Table of Contents
Microsoft Flight Simulator is a hit, and the game can even be taxing on PCs with the best graphics card, which is why we’ve put together a few build suggestions to get you on the right track. Whether you plan on building a new gaming PC from scratch or wish to upgrade an older desktop already in use, these PC builds surpass the requirements for Microsoft’s expansive flight sim.
- PC build for 1080p
- PC build for 1440p
- PC build for 4K
| Minimum Spec | Recommended Spec | Ideal Spec | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU |
AMD Ryzen 3 1200 Intel i5-4460 |
Ryzen 5 1500X Intel i5-8400 |
AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 2700X Intel i7-9800X |
| GPU |
Radeon RX 570 Nvidia GTX 700 |
Radeon RX 590 Nvidia GTX 970 |
Radeon VII Nvidia RTX 2080 |
| VRAM | 2GB | 4GB | 8GB |
| RAM | 8GB | 16GB | 32GB |
| Storage | 150 GB | 150 GB | 150 GB (SSD) |
| Minimum OS version | Windows 10 Nov 2019 update (1909) | Windows 10 Nov 2019 update (1909) | Windows 10 Nov 2019 update (1909) |
Entry-level Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 PC build (1080p)
Case
NZXT H510
© Provided by Windows Central
![a close up of a box](https://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"36","h":"40","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB196CMQ.img?h=400&w=360&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
The H510 from NZXT is a solid mid-tower chassis for putting together one awesome-looking PC build. It has plenty of fan mounting options, clearance for even the most massive GPUs, and superb cable management.
$69 at Amazon
CPU
AMD Ryzen 3 3200G
© Provided by Windows Central
![a screenshot of a computer](https://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"24","h":"23","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB16dziy.img?h=234&w=236&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
AMD’s Ryzen 3 3000 series of processors are ridiculously good for the price, and the Ryzen 3 3200G is more than capable of handling Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and other games and software.
$100 at Amazon
GPU
MSI Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
© Provided by Windows Central
![a close up of a fan](https://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"45","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB16cVLY.img?h=451&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"35","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB16cVLY.img?h=352&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"35","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB16cVLY.img?h=352&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
The GeForce GTX 1660 Ti is a fascinating, affordable GPU. It’s based on newer tech from NVIDIA but doesn’t support ray tracing or DLSS. It’s a great budget-friendly GPU that can play Flight Simulator and other games at 1080p with great visuals.
$270 at Amazon
PSU
EVGA 500W Bronze
© Provided by Windows Central
![a clock that is on display](https://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"81","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1970HK.img?h=807&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"63","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1970HK.img?h=631&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"63","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1970HK.img?h=631&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
EVGA’ 500W PSU is all you need for such a PC build. It supplies plenty of clean, stable, and reliable power for all your components and comes with an 80 Plus Bronze efficiency rating.
$50 at Amazon
Motherboard
ASUS TUF Gaming B550 PLUS
© Provided by Windows Central
![a circuit board](https://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"53","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB18HW6S.img?h=533&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB18HW6S.img?h=416&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB18HW6S.img?h=416&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
This motherboard isn’t the most powerful available for AMD’s AM4 socket, but the B550 chipset offers what you need for the CPU and GPU we chose in this build to perform at their limits. It’s also a little light on your wallet.
$170 at Amazon
RAM
Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB
© Provided by Windows Central
![a circuit board](https://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"49","h":"18","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB196LLd.img?h=180&w=490&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
Corsair makes some of the best memory modules for desktop PCs, and the Vengeance series is super-good. We chose 16GB as the sweet spot for most systems running Flight Simulator and other demanding tasks.
$64 at Amazon
SSD
Samsung 970 EVO Plus 250GB
© Provided by Windows Central
![a circuit board](https://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"22","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1970HS.img?h=223&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"17","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1970HS.img?h=174&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"17","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1970HS.img?h=174&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
Samsung SSDs are among the best in the business, and the 970 EVO PLUS is an excellent value. We chose the 250GB variant, which is more than enough to boot Windows in mere seconds, as well as storing your favorite apps.
$70 at Amazon
HDD
Seagate BarraCuda 2TB
© Provided by Windows Central
![a close up of a sign](https://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"117","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB18IerR.img?h=1169&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"91","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB18IerR.img?h=913&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"91","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB18IerR.img?h=913&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
HDDs with spinning mechanical parts aren’t as fast as SSDs, but the Seagate BarraCuda is perfect for storing Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, as well as other games in your PC collection, rocking a capacity of 2TB.
$55 at Amazon
Mid-range Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 PC build (1440p)
Case
NZXT H510
© Provided by Windows Central
There’s really no need to move onto another case unless you have a personal favorite you’d prefer to use. With this mid-range build, the H510 still offers plenty of space to install everything and helps keep your system cooled.
$69 at StoreTKTKTK
CPU
Intel Core i7-10700K
© Provided by Windows Central
![a blue and white sign](https://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"91","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB17GEJv.img?h=914&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"71","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB17GEJv.img?h=714&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"71","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB17GEJv.img?h=714&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
Intel’s new Core i7-10700K CPU is brilliant for gaming. It’s not the most expensive processor from team blue, but it certainly is among the most powerful for running Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.
$400 at Amazon
CPU Cooler
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition
© Provided by Windows Central
![a close up of electronics](https://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"93","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1973b5.img?h=932&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"73","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1973b5.img?h=728&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"73","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1973b5.img?h=728&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
Intel doesn’t bundle a CPU cooler with its Core i7-10700K, unfortunately. This means we need to add a cooler separately, and the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition is good enough to tame the beast, even under load.
