Love Flight Simulator? These pre-built PCs can deliver a high-end experience.

Microsoft's Flight Simulator and Flight Simulator 2024 are the premier titles for anyone who loves to take off, and though they don't have a particularly high set of minimum PC specs, they only get better when with more powerful hardware.

That opens up your pre-built PC options to a range of prices and performance levels. For example, my top pick — iBuyPower's Slate 8 Mesh — costs about $1,049 and has more than enough power to handle either game.

I've tried to include only pre-built PCs that offer plenty of configuration options. Maingear's MG-1, for example, climbs all the way to $3,000 and beyond, though it starts at just $1,249.

With first-hand reviews of pre-built gaming desktops written by my colleagues, I'm here to share the best options that fit a range of budgets. Here are the best pre-built PCs for Flight Simulator in 2025.

The quick list

Ben Wilson

I've built more custom gaming desktops than I can count, and I understand how daunting it can be for a first-time PC gamer. Pre-built PCs are great if you make the right pick, and I'm here to help you meet the recommended specifications for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Cale Hunt

I've been building and tinkering with PCs for decades, which gives me a clear idea of where pre-built PCs excel and where they falter. I understand how convenient pre-builts can be, and I aim to help you get the best of the best.

Best PCs for Microsoft Flight Simulator in 2025

Why you can trust Windows Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Best overall

iBuyPower has a wide range of pre-built desktop PCs, but the Slate 8 Mesh I tested probably suits the most people.

Models start at as low as about $1,050 at Best Buy — with Core i7-14700F CPU, RTX 4060 GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD — but you can also check out the official iBP website for the ability to customize everything from the case up.

In my iBuyPower Slate 8 Mesh review, I noted that I was impressed with the clean cable management and build quality, as well as the performance and competitive pricing. I ultimately came to this conclusion:

"iBuyPower's Slate 8 Mesh gets a lot right. The build has clean cable management and came assembled with no issues. The parts used in the build are mostly pieces you can buy on your own, save for the PSU and CPU cooler, which can be replaced after purchase. There's no bloatware installed, allowing you to choose exactly what sort of RGB software you want to use."

The only serious drawbacks I experienced involved a fan curve that needed adjusting via the BIOS, as well as a non-modular OEM PSU that isn't ideal. At this price, though, you can make the PSU one of the first targets for an upgrade.

👉 Read our full iBuyPower Slate 8 Mesh review

• ^ Back to the top

Also great

Lenovo's Legion Tower 7i (Gen 8) is a powerful and stylish desktop PC that can be configured with a ton of hardware options. It might not be the best for enthusiasts who plan on full conversions in the future — Lenovo still uses a proprietary part here and there that gets in the way of major hardware overhauls — but for anyone who wants a premium PC that just works, it should be a great choice.

In their Lenovo Legion Tower 7i (Gen 8) review, Windows Central's Zachary Boddy remarked:

"Lenovo has maintained a careful balance between the raw power packed into this chassis, the quality and understated design that allows for easy access, and a reasonable price tag for everything you're getting. This desktop hasn't let me down once, and it's perfect for those who don't want to worry about building their own PC. It's also a fantastic starting point for any gamer looking to explore PC building, as Lenovo has designed this PC to be upgradeable into the future with standard parts and an intelligent layout."

Lenovo offers up to a 14th Gen Intel Core i9-14900KF processor (CPU), NVIDIA RTX 4090 graphics card (GPU), 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and 2TB of M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe solid-state-drive (SSD) storage. These pieces can be changed out easily, so you can buy less hardware from the factory and wait for big sales to upgrade.

That's a lot of power no matter what, and there are plenty of stops along the way for anyone who wants a more affordable build. Liquid and air cooling are available, and the 34L case is quite stylish (although it lacks USB-C on the front).

👉 Read our full Lenovo Legion Tower 7i (Gen 8) review

• ^ Back to the top

Best custom PC

Although I haven't reviewed the Maingear MG-1 on Windows Central, I received a model to test out recently and absolutely loved it. Maingear is a "boutique" builder that puts its PCs together by hand and with great care.

One of the only drawbacks to the MG-1 that I found is a lack of a dust screen for the case's air intake. Considering you can easily add a solution yourself, this PC should be a top choice for enthusiasts who want something that feels like it was built at home.

Cable management is stellar, Maingear uses non-proprietary motherboards and other performance hardware for easy future upgrades, and it offers an impressive range of configuration options. You can build the PC you want, and it can all be visualized within a 3D building tool on Maingear's website.

Maingear MG-1 models range from about $1,200 to $4,000 and beyond, depending on how much performance you need. Looking at Flight Simulator alone, the base model will do a great job. Customer support is stellar, and you get a strong warranty where Maingear handles practically everything, no matter the piece of hardware that gives you trouble.

Although I'm used to building my own systems, what I've seen come out of Maingear's assembly line puts all worries to rest. If, like me, you prefer a PC that doesn't feel mass-produced, this should be the way to go.

• ^ Back to the top

Mid-size pick

There's just something about the HP OMEN 35L's style and design that I love. It's not particularly flashy, nor does it have an unconventional look. But it certainly draws the eye, even with its compact design.

The mid-size tower doesn't take up nearly as much room as a full-size build that I've featured elsewhere in this guide, yet its cooling abilities are more than enough for the hardware. The smaller chassis might impede some future upgrades, but HP has been able to cram a lot of hardware in there as is.

