Flight to Great Heights: Finding the Best PC for an Enhanced Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Experience.
From Gaming Novice to Flight Simulator 2024 Expert
Are you a novice gamer or a seasoned pro? Either way, you’ve likely heard the buzz around Flight Simulator 2024. This game has taken the world by storm, delivering an immersive and realistic flight experience. But to fully enjoy this ground-breaking game, you need a powerful computer. So let’s dive into the world of gaming PCs and find out why ‘This is the best PC for Flight Simulator 2024’.
The Best PC for Flight Simulator 2024: The Non-negotiables
What makes for “the Best PC for Flight Simulator 2024?
When it comes to Flight Simulator 2024, not all PCs are created equal. The game’s graphics, physics, and weather systems demand serious hardware. The best PC for Flight Simulator 2024 is a powerhouse, capable of providing an unforgettable flight experience.
The Specs That Matter
We’re not just blowing smoke here. To truly grasp why ‘This is the best PC for Flight Simulator 2020’, let’s delve into the specs that matter most.
Processing Power: A top-tier processor is a must. We recommend the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D if you are looking for the best performance possible. If you are looking for a more budget option the 7800X3D is the next best choice. MSFS 2024 is more multi-threaded than previous versions, but it still rewards clock speed and fast IPC (instructions per clock) over lots of cores – so avoid those Threadrippers – they will likely be slower than even a mid-range Core i5 in Flight Simulator.
RAM: 64GB is the sweet spot, allowing the game to run perfectly smoothly. 32GB is also more than enough for all but the busiest airspace. 6000MHz DDR5 is what we recommend in combination with the 9800X3D or 7800X3D. Remember, two sticks is invariably quicker than 4, as running four modules at once will greatly reduce your achievable clock frequency, with AMD and Intel CPUs both supporting just 3600MHz when running fully populated.
Graphics: It’s a simple choice for the GPU if you want the best – the NVIDIA RTX 5090 is the fastest GPU in the world, currently. It also supports some incredible features such as DLSS which can improve smoothness and unlock extra frame rate. If your budget doesn’t stretch this far any 40xx series or 50xx series NVIDIA GPU is our recommendation.
Storage: NVME SSDs are the way to go. We recommend PCIE Gen 4.0 NVMe SSDs for maximum speed and loading times. PCIe Gen 5.0 SSDs are also available, but these are a lot more money and the increase in synthetic performance doesn’t usually translate to loading time improvements.
The Hardware Deets: What’s Under the Hood?
The Brains of the Operation: The CPU
The CPU is the heart and soul of any gaming PC. Its job is to execute the game’s instructions, so a high-performance CPU is crucial. As mentioned, “IPC” or instructions-per-clock are much more important than total number of cores for Flight Simulator.
Memory Matters: The Importance of RAM
RAM stores data temporarily for quick access. More RAM means your PC can handle more data simultaneously, improving overall performance. MSFS can use all the way up to 64GB in the busiest airspace, and 32GB should be considered a minimum for optimal performance.
The Eye Candy: Graphics Card
Flight Simulator 2020 is a visual feast. A top-notch graphics card ensures you won’t miss a single detail. The more budget you invest here, the faster the frame rate and the higher you can crank those detail sliders. For 4k resolution you’ll need a Radeon 9070 or GeForce RTX 5070 Ti or better.
Speedy Gonzalez: SSD Storage
With a game as massive as Flight Simulator 2020, load times can be a drag. An SSD speeds things up, getting you into the cockpit faster. Don’t even consider installing MSFS 2024 on a spinning hard disk!
The Wired2Fire Sim X Valkyrie
Why choose the Sim X Valkyrie?
At Wired2Fire we have spent hours testing and benchmarking and testing various different hardware combinations to find out what is the best PC hardware for Microsoft Flight Simulator. With that information, we crafted the Valkyrie series. There are now three machines in the series, designed to appeal to customers with different hardware preferences and budgets.
Sim-X Valkyrie i9 5080
- CPU: Intel Core i9-14900k
- SSD: 1TB M.2
- GPU: Nvidia RTX 5080
- RAM: 64GB DDR5 6000MHz
- CASE: NZXT H7
£2,775.00 (inc VAT)
Sim-X Valkyrie R7X3D 5070Ti
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- SSD: 2TB M.2
- GPU: Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti
- RAM: 32GB DDR5 6000MHz
- CASE: NZXT H7
From: £2,207.99 (inc VAT)
Sim-X Valkyrie R7X3D 5090
- CPU: AMD R7 9800X3D
- SSD: 2Tb M.2
- GPU: RTX 5090
- RAM: 64Gb DDR5 6000Mhz
- CASE: NZXT H7
£4,001.99 (inc VAT)
Future-Proofing Your PC: A Worthwhile Investment
Keeping Up with the Times
Games evolve, and so should your PC. Future-proofing ensures your machine can handle future games and updates to Flight Simulator 2024. Wired2Fire operates and open box policy on its warranty – we don’t penalise you for upgrading your PC and keeping it bang up to date!
Component Upgrades: The Key to Longevity
Don’t skimp on components. High-quality, upgradeable parts can significantly extend the life of your PC. That £50 SSD from an unknown brand on Amazon might seem like a great deal in the short term, but are you going to feel the same way when having to reinstall your simulator when it inevitably dies?
FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. Can I run Flight Simulator 2024 on a mid-range PC?
Yes, but the experience won’t be as immersive. To enjoy Flight Simulator 2024 to its fullest, a high-end PC is recommended.
2. Do I need a joystick to play Flight Simulator 2024?
While not essential, a joystick enhances the game’s realism. But remember, the PC is the foundation of your gaming setup.
3. Can I use a laptop for Flight Simulator 2024?
Yes, but make sure it meets the game’s system requirements. A gaming PC offers more power and upgradeability, though. Check out our gaming laptop range for inspiration if you prefer your simming on the move.
4. How much should I budget for ‘the best PC for Flight Simulator 2020’?
That depends on your priorities. A high-end PC can cost upwards of £2500, but the enhanced gaming experience is worth the investment of you are serious about this highly rewarding hobby.
5. Can I upgrade my existing PC to run Flight Simulator 2024?
Absolutely! Upgrading components like the CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage can greatly improve your PC’s performance. If you already have a PC from Wired2Fire (or any other manufacturer), feel free to contact us and we can advise you where to spend your hard-earned cash.
6. How often should I upgrade my PC components?
That depends on the games you play and the performance you expect. For high-end games like Flight Simulator 2024, consider upgrading every 2-3 years, or when your machine is no longer able to cope with the settings, aircraft and scenery you want to enjoy.
