Pimax Crystal Recommended VR Graphic Settings

[jaapgrolleman]

We compiled some recommended profiles per GPU and Pimax headsets. These are also published here: https://pimax.com/dcs-best-vr-settings-optimization/?_thumbnail_id=94406

Happy to hear your feedback or other suggestions.

Also if you need support with Pimax headset (DCS-related or not), we're happy to help. Either go to https://pimax.com/support/ or visit the Pimax Discord at https://pimax.com/discord

Settings for Crystal, 4090 & OpenXR

System Setup 4090  i9-11900kF 64GB RAM DDR4	DCS Settings Textures: High; Terrain: High; Traffic: Low; Water: High;  Visib Range: Extreme; Heat Blur: Low;  Shadows: High; Flat Shadows Blur: On  Secondary Shadows: On;  Resolution: 1920*1080;  Res of cockpit displays: 1024 Monitors: 1 Screen; MSAA: 2x;  Depth of field: Off; Clouds: Ultra;  SSAA: Off; SSLR: On;  SSAO: On; Clutter/Grass: 1170;  Forest Visibility: 85%;  Preload Radius: 150000; Gamma: 2;  External field of view: 125%; Anisotropic Filtering: 16x;  Terrain Objects Shadows: Flat; Cockpit Global Illumination: On; Messages font scale: 1 Scale GUI: 1;  Rain Droplets: On; Vsync: On;  Full screen: Off
Graphic Card Setting Nvidia: Global Settings: Power Management Mode: Prefer  Maximum Power
Runtime: Open XR:  Native Resolution  CAS Sharpness: 70%  FFR: On
Pimax Play Settings Everything Default  Refresh Rate: 90Hz

Contributed by TallyMouse from r/Pimax

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Settings for Crystal, 4070ti & SteamVR

System Setup 4070Ti i7-13700F  16GB RAM	DCS Settings Textures: High;  Terrain: High;  Traffic: Off;  Water: High;  Visib Range: Medium;  Heat Blur: High;  Shadows: High;  Flat Shadows Blur: Off  Secondary Shadows: On;  Resolution: 2560*1440;  MSAA: Off;  Depth of field: Off;  Clouds: Standard;  SSAA: Off  SSLR: On;  SSAO: Off;  Clutter/Grass: 0;  Forest Visibility: 65%;  Preload Radius: 70200;  Gamma: 2;  External field of view: 78%
Graphic Card Setting
Runtime: Steam VR Refresh Rate: 90Hz  Motion Smoothing: Off  Render Resolution: 44% 2690*2972  Advanced Supersample: Off  Overlay Render Quality: Medium
Pimax Play Settings Refresh Rate: 90Hz  Eye Tracking: On  Render Quality: 1  FFR: On  Smart Smoothing: Off

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Settings 8KX, 4090, OpenXR

System Setup 4090 i9-11900kF 64GB RAM DDR4 3600MHz	DCS Settings Textures: High; Terrain: High;  Traffic: Low; Water: High;  Visib Range: High; Heat Blur: Low;  Shadows: High; Flat Shadows Blur: On  Secondary Shadows: On;  Resolution: 1920*1080;  Res of cockpit displays: 1024  Monitors: 1 Screen; MSAA: off; Depth of field: Off; Clouds: High; SSAA: Off; SSLR: On; SSAO: On; Clutter/Grass: 1170;  Forest Visibility: 85%;  Preload Radius: 150000; Gamma: 2;  External field of view: 125%; Anisotropic Filtering: 16x;  Terrain Objects Shadows: Flat; Cockpit Global Illumination: On;  Messages font scale: 1 Scale GUI: 1;  Rain Droplets: On; Vsync: Off;  Full screen: Off; Rain Droplets: On
Nvidia Settings Power Management Mode: Prefer Maximum Power
Runtime: Open XR Native Resolution  CAS Sharpness 100%  FFR: on  40deg – 1  60deg – 1/4  80deg – 1/16th
PimaxPlay Settings FOV: Wide  Refresh: 90Hz

