Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition
PC requirements, performance and Steam Deck status
- Minimum
- GeForce GTX 770 · Core i5-4460
- Recommended
- GeForce GTX 970 · Core i5-8400
- 60 fps 1080p high
- GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (~70 fps, est.)
- Steam Deck
- Steam Deck Playable · ~45 fps ultra (est.)
- Genres
- Simulation
- Release
- Aug 25, 2026
- Developer
- Asobo Studio
- Publisher
- Xbox Game Studios
From gliders and helicopters to wide-body jets, fly highly detailed and accurate aircraft in the Microsoft Flight Simulator 40th Anniversary Edition. The world is at your fingertips.
SimulationFlightRealisticMultiplayerOpen WorldVRSingleplayerReal-TimePhysicsAtmospheric
View on Steam →Will Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition run on your PC?
What you need for Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition
Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition needs about a GeForce RTX 3050 6GB for 60 fps at 1080p high and a Radeon RX 9050 4GB at 1440p (pcgaming.io estimate, medium confidence, ±20%, model v0, data updated 2026-09-24).
| Target | Graphics card (at least) | Processor (at least) |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p · 60 fps · High | GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | Core i3-9100F |
| 1080p · 144 fps · Medium | Radeon RX 6600 | Ryzen 9 5950X |
| 1440p · 60 fps · High | Radeon RX 9050 4GB | Core i3-9100F |
| 1440p · 120 fps · High | GeForce RTX 5060 | Core i5-11400 |
| 4K · 60 fps · High | Radeon RX 6700 | Core i3-9100F |
Slowest current desktop parts (2020+ GPUs, 2019+ CPUs) our model expects to reach each target. Best GPUs for Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition →
Estimated FPS on popular graphics cards (high preset)
| Graphics card | 1080p | 1440p | 4K |
|---|---|---|---|
| GeForce GTX 1650 | 48 | 34 | 20 |
| GeForce GTX 1060 6GB | 67 | 47 | 28 |
| GeForce RTX 2060 6GB | 101 | 71 | 42 |
| Radeon RX 6600 | 110 | 77 | 46 |
| GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | 120 | 84 | 50 |
| GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU | 125 | 87 | 52 |
| Radeon RX 7600 | 139 | 97 | 58 |
| GeForce RTX 4060 | 142 | 99 | 59 |
| GeForce RTX 3070 | 166 | 116 | 70 |
| GeForce RTX 4070 | 209 | 146 | 88 |
| Radeon RX 7800 XT | 233 | 163 | 98 |
| GeForce RTX 5070 | 240 | 168 | 101 |
| Radeon RX 9070 XT | 300+ | 218 | 131 |
| GeForce RTX 4080 | 300+ | 227 | 136 |
| GeForce RTX 5090 | 300+ | 300+ | 217 |
Estimated FPS from our model (v0), based on the game's published requirements and relative GPU/CPU performance. Not measured. Real results vary with drivers, patches, and scenes. Values above 300 fps show as 300+. Data updated 2026-09-24.
Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition system requirements
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Intel i5-4460 | AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel i5-8400 | AMD Ryzen 5 1500X |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GTX 770 | AMD Radeon RX 570 | NVIDIA GTX 970 | AMD Radeon RX 590 |
| Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 150 GB | 150 GB |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
Source: Steam.
Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition on handheld PCs
Valve rating: Steam Deck Playable
Steam Deck · playable
- !Default controller configuration not fully functional
- !Controller glyphs do not match Steam Deck device
- !Text input does not automatically invokes keyboard
- !Interface text is not legible
- !Default configuration is not performant
- ✓Default controller configuration fully functional
- ✗First time setup requires active internet connection
Steam Machine · playable
- !Default controller configuration not fully functional
- !Controller glyphs do not match device
- !Text input does not automatically invokes keyboard
- !Device compatibility warnings shown
- ✓Default controller configuration fully functional
- ✗First time setup requires active internet connection
SteamOS · playable
- !Game startup functional
- ✗Default controller configuration not fully functional
- ✗Text input does not automatically invokes keyboard
- ✗First time setup requires active internet connection
| Handheld | Native resolution | Estimated FPS | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Deck OLED | 1280×800 | 45 ultra | Steam Deck Playable |
| ROG Ally X | 1920×1080 | 36 ultra | Steam Deck Playable · faster GPU |
| ROG Xbox Ally X | 1920×1080 | 42 ultra | Steam Deck Playable · faster GPU |
| Legion Go 2 | 1920×1200 | 37 ultra | Steam Deck Playable · faster GPU |
| MSI Claw 8 AI+ | 1920×1200 | 37 ultra | Steam Deck Playable · faster GPU |
Each handheld at its own screen resolution, on the best preset that holds 30 fps. Steam Deck verdicts are Valve's rating.
Details
- Controller support
- Full
- DLC
- 3
- Steam achievements
- 43
- Metacritic
- 91
- Engine
- Zouna
- Features
- Single-playerMulti-playerSteam AchievementsFull controller supportVR SupportedIn-App PurchasesHDR availableFamily Sharing
- Languages (13)
- English, French, Italian, German, Spanish - Spain, Polish, Portuguese - Brazil, Russian, Dutch, Finnish, Japanese, Norwegian, Swedish
Full audio: English, French, German, Portuguese - Brazil
Latest news & patches
- World Update 21: AustraliaPatch2026-05-05
- Spring Sale: 4300+ Items On Sale Now in the Marketplace2026-04-02
- City Update 13: California Now AvailablePatch2026-01-28
- Holiday Sale: 3800+ Items On Sale Now in the Marketplace2025-12-18
- Black Friday Sale: 3800+ Items On Sale Now in the Marketplace2025-11-21
- Top-Rated Aircraft Sale2025-10-14
Official announcements via Steam.
Games like Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition
FAQ
Can Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition run on a GTX 1650?
Yes, at lower settings. The GeForce GTX 1650 meets Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition's minimum spec but not the recommended one. We estimate ~48 fps at 1080p high (range 38–58, medium confidence, ±20%), GPU-limited. For 60 fps at 1080p, use the medium preset. The cheapest current card for 60 fps at 1080p high is the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (~70 fps). Every preset on the GTX 1650.
Can Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition run on Steam Deck?
Yes, with issues. Valve rates Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition Steam Deck Playable. At the Steam Deck OLED's native 1280×800 we estimate ~45 fps on the ultra preset (range 36–54, medium confidence, ±20%). Our spec-based model is conservative for games tuned for Steam Deck; Valve's test result comes first. 60 fps is reachable on the medium preset. Presets for 30/40/60 fps on Steam Deck OLED.
What graphics card do I need for Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition at 1440p?
For 60 fps at 1440p high, our model points to a Radeon RX 9050 4GB or faster: ~60 fps (range 48–73, medium confidence, ±20%). At 1080p high a GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is enough. 4K at 60 fps needs a Radeon RX 6700. All are the slowest current desktop cards per target. Best GPUs for Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition by brand.
Can I run Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition on a laptop?
Yes, with a fast enough GPU. Of the 30 laptop GPUs we list, the GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU is the slowest expected to reach 60 fps at 1080p high: ~62 fps (range 50–75, medium confidence, ±20%). Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition on the GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU.
How much RAM does Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition need?
The publisher's Steam listing asks for 8 GB of RAM minimum and 16 GB recommended for Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition.
How much storage does Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition take?
Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition needs 150 GB of free storage according to the publisher's recommended spec on Steam. The minimum operating system is Windows 10.