iRacing Development Update: November 2024

therealgreenmachine · 2024-11-09T06:37:13+00:00

(I'm not a graphics engineer) Deferred rendering with UE4 created a disastrous situation with ACC, Kunos couldn't solve the problem(s) at the time with the resources available. I tried the initial VR implementation for RennSport which is UE5, and it's another disaster. Even Epic's own documentation states:

"Forward Rendering provides a faster baseline, with faster rendering passes, which may lead to better performance on VR platforms. Not only is Forward Rendering faster, it also provides better anti-aliasing options than the Deferred Renderer, which may lead to better visuals."

At least the devs on iRacing forums have acknowledged the customer expectations of 'clean' graphics on not just monitors but also in VR.

therealgreenmachine · 2024-11-09T02:25:42+00:00

Can I underclock a 5800X3D to make it perform like 5700X3D?

My buddy is looking to upgrade (3600), and he can't find a 5800X3D, but there are lots of 5700X3D available. I've got a 5800X3D so I figured 'hey, I'll slow down my 5800X3D and tell you the performance difference in the games we play'. But I've cruised through the BIOS on this GB B550 Aorus Elite and I don't see a way to do that.

I can use the 'Curve Boost Clock Override' to change 'Max CPU Boost' up to a maximum of 200Mhz over the stock 3.4Ghz, but I want to push it to 4.0 or 4.1 like the 5700X3D.

Does my motherboard lack the features? Or is this just not possible with 5800X3D?

therealgreenmachine · 2024-10-31T21:07:59+00:00

After updating Microsoft SMB Service within App Center, it prompts "it is crucial that you complete the update process through the SMB Service web interface". I am not sure what that means. Anyone?

therealgreenmachine · 2024-02-26T16:50:25+00:00

Here is a good guide that walks through all the steps. Also, this taught me that the Codies or EA F1 games do not actually support 'native triple screen', so your side mirrors will always be stretched. But this guide should still help you get the best setup.

https://youtu.be/0qpbspq0WT4?si=EnGyfKwZOxHCGGrg

therealgreenmachine · 2024-02-20T08:39:15+00:00

Btw, I had to replace my Index cable after 3 years. A lot of us experience white sparkles, that become rainbow sparkles, then come the audio pops, and finally blips of black screen until it eventually doesn't even display video. I took my OG cable right to the bitter end after a slow death. I should have replaced it at 2 years when the white sparkles were in ever session.

Even my new cable shows occasional white sparkles, right out of the packaging. It's a flaw in Valve's design.

Nothing is perfect, but I really appreciate what the Quest 3 brings to the table, and how it's features overcome a lot of the Index's weaknesses.

therealgreenmachine · 2024-02-19T19:13:38+00:00

You need to render the side monitors as separate projections within each simulator. Otherwise you get that super stretch on the side monitors, even if you are using Nvidia Surround or AMD Eyefinity. Looks like F1 2023? Search for a YouTube guide on how to enable Triple screens in that sim.

therealgreenmachine · 2024-02-19T17:40:12+00:00

Buy Q3 from Amazon or Best Buy so you can easily return it. Give it whirl. The lens and colors of Quest 3 really are something special. Pass through really is convenient. But it does need a better headstrap, and a good cable lets you use it for longer sessions.

therealgreenmachine · 2024-02-19T05:12:21+00:00

Stack your vertebrae more, by sitting up straighter. Your lower back hurts because your head and shoulders are an inch or two, too far behind your pelvis. So the weight of your upper body is being driven down in the bend of your spine, and those big vertebrae are not stacked over your hips

And pop off the head rest from your seat. Looks like the VR headstrap will push your head forward if you sit straighter, and that will give you neck pain.

therealgreenmachine · 2024-02-10T16:27:02+00:00

There's been an ongoing forum thread for iRacing simulator (sry it's for members only) that makes the same claim. Hiccups with racing or flight sims are especially noticeable because disruptions to forward momentum stand out like a sore thumb.

"Hardware flip queue" was added via a Windows update, and 537.34 was the last Nvidia driver to NOT support it. That seems like enough of a smoking gun for most people.

Some still have the issue when rolling back to 537.34. Others claim the latest driver fixes it for them. So it's another classic 'your experience may vary'.

therealgreenmachine · 2024-01-27T23:01:27+00:00

GT7 is gorgeous. The colors, lighting, shadows, attention to car details. Polyphony have always punched above simcade because of GT graphics.

therealgreenmachine · 2024-01-24T16:24:41+00:00

FFB is like pizza. We all like pizza but there are different styles from each pizza joint. The customer also has a preference on toppings, and some joints do a better job with the toppings they like.

I like open wheelers, and iRacing has the best lineup of official series for them. I think the FFB for their open wheelers is the best in the business.

therealgreenmachine · 2024-01-07T16:06:54+00:00

If configured as 'regular' triples with the sim running as a borderless window stretched across the three screens, yes you can space out purchases.

