My current cpu is giving me quite of a lot headaches with MSFS and causes mini stuttering and freezing when using complex addons. Running the MSFS developer mode - I can see my CPU is main thread limited.  This is not ideal so I'm thinking of upgrading my cpu to something reasonable. I only have couple hundred dollars to spend so definitely cannot upgrade to new PC at this stage. But if I can make some changes to my existing system, I feel I should able to run decent enough. I don't mind upgrading my motherboard either as this PC is currently over 8 years old and desperate need of some upgrades. 

My specs are below:

Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-6500

GTX 1070 graphics card

32GB DDR4 RAM

Motherboard - H110M PRO-VD

Any recommendations? As I said I can only budget few hundred dollars. 

Switch to Xbox for MSFS

1 hour ago, FBW737 said:

Switch to Xbox for MSFS

I've got nothing against Xbox but it is not for me. 

In that case on a budget of only a few hundred dollars you'll get the best bang for the buck out of the used market.

for example: https://www.ebay.com/itm/186783770211?_skw=gaming+pc+rtx+2080ti+i9+9900k&itmmeta=01JNCSG6NKCEAABCFX0MB0JTSR&hash=item2b7d2e2663:g:OmkAAOSw~IFnNpQR&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAABAFkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1flVida0Ej6S27Hfg%2BDc%2Bnea3Wsi6tJAMlh111Zyv8gqPvUhaEHm%2FahBsoBWuufK4ADLtlsIzhUSCDG7dpZaX%2FH4k3pgCa9kZlXoTWZD5Yu256HATxACvVS4sOG6CU5PHMbf1UfUoBvL97ds43iKxYviR2YkSCICZVbW0On16jh1bzAIi86ROziyLiBDvGm6wkR%2FFkB8SdcF12sKH3lUS5WLBEShJDd7rkLowLCjEywr7DRePI4AQidU6LUxoEIDtqvD73M9FgmM7W0IdfqBzbQIbnGflJRhxvbRAFr8YyB%2Fz4j4lWY5lYIQgoMxx0hBbk%3D|tkp%3ABFBM-urAmatl

Again that's an example. I'm not suggesting you buy it. I just took a quick look. I'd also suggest you use a samsung smartTV for display purposes becuase you can double you FPS using its built in Frame generation.

as usual the maxim caveat emptor applies

5 hours ago, FBW737 said:

Switch to Xbox for MSFS

That's a down grade!

13 hours ago, YukonPete said:

That's a down grade!

No its not. It's a significant upgrade:

Grok says so:

To determine which delivers better performance for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 (MSFS 2020)—an Xbox Series X or your specified PC (Intel Core i5-6500, GTX 1070, 32GB DDR4 RAM, H110M PRO-VD motherboard)—we need to break down the hardware capabilities, game requirements, and optimization differences. Let’s dive in.

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Xbox Series X Overview

• CPU: Custom Zen 2, 8 cores @ 3.8 GHz (3.6 GHz with SMT).
• GPU: Custom RDNA 2, 12 TFLOPS, 52 CUs @ 1.825 GHz (equivalent to roughly an RX 6600 XT in raw power).
• RAM: 16 GB GDDR6 (10 GB @ 560 GB/s for GPU, 6 GB @ 336 GB/s for system).
• Storage: NVMe SSD, 1 TB (2.4 GB/s raw, up to 4.8 GB/s compressed).
• Target Performance: 4K at 30 FPS, optimized settings (dynamic resolution, medium-to-high equivalent).

The Series X benefits from tight optimization by Microsoft and Asobo Studio. It delivers consistent performance with minimal tweaking—think 30 FPS in most scenarios, dipping slightly in dense areas like New York or Tokyo. It uses a mix of medium-to-high settings (adjusted dynamically for consoles) and leverages DirectStorage for fast loading (1-2 minutes to spawn). The GPU is stronger than a GTX 1070 in raw compute and modern features (ray tracing, better texture handling), and the CPU is significantly more capable than an i5-6500.

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Your PC Overview

• CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 (Skylake, 4 cores/4 threads @ 3.2 GHz base, 3.6 GHz boost).
• GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1070 (8 GB VRAM, roughly equivalent to a modern GTX 1660 Ti in performance).
• RAM: 32 GB DDR4 (plenty for MSFS, likely 2133-2666 MHz given the H110M chipset).
• Motherboard: H110M PRO-VD (basic chipset, no overclocking support, likely PCIe 3.0 for GPU).
• Storage: Not specified, but critical. If on an HDD, expect long load times (3-5 minutes). An SSD (SATA or NVMe) would help significantly (1-2 minutes).

