Digital Combat Simulator [DCS]

Wiz, you should, just make sure you have really good specs and at least a joystick and paddle to use with the sim. Trust me, the key combinations and avionics can be a hard one to tackle (specially in simulator mode)

XFactor, that's great man. I have Lomac as well. I put the disc somewhere, sadly though the online servers went silent (Gamespy shut them because it's closing) and one of the publishers being Ubisoft you may guess what happened to the game...

There are few mods that can list some private servers still, but I don't feel like playing this again, lots of nostalgia. Perhaps once FC3 is out of beta, when I get a proper gaming system to handle it and if you and others get FC3 maybe we could arrange some sessions.

Gotta love sneaking up on targets with Flanker B radar trick from 25km away and popping out of nowhere from behind for a good shot

Su27 is also part of DCS universe now, it also got a carrier version in DCS called Su33 (Which was present even in Lomac)

Funny thing, I have NO CLUE how to fly western aircraft whatsoever, I did try the tutorials, tried to fly F15C and all I could do is start engines, learn how to lock on targets and gain thrust. The entire interface is so confusing to me.

What's your favorite?

With those specs you shouldn't have trouble running the game to at least medium with over 60 frames, however if you want to run the highest possible settings from stock of the game then your fps may drop.

Give you a little hint though. The game setting files are highly customizable, just like crysis ones were. That being said you can gain HUGE FPS boost by tweaking these settings while getting the absolute maximum of the game graphics.

I remember I tweaked Lomac and fc1 and was able to run them both on highest with 25 to 30 frames constant (except in stormy weather while flying through clouds). The game isn't that much of a spec hog but it's poorly optimized.

There's a launcher called Check Six, if I remember well. It has tweak options built in. You can also check DCS forums for most tweaks. The most noticeable ones are clouds, there is a settings that once you change doesn't really show much difference in-game but does give over 40% fps boost. There are many many mods as well.

Also, with those specs of yours. Build one nifty head tracker on the cheap from freetrack (you can find instructions on the site) for under 5-10 bucks, it will make your in-game experience a lot easier and more fun