Best recommended computer

Hello everyone,

I’ve been using X-Plane for quite a few years now on my Mac mini m1. I’ve had some really great time playing with this m1 but I feel that it kind of arrived to it’s limit especially since XP12.1 so I’m considering a new device but more importantly I want now to play MSFS ! I have dealt with a few issues in finding the best option… because I have a constraint : I want a compact device that runs Windows…

What do you recommend ? What are your experiences ?

Huge thanks for your help !!
Happy flights ! :wink:

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If you’re building a PC specifically for MSFS there’s something you need to know - this hobby isn’t cheap :smiley:

Below copy/paste my response from another thread which might help in choosing components for your PC.

Currently, the best CPU for gaming in terms of price-to-performance is the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D. It’s an outstanding CPU specifically for gaming, offering top-tier performance but it’s not recommended for multitasking or heavy workloads outside of gaming.
We shouldn’t forget the competitive Intel i9 14900K either, which is also excellent for gaming.
However, Intel is currently facing some issues with its microcode so at this time I wouldn’t recommend going with Intel.

Long story short, Intel has found that faulty processor microcode has been causing the processors to operate under excessive core voltages. CPU sends a signal to the motherboard indicating how much Vcore it needs at any given moment. Therefore, if there is an issue with the microcode CPU may request higher voltage. This issue was supposed to be fixed with the new microcode 0x129 along with BIOS updates.

That said, Intel will soon release new CPU which might be worth considering once they hit the market.

As for graphics cards there’s only one king: RTX 4090. This incredible card excels at 4K gaming and VR, ensuring smooth gameplay across the board, which I’m sure is what you’re aiming for, right? The only downside to this card is the price - a bit on the high side - but I can confidently say it’s worth every penny. If I had to choose a graphics card again I would go with the RTX 4090 Gaming OC from Gigabyte - an incredible card that I’ve been using for a year. I specifically chose Gigabyte because their GPUs don’t suffer from coil whine which is a major plus.
Additional advantage of this GPU is the inclusion of an anti-sag bracket in the package.

There’s also AMD line of graphics cards but unfortunately their driver issues make them less appealing so I wouldn’t recommend them.

When it comes to RAM (computer memory) it should be selected based on compatibility with the motherboard and CPU. Currently, DDR5 memory and motherboards supporting DDR5 are the standard. Memory modules are also divided into two categories: those dedicated for Intel with XMP profiles (XMP compatible) and those specifically for AMD with EXPO profiles (EXPO compatible).

There are also universal memory kits that support both XMP and EXPO profiles, with Corsair being an example of a manufacturer that produces these. On the other hand, companies like G.Skill produce memory specifically tailored for either Intel or AMD.
Of course there are exceptions. Some G.Skill memory modules are compatible with both XMP and EXPO profiles.
It’s worth mentioning that there is another classification of memory modules. For example, G.Skill produces A-die and M-die memory modules. The key difference between them is that A-die memory typically allows for better tweaking and overclocking compared to M-die.
This detail is crucial because certain timing values won’t work with M-die while they should be fine with A-die.

The power supply (PSU) is one of the most important, if not the most crucial components of a computer. You should never cut costs when it comes to the power supply, and it’s essential to always buy from reputable brands. It’s important to emphasize that cheap, no-name power supplies can damage or even destroy your computer’s components. As I mentioned, you should never compromise on the quality of the power supply.

On various forums you might come across recommendations suggesting that an 850W power supply is sufficient for high-end PC components, including the RTX 4090 - don’t trust those suggestions, please.
PSU should be chosen based on the components you buy now, but more importantly, with an eye on the future. A good, branded PSU should last you for years and it’s important to ensure it can handle future upgrades to your PC.
In the future, new PC components will likely require more wattage for proper functioning. Add to that multiple M.2 drives, SSDs and if you plan to overclock your GPU, CPU or memory an 850W PSU will not be enough. It’s better to go with a 1000W or 1300W power supply that is fully compatible with PCIe 5 and ATX 3.0 standards. Brands like Be Quiet, Corsair, MSI and Thermaltake produce such high-quality power supplies. Personally, I have the MSI MEG Ai1300P, which comes with a 10-year warranty and offers everything I need for both now and the future.