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MSFS 2020 Requirements and Bottlenecks

MSFS is a demanding game, leaning heavily on both CPU and GPU. Key factors:

• CPU: Benefits from high single-threaded performance (for flight sim physics) and multi-core performance (for scenery streaming, AI traffic).
• GPU: Needs VRAM (8 GB minimum for high settings) and raw power for rendering detailed landscapes, cockpits, and weather.
• RAM: 16 GB minimum, 32 GB ideal for high settings and multitasking.
• Storage: SSD recommended for scenery streaming and load times.

Your PC’s Strengths and Weaknesses

• GPU (GTX 1070): Decent for 1080p gaming. It can handle MSFS on medium-to-high settings at 1080p, likely hitting 30-40 FPS in open areas. However, dense areas (cities, airports) may drop to 20-25 FPS due to VRAM limitations and lower compute power compared to modern cards. It lacks modern features like DirectStorage or hardware ray tracing, which the Series X has.
• CPU (i5-6500): This is a major bottleneck. A 4-core/4-thread CPU from 2015 struggles with MSFS’s demands. The game prefers higher clocks and more threads—think 6 cores/12 threads minimum for smooth play. You’ll see stuttering in busy areas due to CPU-bound tasks (scenery streaming, AI). Single-threaded performance (around 3.6 GHz boost) is also outdated compared to modern chips.
• RAM: 32 GB is excellent—well-suited for MSFS, especially with background apps or high settings.
• Storage: If you’re on an HDD, loading times will be painful. An SSD is a must to match Xbox’s speed.

Xbox Series X’s Strengths and Weaknesses

• CPU: Far superior—8 cores/16 threads with much higher IPC (instructions per clock) and clock speeds. It handles MSFS’s physics, streaming, and AI traffic smoothly.
• GPU: Outperforms the GTX 1070 in raw power, VRAM bandwidth (560 GB/s vs. ~256 GB/s on the 1070), and modern features (better texture compression, DirectStorage). It’s closer to an RTX 3060 or RX 6600 XT in real-world performance.
• Optimization: The Series X version is tuned specifically for its hardware. You get a locked 30 FPS at 4K (or close to it with dynamic resolution), and settings are adjusted on the fly to maintain stability.
• Limitations: Less flexibility than a PC—no VR, limited modding (only marketplace add-ons), and fewer control options.

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Performance Comparison

Frame Rates

• Xbox Series X: 30 FPS at 4K (dynamic res). Stable in most scenarios, occasional dips to 25-28 FPS in heavy areas (e.g., downtown Manhattan with high traffic).
• Your PC: At 1080p with medium settings, expect 30-40 FPS in light areas (rural flights, high altitude). In denser areas, it might drop to 20-25 FPS due to the CPU bottleneck. At 1440p or higher, performance tanks further (15-20 FPS in busy spots).

Visual Quality

• Xbox Series X: Medium-to-high settings equivalent. Better draw distance, cloud rendering, and texture quality than your PC can likely manage at the same performance level. Dynamic resolution keeps it sharp at 4K most of the time.
• Your PC: Medium settings at 1080p look decent, but you’ll compromise on things like terrain detail, object density, and cloud quality to maintain playable frame rates. The GTX 1070 can push some high settings (e.g., textures), but the CPU limits streaming and LOD (level of detail) pop-in.

Loading Times

• Xbox Series X: NVMe SSD ensures fast loading—around 1-2 minutes to spawn into a flight.
• Your PC: Depends on storage. An HDD means 3-5 minutes or more. A SATA SSD cuts it to 2-3 minutes, while an NVMe SSD could match the Xbox.

Stability

• Xbox Series X: Rock solid—crashes are rare, and performance is predictable.
• Your PC: More prone to stuttering or crashes, especially with background apps or outdated drivers. The i5-6500 will struggle to keep up in CPU-heavy scenarios.

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Head-to-Head Verdict

The Xbox Series X will deliver better performance for MSFS 2020 compared to your PC. Here’s why:

1. CPU Advantage: The i5-6500 is a significant bottleneck. MSFS relies on strong single-threaded and multi-threaded performance, and the Series X’s Zen 2 CPU blows it away (roughly 2-3x faster in relevant workloads).
2. GPU Edge: The Series X GPU outperforms the GTX 1070, especially in modern rendering tasks (better shaders, texture handling). Plus, console optimization squeezes more out of the hardware.
3. Consistency: The Series X maintains a stable 30 FPS at 4K with better visuals. Your PC might match frame rates at 1080p but with lower settings and more stuttering.
4. Ease of Use: No tweaking needed on Xbox—just play. On your PC, expect to spend time optimizing settings and possibly dealing with stutters or pop-in.

Your PC’s Advantages

• Flexibility: You can use VR (if you upgrade the CPU/GPU later), install community mods, and customize controls more extensively.
• Resolution Options: If you prefer 1080p at higher frame rates over 4K at 30 FPS, tweaking might get you closer to 40-50 FPS in lighter scenarios.
• Upgradability: A CPU upgrade (e.g., i7-6700K or better within the LGA 1151 socket) could close the gap significantly, though you’d need a BIOS update and possibly a new cooler.

