Asobo engine
Best Hardware for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
Photorealistic world with live weather and AI traffic — balanced CPU/GPU demands with DirectX 12 and native DLSS/FSR support
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PCs and components
- Pre-Built Desktop PC 8 pre-built desktop PCs ranked Top pick: ZOTAC MEK · 9800X3D + RTX 5080
- Gaming Laptop 9 gaming laptops ranked Top pick: ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 · RTX 5090
- Graphics Card 6 graphics cards ranked Top pick: MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X OC
- Processor 6 processors ranked Top pick: AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D
Controls, displays and seats
- Rudder Pedals 5 rudder pedals ranked Top pick: Honeycomb Charlie Rudder Pedals
- Flight Yoke 8 flight yokes ranked Top pick: Thrustmaster TCA Yoke Pack Boeing
- Flight Stick 12 flight sticks ranked Top pick: VelocityOne H.O.T.A.S.
- Throttle Quadrant 5 throttle quadrants ranked Top pick: Thrustmaster TCA Quadrant Airbus
- VR Headset 5 VR headsets ranked Top pick: Pimax Crystal Super
- Monitor 9 monitors ranked Top pick: LG UltraGear 45GX900A
- Sim Seat 7 sim seats ranked Top pick: NLR Flight Simulator Cockpit Boeing Commercial
Head-to-Head Comparisons
- ASUS TUF Gaming A15 · RTX 4070 vs Lenovo LOQ 15 · RTX 4060
- HP OMEN 16 · RTX 4070 vs Lenovo LOQ 15 · RTX 4060
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D vs AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D vs Intel Core Ultra 7 265K
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- ASUS RTX 4070 Super OC vs Gigabyte RTX 5070 Gaming OC
- ASUS ROG Strix RTX 5080 OC vs Gigabyte RTX 5090 Gaming OC
- ASUS RTX 4070 Super OC vs Gigabyte RTX 5090 Gaming OC
- Honeycomb Alpha XPC vs Logitech G Pro Flight Yoke
- Brunner CLS-E NG vs Honeycomb Alpha + Bravo bundle
- MFG Crosswind V3 vs Virpil ACE-TORQ
- Logitech G Pro Flight Rudder Pedals vs Thrustmaster TFRP
- Logitech G Pro Flight Throttle Quadrant vs Thrustmaster TCA Quadrant Airbus
- Meta Quest 3 vs Meta Quest 3S
- Logitech X52 Pro vs Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS Flight Pack
- Compare any two products →
Guides for MSFS
- The Best Flight Simulators in 2026, RankedThe 8 best flight simulators of 2026, ranked: MSFS 2024, X-Plane 12, DCS World and the best free sims, with what each costs, runs on and needs.
- The Best Graphics Card for VR in 2026 (Quest 3, PS VR2, Pimax)The best graphics card for VR in 2026, by headset: Quest 3, PS VR2 and Pimax. Five picks, how much memory VR needs, and which cards to skip.
- Best PC Builds for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (October 2026)Three complete MSFS 2024 PC builds for 1080p, 1440p and 4K/VR. Every part is checked to fit together and explained for first-time builders.
- How Much Storage Does Microsoft Flight Simulator Need? (2024 and 2020)MSFS 2024 needs 50GB and MSFS 2020 needs 150GB. See what add-ons and the rolling cache add, which SSD to buy, and work out the space your setup needs.
- How to Build a Home Flight Simulator Cockpit: The Complete 2026 GuideEverything a beginner needs to build a home flight simulator: the sim, PC or console, controls, screens, VR and seats, plus three complete setups to copy.
- How to Use the Google Earth Flight Simulator (Web and Earth Pro)Google Earth's free flight simulator now runs in your browser, too. How to open it on the web or in Earth Pro, every control for PC and Mac, and how to land.
- History of Microsoft Flight Simulator: Every Version, 1982–2024Microsoft Flight Simulator came out in 1982, three years before Windows. Every version since, the 40th Anniversary Edition, and what each one needed to run.
- Which Controllers Work With Microsoft Flight Simulator on PC, Xbox and PS5?Check any joystick, yoke or pedals for MSFS 2024 on PC, Xbox or PS5 in seconds. See what works, what needs a hub, and our best picks for each platform.
- Types of VR Headsets for Flight Sims: Which One Should You Buy?Standalone, PC-tethered or PS VR2? The types of VR headsets explained for MSFS 2024 and X-Plane 12, the PC you need, and the right headset for your budget.
- X-Plane 12 vs Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: Which Should You Buy?X-Plane 12 vs Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (and 2020): flight model, scenery, VR, PC needs and price compared, with a quick quiz to pick yours.
New to flight simulators?
Not sure what hardware you need? The controller guide shows what works on PC, Xbox and PS5, with our picks for each.