Best pre-built gaming PCs for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Over the years, plenty of aircraft simulators have flown by on PC, but none ever toppled the mantle held by Microsoft Flight Simulator. It remains one of the most visually striking simulators ever made, thanks to an accurate recreation of the entire planet Earth created with real-time satellite data streamed from Microsoft's cloud servers.

Of course, promising this much detail means having a capable gaming desktop to run Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is a necessity. You could build a PC from scratch, which can be cheaper than sourcing a pre-built desktop, but not everyone has the skills or confidence to source individual components and put everything together — and that's fine.

I've been a fan of Microsoft Flight Simulator and adjacent realism-focused titles for years, and I can offer first-hand advice on which PC parts make the most significant impact on these intensive titles. 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 that we've tested so far in 2024.

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 2024

Best overall

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 the full Lenovo Legion Tower 7i (Gen 8) review

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Best value

If you're in search of a pre-built gaming PC that can run Microsoft's Flight Simulator for less than $1,000, Lenovo's LOQ Tower (Gen 9) should be the right choice. It's a generational upgrade over the LOQ Tower (Gen 8) that Zachary Boddy reviewed, stating:

"If you're in the market for a consistent, compact 1080p gaming machine, the Lenovo LOQ Tower is a quality option that won't disappoint. There's even some room to upgrade it should you want a little more power or to extend its life by a few more years."

For about $800, you can land a LOQ Tower with 14th Gen Intel Core i5-14400F CPU, 16GB of RAM, NVIDIA RTX 3050 GPU, and 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD. It will run Flight Simulator 2024 at 1080p, and you might even have some dough left over for a gaming monitor upgrade.

As Boddy mentions, you'll be able to upgrade some of the major parts in the future if necessary. However, its compact design makes for a cramped interior that's not easily overhauled. For those just dipping their toes into PC gaming, that shouldn't be too big of a deal.

👀Read our full Lenovo LOQ Tower (Gen 8) review

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Best custom PC

Although we 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.

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Best compact

The ASUS ROG G22CH is sort of a gaming PC masquerading as a console. Its stylized case measures just 4.5 (W) x 12.7 (H) x 11.3 (D) inches, with large vents and even some RGB lighting included. If you lack the space for a full-size tower, this is a solid (if expensive) option.

ASUS offers up to a 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900KF CPU, NVIDIA RTX 4070 GPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD in the ROG G22CH, altogether far more than enough for a smooth Flight Simulator experience. The size of the case and the positioning of the fans means you're going to hear the cooling system when it's under load, yet the PC can deliver some impressive performance.

Windows Central's Rebecca Spear reviewed the ASUS ROG G22CH, noting:

"ASUS ROG provides the accessible gaming excellence it promises with this compact tower that can easily fit on your desk or media center. It's packed with a powerful RTX-4070 GPU and an Intel Core i9-13900KF to provide smooth gaming experiences. The fans tend to be loud, but they keep the system cool and working efficiently. Plus, you can customize this rig's RGB lighting for a fun vibe."

This should be a top option for anyone who likes to keep their PC in the living room or den, as it takes up a lot less space than a traditional tower. At the time of writing, the ROG G22CH is 24% off at Amazon ahead of Black Friday.

👀Read our full ASUS ROG G22CH (DB978) review

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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 i5-14600 CPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, 512GB SSD, and NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU is down to just $1,050 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

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Best mini PC

The ASUS ROG G22CH also featured in this list is compact, but we can go smaller! 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 $1,399 at full price. The upgrade model, with a Core Ultra 9 185H CPU, RTX 4070 Laptop GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD is, at the time of writing, discounted by 12%. That brings the total down to $1,899 ahead of Black Friday.

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

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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 we've recently tested, the Lenovo Legion Tower 7i (Gen 8) is the best. It's a high-end PC with impressive performance hardware, all in a stylized case with RGB lighting.

Our top pick doesn't come cheap, and Lenovo's LOQ Tower (Gen 8) might be a better option. At the time of writing, you can pick up a $650 model at Best Buy that will handle Flight Simulator and plenty of other games.

And if you're an enthusiast who wants a PC that feels like you built it yourself, Maingear is the way to go. Its MG-1 can be configured right down to the cabling, and it's built by people who are clearly PC gamers.

Are the system requirements changing 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 (see what I did there?), and they're even well ahead of the recommended specs.

Should I wait for Black Friday or Cyber Monday?

Black Friday lands on November 29, 2024, with Cyber Monday following up on December 2. The entire weekend is traditionally filled with huge discounts on top tech, and each year it seems like the deals start earlier.

This year, I've been tracking Black Friday deals since the end of October, and many retailers have enacted price protection on key items. You can beat the rush with many items, though timed deals and exclusive discounts on Black Friday proper are always tempting.

My top pick, the Legion 7i (Gen 8) comes from Lenovo, which almost always has some sort of ongoing discount. At the time of writing this update, a couple of weeks ahead of Black Friday, you can save up to 19% on pre-configured models. That's not bad, but I'm expecting to see far deeper deals as we get closer to the main event.

My pick for best value, the Lenovo LOQ Tower (Gen 9), ran a $320 discount at Best Buy recently, but its popularity caused it to sell out. Nevertheless, expect this $900 PC to dip close to $500 on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. If it's not on sale at Best Buy, be sure to check out Lenovo's site for huge discounts.

Maingear's MG-1, my choice for a boutique custom build, is already on sale ahead of Black Friday. You can save up to $466 on a model with an RTX 4080 Super and Ryzen 7 7800X3D, which will absolutely crush Flight Simulator. I've seen some major discounts from Maingear during sales events, and I don't expect this year to be any different.

The ASUS ROG G22CH compact PC is usually priced at $1,400 for a model with Core i5-13400F CPU and RTX 3060 GPU, but it's currently down to $1,098 at Amazon. I recommend holding out for a better deal, as this model has dropped as low as $890 earlier this year.

Moving on to Dell's XPS Desktop (8960), I'm expecting some huge discounts if previous years are any indication. Dell always drops prices significantly during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and its latest XPS desktop is almost always included in the deals. You might even get lucky and nab a time-limited deal that's better than all the rest.

Finally, the ASUS ROG NUC 970 could drop below its current $1,799 price at Amazon, though no guarantees. It's been holding strong at this price (or much higher) since its 2024 release, and ASUS could simply be waiting for a big event to put it on sale.

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