Do you think I can run MSFS if I upgrade my PC

[jt233 10]

So currently I have P3D and would really love to get MSFS if possible. If I were to upgrade my GPU and RAM do you think I could run it?

 

Here are my current specs.

OS: Win 10

CPU: Intel I5 quad core  4460 @ 3.2ghz 

GPU: Nvidia GeForce 750ti 

Memory: 12GB  DDR3  

HD: 2TB HDD

I would hopefully like to run it on medium settings if possible.

 

Thanks

[fogboundturtle 2,708]

memory , GPU, CPU, Mobo needs an upgrade. That sounds like you need a new pc

[jimcarrel 688]

I sort of don't think you should frustrate yourself. I started out with an i7 7700 @3.8ghz with a gtx 1060 6gig. I could run it a medium, a couple at high, I was pretty rough (though better than I imagined) until I upgraded to an i7 10700 with a 3060 graphics card. Which of course is a whole lot better fit.

It's still up to you to try, if you want. 

Edited December 27, 2021 by jimcarrel

[rka 916]

If you can get the RAM very cheaply it doesn't hurt to try. A quad core CPU is minimum spec I believe.

[jt233 10]

2 hours ago, fogboundturtle said:

memory , GPU, CPU, Mobo needs an upgrade. That sounds like you need a new pc

Do you think I could get a pre built PC for under $1,000 that would be capable of running it? Either through Amazon or another site.

[David Mills 4,722]

2 hours ago, jt233 said:

So currently I have P3D and would really love to get MSFS if possible. If I were to upgrade my GPU and RAM do you think I could run it?

 

Here are my current specs.

OS: Win 10

CPU: Intel I5 quad core  4460 @ 3.2ghz 

GPU: Nvidia GeForce 750ti 

Memory: 12GB  DDR3  

HD: 2TB HDD

I would hopefully like to run it on medium settings if possible.

 

Thanks

Generally speaking, MSFS gets better performance now than P3D. So if you can run P3D successfully on your limited system, then you can probably squeak by with MSFS as well, assuming, as you do, that you're going to use medium settings.

Alternatively, you might prefer to buy an XBox and run MSFS on the XBox. That would be vastly cheaper than buying a new computer or even upgrading your current system. The XBox Series X can run MSFS in 4K. The Xbox Series S runs MSFS in standard HD.

[David Mills 4,722]

Also, whether you're using a PC or an XBox, you can get GamePass for $1 from the Microsoft Game Store and download MSFS to see how it runs and how you like it.

[flyinpilot212121 724]

42 minutes ago, jimcarrel said:

I sort of don't think you should frustrate yourself. I started out with an i7 7700 @3.8ghz with a gtx 1060 6gig. I could run it a medium, a couple at high, I was pretty rough (though better than I imagined) until I upgraded to an i7 10700 with a 3060 graphics card. Which of course is a whole lot better fit.

It's still up to you to try, if you want. 

I run that same system you use to have, works decent enough for me, probably cause I don’t know any different, I’m running on medium and high. 

[Glenn Fitzpatrick 3,798]

3 hours ago, jt233 said:

So currently I have P3D and would really love to get MSFS if possible. If I were to upgrade my GPU and RAM do you think I could run it?

 

Here are my current specs.

OS: Win 10

CPU: Intel I5 quad core  4460 @ 3.2ghz 

GPU: Nvidia GeForce 750ti 

Memory: 12GB  DDR3  

HD: 2TB HDD

I would hopefully like to run it on medium settings if possible.

 

Thanks

 

To be honest what you should upgrade first is the GPU and slot in an SSD.

Forget RAM upgrades as DDR3 is expensive and not compatible with any new PC later and 12GB is plenty in the current game at 1080p especially if it is triple channel.

Sure, your rig with a better graphics and a SSD will still never get Ultra or run a VR headset -  and might struggle in a 747 at O'Hare with all traffic on, but should be fine for medium most of the time and even high settings if you are in a remote area in a smaller aircraft.

The good thing about the GPU/SSD route is they will be compatible with a new build if you decide later you are not happy.

TLDR -- new GPU and a SSD will be fine for 1080p on medium settings everywhere but occasional crazy busy airports in an airliner.

Edited December 28, 2021 by Glenn Fitzpatrick

[jt233 10]

44 minutes ago, Glenn Fitzpatrick said:

 

To be honest what you should upgrade first is the GPU and slot in an SSD.

