Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 PC Requirements Explained…

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is one of the most anticipated titles of the year as it offers plenty of upgrades against the 2020 version which still holds its own versus most titles today easily.

The 2024 iteration offers much better visuals and audio alike with a focus on better lighting in particular in addition to performance optimizations that directly result in reduced load times.

All of this attention to detail, including overhauled AI for other craft and a dynamic environment that changes in real-time means that much like its predecessor, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has beefy requirements to run in all its glory and scales well with higher-end hardware even as its minimum requirements seem tame versus some 2024 titles.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: Hardware Requirements Revisited

Microsoft Flight Simulator Hardware Requirements

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024's hardware requirements come in 3 different tiers while catering to both Intel and AMD-based CPUs.

While Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has the same minimum storage, DirectX, and Windows requirements across the board, hardware requirements when it comes to CPU, GPU, and RAM recommendations vary considerably across all 3 performance tiers.

With a minimum of 16GB of RAM at the low end and as much as 64GB at the 'Ideal' spec, Flight Simulator 2024 does tend to benefit from more memory at the higher end of the spectrum, possibly because of larger textures and more attention to detail at a higher preset.

This is met with a similar increase in GPU VRAM requirements that balloon from as low as 4GB to a minimum of 12GB while going for both AMD and Nvidia's penultimate offerings as suggested GPU options, each with significant horsepower under the hood.

With similar scaling when it comes to system requirements at the CPU end, the highest-end tier opts for current-generation performance-class CPUs to meet its computing needs.

All in all, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024's hardware requirements paint the picture of a well-optimized game that does benefit significantly from higher-end hardware and PCs where they are available to end users.

As a result, the team at The Best War Games has opted to craft 3 possible PC builds that cater to the recommended, ideal, and minimum hardware requirement specs as stated by Microsoft, with a focus on performance, value for money, and upgrade potential down the line.

The Navigator's Recommended Spec PC Build For Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

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AMD Ryzen 7 7700X

$271 $399 Save $128

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Brand

AMD

CPU Model

Ryzen 7 7700X

CPU Socket

AM5

Cores

8

Threads

16

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The AMD Ryzen 7 7700x is an excellent octacore processor with 16 threads in tow. It is quite similar to the fastest gaming CPU on the market, the Ryzen 7800X3D and offers similar productivity performance even as the latter takes the lead in games thanks to its larger L3 cache.
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$271 at Amazon $319 at Newegg

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Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360L Core ARGB

$93 $100 Save $7

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Brand

Cooler Master

Cooling Method

360mm AIO

Integrated Lighting

Yes

Fan Speed

up to 1750 RPM

CPU Socket Support

AM5 and older, LGA 1700 and older

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The MasterLiquid 360L Core ARGB from Cooler Master is a 360mm AIO cooling system that features three 120mm ARGB fans that can ramp up to 1750 RPM. There is an RGB Cooler Master logo on top of the water block as well. It comes with premium CryoFuze thermal paste that has better thermal conducivity than regular pre-applied thermal paste.
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$93 at Newegg $94 at Amazon

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G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB (AMD Expo)

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Brand

G.Skill

Size

2x 16GB

Technology

DDR5

Speed

6000 MT/s

Compatible Devices

Intel and AMD AM5 motherboards

RGB

Yes

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G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB series is a specialized RAM kit for the AM5 platform with up to 6000 MT/s speed. The RAM kit brings exceptional RGB lighting on top of the heat spreaders and works at low latency. It's decently stable at the advertised speed and makes an ideal choice for gaming builds.
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$113 at Amazon $113 at Newegg $113 at Walmart

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MSI B650 Gaming Plus WiFi

$150 $170 Save $20

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Brand

MSI

Graphics Card Interface

PCI-E 5.0

Memory Slots

4

Memory Type

DDR5

Form Factor

ATX

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MSI B650 Gaming Plus is an excellent choice for AMD CPU users who are looking to get the job done without spending over $200. The 15-power phase VRM will be adequate for mid-range CPUs, while the multiple PCI-E slots will allow users to add various expansion cards. There are plenty of connectivity options too, including several fan headers, a built-in WiFi adapter, fast USB headers, and even troubleshooting options.
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$150 at Amazon $150 at Newegg $170 at Walmart

