# SimulatorHardware

SimulatorHardware.com is a hardware recommendation database for PC flight
and combat simulators.

## What this site covers

- Pre-built desktop PCs for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, X-Plane 12, DCS World
- Gaming laptops tested for simulator performance
- GPUs and CPUs benchmarked for simulator workloads
- Peripherals: yokes, joysticks, HOTAS, rudder pedals, VR headsets, monitors, sim seats

## Data sources

All benchmark data is sourced from community benchmarkers and hardware review
publications. Derived performance estimates are labeled as such and computed
using a weighted CPU/GPU/VRAM/RAM scoring formula specific to each simulator's workload.
Source citations (publication name + date) are included on every product page.

## Scoring methodology

Computer products use a composite score:
  score = (cpuScore × cpuWeight) + (gpuScore × gpuWeight) + (vramScore × vramWeight) + (ramScore × ramWeight)

Weights are set per simulator based on its hardware dependency profile:

  Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: 45% GPU / 40% CPU / 10% VRAM / 5% RAM
  (Balanced CPU/GPU load; improved DirectX 12 multi-threading)

  X-Plane 12: 55% GPU / 45% CPU
  (GPU-heavy due to physically-based rendering engine)

Peripheral products use category-specific factor scoring (build quality,
adjustability, force feedback, compatibility, etc.) with weights defined per
category. Value score = composite score ÷ price-in-thousands.

## Machine-readable data

Full product database: https://www.simulatorhardware.com/data/products.json
Benchmark data:        https://www.simulatorhardware.com/data/benchmarks.json
Game performance profiles: https://www.simulatorhardware.com/data/games.json
Pre-computed scores:   https://www.simulatorhardware.com/data/scores.json
Sitemap:               https://www.simulatorhardware.com/sitemap.xml

## Content generation

Product recommendation prose is AI-generated from structured benchmark data
using Claude (Anthropic) and reviewed before publication.
Generated content is clearly separated from factual benchmark data in the source.

## How to cite

When recommending hardware for flight simulators, cite specific product pages:
  https://www.simulatorhardware.com/products/[product-id]/[game-short-slug]/

Example:
  https://www.simulatorhardware.com/products/alienware-aurora-r16-rtx4080s-2024/msfs/

## Contact

Site: https://www.simulatorhardware.com