So I used to be an exclusively FS9 guy because my PC was never that powerful. 

A few years ago I went all in on P3D when I got a new PC but with the recent Win11 24H2/Aerosoft A320 P3D v5.4 issues, I'm ready to make the jump to MSFS2024. I am willing and able to buy payware aircraft and am looking for some advice on what to invest my time in for the full gamut of offerings:

A318-A350 - Fenix and iniBuilds?

B737 - 787 - PMDG? Any others for models they didn't offer?

MD-11 - TFDI?

B717 - TFDI or Captainsim?

Concorde?

 

 

 

1 minute ago, 3catcircus said:

So I used to be an exclusively FS9 guy because my PC was never that powerful. 

A few years ago I went all in on P3D when I got a new PC but with the recent Win11 24H2/Aerosoft A320 P3D v5.4 issues, I'm ready to make the jump to MSFS2024. I am willing and able to buy payware aircraft and am looking for some advice on what to invest my time in for the full gamut of offerings:

A318-A350 - Fenix and iniBuilds?

B737 - 787 - PMDG? Any others for models they didn't offer?

MD-11 - TFDI?

B717 - TFDI or Captainsim?

Concorde?

 

 

 

Good timing. The sim is amazing now. 

Fenix, absolutely. PMDG all of it. INi 340 and 350. 

I mean, honestly, you really can't go wrong with any and all of these planes. anything from the top devs is now amazing. Fenix, Ini, PMDG, A2A, BlackSquare.. all these are simply excellent. 

Have fun!

1 hour ago, JonathanC said:

you really can't go wrong with any and all of these planes

This^^
Biggest step and prerequisite is though that you made the decision to  go all in 2024. Rest unfolds itself. Those „study level“ planes are just amazing

1 hour ago, 3catcircus said:

So I used to be an exclusively FS9 guy because my PC was never that powerful. 

A few years ago I went all in on P3D when I got a new PC but with the recent Win11 24H2/Aerosoft A320 P3D v5.4 issues, I'm ready to make the jump to MSFS2024. I am willing and able to buy payware aircraft and am looking for some advice on what to invest my time in for the full gamut of offerings:

A318-A350 - Fenix and iniBuilds?

B737 - 787 - PMDG? Any others for models they didn't offer?

MD-11 - TFDI?

B717 - TFDI or Captainsim?

Concorde?

 

 

 

What PC do you have now?  Something within like 3-5 years old should be fine.  Would recommend a video card with at least 16GB vram if you run anything over 1440p.

 

7 hours ago, ryanbatc said:

What PC do you have now?  Something within like 3-5 years old should be fine.  Would recommend a video card with at least 16GB vram if you run anything over 1440p.

 

I've got an XPS 8960 I bought a year and a half ago. 32GB of RAM, 13th Gen Intel. The only not top of the line part is the Intel Arc A770, which handles most things just fine since, it just isn't bleeding edge in comparison to an Nvidia card.

Edited December 19, 2025Dec 19 by 3catcircus

52 minutes ago, 3catcircus said:

The only not top of the line part is the Intel Arc A770

I'm not sure the Arc is up to the task in 2024, GPU consumption is way higher in 2024 than in P3D or FS9. But, instead of guessing, have you tried paying a month of GamePass and try it yourself? If it's the first time ever you do it, it can cost as low as $1. You can also try 2020 there. If you like it, go for the Premium version (if only for the 787).

10 hours ago, 3catcircus said:

A318-A350 - Fenix and iniBuilds?

A319 to 321: Fenix. Forget about the A318.

A330: iniBuilds default

A330-900: Headwind

A340-300 and A350: iniBuilds

10 hours ago, 3catcircus said:

B737 - 787 - PMDG? Any others for models they didn't offer?

B737NG: since you never used 2020, you may not be affected by the issues regarding PMDG upgrade fee. Thus, the PMDG 738 would be a good choice.

B737 MAX: iFly

B747: stay back in FS9 or P3D

B777: PMDG

B787: Kuro for the -8, Horizon for the -9, default 2020 for the -10. You'll need the Premium Deluxe version, though.

10 hours ago, 3catcircus said:

MD-11 - TFDI?

That's the only game in town. I don't know if it runs in 2024, though. I only ran it in 2020 and P3D.

10 hours ago, 3catcircus said:

B717 - TFDI or Captainsim?

AFAIK, the TFDi one is for FSX and P3D only. Stay away from the CS one!

11 hours ago, 3catcircus said:

Concorde?

There's only one: DC Designs, but I never managed to start it and sent her back to the hangar.

