DCS VR Performance Optimization

[GPatricks]

12 hours ago, evanswillo said:

Well time to get seriousnull

 

Nice, i'm considering the Visionary and adding a LeapMotion2 to it. Hopefully they will (or already have) sort out the "reverse foveated" issue some people are getting (blurry center vision, clear peripheral). Be great to hear your thoughts on it!

[evanswillo]

I went for Titan as Ultraleap IR170 is fully embedded and software already part of the VR1 software stack. I have not started looking at using the hand tracking yet.

Currently dialling in settings.

But I am sure the good word already don in this thread on optimizing will be of benefit.

[Blackhawk163]

21 hours ago, Ready said:

Additional Tweaking 

1. Disable updaters for all aplications
1. Disable Power Throttling. Local Group Policy Editor > Administrative Templates > System > Power Management > Power Throttling Settings > Turn off Power Throttling > Enabled
2. Reducing Latency and Interupts: PowerSettingsExplorer: Processor performance Time Check Interval -> 5.000 for active Power scheme THIS WILL DRAMATICALLY REDUCE YOUR LATENCY!
3. Device  Manager | Software devices | Microsoft Device Association Root Enumerator: Disable. 
    
4. Process Lasso
   1. Performance Mode Enabled
   2. Disable SMT (automatically disabled by Gaming Mode in Bios enabled)
   3. Separating DCS and VR-related processes from all other processes and keep their cores clean
   4. Manage processes for all users ON
   5. Bitsum Highest performance ON
   6. Power > Performance Mode > Change Power Profile when Engaged ON
   7. DCS.exe: CPU Priority > Always > REALTIME (also checking HIGH)
   8. DCS.exe: I/O Priority > Always > High
   9. DCS.exe: Power Profile > Bitsum Highest Performance
   10. CPU affinity: all (except certain W10 processes) processes to last 2 Cores, DCS and Varjo to Cores 1-2-3-4-5, Core 0 empty
   11. CPU Priority: Not used processes: Idle
   12. CPU sets: conform CPU affinity
   13. ProBalance ON,
       1. ProBalance advanced options: 9% ,3% ,1% (Default: 11%, 8%, 4%) to be more agressive
       2. Excluded processes: (clear all and only add conhost.exe, wt.exe)
   14. SmartTrim: Enabled, SmartTrim Options
       1. Trim Working Sets Enabled
       2. Purge Standby List: Enabled
       3. Purge System File Cache: Enabled
       4. Only Purge while in Performance Mode: Enabled, Purge when Free RAM is less than 50% of RAM
       5. Exclusions: audiodg.exe, crss.exe, dwm.exe, fontdrvhost.exe, lsass.exe, smss.exe, svchost.exe, winlogon.exe

 

Results: Running OBS recording on our MP server I am now getting pretty stable performance, still a bit spikey, which I will further dig into(expecting some latency elsewhere in Windows). 

Overclocking of my GPU gives about 4-5 more FPS, but less stability.

 

 

Disabling SMT Actually made DCS run worse for me, Stuttering badly.

 

[Ready]

4 minutes ago, Blackhawk163 said:

Disabling SMT Actually made DCS run worse for me, Stuttering badly.

 

I tested with and without. Will try again in a couple of hours to see if it makes a difference after I do some more work on some settings.

Additional Tweaks

1. CMD:  bcdedit /set disabledynamictick yes (not sure if it makes any difference)
2. NVCP: Add applications to change Power Management: Max Performance (Discord, DWM, VarjoBase, etc)
3. Enable MSI Interrupts for Graphic Driver https://forums.guru3d.com/threads/windows-line-based-vs-message-signaled-based-interrupts-msi-tool.378044/
4. Bios
   1. IGPU - Integrated Graphics: Disable
   2. C-State: Disable
   3. Virtualization: Disable
5. Power Options | Processor Power Management Fix Latency for Good - In Depth Guide
   1. Processor idle demote: 40% > 100%
   2. Processor idle promote: 60% > 100%
   3. Minimum and Maximum processor state: 100%
6. Device Manager disable devices
   1. Disable USB power management on ALL USB devices (hubs as well)
   2. Composite Bus Enumerator
   3. AMD High Definition Audio Device
   4. Network Controller
   5. Microsoft Device Association Root Enumerator
   6. Microsoft GS Wavetable-Synthesizer
   7. Windows Herllo Face Software Device
   8. High Precision Event Timer
   9. Microsoft Virtual Drive Enumerator
   10. Remote Destop Device Redirector Bus
7. Exclude Varjobase.exe from Defender

