your system was mine and I was spending my own money on it to play DCS. I am not a wealthy guy by any means and I often buy something on eBay used so I can buy something nicer elsewhere. If I was you that is what I would do because all of this is available in good used condition. That way if you dont like it you can sell it and it has not cost you much to try. Take it easy mate...

Ok guys, Ged was having trouble choosing some DDR4 and I am pretty sure this is just confusing him to be honest. Hes in the UK stocks are low for everything as we know. He wants 64gb of DDR4 to play multiplayer in VR. I cant find a G.Skill Samsung B-die kit unless its silly money. Considering hes going to be shopping from Overclockers UK, Scan UK and CCL UK. Which should he go for. The best I could find at a sensible price were 2x16gb 3600Mhz C16 kits from Corsair, I think something like this will be fine, thoughts? Thinder if you ever have the time to write a step by step guide how you optimised your system for DCS I would find that interesting. I struggle to fully understand it when its part of a debate. Lucshep is correct that DCS is a total headache when it comes to performance. I could halve the power of my system and still play my entire steam folder at high/ultra settings. However nothing offers the realism in comparison to DCS. Ged if you do get this system put together I would really like to hear how it performs in DCS as I would find a 12600k with my own DDR4 a tempting option in the new year. Adding anymore here is just going to bloat the thread, best of luck Ged.

HI Ged, Knowing your in the UK. Don't stress too much about finding a G.Skill kit. I have one it was 2nd hand on eBay and cost as much as a new one. I am not joking I searched for a couple of months, if Ebuyer, CCL or Amazon dont have it, I would not know where to look really. Scan only sell Corsair they have a few 3600mhz C16 kits. The Corsair AIO's are very solid units, they just have a piece of software to run the rgb and fans. No big deal really. I dont know if Asus do one if they do it'll be expensive.

Ok, Bitmaster has got to the point which I should have been more clear on. I suspect it would be better and cheaper in the long run to simply setup a new PC for this. You will also need a bit more understanding of parts and how to fit them and change settings too. IF, and I mean IF you are really going to get into DCS this is the only way to go. That is why I have been suggesting for you to try it first and see if you like DCS in the first place. Have you got into and enjoyed any other flight sims? If you have which ones? Do you have things like a hotas joystick and rudder pedals? I would not encourage anyone to invest their own money into building a PC with a spec to run DCS even at 1920x1080 resolution. Without them having tried it to see if they like it first. Your system might just have enough in it to run a free flight on low settings for you to get a feel for playing DCS. After that if you like it, it is a helpful forum. Come back and we can advise on the best way for you to go.

Hi Ged, Kent's a nice part of the world my Uncle lived there just outside Maidstone. Back to the point. Well you want 64gb for sure, personally I would go for 4x16gb. I don't think there will be a performance benefit either way really because its Intel. I have used all 4 slots for Dram since I had a windowed case on show, I like the way it looks. Thats it really. Are you going to Overclockers, Scan UK or CCL for your bits. Or is it a case of whoever has it in stock?

Hi Ged, Just a question to help suggest parts. Where are you in the world. I'm in the UK so any suggestions I made would be based on what I see in stock here.

Yeah just to clarify this a bit more. I have 32gb in my system because I only really play single player campaigns and missions. I have never even tried the multiplayer. I rarely see over 20-22gb. That's strictly single player though. So if your going to play multi Ged, get 64gb.