Pimax 5k Plus since last updates

[Subtile]

Good Day all

Is there any serious guide (BIOS adjustments/DCS settings/nVidia configurator settings/ apps ...) to optimize things with a Pimax 5k Plus ?
7800X3D / 4090 SuprimX Liquid / Trident 64g DDR5 5600 / Win11 Pro

I'm only finding things about same specs rigs BUT with Pimax Crystal, and I don't want to buy one, I prefer to wait for the Super version.


Since last DCS updates (maybe 3 months ago) my experience seems getting worse each update.

I'm starting to boil inside.

Edited December 24, 2024 by Subtile

[WipeUout]

Hey @Subtile I still have my 5k Super and use it once in a while.  Same settings pretty much as my 8KX.  Are you using FFR? through Quadviews or Pimax Client or OXRTK?  What refresh rate and FOV are you using?  Which version of Pimax client are you using?  You should be on 1.29 along with PimaXR 0.4.4 to get best performance.  Lots of things can cause issues.

As far as nVidia, just have power at ''prefer max performance'' and leave the rest default.

For win11, I find that having HAGS on gives better results but that is very much CPU dependant, you need to experiment.

Edited December 25, 2024 by WipeUout

[Subtile]

On 12/25/2024 at 3:27 PM, WipeUout said:

Hey @Subtile I still have my 5k Super and use it once in a while.  Same settings pretty much as my 8KX.  Are you using FFR? through Quadviews or Pimax Client or OXRTK?  What refresh rate and FOV are you using?  Which version of Pimax client are you using?  You should be on 1.29 along with PimaXR 0.4.4 to get best performance.  Lots of things can cause issues.

As far as nVidia, just have power at ''prefer max performance'' and leave the rest default.

For win11, I find that having HAGS on gives better results but that is very much CPU dependant, you need to experiment.

Hey Wipeout, thanks a lot for answering

So, I'm not using FFR (should I ?).
What is OXRTK ? OpenXR Tool Kit ? Yes, I'm using it. Turbo Mode, without any Fixed Foveated Render (don't seems to be better or worse with or without it).
Running 64 Hz on Pimax client 1.35.02.01, and no FPS limit (300 IIRC) on last DCS standalone version (updated each time) from ED website.
nVidia control panel set at Performance on power settings.

Should I disable HAGS and try ? I have a 7800X3D, yet not considered as a bad CPU for our cherished DCS.


For what I think actually, It's probably since the 1.30/31 versions of Pimax Play client where things get worse ...


Thank you very much for your observations and your help

Edited December 26, 2024 by Subtile

[WipeUout]

59 minutes ago, Subtile said:

So, I'm not using FFR (should I ?).

You can increase performance by 20-30% with FFR/Quadviews.  If you want to try it, use Pimax client 1.29 along with  PimaxXR 0.4.4 (https://github.com/mbucchia/Pimax-OpenXR/wiki) and Quadviews (https://github.com/mbucchia/Quad-Views-Foveated/wiki).  For Quadviews, setup a config file with 1.6 resolution for inner fix area and 0.3 resolution for outer fix area.  Set the inner fixed area size at 45% horizontal and 40% vertical and you should get a good uplift.  With a 4090, you should be able to crank up your refresh rate to 90hz.

I tried my 5k Super again yesterday and it was rocking like crazy even in South Atlantic map with silky smooth image most of the time even over dense forests (except during taxi on some airports). 

 

1 hour ago, Subtile said:

Should I disable HAGS and try ? I have a 7800X3D, yet not considered as a bad CPU for our cherished DCS.

Good idea to try it, you do have a top CPU and nothing to worry about here. 

[Subtile]

I think I'll go right way with QuadViews.

I installed it, defaultized OpenXR etc... But, any tip about settings.cfg ? Maybe you could share the content of yours ?

Thank you much mate, I appreciate

[WipeUout]

31 minutes ago, Subtile said:

Maybe you could share the content of yours ?

Here you go.  To ensure the config file ''sees'' your HMD, the name in brackets must match exactly the name in the quadviews log file at line ''Using OpenXR system: Pimax Vision 8K X''.  Once you run DCS with quadviews, it will create the log file, you can look it, then confirm the HMD name and retype it in your config file.  Your HMD's name should be something like ''Pimax 5K Plus''...  Both config and log files are located in your user folder :  C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Quad-Views-Foveated.  Just substitute username with your user name to login your win11 computer.

settings.cfg

[Subtile]

I installed QuadView after OXRTK, but I'm not sure if everything is correctly done.