Contributed by TallyMouse from r/Pimax

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8KX, OpenXR, 4060ti

System Setup 4060Ti i9-11900kF 64Gb RAM DDR4 3600MHz	DCS Settings Textures: High; Terrain: Low;  Traffic: Off; Water: Medium;  Visib Range: Medium; Heat Blur: Low;  Shadows: Low; Flat Shadows Blur: On  Secondary Shadows: Off;  Resolution: 1920*1080;  Res of cockpit displays: 1024  Monitors: 1 Screen; MSAA: off; Depth of field: Off; Clouds: High; SSAA: Off; SSLR: Off;  SSAO: Off; Clutter/Grass: 500;  Forest Visibility: 75%;  Preload Radius: 150000; Gamma: 2;  External field of view: 125%;  Anisotropic Filtering: 16x;  Terrain Objects Shadows: Flat; Cockpit Global Illumination: On;  Messages font scale: 1 Scale GUI: 1;  Rain Droplets: On; Vsync: Off;  Full screen: Off; Rain Droplets: On
Nvidia Settings Power Management Mode: Prefer Maximum Power
Runtime: Open XR Native Resolution  CAS Sharpness: 100%  FFR” on  35deg – 1,  55deg -1/4,  70deg -1/16th
PimaxPlay Settings FOV: Medium  Refresh: 90Hz

Contributed by TallyMouse from r/Pimax

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3080ti settings for Pimax 8K

System Setup 3080ti	DCS Settings Textures: High;  Terrain Textures: High;  Water: High;  Visib Range: High  Shadows: High;  Resolution: 3840*2160  Aspect Ratio: 1.7777777778;  Res.of Cockpit Display: 1024;  MSAA: 2x;  Cloud: High  Trees Visiblity: 40%;  Anisotropic Filtering: Off  Terrain Object Shadows: Off  Cockpit Global illumination: On  Gamma: 2.2
Nvidia Settings Power Management Mode: Prefer Maximum Power
Runtime: Steam VR:  Global Resolution: 80%
Pimax Play Settings n/a

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Settings for AMD 6900XT, SteamVR

System Setup AMD 6900XT	DCS Settings Texture: High;  MSAA: Off； AF: x 16;  Shadows: Flat;  Forest Visibility: 50%;  Visual Range: High;  Clouds: Standard
Graphic Card Setting Maximum FPS: 45  Anti-lag Disable everything else
Runtime: Steam VR Global Resolution: 100%  Video Setting Per App: 100%  Motion Smoothing: Off  Advanced Super Sampling: Off
Pimax Play Settings: n/a

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General VR graphic optimization tips

Thanks to Rex from the Pimax Discord server.

1 – Testing settings one by one is recommended since every machine is different. Find a worst-case scenario for the GPU or CPU to test.

-> For GPU testing I recommend looking at Beyrouth on the Syria map to get a worse-case scenario. GPU wise (with lots of clouds/rain to test cloud settings, at sunset or sunrise to test shadows).

-> For CPU testing, a heavy MP server (Blueflag, Enigma Cold War, etc.) or a heavy single-player mission (dozens of AI moving offroad, SAMs searching/firing, etc.)

PS: Intel PresentMon (recently released in beta) is a great tool for all GPUs and CPUs to find out what is limiting you (the DCS performance overlay is often wrong in that regard)

2-I’ll only cover some settings which I have found be good performance levers with little visual fidelity lost, first video linked below covers the rest in detail.

3 – The NVCP has only one setting that affects DCS in VR, that is V-sync set to “fast” which can improve performance in some specific scenarios. The rest is not working (see 2nd video).

4 – Most if not all settings are GPU performance hits only. So if you are CPU limited (use PresentMon), turning up settings will not change your FPS.

