Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020): PC System Requirements & Best Hardware to Run It (2026)

Thinking about playing Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on PC and wondering what hardware you actually need? The 40th Anniversary Edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) is a world-streaming flight sim: the processor handles aircraft systems, weather, traffic and scenery streaming, while the graphics card draws the cockpit and the world outside it. The encouraging part is that the official requirements are modest — the published minimum is an Intel i5-4460 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 with a GTX 770 or RX 570, and the recommended spec is an i5-8400 or Ryzen 5 1500X with a GTX 970 or RX 590 and 16 GB of RAM. This guide breaks down the official PC system requirements, the best GPU for each resolution, and complete build recommendations for the way you want to fly.

How Demanding Is Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020)?

By modern standards, Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) is not a punishing game to run. The official minimum — a GTX 770 or RX 570 with 8 GB of RAM — is hardware from several GPU generations ago, and the recommended GTX 970 or RX 590 with 16 GB of RAM is similarly modest, so plenty of older gaming PCs can already run it. What the sim does ask for is 150 GB of storage space, and because it streams scenery data as you fly, a decent internet connection and an SSD both help noticeably.

It is also a simulation, which means the CPU carries more of the load than in a typical action game: aircraft systems, weather, traffic and scenery streaming all run on the processor. A card that comfortably beats the recommended spec can still feel held back if it is paired with a very old dual-core, so balance matters. In practical terms, a budget card from the last few years handles 1080p with sensible settings, 1440p is comfortably within reach of a modern mid-range GPU, and 4K is realistic on a current upper mid-range or high-end card. The store page also lists VR support through SteamVR, Oculus PC or OpenXR, with a keyboard and mouse required.

MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 12GB GDRR6X Extreme Clock: 2520 MHz 192-Bit HDMI/DP Nvlink TORX Fan 4.0 Ada Lovelace Architecture Graphics Card (RTX 4070 Ventus 2X 12G OC)

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NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Founder's Edition (FE) Graphics Card - Titanium and Black (900-1G141-2544-000)

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NVIDIA - GeForce RTX 4070 Super 12GB GDDR6X Graphics Card - Titanium/Black

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Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) Official PC System Requirements

Source: the official Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition Steam store listing (app 1250410), checked October 2026. Publishers can update these specs after patches.

Best GPU for Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) by Resolution

1080p

At 1080p the official recommended cards — a GTX 970 or RX 590 — are the baseline, and anything newer buys you room to raise settings. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 sits comfortably above that recommended spec and is more than enough for 1080p at high settings; a current-generation RTX 5060 or RX 9060 XT plays in the same territory. If you are still on a GTX 770 or RX 570, you meet the official minimum and can run the sim at reduced settings while you plan an upgrade.

1440p

1440p is where a mid-range card earns its keep. Step up to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER, or a current card of that class such as an RTX 5070 or RX 9070, and the sim has plenty of headroom at high settings, particularly with upscaling enabled. This is the resolution most PC gamers target, and cards here sit well clear of the official recommended spec.

4K

For 4K, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER is a sensible entry point, with current-generation equivalents such as the RTX 5070 Ti or RX 9070 XT in the same bracket. Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) is not an especially heavy game for its age, but 4K still multiplies the work the GPU has to do, so upscaling helps keep things smooth. You do not need a flagship card — a modern upper mid-range GPU is enough.

CPU, RAM and Storage for Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020)

Because this is a simulation, the processor matters more than it does in most games. The official recommendation is only an Intel i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X, so almost any modern six-core chip is comfortably beyond it: the AMD Ryzen 5 7600 is excellent value and leaves plenty of headroom for dense scenery and traffic, while the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is one of the fastest mainstream gaming CPUs if you want maximum frame rates in busy scenes. Intel fans can opt for the Intel Core i5-14600K.