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Samsung 990 EVO SSD 1TB

$85 $90 Save $5

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Storage capacity

1 TB

Hardware Interface

PCIe 5.0

Brand

Samsung

Transfer rate

Read: 5,000 MB/s, Write: 4,200 MB/s write

TBW

600TB

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The Samsung 990 EVO SSD is a PCIe 5.0 compatible 1 TB storage drive that brings speeds that are not the fastest in the industry, but still at the peak of the PCIe 4.0 standard. It is capable of up to 5,000 MB/s read and 4,200 MB/s write speeds. It uses V-NAND TLC technology and is rated for 600TB TBW.
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$85 at Amazon $85 at Newegg

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ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Super OC

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Brand

ASUS

Cooling Method

Tri-Fan Air Cooler

GPU Speed

1980 MHz

Interface

PCI Express 4.0

Memory

12GB GDDR6X

Power

220W

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The ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Super OC is an excellent no-nonsense take on the RTX 4070 SUPER GPU, offering better durability, better cooling and a higher overclock potential than the competition.

It leverages some of the best cooling that ASUS has to offer including new axial tech in its fans to allow for more airflow even as it operates at a zero fan mode at temperatures below 55 degrees Celsius, using its massive heatsink to keep temperatures in check with ease.
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$650 at Amazon $689 at Newegg

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Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 750W

$85 $90 Save $5

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Brand

Thermaltake

Output

750W

Modular Cabling

Fully modular

80 Plus Efficiency Rating

Gold

Protection Features

OCP (Over Current Protection), OVP (Over Voltage Protection), UVP (Under Voltage Protection), OPP (Over Power Protection), SCP (Short Circuit Protection), OTP (Over Temperature Protection)

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The Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 750W power supply is a fully modular offering in the long-running Toughpower series. It is an 80-Plus Gold-rated PSU with peak power of 750W, which is sufficient even for most high-end PCs. It features a PCIe Gen 5.0 connector to power GPUs with the new 12VHPWR cable. It also follows the ATX 3.0 standard for better power excursion and low-load efficiency. The 120mm fan has a Smart Zero Fan mode for silent operation.
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$85 at Amazon $90 at Walmart $90 at Newegg

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LIAN LI LANCOOL 216 PC Case

$95 $100 Save $5

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Brand

LIAN LI

Material

Steel / 4.0mm Tempered Glass

Motherboard Size (Max.)

E-ATX (Under 280mm)

Graphics Card Size (Max.)

392mm

3.5" Drive Slots

2 x 3.5” HDD

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The LANCOOL 216 is a mid-tower case with all-around mesh panels for optimal airflow. Thanks to its modular rear panel, it can be optimized for air or water cooling. It includes 2 x 160mm and 1 x 140mm pre-installed PWM fans and an innovative rear PCIe fan bracket to maximize airflow.
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$95 at Amazon $100 at Walmart $100 at Newegg

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The build above aims to meet or exceed Flight Simulator's mid-range system requirements and opts for more current hardware where possible while trying to adhere to a sub-$1500 budget, allowing users to play the game with most of its settings turned up at a fairly high resolution.

It meets the 32GB RAM requirement exhibited by the title by opting for AMD's EXPO-compatible G.Skill Neo RGB kit, pairing it with AMD's last generation octa-core CPU, the Ryzen 7 7700X that exceeds performance guidelines by the publisher.

On the GPU front, the build opts for a quiet, but powerful ASUS TUF RTX 4070 SUPER GPU while going for a mid-range motherboard and fast PCI-E 5.0-compatible storage from Samsung while opting for a reliable 850W Gold PSU from Thermaltake for its power needs.

The build also focuses on cooling, opting for a mid-range tri-slot Cooler Master Masterliquid 360L ARGB cooler in addition to an airflow-centric Lian Li lancool 216 case that is great for future upgrades and offers better modularity than the competition in a similar price range.

