Best PCs For A Seamless Flight Simulator Experience
Flight simulators are the craze of the modern gaming world, perfect for those who live and breathe adventure, and want to explore the world from an aerial perspective.
Before taking to the sky, you'll need the right gear - a powerful gaming PC, accessories, and the game itself. Read our guide below to learn more about flight sim PCs and how to make the best choice for smooth gameplay and optimal performance!
What To Consider When Buying A Gaming PC For Flight Sims
It should come as no surprise that flight simulators are incredibly demanding. Your gaming rig needs to be able to load stunningly detailed environments quickly and provide a smooth, lag-free flight experience, and that takes a lot of resources.
When choosing a gaming PC for flight simulators, you need to pay close attention to some specifications such as:
Your Gaming PC’s CPU (Processor)
While your game is up and running, your PC is handling all sorts of complex calculations in the background. Specifically, the CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the one in charge of processing all this data, and how fast your processor is will determine how fluid your gameplay is. Buy a PC with a lesser CPU, and you risk running your game with stutters and lags, which can take away from the satisfying experience.
We recommend choosing CPUs with high clock speeds and processing power, such as the Intel i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 7/9 series, to be able to run most flight sims at high settings.
Your Gaming PC’s GPU
In flight sims, the visuals are everything. You’ll definitely want a powerful graphics card (GPU) that can smoothly render detailed environments while you’re up in the air - ones like the NVIDIA RTX 30/40 series or the AMD RX 6000/7000 series.
Your Gaming PC’s RAM
Flight sims are also quite RAM-intensive, as your PC needs to load large scenery files quickly. Today’s gaming PC standard is 16GB, but we recommend going for 32GB if you’re planning to use your PC for intensive flight sim sessions.
Your Gaming PC’s Storage
Choosing SSD over HDD in terms of storage devices will make your flight simulation experience much smoother. Make sure to check the size of your game of choice, so you can avoid making a PC purchase and realising you can’t even install it.
Most Popular Flight Simulators & Their Requirements
If you’re just getting started in the wonderful, cinematic world of flight sims, there are a few titles you should know:
Microsoft Flight Simulator
A real trailblazer in terms of civilian flight simulator games, MSFS has conquered the hearts of its audiences with its realistic environments, powered by satellite data and AI. In the game, you can experience dynamic weather and operate loads of different, highly detailed aircrafts while you fly all over the planet.
For an immersive flying experience while playing MSFS, you’ll need a good PC - here are the requirements as per the game’s official page:
Minimum Specifications
Recommended Requirements
Ideal Requirements
Processor (CPU): AMD Ryzen 2600X or Intel Core i7-6800K
X-Plane is another great choice for those who aim for high realism in their flight simulator games. Its strengths lie in the extensive customisation options and the high focus on flight dynamics and operational accuracy, meaning it will be less visually demanding than MSFS.
Minimum Specifications
Recommended Requirements
Processor (CPU): Intel Core i3, i5, i7, or i9 CPU, or AMD Ryzen 3, 5, 7 or 9
Graphics Card (GPU): Vulkan 1.3-capable video card from NVIDIA or AMD with at least 2 GB VRAM
Memory (RAM): 8 GB RAM
Storage: 25GB
Processor (CPU): Intel Core i5-12600K or Ryzen 5 3500
Graphics Card (GPU): GeForce RTX 2070 or better
Memory (RAM): 16-24 GB RAM
Storage: 25GB
DCS World (Digital Combat Simulator)
For those interested in realistic military combat experiences. DCS World is the go-to game. You’ll operate high-fidelity aircraft models, use complex command systems, and can even engage in multiplayer scenarios.
With so much detail involved in making this game as realistic as possible, you’ll need a powerful rig to keep up with the demands:
Minimum Specifications
Recommended Requirements
Processor (CPU): Intel Core i3 at 2.8 GHz or AMD FX
Graphics Card (GPU): Discrete AMD or NVIDIA 6GB
Memory (RAM): 16 GB
Storage: 200 GB
Processor (CPU): Intel Core i5+ at 3+ GHz or AMD FX / Ryzen
Graphics Card (GPU): Discrete video card NVIDIA/AMD with 8GB VRAM+
Memory (RAM): 32 GB
Storage: 500 GB
Shop Best Gaming PCs For Flight Simulators With Alex Davis PCs
What Other Flight Simulator Accessories Do You Need?
On top of a good PC, your flight sim setup might require additional peripherals (accessories). Typically, this will include a monitor (or two for increased immersion and easy multitasking), keyboard, mouse, and speakers or a headset, but you might also opt for:
Flight sticks and yokes, for a more realistic experience
Throttle quadrants, which allow for precise control of engine power and other aircraft systems
Complex setup accessories like external autopilot, radio, VR headset, and avionics panel
Alex Davis PCs is your trusted ally in all things gaming PCs - from pre-built, powerful gaming rigs to the best PC gaming accessories, we’ve got all you need for an immersive experience during intense gaming sessions. Get started today!
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