Will 16Gb of VRAM be sufficient for VR for the foreseeable?

[Noel 4,504]

I currently use 3440x1440 curved screen which I believe is happily served by 16Gb of VRAM.  No plans to go to 4K, but am VR-curious and would like to keep VR as an option down the road w/o the need to change GPU.  I'm currently seeking a 4080 or 4080 Super or 4080 Ti if it comes out.  While asking, if you went to VR, has this been a one-way change for you, that is, is there no going back to flat screens after VR??

Thanks

[odourboy 1,290]

I can't answer specifically what might work for you, but with VR, there's a tendency to oversample (run at a higher resolution than the HMD panels) to correct barrel distortion and generally improve image clarity. For instance, I run my VR at 4112x4112 (per eye) for glasses who's native resolution is 2160x2160. The amount of oversampling is entirely up to the user and driven by your HMD, your Anti-aliasing choice, how fussy you are and of course, the power of your GPU.

[Noel 4,504]

4 hours ago, odourboy said:

I can't answer specifically what might work for you, but with VR, there's a tendency to oversample (run at a higher resolution than the HMD panels) to correct barrel distortion and generally improve image clarity. For instance, I run my VR at 4112x4112 (per eye) for glasses who's native resolution is 2160x2160. The amount of oversampling is entirely up to the user and driven by your HMD, your Anti-aliasing choice, how fussy you are and of course, the power of your GPU.

Thanks, what's the typical VRAM in use when you're maxed out?   That might give me a clue about the question I have.  Do you use VR exclusively now?  Do/can you use DX12 in VR?

Edited January 19 by Noel

[odourboy 1,290]

25 minutes ago, Noel said:

Thanks, what's the typical VRAM in use when you're maxed out?   That might give me a clue about the question I have.  Do you use VR exclusively now?  Do/can you use DX12 in VR?

I'll have to get back to you on VRAM usage... I haven't checked lately. But I am using VR exclusively now and as of the last SU, I am using DX12 in VR.

[odourboy 1,290]

58 minutes ago, Noel said:

Thanks, what's the typical VRAM in use when you're maxed out?

Okay, I created a very demanding scenario in the PMDG 737 and hit a maximum VRAM of 18.7 GB. Yep! Surprised me a bit.

[Noel 4,504]

I'm curious as I say.  What are the downside of MSFS in VR as you see them?  How does one grapple w/ their controllers and keyboard?  I mean there has to be some kind of trade off.  Even having to have googles on itself might be considered one necessary downside, if one would rather not have to wear VR goggles.

Are you able to use DSR factors, or I see you use some other approach to higher render scaling?

Edited January 19 by Noel

[Pilot53 544]

No, in my opinion even 24GB is insufficient for VR in MSFS.  My GPU can handle more resolution but I back down the AA and resolution because it will max out my 24GB of vram if I set the resolution to what the GPU can handle.

[odourboy 1,290]

10 minutes ago, Noel said:

I'm curious as I say.  What are the downside of MSFS in VR as you see them?  How does one grapple w/ their controllers and keyboard?

Others will hopefully weigh in here, but downsides: quite complicated to get set up and optimized.. not plug and play! There are compromises in image quality (at least compared to 4K). Not all headsets are suitable for long flights (battery and comfort). Lack of commitment from Asobo to VR. Not cheap to get a good headset/GPU. As for HOTAS... muscle memory. Keyboard and VR controllers.. I try to avoid in VR.

Edited January 19 by odourboy

[JacquesBrel 639]

6 minutes ago, Noel said:

How does one grapple w/ their controllers and keyboard?

I just use the mouse to click on stuff I need to operate in VR, or use the buttons on my HOTAS throttle and my yoke. I never use the VR controllers or a keyboard in MSFS.

[Noel 4,504]

1 minute ago, Pilot53 said:

No, in my opinion even 24GB is insufficient for VR in MSFS.  My GPU can handle more resolution but I back down the AA and resolution because it will max out my 24GB of vram if I set the resolution to what the GPU can handle.

Wow, geez I definitely don't have a clue I'll have to read about it in depth....why it is that this tiny square area of imagery is so demanding.   I have no clue how one even focuses on something that close to they eye!   I think these answers already sum up for me what I needed to learn.  For now I won't have VR become a consideration as I can't see myself using it.

Many thanks 🐵

[odourboy 1,290]

11 minutes ago, Noel said:

Are you able to use DSR factors, or I see you use some other approach to higher render scaling?

I use the override resolution setting in OpenXR. There are also some other proprietary mechanisms available depending on your HMD supplier and software lineup. 

[odourboy 1,290]

4 minutes ago, Noel said:

For now I won't have VR become a consideration as I can't see myself using it.

I get it... it's a big step. But OMG, it's friggin' amazing once you're firing on all cylinders. 😃

[Pilot53 544]

9 minutes ago, Noel said:

Wow, geez I definitely don't have a clue I'll have to read about it in depth....why it is that this tiny square area of imagery is so demanding.   I have no clue how one even focuses on something that close to they eye!   I think these answers already sum up for me what I needed to learn.  For now I won't have VR become a consideration as I can't see myself using it.

Many thanks 🐵

I also want to say, you definitely CAN get by with less, it just means you will have to compromise a bit on visuals.  I spend a lot of time in MSFS VR so I went all out because I am very picky about my experience.  I fly GA and airliners and want things to look as close to a monitor as possible.  It is definitely worth trying with a 16GB or even 12GB gpu.  You will have to run less resolution, LOD at 100 instead of 200+, and some settings on medium instead of high or ultra.  Its is worth trying VR, the experience is incredible.  Sorry if my first post was a bit misleading, its just that If the 4090 was a 36GB gpu instead of 24GB it would be just perfect for VR.  

Edited January 19 by Pilot53

[Noel 4,504]

5 minutes ago, odourboy said:

I get it... it's a big step. But OMG, it's friggin' amazing once you're firing on all cylinders. 😃

I bet it is...which is why I better not go there right now I don't want to be spoiled!  Fortunately I'm still always excited to do what I do currently.

[Divij 11]

My experience with a HP Reverb G2 with a 4070ti (12GB) has been fantastic. 
 

With medium to high graphics in game and FPS limited at 30 using RTSS, I can fly the Fenix into heavy third party airports during busy Vatsim Events and have a smooth experience. I use the Dynamic LOD mod to limit the LOD to 60 on the ground in this circumstance. 
 

VRAM usage in these heavy scenarios usually tops out at about 11-11.5GB for me using DX12 and DLSS Quality. 
 

To answer your original question. Yes once I tried VR (more than a year ago) I’ve never done another flight on my flat screen. 

Edited January 20 by Divij