$40 at Amazon
GPU
ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER MINI
© Provided by Windows Central
![](https://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"52","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB196CN5.img?h=524&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"41","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB196CN5.img?h=409&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"41","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB196CN5.img?h=409&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
The NVIDIA RTX 20 series will be replaced shortly, but these GPUs are still incredible for PC gaming. The 2060 SUPER is perfect for 1440p monitors, and ZOTAC has a perfect card in the form of the RTX 2060 SUPER MINI.
$420 at Amazon
PSU
EVGA 500W Bronze
© Provided by Windows Central
We’ve got the same PSU here since the GPU and CPU bump don’t require additional headroom from the power supply. EVGA did a stellar job with this PSU, and we’re using it once again for maximum system stability.
$50 at Amazon
Motherboard
GIGABYTE Z490 AORUS Ultra
© Provided by Windows Central
![a screenshot of a computer](https://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"56","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB188Un0.img?h=559&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"44","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB188Un0.img?h=437&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"44","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB188Un0.img?h=437&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
Since this is an Intel build, we’ll need a Z490 motherboard to really push the Core i7-10700K further. You’ve got plenty of ports, bandwidth for gaming, and even space for some overclocking if you have the know-how.
$300 at Amazon
RAM
Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB
© Provided by Windows Central
There’s no reason to swap out the Corsair Vengeance LPX RAM, and we’re sticking to 16GB here, though you could push to 32GB if you find yourself running out of physical memory.
$64 at Amazon
SSD
Samsung 970 EVO Plus 250GB
© Provided by Windows Central
Samsung’s EVO PLUS 250GB is perfect for running Windows and all your favorite software. Discord and even some screen recording software will run well on this SSD.
$70 at Amazon
SSD
Sabrent Rocket Q 1TB
© Provided by Windows Central
![a close up of a computer](https://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"49","h":"19","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB16uI57.img?h=188&w=492&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
We’re ditching the mechanical HDD in favor of the Sabrent Rocket Q 1TB M.2 SSD, which offers some exceptionally high transfer speeds. Want to cut down loading times in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020? Here’s how to do it.
$111 at Amazon
High-end Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 PC build (4K)
Case
NZXT H510
© Provided by Windows Central
Even with such capable hardware installed, the NZXT H510 will be more than up to the task of handling the heat. You can even throw an AIO cooler here to comfortably keep the Ryzen 9 3900X within a safer operating temperature range.
$69 at StoreTKTKTK
CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
© Provided by Windows Central
![](https://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"27","h":"23","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB16dLqA.img?h=234&w=273&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X is an impressive CPU. It houses 12 physical cores with 24 threads. You read that correctly. This is a 12-core processor you can buy at such an affordable price. It’ll make easy work of Flight Simulator.
$430 at Amazon
GPU
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
© Provided by Windows Central
![a close up of a camera](https://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"41","h":"31","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1970I8.img?h=309&w=408&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 is the new king of GPUs and is about as good as you can get in terms of graphics processing. If you want 4K and don’t mind turning just a few settings down, this is the GPU for you.
$700 at Amazon
PSU
be quiet! Dark Power Pro 12 1200W
© Provided by Windows Central
![a screen shot of a computer](https://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"75","h":"72","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB18Riaf.img?h=717&w=754&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"59","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB18Riaf.img?h=594&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"59","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB18Riaf.img?h=594&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
To better handle the 12-core processor and impressive NVIDIA GPU, we’ve upgraded our PSU choice to the new Dark Power 12 1200W unit from be quiet! It’s incredible, fully modular, and is 80 Plus Titanium certified.
$399 at Newegg
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Strix X570-E Gaming
© Provided by Windows Central
![a circuit board](https://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"50","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB16zM9b.img?h=500&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"39","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB16zM9b.img?h=390&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"39","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB16zM9b.img?h=390&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
To hold everything together is the ASUS ROG Strix X570-E Gaming motherboard. It’s powered by AMD’s best chipset, the X570, and is more than ready for you to hook up all your favorite accessories and more.
$297 at Amazon
RAM
Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB
© Provided by Windows Central
The same RAM is used here as our other builds, except we’ve gone all out with 32GB of it from Corsair. These modules work very well with AMD’s more powerful CPUs too.
$108 at Amazon
SSD
Samsung 970 EVO Plus 250GB
© Provided by Windows Central
Samsung hit the ball out the park with its EVO PLUS SSD range, and the 250GB is an excellent match for Windows 10, booting up the OS in a matter of seconds. No longer do you have to go and make tea while you wait for your PC to get ready.
$70 at Amazon
SSD
Sabrent Rocket Q 1TB
© Provided by Windows Central
Storing Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and all your other PC games on an SSD is a great way to reduce loading times, minimize noise from your desktop case, and lower temperatures. This 1TB SSD from Sabrent is a good choice.
$111 at Amazon
Choosing the right PC build for you
Putting together the right build for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 largely comes down to the GPU. Even with an NVIDIA RTX 2080 SUPER GPU, one of the best graphics cards available right now, you’re going to struggle to play the game at 4K on maximum settings. It’s possible, but you will notice some significant drops in the framerate. What we’d recommend for 4K is to wait for NVIDIA’s RTX 30 series of GPUs and try out the RTX 3080.
If you don’t mind turning down the settings a little and simply want to enjoy the game at maximum resolution on your brand new monitor, our high-end gaming PC build is the way to go. The RTX 3080 SUPER is an excellent GPU that will not only play Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 really well but also most other PC games available right now.
If you’d rather save a little and enjoy Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 at 1080p or 1440p, our other two recommended PC builds will be a good match for your needs and wallet.