G3 takes a lot of computer to run it. I had it, sold it. My specs are P4 2.6, 512 ram, geforce 5200 128mb vid card. Frame rates were terrible and it locked up all the time. The system requirements on the box are misleading. For vid card it says 64mb min and 128mb recommended. But once you install it, there is a read me file that says 128mb min requirements. And also it has a problem with certain video cards(nvidia). I didn't want to spend $200 plus on a new video card after spending $200 on the G3. Don't get me wrong, it is a good sim. The G2 is also very good. I used it to learn to fly planes and helis. Used G2 to learn hover on helis and then purchased a used heli that was already setup and hovered my first attempt w/o training gear. So it does help a bunch. If you have a topend computer, G3 would be ok, if not, try to pick up G2 somewhere. Also check out the greatplanes realflight forums/discussion boards for G3. Lot of your questions can be answered there. GoodLuck!!!