Just Ordered All Parts For a DCS PC Build.... First Time Builder, Please Provide Input)

[PJPower05]

Hello all,

              I FINALLY decided to go for it, and build a PC dedicated to DCS World and Flight SIm 2020.  I have watched thousands of hours of youtube (lol) and think I have something that will play DCS better than a 3 year old laptop w/ a 2GB graphics cards.

SetUp

• AMD Ryzen 7 3800K (8 Cores)
• 32 GB RAM (DDR-4, 3200 CL16)
• Crucial MX500 1TB SSD
• RTX 3060TI (8GB)
• EVGA 600W Power Supply
• Acer 31.5 Inch Curved Gaming Monitor (2560x1440) Monitor

 

Still Need

• Joystick/Hotas set up (what do you guys recommend?)  The wife has expressed I am at the end of the budget (for now), so a WartHog HOTAS is a no go)
• It appears that most that have provided me feedback have stated that if you don't have TrackIR, or something like it, you will only be frustrated...  Is this correct?

Thanks for all your time and input, I look forward on being target practice for many of you in the near future!

 

[Mogster]

Agree about TIR. Once you’ve used it it’s hard to fly/drive without it.
 

It’s not essential but it does provide a very immersive experience. I have both TIR and OR VR , I actually still prefer TIR to my OR VR. 

[Ozmandi]

Here's a couple head-tracking options you could try that won't break the bank account.

 

The PuckIR from Grass Monkey.
I use this and it works great.

Grass Monkey Simulations – Grass Monkeys Are The Best Monkeys!

 

I've also used this one:

This $10 head-tracking app makes Microsoft Flight Simulator easier - Polygon - SmoothTrack turns your iPhone or Android device into a head-tracking tool

 

 

 

[p3t3rmax]

I think a good quality HOTAS makes a massive impact on your enjoyment and the Thrustmaster T flight X looks a bit plasticky IMHO. I've had a Saitek/Logitech X62 Pro for a few years now and it is magic, solid, clunky, great feel, great for Microsoft Flightsim 2020 as well, just about enough buttons too if the budget goes that far. The layout is not exactly like the Warthog stick but getting that budget past the wife did not work for me either. I've tried to program the stick to be the same across all the planes I fly so that it is easier to remember - Su25t, A10c, Mig29, KA50, etc. I map trim to the main trim hat and use keyboard keys to look around and it works fine. I do fly only single player though. I tried one of the cheap track things and got instant vertigo although I never got it while flying small stuff in real life, so rather spend the money on TrackIR if you go that way IMHO.

[Hoirtel]

Budget IR head tracker clip off ebay is cheap, PS3 eyetoy camera off ebay also cheap, PS3 eyetoy driver software ($2.99), opentrack software (free). I  did the whole thing for less than 25 quid. Works brilliantly and is more commonly used than anything else I think. Highly worth - it pretty much essential really as you can't look around with a hat switch during combat.

[draconus]

+1 on the cheap IR - no reason to overpay. T16000M as a starter HOTAS is more than enough too.