Hello Everyone,
Im currently a Xbox Series X user for MSFS. However, after reading the amount of opportunities to enhance your MSFS experience via PC I have been contemplating getting a desktop. What do you recommend for a ready to buy (not custom built or I have to build it as I don’t know how) desktop. I currently play MSFS at its maximum settings with HDR10 enabled on a 4K TV on Xbox Series X. Thanks!
I expect you’ll have many ideas from people here, but the one thing I’d recommend is to make sure you get a Nvidia RTX card. With Nvidia’s DLSS and DX12 coming into the game, and the fact Asobo has said the results surprised them (in a good way), the future looks pretty good for the game from later this year and forward.
If you can afford an rtx prebuilt go right ahead. Building is always better and it’s pretty easy.
But the problem of actually getting the parts remains. Some of the assemblers have access to better prices than individuals, so at the moment the mark up might be less than you expect. Having said that, there are still a lot of prebuilts that I would avoid. Watch out for that headline component you really want being fitted to an awful supporting act of poor or cheap parts, like PSUs etc.
If you live near a Microcenter, they have their PowerSpec gaming computers. They currently have two priced at 1600 and 2200 USD.
The G708 ($1600, AMD CPU and 3060TI) and the G439 ($2200, Intel CPU and 3070TI).
I purchased a similar PowerSpec when you could not find the 3080 except with prebuilt computers. I am very happy with it.
Take a look at the HP Omen line.
I’ve had mine since the sim was released and love it.
Even with the GTX 1660 Super, I can still run the sim in High graphics mode.
Except there’ll be a problem if he wanted to go VR. That’s why I suggest a RTX.
The new Omens all come with the RTX 3090. Mine is obsolete now.
I have spent some time looking at upgrading my PC, with playing FS in mind. I would add I am planning to use my current Graphics card (GTX 1660 super) for a while with the new build (i5-12600k & 32GB) due to the prices of Graphic cards at the moment be so high. However I have found that pre builds seem to be good value with many sellers as they are subsidising the price of the GPU. That’s my experience at least in the UK.
That’s good to hear, I am about to upgrade my PC but stay with my GTX 1660 super for now. At high settings do you stay above 30fps (which seems like the sweet spot).
What settings do you use for Render scaling, Terrain level of detail and objects level of detail ?
Thanks
Is Alienware any good? Or primarily Omen.
I recently got an Alienware desktop. Hardware took 2 months to source for Dell. I’m very happy with it, nice machine. I also liked the thought of having a decent warranty behind it with support if I need it when spending a not insignificant amount on it. Like you, I came over from Xbox, a move you really won’t regret. There is soo much quality freeware available on PC.
I did look at the HPs but they only had low spec gaming machines available in UK. Dell’s here are made to order in Poland, but shipped here fine. Just be aware of the current hardware lead times. Expect 2 months. There’s a lot of suppliers advertising systems, but likely don’t have supply. They will still gladly take your order though!
I’ve contemplated the same move from xbox x to PC but am generally happy with the performance of xbox and the only game I play is fs2020, the negatives of course being no access to cool mods, limited airline selection, no vatsim, etc, etc
It’s unclear what specs are needed in a PC to meet or exceed xbox x performance, but I’m guessing prebuilt would run at least $1500+ US to match xbox x? It’s been really hard for me to justify the move at this point since I would only use the new PC for fs2020.
So I’m waiting for now to see how things evolve this year with hope that we’ll start to see more things in marketplace or in updates (e.g. SU8) for xbox, and if not maybe availability of GPUs (outside of pre-built) will improve.
I’m in the same boat as you ^^^. I just got the Series X primarily for MSFS. It is really the only game I play and a gaming PC would primarily be used for MSFS or GTA with LSPDFR mode. I wish they added more things to Xbox. That’s what’s making me think about a PC move. Totally understand your position though.
1660 super was getting 35 to 50 fps on my old machine at reasonably high levels. You are good to go for now.
As you already play in 4k with the X I suggest a machine with nothing less than an rtx3060 12GB or you will probably be disappointed … As they are hash limited against mining prices are not quite so excessive than for other similar powered cards and this should reflect in the PC’s final price tag. It should also guarantee a brand new gpu, not always the case with some PC builders and there’s a lot of ‘on their last legs’ mining cards about.
When buying plus points to look out for are M.2 NVme PCIe 4.0 supported mainboard and a good quality and adequate PSU (for the gpu mentioned above 650w or better).
I’ve been watching reviews of prebuilt computers by gamers nexus: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsuVSmND84QuM2HKzG7ipbIbE_R5EnCLM
All had problems and a few had crippling problems. Not saying don’t buy a prebuilt, just that the bar is pretty low, so do your research on the specific model you’re looking at (edit - and do not power it on if there is a loose screw rattling around, it could short and destroy components)
A ladyfriend recently bought a PC after being told by the store staff what a great buy it was - i3, ddr3 and 500Gb mechanical drive all for a bargain €900 … I made her take it back and now she has considerably better for considerably less.
I have a 3 year old HP Omen, runs great! If you do get one, I highly recommend one of their Care Packs. The Intel CPU went nuts after 18 months, took only 4 days from when I sent it, to when I got it back.
