What specs would a computer need to have in order to run DCS full out?

[fitness88]

I ask this question because I'm looking to purchase a new computer and I see many people with powerful computers needing to lower many of their settings like preload radius, visibility range, shadows, water, etc. or else face huge frame rate drop.

 

What is it that makes this simulator need such top end systems that quite honestly doesn't represent what many users have or are prepared to pay for?

 

I should add I use only triple screens.

 

Thank you.

Edited September 5, 2016 by fitness88

[BIGNEWY]

Start with the minimum and recommended spec

 

 

Minimum system requirements: OS 64-bit Windows 7/8/10; DirectX11; CPU: Core i3; RAM: 8 GB; Free hard disk space: 30 GB; Video: 2 GB RAM card, DirectX11 - compatible; requires internet activation.

 

Recommended system requirements: OS 64-bit Windows 7/8/10; DirectX11; CPU: Core i5+; RAM: 16GB; Hard disk space: 30 GB; Video: NVIDIA GeForce GTX780 / ATI R9 290 DirectX11 or better; Joystick; requires internet activation.

 

my machine handles it well ( spec below ),

 

if I could add anything to it, I may consider going for 32GB RAM in the future.

 

In my view SSD is essential, and a GPU with 4GB+ of Vram as well.

 

Some may disagree :)

[fitness88]

Start with the minimum and recommended spec

 

 

 

 

my machine handles it well ( spec below ),

 

if I could add anything to it, I may consider going for 32GB RAM in the future.

 

In my view SSD is essential, and a GPU with 4GB+ of Vram as well.

 

Some may disagree :)

 

So with the system you are running how do you manage the DCS settings?

[BIGNEWY]

Ingame setting below, I could go higher but this is a good balance for me.

 

I am only running 1 screen at 1080 for ingame, but i do have a second monitor for ts and forums and so on.

 

for multiplayer I use flat shadows

[fitness88]

Ingame setting below, I could go higher but this is a good balance for me.

 

I am only running 1 screen at 1080 for ingame, but i do have a second monitor for ts and forums and so on.

 

for multiplayer I use flat shadows

 

How come no civ traffic?

[Bearfoot]

I run DCS flat out (in 2D, not in VR) on a 4K monitor at max resolution and settings, getting between 40-90 FPS on a machine built around:

 

- Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor

- MSI GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB Video Card

- Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory

- SSD HD

[fitness88]

I didn't think to go back to 1 screen to see the difference in FPS...not that I would ever run the sim in 1 screen after being in 3 screen. Huge drop in FPS from 1 to 3 screen [about 60%].

 

From the DCS manual:

Note: If you wish to increase frame rates, the most import graphics settings to adjust

lower are SCENES, VISIB RANGE, WATER, SHADOWS, MSAA, and HDR.

[craig_sez]

So better in 1 screen??

HHHHmmmm maybe run 2 screens and use 3rd for a map,or something..

[fitness88]

So better in 1 screen??

HHHHmmmm maybe run 2 screens and use 3rd for a map,or something..

 

Once you've experienced the wide wrap-around effect of triple screens you can't go back to single screen. The peripheral view you have in 3 screen is amazing, like being in the cockpit.

[BIGNEWY]

How come no civ traffic?

 

 

It has a slight hit on performance and I don't feel the need for civilian traffic when I fly unless it is a mission specific task

[Bearfoot]

How come no civ traffic?

 

Yeah, I turned this off, too.

 

Not so much for performance (no problem there), but it was really weird to see all that civilian traffic tootling along while things are blowing up and exploding and firing and crashing all around them. I mean, coming in on a Huey on a hot LZ with tracer filling the sky while a bright yellow articulated bus or rickety milk truck unconcernedly crawls across the lines of fire really makes for bad theatre ...

[fitness88]

Makes sense about the civ road traffic but I like the airport traffic.

[BIGNEWY]

there is no airport traffic unless it has been added to a mission.

 

As far as I am aware civ traffic is for road, and trains only

[fitness88]

there is no airport traffic unless it has been added to a mission.

 

As far as I am aware civ traffic is for road, and trains only

 

Thanks I didn't realize the apron traffic needed to be built into the mission.

[AtaliaA1]

I ask this question because I'm looking to purchase a new computer and I see many people with powerful computers needing to lower many of their settings like preload radius, visibility range, shadows, water, etc. or else face huge frame rate drop.

 

What is it that makes this simulator need such top end systems that quite honestly doesn't represent what many users have or are prepared to pay for?

 

I should add I use only triple screens.

 

Thank you.