In the QV folder in user files, there are two files. One "Quadviews-Fixed-Foveated.log" indeed, which contains :

2024-12-26 20:00:46 +0100: XR_APILAYER_MBUCCHIA_quad_views_foveated layer (v1.1.3) is active
2024-12-26 20:00:46 +0100: Using layer: XR_APILAYER_MBUCCHIA_quad_views_foveated
2024-12-26 20:00:46 +0100: Using layer: XR_APILAYER_MBUCCHIA_toolkit
2024-12-26 20:00:46 +0100: Using layer: XR_APILAYER_FREDEMMOTT_OpenKneeboard
2024-12-26 20:00:49 +0100: Cannot satisfy implicit extension request: XR_FB_eye_tracking_social
2024-12-26 20:00:50 +0100: Requested extension: XR_KHR_D3D11_enable
2024-12-26 20:00:50 +0100: Requested extension: XR_KHR_visibility_mask
2024-12-26 20:00:50 +0100: Requested extension: XR_EXT_hand_tracking
2024-12-26 20:00:50 +0100: Requesting extension: XR_EXT_eye_gaze_interaction
2024-12-26 20:00:53 +0100: Application: DCS (DCS.exe)
2024-12-26 20:00:53 +0100: XR_APILAYER_MBUCCHIA_quad_views_foveated layer will be bypassed


And the "settings.cfg".

I think there is a quirk...

[WipeUout]

21 hours ago, Subtile said:

In the QV folder in user files, there are two files.

Location of settings and log is ok, they are supposed to be there.

Can you post your log file?

What version of Pimax Client are you using?  You must use 1.29 or it will not work properly.

[Subtile]

I finally found where was the problem : I didn't tick the QuadView case in DCS VR settings.

I tried. The gain is not as much as I expected... In this case you must deactivate OXRTK with DCS QV activated.

I get back with last Pimax Client 1.35, deactivated OXRTK, activated OpenXR within Pimax Play, and it seems to be a better experience (than Pimax 1.29 with PimaxXR/QVF/OXRTK), which is not so bad (I admit it) but not incredible as I can read on forums.

Edited December 28, 2024 by Subtile

[WipeUout]

10 hours ago, Subtile said:

but not incredible as I can read on forums.

This might be because you are using the Pimax Play OpenXR runtime which in nowhere near as optimized as the mbuccia's PimaxXR.  Other issue is that although Pimax Client 1.35 supports OpenXR and QVFR, there is no way to tweek settings within a config file as to using mbuccia's QVFR, you are limited to the PimaxPlay 3 canned settings.

Other issue is the install sequence of QVFR and OXRTK, you might want to have a look at this:

 

[Subtile]

I freshly installed Win 11 Pro in 24H2.

I tried :
-PimaxPlay last version and natively integrated QV off, at 1.00 PD
-QV Companion

It's an horror. DCS has never ran so badly. Stutters...


Tomorrow I'll try from start all your suggestions and what you advised to me, I hope to get again a very nice quality, no stutters, and for Christ sake, smooth experience on Multiplayer servers.

I'm about to give up.


Seriously Eagle Dynamics...

[Panzerlang]

On 12/28/2024 at 7:47 PM, WipeUout said:

This might be because you are using the Pimax Play OpenXR runtime which in nowhere near as optimized as the mbuccia's PimaxXR.  Other issue is that although Pimax Client 1.35 supports OpenXR and QVFR, there is no way to tweek settings within a config file as to using mbuccia's QVFR, you are limited to the PimaxPlay 3 canned settings.

Other issue is the install sequence of QVFR and OXRTK, you might want to have a look at this:

 

In my case, Pimax Play native OpenXR and Quadviews worked a little better on my old install and just as good on my fresh W11-Pro 24H2 install.  

[Subtile]

7 hours ago, Panzerlang said:

In my case, Pimax Play native OpenXR and Quadviews worked a little better on my old install and just as good on my fresh W11-Pro 24H2 install.  