5 – Most of these settings have performance hits in different contexts, which is why again, a “reasonable” worst-case scenario should be made up and used for testing

[mbucchia]

There's no mention of the quad views DFR tool, which is perhaps one of the biggest opportunities for performance boosts. Perhaps none of these users have access to the eye tracking build?

[dburne]

4 hours ago, mbucchia said:

There's no mention of the quad views DFR tool, which is perhaps one of the biggest opportunities for performance boosts. Perhaps none of these users have access to the eye tracking build?

Probably not, I have not seen many comment anywhere that they have the eye tracking version.

I did see one guy on youtube comment he had it - but he  was a youtube reviewer and had been sent a Crystal no charge for review.

Edited August 30, 2023 by dburne

[Yuma]

Would like to see an update to this with the latest 2.9 update

[MichaelJWP15]

I noticed this morning my Pimax Play and Crystal firmware both have updates available. Assume it's the 72Hz being enabled but can't try it yet as am working...

[Tusk.V]

10 minutes ago, MichaelJWP15 said:

I noticed this morning my Pimax Play and Crystal firmware both have updates available. Assume it's the 72Hz being enabled but can't try it yet as am working...

Yep, it's 72hz.

[_schepper_]

I noticed this morning my Pimax Play and Crystal firmware both have updates available. Assume it's the 72Hz being enabled but can't try it yet as am working...

Headaset Firmware: 1103**
Controller Firmware: 0.3.38**
Pimax Play: 1.17.01**


## General:

1. Headset Power Led Reworked**
PCVR Mode**
- Blue light when headset is powered on.*
- Green light when successfully connected to PC and functioning properly.*
- Yellow light when headset is charging.*
- White light when charging is completed.*

AIO Mode**
- Green light upon successful startup.*

2. Dual Audio Mode**
- Introduced dual audio mode “Low Latency” and “Standard”
- Enhanced the audio experience in low latency mode.*

3. Microphone Audio Enhancement**
- Addressed the issue of low microphone volume in several instances; VRChat, DCS and more.*

4. Power Consumption**
- Addressed 0915v power consumption issue.*

5. Smart Smoothing bug**
- Fixed the Smart Smoothing bug happened on 1.16 client.*

6. 72Hz Refresh Rate**
- Introduced 72Hz Refresh Rate*


## **PimaxPlay:**

1. Room Settings - Disable Reminder Option**
- Added an option in room settings to disable future reminders. Users can now choose note to receive certain prompts when launching PimaxPlay.*

2. Added Game Import Feature**
- PimaxPlay’s resource library now supports local game imports, allowing users to manually add games from their local computer for use with PimaxPlay.*

3. Bug Fixed**
- Fixed abnormal local dimming adjustments.*
- Corrected issues with brightness adjustments.*
- Resolved the bug causing PimaxPlay to show a DLL file in use prompt.*
- Eliminated the white edge in the headset display.*

Verstuurd vanaf mijn CPH2399 met Tapatalk

[Peedee]

I tried the 72hz mode now. Works great!! I don’t notice any flicker and it’s smooth “enough”  

[MichaelJWP15]

I concur, after getting the DFR working (thanks mbucchia) and now the 72Hz mode I am finally beginning to really enjoy my Crystal! (and DCS of course)

Just want to try the wide FOV lenses now, wonder when they will become available.

 

On 8/30/2023 at 9:02 AM, jaapgrolleman said:

---

General VR graphic optimization tips

...

PS: Intel PresentMon (recently released in beta) is a great tool for all GPUs and CPUs to find out what is limiting you (the DCS performance overlay is often wrong in that regard)

...

Thanks @jaapgrolleman

I've been trying Intel PresentMon, seems useful but the overlay appears on my desktop, not in my VR headset.. does anyone know how to get this working?

[Richrach]

Settings for i5 12600KF, RTX 4070 OC edition, 64GB DDR4@3600, Pimax 8KX.

