VR experiences IL-2 Korea

[dgiatr]

7 hours ago, FlightBud said:

I’m considering upgrading from a 13900k to a 9800X3D and trying to get a sense for what performance improvement I may be able to expect to see if it’s worth it. The rest of my specs are 4090 / DDR 6000 / 990 pro SSD / Pimax Crystal Light.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I know the game is still not optimized but I believe I will be limited no matter what, and there’s no way I’m paying to upgrade to a 5090.

I have a 13900 and it has very high single thread performance which is vital for il2 gb and Korea. You should check if other cpu single thread performance is better or not.I have also overclocked it. There is ONLY ONE thing you should be careful with 13900 which is power dissipation and temperature!! From the time I made some better ventilation( take out the pc case front panel) stopped to suffer from stutterings and freezings while playing il2 gb.

Edited 19 hours ago by dgiatr

[YoYo]

3 hours ago, dgiatr said:

There is ONLY ONE thing you should be careful with 13900 which is power dissipation and temperature!!

In the case of the IL-2 Korea temperatures, they are much higher. While the IL-2 GB runs on a relatively cool CPU, with the Korea I have everything in the red (above 80 degrees Celsius). The CPU load is much, much higher, on par with MSFS2024 in my case. DCS is still a cool computer. Developers need to work on optimizations so the computer isn't under such a heavy load. I hope this will happen.

[AndreiTomescu]

Korea IS now, unlike GB, multithread. Tested in Ryzen Master.

However, the single thread remains essential for performance. 

Better optimisation is needed, since even on nowadays high end cpu it chockes sometimes.

I have a 9700x paired with a 9070xt, and uncapped the gpu runs free as a bird ranging towards 260+ fps (just testing) , but the cpu chockes often, as to obtain a perfect stable fps in all scenarios at just 80, capped.

@FlightBud: the 13900 vs 9700x vs 9800x3d they have almost identical single cpu performance.

Still, the mighty gaming king , the 9800x3d, has that HUGE L3 cache, 96 MB, and that might give you a notable difference in steady fps.

It might worth the upgrade, imho, if, IF! the game doesn't get cpu optimising.

Also, man!, you have a 4090. That's a killer. Combined with the x3d cpu, might be worth it.

Still, i'm hoping for optimisation, since i just bought this rig especially and dedicated to korea, so no upgrade in the medium future.

It would be absurd to be able to hit top settings only with 9800x3d/4090. But never say never.....

[Cellinsky]

36 minutes ago, AndreiTomescu said:

It would be absurd to be able to hit top settings only with 9800x3d/4090. But never say never.....

I have exactly this setup plus a PCL and I have optimized my pc for vr. Still this game gives me alot of smeering and lag when dogfighting or banking/yawing hard. I have the  resolution @ 75 % and DLSS @ performance, Pimax openxr. I refuse to go futher down, cause then I loose to much detail (it looks so good with ingame-settings mostly @ high). I have to go down as much as 45 % of the native res to get smoother dogfights! I think, despite some up to date tech, its still an old engine and the legacy code is holding it back. So in the current state even a 9800X3d/4090 or even 5090 combo is not enough imho. Dont get me wrong, I love this sim, its fantastic but I dont think, it will ever be as vr friendly as BOX without a radical change in tech. 

[Aapje]

12 hours ago, FlightBud said:

I’m considering upgrading from a 13900k to a 9800X3D and trying to get a sense for what performance improvement I may be able to expect to see if it’s worth it.

Rumor is that Zen 6 will have a big gain in clocks, boosting to 7 Ghz. I would wait for that.

[YoYo]

45 minutes ago, Cellinsky said:

So in the current state even a 9800X3d/4090 or even 5090 combo is not enough imho. Dont get me wrong, I love this sim, its fantastic but I dont think, it will ever be as vr friendly as BOX without a radical change in tech. 

