Performance problems after updating to version 2.9.8.1107 and 2.9.8.1214

[Falcko]

I use a Intel i9 13900K running at 5500Mhz, 32GB DDR5 RAMM, RTX 4090 with a Pimax Crystal. I fly in VR only and I had no issues with performance on version 2.9.7.59263, I have used the MT version of DCS.

Now after the update I get stutters whenever I overfly terrain, the FPS goes from 90 to 40 and so on, lagging all over the place. This also happens now and then randomly, but mostly when I maneuver low over terrain.

So far I’ve tried the following without success:

-          Deleted the content of the FXO and Metashaders folders

-          Full repair of DCS

-          Process lasso disabled the E cores

-          Updated the Nvidia drivers

 

I have configured the following, this was already done before the problems arrived

-          Excluded the entire DCS folder in my virus scanner settings

 

I ran out of ideas of what to try next, I’m hoping you guys have some tips.

Thanks in advance!

 

ps) I've uploaded the correct DCS log file

 

dcs.log

Edited October 11, 2024 by Falcko

[sleighzy]

This is just a log from opening the launcher. Start the actual game, fly around a bit for the stutters, and then drop an updated log file in here. 
 

You also don’t need the “—force_enable_VR” and “—force_OpenXR” parameters on your shortcut. 

[Kanelbolle]

I second the part that the log file is of no use here since you didn't actually play the game.

 

The title is also wrong. Version number is incorrect according to the text.

 

To state the obvious here.. the patch changes you have different performance between has changes to how terrain is handled in DCS.

 

Might be a problem for ED to look in to, but I would start with lowering Graphics settings to the Low "preset" just to see if the stuttering is still there. If it is not, you know you have to lower your graphics settings untill ED fixes/improve the performance.

 

You can also go through my checklist I use myself:

 

1. Disable the DCS Launcher and run the game directly from "DCS.exe" (not dcs_update.exe) in the "mt-bin\" folder.
Some expariance stuttering in game when starting the game with the Launcher. (unknown why)
 
 
2. Try to update to the latest GPU drivers or reinstalling it. NVIDIA: Always use the option "Custom installation" and select "Clean installation".
Not doing a clean installation sometimes causes issues.
 
 
3. Nvidia graphics card: Check 3d settings in Nvidia Control settings if you have a custom profile for DCS. Changing these might help. Have not checked if you need to add both DCS.exe files from "\bin" and "mt-bin"  to this list and change the one you are running.  
 
 
4. Disable VR and get the game running properly in 2D first at a good FPS.
 
 
5. Try setting the "Low" graphics preset for testing.
 
 
6. You can try this if you have a Nvidia GPU: Change "Background Application Max Frame Rate" to "ON" and example "100" (or what you want to keep it at) in "Nvidia Control Panel" under "Manage 3D settings". Start DCS and check if the problem is still there. It's a bug in the driver, if it's off... sometimes it does 30-40 fps.
 
 
7. Delete the content in the "fxo" and "metashaders2" folders from the saved games folder. ( usually under %USERPROFILE%\Saved Games\DCS.openbeta or USERPROFILE%\Saved Games\DCS )
 
 
8. Run a cleanup and repair (slow repair) on DCS : https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/support/faq/709/
 
 
9. Remove all MODS. (scripts and mod files that were installed) Might need to rename your DCS profile folder to be Shure.
 
 
10. Turn off hotplug under "Adjust controls". (Disables DCS from checking if a device was connected while the game is running.) In some cases this can cause lag.
 
 
11. Always have the game and your windows page file on a SSD drive (not on a regular HDD). Also check if you're low on space.
 
 
12. Check that your system components are not throttled by heat. CPU, GPU and motherboard. Example with HWINFO64 while running the game.
 