 

***NOT A MAX DOLLAR OR MAX POWER SYSTEM.  KEY SETTINGS THAT HAVE HAD THE MOST IMPACT.  SOME OF US HAVE LIVES IN THE ANALOG WORLD, FLEW ACTUAL COMBAT MISSIONS, AND DO SPEND EVERY WAKING MOMENT IN A PLAYWORLD.  YOUR EXPERIENCE MAY BE DIFFERENT.  GOOD LUCK.***

 

All the following is based on the A-4E module (I actually flew the A-4), Sinai map, hundreds of vehicles and a dozen aircraft.  These result in 43-50 FPS on deck, 62+ FPS in flight low altitude, 72 FPS in outside views. Very smooth, very enjoyable. Almost stutter-free (one happens once in a long while and appears to be GPU related.)

 

Computer:

CPU = Using Intel XTU - OC to 52P/41E, -0.050 voltage offset, runs at 118 watts in game, well within 125 watt limit of CPU

GPU = STOCK, no changes (system is CPU limited, DO NOT MESS WITH OCing GPU)  ***THIS SETUP IS CPU LIMITED.  REPEAT CPU LIMITED.  YOU CAN OC A 4090 WITH THIS CPU AND NOT GAIN A SINGLE FPS.  BE SMART, USE YOUR TIME AND EFFORTS WHERE THEY CAN GET YOU AN ACTUAL BENEFIT.  DID I MENTION THIS SYSTEM IS CPU LIMITED?***

BIOS = Hyperthread-off, all else stock (Hyperthread is a huge deal, probably 5-10 FPS impact in this single setting. WILL SLOW DOWN the processor in other tasks outside DCS)

 

Pimax 8KX = Single lighthouse, 72Hz, FOV - Normal, Render quality - 1.70, Fixed foveated rendering - Balanced, all else unchecked

 

PimaxXR Runtime = Prefer framerate over latency - checked, Enable Quad views (get it, it is amazing) - checked

 

NVIDIA = Anisotropic filtering - App controlled, Power management - MAX perf, Texture filtering - Anisotropic filtering - On, Texture filtering quality - High performance, Texture filtering trilinear - On, Virtual reality pre-rendered frames - 1, Vertical sync - Fast (These are the settings I have tested and work for me)

 

DCS:

OFF UNLESS OTHERSWISE STATED

Resolution - 1920-1080

Cockpit - 1024

Upscaling - DLSS

Sharpening - 0.5

Textures - High

Terrain textures - High

Shadows - Med

Visib range - Med (big one)

Clouds - Standard

Water - Low (This may or may not have a big impact. Testing ongoing)

Heat blur - Low (If you do not have heat blur on, you clearly have never seen actual aircraft spinning up close.  You do not even deserve to even be near simulated airplanes.)

Clutter/grass - 760 (personal preference for visuals in Sinai map. Does not seem to have a great impact on FPS)

Forrest visibility - 100

Forest details - 1

Scenery details - 1

Preload radius - 75000

Chimney smoke - 1

Max FPS - 300 (Let Pimax deal with this. Ignore it in Nvidia as well)

Anisotropic filtering - OFF (High settings in terrain seem to take care of this, not needed)

Terrain objects shadows - Default

 

VR pixel density - 1 (You will set your increase in density in the Pimax controls. This is huge)

Enable hot plug - off

Use DCS system resolution - checked

____

I hope this helps someone out there.  Good luck in the New Year.  Be safe.  Have fun.  Get outside and breathe the fresh air once in awhile. - Richrach

 

 

[Porco Rosso]

Does anyone has settings for 4080? 

[Richrach]

All,

I am a little amazed, irritated, and a few other choice words.  Shortening the story, I just turned off Open XR tool kit, left Open Composite and Pimax XR on and jumped 15 FPS!  So I went back into DCS and turned everything up to max and cranked out a crystal clear cockpit, outside views, everything.  All the agonizing and suffering over all the settings was about useless.

