I was just about to post this… you beat me to it!
I’ve been having a play about on the parts picker website while at the same time taking in the comments I’ve had here.
So at the moment I’ve built up the following parts so hopefully you can see it from my link below. Again any advice greatly received.
Probably want to change the ram to 32GB AMD expo friendly 6000 and dump the liquid cooler. Most DDR5 Corsair ram is for Intel. 850w is a perfectly fine psu. I played for 4 hours today(after leaving it in the menu accidentally for two days)and my CPU never broke 64C on a single 120mm fan cooler. Most of the time it’s about 55-57C average in game. Might be able to squeak up one tier higher in GPU at the same price.
I’m wondering if, as has been suggested, v2024 will use more of more cores, means the temps are going to be higher on average?
Yes probably.
You can go air or you can go AIO. Personally I chose AIO cooler and would do the same again. Better to get the heat to the edge of the case, and more larger fans running more slowly are always quieter than less fans running faster to move the same heat.
Also consider your ambient temperature, in some climates can get very hot, and that makes a big difference if you choose to run without room aircon.
Oops, that was my fault I guess. Try this link instead, which is the same parts list, just not tied to my account. I didn’t realize the lists are privatized.
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/nFT2PF
(Edited to update missing storage options)
BTW, some of what is in my list is using parts I already have, so ignore that 1 TB HDD option. Lol.
I don’t see anything bad in the list you posted off hand. The only thing I’d suggest is to verify the RAM compatibility on the QVL list for the motherboard if you haven’t already. The one drawback of the AM5 platform is that it does seem pretty finicky when it comes to memory sticks. Though you may want to consider a 32GB option and switch to an air cooler, then use the savings to get a better GPU. I know I also have an AIO in my list, but I built it up without considering a budget and just going all out. In actuality, I would at least start off with my current Dark Rock 4 Pro dual tower cooler on a 7800x3d just to see if I would even need to replace it.
Your link works now thanks for sharing.
Can I just ask (as I don’t have one in my list & you mention it may be parts you already have), The HDD is that something I should be adding?
I just thought a single 2TB would suffice to have windows & my simming stuff on OR is it best to put windows on a totally separate drive? & if so what type?
So say a 2Tb SSD for simming & a 1TB for windows?
That’s in my list so it can be accounted for in wattage estimates. It started out as one from an old build that I kept as a possible backup only drive. I’ve started getting into video editing, and now it serves as a scratch drive instead. In laymen terms, when working with large files like a 4k120 HDR video, the editor can have a hard time playing back previews smoothly, so it can create smaller resolution proxy files to use for previewing. Once done, those files are erased. Instead of eating away at the write cycles of my SSDs, I let it abuse that old drive.
In terms of size, my media production plus games are expected to take up a lot of room over time and I bought those 4TB drives for dirt cheap on an Amazon Prime Day sale. The single 2TB drive in your list could be fine, depending on what you plan to do. If this is going to be a sim only machine, i think you’ll be ok. It can be recommended to have a Windows only drive and a separate program/game drive, but a lot is personal preference. The windows drive should certainly be on an m.2 so it boots quick. The game drive could be on an m.2 or 2.5" SSD, as there will be little difference in performance other than maybe a bit quicker loading time with an m.2. Once actually flying, there isn’t much need for a super fast drive. Just don’t put the sim on a traditional HDD, which will be so slow as to cause issues.
Edit: I just noticed my drives need to be updated in that list because it’s missing the ones I just referenced. I now have a 4TB media m.2 drive and 4TB 2.5" SSD game drive in addition to the 1TB m.2 and HDD. I’ll have to fix that.
They’re done some benchmarking and cooling tests where they used the $5 AMD basic factory fan/sink it it was fine. It’s not power hungry nor a hot running CPU.
Personally since mine is a gaming computer I’ve seen zero reason to use split hdds for windows and FS. I’ll just add another if I need one for more games.
And just get g.skill 6000 or similar ram that works. I’d rather move up to 7900xtx class than have an overdone power supply or needless whiz bang cooling. It doesn’t run hot on benchmarked bleeding edge games in stress tests.
It will probably be happier on 2024 than 2020.
ETA: Corsair does make an EXPO friendly CL30 6000
VENGEANCE® 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 DRAM 6000MT/S CL30 AMD EXPO Memory - Black (or 64 if you’d like to see the full 70% unused ram)
30 latency is fine for the X3D, they don’t make CL10 AMD AM5 ram.
Usually trident/g.skill and their sister brands are more AMD focused. But that stuff looks the ticket for Corsair.
ETA2 meant for that to be a reply to mikey, not BA 
I piddy the fool that doesn’t like Lego.
piggy backing here because I’m in a similar camp, just info gathering now vs near switching. If I ever switch/add a second option it would be to make use of more add ons, see weapons on planes, get access to add ons faster vs xbox and make use of freeware. But really as of now there’s only a few add ons on flightsim.to or payware that I’m ‘missing’, so still debating of biting the bullet to get 5 more items or wait it out to see what comes to xbox or deal with not having xyz.
any who, what is a really good pre built gaming pc? Here is some info to help give my preferences.
I’m not interested in a laptop for mobility, I’ll game at home, just like I do with my xbox now.
I’m not interested in building my own, prefer to order one that’s ready, plug it in & setup the game. Tho I have swapped ram and drives on Mac’s before. Just never done a PC nor really care to do from scratch, I’d be maybe be fine swapping out a video card or something later.
I do have a lot of add ons, prefer SSD, high end graphics. I’m not specific to a brand as long as its not a Chinese knockoff
budget- under $3k
thanks
Updated my build list but still unsure about the cooling part as I feel I’ve picked one that has an LCD display which I don’t think I need. I’ve looked down the list of coolers but just not sure what to pick. Not really looking for PC that looks like a Ibiza Discotheque LOL
I’ve also changed the memory to which I hope is the correct/compatible type?