 

The answer to your Question is a bit technical.

 

DX9 was the highest method of running software at the time of the creation of this Simulator. As Microsoft moved forward in its development and in its effort to increase the gaming industries mission, they moved to DX10 and then DX11. Unfortunately they dropped support for DX9. So that the software had issues with the instruction sets of the newer chips.

 

Enhance one technology and it sometimes has a negative effect on another. Like adding into the intel instruction set (on chip). instead of having the command come from the HD. I am not sure but there is a problem with over clocked processors and GPUs' in this software for sure. It seems it has something to do with DX9 handlers.

 

 

Please note I said seems. and do not over reach in my hypothesis. There appears to be some correlation between the two.

 

 

I Run all settings maxed out. with an i7 920 from around 2004 or so. with a Nvidia 760 GPU and 12Gigs of Ram.

Edited September 6, 2016 by AtaliaA1

[fitness88]

The answer to your Question is a bit technical.

 

DX9 was the highest method of running software at the time of the creation of this Simulator. As Microsoft moved forward in its development and in its effort to increase the gaming industries mission, they moved to DX10 and then DX11. Unfortunately they dropped support for DX9. So that the software had issues with the instruction sets of the newer chips.

 

Enhance one technology and it sometimes has a negative effect on another. Like adding into the intel instruction set (on chip). instead of having the command come from the HD. I am not sure but there is a problem with over clocked processors and GPUs' in this software for sure. It seems it has something to do with DX9 handlers.

 

 

Please note I said seems. and do not over reach in my hypothesis. There appears to be some correlation between the two.

 

 

I Run all settings maxed out. with an i7 920 from around 2004 or so. with a Nvidia 760 GPU and 12Gigs of Ram.

 

Thanks for the info. I really wouldn't be concerned if I stayed with 1 monitor as my FPS is averaging 80, my rig is no longer current and I'm still able to get decent numbers with medium settings. But as mentioned once you have gone with the panoramic in cockpit feel of 3 monitors there's no going back even though I have a 40%-50% drop.

[Fab]

The answer to your Question is a bit technical.

 

DX9 was the highest method of running software at the time of the creation of this Simulator. As Microsoft moved forward in its development and in its effort to increase the gaming industries mission, they moved to DX10 and then DX11. Unfortunately they dropped support for DX9. So that the software had issues with the instruction sets of the newer chips.

 

Enhance one technology and it sometimes has a negative effect on another. Like adding into the intel instruction set (on chip). instead of having the command come from the HD. I am not sure but there is a problem with over clocked processors and GPUs' in this software for sure. It seems it has something to do with DX9 handlers.

 

 

Please note I said seems. and do not over reach in my hypothesis. There appears to be some correlation between the two.

 

 

I Run all settings maxed out. with an i7 920 from around 2004 or so. with a Nvidia 760 GPU and 12Gigs of Ram.

 

you sure about the "problem" with OC GPU and CPU ? And if you are, what problems would accure ?

[BitMaster]

Why should overclocking cause software to be behave erratic unless caused by overdone OC ?

 

Any info on this theory ?

 

What some 3d-guys mentioned on this Forum is that DX9 has a maximum amount of drawcalls that can be processed and thus CPU speed alone would not solve the problem even if your CPU could run even higher clocks. Maybe that is what you mean ?!?

[MegOhm_SD]

I run everything at max whether 1.5 or NTTR wih no issues. See spoiler for sys.

[Hadwell]

nope you can't run DCS maxed out with constant 60 fps, not with full anti-aliasing and resolutions above 1080p, need a 15GHz CPU and a 4ghz GPU with 32GB of vram...

 

though with a min of like 20 fps and a max of like 250 fps you can...

[klem]

Thanks for the info. I really wouldn't be concerned if I stayed with 1 monitor as my FPS is averaging 80, my rig is no longer current and I'm still able to get decent numbers with medium settings. But as mentioned once you have gone with the panoramic in cockpit feel of 3 monitors there's no going back even though I have a 40%-50% drop.

 

True. Drifting a bit OT now but it may provide another reference: my 4 monitor ~8.3 MegaPixel panorama plus in-game instruments below runs around 30-60 fps depending on height, location. version etc. Of course it drops to stuttering over Las Vegas but I don't need to go there. Many setting reductions are not immediately obvious to the eye and the panorama plus instruments is as near as you'll get to being 'in the cockpit' without VR (which isn't up to a good enough resolution standard yet or I'd get one and improve the fps).

 

Version 2 runs about 5-10% better than 1.5 on same settings. Specs below.

Edited September 9, 2016 by klem