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Recommendation

For raw performance right now, the Xbox Series X wins—it’ll look better, run smoother, and handle dense areas with less hassle. Your PC can still play MSFS 2020, but expect a less polished experience: 1080p on medium settings with occasional stutters and lower visual fidelity in CPU-heavy scenarios.

If you’re sticking with the PC, consider these tweaks for better performance:

1. Install an SSD (if not already): NVMe or SATA will cut load times.
2. Lower CPU-heavy settings: Reduce traffic, object density, and terrain LOD.
3. Cap FPS: Use V-Sync or an external limiter (like NVIDIA Control Panel) to 30 FPS to minimize stuttering.
4. Update drivers: Ensure GPU drivers and Windows are up to date for optimal performance.

If budget allows, upgrading your CPU (even to a used i7-7700) would help a lot, though you’d still lag behind the Series X in overall smoothness. What’s your storage setup like? That’d help refine the advice further.

Grok also has some advise regarding CPU only upgrade on your current system.

Google is Dead. Long Live Grok!🤣

Upgrading only the CPU on your current PC setup (Intel Core i5-6500, GTX 1070, 32GB DDR4 RAM, H110M PRO-VD motherboard) to surpass the Xbox Series X for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 (MSFS 2020) is tricky but possible within the constraints of your motherboard. Let’s break down the feasibility, the upgrade options, and how they’d compare to the Series X.

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Key Considerations

1. Motherboard Compatibility: Your H110M PRO-VD uses the LGA 1151 socket and supports Intel 6th and 7th generation CPUs (Skylake and Kaby Lake). However, moving to a 7th-gen CPU might require a BIOS update, as H110 motherboards originally shipped for 6th-gen chips.
2. MSFS 2020 Demands: The game heavily leans on CPU for flight physics (single-threaded performance), scenery streaming, and AI traffic (multi-core performance). The Series X’s custom Zen 2 CPU (8 cores/16 threads, 3.8 GHz peak) has strong single-threaded and multi-threaded performance—equivalent to a high-end desktop CPU from around 2020, like a Ryzen 7 3700X.
3. GPU Bottleneck: Your GTX 1070 is decent but will still limit performance in dense areas or higher resolutions compared to the Series X’s RDNA 2 GPU (roughly an RX 6600 XT). A CPU upgrade alone might not fully surpass the Series X if the GPU can’t keep up in heavy rendering scenarios.
4. Optimization: The Series X benefits from tight optimization and modern features (like DirectStorage and better VRAM bandwidth). A PC upgrade needs to overcome this with raw power.

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Current PC Bottleneck

Your i5-6500 (4 cores/4 threads, 3.2 GHz base, 3.6 GHz boost) is a major limiter for MSFS 2020. It struggles with:

• Single-threaded performance: Flight physics calculations need high IPC (instructions per clock) and clock speed.
• Multi-core performance: Scenery streaming, AI, and traffic lean on multiple cores/threads. Benchmarks suggest the i5-6500 scores around 600-700 in Cinebench R23 single-thread and ~2500 multi-thread. The Series X’s CPU, by comparison, would likely score closer to 1500 single-thread and 12,000 multi-thread (estimating based on Zen 2 performance, like a Ryzen 7 3700X).

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CPU Upgrade Options for Your Motherboard

Since your H110M PRO-VD supports LGA 1151 (6th and 7th gen Intel CPUs), here are the best CPU upgrades you can consider without changing the motherboard:

1. Intel Core i7-7700K (Best Option)

• Specs: 4 cores/8 threads, 4.2 GHz base, 4.5 GHz boost.
• Performance: Cinebench R23 scores ~1100 single-thread, ~5500 multi-thread. About 50-60% better single-threaded and 2x multi-threaded vs. your i5-6500.
• Pros:
  • Higher clock speeds and hyper-threading greatly improve MSFS performance in CPU-bound tasks (physics, streaming).
  • Best single-threaded performance available for LGA 1151 without overclocking hacks.
• Cons:
  • May require a BIOS update on your H110M PRO-VD to support 7th-gen CPUs.
  • H110 chipset doesn’t support overclocking, so you’re stuck at stock speeds (though 4.5 GHz boost is still great).
  • Cooling might need an upgrade (i7-7700K runs hotter than your i5-6500).
• Price: Used i7-7700K typically costs $100-150 on eBay or similar marketplaces as of early 2025.

2. Intel Core i7-6700K

• Specs: 4 cores/8 threads, 4.0 GHz base, 4.2 GHz boost.
• Performance: Cinebench R23 scores ~1000 single-thread, ~5000 multi-thread. Slightly slower than the i7-7700K but still a big jump over the i5-6500.
• Pros:
  • No BIOS update needed (6th-gen, same as your i5-6500).
  • Similar benefits to i7-7700K but slightly cheaper.
• Cons:
  • Lower clocks than the 7700K, so a bit less future-proof.
  • Same cooling concerns as above.
• Price: Used i7-6700K typically costs $80-120.

