[SLOW PERFORMANCE] Unusually long load times and close times

[SOLIDKREATE]

Hello,

As of the last update I have been experiencing unusually long load times launching DCS. 

 

1. Click the icon in the taskbar.
2. Usually one or two min go by before DCS will boot up.
3. Once it does, it take a while for it to log me in.
4. When I open the mission editor on a mission that I have saved, it takes an unusually long time to load. 
5. Closing the game just hangs and hangs, then crashes out.

 

This is on a fresh installation. GPU drivers are up to date. BIOS has been flashed as of yetserday. This happens both in regular DCS and in the MT version.

LOG FILES.zip

Edited June 27 by SOLIDKREATE

[silverdevil]

On 6/27/2025 at 3:21 AM, SOLIDKREATE said:

Hello,

As of the last update I have been experiencing unusually long load times launching DCS. 

 

1. Click the icon in the taskbar.
2. Usually one or two min go by before DCS will boot up.
3. Once it does, it take a while for it to log me in.
4. When I open the mission editor on a mission that I have saved, it takes an unusually long time to load. 
5. Closing the game just hangs and hangs, then crashes out.

 

This is on a fresh installation. GPU drivers are up to date. BIOS has been flashed as of yetserday. This happens both in regular DCS and in the MT version.

hello

below is just a compilation of the APP stages. you can see all the times.

2025-06-27 07:10:50.185 INFO    APP (Main): Command line: "C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\bin/DCS.exe" --restarted
2025-06-27 07:10:50.185 INFO    APP (Main): DCS/2.9.17.11733 (x86_64; MT; Windows NT 10.0.22631)
2025-06-27 07:10:50.185 INFO    APP (Main): Application revision: 251733
2025-06-27 07:10:50.185 INFO    APP (Main): Renderer revision: 26305
2025-06-27 07:10:50.185 INFO    APP (Main): Terrain revision: 26363
2025-06-27 07:10:50.185 INFO    APP (Main): Build number: 344
2025-06-27 07:10:50.185 INFO    APP (Main): CPU cores: 24, threads: 32, System RAM: 48869 MB, Pagefile: 21504 MB
2025-06-27 07:10:50.185 INFO    APP (Main): CPU info:
2025-06-27 07:10:53.411 INFO    APP (Main): Successfully got authorization data.
2025-06-27 07:11:04.594 INFO    APP (Main): options.graphics =
2025-06-27 07:11:08.577 INFO    APP (Main): gDescription: "NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER" gVendorId: 4318 gDeviceId: 9989 gMemory: 16063 MB
2025-06-27 07:11:15.920 INFO    APP (Main): Loaded C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Scripts\Hooks\common.lua
2025-06-27 07:11:15.921 INFO    APP (Main): Loaded C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Scripts\Hooks\multislot.lua
2025-06-27 07:11:15.921 INFO    APP (Main): Loaded C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Scripts\Hooks\voicechat.lua
2025-06-27 07:11:15.922 INFO    APP (Main): Loaded C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Scripts\Hooks\webGUI.lua
2025-06-27 07:11:15.922 INFO    APP (Main): Loaded C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Scripts\Hooks\webRTCwebSocket.lua
2025-06-27 07:12:09.964 INFO    EDTERRAINGRAPHICS41 (520): 0.000872s Loaded reference file "reddeliciousapple" buffers: 0
2025-06-27 07:12:10.068 INFO    EDTERRAINGRAPHICS41 (520): remapper.deformers is not empty
2025-06-27 07:12:19.601 INFO    Dispatcher (Main): loadMission C:\Users\SOLIDK~1\AppData\Local\Temp\DCS\tempMission.miz
2025-06-27 07:12:19.601 INFO    WORLDGENERAL (Main): loading mission from: "C:\Users\SOLIDK~1\AppData\Local\Temp\DCS\tempMission.miz"
2025-06-27 07:12:19.603 INFO    APP (Main): use_xRay: yes
2025-06-27 07:12:19.603 INFO    APP (Main): netfm_enable_coeff_switching: yes
2025-06-27 07:12:42.869 INFO    Dispatcher (Main): apply random seed = 8363148
2025-06-27 07:12:50.338 INFO    APP (Main): MissionSpawn:initScript
2025-06-27 07:12:50.338 INFO    APP (Main): MissionSpawn:spawnCoalition neutrals
2025-06-27 07:12:50.338 INFO    APP (Main): MissionSpawn:spawnCoalition red
2025-06-27 07:12:50.338 INFO    APP (Main): MissionSpawn:spawnVehicles 68
2025-06-27 07:12:50.405 INFO    APP (Main): MissionSpawn:spawnCoalition blue
2025-06-27 07:12:50.405 INFO    APP (Main): MissionSpawn:spawnPlanes 2
2025-06-27 07:12:50.408 INFO    APP (Main): MissionSpawn:spawnLocalPlayer 101,F-15C
2025-06-27 07:12:50.632 INFO    APP (Main): dbox not found , skip
2025-06-27 07:14:19.784 INFO    APP (Main): application shutdown

