Hello gents,

I'm currently running the PC specs in my signature below: 14400F, 32 GB DDR4 RAM, RTX3070 8GB, 3x 1080p 60Hz monitors with MSFS2020 and it's fine with all the airliners I fly using AutoFPS, Lossless Scaling, DLSS Performance and texture resolution set to medium. I lock the FPS at 30 or 35 and use Lossless Scaling to get 60 FPS. I never run out of VRAM.

I tried MSFS 2024 with the PMDG 737 and texture resolution set to low and I was able to scrape by without exceeding VRAM usage. It was fine for my needs. When I tried the iniBuilds A300 at Aerosoft Frankfurt, VRAM was already at 9.5 GB at the gate and the sim wasn't playable and a crash occured afterwards.

I'm looking to upgrade my GPU to one the below options and I'm wondering if 12 GB of VRAM will be enough for my setup and needs or do I need more like 16 or 24?

1. RTX 3080 Ti 12GB VRAM for $435
2. RTX 3090 Ti 24 GB VRAM for $480
3. RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB VRAM for $535

$535 is the ultimate most I want to spend and I want a GPU that will be enough for all the airliners in MSFS2024 including the notorious VRAM eater the iniBuilds A350.

What is your recommendation and why? 

Thank you in advance.

I'd definitely rule out the 3080 Ti, its 12GB of VRAM simply won't cut it for 2024 (you'll be constantly balancing on the verge of VRAM exhaustion). I have just replaced my 3080 for that very reason.

The 3090 has plenty of VRAM, and seems like the best bet in terms of memory, but you'll be restricted to older DLSS versions. I've always been skeptical about "fake frames", but I have to admit that the more recent frame generation technologies can produce a significant improvement in smoothness.

The 50x0 series is generally overpriced for what it offers, but the 5060 Ti looks reasonable compared to its "bigger" siblings, and you'll be getting all the latest tech. 16GB should be OK, but it'd wait for some feedback from multi-monitor users.

I've gone with the RX 9070XT (my first "red" card in ages...), but it's a bit pricier than the 5060.

5 minutes ago, tymk said:

I'd definitely rule out the 3080 Ti, its 12GB of VRAM simply won't cut it for 2024 (you'll be constantly balancing on the verge of VRAM exhaustion). I have just replaced my 3080 for that very reason.

The 3090 has plenty of VRAM, and seems like the best bet in terms of memory, but you'll be restricted to older DLSS versions. I've always been skeptical about "fake frames", but I have to admit that the more recent frame generation technologies can produce a significant improvement in smoothness.

The 50x0 series is generally overpriced for what it offers, but the 5060 Ti looks reasonable compared to its "bigger" siblings, and you'll be getting all the latest tech. 16GB should be OK, but it'd wait for some feedback from multi-monitor users.

I've gone with the RX 9070XT (my first "red" card in ages...), but it's a bit pricier than the 5060.

Thank for your valuable feedback and for confirming that 12GB will not be enough.

Regarding DLSS, I currently use DLSS Swapper to stick with 310.4 which is the latest version compatible with 3000-series cards. As for frame gen, I find Lossless Scaling to be superior to native frame gen. I was even surprised to find people online saying that they prefer Lossless Scaling over native 5000 series frame gen.

At what resolution do you run your 9070XT and what's the highest VRAM usage you've seen?

41 minutes ago, xsever said:

At what resolution do you run your 9070XT and what's the highest VRAM usage you've seen?

I run at 2560x1440, single monitor. I've seen VRAM usage in excess of 13GB, but I normally fly light GA planes from smaller airports, so no VRAM-heavy add-ons.

3 hours ago, xsever said:

RTX 3090 Ti 24 GB VRAM for $480

If a 5090 isn't in the budget

I've been using the RTX 3060 (not Ti) with 12gb RAM in MSFS 2020 day of release through to MSFS 2024 day of release, I have my graphics settings varied from High to Ultra and have, never experienced any problems and fly with real world looking visuals, even better now with SU5. I would say the RTX 3080 Ti with 12gb RAM should work OK, but would depend on how high you want your settings.

