Choose the best PC build for X-Plane 11 and MSFS 2020, with practical CPU, GPU, RAM, SSD, 1080p, 1440p, 4K and VR recommendations.
For one PC that runs both X-Plane 11 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 well, we recommend a modern high-clocked eight-core gaming CPU, 32–64 GB of RAM, a graphics card with 12–16 GB of VRAM, and a 2 TB NVMe SSD. Prioritise the GPU for 4K or VR.
MSFS 2020 usually sets the higher baseline for graphics, storage and data streaming, but a heavily modified X-Plane 11 installation can become demanding around complex aircraft, detailed airports and orthophoto scenery. Both simulators benefit more from fast per-core performance and cache than from a large number of slower cores. Our practical breakdown of MSFS 2020 hardware tiers explains why the official minimum specification should not be treated as an ideal build target.
Best balanced PC build for both simulators
A fast eight-core processor, 16 GB graphics card and 64 GB of system memory make the strongest balanced build for 1440p, ultrawide displays and demanding add-ons.
| Component | Recommended specification | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | High-cache, high-clocked eight-core desktop processor; Ryzen 7 X3D-class chips such as the 7800X3D or 9800X3D are useful reference points | Both simulators can be limited by their main simulation or rendering thread, especially at busy airports |
| GPU | Modern upper-midrange or high-end card with 16 GB VRAM; GeForce RTX 5070 Ti or 5080 class, or a Radeon equivalent | Provides headroom for high-resolution textures, 1440p ultrawide, 4K and VR |
| RAM | 64 GB DDR5 as a matched 2 × 32 GB kit; 32 GB is acceptable for lighter use | Allows room for detailed scenery, complex aircraft, traffic tools and background applications |
| Storage | 2 TB NVMe SSD, with a second 2 TB or larger SSD for scenery and add-ons | Both simulator libraries grow quickly; SSD storage also reduces loading and scenery-access delays |
| Motherboard | Board matched to the CPU with at least two M.2 slots and enough native USB ports | Extra storage and connections for a yoke, pedals, throttle, panels and VR headset are easily overlooked |
| Power and cooling | Quality 750–850 W PSU for this performance class, following the graphics-card maker's requirement; large tower or suitably sized liquid cooler | Maintains stable boost clocks and leaves sensible power headroom |
| Operating system and network | 64-bit Windows 11 and a stable wired Ethernet connection | MSFS 2020 requires Windows on PC and relies heavily on online scenery data |
This is a balanced specification rather than a no-limit workstation. Our component-balancing advice for flight-simulation PCs covers where to move the budget when displays, VR equipment or other simulators change the workload.
How do the specifications change at 1080p, 1440p and 4K?
Higher resolution shifts more of the workload to the graphics card, while lower-resolution flying is more likely to expose a CPU main-thread limit.
| Display target | CPU target | GPU and VRAM target | RAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | Fast recent six- or eight-core CPU | Mainstream GPU with 8–12 GB VRAM | 32 GB |
| 1440p or ultrawide | High-clocked eight-core CPU | Upper-midrange GPU with 12–16 GB VRAM | 32–64 GB |
| 4K | High-cache eight-core CPU | High-end GPU with at least 16 GB VRAM | 64 GB preferred |
| VR | High-cache eight-core CPU | High-end GPU with at least 16 GB VRAM; exact demand depends on headset resolution | 64 GB preferred |
A 3440 × 1440 ultrawide sits between conventional 1440p and 4K in GPU demand. Before buying the graphics card, compare how 1080p, 1440p and 4K affect flight-simulator hardware; choosing the display first prevents an expensive resolution mismatch.
Which simulator should set the build target?
Use MSFS 2020 as the base specification, then add storage, RAM and VRAM headroom if X-Plane 11 will use extensive scenery or plugins.
On Windows, X-Plane 11 should normally run through Vulkan unless an essential legacy aircraft or plugin is incompatible. Judging hardware while using its older OpenGL path can give a misleading impression of GPU and driver performance.
Do not size the machine from an empty runway in a default aircraft. Airliner avionics, live or injected traffic, large hubs, high object settings and detailed weather can move both simulators from a GPU limit to a CPU limit.
Should I spend more on the CPU or GPU?
Spend more on the CPU for 1080p, dense airports and heavy traffic; spend more on the GPU for 4K, ultrawide monitors, multiple displays or VR.
- Lower resolution or render scaling: a large frame-rate improvement points towards a GPU limit.
- Lower traffic, object detail or terrain detail: a large improvement points towards a CPU main-thread limit.
- Watch the timing tools: MSFS 2020's developer FPS display can report
Limited by MainThreador a GPU limitation, while X-Plane 11 exposes CPU and GPU frame times. - Check memory pressure: pauses accompanied by heavy page-file or drive activity may indicate insufficient RAM or VRAM rather than a slow processor.
For a closer diagnosis before replacing parts, use our method for identifying MSFS CPU, GPU and memory bottlenecks.
Is 32 GB RAM enough for X-Plane 11 and MSFS 2020?
Yes, 32 GB is enough for either simulator in ordinary use, but 64 GB is the better choice for a new shared build using complex aircraft, detailed airports, traffic, orthophotos or several background applications.
Extra RAM does not raise frame rates when the installed capacity is not being filled. Its value is avoiding memory compression and page-file activity during demanding flights. Use a matched two-module kit, keep the Windows page file system-managed, and verify stability after enabling the memory profile in the motherboard firmware.
Common PC build mistakes to avoid
- Buying core count instead of gaming performance: a slower 12- or 16-core processor can lose to a faster eight-core gaming CPU in these simulators. Extra cores make more sense when the PC also handles rendering, encoding or production work.
- Choosing too little VRAM for 4K or VR: an 8 GB card may run both simulators, but leaves limited headroom for high-resolution textures, complex airports and demanding headsets.
- Underestimating storage: MSFS package folders and X-Plane's
Custom Scenerydirectory can consume far more space than the base installations. Avoid placing active scenery libraries on a mechanical hard drive. - Relying on upscaling or frame generation: support differs between the two simulators, and generated frames cannot remove a simulation-thread bottleneck. Buy for acceptable native performance first.
- Using four mismatched memory modules: this can reduce memory speed or cause instability. A matched two-module kit leaves a cleaner upgrade path.
- Ignoring power, cooling and USB capacity: throttling, marginal power delivery and overloaded unpowered USB hubs can make an otherwise fast simulator PC unreliable.
What should I upgrade first?
Upgrade the component that is limiting the simulator rather than replacing parts in a fixed order.
- CPU and platform: upgrade these first when performance is main-thread limited and the GPU has spare capacity.
- Graphics card: upgrade it first when reducing resolution, anti-aliasing or render scaling produces a clear improvement.
- RAM: move from 16 GB to at least 32 GB immediately; move from 32 GB to 64 GB when actual memory use approaches the installed capacity.
- Storage: add an SSD when space is tight or scenery access causes pauses, but do not expect an NVMe upgrade alone to cure a CPU or GPU frame-rate limit.