3 super-accurate sims that will test you and your rig

Ever wondered if you could handle an F-18 Hornet, or tutted in disappointment when watching NASCAR (you know you could have taken that corner better)? If so, then apart from having perfect vision, spending years in training and having to face the potential danger of actually doing those things for real, then trying out some of these sims is highly recommended. Simulators have become so advanced that it is entirely possible to go pro from playing computer games! Take a look at some of the best to prepare you for the real thing.

DCS World

If you ever saw Top Gun, chances are you wanted to aim for a professional career playing beach volleyball to epic guitar solos. Or flying F-14s (to epic guitar solos). DCS World gives you that chance (not at volleyball). Everything in DCS World is based on reality. You can see every nut and bolt in the cockpit, interact with every switch and button (make sure it's not the ejector seat), and even see your own legs.

There are a variety of modes and levels of simulation, from pretty hardcore to... extremely hardcore. It looks great too, although you'll need something above the recommended settings (i7, 16GB RAM, GTX 1060/RX480 at least) to run this silky, tweaked and on ultra.

Arma 3

In what is probably the definitive open world military simulation, Arma 3 follows on from its predecessors by not only upping the graphics in a big way, but the possibilities too. Photorealistic terrain, destructible buildings, air support, tanks, armoured fighting vehicles, helicopters and an almost inexhaustible list of infantry equipment all await.

That doesn't mean it's easy, though – locating your objectives and enemies takes careful planning, patience and strategy. Although light on hardware demands (i5, 6GB RAM, GTX 1060/RX480 at least), an SSD or Hybrid HDD will really help your performance. Can you get 60 fps on ultra in the middle of a full-scale battle? There's only one way to find out.

iRacing

When it comes to immersive racing experiences, iRacing sets the benchmark. The level of detail on the cars and environments is impressive (the tracks are laser scanned for accuracy). Damage is modelled too, so you're in for a treat (sort of) if you smash into a barrier – which is quite likely in your first race. There are plenty of leagues running with real life prize money up for grabs if you fancy your skills.

While it will run on a toaster or your 1980s microwave (any 1GB or more GPU is listed as the minimum), no one wants to be driving Lego blocks around a square. With a high-end system, you'll get to see just how good this title can look as you blast around Daytona.

Getting the right gear

To run these games at their best with plenty of tweaking options, the G20 is a great all-round contender that will keep you as competitive as you want to be for years to come. If you're just after a GPU upgrade, then the ROG Strix RX 480 has more than enough juice to handle these games above. Using the Overclock modes and GPU Tweak II also gives you plenty of control for pushing your rig, while also pushing yourself. Don't forget to check in with our ROG community for the best tweaking options.

 

By Simon Marshall