Since the days of FSX, flight simulators have become far more demanding in the hardware they require. With modern-day hardware prices and how it’s currently trending, it can be quite an expensive demand to run any of the next-generation flight simulators. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is no exception; as a step up from MSFS 2020, it’s become even more demanding on your hardware.
What does MSFS 2024 Actually Require?
Running the simulator with a consistent 60 FPS and without stutters is a hard task and requires a lot of tweaking of your settings. It also demands a lot from your hardware, often requiring upgrades to achieve those stable frame rates. Performance in MSFS 2024 comes down to a lot of factors, such as your graphics card, CPU, RAM and even your PC temperatures. Due to how the simulator is built and rendered, a lot of the strain comes down on your CPU (Central Processing Unit).
While your GPU and RAM are essential components to achieve consistent frames, your CPU will take the majority of the load. Having a CPU capable of keeping up with the simulator can either make or break your experience in MSFS 2024. Intel and AMD are your only options when it comes to CPUs, and both have their own pros and cons. Generally, AMD is considered better for MSFS 2024 with their 3D V-Cache technology. Multithreading and the number of cores are also important to consider when looking for a CPU.
What is 3D V-Cache and Is It Essential?
3D V-Cache Technology is exclusive to AMD; Intel currently does not have this technology. 3D V-Cache allows AMD to vertically stack an extra layer of L3 cache on top of the processor Core Complex Die (CCD). AMD can triple the amount of available L3 cache in a CPU, compared to the older method of spreading the memory side by side on the silicon.
Stacking the L3 cache also puts the memory closer to the cores and helps to reduce the need for the CPU to pull data from slower system RAM. AMD’s 2nd generation 3D V-Cache changes the design again, putting the L3 memory below the cores of the CPU. It helps to keep the cores of the CPU cooler, which in turn will allow it to perform better.
3D V-Cache isn’t essential for MSFS 2024; the simulator can achieve playable frame rates without it. However, to absolutely maximise your performance, that extra L3 Cache can greatly improve your overall experience. The extra L3 Cache will mainly help in your 1% lows, which means reduced stutters. Intel’s higher-end CPUs can compete with AMD and are enough for MSFS 2024, as they still feature a higher core count and clock speed. As with any hardware-related improvements, it will all come down to cost.
AMD vs Intel CPUs
Looking at the high end of Intel CPUs, the Intel Core i9-14900K is the absolute best CPU you could ask for from Intel. Intel’s i7-14700K is more budget-friendly, but it can also achieve playable performance in the simulator. Intel trumps AMD in its core count, featuring 24 cores on its i9-14900K compared to the 16 cores on AMD’s flagship Ryzen 9 9950X3D. Those extra cores can make a big difference in your performance; however, that’s essentially where the benefits of an Intel CPU stop.
Intel’s i9-14900K Flagship CPU
Intel has had a bad rep in recent years for its CPUs, including the i9-14900K, which has had numerous issues since launch. Intel’s flagship CPU runs extremely hot under load, often hitting 100 degrees Celsius, requiring a high-end liquid cooler to keep those temperatures under control. It’s also more power-hungry than AMD’s flagship, pulling over 300 watts under heavy loads.
If you are looking for a less power-hungry CPU from Intel, the i7-14700K is much more manageable in terms of temperatures and wattage. Though the difference in performance in a CPU-heavy game, like MSFS 2024, is more noticeable. If you can wait for Intel’s Nova Lake CPUs, you can use their bLLC (big Last Level Cache), a similar technology to AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology, though it stacks the extra cache horizontally, not vertically.
AMD’s Ryzen 9 9950X3D Flagship CPU
AMD is considered superior in CPUs, especially because of its extra L3 V-Cache. However, its flagship R9 9950X3D is not considered the best in AMD’s lineup. You can save yourself about £200 if you go with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. Both CPUs perform almost identically, with only about a 3% difference in FPS. The R9 9950X3D does have double the number of cores and threads, featuring 16 cores and 32 threads over 8 cores and 16 threads on the R7 9800X3D. The extra cores will give you a much bigger performance difference, but only in certain scenarios where you’re running multiple programs at once on top of MSFS 2024.
The lower-end R7 9800X3D will run a lot cooler and pull roughly 80 to 110W compared to 130 to 170W on the R9 9950X3D. Those specifications will matter depending on how much power you have to spare and how good of a cooler you have for your CPU. Unlike Intel, both CPUs have that 3D V-Cache technology. The flagship R9 9950X3D has an extra 32MB of L3 Cache for a total of 128MB over the 96MB on the 9800X3D, along with a slightly higher clock speed.
Pricing and Overall Best CPU for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
Starting off with AMD, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D will cost you around £380, while the Ryzen 9 9950X3D comes in at roughly £550. Whether the extra £200 or so is worth the slight performance uplift is a decision you will have to make. There are plenty of side-by-side videos online to help you see the difference and if it will benefit you in any way.
Intel’s flagship i9-14900K slightly undercuts AMD at roughly £515. Though you can find this CPU for as low as £280 used, if you don’t want to buy brand new. Its value has depreciated far more over AMD since its release so it may be a better budget option if you do buy used. The i7-14700K will cost you almost £400 brand new, though again you will have to decide if the difference in performance is worth it for your budget.
If you are looking for the best CPU for MSFS 2024, your best option will be the Ryzen 9 9950X3D. The extra 32MB in L3 Cache will be useful for MSFS 2024 and make your experience far smoother. The 3D V-Cache technology makes this, and any of AMD’s other CPUS with 3D V-Cache, a much better pick. If you are looking at a tighter budget, however, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D will be your go-to CPU.
As a final note, choosing the best CPU on the market will not guarantee the best performance. You will need to pair that CPU with a capable GPU in order to reduce the bottleneck on your CPU. Bottlenecking your CPU will reduce the maximum performance it can give you. Another factor to consider is the temperatures; if your CPU is running hot, naturally it will perform far worse. Having a decent cooler capable of cooling your CPU can make a slight difference in the overall performance. Whenever upgrading any hardware, make sure the rest of your system can keep up.
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