Hello!

So, I'm a real world pilot who's completing my CPL and I need this sim to study and also for self enjoyment. However I'm not versed at all on computer specs so I was wondering if you guys would help find out if my pc can run the game, I know running it perfectly is next to impossible but to a playable enough level, you know, at least 20 fps.

Intel Core i5 10400 CPU 2.9 ghz

Ram: 16 GB

Graphics Card: Nvidia GT 740 4GB GDDR5

I want it so much but I don't wanna make the investment and find out it doesn't get past the loading screen. Game stores seem to be unwilling to help me find out. Any help is much appreciated.

Have a great day everyone!

Hi Jessica.  

I think your machine will likely run the sim, albeit at very low settings.  You didn't mention hard drive type/ space as that will also be a consideration.

I would recommend trying the Microsoft Game Pass trial for $1.00 for the first month and you can see for yourself.  Game Pass

Good luck and welcome to Avsim.

Edited November 27, 20232 yr by irocx

I have to be honest.  My last computer was pretty decent, but I wouldn't have considered P3D, let alone MSFS 2020 with it.  This is an expensive hobby, and often unaffordable for most.  I would think a $3,500 to $4,000 dollar investment would have to be made before you could truly enjoy this sim for all that it offers.  I had taken out a huge loan for things and decided to apply part of that towards my computer purchase.  It just wasn't feasible for a couple years, and to be honest, I only broke down because prices weren't coming down like I had hoped.  I didn't even build like I used to because it wasn't going to save me much at all.

Give the game pass a try and see how it functions for you. 

3 hours ago, Jessica Cuco said:

Hello!

So, I'm a real world pilot who's completing my CPL and I need this sim to study and also for self enjoyment. However I'm not versed at all on computer specs so I was wondering if you guys would help find out if my pc can run the game, I know running it perfectly is next to impossible but to a playable enough level, you know, at least 20 fps.

Intel Core i5 10400 CPU 2.9 ghz

Ram: 16 GB

Graphics Card: Nvidia GT 740 4GB GDDR5

I want it so much but I don't wanna make the investment and find out it doesn't get past the loading screen. Game stores seem to be unwilling to help me find out. Any help is much appreciated.

Have a great day everyone!

Sounds like you might be confusing your study needs with your gaming wants 🙂

If you are working on the commercial, get a (can even be cheap or used if on a budget) yoke/stick and pedals that replicate the plane you're flying for the rating.

The game will run fine if you 'dumb down' all the graphics settings (which you don't need for practice/study but want because they look pretty). That being said, would upgrade that video card to whatever the most your computer will handle coupled with widest monitor you can afford or your system will handle (34" - 48" etc.)

Edited November 28, 20232 yr by Flyfaster_MTN002

3 hours ago, Jessica Cuco said:

Hello!

So, I'm a real world pilot who's completing my CPL and I need this sim to study and also for self enjoyment. However I'm not versed at all on computer specs so I was wondering if you guys would help find out if my pc can run the game, I know running it perfectly is next to impossible but to a playable enough level, you know, at least 20 fps.

Intel Core i5 10400 CPU 2.9 ghz

Ram: 16 GB

Graphics Card: Nvidia GT 740 4GB GDDR5

I want it so much but I don't wanna make the investment and find out it doesn't get past the loading screen. Game stores seem to be unwilling to help me find out. Any help is much appreciated.

Have a great day everyone!

The pc specs you mention are pretty out of date, in that an Intel 10-series cpu was new about 3+ years ago.  For the money I think you can do better, with an 11th or 12th or even 13th gen Intel computer

For example a 13600K based system could be relatively inexpensive but give good results

Same for a 5800X3D on the AMD side

First of all, I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to reply to my thread. You're all so kind!

So yes, I know that I decidedly don't really need this game to study IFR or complex equipment, I'm getting it because I've wanted it for a while now, purely for enjoyment.

As for my graphics card, well it might be subjective I guess because I play Euro Truck Simulator 2/American Truck Sim(believe it, I do) and the minimum graphics card for both of those games is way above the one I own yet the game runs fine at high settings, even considering that I use map mods that require even more GPU processing power, so there's that. Having that said, flight sim is a much more complex game in terms of graphic. So I'm going to get game pass and give it a test see what happens.

Thank you again for the help.

So, I guess it was worth trying but absolutely no go. I signed xbox game pass, installed the game and tried to run it. First time it didn't allow me to even load the menu saying I'm running an unsupported GPU driver, it needs to be higher than 535 and my poor 740 doesn't go that far. Second time I did make it into the menu but upon trying to start a flight...the game stops me again with the same driver message. Long story short I've got to upgrade my PC to run this game plus buying a joystick, which I will do but not at the moment I'm afraid. Had I known this I would've spend a couple hundred bucks more and gotten a better GPU.

Hi Jessica, are you only looking for a good Flightsim? Not just spesifically MSFS2020?

IF not? Are you are open to any suggestions for other alternative sims?

 

Have you previously heared about:

Aerofly-FS2 or Aerofly-FS4 ?? 

Aerofly 2 (the old "legacy" less hardware demanding sim, this is the version I had..previously)

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/434030/Aerofly_FS_2_Flight_Simulator/&ved=2ahUKEwjYhLeJ6tODAxWTIhAIHUWcAWgQFnoECEwQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1aGfHq6TfnW1LF4uN29nYO

Aerofly 4 (the newest "current" version)

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1995890/Aerofly_FS_4_Flight_Simulator/&ved=2ahUKEwiGrZTE6tODAxWrHhAIHbV9BBkQFnoECB0QAQ&usg=AOvVaw1Z0-zCqae1URIllyS1bj-7

American Truck simulator is most likely  Steam based right?

IF you have an Steam-account? you can purchase Aerofly2 or Aerofly-4 for your current hardware, I have bought Aerofly-FS2 in the past so I know..

I have quite similar hardware as you in my *older sim Computer*, the Diffrence beeing: I Have in that old PC:

Graphics card: Nvidia Titan

(6GB Video-Ram) Titan is a high performance 780-card

CPU: an old Intel i7-975E (unclocked @3.3ghz)

15GB ram

An old SSD 512GB

Windows-7

--‐---------

Perhaps first option: ???

Btw if you could get a good 10series card ie a:

 GTX1060-(6GB) or 1070(6GB/8GB) or 1080(8GB) *for a sensible low price in good condition* your rig "should be capable" of running MSFS2020 at 1080p Medium/Low settings.

I currently own a i9 10900k and 3090(24GB) and have seen many people run this sim in the past with 1060/1070/1080 cards (Nvidia 10series) and older hardware Intel and amd.

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

I also recomend a CH Sim Yoke /sim Pedals they lasted me 10-15 years of use, the potmeters do wear out though..

IF you CAN get MS2020 to work on your PC reasonably well..

There is also the *DIY route* for making your own sim hardware, if you own a ok Soldering iron and 3D printer OR have some workshop skills/woodworking skills and not afraid of a little grease under the fingernails 😃

 

Failing that... Do you own an Xbox-X or Xbox-S ?

IF so..?? 

you can play/simulate MSFS2020 with Quite OK performance.. according to my Friend. 

Actually for your budget your best bet is the XBOX-X or XBOX-S just get some OK hardware Yoke/joystick/pedals for it! 

The Honecomb Yoke & Bravo Throttle- Quadrant is Really nice for the price!

There is also a new interesting choice avaliable from India, a High Quality build metal-built Yoke check out RussBarlow on Youtube for more info.

 

I HOPE that helps you out!

Good Luck! with your flying-education and (Blue Skies) 🙂

 

Edited January 10, 20242 yr by Rune-ENHD