I have no idea what the terms CL30 or CL36 mean
https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/mikeallenhawick/saved/GV4WrH
CL is the latency, lower is usually better. AM5 ram is generally higher than it used to be 30 is one of the lowest ones for expo friendly ram. AM4 and Intel you’ll see CL12. For the 7800, it’s usually going to be 6000 speed. It shows 4200 on the mobo then you click expo in bios and its 6000. Other combos work but 6000 seems to be the perfect octane if you will. 64GB won’t hurt anything, but currently as an MSFS build it doesn’t help. But other applications and uses definitely can. The 64 now is better than another 32 later. It’s a $100 choice, power users already know what they’d want it for.
I don’t see 2024 suddenly needing more than 32GB. VRAM is going to more of a factor, but that’s not just a static number across all GPUs.
For cooler usually the go to air coolers like a thermal assassin or other popular large single fan ones work fine. I went with the Noctua 12. Any 850w gold from Corsair or MSI or other popular brands should be more than enough for a PSU. AMD GPUs are a bit more power hungry so maybe a 1000 if you were going to to for the 7900 xtx, but I doubt it’s a ‘have to’ unless the case was loaded with accessories.
The Intel builds use more power and run much hotter so liquid coolers are a more viable. AM5s aren’t that responsive to overclocking and are more run what you brung. They do benefit from well matched components a more a lean and mean approach.
If you’re mostly into FS and not chasing every AAA benchmark title, you can build it and leave it alone for a good long while. If you are in a budget pinch (and 2024 may be a de facto hardware upgrade to itself), 7800/B650/6000 ram as a core you can just pop a 4090 in there later. It’s like buying the basic V8 model of a car. An AM4 build would be the 4 banger money pit trying to hop that up later.
When on a budget tidy up the core build, skip the glam, and stretch the GPU as far as you’re willing (or allowed for we married folk) to go. At least a later upgrade is easy.
I think they made such a big leap with 2020 and a final modernized rehab for 2024, they’ll probably go back to moving at the typical tectonic pace until the world of cloud gaming takes over. So a good base is a safe space
For prebuilt computers, I guess my suggestion is to look at what we have been discussing and what others are running to see what kind of parts and performance you’ll want, then shop for one based on that.
Only firm suggestion here is to avoid OEM brands that use proprietary parts. I.e. Dell/Alienware, HP, and Lenovo. Seek out system integrators that use standardized parts. Keep in mind they build those systems with little room for upgrades and modifications. If you upgrade major components, you may have to upgrade the PSU as well. The motherboard may be bare bones with only one m.2 slot, and upgrading that could require purchasing a new Windows license because those companies like to tie the activation to the mobo device ID. Also look for one with a case that has an open front or side panel for fan intake because many will be choked off with only a tiny intake opening that hurts cooling. If you order one with 16 GB of memory, there’s a good chance it’ll be a single 16 GB stick instead of 2x8 GB, meaning you’ll only get half the advertised speeds from it.
Another option would be to find a local builder to put one together that will be tailored to your specific use and budget.
ok thank you
Something to understand about reading the CL number is that is not a measurement of time. Time plays a role, but that rating is referring to access cycles. That’s why as you increase clock speeds, the CL number tends to also increase, making latency appear much worse to the uninitiated. What is really happening in laymen terms is it takes X amount of time to read/write a bit of data in memory, and the CL refers to the amount of clock cycles happen within that time.
So don’t freak out that DDR5 has a much higher CL than DDR4. There’s also various other latency and timing ratings, but the CL rating is good for comparing the general performance of the memory.
I say currently there are two paths to follow.
On a budget: The 7800x3d core 32gb build with a good gen 4 2gb SSD. Minimalize the case glam case get to the highest GPU you can for now. If you hit 4080s or 7900xtx and still shopping, add a little bling or ram.
OR, just commit to $3k, load the 4090 in the cart, and then sort by highest price for Intel or AMD and take the Nike approach.
Most builds ‘cheaper’ than the 7800x3d will end up costing more, and you really have to throw some extra money at it to truly better it.
Of course that nuisance ‘productivity’ aspect of a PC may change it up, and f you use the same PC for such mundane things, then it gets complicated.
And the spoiled teenagers whippin’ out benchmarks on the newest FPS taking lightbox pictures of their aio OLED display on the mobo bro is a just a different thing. The MSFS PC pathway leads quickly to another whole world of perhiprialization… Can’t see all those fancy rainbow lights buried behind your NEWEST FLIGHT DECK 
I’d just check the 360 cooler you’ve selected fits into your mid tower case.
Thanks all for the input really appreciate it especially to a PC Noob like myself as its all making interesting reading for sure.
Mind after posting this & the replies I’ve had its certainly looking a bit clearer now when looking at the components.
Cheers
Regarding the disk expansion that many have highlighted - the solution I found that works well is:
Install OS and MSFS on the boot drive C:, but I set:
MSFS Packages to C:\MSFS_Packages
Rolling Cache to C:\MSFS_RollingCache
The bulk of MSFS installs into the packages folder. In the future you can easily move the packages folder to a new disk, without the hassle of reinstalling MSFS or even the OS.
C:\MSFS_Packages is a convenient place to find the \Community folder, which folklore says you must destroy and then throw salt over your shoulder to avoid a complete upgrade meltdown. Just adding a bit of humour.
In the wonderful new world of streaming the rolling cache may play a big role and become huge. So having it next to the packages folder is convenient.
is this one good?