Better PC performance...

This is pure speculation at this point, but I am thinking that the F-16 may perform better in regards to PC performance and FPS, compared to other DCS aircraft. I would think that being a smaller aircraft (less to model) and the lack of mirrors would be the biggest contributors to increased FPS. What does everyone else think?

I don't think you will see that much difference, mirrors do seem to make some difference, but its all up to system specs as well.

Hmm, interesting. Thank you for the response.

Well, I know on my end that not having to worry about mirrors will be a big boost. In both the Tomcat and Hornet, having the mirrors on will decrease FPS by 20+.

Not sure the size of the plane matters in cockpit view. Although when looking at other Vipers it will.

2D/3D artist tend to squeeze a few percent over their budget, and each model becomes the new standard. Just natural evolution :).

Size doesnt matter, complexity does. But cockpit complexity wise the F-16 looks rather similar to the F-18, so I wouldnt expect much difference.

One less MFD to render though, So that might help.

Mirrors? Have them off in every aircraft..

Mirrors eat around 30-40% of the fps in general and aren't even actual mirrors technically, plus they're more than useless, except for in the Tomcat

But still it just doesn't look right if they're just blank and not turned away like it's done in the Hornet. Good thing the F-16 won't have that problem at all.

... I would think that being a smaller aircraft (less to model)...

Honestly the F-16 isn't that smaller than the say the F-18. But I do think it has somewhat simpler geometry, particulary because the bug is quite complex around the intakes. The aircraft beeing say shorter than some wont really cost many polys as a section of a few meters of fuselage with no intrisinc details doesn't tipicaly take many polys to model. In fact a small detail like an antena can sometimes take as much polys to model as several square meters on the main fuselage body.

I think the F-16 in terms of general geometry complexity is about the same as the f-15 except for the two moving intakes versus 1 fixed one, one engine vs 2. But like others said its all about how crazy the modelers go on the LOD, how optimized vs on how detailed.

Let's just get up in the air..

Now these days mirrors are mostly useless as you can't see backwards as their purpose is.

I am not going to have any reason admire my head movements inside cockpit, I want to see backwards!

And you can't do so with very narrow view mirrors, as many should be wide view.

I never use mirrors. I don't trust them. I'd prefer to just look back.

Mirrors, what mirrors....

I think F-16 doesnt have mirrors...so in that point, we may have a little better performance, but IMO we wont get the difference.

But without frame and others there is much more landscape. Your head is just below the top of the canopy.. there is plenty space before the canopy frame comes.. so much more visible landscape than in any other module since now...