 
13. Streamdeck export scrips might cause issues, remove them from the game if installed to check if they are the cause.
 
 
14. Unplug any USB hub if you use one. Sometimes hubs can cause problems in DCS. (For testing, plugg ut back in if you have testet it and can confirm it is not causing issues.)
When plugged back in go to Windows "Device Mangerer" -> "Universal Serial buss Controllers", open all USB devices and go to the "Power Manegment" tab and uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power".
 
 
15. If you have Windows 10/11:
Added both .exe files to the "Custom graphics settings" list in Windows Display settings.
You can find it under "Display Settings" ->"Graphics" or "System" -> "Display" -> "Graphics" in Windows.
Add both .exe files in "\bin" and "\mt-bin". Set it to "High Performance"
 
 
16. Check your Windows power plan/mode,  change it to "Best performance". To change the power mode, select Start > Settings > System > Power & battery.
 
 
17. Your CPU might have parked cores, check your LOG file for this message: "CPU HAS PARKED LOGICAL CORES". Having Windows power plan/mode on "Best performance" should have fixed this, but if it does not you can search for the application "Parkcontrol".
 
 
18. Disable "Game mode" and "Game bar" in Windows.
 
 
19. Disable Tacview if enabled or installed. If it has no effect, you can enable it again. But it is recommended to Options -> Specials -> Tacview and set "Multiplayer flights - As Client" to "Record local player only", recording all might cause stutters.
 

 

Edited October 11, 2024 by Kanelbolle

[Falcko]

14 minutes ago, sleighzy said:

This is just a log from opening the launcher. Start the actual game, fly around a bit for the stutters, and then drop an updated log file in here. 
 

You also don’t need the “—force_enable_VR” and “—force_OpenXR” parameters on your shortcut. 

Thanks for you reply, I've uploaded the correct log file after a flight. And I removed the parameters. 

[Falcko]

Thanks Kanelbolle for the extensive checklist!

So far I've tried:

1. Disabled the launcer

2. Updated the driver, haven't done a clean install just yet.

3. I've added them both, only the MT version was in here

6. Switched it on 

7. Deleted it

8. Done that

9. Removed at the mods

10. Switched it off

11. DCS and the pagefile are installed on the M2 SSD drive

15. I've added them both, only the MT version was in here

16. Checked

17. Checked and all good

18. Was already disabled

19. Not installed.

 

But without any succes, next step is lowering the settings.

dcs.log

[sleighzy]

Yeah, drop your settings and see if this changes anything. I also ran your log through the DCS log analyzer which only highlighted the following items:

• drop your preload radius to 60000
• change your custom page file to have initial and max values set to 32768 (looks like currently 12288), you should only have one page file on the PC and on your fastest SSD (with at least 10% free space)
• enable Full Screen mode

[The_Nephilim]

13 hours ago, Falcko said:

I use a Intel i9 13900K running at 5500Mhz, 32GB DDR5 RAMM, RTX 4090 with a Pimax Crystal. I fly in VR only and I had no issues with performance on version 2.9.7.59263, I have used the MT version of DCS.

Now after the update I get stutters whenever I overfly terrain, the FPS goes from 90 to 40 and so on, lagging all over the place. This also happens now and then randomly, but mostly when I maneuver low over terrain.

So far I’ve tried the following without success:

-          Deleted the content of the FXO and Metashaders folders

-          Full repair of DCS

-          Process lasso disabled the E cores

-          Updated the Nvidia drivers

 

I have configured the following, this was already done before the problems arrived

-          Excluded the entire DCS folder in my virus scanner settings

 

I ran out of ideas of what to try next, I’m hoping you guys have some tips.

Thanks in advance!

 

ps) I've uploaded the correct DCS log file

 

dcs.log 133.8 kB · 9 downloads

 

what is your GPU Frametimes in game while flying or your FPS and Also what Hz rate do you run in the VR Headset?

