Microsoft Flight Simulator PC requirements 2026 – Min & recommended specs
What build makes sense for Microsoft Flight Simulator without overspending.
Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) is the most demanding flight simulation on the PC market, developed by Asobo Studio. The Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 update is even more demanding. It uses real-time Bing Maps world data streaming, requiring a fast internet connection and SSD storage. It is one of the ultimate benchmarks for any high-end gaming PC.
Direct answer: which PC to play Microsoft Flight Simulator?
- ▸Minimum budget to run the game : $650 – $975
- ▸Recommended budget (comfortable 1080p–1440p) : $975 – $1425
- ▸Optimal budget (1440p ultra or 4K) : $1425 – $1950
PC4Games estimates — see full configuration below.
PC4Games resources for buying a PC
Guides, methodology and data beyond this game page.
Minimum and recommended PC specs for Microsoft Flight Simulator
| Component | Minimum requirements | Recommended requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Processeur | Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X | Intel Core i5-11600K / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D |
| Mémoire RAM | 8 Go | 32 Go |
| Carte graphique (1080p Low) | NVIDIA GTX 770 / AMD Radeon RX 570 (2 Go VRAM) | NVIDIA RTX 3090 Ti / AMD RX 7900 XTX (24 Go VRAM) |
| Carte graphique (1440p Ultra) | NVIDIA RTX 3080 / AMD RX 6800 XT (10 Go) | NVIDIA RTX 4090 / AMD RX 7900 XTX (16 Go) |
| Stockage | SSD 150 Go | SSD NVMe 150 Go |
| Connexion internet | 5 Mbps | 50+ Mbps |
| Système d'exploitation | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 11 64-bit |
Swipe horizontally to view the full table.
Which PC to buy for Microsoft Flight Simulator?
MSFS is one of the most demanding games available. For 1080p on low/medium settings, a €800–1,000 PC (RTX 3070 / RX 6700 XT) is adequate. For 1440p/high, budget €1,500–2,000. For 4K ultra, expect €2,000+.
Why is Microsoft Flight Simulator demanding for a PC?
Microsoft Flight Simulator is one of the more resource-intensive PC games, justifying a budget of at least €900 for a smooth experience. Dense graphical rendering combined with advanced post-processing effects (ambient occlusion, HDR, anti-aliasing) consumes significant memory bandwidth. For a recommended 1080p experience, a €1300 budget (RTX 4060 Ti / RX 7700 XT + Ryzen 7) is needed. Moving to 1440p or ultra settings requires an additional €300–500. Prioritize an NVMe SSD to avoid streaming-related stutters.
Frequently asked questions about Microsoft Flight Simulator
What are Microsoft Flight Simulator PC requirements in 2026?
Minimum (1080p Low): Intel i5-8400 / Ryzen 5 1500X, 8 GB RAM, GTX 770 / RX 570 2 GB, SSD 150 GB, 5 Mbps connection, Windows 10. Recommended (1440p High): Intel i5-11600K / Ryzen 7 5800X3D, 32 GB RAM, RTX 3090 Ti / RX 7900 XTX.
Does Microsoft Flight Simulator work without internet?
Partially. Without internet, the game loads reduced local data and real-world texture quality drops drastically. Internet is required for high-resolution Bing Maps satellite imagery, which is the game's defining feature.
What's the difference between MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is a major overhaul with more aircraft (pilot career mode), improved atmospheric physics, even more detailed airports, and scripted missions. It is even more demanding than the 2020 version.
Compare PCs for this game
Use the dedicated comparator to filter by budget, brand, and form factor (desktop or laptop).
Open comparator for Microsoft Flight Simulator →