3. Intel Core i7-7700 (Non-K Variant)

• Specs: 4 cores/8 threads, 3.6 GHz base, 4.2 GHz boost.
• Performance: Cinebench R23 scores ~1050 single-thread, ~5200 multi-thread. Close to the i7-7700K but with lower base clocks.
• Pros:
  • More power-efficient than the K-series, less heat.
  • Still a big upgrade over the i5-6500.
• Cons:
  • Slightly lower performance than the K-series.
• Price: Used i7-7700 typically costs $90-130.

Honorable Mention: Xeon E3-1270 v6

• Specs: 4 cores/8 threads, 3.8 GHz base, 4.2 GHz boost (basically an i7-7700 equivalent).
• Performance: Similar to i7-7700 but sometimes lacks integrated graphics (not an issue with your GTX 1070).
• Pros: Might be cheaper than i7 options ($80-110 used).
• Cons: Server-grade, so compatibility with H110 boards can be hit-or-miss (check MSI’s CPU support list for your mobo).

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Performance After CPU Upgrade vs. Xbox Series X

With an i7-7700K (or Similar)

• Single-threaded Performance: The i7-7700K’s 4.5 GHz boost and better IPC get you closer to modern CPUs, but it’s still behind the Series X’s Zen 2 (~1500 in Cinebench vs. ~1100). Flight physics will feel smoother, likely pushing frame rates in CPU-bound scenarios from 20-25 FPS (with i5-6500) to 30-35 FPS at 1080p.
• Multi-threaded Performance: 8 threads help with scenery streaming and AI traffic, reducing stutters in dense areas. However, it’s still far behind the Series X (5500 vs. 12,000 in Cinebench multi-thread). The Series X will handle complex scenes (e.g., busy airports) better.
• GPU Bottleneck: Your GTX 1070 becomes the limiting factor in GPU-heavy scenes (dense cities, high-altitude rendering). The Series X’s GPU outperforms it by ~30-50% in modern workloads, so even with a CPU upgrade, you might not match the Series X’s visual fidelity at 4K (or equivalent settings at 1080p).
• Frame Rates: At 1080p on medium-high settings, you could hit 35-45 FPS in open areas, 25-35 FPS in dense areas—closer to the Series X’s 30 FPS lock at 4K, but with lower settings. Stuttering will decrease significantly.
• Visual Quality: With the GPU unchanged, you’ll still need to dial back settings (terrain detail, object density) compared to the Series X, which uses dynamic resolution and higher-quality assets.

Can It Surpass the Series X?

Not fully, but it gets close in some scenarios:

• CPU-Bound Scenarios: An i7-7700K will greatly reduce stuttering and LOD pop-in, making flights over cities or busy airports smoother than with the i5-6500. It might match or slightly exceed the Series X in pure CPU tasks (e.g., flight physics calculations), but not by much due to the Series X’s superior multi-core performance and optimization.
• GPU-Limited Scenarios: The Series X pulls ahead in dense areas or higher resolutions because its GPU and VRAM bandwidth handle detailed rendering better. Your GTX 1070 will struggle to match the Series X’s visuals without dropping settings further.
• Flexibility: Post-upgrade, your PC gains an edge in customization (VR support, community mods, multi-monitor setups), which the Series X can’t match. This doesn’t affect raw performance but enhances the experience.

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Challenges to Surpassing the Series X

1. Motherboard Limitation: The H110 chipset caps you at 7th-gen CPUs. Even the best (i7-7700K) doesn’t match the Series X’s Zen 2 CPU in multi-core work—MSFS benefits from those extra cores/threads in busy scenarios.
2. GPU Gap: The GTX 1070 can’t fully compete with the Series X’s GPU, especially at higher resolutions or with modern features (better texture compression, DirectStorage). To truly surpass the Series X, you’d need a GPU upgrade too (e.g., RTX 3060 or RX 6600 XT).
3. Optimization: The Series X’s tailored optimization gives it an edge—its hardware and software work in lockstep, squeezing out stable performance. A PC with an i7-7700K and GTX 1070 can get close but requires tweaking to minimize stutters.

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Conclusion: Can a CPU-Only Upgrade Make Your PC Better Than the Series X?

With an i7-7700K (or i7-6700K), your PC will perform much better than it does now and could rival the Series X in certain CPU-bound scenarios (e.g., smoother physics, less pop-in). However, it likely won’t surpass the Series X overall because:

• The Series X’s GPU and multi-core CPU still edge out in dense areas and higher resolutions.
• Console optimization ensures consistency that’s hard to match without further PC upgrades (e.g., GPU, faster storage).