within these steps, you can also see all the DLLs being loaded.

2025-06-27 07:10:53.552 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/dx11backend.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.552 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/dxgui_edge_render.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.552 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/edterrain4.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.553 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-direct_output.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.553 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-dxgui.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.553 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-dxguiWin.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.553 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-ED_demosceneAPI.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.553 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-guid.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.553 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-gui_axes_tune.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.553 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-gui_demoscene.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.554 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-gui_nodes_map.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.554 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-gui_overlay.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.554 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-gui_ruler.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.554 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-gui_user_container.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.554 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-gui_video_player.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.554 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-gui_webview.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.554 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-librs232.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.554 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-magvar.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.554 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-md5.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.555 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-mime.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.555 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-minizip.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.555 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-MissionGenerator.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.555 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-reg.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.555 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-socket.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.555 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-terrain.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.555 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/lua-textutil.dll
2025-06-27 07:10:53.566 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/CockpitBase.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.485 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/tech/SouthAtlanticAssets/bin/SouthAtlantic.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.498 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/aircraft/AV8BNA/bin/AV8B_AI.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.508 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/aircraft/C-101/bin/C101Core.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.519 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/aircraft/ChinaAssetPack/bin/CAP_AI.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.529 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/aircraft/ChinaAssetPack/bin/JF-17_AI.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.544 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/aircraft/Christen Eagle II/bin/CE2_AI.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.554 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/aircraft/F-15E/bin/F15E_AI.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.562 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/aircraft/F-4E/bin/HeatblurCore.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.571 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/aircraft/F-4E/bin/HeatblurComponents.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.579 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/aircraft/F-4E/bin/HeatblurDCSBase.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.587 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/aircraft/F-4E/bin/F-4E-AI.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.598 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/aircraft/F14/bin/F14-AI.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.606 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/aircraft/F4U-1D/bin/F4U_AI.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.625 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/aircraft/M-2000C/bin/M2KC_AI.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.645 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/aircraft/MiG-21bis/bin/MiG21_AI.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.664 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/aircraft/Mirage-F1/bin/MirageF1Core.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.682 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/aircraft/OH-58D/bin/OH58D_AI.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.699 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/aircraft/SA342/bin/SA342_ai.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.719 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/services/CaptoGlove/bin/edCaptoGlove.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.740 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/services/LeapMotion/bin/edLeapMotion.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.763 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/services/SensoryxVRFree/bin/edSensoryxVRFree.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.782 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/services/VoiceChat/bin/VoiceChat.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:04.801 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/CoreMods/services/jsAvionics/bin/jsAvionics.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:05.848 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Mods/tech/Supercarrier/bin/edSupercarrier.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:05.855 INFO    GRAPHICSVISTA (520): renderer: 'dx11backend.dll'
2025-06-27 07:11:13.438 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Mods/aircraft/F-15C/bin/F15CCWS.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:14.570 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Mods/aircraft/F-15C/bin/F15.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:15.261 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Mods/aircraft/F-16C/bin/F16C.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:17.088 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Mods/aircraft/F14/bin/F14-HeatblurCommon.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:29.206 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Mods/aircraft/F14/bin/F14-FlightModel.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:42.094 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Mods/aircraft/F14/bin/F14-Avionics.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:56.714 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Mods/aircraft/F4U-1D/bin/F4U_Avionics.dll
2025-06-27 07:11:56.744 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Mods/aircraft/F4U-1D/bin/F4U_FlightModel.dll
2025-06-27 07:12:08.360 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Mods/aircraft/P-47D-30/bin/P47D30.dll
2025-06-27 07:12:10.036 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Mods/aircraft/FA-18C/bin/FA18C.dll
2025-06-27 07:12:10.636 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Mods/aircraft/MiG-29/bin/MiG29.dll
2025-06-27 07:12:10.636 INFO    EDCORE (520): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/bin/dxgui_edge_render.dll
2025-06-27 07:12:14.885 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Mods/aircraft/MiG-29/bin/MIG29CWS.dll
2025-06-27 07:12:15.602 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Mods/aircraft/A-10C_2/bin/A10.dll
2025-06-27 07:12:17.889 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Mods/aircraft/A-10C_2/bin/Cockpit_A10Common.dll
2025-06-27 07:12:21.021 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Mods/aircraft/A-10C_2/bin/Cockpit_A10C.dll
2025-06-27 07:12:41.475 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Mods/aircraft/A-10C_2/bin/Cockpit_A10C_2.dll
2025-06-27 07:14:00.966 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Mods/aircraft/A-10A/bin/A10ACWS.dll
2025-06-27 07:14:02.174 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Mods/aircraft/A-10A/bin/A10A.dll
2025-06-27 07:14:04.737 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Mods/aircraft/MB-339/bin/MB339A.dll
2025-06-27 07:14:05.523 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Mods/aircraft/F-5E 2024/bin/F5E.dll
2025-06-27 07:14:19.779 INFO    EDCORE (20244): Loaded C:/Program Files/Eagle Dynamics/DCS World/Mods/aircraft/C-101/bin/ABaseC101.dll