2. Interupt moderation DISABLE THIS NETWORK SETTING FOR CRAZY GOOD UPLIFT!

 

[Ready]

Additional Tweaks

1. Set pagefile to 0 (not needed and am getting interrups and page faults)
2. Removed stuff that created Page Faults (analysis with Latencymon)
3. Disable Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser
   1. Run from CMD(administrative) : schtasks /change /disable /tn "\Microsoft\Windows\Application Experience\Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser"
   2. sc delete DiagTrack
      sc delete dmwappushservice
      echo "" > C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Diagnosis\ETLLogs\AutoLogger\AutoLogger-Diagtrack-Listener.etl
      reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection" /v AllowTelemetry /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Edited December 21, 2024 by Ready

[Ready]

Additional Tweaks

High Latency (amongst others wfd01000.sys had a very high ISR and DPC count) 

1. Clean up from CMD (administrator mode)
   1. DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth
   2. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
   3. DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /RestoreHealth
   4. cleanmgr /sageset:1
   5. cleanmgr /sagerun:1
   6. sfc /scannow
2. Registry fix 
   1. https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/why-high-dpc-latency-and-interrupt-to-process/35e43900-e58f-4a1d-8266-91d3fe0e5959
   2. Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Power\PowerSetting\54533251-82be-4824-96c1-47b60b740d00\0cc5b647-c1df-4637-891a-dec35c318583
   3. Edit ValueMax to 0.
   4. Disable High Precision Event Timer 
3. Disabled Gamingservices.exe
   1. Powershell (administrator): get-appxpackage Microsoft.GamingServices | remove-AppxPackage -allusers
   2. Powershell (administrator): start ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=9MWPM2CQNLHN (uninstall)
4. CMD (administrator) bcdedit /set disabledynamictick yes
5. MSI mode utility: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 interrupt priority: undefined > high

 

Message to all YMMV!

Please do not blindly follow my settings without reading up on it. YMMV. My settings changes are trial and error. I (most of the times) test performance between settings changes but sometimes kick myself in the head if I forgot and did a number of changes without testings in between.

Edited December 22, 2024 by Ready

[evanswillo]

Guys, do you use Quadview rendering to assist DFR, if so do you actually set the option in the DCS menus to ON.

When this is ON does the option appear in the log to confirm it is functioning.

I have a having some concerns with how Quadview and DFR are being implemented in the VR1 runtime.

You may at least be able to show varjo implements and logs Quadview in the logs

Hopefully a planned update to the VR1 update will help clear up our understanding.

[GPatricks]

13 minutes ago, evanswillo said:

Guys, do you use Quadview rendering to assist DFR, if so do you actually set the option in the DCS menus to ON.

When this is ON does the option appear in the log to confirm it is functioning.

I have a having some concerns with how Quadview and DFR are being implemented in the VR1 runtime.

You may at least be able to show varjo implements and logs Quadview in the logs

Hopefully a planned update to the VR1 update will help clear up our understanding.

For Varjo the best is Mbuccia's Varjo Foveated (has more configuration variables allowed), followed by Varjo's own Foveated... How is your clarity in DCS?

Per Viitiss on the VR1 Discord - "There is some distortion on the middle of the lenses more dominant on the right one. Played around with the settings and warping profiles but nothing gets rid of it."

Per Artur on the VR1 Discord - "in January there will be new OpenXR implementation SDK coming from Somnium as an update so it will improve things even further!"

Edited December 22, 2024 by GPatricks

[evanswillo]

Thankyou, I have followed and read most of Mbuccia's work and comments, absolute legend.

Personally I do not see any distortion between left and right.

In your DCS.log is there any mention of Quadviews being activated when you use those additional layers.

I am trying to see in my own logs what impact adding DFR and Quadviews has at the moment.

But I am aware of a update to the VR1 OpenXR runtime in incomming.

 

 

[GPatricks]

On 12/22/2024 at 12:20 PM, evanswillo said:

In your DCS.log is there any mention of Quadviews being activated when you use those additional layers.

 

 

 

 A search of dcs.log finds:

"2024-12-20 11:47:37.724 INFO    VISUALIZER (Main): [12:47:37.748][Info   ] OpenXR:   Name=XR_VARJO_quad_views SpecVersion=1"

and 

"2024-12-20 11:47:37.726 INFO    VISUALIZER (Main): [12:47:37.750][Info   ] OpenXR:   Name=XR_APILAYER_MBUCCHIA_varjo_foveated SpecVersion=1.0.0 LayerVersion=1 Description=Enable foveation with Varjo quad views"

and

"2024-12-20 11:47:37.735 INFO    VISUALIZER (Main): [12:47:37.759][Info   ] OpenXR: Enabled extension: XR_VARJO_quad_views"

and this one repeats ~20x throughout the log... 