To truly beat the Series X, you’d need a platform upgrade (newer motherboard and CPU beyond 7th gen, like a Ryzen 5 5600X or i5-12400F, plus a stronger GPU). With just a CPU swap on your current board, the i7-7700K gets you close—potentially matching the Series X in some areas—but not definitively better across the board.

Recommendation

• Best CPU Upgrade: Go for the i7-7700K if you can find it for ~$120-150. It’s the strongest option for LGA 1151 and will maximize MSFS performance within your current platform.
• Steps Before Upgrading:
  1. Check your motherboard’s CPU support list (MSI’s website) and BIOS version for 7th-gen compatibility.
  2. Ensure your cooling can handle the i7-7700K (TDP 91W vs. 65W for i5-6500; a budget tower cooler like the Cooler Master Hyper 212 works well).
  3. If your storage isn’t an SSD, upgrade to one (NVMe or SATA) to match the Series X’s load times.
• Future-Proofing: If you think you’ll want more than what the i7-7700K offers, consider saving for a full platform upgrade (new mobo, CPU, GPU) down the line—it’ll give you a clearer win over the Series X.

What’s your budget and cooling setup like? That’d help refine this further. Also, are you prioritizing raw performance (FPS, visuals) or the broader PC perks (mods, VR)?

I asked Grok abouthe PC in the ebay  link I posted above and Groks response is very interesting:

Let’s compare the PC from the eBay listing to the Xbox Series X in the context of running Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 (MSFS 2020). Since you’ve been asking about performance for this specific game, I’ll focus on that while breaking down the hardware and its implications.

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PC Specs from the eBay Listing

The listing describes a gaming PC with the following specs:

• CPU: Intel Core i9-9900K (8 cores/16 threads, 3.6 GHz base, up to 5.0 GHz boost).
• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 2080 Ti (11 GB GDDR6 VRAM).
• RAM: 32 GB DDR4.
• Storage: 1 TB SSD (presumably NVMe given the era of the build).
• Other: RGB setup, likely a decent motherboard (not specified), and possibly liquid or high-end air cooling to handle the i9-9900K at 5.0 GHz.

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Xbox Series X Specs Recap

• CPU: Custom Zen 2, 8 cores/16 threads @ 3.8 GHz (3.6 GHz with SMT).
• GPU: Custom RDNA 2, 12 TFLOPS, 52 CUs @ 1.825 GHz (roughly equivalent to an RX 6600 XT or RTX 3060 in real-world performance).
• RAM: 16 GB GDDR6 (10 GB @ 560 GB/s for GPU, 6 GB @ 336 GB/s for system).
• Storage: 1 TB NVMe SSD (2.4 GB/s raw, up to 4.8 GB/s compressed).
• Target Performance: 4K at 30 FPS for MSFS 2020, with dynamic resolution and optimized medium-to-high settings.

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Performance Comparison for MSFS 2020

CPU Comparison

• i9-9900K (PC): This is a beastly CPU for its time (2018). With 8 cores and 16 threads, and a boost clock up to 5.0 GHz, it has excellent single-threaded performance (important for flight physics in MSFS) and strong multi-core performance (for scenery streaming, AI traffic). Cinebench R23 scores are around ~1300 single-thread and ~12,000 multi-thread at stock, potentially higher with a 5.0 GHz overclock.
• Series X Zen 2: Also 8 cores/16 threads, but clocks at 3.8 GHz max (3.6 GHz with SMT). It’s roughly equivalent to a Ryzen 7 3700X, scoring ~1200 single-thread and ~12,000 multi-thread in Cinebench R23. Slightly lower single-threaded performance due to lower clocks, but similar multi-core capability.

Verdict: The i9-9900K edges out the Series X in single-threaded performance (higher clocks and slightly better IPC), which helps with MSFS’s flight physics calculations. Multi-core performance is roughly equal, though the Series X’s optimization might give it a slight edge in specific tasks.

GPU Comparison

• RTX 2080 Ti (PC): One of the most powerful GPUs of its generation (2018). It has 11 GB GDDR6 VRAM, 4352 CUDA cores, and delivers performance roughly on par with an RTX 3060 Ti or RX 6700 XT in modern benchmarks. It excels at 1440p and can handle 4K with some compromises. In MSFS 2020, it can push high-ultra settings at 1440p (40-60 FPS depending on the scene) or medium-high at 4K (30-40 FPS).
• Series X GPU: The custom RDNA 2 GPU (12 TFLOPS, 52 CUs) is weaker than the RTX 2080 Ti in raw power, but its tight integration with DirectX 12 Ultimate and features like DirectStorage give it an efficiency edge. It targets 4K at 30 FPS in MSFS 2020 with dynamic resolution, using settings equivalent to medium-high on PC.

