Pimax Crystal Super: The Ultimate DCS Setup Guide

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• 80-90 FPS in most operational scenarios
• 150% foveated region super sampling
• Maximum detail settings without perceptible stuttering
• Enhanced visibility for distant aircraft spotting
• Consistent performance even in demanding situations such as carrier operations

Step 1: Preparation

1. Do a full uninstall of the Pimax software and Tobii Software before proceeding to download and install the updated Pimax Software version for Crystal Super. Manually find all the directories, including in App Data folders.
2. Do a couple of reboots and/or a power down after uninstalling before you install any new software.

Step 2: Integrate DCS Assets within Pimax Play

1. Locating the DCS Installation:

• Launch Pimax Play and select the Import function in the top-right interface
• Navigate to the DCS installation directory (typically located at: Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\bin\)
• Select DCS.exe to incorporate it into the Pimax software library

2. Custom Icon Configuration (Optional):

The default imported icon may appear generic and can affect library organization. The following steps resolve this:

• Terminate Pimax Play completely (verify process termination via Task Manager)
• Access the directory: C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\PimaxClient\
• Right-click on the file config.json and open it with a text editor
• Locate the entry containing "productName": "DCS"
• Insert the Steam store icon URL (https://shared.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/223750/library_header.jpg?t=1745499731) in the subsequent "image" field
• Save modifications and restart Pimax Play. Now, you will find DCS in "My Assets" with the correct name and proper icon.

Step 3: Settings in Pimax Play

1. Device Settings

• Refresh Rate: Configured to 90Hz for Tier 1 or Tier 2 GPUs, 72Hz for Tier 3.
• Brightness (Crystal Super exclusive): Adjusted to 99/98 to reduce potential washout effects
• Eye Tracking: Verification of activation and proper calibration
• IPD Configuration: Manual input of measured IPD values is recommended over automatic detection

2. Games Setting

• Select DCS in Games and enable per-application configuration for DCS
• Uncheck Pimax Central Priority Rendering
• Render Resolution Parameters:

• • Tier 1 GPUs: 100%
  • Tier 2 GPUs: 100%
  • Tier 3 GPUs: 75% recommended

Step 4: DLSS Configuration for NVIDIA Hardware

Step 5: Quad Views Foveated Rendering

1. Go to Pimax Play → General and make sure Pimax OpenXR is selected as the OpenXR Runtime

2. Go to Pimax Play → Game, check Pimax OpenXR Quadviews

3. Go to DCS → Settings → System Options, tick both Use "Quad View", "Eye-tracking"

Step 6: NVIDIA Control Panel Optimizations

These adjustments substantially improve distant object clarity:

1. Access NVIDIA Control Panel
2. Navigate to Manage 3D Settings
3. Under **Image Scaling**:

• Apply Sharpen at 20%
• Note: This utilizes NVIDIA's image sharpening, not GPU scaling

4. This modification produces visual enhancements comparable to advanced lens technologies, significantly improving aircraft and terrain detail perception at distance

Step 7: DCS In-Game Settings

1. Advanced Shadow Optimization

One important aspect that breaks immersion is poor shadows in the cockpit. You can decide whether it is worth it to lose 1 to 2 FPS and have 8K shadows projected in your cockpit. Enhancement procedure:

• Navigate to This PC\DCS\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\DCSworld\Config\Effects
• Open shadows.lua with a text editor
• Modify these values in both Nevada and default sections:
  • Adjust high to 8192
  • Adjust medium to 4096
  • Maintain low at 2048
• Save the file

Technical Rationale: Original settings (maximum 1024) were designed for conventional displays, creating unsatisfactory shadow quality in VR. These revisions provide appropriate shadow detail.

2. Graphics Presets by GPU Classification

Go to Settings → System Options

Configuration	Tier 1	Tier 2	Tier 3	None Nvidia GPU
Res. of Cockpit Displays	1024	1024	1024	-
Anti-Aliasing	DLAA	DLAA	DLAA	MSAA
Upscaling	DLSS	DLSS	DLSS	FSR / NIS
DLSS Perf/Quality	Quality	Balanced	Performance	-
Textures	High	Medium	Medium	-
Terrain Textures	High	Medium	Medium	-
Shadows	High	Medium	Medium	-
Clouds	Ultra	High	Medium	-
Clutter/Grass Forest Visibility Forest Details Factor Scenery Details Factor Preload Radius	100%	50%	25% - 0%	-
SSAO/SSLR	ON	OFF	OFF	-
Lens Effects	OFF	OFF	OFF	-
Max FPS	Synchronized with headset refresh rate (e.g., 50 for 50Hz)			-
Motion Blur	OFF	OFF	OFF	-
Depth of Field	OFF	OFF	OFF	-

3. VR-Specific Configuration

Within DCS's VR settings panel:

• Pixel Density: Maintain at 1.0 (unlike Quest systems, Crystal doesn't require oversampling)
• IPD Adjustment: Set to 64 (influences world scale representation)
• Bloom Effect: Off (potential interference with Quad Views)
• Use Quad Views: On
• Eye Tracking: On

Critical Recommendation: Motion blur and depth of field effects should remain disabled in VR environments as they are designed for traditional displays and may cause visual discomfort.

Conclusion: Optimized DCS VR Performance

These configuration parameters represent extensive testing to establish the optimal balance between visual quality and performance. When properly configured, the Pimax Crystal Super delivers what is considered the premier DCS VR experience currently available.

Users are encouraged to:

1. Implement these baseline configurations
2. Make incremental adjustments based on individual preference
3. Share performance results and system specifications
4. Report any additional optimization discoveries
5. Watch Tally Mouse's video for more detailed information
6. Join VR4DCS and explore Thud’s quick setup guide if you are a pro

While the evolution of VR simulation continues, these settings provide access to the current state-of-the-art combat flight VR performance. The Pimax team extends gratitude to the simulation community for their ongoing contributions to VR optimization knowledge.