usually d3doverrider makes an audible 'ping' when launching a game, to let you know it is functioning.

i don't hear this when launching stalker soc.

i thought it was a dx issue, but i cannot find anything from googling to suggest that is what the problem is.

i want to play at 120hz, but i can't lock my fps to 120, as vsync does not appear to be working at all.

i know the in-game vsync option is broken, but i can't even force it through the nvcp.

May be worth trying Nvidia Inspector. You can create and edit profiles with that based on the game's .exe.



Also, may be worth mentioning, I remember having some programs/s running can cause problems for d3doverrider. I don't remember specifics, only that one of my background programs would prevent it from starting I think, perhaps one of yours are causing it other problems so closing all un-needed things is worth a try too.