Build the Best PC for Flight Simulator 2020! CPUs, RAM and GPUs tested for the Perfect Sim PC



View our recommended flight simulator builds on BuildPicker: https://buildpicker.com/

Mid-Range AMD Flight Sim Build: https://buildpicker.com/build/31/mid-range-flight-simulator-2020-pc-amd
Mid-Range Intel Flight Sim Build: https://buildpicker.com/build/33/mid-range-flight-simulator-pc
Entry-Level Flight Sim Build: https://buildpicker.com/build/32/entry-level-flight-simulator-pc

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 has a reputation as being hard on hardware: so how should you allocate your budget if you want this Sim to run well but canโ€™t out-bid Bezos?

In this video we break down the factors that contribute to excellent performance in Flight Simulator, controlling the variables to work out the best value CPUs, RAM configurations and GPUs. We use this information to recommend three PC Configurations at entry level, mid range, and the high end. You donโ€™t need the most expensive parts to get fantastic performance: In fact you can achieve it with a pretty modest budget!
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Timestamps:
0:00 โ€“ Introduction
2: 20 โ€“ The Benchmarks we run
4:25 โ€“ CPU testing
5:26 โ€“ CPUs: Testing for core count scaling
6:38 โ€“ Can DirectX 12 help?
6:57 โ€“ Key factors affecting CPU performance: Core speed and L3 Cache
7:09 โ€“ The difference between Intel and AMD product segmentation
8:17 โ€“ CPU Conclusions
9:38 โ€“ CPU Recommendations
10:49 โ€“ RAM Testing
11:15 โ€“ RAM Capacities 8GB-64GB tested
13:29 โ€“ RAM Speed on AMD Ryzen CPUs
14:35 โ€“ RAM Speed on Intel 12th generation CPUs
15:26 โ€“ RAM Speed Conclusions and Recommendations
16:43 โ€“ RAM Configuration conclusions: inconclusive
17:15 โ€“ SSD Testing
18:33 โ€“ GPU tests 1080p
20:08 โ€“ GPU tests 1440p
20:45 โ€“ GPU tests 1440p Ultrawide
21:13 โ€“ GPU tests 4K
21:35 โ€“ GPU Conclusions
22:29 โ€“ Notes on VR Performance/Requirements
23:10 โ€“ Overall conclusions
24:08 โ€“ Recommended Entry Level (1080p) PC Configuration
25:37 โ€“ Recommended Mid Range (1440p) PC Configuration
27:19 โ€“ Recommended High End (4k, VR) PC Configuration
29:16 โ€“ An invitation to BuildPicker.com โ€“ A Site that helps you configure your perfect PC.
30:35 โ€“ Testing Methodology
34:46 โ€“ Phew! Itโ€™s over.
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See our recommended builds at https://buildpicker.com/

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33 thoughts on “Build the Best PC for Flight Simulator 2020! CPUs, RAM and GPUs tested for the Perfect Sim PC”

  1. Great video. Clear, precise with cost estimates. Wish everybody who tries to tackle this issue on YouTube would follow your testing and explanation method. Now I know where to start and what to look for. Thanks Mate !

    Reply
  2. As someone who has always had Apple products and who doesn't understand all of this technical "stuff", but is looking for a PC for Flight sim xPlane I found it very useful and understandable. Why can't Apple make a gaming PC. They worry more about the colour of the unit ? Thank you.

    Reply
  3. Thank you very much for your effort. This is so informative video. However, I would like to take your attention to a point.
    Professional simmers use 3rd party airplanes and sceneries with some additional software. That means it is required to test with this add ons to enforce the system.

    For example:

    Fenix A320 (Aeroplane), PMDG 737 (Aeroplane),
    ORBX UK mesh with ORBX Scenery on UK airport. or (US scenery and meshes) with different weather conditions.
    GSX Pro for ground handling.
    FS Realistic Pro (realistic movements and sounds for a flight)
    IVAO/VATSIM
    Also, another software are generally open to help the flight during the flight.

    If you are going to repeat such kind of video in the future, please consider these software above as well.

    With default view and aircraft, evaluation could be different at least for the professional airlene users in on line ambient. Because another software that I counted above dramatically affect the results.

    I really want to see an evaluation for the advanced users in the future if possible.

    Thank you very much,
    Regards.

    Reply
  4. hopefully you can help.. not much of a techy. ive never played MFS at all but i have been playing with google earth flight sim / with keyboard & mouse on a old computer. i just ordered a computer from ibuypower with a Motherboard: ASRock Z690 Processor (8X 3.20GHz + 8X 2.40GHz/30MB L3 Cache) it will have 32GB 6000Mhz and a RTX 3080 graphics card running windows 11 i should get it in about a week.. my internet is super slow here something like 15 down and only 1.5 up , can i still play this ? do they offer a CD version for install ? TIA

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  5. Jon any chance you will review MSFS again this year with the new generation of CPUs and GPUs from Intel, AMD and NVIDIA? If so, is it possible to test how they perform for triple monitor setups too? The huge L3 cache of the AMD 7900X3D sounds tempting (since L3 was a bottleneck before), as does their "smart access memory" if you pair up CPU with GPU, but I have to rely on expert reviews like yours before building a new rig for MSFS.

    Reply
  6. Great stuff … So glad I found your channel (Subbed). Transitioning from Xbox (since MSFS launch) to dedicated PC, learning all aspects of tech info needed. Checking website for latest info. $USD? do you ship to Australia? Many Thanks.

    Reply
  7. I've been putting a build together to replace a 6600k system from 2015 and I've pored over an absolutely unhealthy amount of benchmarks and tests in the past few weeks. In terms of both quality of data and clarity of presentation, this is far and away the best channel I've come across. It would be great to have this information in article form for easier review of the charts.

    Reply
  8. I understand that this game probably took a long time to make, so they were probably still stuck in the single thread mindset. That being said, having a CPU with 1-2 threads maxed out with all other threads just kinda sitting there not really doing anything is just lazy. I know it seems like this benefits the consoles more? but seriously need to start taking advantage of all threads available.

    Reply
  9. My question is i7 processor shows best performance due to single core operation however would it be best to upgrade system to i9 and hope/ wait for a better cpu that can handle and optimized for ms fs20 as in single core operation??? Because you'd be better protected for future proofing. Any help much appreciated! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  10. Your presentation is very helpful as I am considering building my own gaming desktop.

    In the meantime, I am using my Dell XPS laptop (i7 7700K HQ Quad Core @ 2.8Ghx / RTX 1050 – 4GB – 60 Mhz / 16GB Ram DDR 4 @ 240 Mhz – 2 TB SSD) which falls short of you suggestions . I believe I am limited to improve. However, given laptop restrictions with most components would it help that I increase RAM to 32GB, (your presentation seemed to focus on other components for improvements).

    Currently, I am able to play the game to some extent with lots of tweaking of the control settings. As a pro with Flight Simulator would you have any suggestions with settings that make the most improvements – minimizing or maximizing the setting? Any and all suggestions are much appreciated from those on this board.

    Reply
  11. Is there a PC that can run FS2020 in ultra everything? Iโ€™m ready to pull the trigger but I keep getting conflicting information. HELP!๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜ตโ€๐Ÿ’ซ. Also Iโ€™m setup with three 43โ€ monitors.

    Reply

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