Cool mate
What's your Rig's specs ?

[Panzerlang]

1 hour ago, Subtile said:

Cool mate
What's your Rig's specs ?

13900k, 4090, 64GB RAM at 6400.

Work your way through this lot for fine-tuning that might help: 

 

Edited January 3 by Panzerlang

[WipeUout]

11 hours ago, Subtile said:

I tried :
-PimaxPlay last version and natively integrated QV off, at 1.00 PD
-QV Companion

Latest PimaxPlay does not support config file for QVFR.  QV Companion is just an app to change settings in the setting.cfg without having to edit the actual file.

I believe that if you follow this recipe, you will have very good performance:

1. Uninstall PimaxPlay if it is not 1.29

2. Install PimaxPlay 1.29 (https://dlappstore.pimax.com/release/play/PimaxPlaySetup_Release_toC_V1.29.01.01.07_202408231752.exe)

3. Install PimaxXR (https://github.com/mbucchia/Pimax-OpenXR/wiki), run the app and ensure the PimaxXR is checked on top and Enable Quadviews also.

4. Install QuadViews (https://github.com/mbucchia/Quad-Views-Foveated/wiki)

5. Run DCS once to generate a Quadviews log file

6. Log file and config file are in same folder C:\Users\[your user name]\AppData\Local\Quad-Views-Foveated

7. Use the settings files I gave you above, copy it there and edit the file to change the HMD name to what is in the log file in line "Using OpenXR system: Pimax Vision 8K X"

8. Start DCS and make sure in VR setting that Quadviews is enabled.

If this does not provide good performance, then there is something else in other settings or DCS. 

[Subtile]

3 hours ago, WipeUout said:

Latest PimaxPlay does not support config file for QVFR.  QV Companion is just an app to change settings in the setting.cfg without having to edit the actual file.

I believe that if you follow this recipe, you will have very good performance:

1. Uninstall PimaxPlay if it is not 1.29

2. Install PimaxPlay 1.29 (https://dlappstore.pimax.com/release/play/PimaxPlaySetup_Release_toC_V1.29.01.01.07_202408231752.exe)

3. Install PimaxXR (https://github.com/mbucchia/Pimax-OpenXR/wiki), run the app and ensure the PimaxXR is checked on top and Enable Quadviews also.

4. Install QuadViews (https://github.com/mbucchia/Quad-Views-Foveated/wiki)

5. Run DCS once to generate a Quadviews log file

6. Log file and config file are in same folder C:\Users\[your user name]\AppData\Local\Quad-Views-Foveated

7. Use the settings files I gave you above, copy it there and edit the file to change the HMD name to what is in the log file in line "Using OpenXR system: Pimax Vision 8K X"

8. Start DCS and make sure in VR setting that Quadviews is enabled.

If this does not provide good performance, then there is something else in other settings or DCS. 

I tried, and thank you very much, it is waaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better than before.
I don't know why the f*ck if I play with Render Quality parameter on PimaxPlay, once in DCS it starts to stutter again ... But if I uninstall everything except DCS, and reinstall in the order you presented above, it works, it rocks better than before.

I'll try to find the best balance/compromise, via the settings.cfg on user files' QVF folder.

 

DCS in VR is a SCIENCE.

[WipeUout]

58 minutes ago, Subtile said:

DCS in VR is a SCIENCE.

Yes, and there should be courses on that!!

Happy to hear it's better now.

 

Just for the sake of it, I tried again with pimaxplay 1.36 and re-installed QVFR 1.1.3 after it to ensure I can tweak settings, the results are so bad, losing 15% performance!!  PimaxPlay 1.29 with PimaxXR is by far the best solution.

[Subtile]

4 hours ago, WipeUout said:

Yes, and there should be courses on that!!

Happy to hear it's better now.

 

Just for the sake of it, I tried again with pimaxplay 1.36 and re-installed QVFR 1.1.3 after it to ensure I can tweak settings, the results are so bad, losing 15% performance!!  PimaxPlay 1.29 with PimaxXR is by far the best solution.

Yes, your way is the correct one.

I can run MAX settings everywhere now in DCS (except for visib range at high, and high clouds (not ultra).
And the most important : Multiplayer is good now, smooth as single.

Edited January 3 by Subtile