Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Windows PC requirements — Is your system ready to take to the skies?

As a seasoned gamer who’s been around the block more times than I care to count, I’ve learned that keeping tabs on your PC specs is as essential as knowing the back of your hand. And with the much-anticipated Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on the horizon, it’s high time we dust off our trusty steeds and ensure they’re up to the task!


A new ambitious simulator is on the way to test your rig’s limits. 

Under the guidance of Xbox Game Studios, Asobo Studio, and numerous collaborators, there’s an exciting project in the works: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. This upcoming sequel to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 aims to explore uncharted territories with enhanced physics, stunning graphics, and many additional features across multiple game versions.

Interestingly, those stringent technical demands are still present, but surprisingly, they have decreased in certain aspects when compared to its previous version. Here’s a rundown of essential details for running Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on your Windows PC.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 PC requirements

The following lays out the basic specifications required to operate Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. While these minimum requirements will enable you to play the game, you should not anticipate top-notch graphics or smooth frame rates. If your gaming PC is old, you should still be able to meet these specifications without much trouble, ensuring that you can explore the extensive collection of aircraft in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 with relative ease.

Regardless of your system specifications, this latest game requires significantly less storage compared to its previous version, only about 50GB instead of 150GB. This is due to improved data streaming technology, which makes the new version leaner.

  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon RX 5700
  • CPU: Intel Core i7-6800K or AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
  • RAM: 16GB
  • VRAM: 4GB
  • OS: Windows 10/11
  • STORAGE: 50GB
  • INTERNET: 10Mbps

For optimal performance in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, the suggested specifications have significantly increased. This includes a larger amount of RAM, a more powerful central processing unit (CPU), and a robust graphics processing unit (GPU). If your system matches these requirements, you can expect a smooth gameplay experience with higher graphical settings.

  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT
  • CPU: Intel Core i7-10700K or AMD Ryzen 7 2700X
  • RAM: 32GB
  • VRAM: 8GB
  • OS: Windows 10/11
  • STORAGE: 50GB
  • INTERNET: 50Mbps

Ultimately, the Optimal Specifications List highlights the requirements necessary for you to fully optimize your gaming experience. Translated, this implies playing the game at its highest settings, enjoying top-tier graphics, and maintaining a smooth frame rate throughout your entire gaming session.

In this setup, it’s crucial to highlight the enormous 64GB RAM needed, far more than typically required for most games. Additionally, a stable 100Mbps internet speed is necessary, though whether that’s feasible depends on your specific location.

  • GPU: AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7900X or Intel i7-14700K
  • RAM: 64GB
  • VRAM: 12GB
  • OS: Windows 10/11
  • STORAGE: 50GB
  • INTERNET: 100Mbps

How to check your PC specs

If it’s been some time since you acquired or assembled your computer, you might find yourself unsure about the specifics of your CPU or the amount of RAM installed. Don’t worry, this is quite common! Here’s an effortless method to check the specifications of your Windows PC:

  • Type dxdiag in your Windows taskbar. 
  • Choose dxdiag to run the diagnostic tool and get your info. 
  • The system tab will show memory information for your Windows PC. 
  • The display tab has all the info you need on your graphics capabilities. 

To enjoy Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, your system must meet certain requirements in various categories. If your setup falls short in one or more of these areas, you may need to explore alternatives, such as upgrading some components. For instance, if you’re merely lacking RAM, it could be a simple fix by adding more. On the other hand, if your CPU is significantly old, it might be time to invest in a new gaming setup.

If modifying games isn’t your main concern and you’re concerned about the cost of upgrading components, another option is to purchase an Xbox Series X|S console and enjoy playing games on that platform instead.

Can Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 run on gaming handhelds?

Of course, many players are now branching out into gaming handhelds. 

Portable gaming systems such as Valve’s Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally are ideal for playing games while traveling for business or leisure, serving either as secondary or main gaming solutions. Unlike a full-fledged gaming PC, these handheld devices have fewer upgrade options, primarily the ability to add extra storage.

Based on current knowledge, here’s an idea of what players might experience when attempting to run Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on the most widely-used portable gaming devices.

Will Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 run on Steam Deck?

It’s highly unlikely that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will perform optimally, or even function properly, on a Steam Deck. Despite meeting some of its minimum requirements, this game places excessive demands on the CPU that the Steam Deck is not equipped to handle consistently.

Will Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 run on ASUS ROG Ally?

The ASUS ROG Ally and its X variant are more powerful than the Steam Deck, which suggests that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 could potentially run on this handheld device. However, it’s important to note that game performance can vary from what’s expected based on specs alone. In theory, the ASUS ROG Ally (especially the X model) should be able to handle Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 with some graphics settings reduced.

Following my opportunity to test-drive Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 at a pre-release event and chat with its creators, I penned down, “Although I’m still relatively green in the world of flight simulators, everything I tried was enjoyable and demanding. The global cooperation needed to bring this experience to life is truly astounding. I definitely plan on taking more flights once the game hits shelves later this year.

The Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is set to take off on November 19, 2024, simultaneously for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC. Much like other Xbox first-party games, it will be available from the very start in both Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

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2024-09-24 18:39