SLI with 2.5 Caucasus

[Sn8ke]

"and yet it moves"

 

proof => HERE and HERE

 

Confirming no TGP flickering? If so I’m sold.

[prccowboy]

Confirming no TGP flickering? If so I’m sold.

 

No TGP flicker or other graphics problems on my system with 2.5 Release (I use 385.69 drivers, Vsync, and 512 every frame for TGP and these SLI bit settings =>HERE)

 

Note: 2.5.1 Beta introduced a cloud flicker but I don't know if it is exclusive to SLI

[paradox64]

Does anybody have SLI working in 2.5 with Caucasus? HERE

Everybody has a different rig and will have different bottlenecks, but the point of this post is to confirm SLI does work but performance will vary if you have something else bottlenecking your framerates.

 

Hi!

 

Can I ask you your current .nip for new testing ?

Thanks

 

Edit: Just want to be sure that all gpu parameters are the same cause I am curious to know if it can influence the fps on a very simple mission but with which has many ground templates. Whatever the settings in inspector, sli or not, with a 1080 or 2 I stay at 35 fps. I think it's the perfect example on a very small mission causing cpu bottleneck

With setting attached I stick 35 - 40 fps

Templates.miz

Edited May 8, 2018 by paradox64

[prccowboy]

Hi!

Can I ask you your current .nip for new testing ?

 

OK, I'm including 2 .nip's in a .zip file (can't attach a .nip)

 

If you follow my guide, you should get a .nip like the first profile ("DCS Basic SLI.nip")

 

This should be all that's needed to activate the correct SLI bits.

 

Using this .nip I had the following results vs. the default Nvidia profile (in 2.5.0):

 

Caucasus:

Nvidia default profile: 35 fps

DCS Basic SLI.nip: 64 fps

 

NTTR:

Nvidia default profile: 50 fps

DCS Basic SLI.nip: 90 fps

 

 

However, you asked for *my* current .nip, so I also included it ("DCS SLI and other settings.nip")

 

Note: the second profile may NOT be optimal for you. This is slower than the first profile and it is tweaked to my personal preferences and my system to eliminate tearing, flickering, microstutters, add antialiasing, etc. (It turns on triple buffering, Vsync with smooth/adaptive settings, FXAA, sets power management to max performance, and sets GPU count = 2)

 

DCS SLI profiles.zip

Edited May 7, 2018 by prccowboy

[paradox64]

OK, I'm including 2 .nip's in a .zip file (can't attach a .nip)

 

If you follow my guide, you should get a .nip like the first profile ("DCS Basic SLI.nip")

 

This should be all that's needed to activate the correct SLI bits.

 

Using this .nip I had the following results vs. the default Nvidia profile (in 2.5.0):

 

Caucasus:

Nvidia default profile: 35 fps

DCS Basic SLI.nip: 64 fps

 

NTTR:

Nvidia default profile: 50 fps

DCS Basic SLI.nip: 90 fps

 

 

However, you asked for *my* current .nip, so I also included it ("DCS SLI and other settings.nip")

 

Note: the second profile may NOT be optimal for you. This is slower than the first profile and it is tweaked to my personal preferences and my system to eliminate tearing, flickering, microstutters, add antialiasing, etc. (It turns on triple buffering, Vsync with smooth/adaptive settings, FXAA, sets power management to max performance, and sets GPU count = 2)

 

[ATTACH]184035[/ATTACH]

 

 

Thank you ! I tested the two profiles and I obten exactly same results than mine which is quite different althougt I'm pretty sure mine work better on my config. I share you mine if you want to test. You may try the template mission bellow to see if you have the same problem

[prccowboy]

I stay at 35 fps. I think it's the perfect example on a very small mission causing cpu bottleneck

 

I get 75-90fps in your mission with much older hardware than yours but I use lower settings.

 

1) Try reducing your visual range (portée visuelle) in DCS settings to see the effect.

 

2) you might try disabling Vsync in DCS settings, but enable Vsync in your .nip file

 

3) if you want to post your .nip file, I will check it out

 

edit: 4) you are pushing a lot of pixels but I assume your 1080's can handle it. However, you might try enabling the "show SLI visual indicator" in the Nvidia control panel to confirm you have SLI running

Edited May 8, 2018 by prccowboy

[paradox64]

Hi, good I just spent more than 12 hours non stop specifically on this problem and then I stop before becoming completely dumb...

