Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 system requirements

You'd better hope you have a PC capable of running this amazing experience. If not, we're gonna need a bigger PC.

Paul McNally

Paul McNally

Last Updated on

There’s never been a better time to get into the serene hobby of flight simulation. With the stunning Flight Simulator 202 from Microsoft approaching a year old and Sim Update 5 having just landed improving frame rates and the general experience, making sure you have a PC capable of running this amazing piece of software has never been more important.

Let’s take a look at the specs you will need to get up in the skies.

When you have finished that yhuo might want to consider adding some peripherals to your virtual cockpit so be sure to check out the best flight yoke system for Microsoft Flight Simulator, or indeed any other flight simulation, best check out our recommendations below.

And when you have finished you might as well have a look over our Best Rudder Pedals for Flight Simulators too. We have plenty here in PC Guide’s Flight Simulator section.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 Minimum System Requirements

  • CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200
  • RAM: 8 GB
  • OS: Windows 10 64-bit
  • VIDEO CARD: Radeon RX 570 or GeForce GTX 770
  • PIXEL SHADER: 5.0
  • VERTEX SHADER: 5.0
  • FREE DISK SPACE: 150 GB
  • DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 2048 MB

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 Recommended System Requirements

  • CPU: Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X or better
  • RAM: 16 GB
  • OS: Windows 10 64-bit
  • VIDEO CARD: Radeon RX 590 or GeForce GTX 970
  • PIXEL SHADER: 5.1
  • VERTEX SHADER: 5.1
  • FREE DISK SPACE: 150 GB
  • DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 4096 MB

Microsoft Flight Simulator for Xbox System Requirements

Microsoft Flight Simulator has just been released for the Xbox and on Xbox Game Pass so if you have subscribed to that you can play for free! Amazing. However, you will need one of the latest generation of Xbox, either the Series X or the Series S. The game is not currently available for the Xbox One. This is likely a combination of Microsoft wanting to promote its newest hardware, but also because the Series X and S have the required grunt to keep the game looking beautiful.

It may come to the Xbox One at some point but we wouldn’t hold our breath. Plus, if you want to play Flight Simulator on an Xbox you want the best experience you can get. The Series S version holds up pretty well even compared to the Series X version, with the only noticeable difference being a reduction in draw distance and scenery density. But it still looks amazing.

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