New Guy With Basic Questions

[INTJ]

I think I am posting in the right place.  And yes, I have used search, but when you are as new as I am to this, you often don't even know what terms to search for.  I recently stumbled across Growling Sidewinder's videos and am intrigued.  Graphics look very realistic, some of the maneuvers and aircraft performance maybe not as much.

I was a USAF pilot from 1983 - 2007.  I was a C-130 CP and AC, was a T-38 IP, then was a T-1 IP and Evaluator--in that order.  I mention that because I know how real airplanes maneuver in flight, know what sustaining 6gs feels like, and know what a real USAF stick feels like.  That is what drives my first question.

It seems that many use a head tracker like Track IR to slew the view to where they want.  Now I understand I won't be looking hard behind my shoulder with a monitor, but the thing I don't like is that when you raise your head to move the view up, it looks like you wind up looking down your nose with you head back.  That makes me thing a 16/9 monitor might be a better choice than a true widescreen.  Thoughts?

Second question is I am sure what gets asked a million times, but the answer probably has to change every six months.  Is my current system adequate, say if I add a new graphics card, do I add a new CPU to fit my LG1151 motherboard, add another SSD, or do I upgrade the CPU, MB, RAM, card, etc?

Current System (I built it about 4 years ago):

CPU:  i7-10700K

MB:  Gigabyte Z490 LG1151

RAM:  DDR4 64 Gig (Don't remember latency)

Video Card:  Will need to upgrade.  Don't remember specs

SSD:  1 Terabyte (Need to add another)

This is all in a Corsair 750 full tower case with a 750 watt power supply.  I also have a Cooler Master CPU cooler. 

 

Thoughts or someplace to point me?

[speed-of-heat]

Your base pc is fine for 2d. Depending on the gpu you might also be OK with that.

It sounds like you need to play with your tracking curves to get the results you want, I'm not sure a wide screen would help per say, as you will loose the vertical.

You can also have a look at Tobii which I prefer over TIR, but I spend more of my time in VR these days.

If you were going to upgrade the mb, to something more modern today I would recommend the AMD 7800X3D and appropriate MB and ram, chances are your PSU is still fine.

[INTJ]

I was thinking 2D might be the best way to start.  Get maybe a 32-34" 16/9 monitor and an upgrade the video card.  I would run three monitors--keeping my current pair of 24 inchers, and see how deep I get into DCS.  I could see going with VR in the future.  It's the closest I'll get to flying the F-15 that I wanted when I was in pilot training. 

What video card would you recommend?  Should I just get one that will hand 2D, or should I get a VR capable card now?

[Aapje]

16:9 is widescreen compared to screen sizes of the past, but they went further than that, so that is called ultrawide. And I would indeed get a 16:9 screen.

And DCS is very VRAM demanding, which is why I think that the 7800 XT, 7900 GRE or 7900 XT are better than the Nvidia options at those price levels. Nvidia is very stingy with VRAM. You can also go for a 4080 Super or 4090, but that is going to be a lot more expensive.

I would not spend more just to be VR ready, unless you think that you will go for VR relatively soon.

[speed-of-heat]

4 hours ago, INTJ said:

I was thinking 2D might be the best way to start.  Get maybe a 32-34" 16/9 monitor and an upgrade the video card.  I would run three monitors--keeping my current pair of 24 inchers, and see how deep I get into DCS.  I could see going with VR in the future.  It's the closest I'll get to flying the F-15 that I wanted when I was in pilot training. 

What video card would you recommend?  Should I just get one that will hand 2D, or should I get a VR capable card now?

Definitely start in 2d… the VR rabbit hole is very very deep… and a bit like crack cocaine … there is never enough…

I would agree , dcs is very VRAM demanding and 4080 super /4090 be what I would recommend, if you were upgrading your CPU/MB if not then honestly a good second hand 2080ti would likely pair well for your current cpu …

Edited August 4, 2024 by speed-of-heat

[SharpeXB]

10 hours ago, INTJ said:

It seems that many use a head tracker like Track IR to slew the view to where they want.  Now I understand I won't be looking hard behind my shoulder with a monitor, but the thing I don't like is that when you raise your head to move the view up, it looks like you wind up looking down your nose with you head back.

TrackIR is definitely a must have for this or any flight sim. You can look at your 6:00 easily since it magnifies your rotation particularly in that axis. So looking say 30d with your head results in a 90d of your virtual one. This is all adjustable but I’ve always found the included “Smooth” preset to work perfectly with no need for any further adjustments. Not sure what “looking down your nose with you head back” means but TrackIR doesn’t do odd stuff when looking up like it did many years ago in DCS when you could look up and see the tail of the plane. That was corrected many years ago. Set up the NatrualPoint software with its default settings and just change the profile to “Smooth” (not Default or 1:1) and it should work perfectly. 

[INTJ]

My video card is an NVIDA GeForce GTX 1660 Super.  Will that work with a decent monitor?  Do I want OLED, or do I need to upgrade the card first?

[speed-of-heat]

Alot will depend on the resolution of your monitor 1080p you will be OK, beyond that not so much 

[INTJ]

Got it.  So I should pick a monitor and appropriate graphics card.  Maybe get another SSD because they are cheap.  Get a Thrustmaster A-10 stock, throttle, and rudders.  Get a head tracker.  Then I should be able to figure out DCS and fly the F-15.

[speed-of-heat]

not a bad plan. If you can get a good deal on a hotas Wartog from thrustmaster, I would say fine, if you have thrustmaster money, I would say buy winwing today, or maybe vkb (not tried there stuff but people speak highly of it), thrust master is not very good value today...compared to what else is on the market.

I would add, spend the minimum you can,mif you are getting into this hobby... I think it's great and have spent 1000's on it...  But this has been my flying outlet in one way shape or form for 40 years so I k ow it scratches that "itch" for me

[SharpeXB]

1 hour ago, INTJ said:

My video card is an NVIDA GeForce GTX 1660 Super.  Will that work with a decent monitor?  Do I want OLED, or do I need to upgrade the card first?

OLED monitors are very nice. The resolution you want to run will determine how powerful a GPU you’ll need. All depends on your budget. The 1660 Super is rather weak for DCS. Certainly worth upgrading.

Edited August 4, 2024 by SharpeXB

[INTJ]

I'll  checkout Win Wing.  I just want a USAF style stick.  

I have no idea how involved I'll get in DCS.  I already have a couple of time consuming and expensive hobbies, and I haven't retired yet.

I am heavily involved in competition shooting, 1000 yd Benchrest.  There is no way for a guy just to stick his toe in.  You either commit all in when you start and spend the money or you will never be competitive.  There are other shooting sports where you can ease your way in, and that is what I am trying to do with DCS.  At least I can use my PC for stuff other than DCS.