7 minutes ago, JustanotherPilot said:

I've been using the RTX 3060 (not Ti) with 12gb RAM in MSFS 2020 day of release through to MSFS 2024 day of release, I have my graphics settings varied from High to Ultra and have, never experienced any problems and fly with real world looking visuals, even better now with SU5. I would say the RTX 3080 Ti with 12gb RAM should work OK, but would depend on how high you want your settings.

What resolution are you running, which planes do you fly, and what's the highest VRAM usage you've seen?

I had a 4070 Ti which was insufficient and therefore upgraded to the 5090 with which I've had minimal OOM/VRAM issues.

My older PC has a 3090 which again allows higher settings but doesn't have the DLSS capabilities of the later cards. 

Also consider saving up or stretching your budget if that's possible

15 minutes ago, jkeyeuk said:

I had a 4070 Ti which was insufficient and therefore upgraded to the 5090 with which I've had minimal OOM/VRAM issues.

My older PC has a 3090 which again allows higher settings but doesn't have the DLSS capabilities of the later cards. 

Also consider saving up or stretching your budget if that's possible

Thank you for the insightful information. I assume you're run 4k so can you recall your VRAM usage with the 3090 and now with the 5090?

2 hours ago, xsever said:

Thank you for the insightful information. I assume you're run 4k so can you recall your VRAM usage with the 3090 and now with the 5090?

I usually use a VR headset (PSVR2) and this is quite demanding on the cards even with lower resolutions (I don't have a 4k monitor) and suspect it's more demanding than a 4k monitor. 

Either card has more than enough headroom in terms of VRAM.With high settings on VR the usage can often go beyond 20 GB. MSFS is definitely a different beast of a game......

Make sure you have enough RAM......

Edited May 4May 4 by jkeyeuk

Too bad Nvidia doesn't sell water-cooled 4090's any more.  I run four monitors off it.  One's 1080p and the other three are in surround at 11,000 or so by 2160 and my rig runs smoothly.  Don't know if there are any used ones out there.

5 hours ago, jkeyeuk said:

Make sure you have enough RAM......

I currently have 32 GB. Should be enough no? I don't think I've seen my RAM usage exceed 16 to 20 GB.

1 hour ago, xsever said:

I currently have 32 GB. Should be enough no? I don't think I've seen my RAM usage exceed 16 to 20 GB.

Yes I think that's plenty....

Good luck with your decision. Remember that you can recoup some of the expense by selling your current card.

Edited May 4May 4 by jkeyeuk

I have the 3080 Ti and only use it with MSFS 2020 and only with DX11 otherwise the 12 GB VRAM sometimes becomes an issue even at 1440p.

I'm not planning on upgrading to 2024 until I get a new PC later this year. I'd rather turn up the settings with 2020 instead of turning them down with 2024 due to the limited VRAM. But again I've had no experience with 2024 so I'm just basing it on what others have written.

34 minutes ago, jkeyeuk said:

Yes I think that's plenty....

Good luck with your decision. Remember that you can recoup some of the expense by selling your current card.

Well, I made up my mind after going through all these responses here and on Reddit and doing my own research. I went with an excellent condition 3090 for $480. I will report back here once I've had the chance to test it in my machine and see how well it works. The seller was kind enough to offer me a full refund if it doesn't work out and I want to return it. Fingers crossed.

And yes you're right. I should be able to seel my 3070 for $230-250 which I find funny because I bought it 2 years ago for $200!

16 minutes ago, WallysWorlds said:

I have the 3080 Ti and only use it with MSFS 2020 and only with DX11 otherwise the 12 GB VRAM sometimes becomes an issue even at 1440p.

I'm not planning on upgrading to 2024 until I get a new PC later this year. I'd rather turn up the settings with 2020 instead of turning them down with 2024 due to the limited VRAM. But again I've had no experience with 2024 so I'm just basing it on what others have written.

Thank you for this additional insight and data point. I'm now sure more than ever that 12 GB was never going to cut it with MSFS 2024. I will report back and let you know how much VRAM 2024 is going to consume with my setup so you can then decide whether 16 GB will suffice or not.