Windows Central PC enthusiast Zachary Boddy reviewed the HP OMEN 35L, remarking:

"The HP OMEN 35L was already one of the most attractive and upgradeable pre-built gaming PCs you could buy, but the latest versions with Intel Core Ultra are also more efficient and intelligent. Gaming performance hasn't enjoyed a major upgrade, but this is an awesome tower regardless."

Cable management is clean, there's a modular PSU inside, and the CPU is water-cooled. HP offers up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 295K CPU, 64GB of Kingston FURY DDR5 RAM, a 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, and an NVIDIA RTX 5090 GPU, but there are many other more affordable options available to configure at HP's website.

👉 Read our full HP OMEN 35L review

• ^ Back to the top

Best for work and play

Dell's latest XPS Desktop (8960) shouldn't be considered a dedicated gaming PC, but Dell's wide range of hardware allows users to customize performance to their liking.

I'd still recommend that anyone who plans on gaming full-time check out the other options in this list, but those shopping for a family PC with a bit more juice to handle Flight Simulator might be able to get what they want.

Prices generally start at less than $800 for introductory models with integrated graphics, but you'll no doubt want a discrete GPU for Flight Simulator. In that case, adding an RTX 3050 costs about $200.

There are many other GPU options, and at the time of writing, a mid-range config with Intel Core i7-14700K CPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD, and NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU is down to $1,300 after a discount.

In our Dell XPS Desktop (8960) review, Zachary Boddy called it a "gentle evolution of its predecessor, pairing an understated design with the latest internals from Intel and NVIDIA." As long as you go into it with low expectations for future upgrades (Dell uses a lot of proprietary hardware here), it should make for a great PC for hybrid family use.

👉 Read our full Dell XPS Desktop (8960) review

• ^ Back to the top

Best mini PC

The ROG NUC 970 is about the same size as a Wi-Fi router, with a sleek design that works vertically or horizontally thanks to an included stand. In her ASUS ROG NUC 970 review, Windows Central Editor Rebecca Spear called it "a very impressive mini PC with powerful performance and a very convenient range of ports."

ASUS achieves this compact feat using laptop hardware, namely up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H mobile CPU paired with up to an NVIDIA RTX 4070 Laptop GPU. You won't be able to upgrade these components, but the DDR5 RAM and M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD are accessible. You're ultimately looking at performance just short of a desktop-class RTX 2080 Ti, which remains more than enough for Flight Simulator.

The PC can drive up to three monitors from the GPU thanks to HDMI and dual DisplayPort. The system otherwise boasts four USB-A 3.2 (Gen 2), two USB-A 2.0, an SD card reader, RJ45 Ethernet, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

A model with a Core Ultra 7 155H CPU, RTX 4060 Laptop GPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD costs about $1,269 at Amazon.

The ROG NUC 970 is relatively expensive due to its size, so you might want to consider a premium gaming laptop for extra mobility. Nevertheless, it's a great little PC for those who want to use most of their available space for monitors and flight controls.

👉 Read our full ASUS ROG NUC 970 review

• ^ Back to the top

How to choose the best PC for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020/2024) is an ambitious game, yet its system requirements aren't particularly demanding. That means it can run on a wide range of desktop PCs, including any options in this roundup.

But cooking up the best Microsoft Flight Simulator experience isn't solely about processing power. We also recommend finding room in the budget for extra gear, with accessories like yokes and joysticks adding that missing piece of the puzzle for virtual pilots.

Out of all the desktop PCs recently tested here at Windows Central, I'm placing the iBuyPower Slate 8 Mesh at the top. It's competitively priced, starting at about $1,050, it has all the ports needed for a full setup with Flight Sim accessories, and it looks good no matter how you set it up.

If it's not quite what you have in mind, Lenovo's Legion Tower 7i (Gen 8) is the next best thing. It's a high-end PC with impressive performance hardware, all in a stylized case with RGB lighting. You can typically find models starting at about $1,150 at Lenovo.

Maingear's MG-1 is another great custom PC with which I have personal experience. Models start at about $1,249, a bit higher than my top pick, but I'd suggest checking it out if you want a more premium feel throughout.

Did PC system requirements change for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024?

No, at least not for the minimum specifications defined by Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020.) It's an expansive game with gorgeous, lifelike visuals that can transport you practically anywhere in the world (as long as you're willing to fly).

While the minimum and recommended system requirements aren't exactly out of reach for most gamers, having more power in your PC will result in higher framerates, the ability to play at higher resolutions, and, ultimately, better-looking graphics.

It's looking like you'll need at least and AMD Ryzen 5 2600X or Intel Core i7-6800K CPU and NVIDIA RTX 970 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 GPU for Flight Simulator 2024. Recommended specs jump quite a bit, to an Intel Core i7-10700K or AMD Ryzen 7 2700X with NVIDIA RTX 2080 or AMD Radeon RX 5700XT GPU.

You should also get at least 16GB of RAM for the game, though 32GB will better handle all the textures. All the PCs listed above are far ahead of what's required to get the game off the ground, and they're even well ahead of the recommended specs.

Can I use a laptop to play Flight Simulator?

Absolutely! As long as the gaming laptop you have in mind contains specs to match the minimum PC requirements, you shouldn't have any issues playing Flight Sim on a more portable form factor.

Keep in mind, however, that gaming laptops are often short on ports compared to desktop counterparts. If you're looking to get into a major setup with multiple displays, consoles, and controls, be sure you have enough ports. A quality Thunderbolt 4 dock can help in a pinch, assuming your laptop is Thunderbolt-equipped.

Not sure where to begin? My guide to the best gaming laptops as well as the best gaming laptops for Flight Simulator are a great place to start.

• ^ Back to the top