. . .but I do not think my current computer could handle it either. . .
E8400 3.06Ghz
8800GT 512M
4Gig RAM
I tested RoF using an E8400 at 3.6-4.0 GHz, 8800GTS 512. I could run all settings at high other than "Terrain" which needs more onboard video RAM provided that I didn't use the "Post Effects" (easy given that I'm not a fan of them anyway - other than the "drops" being kinda of fun!), I was using 2X-4XAA and 4X-8XAF most of the time, I would generally see 50 fps at these settings in the quick missions, and lower 40s in the careers. I later purchased a GTX285SC which allowed me to run all settings at high, plus 8XAA/16XAF.
I also tried a comparison of stock clocks of 3.06GHz to 3.906GHz during two consecutive runs of the Echelon Protection mission where I went to treetop height next to the smoke of the train (ie it hits the FPS pretty hard). These numbers are running the 8800GTS. Here's the FRAPS data from that:
3.06GHz, 8800GTS 512, 1920x1200, all post effects off, High Settings other than Medium Landscape, AA 4X override, AF App Controlled, Tex Quality: Quality
Avg: 38.1593.906GHz, 8800GTS 512, 1920x1200, all post processing off, High Settings other than Medium Landscape, AA 4X override, AF App Controlled, Tex Quality: Quality
Avg: 52.881The GTX 285 gave me approx 16-24 more FPS in a given situation if running the same settings than my 8800GTS which is about the same effect of a 1GHz CPU overclock on my CPU. Needless to say that when my CPU is overclocked and while running the GTX285 I'm pegged at my vSynch locked 60fps most of the time.
In summary, you will run it well enough even at your stock clock on the CPU, with that 8800GT if you do not use post effects, and set some big fps killers to lower values, such as shadows and reflections. . .the sim actually looks quite good on low settings, especially if you bump the textures up a notch so that the cockpit still retains it's usual level of clarity.
In my experience, RoF frame rates are pretty sensitive to the water reflections, as well as the number of
ai aircraft nearby (as the physics for them is being calculated by your CPU). I would start by setting everything to medium, but set reflections to low (and I think low actually looks more realistic), shadows to medium, and don't run too much AA/AF and you'll be fine as long as you are in a sky crowded with tons of ai.
Do a little overclock on that CPU of yours, or get a new video card (GTX 260s can be found for 150 USD) and you will see some nice gains, but I don't think you will need to do that, just do a little tweaking with the quality options (remember that I'm running 1920x1200 resolution too).