"Name=XR_APILAYER_MBUCCHIA_varjo_foveated SpecVersion=1.0.0 LayerVersion=1 Description=Enable foveation with Varjo quad views"

Edited December 23, 2024 by GPatricks

[Ready]

Additional tweaks

1. MSI Afterburner
   1. Disable ULPS - Ultra Low Power Settings
2. Bios
   1. fTPM: Disabled
   2. SVM Mode: Disabled
   3. SMT control: Disabled
3. Power Plans
   1. Processor Core Parking Min Cores: 100%
4. Other: defragmented and optimized drives (regular task)

Still further tweaking ahead, quite a list of items to go through. Both Windows Settings, drives and BIOS settings to further moderate interrupts and find out how to remove the high latency (mainly caused by WDF01000.sys, USB3 polling?)

[sleighzy]

17 hours ago, evanswillo said:

In your DCS.log is there any mention of Quadviews being activated when you use those additional layers.

No. The DCS log will tell you that the Quad Views layer is there, but not if it is activated or not. You need to turn on Quad Views in DCS settings as to enable this. If you are using Mbucchia's QVF layer then you will need to check the "C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Quad-Views-Foveated\Quad-Views-Foveated.log" file to verify this. This should display the settings that you have configured and the pixel savings it is giving you.

Edited December 23, 2024 by sleighzy

[GPatricks]

I believe for Varjo users using Mbuccia's Varjo Foveated it's C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Varjo-Foveated\varjo-foveated.log

"2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100: XR_APILAYER_MBUCCHIA_varjo_foveated layer (v0.2.0) is active
2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100: Using layer: XR_APILAYER_MBUCCHIA_varjo_foveated
2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100: Using layer: XR_APILAYER_FREDEMMOTT_HandTrackedCockpitClicking
2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100: Requested extension: XR_KHR_D3D11_enable
2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100: Requested extension: XR_KHR_visibility_mask
2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100: Requested extension: XR_EXT_hand_tracking
2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100: Requested extension: XR_HTCX_vive_tracker_interaction
2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100: Requested extension: XR_VARJO_quad_views
2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100: Requested extension: XR_VARJO_foveated_rendering
2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100: Requesting extension: XR_VARJO_foveated_rendering
2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100: Application: DCS
2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100: Using OpenXR runtime: Varjo OpenXR Runtime 4.5.1
2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100: Using OpenXR system: XR-3
2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100: supportsFoveatedRendering = 1
2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100: Trying to locate configuration file at 'C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Varjo-Foveated\settings.cfg'...
2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100:   Found option 'peripheral_multiplier=1'
2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100:   Found option 'focus_multiplier=1.2'
2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100:   Found option 'turbo_mode=1'
2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100:   Found option 'no_eye_tracking=0'
2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100: Peripheral resolution: 2192x1880 (multiplier: 1.000)
2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100: Focus resolution 1440x1440 (multiplier: 1.200/1.200)
2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100: Peripheral resolution: 2192x1880 (multiplier: 1.000)
2024-12-23 12:47:07 +0100: Focus resolution 1440x1440 (multiplier: 1.200/1.200)
2024-12-23 12:47:13 +0100: Creating swapchain with resolution: 2192x1880
2024-12-23 12:47:13 +0100: Creating swapchain with resolution: 2192x1880
2024-12-23 12:47:13 +0100: Creating swapchain with resolution: 1440x1440
2024-12-23 12:47:13 +0100: Creating swapchain with resolution: 1440x1440
2024-12-23 12:47:16 +0100: Application is using Quad Views for this session."

 

Edited December 23, 2024 by GPatricks

[Ready]

I updated the original post in this thread to include most of my tests and results. Some were eye-openers. I hope they will benefit others as well.

Edited December 27, 2024 by Ready

[Blackhawk163]

I'm stable at 2200 for memory you should be able to hit that. 

[Ready]

19 minutes ago, Blackhawk163 said:

I'm stable at 2200 for memory you should be able to hit that. 

Yes it does!  It gives me about 1 FPS extra. Thanks. 

Edited December 27, 2024 by Ready

[Ready]

7 minutes ago, Ready said:

Yes it does!  It gives me about 1 FPS extra. Thanks. 

