Hello Everyone, I am new to the forum and am glad to be here. I hope this question is not obtuse, but given the “ideal” specs for MSFS 2020, I am confused as to why my new computer (i9 14th Gen 14900K 2.4GHz Processor, 64GB DDR5-5600 RAM, 2TB SSD, RTX 4070 Super, 1000W PSU) might not run everything beautifully on ultra, no matter the resolution. My monitor is 5120 X 1440, by the way. I have seen posts saying one needs an RTX 4080 or 4090. I will admit that I am somewhat disheartened to read this, knowing my computer is light years ahead of the “ideal” specs given by MS. Last question: what is the best venue to purchase 2020 — MS Store or Steam? Responses I’ve seen are from early 2023 and I’m wondering if there is a gold standard for where to download, given the advances in technology and the inevitable updates and improvements to the storefronts. Thank you.
Why it might not run everything beautifully? I strongly suggest not speculating and just pick an MSFS purchase source (it doesn’t really matter which one), buy, install and run it and see for yourself. With the specs you have given, I reckon it will run just fine. Oh, and welcome to the forum 
Thank you, Reset. I appreciate the candid reply.
May I ask what convinced you to purchase through Steam as opposed to the MS Store?
Nothing other than that I already had Steam and hadn’t, and still haven’t, set up my credit card on the MS Store.
Note I purchased it well before it came out on Xbox, so the only thing I would do different now would be to purchase it if I had an Xbox and wanted to use it on both with the one purchase license. As I don’t have an Xbox, this point is moot for me but could be applicable to you.
Got it, and thanks again.
One thing I’ve learned in the two years since I built my system and bought the sim:
No system can run FS2020 on “Ultra Everything” flying anywhere, in any aircraft,
until the base code and render engine are VASTLY improved (hopefully with FS2024.)
We can throw as much horsepower as we want at it, and we’ll see incremental performance improvements at best. The high-end GPU’s will make a difference in multi-monitor 4K setups (size doesn’t matter…) and of course in VR.
But with a quality GPU like your RTX4070 Super, running one 2K monitor, this sim is mostly CPU bottlenecked. Yes, the CPU matters. But what matters most is clock speed and CPU cache. Core count matters, to a degree. But not as much as it should.
For reference, I have an 8-core AMD 5800X3D running at a max 4450 MHz, and an RTX 3090 Ti (comparable to your GPU.) My CPU compares favorably with the Intel 12900K, performance-wise, due to its X3D on-die cache.
I’ve got my system well tuned. I can get 100+ FPS running one 4K and one 2K monitor with a mix of mostly high and Ultra settings - flying a Bonanza over the Sahara. Take that same plane with those same graphics options over NYC and I’m lucky to see 35 FPS.
Put me in a more complex plane in that same location and, well…
Bottom line, manage your expectations, and once you install the sim, tune Windows and the rest of your system to maximize its potential. And 
that FS2024 delivers on its promise to make you VERY glad you bought that i9-14900K with its 16 cores and 6 GHz clock.)
Thank you BegottenPoet! That was very informative and extremely helpful. I will purchase in the next day or so and give it a go.
BTW - smart move getting a 1000W power supply.
What are you using for CPU and case cooling?
I was liquid cooling my CPU on a closed loop pump/reservoir and a 240mm radiator.
I decided to get a water block for my GPU instead (because it’s a furnace, and it dumped a lot of heat into my case.) I got a $40 Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 air cooler for my CPU, and I couldn’t be happier about the switch. Both the GPU and CPU almost never hit 60°C, and my case fans are running much quieter now.
I have the AIO Liquid ML 240L RGB Cooler and several fans. I hope it will keep things cool under the hood.
Reset shared a very informative post that there was no difference between MS Store and Steam. For comparison’s sake, I am curious as to which platform route you went with and why? What I am finding in general is that a lot of responses to questions I have are embedded in posts that are 2-3 years old, so it’s helpful to hear from you guys and your experiences in ‘24. For instance, the “ideal specs” shared back in 2020 have not evolved with the hardware into 2024. They seem static.
