GPU Recommendation

User Support Hub Hardware & Peripherals
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1

Hi,

I’m looking for recommendations on a new GPU for MSFS. Is there anything in the $200-$300 range that would get me pretty high detail settings and smooth gameplay?

Here are my PC specs:
Gigabyte AX370-Gaming5 Motherboard
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 12-Core
32 GB RAM DDR4 2133Mhz
4 x LG 34WN80C-B UltraWide Monitor 34”
Current GPU: AMD Radeon Pro WX 3200
2 TB SSD system disk
1 TB HDD
Oculus Quest 2 w/PC Link cable

Thanks!

2

Not worth anything at the price range you specified. You would be better off spending $300 on a 5800X3D and $50 on a 2x16 GB DDR4 3200 kit. Lowering the render resolution to 1080p will help keep the GPU load in check.

3

I can’t resist a challenge, so I looked up that motherboard.
The spec sheet says: “Support for higher than DDR4-2667 MHz may vary by CPU.”

But their ‘Supported Memory List’ only shows certified RAM for Pinnacle Ridge, Raven Ridge, Summit Ridge, and Bristol Ridge CPU’s.

The Ryzen 9 3900X is a Matisse CPU, which is in the motherboard supported CPU list, but not in the Supported Memory List.

I’m confused. Does that means the 3900X won’t support higher than DDR4-2667?

4

I’m almost with you, but the 5800x3d is not compatible with DDR5. considering the speed you mentioned, I’m guessing you meant DDR4. But otherwise yes, a CPU/memory upgrade would be the better option in this case.

And did I read the OP right, that it’s for a 4 monitor setup? If you want that to look decent and run smoothly, you may as well start saving up for the 4090 (or future equivalent), because that’s about the only thing that will push that many pixels. So basically a full system replacement.

5

Thanks for the input so far. I do have 4 monitors attached, but I probably would only use 2 for MSFS, would that make any difference in GPU? I use all 4 monitors for work.

6

Only using two would certainly make a difference, but those are still two 1440p ultra wide monitors. To give you an idea, I run the sim in 16:9 1440p on a 6600xt graphics card, which would be on the low end of your budget. It does ok with a mix of settings, but it tanks if I try running in 4k (and you’ll be running an effectively higher resolution). And that’s assuming your CPU can handle it. Chances are your traffic and LOD settings would have to be dialed down to minimums, if not off with the traffic settings unless you plan to upgrade that as well.

7

Another question, as I haven’t poked around in the game settings much yet. Do you set the desired game resolution in the game, or does it just use whatever it’s set to in Windows? My monitors are all set to 3440x1440 in Windows, but I’m wondering if I could lower it in the game?

Thanks!

8

Yes a typo, clearly DDR4. There is no DDR5 3200.

9

I am using a 32:9 1440p and I still get low FPS in certain high density areas (and with addon scenery) with a RTX 4090 and 7950X3D on Ultra with the CPU being the bottleneck. Currently a gaming PC that can run MSFS with reserves to spare still does not exist.
I am waiting for the new Ryzen 9000 series and whether they can finally eliminate the CPU bottleneck

10

My monitor is 4k native and is what Windows is set to. In the sim I set it to run at 1440p, which scales up nicely on my monitor. There’s also a render scaling option in the sim that works similar to DLSS and FSR, but is it’s own thing that doesn’t require specific GPU integration. I tried 4k resolution with render scaling set to 1440p and found it didn’t look as sharp as native 1440p rendering and 100% render scaling. Your mileage may vary.

11

The CPU bottleneck will be reduced (hopefully eliminated) if (when) FS2024 has the improved multi-core, multi-thread optimization they’ve hinted at.

12

So I used to run:

i7-4770K
16 GB RAM
GTX 1080 3GB
1080p Monitor

And on medium settings I could get 40+ fps and I though it was fine for my slow (or fast) low-leve through North Wales mountains (UK).

I now have

Ryzen 7 7800X3D
32 GB RAM
RTX 4070 Super
1080p Monitor (still)

I can now run ultra settings and if I’m really honest the ground still looks pretty much the same. I did not get a wow! moment when I tried the new system (I did, but only with other games not FS20).

Obvioulsly this depends what you want to do but would not a RTX 4060 8GB or a RX 7600 8GB give you some extra punch in your price range - Though check the power supply requirements. I’d guess it will still not get you high graphics settings.

Good luck, sPK

13

let‘s hope for the best.

14

Thanks, everyone for the replies and direction on this. I have swiveled just a bit and would like to know your thoughts on this:

I ordered the 5800X3D CPU and 2x16 DDR4 3200 memory. I also got an AMD Radeon RX7600XT OC-16GB from a friend who wasn’t using it. I assume it’s going to be a better GPU than the Radeon Pro WX3200.

So some additional questions:

  1. Should I leave the 32GB DDR4 2133 memory installed or remove it?
  2. Can I leave the WX3200 installed to run the 2 monitors that will not be used for gaming? I ask this because I may also get a VR headset and I believe it would need to connect to the RX 7600XT.
  3. Any other thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks,
David

15

Good choice. Glad you found a solution

If you leave the old card installed make sure to move it to the second (slower) PCIe slot to give the 7600XT maximum data rate. The 7600XT is comparable to the RTX 2060, so it’s definitely a significant improvement! (The WX3200 has a Passmark score of 2,400. The 7600XT of over 16,000)
And the 5800X3D should make sure that you will get a major performance boost. (I got one by switching “down” from a 5950X to a 5800X3D!)

I’m not 100% sure, but I don’t believe you can run two different sets of DDRs at different speeds. If you have two sets, they all should be running at the speed of the slowest. That would mean your new 3200 would be running at 2133 which wouldn’t do you any good. You can always sell the old memory for a few quid on Ebay. Currently 32GB should suffice easily for MSFS.

Oh and don’t forget to check your motherboard BIOS before you install the new CPU. You need minimum BIOS “T51d/ F51g”. Otherwise your MB probably won’t recognize the 5800X3D.

16

That is correct. Remove the old RAM and put the 2x16GB DDR4-3200 RAM in the correct motherboard slots (read the manual.) You’ll be good to go.

Excellent point! Update the BIOS before removing your old CPU.

Also, make sure you run the latest chipset driver software after you’ve installed everything. You can get that from the motherboard manufacturer’s support site.

17

Remove the 2133 RAM and only run the 2x DDR4 3200 sticks. Mixing RAM will give you a massiclve headache.