I tried dozens of settings in all directions and restarted the game at least a hundred times. The worst thing is that I do not have a final opinion yet but one thing is certain, it is much more complicated than it seems.

 

SLI in the strict sense of the term works if you want but does not have any interest in my opinion.

In my opinion we are more on a form of multi gpu than on a real sli.

In all possible configurations, flags, options, I have never won a single fps but often lost a lot. But beware, by cons, having 2 cards with the SLI mode enabled in the Nvidia control panel can help greatly because even without any SLI options activated in inspector, it sensor monitoring is very clear, the video memory of both cards is activated (but I don't think shared).

 

I also think SLI Compatibility Bits are useless until we are exactly sure of what we are doing. I also work perfectly whitout select any of them.

 

The trap of GPU sharing is that it requires a lot of CPU resources or if it is suitable for all small missions, as soon as you find yourself on a very large map with lots of units, that's the drama. .. I think we have a fluid (the flow of images) and as a metaphor we have two glasses and the goal is that they have to be filled half each to cope with all CPU or GPU load situations. We can have the impression that it is won until the moment when everything collapses because the processor can't keep up the rhythm (for info I turn with 6 cores @ 4.4Ghz on a 40 lines pci-e / 32Gb@3000 Ram and a Samsung Pro M2 SSD specially assigned to DCS and therefore 2 GTX1080@x16 both.

 

I also struggle because of the G-Sync that puts the mess is that I had trouble turning off.

 

Finally here I am so pissed off that I do not even have the courage to detail but if it ever interested someone, here are my final parameters... anyway for now ... I precise that's only my opinion regarding my hardware and for sure I respect others opinions and continu to learn ;-)

 

Have a good day my friends! (hope better than me lol)

reshade3 settings.zip

Edited May 10, 2018 by paradox64

[paradox64]

I get 75-90fps in your mission with much older hardware than yours but I use lower settings.

 

1) Try reducing your visual range (portée visuelle) in DCS settings to see the effect.

 

2) you might try disabling Vsync in DCS settings, but enable Vsync in your .nip file

 

3) if you want to post your .nip file, I will check it out

 

edit: 4) you are pushing a lot of pixels but I assume your 1080's can handle it. However, you might try enabling the "show SLI visual indicator" in the Nvidia control panel to confirm you have SLI running

 

I thank you for your advices, like you see, I continue investigations ;-)

[prccowboy]

here are my final parameters...

 

Paradox, You have effectively DEACTIVATED SLI in your 'final' parameters. (wrong compatibility bits and you can see that your 2nd GPU is not working in the graph)

 

However, I don't think your problem is SLI-related. Even with 1-card, I get better fps in your mission than you do (with a much older pc). I think you have other problems. I sent you a PM with some things to try (take the non-SLI related discussion off this thread)

Edited May 9, 2018 by prccowboy

[paradox64]

Paradox, You have effectively DEACTIVATED SLI in your 'final' parameters. (wrong compatibility bits and you can see that your 2nd GPU is not working in the graph)

 

Yes I know that but take a look to video memory. It's what I investigate :smilewink:

 

To activate SLI, only one flag is necessary and with AFR2 I obtain better results than with another else profile but not as good as sli activated on desktop and not in inspector;

 

As in the test attached with both SLI off and SLI on, I don't get better results and not any fps but stutters when SLI on but I am quite sure than it work better SLI off WITH one second card with SLI on in the nvidia control panel.

I don't affirm anything but as I know DCS 3d engine is really not SLI complient and as I read somewhere the road is more to mgpu. So I think maybe there is something to find here... or not ;-)

Edited May 10, 2018 by paradox64

[prccowboy]

To activate SLI, only one flag is necessary and with AFR2

I also think SLI Compatibility Bits are useless... I also work perfectly whitout select any of them.

 

yes, and those "flags" are setting “SLI compatibility bits (DX10 + DX11)" setting to “0x080600F5" (other settings will either NOT give you performance gains or will have flickering problems, etc.)