Estimated Build Cost: ~$1500-1600

The Aviator's Ideal Spec PC Build For Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

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AMD Ryzen™ 9 7950X3D 16-Core, 32-Thread Desktop Processor

$598 $699 Save $101

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Socket

AMD AM5

Brand

AMD

TDP

120W

Cores

16

Threads

32

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The 16-core, 32-thread desktop AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D processor is AMD's answer to a resurgent Intel 13th generation processor lineup as it attempts to wrest back the gaming crown with the same technology that made the last generation 5800X3D such a powerful CPU.

With 128MB of L3 cache on offer, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D leverages its 3D V-Cache muscle in gaming as well as its powerful new Zen 4-based cores in productivity to make for a potent enthusiast-grade CPU in the offing.
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$598 at Amazon $599 at Newegg $639 at Best Buy

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ASUS ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB AIO Liquid Cooler

$280 $330 Save $50

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Brand

ASUS

Cooling Method

Liquid

Integrated Lighting

ARGB Fans, 3.5-Inch LCD Display

Noise Level

36.45dBA

Fan Speed

600 - 2200 RPM +/- 10%

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The ASUS ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB AIO Liquid Cooler is ASUS's latest premium tri-fan AIO that offers better cooling, an upgraded LCD, and a new Asetek 8th generation pump as some of its salient features. Thanks to a thicker radiator and a new cold plate, it can reduce temperatures drastically versus both its predecessor and its competition.
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$280 at Amazon $280 at Newegg $280 at Walmart

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G.Skill Trident Z5 NEO Series (AMD Expo) 64GB Kit CL30

$205 $210 Save $5

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Brand

G.Skill

Size

64GB

Technology

DDR5

Speed

6000 MHz

Compatible Devices

DDR5 Compatible AMD and Intel chipset-based motherboards

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The G. Skill Trident Z5 NEO sticks are a pair of 32GB RAM sticks that conform to AMD's more stringent EXPO memory requirements for overclocking. With tight timings and a CAS latency of just 30-40-40-96.

With a subtle RGB effect and a premium feel, the Trident Z Neo is one of the best premium RGB RAM sticks money can buy that is designed for AMD-based systems.
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$205 at Amazon $205 at Newegg $205 at Walmart

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MSI MAG X670E Tomahawk WiFi Gaming

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Brand

MSI

Memory Slots

4

Memory Type

DDR5

Form Factor

ATX

Wi-Fi

Yes, Wi-Fi 6E

USB Ports

Rear: 8, Front: 9

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Built to support the latest AM5 processors, the MSI MAG X670E Tomahawk Wi-Fi motherboard presents a durable and attractive design that is priced fairly. Although lacking in some troubleshooting features, this motherboard still has debug lights and a BIOS Flashback button. The MAG X670E Tomahawk is reinforced with MSI's "Steel Armor", which means the connections on the back of the motherboard have been soldered to support the weight of heavy components.
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$243 at Amazon

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Crucial T700 2TB PCIe Gen5 SSD

$212 $291 Save $79

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Storage capacity

2TB

Hardware Interface

PCIe 5.0

Brand

Crucial

TBW

1200TB

Warranty

5-year limited warranty

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The Crucial T700 2TB PCIe Gen5 SSD is a blazing fast latest generation SSD that can reach read speeds of up to 12,400 MBps and write speeds of up to 11,800 MBps. It is one of the fastest SSDs on the market and has a solid endurance of 1200TB TBW. Crucial also offers a 5-year limited warranty with this SSD.
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$218 at Amazon $212 at Newegg

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GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER AERO OC 16G

$1150 $1190 Save $40

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Brand

Gigabyte

Cooling Method

Tri-Fan Air-Cooled Vapor Chamber

GPU Speed

2295 MHz

Slot Size

Quad Slot

Interface

PCI-Express 4.0

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The GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER AERO OC 16G is a premium, factory-overclocked, white-themed variant of the RTX 4080 SUPER that carries the high-end AERO moniker.

