Is there any benefit getting more than 32GB of RAM for DCS?

[truebrit]

Does anyone KNOW the answer to this. Thanks.

[CptBligh]

I went with 2x32GB DDR4 on my latest build due to the following rationale:

I've seen over 34GB committed memory on Georgia at War.

Z690 seems to not like 4 sticks, so 2x16 now and 2x16 later may not play nice in my case. 

DDR4 is cheap compared to 5, and cheap in comparison to $3k that everything else cost.

Possible component shortages given the world situation and inflation.

 

 

[Hector45]

On a busy multiplayer server, yes for sure. Cycling F2 through the players would stutter when I had 32gb, after upgrading to 64gb no more stutter. I've seen as much as 42gb RAM usage on a busy Syria server.

[Mr_sukebe]

Agreed with the above.

With just DCS I can be touching 32GB of ram.

Then I get to add SRS, Discord, Simshaker, the dedicated DCS server, Oculus/Steam VR and Foobar2000 to listen to music.  All adds up.

[Bossco82]

If your just using DCS as a single player mission or campaign then 32gb is enough. I know because thats what I use my PC for.

Like the other posts. If your using DCS in multiplayer and using streaming apps etc, it will all add up and you will benefit from 64gb.

[sam187]

14 hours ago, CptBligh said:

Z690 seems to not like 4 sticks, so 2x16 now and 2x16 later may not play nice in my case.

Had some issues with in between BIOS versions running XMP on an ASUS TUF Z690 with 4x 8GB G.Skill DDR4-3200 CL14 (reused from my former system). But with both very early and the latest BIOS versions also XMP is running fine with all 4 sticks. Was in contact with ASUS support in Germany, they then involved Taiwan about the topic.

[xoxen]

On a Server like 4YA in Syria I´m filling appr. 42 GB of RAM, so there is a benefit.

Edited March 17, 2022 by xoxen

[BitMaster]

Look at it this way:

I opened DCS and started the most simple Apache Free Flight "Cold Start" on Caucasus...BANG  30GB used right away.

Your system may use far less if you have less total RAM.

With 64GB installed it uses the above 30GB on my end right away, without any system turned on - 100% cold AC,

I would not even consider 32GB for a new system anymore, think "sixtyfour"

[The_Nephilim]

3 hours ago, BitMaster said:

Look at it this way:

I opened DCS and started the most simple Apache Free Flight "Cold Start" on Caucasus...BANG  30GB used right away.

Your system may use far less if you have less total RAM.

With 64GB installed it uses the above 30GB on my end right away, without any system turned on - 100% cold AC,

I would not even consider 32GB for a new system anymore, think "sixtyfour"

Yes I have to agree. the in use RAM is about 8gb on my system and that is before I start DCS. I would say if you fly DCS 64 is about the main allotment I would say to use.. I am betting most my issues are lack of RAM in the Apache and in Syria, Nevada..

[LucShep]

On 3/16/2022 at 6:30 PM, truebrit said:

Does anyone KNOW the answer to this. Thanks.

If there is any benefit getting more than 32GB of RAM for DCS?

Oh yes, 64GB of RAM.... 

[KungFu]

In the past I've noticed that if you don't have enough VRAM then it uses RAM to compensate.   So RAM use would depend on how much free VRAM you have.

Edited April 2, 2022 by KungFu

[Dscross]

I went to 64G of DDR4 ram about 6 months ago. it makes a difference, a huge difference. Right now, the RAM is sort of compensating for the lack of a high-end graphics card in my system. I've played DCS with 16GB, 32 GB, and 64GB. I much prefer 64. 

[Burt]

Yes especially in Multiplayer servers. Highly recommend if all possible.

[MAXsenna]

I'd say 32 Gigs are the minimum now. Gonna go 64 when I can.

[Zius]

Looks like the consensus here is to get 64G of DDR4 rather than 32G of DDR5, correct?

Is there any benefit of getting DDR5 now or in the future?

[LucShep]

1 hour ago, Zius said:

Looks like the consensus here is to get 64G of DDR4 rather than 32G of DDR5, correct?

Is there any benefit of getting DDR5 now or in the future?

By the time that the benefit of DDR5 is clear and worth the cost, this whole generation of Intel/AMD hardware will be long gone...

Just don't even bother with DDR5 at this point, get DDR4 RAM and Motherboard.