You don’t need to buy the game. You can rent it on MS PC gamepass. If you’re not sure then I’d recommend that. You might even be able to get a free trial.
Note that MSFS 2024 comes out maybe in the next 6 months and that will be a new purchase, so unless 2020 is discounted then the subscription might be cheaper.
Thank you, RagingWombat. I will check it out.
That’s exactly what I did and I will not have to pay anything for MS2024. In addition, for $10/month I get free access to many other games that I enjoy to play.
For the time that I spend with these games its well worth it!
I run a i5 with a 1650, and yet it runs smoother than butter. And I also have 4 add ons open at once, I’m gonna upgrade soon. But you’re plenty good.
That’s encouraging to know, BritishComp. Thank you!
If I may ask, what level of FPS can one expect with a 5800X3D/3090ti combo at 1080p in a busy airport like JFK or Heathrow, using glass cockpit aircraft like a TBM 950 or equivalent?
I guess at that resolution, it would be CPU limited, am I correct?
Definitely CPU limited. How limited would depend on traffic and graphics settings.
Turn all traffic off, and limit TLOD and LOD to 100, and it would be fine - probably around 45 FPS/ 25ms latency. Start raising TLOD and LOD (especially TLOD) and really especially traffic, and things go south from there.
Hi Begotten, when you say “tune Windows” what do you mean? I know FSX had an entire movement dedicated to editing the registry to create the ultimate settings for unlimited FPS, etc. But in the end most users said the edits were snake oil. I assume the Windows edits you are referring to are different than registry edits? Where may I find the tuning specifications you are referring to? These would be separate from the in-game tuning (ultra, high, etc.))
Complicated. Some would say “Complicated Snake Oil.”
When I say “Well tuned” I mean I get good performance (given the limitations of my hardware, and the sim’s unoptimized base code) and no CTD’s. They just don’t happen on my system. And if they do it’s easily traceable to some other software I installed. For example, one of the filters I had active on ReShade caused them. I removed that filter, and no more crashes.
I’ve never edited my registry for anything except when I recently tried to get Game Bar Capture to work. I have not succeeded.
I fooled around with “Optimize your network card for an amazing leap in performance!” Garbage. Modern controllers are optimized for all but the most demanding server applicaitons. I am, however a great believer in having a WiFi 6 router, and WiFi 6 network card (assuming you are using WiFi, of course.)
A couple of things I believe in are:
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Disable Windows HPT (High Precision Event Timer)
Replace it with ISLC (Intelligent Standby List Cleaner) -
Make sure Resizable Bar is enabled in BIOS (assuming your GPU supports it. Most do.) My MSI B550 motherboard’s latest BIOS recently enabled it by default. Not all BIOS revisions do.
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I use Process Lasso. There are plenty of people here who say it’s useless. I disagree. It took a lot of research to understand how it should be set up for the sim and my hardware. But I believe in it. Take that for what it’s worth…
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Make sure you have XMP enabled in BIOS. Don’t worry about doing any other overclocking (or undervolting unless your CPU temps are too high.) My air-cooled 5800X3D never gets above 60°C, and I haven’t touched the default BIOS settings for it. So undervolting is of no use to me.
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I’ve tried every new nVidia driver out there, and had problems with all of them. I’m sticking with 537.67, which is very stable. Some day I suspect Microsobo will force me to abandon that driver. But until then? “Cold, dead hands.”
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I used to think that one should avoid BIOS updates unless absolutely necessary. Now I believe it’s absolutely necessay to keep them current. Also, make sure after a BIOS update that you run the latest chipset drivers available from your motherboard support site.
That’s really all I mess with. I’m not providing any specific details, because in all honesty, you can get better instruction with good Google searches for the things I mentioned.