I want to fly...

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Both are great but, obviously, very different.

FSX is non-combat and requires heavy duty hardware. My E6700/2GB RAM/8800 640MB GTS could be brought to it's knees by FSX.

Yes, I know. I've got a similar rig to yours - Core 2 Duo E6600/2GB RAM/8800 640MB GTS Superclocked/Windows XP Pro SP2. I reckon I might be able to do medium to medium high, without any airport traffic beyond necessary.

Also, though it's not required, FSX almost compels you to buy add-on programs. You can spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars upgrading FSX. It can be an expensive addiction. Mind you, if you have the hardware and the budget, it's insanely gorgeous.

How's the freeware for FSX? I know it's good for Wings over Europe, which is the reason I'm so in love with it (the user-made planes are brilliant, beautiful beyond belief). That being said, they're two completely different sims.

IL2-46 is pure combat and screams on that system. It looks great, flies great, and the $30 you spend on it is the only money you need to spend.

I have CFS3, but I like the additional graphics IL2 offers. I've tested it out before, and very much liked it. Again, however, I don't know how good the freeware add-ons are. More or less, freeware add-ons and their availability is my first consideration in buying a sim, after I make sure I can run it, of course.

Mind you, in either case, you're going to want a HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick) system which can cost $200 (or more), or can be put together for 1/4 of that price with two Saitek flightsticks (my choice).

I've got a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro, with a throttle on it of course. I don't really want to upgrade my flight sim hardware just yet, so will that do for FSX or IL2?