PC case - it’s crucial to choose a case that is spacious enough to accommodate large components such as 420 and 360mm water cooling radiators and heavy, oversized graphics cards.
It’s also important that the PC case can easily accommodate Extended ATX motherboards (E-ATX), which are larger than standard-sized motherboards.
Fan installation options are also important - the more installation points available, the better.
Consider ease of access and maintenance. Choose a case that allows for straightforward cleaning of components without needing to disassemble everything. PC cases like those from Be Quiet, particularly the Silent Base series starting from 802 are known for their ease of cleaning and maintenance.
For example, one feature I really like about the Be Quiet Silent Base 802 case is the removable top tray. This design allows you to install a water cooling radiator and easily clean it without needing to detach the radiator from PC case.

When choosing a monitor you need to consider whether you prioritize matrix speed (refresh rate and response time) or visual effects (color accuracy, HDR and overall image quality).
For a setup with the RTX 4090 and Microsoft Flight Simulator a 4K monitor with HDR and IPS or OLED matrix would be an excellent choice. This combination will enhance your experience and allow you to fully enjoy the immersive visual details of virtual flying.

As you might noticed I didn’t recommend a specific motherboard. The reason for this is that we’re currently waiting for the new AMD X3D series processors and the upcoming Intel CPUs. It’s best to choose the one that meets your needs and performs significantly better in gaming and multitasking benchmarks. Therefore, I advise waiting a bit longer before purchasing the motherboard, CPU and RAM.

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Many thanks @TenPatrol ! Appreciate all your details ! However I’m not sure it’s possible to include all your suggestions in a compact computer… am I wrong on that ?

Thanks again !!

No, I doubt that you are wrong with that. The RTX 4090 is a very large graphics card. Just check the dimensions of the card when you start looking at them to determine if it will fit the case you are considering. All cards, not just the 4090.

Yeah, not likely. Check out Gaming PC’s on Amazon to get a feel for the sizes.

haha.. lol
ain’t that the truth

in my case, my experience is that i have always been cpu limited
the appetite this sim has for cpu power has no limits
if you have to compromise on something, don’t make it the cpu
actually, the x3d series from amd are reported to be just the thing

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It’s possible to build a strong small form factor (SFF) PC, but doing so can severely limit your options. Not all SFF cases are built the same either. What you might want to do is go to pcpartpicker.com and start a build. Go to cases first and filter by type so you only see the small cases. That will give you a starting point because that site has a compatibility mode where it’ll only show parts that are known to fit.

Then start checking reviews of those cases for things like ease of use when building, and how well they cool. When you have that narrowed down, then you can start picking other parts to go into it. GPU sizing is only one of many concerns. The CPU heat load and required cooling, and SFF specific parts like the power supply are two other major issues to consider. It basically comes down to three factors in these systems. Performance, cost/value, and ease of use. You may pick two, and sometimes only one.

This is why mid and full tower cases are so popular. They are generally large enough to hold most anything (there are exceptions), you have way more freedom to customize your build, cooling performance is easier to meet, and are all around more universal. If you don’t want to fuss with SFF, but don’t want a traditional tower, check out some of the newer dual chamber “fish tank” style cases like the Hyte Y60. Those are often a bit shorter but wider, and are geared towards being able to show off your system.

In terms of parts, I use to suggest a 7800x3d CPU, 32 GB of fast RAM, and the best GPU you can afford. With the new SIM due out in a couple months or so, along with current pricing trends of that CPU and the next series coming next year, I would hold off buying anything yet to see what the benchmarks show. They are heavily promoting its ability to utilize all cores, which could shake up the order of best CPUs for the sim. I’m personally not holding my breath because I don’t buy into pre-release marketing without something to back it up, but it is something to watch for if in the market for a new system or upgrade.

The subject title states “Best recommended computer”. A compact-type computer may not be the best option due to limitations in choosing a graphics card.

If you don’t care about money, you can choose the top hardware currently available

I went to look up the mini m1 you have, and it’s safe to say you will not find a Windows PC that comes close to that size that will also run the sim with any decency. Some do exist, but they are low power, low spec, and meant for lightweight work like in an office or home theater setting. I’ve also seen some extremely small prebuilds that kinda come close to that, but not from established companies, so caveat emptor and do your research on them. About the best you could do with reasonable expectations would be something similar in size to an Xbox Series X, but a little larger.

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