For memory, 16 GB is the official recommendation and the practical target — 8 GB will run the sim, but 16 GB leaves room for the sim alongside a browser and other background apps. Faster DDR5 such as the Corsair Vengeance DDR5 32GB is a straightforward way to add headroom for add-on scenery and aircraft, though 32 GB is a nice-to-have rather than a requirement. Budget 150 GB of free space for the install and put the game on a fast NVMe SSD like the Samsung 990 Pro 2TB NVMe SSD; the sim streams scenery from disk, so an SSD cuts load times and helps avoid stutter when new terrain arrives.

Recommended PC Builds for Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020)

1080p budget build: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 + AMD Ryzen 5 7600 + 16 GB DDR5 — comfortably above the official recommended spec, so it handles high-settings 1080p with room to spare.

1440p sweet-spot build: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER + AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D + 32 GB DDR5 + 2TB NVMe SSD — the setup most players should aim for.

4K high-end build: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER + AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D + 32 GB DDR5 + fast NVMe SSD — for 4K with upscaling.

Is It Worth Upgrading Your PC for Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020)?

Because the official requirements are modest, this is not a game that forces a rebuild. If you already have something in the GTX 970 or RX 590 range and a quad-core CPU, you can run it today. Upgrading makes more sense if you want to move up in resolution or settings, or if you are on an older dual-core or an early Ryzen 3 — this sim leans on the CPU, so an aging processor can hold you back even with a decent card. The graphics card still delivers the biggest jump in resolution headroom and visual quality, so upgrade that first if you have to choose. Going from 8 GB to 16 GB of RAM and moving the install onto an SSD are inexpensive changes that make a noticeable difference, and the 150 GB install size makes it worth checking your free space before anything else.

Can You Play Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on a Laptop or Handheld?

Yes — the official requirements are low enough that a modern gaming laptop with a discrete GPU comfortably clears the recommended desktop spec. Expect more heat and shorter battery life than a desktop, and remember that the 150 GB install takes a bigger bite out of a laptop SSD. Handhelds such as the Steam Deck or ROG Ally sit closer to the minimum spec, so plan on lower settings, a reduced resolution and upscaling; the sim’s CPU-heavy nature makes dense scenery the hardest part for a small device. If portability matters, prioritise a device with a capable GPU and pair it with a fast microSD or SSD for storage.

How to Boost FPS in Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020)

If frame rates are lower than you would like, enable upscaling — DLSS on NVIDIA, FSR on AMD, or XeSS on Intel — which is usually the single biggest performance gain, and turn on frame generation if your GPU supports it. Drop the most expensive settings first, such as shadows, volumetric effects and post-processing, before lowering overall resolution. Keep your GPU drivers up to date, close background apps, and make sure the game is installed on an SSD. Because the sim is CPU-sensitive, crowded airports and heavy weather are where a slower processor shows up, so trimming the options that add traffic or weather detail can help more than a resolution drop in those moments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my PC run Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020)?

If your PC meets the official minimum — an Intel i5-4460 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200, 8 GB of RAM, a GTX 770 or RX 570 and 150 GB of free space — it can run Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) at reduced settings. For the recommended experience, aim for an i5-8400 or Ryzen 5 1500X, 16 GB of RAM and a GTX 970 or RX 590; anything more modern than that simply gives you room to raise settings or resolution.

Is Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) demanding on PC?

Not by today’s standards. The official recommended spec is a GTX 970 or RX 590 with 16 GB of RAM, which is several generations old, so most gaming PCs built in the last several years can run it. It is CPU-sensitive, though, so a weak processor is more likely to hold you back than a mid-range graphics card.

What GPU do I need for Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) at 1440p 60fps?

A NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER-class graphics card is a comfortable pick for high-settings 1440p, and it sits well above the official recommended spec, especially with upscaling enabled. Cards in this tier also leave you headroom for future titles.

How much RAM does Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) need?

The official minimum is 8 GB and the official recommendation is 16 GB. In practice, 16 GB is the sensible target so the sim has room alongside background apps, and faster DDR5 memory also helps in CPU-limited scenes.

Do I need an SSD for Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020)?

It is not listed as a requirement — the official spec only asks for 150 GB of available space — but an SSD is strongly recommended. The sim streams scenery data while you fly, so an NVMe drive like the Samsung 990 Pro cuts load times and helps keep terrain streaming smooth.