With an excellent tri-fan air cooler supporting a vapor chamber and a decent boost clock speed offering in tow, the all-white Gigabyte AERO OC offers much more than the competition at a premium.
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$1100 at Amazon $1150 at Newegg $1150 at Best Buy

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be quiet! Dark Power 13 850W PSU

$190 $250 Save $60

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Brand

be quiet!

Div

Output

850W

Modular Cabling

Yes, Fully Modular

80 Plus Efficiency Rating

80 PLUS Titanium (up to 95.4%)

Protection Features

OTP/OCP/OPP/SCP/OVP/UVP/SIP

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The Be Quiet! Dark Power 13 850W PSU is an excellent Titanium Efficiency tier PSU that offers an industry-leading 10-year manufacturer’s warranty, a native 12VHPWR connector, and some of the best components that buyers can get in a high-end PSU - at a price.
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$190 at Amazon $190 at Newegg $190 at Walmart

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HYTE Y60

$161 $180 Save $19

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Brand

Hyte

Material

Steel/Tempered Glass

Motherboard Size (Max.)

Micro ATX / ATX / ITX / E-ATX

Graphics Card Size (Max.)

375 mm

3.5" Drive Slots

2

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There is no better mid-tower case to show off gaming rigs than the Hyte Y60. With three tempered glass panels, the Y60 case provides a nearly unobstructed view of the components. A dual chamber design enables builders to keep PSUs and cables tucked behind motherboards to avoid interfering with other components. The Y60 ships ready to vertically mount graphics cards with an included PCIe riser cable. Even with solid glass panels, the case still promotes airflow with extensive vents that wrap around the right side, top, and back of the chassis.
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$175 at Amazon $180 at Newegg $161 at Best Buy $200 at GameStop

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The ideal PC build for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 leverages a more powerful CPU and GPU configuration while also investing in more RAM to build an all-around juggernaut that can hold its own with the title's needs in 2024 and beyond.

To do so, it employs the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D, which offers plenty of L3 cache, something that the title's predecessor, Flight Simulator benefited considerably from. It pairs this to a mid-range X670E motherboard from MSI while leveraging 64GB of fast DDR5 RAM with EXPO profiles from G.Skill.

The GPU is slightly above the recommended spec laid out by Microsoft, opting for a more current (and cheaper) RTX 4080 SUPER instead of its predecessor as specified while investing some of the savings in fast PCI-E 5.0 storage from Crucial.

All of this is housed in the fish tank design-based Hyte Y60 case and powered by a Be Quiet! Titanium 850W rated PSU that offers a native 12WHPWR connector and a 10 year warranty in tow.

Estimated Build Cost: ~$3000

The Trainee's Minimum Spec PC Build For Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

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Intel Core i5-14400F

$177 $200 Save $23

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Brand

Intel

CPU Model

Core i5 14400F

CPU Socket

LGA 1700

Cores

6+4

Threads

16

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Intel Core i5-14400F is a revised edition of the i5 13400F that brings higher clock speeds for the same price. The Raptor Lake Refresh architecture helps it improve in overall performance while retaining its power efficiency. The i5 14400F brings 6 performance and 4 efficient cores, resulting in a total of 16 threads.
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$177 at Amazon $177 at Newegg $177 at Walmart

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Silicon Power Value Gaming DDR4 16GB (8GBx2) 3200MHz (PC4 25600) CL16 RAM

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Brand

Silicon Power

Size

16GB (8GB x 2)

Technology

DDR4

Speed

3200 Mhz

Compatible Devices

All Intel and AMD based DDR4 memory

RGB

No

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The Silicon Power Value Gaming RAM is a DDR4 memory module engineered to enhance the capabilities of desktop PCs. It offers a memory size of 16GB and speeds of 3200 MHz. This RAM is designed to be compatible with Intel Coffee Lake processors and adheres to Intel Extreme Memory Profile (Intel XMP) standards, ensuring seamless integration with various systems.