 

But SLI only increases gpu processing power, if you are bottlenecked elsewhere, then you will NOT see gains. I suspect you have other settings (possibly reshade or having all your DCS settings at extreme, or drivers, or Gsync/Vsync settings) that is slowing your system.

 

At the end of the day, I can run your mission at double your framerates with much older hardware (2x 580 gtx) and no stutters, graphic anomalies or other issues (but I optimized my configuration to match my system). If you do not want to look at other areas that are causing your bottlenecks (as I suggested in PM), I can not assist further

Edited May 10, 2018 by prccowboy

[paradox64]

I full agree with you. Since the beginning i search in parallel around cpu/adaptative/avx or turbo boost than is very inclusive in broadwell-e. I just turn ht on to look eventually. I think g-sync is full off now. Thanks

yes, and those "flags" are setting “SLI compatibility bits (DX10 + DX11)" setting to “0x080600F5" (other settings will either NOT give you performance gains or will have flickering problems, etc.)

 

But SLI only increases gpu processing power, if you are bottlenecked elsewhere, then you will NOT see gains. I suspect you have other settings (possibly reshade or having all your DCS settings at extreme, or drivers, or Gsync/Vsync settings) that is slowing your system.

 

At the end of the day, I can run your mission at double your framerates with much older hardware (580 gtx) and no stutters, graphic anomalies or other issues (but I optimized my configuration to match my system). If you do not want to look at other areas that are causing your bottlenecks (as I suggested in PM), I can not assist further

 

I did a last test on template mission below wich is full of grounds templates and cpu heavy with HT ON and SLI ON and same results. Around 40 fps. It's curious you reach so much fps. Don't you have one core of your cpu full ? With 6 or 12 cores, one reach quite often 100%.

So if my cpu is not working as it should so I could maybe have a SLI really effficient if I find

Edited May 10, 2018 by paradox64

[paradox64]

At the end of the day, I can run your mission at double your framerates with much older hardware (2x 580 gtx) and no stutters, graphic anomalies or other issues (but I optimized my configuration to match my system).

 

Oups I didn't see that ! I was sure you have also 2x gtx1080 that's what I insist lol Sorry :doh:

[prccowboy]

Oups I didn't see that ! I was sure you have also 2x gtx1080

 

that is my point. I am running a i7-3930k@4.5Ghz and 2x580gtx and I have better performance than you in the same mission (but a little less eye candy) So, you should be able to optimize your settings for better speed if you want with your hardware (which is faster)

 

FYI, in your mission I get 60fps with no SLI and 75-90fps with SLI (so my SLI gain is not huge in that situation, but it is STILL SIGNIFICANT 25-50% performance improvement) and yes, one of my cpu cores (12t) is maxed. edit: This is flying straight/level on the flight path set in the mission while looking forward through the cockpit

 

your frame times are high (25millisec?), so I again suggest you look at my PM and consider where you can both optimize your settings AND make sure SLI is truly enabled (your screen shot makes me think you have both gpu's running but SLI is not truly enabled - but maybe it is a driver difference in how Task Manager shows gpu)

Edited May 10, 2018 by prccowboy

[Sn8ke]

yes, and those "flags" are setting “SLI compatibility bits (DX10 + DX11)" setting to “0x080600F5" (other settings will either NOT give you performance gains or will have flickering problems, etc.)

 

But SLI only increases gpu processing power, if you are bottlenecked elsewhere, then you will NOT see gains. I suspect you have other settings (possibly reshade or having all your DCS settings at extreme, or drivers, or Gsync/Vsync settings) that is slowing your system.

 

At the end of the day, I can run your mission at double your framerates with much older hardware (2x 580 gtx) and no stutters, graphic anomalies or other issues (but I optimized my configuration to match my system). If you do not want to look at other areas that are causing your bottlenecks (as I suggested in PM), I can not assist further

 

I’m going to give SLI another try today. What are the correct compatibility bit settings so there is no cloud/TGP flickering in 2.5.1?

[prccowboy]

I’m going to give SLI another try today. What are the correct compatibility bit settings so there is no cloud/TGP flickering in 2.5.1?

