Minimum specs
30 FPS · 1080pOfficial- Graphics
- NVIDIAGTX 770AMDRX 570
- CPU
- AMDRyzen 3 1200IntelCore i5-4690K
- RAM
- 8 GB
- VRAM
- 2 GB
Microsoft Flight Simulator System Requirements
- 150 GB
- Windows 10
- Steam Deck: Playable
- No Mac version
- Out 8/17/2020
Minimum and recommended from Steam; the 1440p, 4K and 120 FPS targets are VietRPG estimates. Updated 11/14/2026.
Recommended specs
60 FPS · 1080pOfficial- Graphics
- NVIDIAGTX 970AMDRX 590
- CPU
- AMDRyzen 5 1600IntelCore i5-8400
- RAM
- 16 GB
- VRAM
- 4 GB
Microsoft Flight Simulator is a light workload by modern standards. If performance falls short, lower shadows and view distance first, then texture quality to reduce VRAM pressure.
How strong a graphics card do you need?
RTX 3060
- Minimum30 FPS · 1080pGTX 770Below an RTX 3060
- Recommended60 FPS · 1080pGTX 970Below an RTX 3060
- 1440p 60 FPSRX 5600 XTBelow an RTX 3060
- 4K 60 FPSRTX 3060 8GBBelow an RTX 3060
- 1080p 120 FPSRX 5600 XTBelow an RTX 3060
- 1440p 120 FPSArc A750About an RTX 3060
The longer the bar, the stronger the card it needs. The dashed line is an RTX 3060, a popular mid-range card.
Choose your frame rate and resolution
60 FPS · 1080p
OfficialGraphics card
NVIDIAGTX 970AMDRX 590CPU
AMDRyzen 5 1600IntelCore i5-8400
RAM
16 GB
VRAM
4 GB
Settings
High
Lower shadows first if the High preset causes dips at 1080p.
Full table (6 targets)
| Minimum30 FPS · 1080pOfficial | Recommended60 FPS · 1080pOfficial | 1440p 60 FPS60 FPS · 1440pEstimate | 4K 60 FPS60 FPS · 4KEstimate | 1080p 120 FPS120 FPS · 1080pEstimate | 1440p 120 FPS120 FPS · 1440pEstimate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphics | NVIDIAGTX 770AMDRX 570 | NVIDIAGTX 970AMDRX 590 | NVIDIARTX 3060 8GBAMDRX 5600 XTIntelArc A580 | NVIDIARTX 3060 8GBAMDRX 6650 XTIntelArc A580 | NVIDIARTX 3060 8GBAMDRX 5600 XTIntelArc A580 | NVIDIARTX 4060AMDRX 7600IntelArc A750 |
| CPU | AMDRyzen 3 1200IntelCore i5-4690K | AMDRyzen 5 1600IntelCore i5-8400 | AMDRyzen 5 5600IntelCore i3-12100 | AMDRyzen 5 5600IntelCore i3-12100 | AMDRyzen 7 5700GIntelCore i3-13100 | AMDRyzen 7 5700GIntelCore i3-13100 |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | 16 GB | 16 GB | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| VRAM | 2 GB | 4 GB | 8 GB | 12 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Settings | Low | High | High | High | Medium | High |
| Upscaling | — | — | FSR Quality | FSR Quality | — | FSR Quality |
Storage: 150 GB available space · DirectX: Version 11
Trailer and screenshots
Can popular cards run it?
| Card | 30 FPS1080p | 60 FPS1080p | 60 FPS1440p | 120 FPS1080p |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVIDIAGTX 1650 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| NVIDIAGTX 1660 Super | ✓ | ✓ | ≈ | ≈ |
| NVIDIARTX 3060 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| AMDRX 6600 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| NVIDIARTX 4060 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| NVIDIARTX 3050 Laptop | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| NVIDIARTX 4060 Laptop | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
✓ runs it≈ almost: lower a setting or two✗ falls short
Which card should you buy?
For 60 FPS · 1080p
NVIDIARTX 3050 6GBAMDRX 7600
For 60 FPS · 1440p
NVIDIARTX 5050AMDRX 7600
Laptops that run Microsoft Flight Simulator
- 30 FPS · 1080pNVIDIARTX 3050 LaptopAMDRX 6500MIntelArc 140Vor better
- 60 FPS · 1080pNVIDIARTX 3050 LaptopAMDRX 6500Mor better
- 60 FPS · 1440pNVIDIARTX 4050 LaptopAMDRX 7600Sor better
- 120 FPS · 1080pNVIDIARTX 4050 LaptopAMDRX 7600Sor better
Microsoft Flight Simulator on Steam Deck
Steam Deck
Valve: Playable
Valve tested it: playable, but controls may need changing or text is small.
Microsoft Flight Simulator on consoles
Xbox Series X
Xbox Series S
Platforms from IGDB. We hold no measured resolution or frame rate for consoles, so we do not guess them.
Can you play Microsoft Flight Simulator on Mac?
No. On Steam, Microsoft Flight Simulator is Windows only.
FAQ
How many GB is Microsoft Flight Simulator?
The PC version needs about 150 GB of free space.
What are the minimum requirements for Microsoft Flight Simulator?
GTX 770 / RX 570, Ryzen 3 1200 / i5-4460, 8 GB RAM, Windows 10. That is about 30 FPS at 1080p on low settings.
Can a GTX 1650 run Microsoft Flight Simulator?
Yes. The GTX 1650 reaches 60 FPS at 1080p, but not 60 FPS at 1440p.
Can a RTX 3060 run Microsoft Flight Simulator?
Yes. The RTX 3060 reaches 120 FPS at 1440p.
Can a RTX 4060 run Microsoft Flight Simulator?
Yes. The RTX 4060 reaches 120 FPS at 1440p.
What laptop can run Microsoft Flight Simulator?
For the minimum you need a laptop with Arc 140V, RTX 3050 Laptop, RX 6500M or better. For 60 FPS at 1080p: RTX 3050 Laptop, RX 6500M.
Can you play Microsoft Flight Simulator on Steam Deck?
Valve rates it Playable: some controls or small text may need tweaking.
Is Microsoft Flight Simulator on Mac?
No. On Steam, Microsoft Flight Simulator is Windows only.
Buy Microsoft Flight Simulator
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- VR Support: SteamVR, Oculus PC, or OpenXR. Keyboard and mouse required