Verdict: The RTX 2080 Ti outperforms the Series X GPU by about 20-30% in raw rendering power, especially at higher resolutions or with ultra settings. It also has more VRAM (11 GB vs. 10 GB usable for graphics), which helps with high-resolution textures and complex scenery in MSFS.

RAM and Storage

• RAM: The PC’s 32 GB DDR4 is overkill for MSFS (16 GB is plenty), but it ensures no bottlenecks with background apps or heavy multitasking. The Series X’s 16 GB GDDR6 is shared between system and GPU, with faster bandwidth (560 GB/s vs. ~50 GB/s for typical DDR4). Not a huge difference for MSFS, but the Series X’s unified memory architecture is more efficient.
• Storage: Both have 1 TB SSDs. The Series X’s NVMe SSD (2.4 GB/s raw) might edge out slightly if the PC’s SSD is SATA-based, but the listing suggests an NVMe drive (common in high-end builds like this). Load times will be similar—around 1-2 minutes to spawn in MSFS.

Verdict: Negligible difference here. Both setups are fast enough for MSFS’s needs.

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MSFS 2020 Performance Head-to-Head

Frame Rates

• Xbox Series X: Locked 30 FPS at 4K (dynamic resolution), with occasional dips to 25-28 FPS in dense areas (e.g., downtown Tokyo with high traffic).
• PC (i9-9900K + RTX 2080 Ti): At 4K with high-ultra settings, expect 35-50 FPS in open areas, 25-35 FPS in dense areas. At 1440p, you could hit 50-70 FPS in lighter scenes, 35-50 FPS in heavy ones. With some tweaking (e.g., lowering terrain detail or shadows), you could push higher frame rates than the Series X while maintaining better visuals.

Visual Quality

• Series X: Dynamic resolution (often near 4K) with medium-high settings. Clouds, weather, and draw distance look great, but some settings (like object density) are dialed back to maintain 30 FPS.
• PC: Can run ultra settings at 1440p or high settings at 4K with better draw distance, texture quality, and object density than the Series X. The RTX 2080 Ti’s extra VRAM and compute power allow for denser scenery without as much pop-in.

Stability

• Series X: Rock-solid thanks to optimization—rare crashes, consistent performance.
• PC: Should be stable at this hardware level, but you might need to tweak settings or update drivers to avoid occasional stutters. The i9-9900K’s overclock to 5.0 GHz might require good cooling to prevent thermal throttling.

Flexibility

• Series X: Locked ecosystem—no VR, limited modding (marketplace only), fewer control options.
• PC: Full access to community mods (e.g., aircraft, scenery), VR support (if you have a headset), and broader control options (yokes, HOTAS, multi-monitor setups).

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Overall Verdict: PC vs. Series X for MSFS 2020

The PC from the eBay listing significantly outperforms the Xbox Series X for MSFS 2020. Here’s why:

1. CPU Advantage: The i9-9900K’s higher clocks and single-threaded performance make flight physics smoother, and its multi-core capability matches the Series X for streaming and AI tasks.
2. GPU Advantage: The RTX 2080 Ti outclasses the Series X GPU, allowing for higher settings, better resolutions (e.g., ultra at 1440p or high at 4K), and better frame rates in most scenarios.
3. Visuals and Frame Rates: The PC can push higher-quality visuals and frame rates than the Series X’s locked 30 FPS at 4K. It’s especially noticeable at 1440p or with VR.
4. Customization: The PC blows the Series X out of the water for modding, VR, and peripheral support—key for flight sim enthusiasts.

Edge Cases Where Series X Might Feel Better

• Ease of Use: The Series X requires no setup—just plug and play. The PC might need driver updates, cooling adjustments, or settings tweaks to optimize.
• Consistency: The Series X’s optimization ensures a very stable 30 FPS. The PC could have occasional stutters if not dialed in properly, though this is unlikely with such high-end hardware.

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Addressing Your Previous Concerns

Since you were considering CPU upgrades to your current rig (i5-6500, GTX 1070), this eBay PC is essentially a full system upgrade. It avoids the limitations of your H110M PRO-VD motherboard and GTX 1070 bottlenecks, giving you a setup that not only surpasses the Series X but also provides a much better long-term platform for MSFS and other games.

Price Consideration

The eBay listing doesn’t show a price in your prompt, but a system like this typically sells used for $800-1200 in 2025 (based on historical trends for i9-9900K + RTX 2080 Ti builds). If it’s in that range, it’s a solid deal compared to building new or upgrading piecemeal. The Series X retails around $500 but offers less performance and flexibility for MSFS.

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Final Recommendation

If you’re looking to run MSFS 2020 at its best and the price for this PC fits your budget, it’s a no-brainer over the Series X. You’ll get better performance (higher FPS, better visuals), more flexibility (mods, VR), and a system that’s still relevant for modern gaming in 2025. Just ensure the listing checks out—verify the seller’s reputation, condition of components, and whether cooling is adequate for the 5.0 GHz overclock.