 

No problems with 2.5 Release (you might need 512 / 1024 every frame setting and/or Vsync/Gsync to eliminate flickers), but 2.5.1 may have issues with cloud flicker (not sure if it is SLI related)

 

see this post => https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3476531&postcount=77

 

and my guide in post #65 => https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3410823&postcount=65

Edited May 10, 2018 by prccowboy

[Sn8ke]

No problems with 2.5 Release (you might need 512 / 1024 every frame setting and/or Vsync/Gsync to eliminate flickers), but 2.5.1 may have issues with cloud flicker (not sure if it is SLI related)

 

see this post => https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3476531&postcount=77

 

and my guide in post #65 => https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3410823&postcount=65

 

Set up SLI to your tutorial. FPS is back to 60...awesome! No TGP flicker, but yeah those cloud flickers are very bad!

[prccowboy]

Set up SLI to your tutorial. FPS is back to 60...awesome! No TGP flicker, but yeah those cloud flickers are very bad!

 

yeah. I'm rather annoyed about that. It took a lot of effort to find compatibility bits that worked. finally had SLI running perfectly in 2.5.0 and then 2.5.1 broke the clouds. :mad:

 

I'm still not sure if it is SLI (in another thread someone stated they also had cloud flicker with NO sli) or there may be compatibility bits that work better for 2.5.1 but I haven't had the time or energy to look for a solution.

 

So, I'm currently running 2.5.0 Release when I have clouds and 2.5.1 beta for other missions

[HOKUM52]

any new info on this? any general consensus forming, about to buy a completely new rig

 

i7-8700k 3.7- 4.9GHz

32GB RAM

1tb SSD

 

and now im stuck with 1080 x1 or 1080 SLI!!

 

Would one 1080 be sufficient to achieve 60fps with that spec?

[paradox64]

Hello

 

If I can afford a tip, rather than buying a 1 TB SSD, I would rather have a smaller but high quality NVme drive like the Samsung 970 Pro but fully dedicated to DCS with its own operating system perfectly clean, using dual boot.

 

Regarding the SLI, Yes "it works" but I certainly will not buy 2 GTX1080 now while the new GTX1180 come out in 3 months with considerably higher perfs because the efficiency of SLI on DCS remains modest anyway...

Also, if I can, I would probably not choose 8700k for this usage cause it has only 16 PCI-E lanes. You need 32 lanes only for Gpu's and probably 4 more for nvme drive. Maybe yesterday another controler card and your config will seriously bottlenecking.

This is why I run a 6850k

Edited May 23, 2018 by paradox64

[mdhoover]

SLI setup per as per prccowboy's link

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3410823&postcount=65

 

 

Older box, running dual GTX 780 Ti's on a Haswell-E i7-5930k (40 PCI lanes) in 1920x1080 on Caucuses (Free Flight) gets both GPU's to 100% (1 CPU core gets pegged) and never drops below 70FPS (thats when I am skimming towns or trees)... most of the time it is 80-90+.

 

 

If you are going SLI, you definitely need 32 (2x16) PCI-E lanes

[BitMaster]

Hello

 

If I can afford a tip, rather than buying a 1 TB SSD, I would rather have a smaller but high quality NVme drive like the Samsung 970 Pro but fully dedicated to DCS with its own operating system perfectly clean, using dual boot.

 

FYI:

This requires 2 x Win10 license, you may not install 1 lic twice, not even on the same machine on the same drive, one will be voided.

[paradox64]

FYI:

This requires 2 x Win10 license, you may not install 1 lic twice, not even on the same machine on the same drive, one will be voided.

No it will not, I am absolutely sure (clone).

[BitMaster]

No it will not, I am absolutely sure (clone).

 

 

No, each instance installed, running or not, needs 1 lic.

 

 

The EULA and google is pretty clear when it comes to this.

 

 

You can call MS and ask if it is possible, or your nearest MS Licensing Manager.

[paradox64]

No, each instance installed, running or not, needs 1 lic.

 

 

The EULA and google is pretty clear when it comes to this.

 

 

You can call MS and ask if it is possible, or your nearest MS Licensing Manager.

That's right, anyway a licence w10 is cheap so it's not a problem. DCS like P3D for example runs a lot better if on a dedicated ssd os lighter than the heavy windows full of apps. Also you can easier manage services, processus, etc... Edited October 18, 2018 by paradox64