My first flight sim was Flight Simulator II in 1984 which I flew on a Commodore 64. I've had all the MSFSs since then up to FSX and then P3D. I took a two year hiatus and my nine-year old Cyberpower has crapped out. It's not worth putting money into at this point and I'm wanting to return to simming with MSFS 2024 and X-Plane 12 in mind.

In my research it appears MSFS 2024 is going to be the most demanding and if I'm set up for that, X-Plane should be a breeze. Correct me if I'm wrong. Three weeks of researching the net and forums has mushed my elder brain. For starters I'm looking at AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D for a CPU for the caching capabilities, and pairing that with an AMD Radeon 7900XT with 20GB of VRAM. Okay so far?

I'd like a minimum of 32 DDR5 RAM. Brand suggestions welcome. Since this box will be used solely for flight simming and no other games, How much storage would you suggest? I may also like to store backups of photos on a second HD/SSD.

Any suggestions would be helpful keeping in mind I'd like to keep the box under $2500.00 because I'm also going to be updating my input devices and monitor which my research suggests may add another $1K plus.

Thanks to all contributors.

Have you also compared the pros and cons of an Xbox system for MSFS?

18 minutes ago, Ratsirt said:

For starters I'm looking at AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D for a CPU

Can you even find those new anymore?  

7800X3D has been superceded by the 9800X3D.  The 9800X3D has replaced the 7800X3D in that market space.

If you're looking at a system with a 7800X3D then that's fine, it's existing stock, but know that a 9800X3D would be the cpu I'd look at in that category.

Your described computer is fine except one thing (in my opinion). Do not buy an AMD GPU. Buy an Nvidia 4070 , 4080, or 4090.

Ryzen 7 7800X3D however is a good choice. AMD CPU's are the best. But not their GPUs (in my opinion). The reason is performance in MSFS. AMD GPUs are great in most games, but not in MSFS.

Look at Ironside Computers, the custom ones (Forge a PC) where you can choose the components yourself. Their dial up and chat customer service is free lifetime. For local store computers (in the USA Best Buy or MicroCenter), my advice is to avoid Cyberpower based on customer reviews at BestBuy.

 

4 minutes ago, Fielder said:

Your described computer is fine except one thing (in my opinion). Do not buy an AMD GPU. Buy an Nvidia 4070 , 4080, or 4090.

Ryzen 7 7800X3D however is a good choice. AMD CPU's are the best. But not their GPUs (in my opinion). The reason is performance in MSFS. AMD GPUs are great in most games, but not in MSFS.

I agree, stay away from AMD GPUs.

1 hour ago, Fielder said:

Look at Ironside Computers, the custom ones (Forge a PC) where you can choose the components yourself. Their dial up and chat customer service is free lifetime. For local store computers (in the USA Best Buy or MicroCenter), my advice is to avoid Cyberpower based on customer reviews at BestBuy.

 

iBuyPower gets pretty good marks most of the time though from some of the big more reputable techtube channels like Gamer's Nexus and JayzTwoCents so they'd be another option for a pre-built.

 

1 hour ago, Mace said:

Can you even find those new anymore?  

7800X3D has been superceded by the 9800X3D.  The 9800X3D has replaced the 7800X3D in that market space.

If you're looking at a system with a 7800X3D then that's fine, it's existing stock, but know that a 9800X3D would be the cpu I'd look at in that category.

Yep Newegg has them on sale right now in stock shipped/sold by Newegg themselves.  The 9800X3D is actually very hard to find right now.  However, I think it's probably worth waiting for it to be available because the thermal improvements from flipping the chips "upside down" vs the 5000/7000 series x3d chips results in better cooling because the cpu core is now in contact with the IHS instead of the heat having to travel through the 3d cache to get out to the IHS.  Better cooling also translates to better performance because the chip can boost higher since it's able to dump heat more efficiently.

1 hour ago, Fielder said:

Your described computer is fine except one thing (in my opinion). Do not buy an AMD GPU. Buy an Nvidia 4070 , 4080, or 4090.

Ryzen 7 7800X3D however is a good choice. AMD CPU's are the best. But not their GPUs (in my opinion). The reason is performance in MSFS. AMD GPUs are great in most games, but not in MSFS.

Yes - this ^^^^^^

44 minutes ago, flyinion said:

iBuyPower gets pretty good marks most of the time though from some of the big more reputable techtube channels like Gamer's Nexus and JayzTwoCents so they'd be another option for a pre-built.

 

 

My computer is iBuyPower. They are good and inexpensive. I think Cyberpower is lesser quality. Skytech is probably better than either. All of those are sold everywhere, including by Amazon.

Ironside is a small high end custom maker.

https://ironsidecomputers.com/customize-a-pc/

 

Example from my local Bestbuy. Good gpu : 4070 ti super (16 GB):

4070 ti, 4070, and 4070 super are only 12GB. But 4070 ti super is 16GB

. 7800X3D cpu

I could go in there today and  bring it home. $2100

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/skytech-gaming-azure-2-gaming-desktop-pc-amd-ryzen-7-7800x3d-32gb-memory-nvidia-rtx-4070-ti-super-1tb-nvme-ssd-black/6577917.p?skuId=6577917

 

The problem is only 1 GB RAM. But that can be changed later by the purchaser. Maybe this computer even has 2 slots on the motherboard for nVME ram, or maybe not.

My IBuyPower computer came with 500GB. I swapped replaced that with a 4TB RAM for under $200.

2 hours ago, rmeier said:

Have you also compared the pros and cons of an Xbox system for MSFS?

No, as I am also going to be flying X-Plane.

2 hours ago, Mace said:

Can you even find those new anymore?  

7800X3D has been superceded by the 9800X3D.  The 9800X3D has replaced the 7800X3D in that market space.

If you're looking at a system with a 7800X3D then that's fine, it's existing stock, but know that a 9800X3D would be the cpu I'd look at in that category.

Yes, the 7800X3D is still available. I'm aware of the 9800X3D also but I have to trim the cost somewhere and the 7800X3D is strongly recommended. Thanks for your input.

If you want a great PC, with lifetime support that is free, check out CLX. They actually test their PCs before they ship them. https://www.clxgaming.com/

Thanks to all for your input. It's time to lay this aside for now and prepare for new year's eve. However, due to your input I will reexamine my choice of GPUs. My error may be in thinking that with an AMD CPU I'd be better off with  an AMD GPU but it appears that is not the case. I'll get more time in the coming days to read through your gracious and appreciated offerings and tighten things up before ordering.

 

One more question, is building your own computer daunting or not so difficult? I've been in "wrenching" all my life and have pulled and replaced a few computer components but lack analytical skills for problems inside the box.

 

Thanks again and Happy New Year to all.

22 minutes ago, Bobsk8 said:

If you want a great PC, with lifetime support that is free, check out CLX. They actually test their PCs before they ship them. https://www.clxgaming.com/

I've read a few unpromising reviews about CLX but would appreciate some encouraging info on them as I can get them sales tax free.

2 hours ago, Bobsk8 said:

I agree, stay away from AMD GPUs.

Not sure it is that black and white…

If the wallet only allows a 8Gb GeForce card I would certainly consider an AMD card with 16Gb instead. 
 

I’m running MSFS on a RX 7800XT and I’m very happy with it. 
4070 performance for 4060 price.