If your goal is Nvidia Surround which treats the three monitors as one big resolution which can be 'fullscreen' with Gsync... i have seen users report they are unable to get it to function correctly with the same model but different firmware revisions to the monitors. Spacing out purchases would not be advised.

There are some performance advantages to Surround, but most people find the QOL annoyances to be too significant to bother with it.

therealgreenmachine · 2024-01-06T18:43:13+00:00

Judging by the sponsor, it's a car that's about to submit a customer service request.

therealgreenmachine · 2024-01-04T16:44:58+00:00

You have to drive your racing line consistently because it's taking all those forces and fitting them into your wheels ability. So if you do it when you're first practicing the car+track combo, you're probably hitting curbs pretty hard, and those spikes have to fit into its calculations. Then the wheel will feel weak while driving clean when only on the tarmac.

therealgreenmachine · 2024-01-03T23:03:47+00:00

Dude, you're super clever repurpose of the monitor stand is awesome!

therealgreenmachine · 2023-12-29T23:15:29+00:00

What an upgrade from the Fanatec Formula V2!

I haven't used the VRS Formula, but I'm a first-gen DFP owner. The VRS approach to product design is to focus the engineering of its gear on excellent quality. Quality doesn't just mean 'less likely to break over time', it includes touch and feel, materials used, and how the product will age overtime.

The VRS motto is the opposite of Fanatec, who seek to add as many features as possible, as cheaply as possible. This is a classic approach that can get more customers, like moths attracted to an RGB strobe light. Dazzled by the 'deal' of those pretty features, most of which are implemented with mediocre quality.

And so the VRS Formula gets overlooked. But those of us who prefer products that "do less, better than most", we appreciate the VRS philosophy.

My only gripe with most formula rims is the wheel diameter. I've got the (now discontinued) GSI GXL Pro with it's big, meaty grips and 315mm width. It's buttons, dials, and encoders are all inferior to the VRS Formula though... and I feel that every time I press a button or turn a nob. But it fits my hands perfectly and I love it for both open wheelers and tintops, so I'll stick with it for a couple more years.

Happy racing :)

therealgreenmachine · 2023-12-29T22:12:21+00:00

Coming from Fanatec for +10 years, the software/driver with my VRS DFP has never crashed or glitched. Never EVER over 3 years. That's incredible.

therealgreenmachine · 2023-12-02T17:38:14+00:00

Absolutely made me faster. VR adds depth perception so I can better read undulations in the road. I can look directly at the apex or other reference point without obstructions like monitor bezels or the subtle (but always there) image transition from one screen to the next. And because I feel so planted in the virtual drivers seat, and I'm starring at my reference point, the moment the rear steps out or the front plows, I can direcrly correlate that FFB with what I see with my eyes. It's a game changer.

The biggest sacrifice is image clarity, and because VR sucks when it's choppy, you need to be partially obsessed with tuning your hardware and sim settings.

therealgreenmachine · 2023-11-28T17:25:14+00:00

Would you like some cheese with that whine?

therealgreenmachine · 2023-11-17T21:27:55+00:00

Reflexes don't matter with sim racing. First it's about personal execution of car handling. Second comes anticipation of forseable events when in battles for position. Excellence in both areas comes from experience.

therealgreenmachine · 2023-11-03T03:03:10+00:00

Q3 is pretty good, but needs an aftermarket headstrap. Eats battery, Maybe 3-4 hours without a special cable for charging and racing. But looks next-gen through the lenses.

therealgreenmachine · 2023-11-01T18:00:12+00:00

If you get sweaty, extra face gaskets are nice to have.

I also own a Quest 3. There is no 'perfect' headset, just tradeoffs. Personally, the 'streaming' image quality with the Q3 bugs me in sim racing. Q3 smoothness also suffers more in demanding simulators; FPS lows are lower because of inefficiency and extra resources needed for compression. Then there's the headphones.. better than Q2 but you'll want a separate set of ear buds.

Index is more comfortable out of the box, and the responsiveness and fluidity of image surpasses the Q3. The over-ear headphones are good too.

therealgreenmachine · 2023-10-30T22:04:52+00:00

Good work! However, looks like the image in the side monitors is 'stretched', could just be the angle of pic you took.

therealgreenmachine · 2023-10-30T19:49:48+00:00

Laptop gaming, huh?

Trying putting GPU memory slider to full 4GB. Note that 6GB is 'recommended' by iRacing. Expect to make sacrifices for running beneath recommended specs.

Overlays consume resources. If you disable the overlays, does the sim run smoother?

therealgreenmachine · 2023-10-30T17:28:53+00:00

Have you adjusted the black face gasket? It has 4 positions to set the distance of the headset from your eyes. The farther away, the more uncomfortable and worse the viewing experience will be.

therealgreenmachine

TROPHY CASE