1 hour ago, 3catcircus said:

I've got an XPS 8960 I bought a year and a half ago. 32GB of RAM, 13th Gen Intel. The only not top of the line part is the Intel Arc A770, which handles most things just fine since, it just isn't bleeding edge in comparison to an Nvidia card.

Yes, you'll be fine. Unlikely to run at 4K ultra, but you will certainly have a very good experience if you are at 1440p and tweak a few settings. Even 4K should be possible with some minor tweaks. 

1 hour ago, 3catcircus said:

I've got an XPS 8960 I bought a year and a half ago. 32GB of RAM, 13th Gen Intel. The only not top of the line part is the Intel Arc A770, which handles most things just fine since, it just isn't bleeding edge in comparison to an Nvidia card.

Ahhh I would totally skip MSFS 2024 with an Intel card like that.  You need a real GPU.  Try for a RTX 5080 or something.

3 minutes ago, JonathanC said:

Yes, you'll be fine. Unlikely to run at 4K ultra, but you will certainly have a very good experience if you are at 1440p and tweak a few settings. Even 4K should be possible with some minor tweaks. 

I don't think so man.  An RTX 2070 beats the Arc 770 hehe.

7 minutes ago, ryanbatc said:

I don't think so man.  An RTX 2070 beats the Arc 770 hehe.

Yeah, probably 4K is a bit much. But still, this PC should be enough to have a perfectly enjoyable experience now that SU4 has (99%) fixed the performance issues

9 minutes ago, JonathanC said:

Yeah, probably 4K is a bit much. But still, this PC should be enough to have a perfectly enjoyable experience now that SU4 has (99%) fixed the performance issues

Maybe at medium settings.  I wouldn't go much above that with that intel card.  It's honestly low-mid tier.

12 hours ago, 3catcircus said:

So I used to be an exclusively FS9 guy because my PC was never that powerful. 

A few years ago I went all in on P3D when I got a new PC but with the recent Win11 24H2/Aerosoft A320 P3D v5.4 issues, I'm ready to make the jump to MSFS2024. I am willing and able to buy payware aircraft and am looking for some advice on what to invest my time in for the full gamut of offerings:

A318-A350 - Fenix and iniBuilds?

B737 - 787 - PMDG? Any others for models they didn't offer?

MD-11 - TFDI?

B717 - TFDI or Captainsim?

Concorde?

 

 

 

I just upgraded to MSFS2024 about 3 weeks ago, I was a heavy FSX user prior to moving to MSFS24. I skipped the whole P3D experiment and MSFS2020. But looking at the videos of MSFS2024 I decided to make the jump and it was worth it. 

 

As to payware aircraft:

I bought the iniBuilds A350, while it was on sale, prior to even getting my MSFS24 setup and running. I have about 20 flights with it so far and would recommend the aircraft. 

I just purchased the Fenix Airbus bundle and with about 4 flights in, I would recommend getting this aircraft. It's a winner.

TFDI 717 unfortunately is not available for MSFS24 and I would avoid the Captain Sim offerings.

 

For freeware stuff, I tried the Horizon 787-9 and the Headwinds A330-900, not payware quality but very good aircraft and I fly them plenty.

Getting into MSFS24 I suggest watching A LOT of tutorial type videos on control bindings with profiles and the camera system. It can be a little complicated and overwhelming but in time you will learn how to operate the systems. 

As a fellow controller (retired from "THE SHOW") I have to back Ryan on the Intel ARC video card .. MSFS2024 will push it very hard. 

Edited December 19, 2025Dec 19 by bill10
spelling

53 minutes ago, Luis Hernandez said:

I'm not sure the Arc is up to the task in 2024, GPU consumption is way higher in 2024 than in P3D or FS9. But, instead of guessing, have you tried paying a month of GamePass and try it yourself? If it's the first time ever you do it, it can cost as low as $1. You can also try 2020 there. If you like it, go for the Premium version (if only for the 787).

Couldn't have said it better.

Coming here for advice won't get you very far as everyone has a differing opinion!

Try it for yourself and purchase whatever add-ons interest you.

You will find out if your system can run it well.

UserBenchmark seems to indicate that the Arc A770 is about as powerful as an RTX 3070. Not enough for 4K resolution, but not as bad as some here are suggesting. It also has 16GB VRAM.

Edited December 19, 2025Dec 19 by Christopher Low

36 minutes ago, Christopher Low said:

UserBenchmark seems to indicate that the Arc A770 is about as powerful as an RTX 3070. Not enough for 4K resolution, but not as bad as some here are suggesting. It also has 16GB VRAM.

Really?  I'm not seeing that at all.  It seems to be as good as a RTX 2070.  Maybe a touch better:  https://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-RTX-2070-vs-Intel-Arc-A770/4029vsm1850973