Xbox Console or High End PC for MS FlightSim?

ticket65 on 26/04/2025 - 14:53
Last edited 26/04/2025 - 19:19 by 1 other user

Hi all, I'm looking for some advice, please.

I have installed MS Flight Sim X on a new laptop I recently purchased (Ryzen 5/16Mb/RTX4050) but it runs shockingly - maybe 15FPS and the terrain looks anything but detailed.

I've resigned myself to having to buy a high end desktop gaming PC to run MSFSX, but now I've noticed that Steam/Xbox have MS FlightSim 2020 40th Anniversary on special for half price and the graphics on youtube clips look amazing.

What would you recommend I buy? The Xbox is much cheaper at $800, while the gaming PC is around $1500. The gaming PC would only be used for gaming as I do all my other computer work on my laptops? Is there a significant difference between the graphics?

Thanks in advance of your response.

Gaming Video Game Xbox Game Studios

Comments

  • omallz on 26/04/2025 - 15:06
    +3

    Have you tried xbox cloud streaming on your laptop? Probably worth a shot.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 26/04/2025 - 15:25
      +1

      Sign up for a trial - ymmv with streaming

      I have 1000/50, hitting at least 700/40 from the times I’ve bothered to check it and flight sim streaming ran like butt for me. Though this was on release to games pass , was it just a network issue? Server issue? Who knows . Everything else was running great. Never bothered to go back, will be building a new rig later this year pending funds.

  • frondono on 26/04/2025 - 15:15
    +2

    the only cpu you want to get is the 9800x3d or better if you're going the PC route and the best GPU you can afford it would be worth watching some benchmark videos and it'll give you a better idea of the results you can achieve

    • frondono on 26/04/2025 - 15:16

      it has to be an x3d chip

  • Bruceflix on 26/04/2025 - 15:18
    -2

    A $1500 gaming PC will perform worse than an XBX

    • gromit on 27/04/2025 - 16:22

      Not sure why you got modded down, for flight sim you are 100% correct. The experience will definitely be far better on an Xbox if your budget is only $1500

  • p1 ama on 26/04/2025 - 15:53
    +1

    Are you playing around or do you actually intend to use it as a simulator (i.e. with dedicated flight controls, potentially VR setup…etc.)

    Xbox is fine if you just want to play around with the controller on the TV and have a look at some of the maps, but if you actually want to build a simulator, you'll need a PC as the range of peripherals and customisability you would get is far superior to what you can do on an Xbox.

    FWIW, $1,500 would probably only get you a just playable experience. You'd probably need to spend twice that to get anything playable if you're cranking the settings up. That said, the game still looks pretty decent on low settings.

    As a minimum, you'd probably want something like a 7800X3D and a 4070 Ti Super (or above) to play it comfortably.

  • mitty on 27/04/2025 - 06:32
    +1

    The Xbox Series X is more than adequate for casual FS, plus if you use the game pass version you get all the other games that come along with that. If you just like to fly around in different planes and enjoy the scenery, it's perfect.

    If you think you might become a serious Flight Simmer and want extra peripherals etc then I'd go a PC but I'd spend probably more money particularly on the GPU. FS can look absolutely stunning with the right hardware. But only do it if you know you're going to use it.

  • Scet106 on 27/04/2025 - 09:16
    +1

    I have MSFS2020 and run it on XBX and it runs fantastic, for me anyway. I am a MSFS Forum regular and it seems not all XBX users have the same experience. That aside, I have a Turtle Beach Flight Yoke and a Thrustmaster HOTAS. I also use a wireless mouse and a wired keyboard as I found that by having both wireless lead to conflicts between them. If you want to see how it runs you can check out vids that I post on my channel. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFTG7-qFhWhzQQjjNzdcN…

    • ticket65 on 27/04/2025 - 12:00

      Love the videos :-)

  • akaakmdm on 27/04/2025 - 14:12
    +1

    I would first try FS2020 on your laptop before buying any new hardware. This video shows it running on a machine with similar specs to yours https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfzzoNXbodw

    Also, your laptop should be able to run FSX fine. I believe you have accidentally left the frame rate cap on (which it defaults to if you reduce the graphics settings to minimal). Go to Settings -> customise and change "Target frame rate" from 15FPS to unlimited.

  • Nillionaire on 27/04/2025 - 19:14
    +1

    At the end of the day a high-end PC setup dedicated to it will outperform the Xbox however $1500 is not anywhere near high-end. I would go with the Xbox but first see how it runs on your laptop as others suggested.

  • MS Paint on 28/04/2025 - 10:25

    Minimum $3k on a PC for an enjoyable FS experience.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join