What’s your budget for this upgrade, and are you prioritizing raw performance or the broader flight sim ecosystem (VR, mods)? That’ll help me refine further. Also, any details on your current cooling setup or storage (since those impact performance too)?

On 3/3/2025 at 5:03 PM, FBW737 said:

Intel Core i7-7700K (Best Option)

Thanks for the above - I have found several of them on Amazon so can pick these up. With my understanding - I'll probably need CPU fan cooler too with that as one for my i5 will not be enough. 

Although am I limited to 7700 or can I go with higher rating too? My motherboard is limited to i5/i7 but what about i7 9700 or something with higher rating? 

The reason why I am sticking to PC is because of the flexibility it allows me and PC users have a lot more freedom then xbox users. Personally I am not a huge fan of consoles - tried it during my teen years, never liked it. 

Edited March 5, 20251 yr by CAP1234

OK,this is Groks answer, not mine:

Upgrading the CPU on your current PC (Intel Core i5-6500, GTX 1070, 32GB DDR4 RAM, H110M PRO-VD motherboard) to an Intel Core i7-9700 or i7-9700K isn’t straightforward due to compatibility issues with your motherboard. Let’s break it down and see what’s possible.

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Motherboard Compatibility: H110M PRO-VD

Your H110M PRO-VD motherboard uses the LGA 1151 socket and is based on Intel’s 100-series chipset (specifically H110). This chipset was designed for 6th-generation (Skylake) and 7th-generation (Kaby Lake) Intel CPUs. The i5-6500 you currently have is a 6th-gen Skylake chip, fully compatible out of the box.

The i7-9700 and i7-9700K, however, are 9th-generation (Coffee Lake Refresh) CPUs, released in 2018. While they also use the LGA 1151 socket physically, they are not supported by the H110 chipset due to differences in power delivery, BIOS requirements, and chipset compatibility.

Key Compatibility Issues

1. Chipset Support:
   • H110 officially supports 6th-gen (Skylake) and 7th-gen (Kaby Lake) CPUs with the correct BIOS version.
   • The i7-9700 and i7-9700K require Intel’s 300-series chipsets (e.g., Z370, Z390, H370, B360, B365) or certain updated 200-series chipsets (e.g., Z270 with a BIOS update). The 100-series chipsets (H110, B150, H170, Z170) lack official support for 8th- and 9th-gen CPUs due to hardware and firmware limitations.
2. Power Delivery:
   • The i7-9700 (8 cores/8 threads, 65W TDP) and i7-9700K (8 cores/8 threads, 95W TDP) have higher core counts and power demands than your i5-6500 (4 cores/4 threads, 65W TDP). The H110M PRO-VD has basic VRMs (voltage regulator modules) designed for lower-power CPUs, and it may not provide stable power to an 8-core chip, risking instability or damage.
   • Overclocking the i7-9700K isn’t an option anyway, as H110 doesn’t support overclocking (locked multiplier and no K-series support).
3. BIOS Limitations:
   • Even with a BIOS update, MSI’s official CPU support list for the H110M PRO-VD tops out at 7th-gen CPUs (e.g., i7-7700K). The 9th-gen CPUs use a different microcode and pin configuration that 100-series chipsets can’t fully handle without significant hardware changes (not just firmware).
4. Pin Configuration:
   • Intel modified the LGA 1151 socket slightly between generations. While 6th/7th-gen CPUs work on 100-series boards, 8th/9th-gen CPUs (like the i7-9700/K) require additional power pins and features supported only by 300-series chipsets. Physically, the i7-9700/K might fit in the socket, but it won’t boot or function properly on H110.

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Can You Make It Work?

Technically, there are rare cases where enthusiasts have hacked 100-series motherboards to support 8th/9th-gen CPUs via BIOS modding (e.g., adding Coffee Lake microcode and tweaking power settings). However:

• Risk: This voids warranties, risks bricking the board, and could fry components if the VRMs can’t handle the load.
• Availability: No official MSI BIOS update supports the i7-9700 or 9700K on the H110M PRO-VD. You’d need a custom modded BIOS from a forum like BIOS-Mods or Win-RAID, plus the know-how to flash it safely.
• Stability: Even if it boots, the H110’s weak power delivery might cause crashes or thermal throttling under load (like MSFS 2020).

For your specific board, MSI’s CPU support list (check their website under H110M PRO-VD) confirms compatibility ends at 7th-gen CPUs. Without extreme modding (not recommended for most users), the i7-9700 and i7-9700K are not viable upgrades.

