How much RAM do you need for IL-2 (VR and monitor).

[chiliwili69]

This is a topic that has been discussed frequently in the past, and I have done my own tests in 4K monitor and VR (Index at 130%SS) just to check how much RAM memory (and also L3 cache) is used by IL-2.

Scenario: QMB in Kuban with 1+4 vs 4(fighter)+4(bomber)at 800m with average weather.

All settings maxed-out (ULTRA settings, shadows ultra, mirror complex, landscapex4, horizon150Km, grass ultra, clouds extreme, 4K textures and distant building) for both tests.

Used MSIAfterburner to measure the L3cache usage, CPU temp and RAM usage:

 

Before lunch IL2:  RAM: 3.8GB, L3cache: 0.68MB

 

4KMonitor (max settings): RAM: 7.5GB, L3cache: 5.5MB

 

VR Index (max settings): RAM: 7.9GB, L3cache: 6.2MB

VR Index (my usual settings): RAM: 7.8GB L3cache: 4.4MB

 

CONCLUSION:

If you only use your PC to play IL-2 (in monitor4K or VR) you don´t need more than 16GB of RAM, and therefore it is better to spend your money in getting higher frequency RAM rather than 32GB. 

If you play other games, then I don´t know. In any case, RAM memory is something easy to expand in future if needed.

 

Here I leave the trends of MSIafterburner:

FOR 4K Monitor:

 

 

FOR VR INDEX:

 

 

[dburne]

deleted - never mind.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 13, 2020 by dburne

[SCG_Fenris_Wolf]

My RAM almost exploded today after Windows Defender tried to commit suicide when it tried to check what data I was inserting into a local database. 30GB commit and rising into endlessness?

 

 

[chiliwili69]

A recent test in VR using fpsVR shown that my RAM usage was 8.8Gb in a QMB 5vs5 over Stalingrad. So, 16Gb is still quite enough.

 

[dburne]

Yeah but not everyone only plays IL-2 GB. I would wager the majority probably doesn't.

I was fine with 16 GB in my X-79 build I did back in 2013...

 

Edited November 27, 2021 by dburne

[Customizer171]

I was thinking of upgrading my RAM to 32 gb (if trying DCS), but how big difference does the latency make?

 

The sets I am looking at is

G.Skill Trident Z Neo DDR4-3600 CL14 DC - 32GB  

G.Skill TridentZ Neo DDR4-3600 C16 DC - 32GB

 

Will I actully SEE a difference in game performance or will it only be measurable in benchmarks? 

There is a 60euro difference in price between the two, but if I can´t see a difference I obviously prefer to pay less.

 

[dburne]

I would go for the CL14 if you can. And yes for DCS 32 GB is a good choice.

Edited November 29, 2021 by dburne

[A_radek]

3 hours ago, Customizer171 said:

I was thinking of upgrading my RAM to 32 gb (if trying DCS), but how big difference does the latency make?

 

The sets I am looking at is

G.Skill Trident Z Neo DDR4-3600 CL14 DC - 32GB  

G.Skill TridentZ Neo DDR4-3600 C16 DC - 32GB

 

Will I actully SEE a difference in game performance or will it only be measurable in benchmarks? 

There is a 60euro difference in price between the two, but if I can´t see a difference I obviously prefer to pay less.

 

If your on an amd (and I suspect so considering your shopping for Neo kits) difference going below cl16 is rather small. But,, many bäckar små.

[Customizer171]

5 hours ago, dburne said:

I would go for the CL14 if you can. And yes for DCS 32 GB is a good choice.

 

Thank you for your reply.

2 hours ago, aa_radek said:

If your on an amd (and I suspect so considering your shopping for Neo kits) difference going below cl16 is rather small. But,, many bäckar små.

 

Yes, I have an 5800X.

Always these decisions to make ;).

Unfortunately I think we often believe that more expensive MUST be better.

Ha de gott!

[chiliwili69]

21 hours ago, Customizer171 said:

G.Skill Trident Z Neo DDR4-3600 CL14 DC - 32GB  

G.Skill TridentZ Neo DDR4-3600 C16 DC - 32GB

 

According to those tests the difference is small:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gJmnz_nVxI6_dG_UYNCCpZVK2-f8NBy-y1gia77Hu_k

 

But I would check first if you Mobo model is supported by GSkill XMP profiles for those memories: https://www.gskill.com/configurator

 

 

[chiliwili69]

I have tested the new Normandy map near Le Havre, in a QMB of 4fighter+4bombers vs 4 fighter+4 bomber with clouds at 2000m and action at 1500m.

I have 32Gb of RAM.