 

Up to now I have had what I thought was the best a VR headset could do.  It was fuzzy, a bit blurry and mostly disappointing for all the work I had put in.  All better.  CRYSTAL CLEAR cockpit and externals, exquisite detail, I can see the eyes on the personnel standing outside the plane for the first time.  AND all my settings are cranked up to high/max.

 

I have met the enemy, and he is we.  All the fighting for FPS on my system (see above) made it worse.  Wow.  NOW I am going to enjoy this game the way it was meant to be played in VR, with clarity and solid FPS.

 

Your mileage may vary, but I hope not. - Richrach

 

[Nedum]

Hi, If I understand you right, you still use Open Composite. Can you explain why? Open Composite isn't necessary anymore since DCS uses OpenXR by default.

[Richrach]

UPDATE with morebettergooder results (Changes/additions in BOLD)

DCS 2.9.2.49940 Open Beta

System:

i5 12600KF OC 52/52/52/52/52/51P 41E, -0.050 Core Voltage offset, Hyperthread disabled (Note: I did use these settings in Intel XTU, but found them not stable. They are completely stable when set in BIOS.  This is as fast as my CPU will run, period.)

RTX 4070 OC edition NO additional overclocking

64GB DDR4@3600

Motherboard: MSI PRO-Z690-DDR4-WiFi

Pimax 8KX - 72Hz, FOV Normal, Render quality 2.0 (max) (This is huge!  UNBELIEVABLE the difference it makes!), Fixed foveated rendering - Balanced

 PimaxXR Runtime = Prefer framerate over latency - checked

Enable Quad views (get it, it is amazing) - checked

 

A-4E-C

Combined Arms

Sinai map

 

Process Lasso

Set DCS.exe Priority class to High

Set CPU Affinity DISABLE on the two cores that were hitting 100% usage in the game (This makes stutter go away completely, wow).

 

DCS-Beta-MT OFF UNLESS OTHERSWISE STATED

Resolution - 1920x1080

Cockpit - 1024

Upscaling - DLSS

Sharpening - 0.6

Textures - Med (In VR cannot tell the difference between med and high setting. I choose med)

Terrain textures - High

Shadows - Med (Looks better than high. No impact on frame rate.)

Visib range - High

Clouds - Standard

Water - Med

Heat blur - Low (If you are all about high textures and detail and have this off, you need help)

Clutter/grass - 760 (personal preference for visuals in Sinai map. Does not seem to have an impact on FPS)

Forrest visibility - 100

Forest details - .75

Scenery details - .75

Preload radius - 75000

Chimney smoke - 1

Max FPS - 50

Anisotropic filtering - OFF (High settings in terrain seem to take care of this, not needed)

Terrain objects shadows - Flat (Looks better than in any other setting)

VR pixel density - 1

Enable hot plug - off

Use DCS system resolution - checked

 

NVIDIA settings OFF/Auto UNLESS OTHERSWISE STATED:

Anisotropic filtering - App controlled

Power management - PREF MAX perf

Texture filtering quality - Quality

Texture filtering trilinear - On

Virtual reality pre-rendered frames - 1

Vertical sync - Off

 

Results: I set 50 FMS to smooth out the work being done by the CPU.  Process Lasso helps immensely by moving the work off the most used core and distributing it throughout the CPU.  No stutter. With these settings the game can vary between 43-70+ FPS before setting a limit.  Rather than have the CPU beat itself to death trying to keep up, 50 FPS is a great tradeoff. I cannot see any difference between that and anything higher. Using Process Lasso seems to have increased the terrain rendering as well, much more detail in external views.

____

The only constant in DCS is change. As I am typing this, a new driver just came out for the Nvidia RTX-4070, 551.23. This driver adds support for Ultra Low Latency Mode, so who knows, my write-up may not be current even as I finish it.

Be safe. Get up and get outside to breathe fresh air once in a while! - Richrach

[pjgs]

Great post. Thanks.