That's exactly the problem. Top-of-the-line hardware, and the Korean IL-2 can't handle and maintain consistent FPS at medium settings. We're not talking about hardware from five-six years ago, but current top-of-the-line hardware, and it still isn't as it should be. I also suggest testing without DLSS, and with MSAA x2 or even without AA. DLSS is a workaround for weaker GPUs and CPUs. It works quite well with DLSS on mine (even over cities), but the image leaves much to be desired for me (good for civil simulators, but not for combat). I realize that Pimax 8K in full resolution may have a problem, because this HMD generally does not work properly in native resolution (maybe with RTX 6090 LOL) in each sim on the market (without DFR), but I have a Meta Quest with small upscalling .

[lefuneste]

27 minutes ago, YoYo said:

That's exactly the problem. Top-of-the-line hardware, and the Korean IL-2 can't handle and maintain consistent FPS at medium settings. We're not talking about hardware from five-six years ago, but current top-of-the-line hardware, and it still isn't as it should be. I also suggest testing without DLSS, and with MSAA x2 or even without AA. DLSS is a workaround for weaker GPUs and CPUs. It works quite well with DLSS on mine (even over cities), but the image leaves much to be desired for me (good for civil simulators, but not for combat). I realize that Pimax 8K in full resolution may have a problem, because this HMD generally does not work properly in native resolution (maybe with RTX 6090 LOL) in each sim on the market (without DFR), but I have a Meta Quest with small upscalling .

I tested on my rig 9800x3d / 5080 that ANY supersampling option (meaning the game is computing lower resolution) is killing fps. There is surely an issue here. I removed all the "nice to have" features including grass, HDR,...and I often have the 90 fps I need for my Varjo.

[YoYo]

10 minutes ago, lefuneste said:

I tested on my rig 9800x3d / 5080 that ANY supersampling option (meaning the game is computing lower resolution) is killing fps. There is surely an issue here. I removed all the "nice to have" features including grass, HDR,...and I often have the 90 fps I need for my Varjo.

For me, whether MSAA = x2 or no AA makes no difference in FPS (5090), but I have it set to 72Hz, so 72 FPS is ok for me, outside of cities, of course. Additionally, I have the FOV limited to 0.75 (eliminates the area I can't see anyway), which significantly boosts FPS, but that's only on the Quest I know how to change it.

Edited 13 hours ago by YoYo

[FlightBud]

20 hours ago, TCW_Brzi_Joe said:

Yesterday, I found an 'anomaly' with the Korea engine.

If I switch the general graphics setting to 'VR optimised', I get more FPS in native resolution than with DLSS or FSR scaling. It's totally crazy and makes no sense. With this, I managed to get over 50-60 FPS at a VR resolution of 4400x5100 pixels per eye.

I'm also using smart smoothing (90/45 FPS) and it doesn't look too bad. The image is generally too sharp, and to be clear, I'm still not satisfied with how unoptimized Korea VR is, but at least I can experiment like this.

PS: hardware Nvidia 4090, i14600, 32 Ram, Pimax Crystal OG

Thanks for sharing!

I tried the same options you suggested and I got a more stable and smooth experience. Also looks too sharp and I didn’t like that look, but was glad for the better performance.

How did you manage to get 50-60 fps? Mine seemed to be locked at 45 fps.

7 hours ago, dgiatr said:

I have a 13900 and it has very high single thread performance which is vital for il2 gb and Korea. You should check if other cpu single thread performance is better or not.I have also overclocked it. There is ONLY ONE thing you should be careful with 13900 which is power dissipation and temperature!! From the time I made some better ventilation( take out the pc case front panel) stopped to suffer from stutterings and freezings while playing il2 gb.

Thanks @dgiatr!

Would you mind sharing your overclocking settings? I’m not too adept at advanced setting optimization… I did manage to undervolt my graphics card, though…

[FlightBud]

3 hours ago, AndreiTomescu said:

Korea IS now, unlike GB, multithread. Tested in Ryzen Master.

However, the single thread remains essential for performance. 

Better optimisation is needed, since even on nowadays high end cpu it chockes sometimes.