my guess for the delay is your AV software is scanning all these items causing delays.

[SOLIDKREATE]

11 minutes ago, silverdevil said:

hello

below is just a compilation of the APP stages. you can see all the times.

my guess for the delay is your AV software is scanning all these items causing delays.

 

I dont have any AV. I did a fresh install of Windows, that seemed to fix it.

[silverdevil]

23 minutes ago, SOLIDKREATE said:

I dont have any AV. I did a fresh install of Windows, that seemed to fix it.

unless it is disabled on purpose, Windows Defender is on by default.

good to hear you fixed it.

you should mark your post as the solution. helps others in the future.

good luck and clear skies.

[peachpossum]

is reinstalling Windows really a solution? Could the solution get a little finer grained than that?

[SOLIDKREATE]

It's what it took. I think maybe some security update broke DCS. Afresh instal of that didn't work.

[Czar66]

I just found that disabling "Shader Cache Size" on nVidia control panel (maybe there is something similar on AMD cards too) triples or even quadruples loading times in DCS.

Consider enabling that function if your disabled it or keep at 'driver default'.

I did disabled it for testing purposes and found out long loading times in DCS.

Enabling at 5gb made DCS go from 3 minutes 50 seconds + at loading a mission to only 50 seconds. Probably same applies to leaving at 'Driver Default'.

[Czar66]

Just tested on "Driver Default" after posting the text above. Yep, mission loads in 50 seconds as well.

[SOLIDKREATE]

Yeah mine too. I uninstalled my driver then did a fresh install. And just left everything alone.