Equipped with an aluminum heat sink, the RAM efficiently dissipates heat while its 1.35V low voltage reduces power consumption for hardware components. These attributes contribute to maintaining swift and stable performance during extensive gaming periods or intensive workloads.
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$28 at Amazon

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MSI PRO H610M-G DDR4

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Brand

MSI

Memory Slots

2

Memory Type

DDR4

Form Factor

M-ATX

Wi-Fi

No

M.2 NVMe Connector

2

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MSI PRO H610M-G is an entry-level LGA1700 motherboard for Intel's 12th, 13th, and 14th-gen CPUs with support for basic components like DDR4 memories, a graphics card, M.2 SSDs, and SATA drives. Despite being entry-level, the board comes with EZ Debug LEDs for troubleshooting and will be ideal for ultra-budget gaming/office builds.
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$80 at Amazon $90 at Newegg

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Kingston NV2 500G M.2 2280 NVMe Internal SSD

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The Kingston NV2 500G SSD uses Gen 4x4 NVMe PCIe technology. This drive delivers read speeds up to 3,500 MB/s and write speeds up to 2,800 MB/s. It's designed for systems requiring fast performance, in both laptop and desktop builds. It is suitable for most applications thanks to the compact, single-sided M.2 2280 design. And the low power requirements mean that it produces minimal heat.
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$38 at Amazon

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XFX Speedster SWFT 210 Radeon RX 6600 CORE

$210 $200 Save $-10

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Brand

XFX

Cooling Method

Air-cooled dual-fan

GPU Speed

2044 Mhz

Interface

PCI-E 4.0 x8

Memory

8GB GDDR6

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The XFX Speedster SWFT 210 Radeon RX 6600 CORE is an excellent value proposition as it trades significantly cheaper than the RTX 3050 while performing as much as 15% faster which makes it a no-brainer for Team Red users looking to upgrade this year.
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$210 at Amazon $210 at Newegg $210 at Best Buy

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Thermaltake SMART 600W ATX PSU

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The Thermaltake SMART 600W ATX is a power supply unit that is designed to provide reliable and efficient power for your computer. This unit delivers 600 watts of continuous output. It complies with both Intel ATX 12V 2.31 and EPS 12V 2.92 standards, ensuring compatibility with many PC builds.

The SMART 600W ATX has received an 80 PLUS certification, indicating 80% efficiency under a typical load. This power supply supports two PCI-E 6 plus 2-pin connectors.
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$41 at Amazon

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Asus A21 Micro-ATX Case

$57 $65 Save $8

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Brand

Asus

Material

Steel / Plastic / Tempered Glass

Motherboard Size (Max.)

Micro ATX / Micro ATX (Back Connect) / Mini ITX

Graphics Card Size (Max.)

380 mm

3.5" Drive Slots

2

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The Asus A21 is a surprisingly spacious Micro ATX case that manages to accommodate 360 mm liquid cooling radiators and graphics cards with lengths up to 380 mm. This compact mid-tower benefits from a front mesh panel, allowing ample cool air into the chassis. Focusing on cable management, the A21 supports new back-connect motherboards and boasts a 33 mm wide compartment devoted to cable management. The Asus A21 is available in black or white, with colored cabling to match.
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$57 at Amazon $59 at Newegg

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For users looking to build a gaming PC that does more for less and remains capable of playing Microsoft Flight Simulator at a reasonable frame rate, the build above does an excellent job. It leverages the Intel Core i5 14400F CPU which currently benefits from price cuts thanks to the upcoming Core Ultra lineup while also picking up cheap DDR4 RAM and a motherboard that supports them as part of its core build.

The build also uses cheap, entry-level PCI-E 4.0 SSD storage from Kingston and an entry-level GPU (XFX's RX 6600 Core) that holds its own in most games at lower resolutions. Given the smaller motherboard in play, the ASUS A21 M-ATX case is used, allowing users to save money while having a very functional build with easy cable management. A 600W Thermaltake smart PSU powers the entire system which does allow for upgrades to the CPU and GPU to higher-end mid-tier components if they are needed by the user.

Estimated Build Cost: ~$600-650