Plenty direct practical comparisons around to deliver that conclusion:

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/intel-core-i9-12900k-alder-lake-ddr4-vs-ddr5/

https://www.kitguru.net/components/cpu/luke-hill/ddr4-vs-ddr5-intel-core-i9-12900k-testing/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wQ9MGrTvwc&t=316s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRvo__2taug&t=407s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIN8lLhSqmg&t=1058s

 

Edited April 13, 2022 by LucShep

[BitMaster]

5800X3D + DDR4-3600 CL14

best bang for the buck

[unlikely_spider]

1 minute ago, BitMaster said:

5800X3D + DDR4-3600 CL14

best bang for the buck

Do we have data that shows there will be enough benefit of that CPU to justify doubling the cost of something like the 5600x?

[BitMaster]

That's a good question tbh. My comment was rather meant to counter the DDR5 solution with an equally powerfull CPU as a 12900k for less money overall...and less heat too.

It depends what you do, DCS 1440p SP dead simple or "content creator" DCS VR MP fat missions, Comms, Streaming, TacView, etc.. plus editing all that afterwards than maybe more cores are better, more RAM and drives....as always.

Afaik the Intel 12400 ( or 12600, heck, dunno which one ) is cheaper and faster for gaming than the 5600X if the budget is really tight.

[Zius]

On 4/14/2022 at 8:49 PM, BitMaster said:

That's a good question tbh. My comment was rather meant to counter the DDR5 solution with an equally powerfull CPU as a 12900k for less money overall...and less heat too.

It depends what you do, DCS 1440p SP dead simple or "content creator" DCS VR MP fat missions, Comms, Streaming, TacView, etc.. plus editing all that afterwards than maybe more cores are better, more RAM and drives....as always.

Afaik the Intel 12400 ( or 12600, heck, dunno which one ) is cheaper and faster for gaming than the 5600X if the budget is really tight.

When it comes to single thread performance, the 12600 series seems the most bang for the buck...

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/singleThread.html

Right now I am thinking about getting this:

Intel Core i5-12600K Boxed
Corsair Vengeance LPX CMK64GX4M2D3600C18 64GB DDR4 @ 3.600MT/s, kit of 2
Gigabyte Z690 AORUS ELITE DDR4
Samsung 980 Pro 2TB

I'm keeping my GPU: GeForce GTX 1660 Super

Edited April 16, 2022 by Zius

[The_Nephilim]

Well I see most of you all have said it would be a benefit to have more RAM. But I was pricing some RAM last night and it was over 200USD for 64GB Ouch my pockets are not that deep but I played a MP Mission last night and was getting near 31GB RAM Usage in the mission..

I tried another MP Mission and it got around 25gb usage, what I am wondering ifI did get more Ram would the usage go up or use more if I had more RAM or the System would only use the RAM It needs and not cache out?

[LucShep]

8 hours ago, The_Nephilim said:

Well I see most of you all have said it would be a benefit to have more RAM. But I was pricing some RAM last night and it was over 200USD for 64GB Ouch my pockets are not that deep but I played a MP Mission last night and was getting near 31GB RAM Usage in the mission..

I tried another MP Mission and it got around 25gb usage, what I am wondering ifI did get more Ram would the usage go up or use more if I had more RAM or the System would only use the RAM It needs and not cache out?

I can only provide you my example, others will probably differ...

I used to have 32GB RAM and 16GB/32GB (large) pagefile of Windows, populated servers would eat all available RAM and a chunk of the pagefile (and quite some stuttering).

Now with 64GB RAM and 1GB/2GB (small) page file of Windows, populated servers can eat upwards of 42GB of RAM and pretty much none of the pagefile (incomparably smoother now).

Problem now is VRAM and % of usage of the graphics card, as it goes even higher in MP than in SP.  

Edited April 18, 2022 by LucShep

[The_Nephilim]

Well I just found some used RAM that was the same model number of my current RAM, so they should be perfect fit.. I will see if the 32gb boost will help for a total of 64gb of Memory..

 

I was on the 4YA Server again and I was maxed out on RAM 31.9gb's that is a killer server and it ran pretty good but I am hoping for smoother sailing next week when the ram should get here.. Looks like I lucked out gonna go buy some lotto tickets nowhaha!!

[Hector45]

Don't expect the XMP profile to work with two separate kits, I learned that the hard way myself. Hopefully you get lucky.

[The_Nephilim]

I am going to manually OC it..