[Akula]

Foreword; Used both executables (bin and Bin MT folders). Tested in the Caucasus map, single player on a windows 11 rig.

 

 

As of July 23rd, 2025 The latest update (DCS 2.9.18.12722) I did a little experiment as I Also experience significantly long load times. If you're running a 13900k or 14900k you'll find this interesting. 

- Two updates ago I got super long load times and stuttering in DCS... Disabled Hyper-threading in the BIOS, POOF! Problem solved, no issues and everything was butter smooth 

- Today, out of curiosity, I updated to the latest DCS, ENABLED hyper-threading in the BIOS and tried DCS again. Stuttering gone but Stupid long load times to the point where I get the windows blue circle thingy on the mouse and asked to close the program or wait. If I wait, DCS works but I have to wait a long time. Sooooo I

- DISABLED hyper-threading again and checked... All back to smooth, regular short load times, no lagging, no stuttering. All good. 

BTW, Windows 11 is fully up to date but I think that fixed the stuttering but not the long load times and lagging.

I don't know why this is hapenning but it seems to be the new norm for me. Hyperthreading on, games run like crap. Hyperthreading off, games run smooth as butter with no issues. 

 

Has anyone noticed this as well?

 

[Sezai]

After today's update I experience exactly the same thing. Devastatingly long loading times and even launch screen pops up super slow. When I start the DCS the fan speed goes up slightly then almost goes sleeping. Usually the fans should have been spinning fast. What I noticed, even the video in launch screen runs with stutters, I am not even mentioning the game; my FPS dropped from 72 solid to 20 max.. 

I did numerous methods, thx to Chatgbt, but the problem still exists. Then I read this forum and disable the Hyper Threading, unfortunately also this did not help. 

Since yesterday I had no issues at all...

Let me know if anyone has an idea

 

Edited July 23 by Sezai

[miguelaco]

I also noticed a huge improvement in load times by disabling Hyper-threading. I didn't get better performance once in the cockpit, a little improvement in stability if any.

Edited Monday at 11:11 AM by miguelaco

[Akula]

On 7/23/2025 at 6:29 PM, Sezai said:

After today's update I experience exactly the same thing. Devastatingly long loading times and even launch screen pops up super slow. When I start the DCS the fan speed goes up slightly then almost goes sleeping. Usually the fans should have been spinning fast. What I noticed, even the video in launch screen runs with stutters, I am not even mentioning the game; my FPS dropped from 72 solid to 20 max.. 

I did numerous methods, thx to Chatgbt, but the problem still exists. Then I read this forum and disable the Hyper Threading, unfortunately also this did not help. 

Since yesterday I had no issues at all...

Let me know if anyone has an idea

 

If you have a 13th or 14th gen CPU or any CPU with 32 threaded cores or more, disabling hyperthreading will help as you will have lots of solid cores left to play with. For example, I used to run an i9-9900k and I never had to disable hyperthreading because it used 8 solid cores/16 threaded cores. So it didn’t make sense to disable it and I never had any load time issues or performance hits vs disabling the cores but that was due to the low *overall* core count. 
 

As an aside, I re-enabled HT and am getting super long load times so I’ll disable it for now.
 

It’s so annoying that ED refuses to fix this. If they have the manpower to make clouds prettier they have the man power to fix the hyperthreading and memory leak issues. Don’t let anyone gas light you into thinking you need “more power” when really this is on ED to fix vs the community dumping more money into their rigs not knowing if it’s gonna fix anything. 

 

[Mainstay]

Loading is still absurd long especially in VR. 

Shader cache size set to 100GB.

HT is off in the bios.

The game still loads like a damn snail. Its at a point where its getting so annoying long i just dont wanna bootup DCS anymore. 

[Moezilla]

@Sezai @Akula @Mainstay off the top of my head, and looking at your specs in your sigs, I'd guess you have a combination of maybe 2 out of 3 of the following: core parking, real-time AV scanning, and new shader compilation after an update.

