[SPUDLEY1977]

Matt,
CLOD = $50
IL-2 46 (Orig IL-2 Series) = $ 10

Graphics: CLOD definately superior to 46, night/day..no just a nice step up.
CLOD>46

Flight Models - do you feel you’re actually flying?: My friends who do fly prop planes tell me 46 feels much more like flying, engine rpm, power, relative ground speed, power, responsiveness.
46>>>CLOD

Engines/Power:
CLOD engines feel like they're powered by enemic hamsters. In 46 you can actually feel the power, acceleration, responsiveness.
46>>>CLOD

Map Variety: no match 46>CLOD

Functions actually working:
CLOD is in a pre Beta stage, the vast majority of functions/features simply do not work.
46>>>CLOD 100:1

Immersion factor:
Due to all the issues above, and despite the better graphics in CLOD 46 was exponentially more immersive and more fun to boot.
46>>>CLOD

System Requirements:
CPU:
Can't really offer any objective metrics as far as CPU Utilization, and Video Ram. I don't track that anymore but having owner Dual and Quad cores, any Quad core should preclude CPU bottlenecks.

VIDCARD:
Have owned 8 cards over the life of the orig IL-2 series and I would venture any current mid level card should do 46 fine, I have a 570 and VID Utilization is not maxed out, and I believe 3/4 vidram used at peak periods with most settings on Med/HIgh with trees off as they are very taxking and unnecessary for dogfighting, don't miss them at all.

User Interface:
Critical interface between the user and the work of the graphic programmers:
46 and CLOD both are abysmal failures when compared to other programs of their respective times. 46 less so as after, after many hours we could figure out how most things work in 46. CLOD:.....many many hours of individual work/reverse engineering and still most things are mysteries or not functioning.

IL-2 the original series was indeed a BLAST and though it had its shortcomings remained a blast even through today. If they just could have stepped up the Graphics of the Orig il-2 and built a somewhat sensible interface it would last another few years. Aside from the graphics upgrade from il-2 Orig to CLOD the other components were not an upgrade at all, in many respects a blatant failure to implement any Lessons Learned from the long living original series.

Value:
IL-2 >>> CLOD no comparison $10 vs $50..

In either case your specs can run IL-2 Original series just fine all on MAX mine have. Regarding CLOD it is still in development. For Online dogfighting I believe your vid card would be fine however as my friends have similiar setup and when I host online CLOD they experience smooth FPS and enjoy the eye candy.

Be advised I am spending my time on the CLOD primarily online hosting online Dogfights.

Hope this helps, good luck sir.

Attached my CLOD Video settings and here are my current specs.
Q9550
GTX 570
4G Ram
Win 7 64