Edited October 12, 2024 by The_Nephilim

[NIAGARA MOHAWK]

14 minutes ago, The_Nephilim said:

13 hours ago, Falcko said:

I use a Intel i9 13900K running at 5500Mhz, 32GB DDR5 RAMM, RTX 4090 with a Pimax Crystal. I fly in VR only and I had no issues with performance on version 2.9.7.59263, I have used the MT version of DCS.

Now after the update I get stutters whenever I overfly terrain, the FPS goes from 90 to 40 and so on, lagging all over the place. This also happens now and then randomly, but mostly when I maneuver low over terrain.

So far I’ve tried the following without success:

-          Deleted the content of the FXO and Metashaders folders

-          Full repair of DCS

-          Process lasso disabled the E cores

-          Updated the Nvidia drivers

 

I have configured the following, this was already done before the problems arrived

-          Excluded the entire DCS folder in my virus scanner settings

 

I ran out of ideas of what to try next, I’m hoping you guys have some tips.

Thanks in advance!

 

ps) I've uploaded the correct DCS log file

 

dcs.log 133.8 kB · 9 downloads

 

 I had the same issue a week or so ago -- tried same things you did = no Joy .... so I the did an operating sys restore point to a few weeks Prior. and all is back to norm == I think Microsoft update are causing issues == good luck..     it worked for me ..

 

[Kanelbolle]

@Falcko

You could also try and roll back the DCS version to make shure it is the DCS version change that caused it:

https://forum.dcs.world/topic/94816-guide-info-dcs-updater-usage-version-numbers-module-ids/

 

But  @NIAGARA MOHAWK

Might also be on to something, if you updated Windows in this time period as well. But i would try rolling back DCS first. Uninstalling Windows security update can put your system at more risk.

[Falcko]

@Kanelbolle I did try the rollback, but I get an error on starting the launcher. (see attached file)

I can disable the launcher in the lua file, but can't get DCS to work in VR. So yeah... introduced a new problem

[Kanelbolle]

7 hours ago, Falcko said:

@Kanelbolle I did try the rollback, but I get an error on starting the launcher. (see attached file)

I can disable the launcher in the lua file, but can't get DCS to work in VR. So yeah... introduced a new problem

Well as my check list allerede shows, you should focus on 2D first. VR isn't important until you have confirmed it is not an issue in general. If it has been confirmed it is a problem only in VR, then you can start troubleshoot VR.

[jackd]

I had a long stutter problem solving discussion with support, nothing worked, only i learned a lot.

Maybe it's wise anyway to disable Hyper-threading in your Motherboard BIOS now done with my I9 12900K, NVIDIA 4080s MSI edg MB. No VR though.

Then i found an old post about game 2.5 on the Axis and Allies forum about shader cache cleaning as fix seemingly needed for 2.9.8 too.

I ran windows (10 LTSC) Disk Cleanup on my boot C drive and also my game drive (F) which had a shader cache.

NO'MO' stutters since that' !

================================

ADDED, still had occasional gameplay stutters, but now with Vsync and fullscreen OFF,

2.9.8 DCS open beta seems to run OK with DCS from the bin-MT folder

Edited October 15, 2024 by jackd

[Falcko]

Thanks for all the help guys! 

I managed to get 90fps again by dropping DLSS from quality to performance, before this update it was on quality for months without any problems. But there we go, it works again smoothly with a little less eye candy I guess. 

Thanks again! 

Blue skies and happy landings.

Edited October 14, 2024 by Falcko

[slughead]

Long shot. If you have recently updated your BIOS, go into your BIOS settings and turn on the XMP profile for your memory. A BIOS update often resets this to default.

[Falcko]

I fixed it for good now. 

Lowering my DLSS to performance fixed it, but I wasn't happy with that. So I kept on digging and I found this post:

 

Basicly the new patch has the Quad View disabled by default. You wanna have the "Use Quad View" and "Track the eyes position" enabled. 

Now it works as it was before! 

 

[slughead]

@FalckoWhat terrain were you flying over to cause you problems? And what aircraft?