Can you open Explorer -> Saved Games -> DCS -> Logs -> Right-click the file named dcs and open/edit in notepad -> copy and paste the first 20-25 lines down to and including the line starting with unavailable cores:  and post them here? This will help to understand if you're facing core parking or core scheduling issues in your OS.

You could do a quick search online for how to add an exclusion to Windows Defender and then consider adding the DCS main install folder and Saved Games\DCS folder to the list of exclusions from real-time scanning, if you haven't done so already.

For the shader compilation; that should be a one-time event on the first launch after a new update, or if you ever manually delete the contents of the fxo and/or metashader2 folders in Saved Games\DCS.

[Mainstay]

1 hour ago, Moezilla said:

@Sezai @Akula @Mainstay off the top of my head, and looking at your specs in your sigs, I'd guess you have a combination of maybe 2 out of 3 of the following: core parking, real-time AV scanning, and new shader compilation after an update.

Can you open Explorer -> Saved Games -> DCS -> Logs -> Right-click the file named dcs and open/edit in notepad -> copy and paste the first 20-25 lines down to and including the line starting with unavailable cores:  and post them here? This will help to understand if you're facing core parking or core scheduling issues in your OS.

You could do a quick search online for how to add an exclusion to Windows Defender and then consider adding the DCS main install folder and Saved Games\DCS folder to the list of exclusions from real-time scanning, if you haven't done so already.

For the shader compilation; that should be a one-time event on the first launch after a new update, or if you ever manually delete the contents of the fxo and/or metashader2 folders in Saved Games\DCS.

1 : I already excluded any file or folder related to either pimax or DCS in windows defender (security) for a long time. 

2 : I also always delete the FXO and metashader folder after each update

3 : Log

=== Log opened UTC 2025-07-30 14:36:06
2025-07-30 14:36:07.517 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Platform Timer Resolution: 15.39ms
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Created boot pool: n:16
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): Command line: "C:\Games\DCS World\bin-mt\DCS.exe" 
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): DCS/2.9.18.12722 (x86_64; MT; Windows NT 10.0.26100)
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): Application revision: 252722
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): Renderer revision: 26305
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): Terrain revision: 26363
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): Build number: 364
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): CPU cores: 16, threads: 16, System RAM: 65277 MB, Pagefile: 4096 MB
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): CPU info:
system  affinity mask: 1111111111111111
process affinity mask: 1111111111111111
CPU: 12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-12900K [1x L3 caches]
CPU has uniform cache size 30 MB (per cache)
CPU cores have different efficiency classes: [0-1]
logical cores with efficiency class 1: {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7}
logical cores with efficiency class 0: {8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15}
CPU cores have different performance classes: [0-2]
logical cores with performance class 2: {4, 5}
logical cores with performance class 1: {0, 1, 2, 3, 6, 7}
logical cores with performance class 0: {8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15}
common cores: {2, 3, 6, 7}
render cores: {4, 5, 0, 1}
IO cores: {8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15}
unavailable cores: {}
pause10: 0.036165 us (std dev: 0.078792)
pause10: 1138 cycles (std dev: 2531.9)

Edited Wednesday at 05:55 PM by Mainstay

[sleighzy]

1 hour ago, Mainstay said:

1 : I already excluded any file or folder related to either pimax or DCS in windows defender (security) for a long time. 

