I've recently completed a major overhall on one of the computers I use to play AH. The funny thing is that it was actually easier to get kills on my older (slower) computer. First of all, I will list the system stats for both of my computers:
System 1: 466 celeron, 96 MB pc 100 ram, 8.4 UDMA HD, V770 Ultra 32MB video card (4.02 diamond driver), Aureal Vortex 2 directsound accelerator card, ethernet connection (fast) to web. Average ping time to HTC: 65ms
System 2: 366 celeron, 64 MB pc 100 ram, 8.4 Gb UDMA, 8 MB ATI Expert@work Vcard (rage pro chipset .4771 drivers), SB16 PnP soundcard, 56k USR modem (connection averages about 26400 bps.) Average ping time to HTC arena: 200ms
On both systems I use my Sidewinder P Pro (USB) and both have identical configurations within AH. (800x600 32 bit color)
On system 2, even with a much inferior framerate, I can get easier kills. It seems to me that bullet trajectory is much flatter, making deflection shooting 200% easier. Also, fewer hits seem to be needed to do damage. Since my connection is slower on system 2, hits seem to have a delayed effect on planes. The next observation is a complex one: Lets say I set up for a bnz bounce on the 6 of a lower fighter. Now, lets say I close to around 500 yds and then open fire. I land 15 hits at ranges from 500 yds to 200 yds. In my experience this is the result on my two different systems. System 2, about 1/2 second after the last hit, the plane generally explodes. System 1, the plane usually loses a wingtip after the first 4 or 5 hits, but rarely explodes.
Another observation: System 1: Planes are much more erratic when evading you. System 2: Planes generally react quite slowly after landing the first hit. This is probably due to lagtime increases on system 2. Since system 1 receives updates much more frequently than system 2, the enemy planes react much more quickly to your own actions.
FYI: On system 1 I average 50+ fps. System 2: 25 fps max. Both are quite playable, but system 1 is much smoother. My conclusion so far: The faster connection is making it much more difficult to score kills. Does anyone else have experience with more than one computer with vastly different performance?