See the official MSFS 2020 minimum, recommended and ideal PC specs, plus practical CPU, GPU, RAM, SSD and internet guidance.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 requires at least 64-bit Windows 10, a Core i5-4460 or Ryzen 3 1200, 8 GB RAM, a GTX 770 or RX 570 with 2 GB VRAM, and 150 GB storage. Windows 11 is supported; for enjoyable use, we recommend 32 GB RAM, an SSD, and newer CPU and GPU hardware.
Official MSFS 2020 system requirements
Microsoft’s published specifications define minimum, recommended and ideal hardware tiers for MSFS 2020.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended | Ideal |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5-4460 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X | Intel Core i7-9800X or AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 2700X |
| GPU | Nvidia GTX 770 or AMD Radeon RX 570 | Nvidia GTX 970 or AMD Radeon RX 590 | Nvidia RTX 2080 or AMD Radeon VII |
| Video memory | 2 GB | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| System memory | 8 GB | 16 GB | 32 GB |
| Storage | 150 GB | 150 GB | 150 GB on an SSD |
| Internet bandwidth | 5 Mbps | 20 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
These are baseline launch-era specifications, not a guarantee of smooth performance with complex airliners, detailed third-party airports, heavy traffic or VR. The named processors and graphics cards are also older reference points: compare actual performance rather than assuming any newer Core i5 or Ryzen 5 automatically falls into a particular tier.
A DirectX 11-compatible dedicated GPU is the baseline. MSFS 2020 also offers DirectX 12 on supported systems, but choosing DX12 does not compensate for underpowered hardware.
What PC specification should I target in practice?
For a balanced MSFS 2020 PC, target a fast modern six-core or eight-core processor, 32 GB RAM, an SSD and a dedicated GPU with at least 8 GB VRAM.
| Intended use | Sensible hardware target |
|---|---|
| 1080p at medium or high settings | Modern six-core CPU, 16 GB RAM, dedicated GPU with 6–8 GB VRAM and an SSD |
| 1440p, detailed airports and add-on aircraft | Fast six-core or eight-core CPU, 32 GB RAM, GPU with 8–12 GB VRAM and an NVMe SSD |
| 4K, VR or dense hubs with complex airliners | High-end gaming CPU, 32 GB RAM or more, powerful GPU with at least 12 GB VRAM and an NVMe SSD |
MSFS is unusually sensitive to CPU performance on its main simulation thread. Core count matters less than fast per-core performance, cache and memory behaviour once the processor has enough cores for background tasks.
The GPU becomes more important as resolution, render scaling, clouds and anti-aliasing increase. Our graphics-card and VRAM guidance by resolution explains how to choose an appropriate GPU class without relying solely on model numbers.
Do I need 32 GB RAM for MSFS 2020?
MSFS 2020 runs with 16 GB RAM, but 32 GB is the practical sweet spot for detailed scenery, complex aircraft, traffic and background applications. The official 8 GB minimum leaves little headroom and can cause paging, long pauses and inconsistent frame times.
More than 32 GB does not normally increase frame rate by itself. Consider 64 GB when running memory-heavy add-ons alongside browser tabs, flight-planning tools, recording software or other simulator utilities. Keep the Windows page file enabled and system-managed, preferably on an SSD.
How much SSD space and internet speed do I need?
An SSD is strongly recommended even though the published minimum permits conventional storage. It reduces loading time and helps the simulator retrieve scenery and aircraft data without the delays associated with a mechanical hard drive.
The official 150 GB figure is a starting point rather than a comfortable long-term allowance. Optional World Updates, rolling cache, add-ons and temporary update files increase the requirement, so we would reserve at least 200 GB of free SSD space and more if installing extensive scenery.
The listed bandwidth figures refer to connection speed, not monthly data usage. Online scenery, photogrammetry and updates can transfer substantial amounts of data; a stable connection is often more useful than a high advertised speed that fluctuates or drops packets.
How do I check whether my PC can run MSFS 2020?
Compare the exact CPU and GPU models, dedicated video memory, installed RAM and available SSD space rather than looking only at labels such as Core i7 or GeForce.
- Open Task Manager: select the Performance section to identify the CPU, GPU, installed memory and storage type.
- Check dedicated VRAM: select the GPU and look for dedicated GPU memory. Shared system memory is not a substitute for dedicated VRAM.
- Compare full model numbers: a newer mid-range CPU can outperform an older high-end model. Laptop components may also run more slowly than desktop parts with similar names.
- Confirm free storage: allow room for both the simulator and temporary files created during large updates.
- Set a realistic target: meeting the minimum may permit low settings at 1080p, but it is not suitable guidance for 4K, VR or demanding add-ons.
Why can MSFS run poorly on a PC that meets the requirements?
Meeting the requirements only confirms basic compatibility; performance still depends on where the system is bottlenecked and what is happening in the flight.
- Main-thread limitation: high Terrain Level of Detail, Object Level of Detail, road traffic, airport activity and complex aircraft systems can overwhelm the CPU.
- GPU limitation: high resolution, render scaling, clouds and anti-aliasing can saturate the graphics card.
- VRAM pressure: high-resolution textures and detailed airports may exceed available video memory, causing stutters or texture degradation.
- Slow storage or streaming: scenery retrieval can produce pauses even when the average frame rate appears acceptable.
- Laptop power limits: running on battery, using the integrated GPU or operating at high temperatures can reduce performance sharply.
Use our hardware-focused MSFS graphics settings breakdown to identify which options affect the CPU or GPU. If frame rate remains low, follow the structured MSFS performance optimisation steps; persistent pauses are covered separately in our stuttering and micro-pause troubleshooting guide.