Can I Run Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition?
Microsoft Game Studios · 2014
Take to the skies in the World’s favourite flight simulator! The multi award winning Microsoft Flight Simulator X lands on Steam for the first time. Take off from anywhere in the world, flying some of the world’s most iconic aircraft to any one of 24,000 destinations.
Can You Run Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition?
Pick your CPU, GPU, RAM and OS — we check each one against Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition’s official minimum and recommended requirements.
Your PC
You can run Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition — and then some
Your PC meets the recommended requirements. Expect a great experience.
| Component | Your PC | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPU | GeForce RTX 4060 | DirectX®9 compliant video card or greater, 256 MB video RAM or higher, Shader Model 1.1 or higher (Laptop versions of these chipsets may work but are not supported. Updates to your video and sound card drivers may be required) | DirectX®9 compliant video card or greater, 256 MB video RAM or higher, Shader Model 1.1 or higher (Laptop versions of these chipsets may work but are not supported. Updates to your video and sound card drivers may be required) |
| CPU | Core i5-13400 | 2.0 Ghz or higher (single core) | 2.0 Ghz or higher (single core) |
| RAM | 16 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB |
| OS | Windows 11 | Windows® XP Service Pack 2 or later | Windows® XP Service Pack 2 or later |
Verdict compares your components against the game’s published requirements using our GPU/CPU benchmark database. Estimates — real performance varies with drivers, settings and cooling.
Estimated FPS at 1080p
GAMERSPECS ESTIMATEEstimated using the GamerSpecs performance model. Actual FPS may vary depending on drivers, cooling, power limits, background applications, and game updates.How is this calculated? →Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition is a moderately demanding simulation game from 2014. On a mid-range GPU like the RTX 4060 it averages around 103 FPS at 1080p, while budget cards manage roughly 47 FPS and high-end hardware pushes about 197 FPS. Most gaming PCs from the last several years should handle it comfortably.
Budget GPU
GTX 1650 / RX 6500 XT
~42–52 FPS
Low Performance
Mid-range GPU
RTX 4060 / RX 7600
~95–115 FPS
Great
High-end GPU
RTX 4080 / RX 7900 XTX
~175–215 FPS
Excellent
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Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition System Requirements
The official minimum and recommended PC specs for Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition, component by component.
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows® XP Service Pack 2 or later |
| Processor | 2.0 Ghz or higher (single core) |
| Memory | 2 GB RAM |
| Graphics | DirectX®9 compliant video card or greater, 256 MB video RAM or higher, Shader Model 1.1 or higher (Laptop versions of these chipsets may work but are not supported. Updates to your video and sound card drivers may be required) |
| DirectX | Version 9.0c |
| Storage | 30 GB available space |
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Minimum
OS *: Windows® XP Service Pack 2 or later Processor: 2.0 Ghz or higher (single core) Memory: 2 GB RAM Graphics: DirectX®9 compliant video card or greater, 256 MB video RAM or higher, Shader Model 1.1 or higher (Laptop versions of these chipsets may work but are not supported. Updates to your video and sound card drivers may be required) DirectX: Version 9.0c Network: Broadband Internet connection Storage: 30 GB available space Additional Notes: Broadband internet connection required for multiplayer features
Requirements sourced from the official Steam store listing.
Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition — FAQ
Can I run Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition?+
On a mid-range GPU like an RTX 4060 you can expect around 103 FPS at 1080p in Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition. Budget GPUs get about 47 FPS and high-end GPUs around 197 FPS. Use the checker on this page to test your exact CPU, GPU, RAM and OS against the official requirements.
What are the minimum system requirements for Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition?+
Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition needs at least a 2.0 Ghz or higher (single core) processor, a DirectX®9 compliant video card or greater, 256 MB video RAM or higher, Shader Model 1.1 or higher (Laptop versions of these chipsets may work but are not supported. Updates to your video and sound card drivers may be required) graphics card, 2GB of RAM, 30 GB available space of storage, running Windows® XP Service Pack 2 or later.
Can Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition run without a graphics card?+
No — Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition is too demanding for integrated graphics. You'll need a dedicated GPU (minimum: DirectX®9 compliant video card or greater, 256 MB video RAM or higher, Shader Model 1.1 or higher (Laptop versions of these chipsets may work but are not supported. Updates to your video and sound card drivers may be required)).
How much RAM does Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition need?+
Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition officially requires a minimum of 2GB of RAM. 16GB is a comfortable amount for modern gaming overall.
More games to check
FPS values displayed on GamerSpecs are estimates. Actual game performance may vary depending on hardware configuration, drivers, cooling, power limits, background applications, and game updates.