What GPU do I need to run Microsoft Flight Simulator X?

The minimum GPU requirement for Microsoft Flight Simulator X is DirectX 9.0c compatible video card. For smoother performance at higher settings, a more powerful graphics card is recommended.

What are the system requirements for Microsoft Flight Simulator X?

The minimum system requirements for Microsoft Flight Simulator X are: CPU: 2.0 GHz dual-core, GPU: DirectX 9.0c compatible video card.

Can I play Microsoft Flight Simulator X at 60 FPS?

To achieve 60 FPS in Microsoft Flight Simulator X at medium-to-high settings, you typically need at least an entry-level GPU (e.g. GTX 1650 or RX 6500 XT). Use the FPS estimator on this page to check your specific GPU.

Microsoft Flight Simulator X

77/100

25 ratings2006Easy to run

Can your GPU run this game?

Estimated FPS across quality settings and resolutions

Search for your GPU above to see a full FPS breakdown at every quality and resolution.

Microsoft Flight Simulator X FPS by GPU

Estimated framerates for 14 reference GPUs · pick a resolution and quality

60+ fps30–59 fps<30 fpsClick any row to load the full benchmark

Full benchmark grid · 14 GPUs × 4 qualities × 3 resolutions

1080p performance

Microsoft Flight Simulator X estimated FPS at 1080p across 14 GPUs and 4 quality presets
GPU	low	medium	high	ultra
RTX 5090	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps
RTX 4090	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps
RX 7900 XTX	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps
RTX 5080	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps
RTX 4080 Super	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps
RTX 4070 Ti	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps	838 fps
RTX 4070	999 fps	999 fps	884 fps	718 fps
RX 7800 XT	999 fps	974 fps	779 fps	633 fps
RTX 3080	999 fps	947 fps	758 fps	616 fps
RTX 4060 Ti	999 fps	895 fps	716 fps	582 fps
RTX 3070	999 fps	816 fps	653 fps	530 fps
RTX 4060	921 fps	737 fps	589 fps	479 fps
RTX 3060	789 fps	632 fps	505 fps	411 fps
GTX 1660 Super	572 fps	458 fps	366 fps	298 fps

1440p performance

Microsoft Flight Simulator X estimated FPS at 1440p across 14 GPUs and 4 quality presets
GPU	low	medium	high	ultra
RTX 5090	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps
RTX 4090	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps
RX 7900 XTX	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps	898 fps
RTX 5080	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps	847 fps
RTX 4080 Super	999 fps	999 fps	979 fps	795 fps
RTX 4070 Ti	999 fps	967 fps	774 fps	629 fps
RTX 4070	999 fps	829 fps	663 fps	539 fps
RX 7800 XT	913 fps	730 fps	584 fps	475 fps
RTX 3080	888 fps	711 fps	568 fps	462 fps
RTX 4060 Ti	839 fps	671 fps	537 fps	436 fps
RTX 3070	765 fps	612 fps	489 fps	398 fps
RTX 4060	691 fps	553 fps	442 fps	359 fps
RTX 3060	592 fps	474 fps	379 fps	308 fps
GTX 1660 Super	429 fps	343 fps	275 fps	223 fps

4K performance

Microsoft Flight Simulator X estimated FPS at 4K across 14 GPUs and 4 quality presets
GPU	low	medium	high	ultra
RTX 5090	999 fps	884 fps	707 fps	575 fps
RTX 4090	999 fps	821 fps	657 fps	534 fps
RX 7900 XTX	921 fps	737 fps	589 fps	479 fps
RTX 5080	868 fps	695 fps	556 fps	452 fps
RTX 4080 Super	816 fps	653 fps	522 fps	424 fps
RTX 4070 Ti	645 fps	516 fps	413 fps	335 fps
RTX 4070	553 fps	442 fps	354 fps	287 fps
RX 7800 XT	487 fps	389 fps	312 fps	253 fps
RTX 3080	474 fps	379 fps	303 fps	246 fps
RTX 4060 Ti	447 fps	358 fps	286 fps	233 fps
RTX 3070	408 fps	326 fps	261 fps	212 fps
RTX 4060	368 fps	295 fps	236 fps	192 fps
RTX 3060	316 fps	253 fps	202 fps	164 fps
GTX 1660 Super	229 fps	183 fps	147 fps	119 fps

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Minimum Hardware

Graphics Card

Minimum required

DirectX 9.0c compatible video card

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Processor

Minimum required

2.0 GHz dual-core

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About

Microsoft Flight Simulator X, released in 2006, marks a significant milestone in the esteemed Flight Simulator franchise that has entertained aviation enthusiasts for nearly 25 years. This simulator provides players with a deeply immersive experience, featuring numerous aircraft and interactive missions that allow for exploration of the skies from any airport around the globe. Its rich graphics and attention to detail set it apart as a notable entry in the simulation genre.

In terms of PC performance, Microsoft Flight Simulator X is relatively accessible but does have specific hardware requirements for optimal gameplay. While the minimum GPU recommendation is an entry-level model with a score of around 600, players looking for smoother gameplay and higher FPS will benefit from mid-range GPUs for improved performance at higher graphics settings. Cards from the GeForce GTX 900 series or equivalent are recommended for a better experience, providing significant improvements in frame rates during intense moments.

Given its rating of 77/100, Microsoft Flight Simulator X is worth playing, especially for fans of the simulation genre. Its blend of realistic graphics and immersive gameplay offers a fulfilling experience for both casual and serious gamers, making it a valuable addition to any PC gaming library.

Performance profile

Released in October 2006, Microsoft Flight Simulator X comes from the DirectX 9 era. Even the cheapest modern discrete GPU crushes it at maxed-out settings; the only real bottleneck today is CPU single-thread speed on older titles that were never multi-threaded.

Extremely light — Microsoft Flight Simulator X runs at 60 FPS 1080p on any integrated GPU (Intel Iris Xe, AMD Radeon Graphics) or a decade-old discrete card like the GTX 1050. A current-gen RTX 4060 pushes 4K Ultra without effort.