Pretty stable as well at the moment. 

Edited December 27, 2024 by Ready

[Ready]

Had a DCS crash the other day. Unsure if it was caused by not having a pagefile or overclock. Reenabled the Pagefile and will see. 

Ran my log through the DCS Log Analyzer on Discord, with the following feedback;

• Advice
  • Disable Game Mode - Made no significant difference. Will keep trying. 
  • Disable HAGS - Has a big negative effect for me. Will keep it Enabled.
• Tuning
  • Disable Civilian Traffic - Will keep it on, like the traffic.
  • Enable Full Screen Mode - Enabled it but on my Ultrawide monitor it still stays in a borderless window in the middle of the screen.

Edited December 31, 2024 by Ready

[Ready]

Added a couple of tweaks, see OP. The 1%'s are improving further. 

 

Edited January 2 by Ready

[Ready]

I am contemplating adding a fresh install on my current W10 rig in dual boot.

Through the last 5 years I messed around a lot with my applications (tried a bunch of software that probably left a lot of stuff even after cleanings), I changed hardware (systemboards, GPU's and CPU's) multiple times and the whole rig has been heavily tweaked without ever reinstalling OS. 

So I want to put a second OS (either W10 or W11) in dual boot next to my current install on the same rig, start debloated from scratch and only install what I know I need and only make the permanent switch AFTER the second OS gives me better performance.

Does anybody have any similar experience? 

Do I have to fully reinstall DCS or can I share folders and settings amongst the two Installs?

What would be the best steps to take? Any insight is appreciated.

Edited January 3 by Ready

[Panzerlang]

1 hour ago, Ready said:

I am contemplating adding a fresh install on my current W10 rig in dual boot.

Through the last 5 years I messed around a lot with my applications (tried a bunch of software that probably left a lot of stuff even after cleanings), I changed hardware (systemboards, GPU's and CPU's) multiple times and the whole rig has been heavily tweaked without ever reinstalling OS. 

So I want to put a second OS (either W10 or W11) in dual boot next to my current install on the same rig, start debloated from scratch and only install what I know I need and only make the permanent switch AFTER the second OS gives me better performance.

Does anybody have any similar experience? 

Do I have to fully reinstall DCS or can I share folders and settings amongst the two Installs?

What would be the best steps to take? Any insight is appreciated.

Aye carumba, that sounds like a recipe for complete head-fkry. Lol.

Get two new SSDs and plug those in after removing the existing ones and do the whole shebang brand new (assuming money's not a consideration). W10 and DCS on separate drives. It's the only way to be sure.

[Ready]

Very interesting video on Frametimes and latency. 

 

[Panzerlang]

1 hour ago, Ready said:

Very interesting video on Frametimes and latency. 

 

I would really like to see this kind of analysis done exclusively for a flight sim, focusing on the CPU/GPU render. They make the entirely valid point about system latency vs human latency, where ten or twenty milliseconds of system lag is inconsequential compared to the average human's physical response time of 200 milliseconds. This is relevant to an FPS but not to a flight sim, where the latency that we're seeing is visual. Human visual acuity is in the range of 20 milliseconds and for us to see stutter and jerking means the render queue in DCS must be getting seriously choked. 13900k has 15 physical cores, yet we see "CPU Bound, Main Thread" in red. My layman's guess is DCS isn't spreading its load across a sufficient number of cores OR, if it is, there's some other chip/s that can't keep up (memory controller maybe).

Next year, Intel saves itself by offering flight-sim only CPUs. Lol.

[Panzerlang]

And yeah, from the end of the video, theoretically at least, it looks like Reflex would work wonders in VR. It brings frame-time well under the threshold of visual acuity.

Edited January 10 by Panzerlang

[Qcumber]

8 hours ago, Panzerlang said:

yet we see "CPU Bound, Main Thread" in red. My layman's guess is DCS isn't spreading its load across a sufficient number of cores OR, if it is, there's some other chip/s that can't keep up (memory controller maybe).

I would not worry too much about the "CPU bound" message in DCS. From what I understand this just means that you have GPU overhead and that CPU "might" be the limiting factor. There was a lot of discussion on this a while back but I can't find the thread. 

I used to get microstutters but now the only time I get any stutters is when the FPS drops below the refresh rate. I am not sure exactly what I did except that I went back to absolute basics, set Nvidia to default, no mods and minimal settings with OXRTK etc. Everything has been smooth for me now for awhile. It might be an AMD vs Intel thing but I doubt it.