Forget RAM upgrades as DDR3 is expensive and not compatible with any new PC later and 12GB is plenty in the current game at 1080p especially if it is triple channel.

Sure, your rig with a better graphics and a SSD will still never get Ultra or run a VR headset -  and might struggle in a 747 at O'Hare with all traffic on, but should be fine for medium most of the time and even high settings if you are in a remote area in a smaller aircraft.

The good thing about the GPU/SSD route is they will be compatible with a new build if you decide later you are not happy.

TLDR -- new GPU and a SSD will be fine for 1080p on medium settings everywhere but occasional crazy busy airports in an airliner.

Actually I forgot to put in there that I also have a 2TB SSD that I can install the game on so that might help me.

[jt233 10]

1 hour ago, David Mills said:

Generally speaking, MSFS gets better performance now than P3D. So if you can run P3D successfully on your limited system, then you can probably squeak by with MSFS as well, assuming, as you do, that you're going to use medium settings.

Alternatively, you might prefer to buy an XBox and run MSFS on the XBox. That would be vastly cheaper than buying a new computer or even upgrading your current system. The XBox Series X can run MSFS in 4K. The Xbox Series S runs MSFS in standard HD.

I would go this route, but I really want to run it on my PC because I want to get the PMDG aircraft when they come out as well as be able to install other addons like ORBX.

[Maxis 1,830]

2 hours ago, jt233 said:

I would go this route, but I really want to run it on my PC because I want to get the PMDG aircraft when they come out as well as be able to install other addons like ORBX.

What Glenn Says .. and use the ssd. Then do a test with the 1 buck subscription for taste.:)

[MrFuzzy 2,117]

6 hours ago, jt233 said:

So currently I have P3D and would really love to get MSFS if possible. If I were to upgrade my GPU and RAM do you think I could run it?

 

Here are my current specs.

OS: Win 10

CPU: Intel I5 quad core  4460 @ 3.2ghz 

GPU: Nvidia GeForce 750ti 

Memory: 12GB  DDR3  

HD: 2TB HDD

I would hopefully like to run it on medium settings if possible.

 

Thanks

Absolutely not worth it...

Provided that your PSU is sufficient to power a decent GPU, that i5 is definitely too slow for MSFS. 

You need a brand new PC.

[Fielder 3,632]

6 hours ago, jt233 said:

Do you think I could get a pre built PC for under $1,000 that would be capable of running it? Either through Amazon or another site.

No, but my system cost $1150 about 2 years ago, I run everything on Ultra. But its a 2K monitor and render and both LODs are set to only 160 instead of 200. I get 26 to 35 fps anywhere, even Paris or NYC Manhattan. I would say my fps is about 32.

Interestingly, this calculator below predicts that my system will yield 32 at Ultra MSFS, so perhaps the calculator is a reasonable tool !

I tried the calculator for iBuyPower cheaper systems from $900 to $1200 but they did worse than my own system.

But here's an interesting one that predicts 38 FPS for $1350 (on sale), it has the exact same motherboard, case, and power supply as mine but a bigger SSD (1TB, whereas mine came with 500 GB, not big enough). This should run MSFS better than mine. I doubt mine or this one will work well at 1440 and definately cannot run 4K at all, but nice on any 2K monitor.

----------------------

https://www.ibuypower.com/store/Gaming-RDY-SLHRR205

Windows 11 Home, AMD Ryzen 7 3700X CPU, B550 MB, Radeon RX 6600 8GB GPU, 16GB DDR4-3200MHz RGB RAM, 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD, iBUYPOWER RGB Liquid Cooling

 

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The Calculator for any GPU, CPU, running MSFS 2020:

https://howmanyfps.com/games/microsoft-flight-simulator

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 28, 2021 by Fielder

[BillC 135]

10 hours ago, jt233 said:

So currently I have P3D and would really love to get MSFS if possible. If I were to upgrade my GPU and RAM do you think I could run it?

Your PC definitely WILL run it. It's streets ahead of mine (10 year old CPU!) and I'm using the PMDG DC-6 at the moment. 

What your PC WON'T do is run it with everything maxxed but that's rather obvious. Without doubt, try it before buying something else because it WILL run and then it'll give you a pointer at how much you need to upgrade to reach the level that you are happy with.