With my normal settings using the Index the max usage was aorun 11250 Mb of RAM

 

With all the settings maxed out the RAM usage was very similar. It was about 15 minutes mission.

Edited September 18, 2022 by chiliwili69

[macro1]

Hi Chiliwili69, you seem to know your stuff. Could you advise me please on how I should best upgrade for Il2.

I use VR CV1 headset, my system is old! and I can play but FPS is bad 25-45 at best, I only play online. I muck about with microsoft flightsim 2020 but not much.

Im thinking i should buy a whole new system as I'm pretty sure upgrading my current system is not worth it. Would you recommend Ryzen over Intel? im more familar with intel but i dont really know much so a change is not a problem. Any help much apprciated. I getting tired of stuttering and missing shots

 

Current system

Mon :asus vx238H

- CPU:  22nm Intel Ivy Bridge i7 3770 3.4Ghz/3.9Ghz turbo core x 4 Quad Core LGA 1155 8MB Cache Super Processor.

- Motherboard: Asus / Gigabyte New B75 Chipet, LGA1155, ~USB 3.0 & SATA3 6Gb/s

-RAM: 8GB DDR3 1600 dual channel

-Intel 120GB SATA3 SSD

-Hard Drive: Western Digital 1TB ( 1000GB ) SATA3 High Performance 7200RPM , 6.0 Gb/s --> Double SATA2 's bandwidth

-GPU: MSI GTX 970 4GB GDDR5 256 bits

-Case: Cooler Master Silencio 550 Mid Tower Elegance Case, . one USB3.0 , one USB 2.0, Audio & Mic

-PSU: Top brand Acbel iPower G600 Black Color 600W 12cm super quiet cooling fan high performance Power supply , 80 plus ( 80% efficiency) certified.

Im thinking something like this ?

	FORM FACTOR: mATX Gaming System
	MOTHERBOARD B660M AX M-ATX Motherboard
	PROCESSOR: Intel i5-12400F Six Core CPU
	MEMORY: 16 GB DDR4 RAM
	GRAPHICS CARD: Nvidia RTX 3060 Graphics Card
	CPU COOLER: Aftermarket Air CPU Cooler
	STORAGE: 1TB NVMe SSD
	POWER SUPPLY: Silverstone 650w Gold
	NETWORKING: AC Wifi & Bluetooth
	OPERATING SYSTEM: Windows 11 Home   or maybe my budget could go to this   FORM FACTOR: ATX Gaming System MOTHERBOARD AMD B550M Gaming PROCESSOR: AMD Ryzen 5600X Six Core CPU MEMORY: 16GB 3600Mhz DDR4 RAM GRAPHICS CARD: Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti Graphics Card CPU COOLER: 240mm AIO Liquid CPU Cooler STORAGE: 1TB NVMe SSD POWER SUPPLY: 850W 80Plus Gold Full Modular NETWORKING: AX Wifi & Bluetooth OPERATING SYSTEM: Windows 11 Home   or this?   FORM FACTOR: ATX Gaming System MOTHERBOARD B660 Chipset PROCESSOR: Intel i5-12400F Six Core CPU MEMORY: 16 GB DDR4 RAM GRAPHICS CARD: Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti Graphics Card CPU COOLER: 240mm ARGB AIO Liquid CPU Cooler STORAGE: 1TB NVMe SSD POWER SUPPLY: 850W 80+ Gold Full Modular Low Noise NETWORKING: AX Wifi & Bluetooth OPERATING SYSTEM: Windows 11 Home

[chiliwili69]

I would go to the 2nd or 3rd option because having a good CPU cooler will allow your CPU to mantain higher frequencies without reaching temperature limits.

Regarding 5600X or 12400F both have good single thread performance (the important thing for IL-2 VR) and  they will give you enough CPU performance for 95-99% of your normal play game.

If you currently use CV1 you will get a major visual upgrade by going to other devices suitable for the 3060Ti like Rift-S (second hand) or even Index (second hand, no controllers and 1 basestation). But it is better to go first to the the PC upgrade and experiment  the major performance upgrade you wil get with the CV1 and the 3060Ti.

Along the next months new VR devices will appear and they will require more GPU. So the GPU is something which can be easily upgraded when required (there will be plenty of 30XX series card in the second hand market)

[macro1]

Many thanks for the fast and informative reply bro

Do you have an opinion on windows 11 for Il2 and VR in general?

 

again many thanks

[chiliwili69]

10 hours ago, macro1 said:

Do you have an opinion on windows 11 for Il2 and VR in general?

According to the tests done in the SYN_VANDER benchmark there is not gain or loss for runnin W11 instead of W10. But I have not upgraded yet to W11. I don´t need it.