2 : I also always delete the FXO and metashader folder after each update

3 : Log

=== Log opened UTC 2025-07-30 14:36:06
2025-07-30 14:36:07.517 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Platform Timer Resolution: 15.39ms
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Created boot pool: n:16
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): Command line: "C:\Games\DCS World\bin-mt\DCS.exe" 
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): DCS/2.9.18.12722 (x86_64; MT; Windows NT 10.0.26100)
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): Application revision: 252722
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): Renderer revision: 26305
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): Terrain revision: 26363
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): Build number: 364
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): CPU cores: 16, threads: 16, System RAM: 65277 MB, Pagefile: 4096 MB
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): CPU info:
system  affinity mask: 1111111111111111
process affinity mask: 1111111111111111
CPU: 12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-12900K [1x L3 caches]
CPU has uniform cache size 30 MB (per cache)
CPU cores have different efficiency classes: [0-1]
logical cores with efficiency class 1: {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7}
logical cores with efficiency class 0: {8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15}
CPU cores have different performance classes: [0-2]
logical cores with performance class 2: {4, 5}
logical cores with performance class 1: {0, 1, 2, 3, 6, 7}
logical cores with performance class 0: {8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15}
common cores: {2, 3, 6, 7}
render cores: {4, 5, 0, 1}
IO cores: {8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15}
unavailable cores: {}
pause10: 0.036165 us (std dev: 0.078792)
pause10: 1138 cycles (std dev: 2531.9)

Likely won’t resolve your problem but you should be running DCS from the bin directory and not the bin-mt directory. They are identical, bin-mt is being removed in the near future. 

[Moezilla]

1 hour ago, Mainstay said:

1 : I already excluded any file or folder related to either pimax or DCS in windows defender (security) for a long time. 

2 : I also always delete the FXO and metashader folder after each update

3 : Log

=== Log opened UTC 2025-07-30 14:36:06
2025-07-30 14:36:07.517 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Platform Timer Resolution: 15.39ms
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    EDCORE (Main): Created boot pool: n:16
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): Command line: "C:\Games\DCS World\bin-mt\DCS.exe" 
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): DCS/2.9.18.12722 (x86_64; MT; Windows NT 10.0.26100)
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): Application revision: 252722
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): Renderer revision: 26305
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): Terrain revision: 26363
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): Build number: 364
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): CPU cores: 16, threads: 16, System RAM: 65277 MB, Pagefile: 4096 MB
2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): CPU info:
system  affinity mask: 1111111111111111
process affinity mask: 1111111111111111
CPU: 12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-12900K [1x L3 caches]
CPU has uniform cache size 30 MB (per cache)
CPU cores have different efficiency classes: [0-1]
logical cores with efficiency class 1: {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7}
logical cores with efficiency class 0: {8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15}
CPU cores have different performance classes: [0-2]
logical cores with performance class 2: {4, 5}
logical cores with performance class 1: {0, 1, 2, 3, 6, 7}
logical cores with performance class 0: {8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15}
common cores: {2, 3, 6, 7}
render cores: {4, 5, 0, 1}
IO cores: {8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15}
unavailable cores: {}
pause10: 0.036165 us (std dev: 0.078792)
pause10: 1138 cycles (std dev: 2531.9)

Everything there looks as expected for HT off.

Do you have anything influencing the CPU affinity of the DCS process, like Process Lasso, or an affinity bitmask?

If that checks out then the next step, if you even want to take one at this point, would be to look at RAM settings, SSD speeds, and a BIOS update. If you are interested in getting it fixed, CPU-Z, and CrystalDiskInfo are good utils to get a read on your Mainboard+RAM, and storage setup, respectively.

For context, my 5800X3D, on an ancient B450 mainboard with only 32GB RAM, took 36 seconds to load after the .12899 hotfix, as it rebuilt the shaders in the fxo folder. The 2nd load of .12899 took 20 seconds.

[Mainstay]

3 hours ago, Moezilla said:

Everything there looks as expected for HT off.

Do you have anything influencing the CPU affinity of the DCS process, like Process Lasso, or an affinity bitmask?

If that checks out then the next step, if you even want to take one at this point, would be to look at RAM settings, SSD speeds, and a BIOS update. If you are interested in getting it fixed, CPU-Z, and CrystalDiskInfo are good utils to get a read on your Mainboard+RAM, and storage setup, respectively.

For context, my 5800X3D, on an ancient B450 mainboard with only 32GB RAM, took 36 seconds to load after the .12899 hotfix, as it rebuilt the shaders in the fxo folder. The 2nd load of .12899 took 20 seconds.