I have a 9700x paired with a 9070xt, and uncapped the gpu runs free as a bird ranging towards 260+ fps (just testing) , but the cpu chockes often, as to obtain a perfect stable fps in all scenarios at just 80, capped.

@FlightBud: the 13900 vs 9700x vs 9800x3d they have almost identical single cpu performance.

Still, the mighty gaming king , the 9800x3d, has that HUGE L3 cache, 96 MB, and that might give you a notable difference in steady fps.

It might worth the upgrade, imho, if, IF! the game doesn't get cpu optimising.

Also, man!, you have a 4090. That's a killer. Combined with the x3d cpu, might be worth it.

Still, i'm hoping for optimisation, since i just bought this rig especially and dedicated to korea, so no upgrade in the medium future.

It would be absurd to be able to hit top settings only with 9800x3d/4090. But never say never.....

Great points! Perhaps it’s not the single thread improvement that would make the difference, but rather the L3 cache. Since the game it not yet optimized, I’m going to wait and see what performance is possible once it’s optimized and then consider what upgrade may be worth it.

Since this platform may be around for 10+ years if successful like GB, it’s possible that the hardware just doesn’t exist yet to power it to its full potential, especially in VR, but it certainly does feel disappointing when a relatively top end system can’t even run it with base settings.

 

[Qcumber]

1 hour ago, YoYo said:

For me, whether MSAA = x2 or no AA makes no difference in FPS (5090), but I have it set to 72Hz, so 72 FPS is ok for me, outside of cities, of course. Additionally, I have the FOV limited to 0.75 (eliminates the area I can't see anyway), which significantly boosts FPS, but that's only on the Quest I know how to change it.

This is why QVFR is needed. In other digital combat simulators that support QVFR, you can increase the foveated resolution high enough to remove any DLSS artifacts. This allows for both good quality and performance. Of course, this does require a headset with eye tracking.

Based on what I have read so far about VR in IL-2 Korea it does not inspire me to buy it. I hope they improve things soon. 

Does anyone know what percentage of combat simmers use VR vs flat screen? 

Edited 11 hours ago by Qcumber

[YoYo]

1 minute ago, Qcumber said:

Based on what I have read so far about VR in IL-2 Korea it does not inspire me to buy it. 

... and you don't have Korea yet? You, old simulator's fan  ?

[AndreiTomescu]

6 minutes ago, Qcumber said:

what percentage of combat simmers use VR vs flat screen? 

Some of us wanted to do a pool on this some yrs ago. Never materialised.

How about doing that now???

I would see it like this:

In flight sim I use:

1. Only VR

2. Flat screen only

3 both, but mostly VR

4. both mostly flatscreen

Think it might be good?

I think an official moderator should do this, like LukeFF, since he is universally appreciated and respected here.

[Koziolek]

6 hours ago, AndreiTomescu said:

 

Think it might be good?

 

No, because you do not know what percentage of flight simmers will take part in the survey. Forum members, epecially the vocal ones ( and these are the ones which will take part in the survey) are a minority of flight simmers altogether so you will learn very little

Edited 4 hours ago by Koziolek

[Qcumber]

32 minutes ago, YoYo said:

... and you don't have Korea yet? You, old simulator's fan  ?

I have been so close to buying it so many times. Even with these reviews I keep thinking "what the hell, I am sure it will get better!" 😀

24 minutes ago, AndreiTomescu said:

Some of us wanted to do a pool on this some yrs ago. Never materialised.

How about doing that now???

I would see it like this:

In flight sim I use:

1. Only VR

2. Flat screen only

3 both, but mostly VR

4. both mostly flatscreen

Think it might be good?

I think an official moderator should do this, like LukeFF, since he is universally appreciated and respected here.

Yes. It would be good to do this every year or so. Maybe as a pinned thread. 

[MajorMagee]

I'm a hard never because of my eye issues.

