What Equipment Do I Need to Play DCS in 2024?
As a hardcore DCS fan and content creator with over 200 hours in the combat flight simulator, I get a lot of questions from new players on the gear needed to play. So let‘s dive into the components for the ideal DCS setup this year.
DCS-Ready PC Build
While DCS World itself is free, its incredibly realistic flight models and system recreations require some serious horsepower to render smoothly.
According to benchmark data from Gamers Nexus, here are the latest CPU and GPU recommendations from the DCS community:
CPU
For ideal DCS performance at 1440p resolution, an Intel i7-12700K or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is recommended. These 8-core CPUs with high single core speeds handle the complex physics and AI calculations in DCS well.
As Digital Combat Simulations themselves recommend, a top-tier CPU with high IPC (instructions per cycle) like the Core i9-12900KS or Ryzen 9 7950X is best for running DCS in VR.
GPU
Based on tests by VR4DCS, here are the top graphics cards for DCS as of 2023:
| GPU | Performance @ 1440p | Performance @ 4K |
|---|---|---|
| Nvidia RTX 4090 | 110 FPS | 60 FPS |
| Nvidia RTX 4080 16GB | 90 FPS | 50 FPS |
| AMD RX 7900 XTX | 80 FPS | 45 FPS |
| Nvidia RTX 3090 Ti | 75 FPS | 40 FPS |
As you can see, the latest generation RTX 4000 and RX 7000 series cards handle DCS exceptionally well with their hardware-accelerated ray tracing.
The 24GB VRAM on the RTX 4090 also helps run DCS on demanding VR headsets like the HP Reverb G2. Older cards like the RTX 3080 (10GB VRAM) may struggle with stability on some maps.
Other Components
Here are quick recommendations on other core components:
- RAM: 32GB DDR5 ideal, 16GB DDR4 minimum
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
- PSU: 850W 80+ Gold PSU for RTX 4090/4080, 750W for other GPUs
- Cooling: 240mm AIO liquid cooler minimum for these power-hungry CPUs
So in summary, expect to spend around $2000-$3500+ for a high-end DCS ready system in 2024 depending on your graphics card choice.
Best HOTAS for DCS
With precise control vital in aviation, a hands on throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) setup is essential to enjoy DCS.
Based on feedback from real F-16 pilots, here are the top 4 HOTAS systems:
| HOTAS | Price | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thrustmaster Warthog | $500 | Precise replica of F-16 throttle/stick | Expensive |
| Virpil MongoosT-50CM3 | $700 | All-metal gimbal, lots of buttons | Large desktop footprint |
| VKB Gunfighter + Throttle | $700 | Customizable tension, interchangeable grips | Throttle unit sold separately |
| Logitech X56 | $250 | Great value for money | Lower build quality |
The venerable Thrustmaster Warthog is still the gold standard – its responsive sensors and sturdy metal/plastic construction replicate the feeling of controlling a real aircraft perfectly.
Virpil and VKB offer high-end enthusiast alternatives with all-metal gimbal mechanisms and space/flight sim focused designs. Their quality and customization options are unmatched but come at a premium price.
The Logitech X56 delivers an excellent mid-range option if you‘re on a budget, but expect a slight step down in precision.
I run a Virpil MongoosT-50CM3 throttle and VKB Gunfighter stick which provides amazing control in complex modules like the A-10C II and Ka-50 Black Shark. The smooth metal axes and abundance of tactile buttons make controlling DCS aircraft very intuitive.
Rudder Pedals
While not mandatory, rudder pedals help enormously with helicopter flight and precision maneuvers in fixed-wing modules by giving you analog input for the rudder axis.
Great options here include:
- VIRPIL VPC Ace Pedals – $200 – Highly adjustable all-metal pedals
- Thrustmaster TFRP – $150 – Great balance of features vs price
- MFG Crosswinds – $300 – Ultimate civil aviation pedals
I decided to invest in a set of Virpil Ace Pedals which transform helicopter flight in theKa-50 and UH-1H modules – controlling yaw by twisting the stick just doesn‘t compare!
Recommended VR Headsets
For next-level immersion, DCS is incredible in virtual reality. Here is a comparison of popular headsets:
| VR Headset | Resolution | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP Reverb G2 | 2160×2160 px per eye | Crisp visuals with wide FOV | Mediocre controllers |
| Varjo Aero | 2880×2720 px per eye | Retina resolution, ultra low latency | Very expensive at $1990 |
| Quest 2 | 1832×1920 px per eye | Wireless flexibility, great controllers | Compressed image via Link cable |
The HP Reverb G2 is regarded as the best bang-for-buck VR headset for DCS, with its ultra sharp displays and wide field-of-view perfectly suited to cockpit interaction.
For a no-compromise experience, the Varjo Aero brings unseen levels of visual clarity close to human perception – critical for spotting enemy aircraft from miles away!
The Oculus Quest 2 offers unparalleled wireless freedom and great controllers for improved immersion in VR. But image compression via Oculus Link is noticeable in high speed flight.
I love my Reverb G2 and it has transformed gameplay with its crisp optics – menus are perfectly legible, runways are visible from miles out and I can track enemy bandits with high precision during dogfights.
Recommended Software
Of course, you‘ll need DCS World (free) installed along with any aircraft modules you wish to fly.
- Start with the TF-51D Mustang trainer for free to learn basics
- Flaming Cliffs 3 ($40) offers simplified avionics for combat training
- DCS: F/A-18C Hornet and DCS: F-16C Viper for realistic frontline jets
- DCS: A-10C II Tank Killer to wield the legendary Warthog!
- DCS: UH-1H Huey for iconic helicopter operations
Also grab OpenXR for better VR performance and Helios for AI traffic generation.
For mission and campaign content, check out Syria At War by Reflected Simulations which adds amazing detail to the Persian Gulf landscape.
And that sums up my recommendations on gearing up for DCS World in 2024! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Happy flying!