No i dont have Process Lasso and i dont think i have an affinity bitmask... how do i check that?

All my hardware is up to date with BIOS updates, drivers et cetera. 

 

[Moezilla]

1 minute ago, Mainstay said:

No i dont have Process Lasso and i dont think i have an affinity bitmask... how do i check that?

All my hardware is up to date with BIOS updates, drivers et cetera. 

 

Wow, everything looks tight. I'll think on it, and try to come up with something else to check because something has to be causing this weird bottleneck.

[Mainstay]

1 minute ago, Moezilla said:

Wow, everything looks tight. I'll think on it, and try to come up with something else to check because something has to be causing this weird bottleneck.

Yeah its driving me nuts... When starting DCS in VR it takes ages (5 minutes or longer) to load a mission or into a MP server. Then ingame it needs to load all the textures as well. 

Already did a repair a few months ago but that didnt solve anything. And the most obvious reason it pisses e off so much is that all the other games / sims i play just load instantly.... 

[Mainstay]

Noone has a clue or suggestion what might be the problem?

[DCoffey]

So odd. I have a 14700 64gb ram, ssd, running quest 3 and my load time is 20-25 seconds as well. I have never tinkered with anything in my bios.

 

i hope you find your solution 

[Czar66]

6 hours ago, Mainstay said:

Noone has a clue or suggestion what might be the problem?

well... I do a few. Idk if it will help 100%.

• "2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): CPU cores: 16, threads: 16, System RAM: 65277 MB, Pagefile: 4096 MB" You're running with only 4gb of page file. Increase it to 30gb on a fast drive. <<< probably the strongest clue.
• Rename your 'DCS' folder in 'saved games' and boot it up in the settings you're having issues with to see if the loading times improve. If it does, there is something on that folder inducing it.
• If you're running tacview disable it or uninstall it.
• Make and exception on windows defender of the 'DCS' folder in 'saved games'.
• Disable any external app that has scripts in the 'DCS' 'saved games' folder.
• Have a lean system in terms of background apps. No RGB managers or that kind of stuff, those induced trouble for other people as posted here in the forums.
• Revert any overclock anywhere on your machine if you did.
• Disable any hardware monitor including MSI afterburner. Others have pointed problems with it and simulators. I use Libre Hardware Monitor (from github) as that app is super lean and quick to manage (open and close).

[Mainstay]

34 minutes ago, Czar66 said:

well... I do a few. Idk if it will help 100%.

• "2025-07-30 14:36:08.086 INFO    APP (Main): CPU cores: 16, threads: 16, System RAM: 65277 MB, Pagefile: 4096 MB" You're running with only 4gb of page file. Increase it to 30gb on a fast drive. <<< probably the strongest clue.
• Rename your 'DCS' folder in 'saved games' and boot it up in the settings you're having issues with to see if the loading times improve. If it does, there is something on that folder inducing it.
• If you're running tacview disable it or uninstall it.
• Make and exception on windows defender of the 'DCS' folder in 'saved games'.
• Disable any external app that has scripts in the 'DCS' 'saved games' folder.
• Have a lean system in terms of background apps. No RGB managers or that kind of stuff, those induced trouble for other people as posted here in the forums.
• Revert any overclock anywhere on your machine if you did.
• Disable any hardware monitor including MSI afterburner. Others have pointed problems with it and simulators. I use Libre Hardware Monitor (from github) as that app is super lean and quick to manage (open and close).

1 - I’ll try the page file suggestion when I get home tomorrow.

2 - Can try that as well 

3 - I’m not running Tacview

4 - All the different DCS folders and Pimax folders are already excluded

5 - I have no external scripts

6 - I have no RGB tools

7 - I’m not running an overclock 

8 - I don’t us any sort of hardware monitor actively

 

So basically that leaves me to tryout options 1 and 2. 
Thanks for the suggestions and I’ll report back when I’m done