[TCW_Brzi_Joe]

4 hours ago, FlightBud said:

How did you manage to get 50-60 fps? Mine seemed to be locked at 45 fps.

It is set 45fps with smart smoothing (reprojection). To measure real fps I had to disable it once and start game for testing.

[FuriousMeow]

A forum poll is worthless.

The only thing that would be of value would be a survey via the game/launcher that can't be opted out of. Anything else will just be skewed.

I can say with pretty high confidence though that vr usage isn't very high, the cost of a good headset for air combat sims is as much as a high end GPU - not top of the line but not moderate GPU either. VR is still niche. Around 2% of Steam users use VR headsets.

Edited 6 hours ago by FuriousMeow

[Dash,Polder]

Steam don't tell you much either since only 1C knows how many users used it by purchase percentage,  I don't, not even on my machine. 

OpenXR has enabled steam to be tossed to the curb by VR users, besides you can't sort out all Steam users who play exclusively non-VR games not even owning a set which badly skews any VR poll samples, nor does it separate out specifically flight sim users who are a tiny sliver.  

[Bulldog]

Hello and I have a Samsung Galaxy XR.

How do I centre the view? Seem to be to one side or outside the cockpit.

[Qcumber]

35 minutes ago, Dash,Polder said:

Steam don't tell you much either since only 1C knows how many users used it by purchase percentage,  I don't, not even on my machine. 

OpenXR has enabled steam to be tossed to the curb by VR users, besides you can't sort out all Steam users who play exclusively non-VR games not even owning a set which badly skews any VR poll samples, nor does it separate out specifically flight sim users who are a tiny sliver.  

I don't want to take this thread too much off topic. I was just wondering how many simmers are affected by poor VR performance and if the relative numbers makes it worth optimisation by the developers. 

[GiftGruen]

I am quite sure that FlightSimmers ( and also Race-Simmers ) are more than the above mentioned 2% at VR.

Measurement by Launcher would be the best KPI here, and I somehow assume that the Devs already take a measurement for this. For 2% they would probably not even think about supporting VR at all.

While I also hope for some performance optimizations of course, I cannot say that it‘s unplayable. Low fps is especially flying low over cities. My numbers high in the clouds in a 4vs4 are quite okay and large bomber formations even did not exist in IL2 BoX. 
 

In the end, visual brilliance in Sims with VR is still an expensive thing in 2026. This is not only true for IL2 but also for other Sims, let it be Flight or Race. 

True.

But - it‘s also true that a simple Quest3 with a 3080 give a level of fun and immersion we all could only dream of 10 years ago.

Let‘s trust in Moores law 😉

[YoYo]

8 hours ago, Qcumber said:

I have been so close to buying it so many times. Even with these reviews I keep thinking "what the hell, I am sure it will get better!" 😀

Of course, I'll speak for myself, but I'll say I don't regret it (and I took the FE version in preorder). Even the Hun from DCS is sitting in the hangar, and I was supposed to be learning it. Despite some flaws (which I hope will be addressed), the simulator is really good, and although it needs some refinement, it's still plenty of fun. 😍

[Qcumber]

50 minutes ago, YoYo said:

Of course, I'll speak for myself, but I'll say I don't regret it (and I took the FE version in preorder). Even the Hun from DCS is sitting in the hangar, and I was supposed to be learning it. Despite some flaws (which I hope will be addressed), the simulator is really good, and although it needs some refinement, it's still plenty of fun. 😍

Don't tempt me!!! 

[Aapje]

4 hours ago, FuriousMeow said:

I can say with pretty high confidence though that vr usage isn't very high, the cost of a good headset for air combat sims is as much as a high end GPU

We've had polls on what headset people use, and the Quest was by far the most popular.

You are making the classic mistake of thinking that everyone has the high-end gear, just because those people are most vocal.

4 hours ago, FuriousMeow said:

Around 2% of Steam users use VR headsets.

Which is a rather useless statistic since the survey only counts a headset if you have it connected to the PC at the time of the survey. I've done several surveys and they never counted my headset.