Maximizing Your Gaming Experience: GPU Choices, VR Advantages, and the Power of Widescreen Monitors

[Freikorps]

Hey,

 

Recently, I upgraded my PC with a better GPU, and now I can test its performance with and without VR.

Initially, let's discuss the impact of GPU choice between AMD or Nvidia GeForce RTX. I started with an RTX 3070, and now I use an AMD 7900 XTX. For VR, the Nvidia GeForce RTX performs much better than AMD. Although the 7900 XTX hardware is superior to the RTX 3070, their in-game performance is quite similar. Both GPUs can achieve 50 fps on high settings and 75 or more fps on low or medium settings. However, 50 fps on the Nvidia GeForce RTX feels much smoother compared to AMD, where you need at least 75 fps or more to have an enjoyable experience. So if you're planning to purchase a GPU for VR, go for the Nvidia GeForce RTX.

Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of using VR in IL2:

Advantages:

• A truly immersive and realistic experience
• More accurate distance perception, leading to better shooting and improved 3D spatial awareness
• Enhanced trajectory observation, as you are seated in the center and can better track bullet paths
• Improved head movement reaction compared to TrackIR

Disadvantages:

• Difficulty seeing behind you. With VR, it's challenging to perform a 180-degree turn and check your six. There's a program called "VRNeckSafer," which helps with this issue, but TrackIR does it better.
• Harder to spot objects. Even with a good VR headset like the G2, spotting is still worse than using TrackIR. VR has a shorter viewing distance and takes more time to identify planes compared to TrackIR.
• Limited playtime due to discomfort. After 1 or 2 hours of VR gameplay, I have to stop because it becomes uncomfortable for my eyes.

I have a tip for those planning to upgrade their PC: if you use TrackIR and don't want to play in VR, invest in a better monitor instead of a better GPU. I upgraded from an RTX 3070 to an AMD 7900 XTX, which improved my fps, but I didn't really notice a significant difference in-game performance since both fps rates were higher than 60. However, after upgrading my monitor to a 3084x1080 49-inch widescreen display, my gaming experience significantly improved. So if you're looking to optimize game performance, consider getting a wider monitor first.

That's all for now. If you have questions or different ideas, I'd be glad to discuss them.

[kestrel79]

Very cool thanks for your input. I'm thinking about doing a new build this Summer before baby no. 2, and as a VR simmer was thinking Nvidia all the way. I'll stick with them thanks.

[Customizer171]

4 hours ago, Freikorps said:

Hey,

 

Recently, I upgraded my PC with a better GPU, and now I can test its performance with and without VR.

Initially, let's discuss the impact of GPU choice between AMD or Nvidia GeForce RTX. I started with an RTX 3070, and now I use an AMD 7900 XTX. For VR, the Nvidia GeForce RTX performs much better than AMD. Although the 7900 XTX hardware is superior to the RTX 3070, their in-game performance is quite similar. Both GPUs can achieve 50 fps on high settings and 75 or more fps on low or medium settings. However, 50 fps on the Nvidia GeForce RTX feels much smoother compared to AMD, where you need at least 75 fps or more to have an enjoyable experience. So if you're planning to purchase a GPU for VR, go for the Nvidia GeForce RTX.

Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of using VR in IL2:

Advantages:

• A truly immersive and realistic experience
• More accurate distance perception, leading to better shooting and improved 3D spatial awareness
• Enhanced trajectory observation, as you are seated in the center and can better track bullet paths
• Improved head movement reaction compared to TrackIR

Disadvantages:

• Difficulty seeing behind you. With VR, it's challenging to perform a 180-degree turn and check your six. There's a program called "VRNeckSafer," which helps with this issue, but TrackIR does it better.
• Harder to spot objects. Even with a good VR headset like the G2, spotting is still worse than using TrackIR. VR has a shorter viewing distance and takes more time to identify planes compared to TrackIR.
• Limited playtime due to discomfort. After 1 or 2 hours of VR gameplay, I have to stop because it becomes uncomfortable for my eyes.

