[SOLVED] MS Flight Simulator- Hardware- Do I need new everything or just GPU

[jhjenningsiii]

Have a Desktop PC that I built about 8 years ago, that I use primarily for music production. Running Cubase 11 pro and Native Instruments, it works fine, but I'd like to use this PC to run MS Flight Simulator 2020. I'm not certain if I can get by with just updating the GPU or if it's time to scrap it and rebuild from scratch. My current stats:

MOBO- ASUS P8Z77-V Pro
CPU-Intel i7-3770k ( not overclocked )
RAM- G.Skill Trident 32GB DDR3-2400
PS-Antec High Current HCG-750
GPU1-NVIDIA GeForce GT 430
GPU2-AMD Radeon HD 5450
Drives- (2x)Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
Case-CoolerMaster Storm Enforcer SGC-1000
Antec KUHLER H2O 620 Water Cooling System

My assumption is that neither GPU is adequate for even the minimal requirements. I'm clueless on Video Cards, but see that the ideal RTX 2080 is over $1000. Steep. Any suggestions? Do I need a full rebuild or just a new video card, and if so, any suggestions that are between $400 and $800 for the card.

Also, I do have a newer laptop, a Dell XPS 15-9560, running on a

• 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5-7300HQ Quad-Core
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 GPU (4GB GDDR5)
• 16GB ram
• 1TB NVMe storage

Don't know if that might be another option. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[vov4ik_il]

MSFS is VERY CPU-intensive, you sure need a good GPU too but the first will likely be the limiting factor.
Tom's looked into it here.

 

[Deleted member 2838871]

Have a Desktop PC that I built about 8 years ago

MOBO- ASUS P8Z77-V Pro CPU-Intel i7-3770k ( not overclocked ) GPU1-NVIDIA GeForce GT 430 GPU2-AMD Radeon HD 5450

My assumption is that neither GPU is adequate for even the minimal requirements. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

I loaded MSFS2020 on my old i7 7700k/1080 Ti system in August with the intention of 4K ultra settings and it was doable around 20-30 fps with lower spikes... but I wasn't happy with it. The sim is very demanding on hardware. You might be able to get by with your CPU on a lower resolution/settings but I would agree with you and say a GPU upgrade is in order at a minimum and preferably both CPU and GPU.

I went all out and built a ridiculous PC that does everything I do including MSFS2020 quite well. The timing was right... COVID had cancelled my 2020 vacations and I had the money to burn. There are less expensive routes to take though... either a partial upgrade or full rebuild like you said. Just depends on your budget. What sucks though is the market... GPUs are hard to get right now and so are AMD processors which is why I went Intel.

You will be quite happy with MSFS2020 when you have supporting hardware. It is without question one of the most beautiful sims I've ever seen on a PC.

They did an amazing job... even if the software does need to be optimized. The VR option that was added a few months back is incredible as well.

 

[jhjenningsiii]

Thanks for the feedback. I might be able to justify spending $800 for a newer GPU, but completely build a bleeding edge PC just for this sim would be hard to justify. My monitors aren't even 4k so, by the time I bought new monitors, the software, and peripherals, I'd probably be pushing $4,000? Not certain that I'm that into trying this. Maybe down the road. Wondering if any of the other flight sims could run smoothly on my PC?

 

[Deleted member 2838871]

Thanks for the feedback. I might be able to justify spending $800 for a newer GPU, but completely build a bleeding edge PC just for this sim would be hard to justify. My monitors aren't even 4k so, by the time I bought new monitors, the software, and peripherals, I'd probably be pushing $4,000? Not certain that I'm that into trying this. Maybe down the road. Wondering if any of the other flight sims could run smoothly on my PC?

Not really familiar with the other sims but it looks like you are fine for XPlane 11 based on the sys requirements and you wanted to just upgrade your GPU (if you can find one for $800) then you should be fine to run MSFS2020 at 1080p.

I'm looking at 1080 Ti's on eBay right now for under $800 (barely) but that would definitely work. I was using that card for 4K MSFS2020 with a 7700k as mentioned in my first post. Released in 2017 it's lagging a bit behind now for 4K but for 1080p it's still an amazing card IMHO. Retail price in 2017 was $699 which is what I paid for mine... keep an eye on it and you can probably find one at a good price.

That would be my recommendation.

Another alternative would be building a new PC around a less than current gen CPU with a GPU upgrade... new mobo... ram.... I'd wager you could get there for significantly less than $4000. Maybe @Master Djoza can put together a parts list for you??

 

[jhjenningsiii]

Thanks. Thinking I may look at upgrading one piece at a time. If I upgrade the GPU on my current system, and run it at 1080p ( since I only have the standard HDMI 1080p monitors now anyway ), I can look at building a new PC in a year or so. Wonder if going for an xbox, instead of PC, would make sense. Also, are prices on everything unusually high right now? Have GPUs always been this pricey?

 

[Deleted member 2838871]

Thanks. Thinking I may look at upgrading one piece at a time. If I upgrade the GPU on my current system, and run it at 1080p ( since I only have the standard HDMI 1080p monitors now anyway ), I can look at building a new PC in a year or so. Wonder if going for an xbox, instead of PC, would make sense. Also, are prices on everything unusually high right now? Have GPUs always been this pricey?

Can't speak for the XBox. My brother is a console gamer but they just aren't for me. I like to be able to do everything and you need a PC for that.

As for prices... yeah, it's a bad time. 2020 was a garbage year and it rolled over to PC part prices. Demand is at an all time high for GPUs... AMD flagship processors are in demand... and scalpers are taking advantage. The mining craze also plays a part in GPU pricing. IIRC that started in 2017 and has had its ups and downs... but as of now the market is the absolute worst I've ever seen it. If you want a GPU you need to be prepared to camp out a microcenter or follow stock notification websites and be prepared to fight to add the part to your cart.

My build started in November with a lucky BB order for my GPU (camping website) and for a CPU I had to go with Intel because the flagship AMD processors were only available from scalpers... and I'm not paying $1300+tax on eBay for a 5950x that retails for $799. So I went with the 10900k for $500 and am quite happy with that decision.

 

[LolaGT]

Meandering through the uploaded BMs for the sim shows your system(excluding a GPU) is more than adequate for medium settings in 1080p, but you will definitely need to up the GPU if you want to have any kind of experience that is enjoyable(subjective, depends on you).
Unfortunately the GPU market is horrific right now(And no, we are in extraordinary times). There are no options that you can just run out and buy on a whim these days, it takes a daily effort and luck.

 

[Frag Maniac]

If anyone here thinks they've seen the best MS Flight Simulator 2020 build, check this out.

At a whopping $20,000 total cost, it's more expensive than some planes! That said, what I couldn't help think stood out like a sore thumb, Nvidia was too cheap to throw in a 3090, like Travis' rig has, JEEZ. The speakers are also very cheesy.

This $20,000 Microsoft Flight Simulator rig is more expensive than some real planes

Fly first class any time you want.

www.pcgamer.com

 

[Rogue Leader]

You will notice a lot of missing posts here. DO NOT hijack other peoples threads, especially if you're going to turn around and sling personal attacks at each other. Keep it on the OP's question and knock it off.