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Maximum CPU Upgrade Options

Since the i7-9700 and i7-9700K won’t work, here’s what you can upgrade to within the H110M PRO-VD’s limits:

1. Intel Core i7-7700K

• Specs: 4 cores/8 threads, 4.2 GHz base, 4.5 GHz boost, 91W TDP.
• Performance: 1100 single-thread, ~5500 multi-thread in Cinebench R23. A big jump over your i5-6500 (700 single, ~2500 multi).
• Compatibility: 7th-gen Kaby Lake, supported with a BIOS update (check MSI’s site for the latest version; your board likely needs updating from its original 6th-gen firmware).
• Pros: Best single-threaded performance for your board, great for MSFS physics. Hyper-threading helps with streaming/AI.
• Cons: No overclocking on H110, and 4 cores/8 threads is still behind modern 8-core CPUs.
• Price: ~$100-150 used.

2. Intel Core i7-6700K

• Specs: 4 cores/8 threads, 4.0 GHz base, 4.2 GHz boost, 91W TDP.
• Performance: ~1000 single-thread, ~5000 multi-thread. Slightly slower than 7700K.
• Compatibility: 6th-gen Skylake, natively supported (no BIOS update needed unless firmware is outdated).
• Pros: Drop-in upgrade, solid improvement over i5-6500.
• Cons: Older architecture, less future-proof than 7700K.
• Price: ~$80-120 used.

3. Intel Core i7-7700 (Non-K)

• Specs: 4 cores/8 threads, 3.6 GHz base, 4.2 GHz boost, 65W TDP.
• Performance: ~1050 single-thread, ~5200 multi-thread.
• Compatibility: 7th-gen, needs BIOS update.
• Pros: Lower power draw, less heat than K-series.
• Cons: Slightly slower base clock than 7700K.
• Price: ~$90-130 used.

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Impact on MSFS 2020

For MSFS 2020, these upgrades would help significantly compared to your i5-6500:

• i5-6500: 20-25 FPS in dense areas, 30-40 FPS in open areas at 1080p medium (CPU bottlenecked).
• i7-7700K: 25-35 FPS in dense areas, 35-45 FPS in open areas at 1080p medium-high. Less stuttering, better scenery streaming thanks to hyper-threading.
• Your GTX 1070 remains the GPU limit—don’t expect 4K or ultra settings without a GPU upgrade.

However, even the i7-7700K (the best option) doesn’t match the Xbox Series X’s 8-core/16-thread Zen 2 CPU or its stronger GPU. It gets you closer but not past it (see my earlier replies for detailed Series X comparisons).

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Conclusion: Can You Upgrade to i7-9700 or i7-9700K?

No, you cannot upgrade your H110M PRO-VD to an i7-9700 or i7-9700K without replacing the motherboard. The chipset and power delivery don’t support 9th-gen CPUs, and modding is impractical for most users.

What You Can Do

• Max Upgrade: Swap to an i7-7700K (or i7-6700K/i7-7700) for a solid boost within your current platform. The i7-7700K is the best choice—check eBay or similar for ~$120-150.
• Steps:
  1. Verify your current BIOS version (boot into BIOS or use MSI’s tools). Update to the latest from MSI’s site if needed for 7th-gen support.
  2. Ensure cooling can handle 91W TDP (stock cooler might struggle; a budget tower like Hyper 212 is ~$30).
  3. Install and test stability with MSFS 2020.
• Beyond This: To use an i7-9700/K (or better), you’d need a new motherboard (e.g., B365 or Z390, ~$50-100 used) and possibly new RAM if you jump to a newer platform later (DDR5 is now common in 2025).

If your goal is to beat the Series X, the i7-7700K helps but won’t get you there alone—your GTX 1070 holds you back. A full upgrade (like the eBay i9-9900K/RTX 2080 Ti PC) is a better bet. What’s your budget and long-term plan? That’ll guide the next step.

16 hours ago, FBW737 said:

What’s your budget and long-term plan? That’ll guide the next step.

Ideally I would like to run planes like Fenix with addon sceneries without having to max out my CPU. I'm not too bothered about running anything on ultra settings or competing with series X. Just want a reasonable CPU processor that can allow me to run MSFS on reasonable medium-high settings utilising my GTX 1070. Of course I understand there is still limiting factors because of my motherboard and GPU but anything better then my current CPU would be reasonable. My budget is around $400 to $500 max.  

In terms of storage - I have upgraded to 2TB SSD from HDD, can't get m.2 as limited by motherboard. 

Edited March 6, 20251 yr by CAP1234

Yeah its beaten to death above. Since your upgrading your current system the i7-7700K is your best option.

On 3/6/2025 at 6:51 PM, FBW737 said:

 i7-7700K

Cool I have ordered a i7 -7700k from amazon which should be delivered in new few days.

On 3/3/2025 at 4:55 PM, FBW737 said:

On 3/3/2025 at 3:49 AM, YukonPete said:

That's a down grade!

No its not. It's a significant upgrade:

Grok says so:

 

Do you have shares in Groc? 😄

Or is it Grocophilia?