I have a tip for those planning to upgrade their PC: if you use TrackIR and don't want to play in VR, invest in a better monitor instead of a better GPU. I upgraded from an RTX 3070 to an AMD 7900 XTX, which improved my fps, but I didn't really notice a significant difference in-game performance since both fps rates were higher than 60. However, after upgrading my monitor to a 3084x1080 49-inch widescreen display, my gaming experience significantly improved. So if you're looking to optimize game performance, consider getting a wider monitor first.

That's all for now. If you have questions or different ideas, I'd be glad to discuss them.

 

I am a bit curious, do you use your g2 or your 49 inch screen most?

 

Which one do you prefer?

 

I only play with my g2 and I love the immersion it gives but the graphics could definitely be better.

The cockpit and the wings of my own aircraft is great, but everything in a distance is not very sharp.

I have no trouble spotting objects far away but it is almost impossible to ID them before they get very close to me.

[BlitzPig_EL]

I play on a Gigabyte 2K gaming monitor with Track IR, and just updated to the new RTX 4070 Launch Edition, from an EVGA RTX 2070 Super Black Gaming.

 

Worth every penny.  Less power use, cooler temps, and a pretty substantial frame rate boost.

[Freikorps]

2 hours ago, Customizer171 said:

 

I am a bit curious, do you use your g2 or your 49 inch screen most?

 

Which one do you prefer?

 

I only play with my g2 and I love the immersion it gives but the graphics could definitely be better.

The cockpit and the wings of my own aircraft is great, but everything in a distance is not very sharp.

I have no trouble spotting objects far away but it is almost impossible to ID them before they get very close to me.

I use both VR and TrackIR, but lately, I've been using TrackIR more than the G2 headset. I'm not great at dogfighting, so being able to spot enemies first helps me get on their tail and shoot them down. VR definitely offers better accuracy for hitting targets.

In my experience, I've had more kills on certain maps using VR than TrackIR, especially in dogfight maps. These maps have more enemies and are easier to spot due to their smaller size. If you can hit better, you have a significant advantage.

However, in larger maps like those on the "Finland server," VR has more disadvantages. Spotting and identification are more difficult, and it's harder to track an enemy with VR. For example, if an enemy plane with a green camouflage flies over a forest, it's challenging to keep an eye on them with VR, especially at medium to long distances. With TrackIR, this situation isn't as problematic.

 

 

 

[Customizer171]

On 5/10/2023 at 12:21 AM, Freikorps said:

I use both VR and TrackIR, but lately, I've been using TrackIR more than the G2 headset. I'm not great at dogfighting, so being able to spot enemies first helps me get on their tail and shoot them down. VR definitely offers better accuracy for hitting targets.

In my experience, I've had more kills on certain maps using VR than TrackIR, especially in dogfight maps. These maps have more enemies and are easier to spot due to their smaller size. If you can hit better, you have a significant advantage.

However, in larger maps like those on the "Finland server," VR has more disadvantages. Spotting and identification are more difficult, and it's harder to track an enemy with VR. For example, if an enemy plane with a green camouflage flies over a forest, it's challenging to keep an eye on them with VR, especially at medium to long distances. With TrackIR, this situation isn't as problematic.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for this information and sorry for my late reply.

[=LD=Bulldog*]

I have a RTX 4700 Ti, 64 GB RAM and a Predator X38. I tried Il-2 with the Reverb G2 and Pico 4. I returned both. Identifying was difficult, colours weak and checking my six was troublesome. I liked the immersion of "being there" but the disadvantages outweighed the advantages for me. In my last mission on Flying Circus, I had to lose my advantage of height to check two boogies over no-mans-land. Once I could see that they were both enemies, I had to engage as my surprise and energy was lost. As a fighter pilot, VR was my enemy... 

 

Much prefer Track IR.

 

Kind of miss Half-Life: Alyx, however.

 

Bulldog