I’ve never been much of a gamer, but the new Microsoft Flight Simulator really looks fun to me. I’ve been waiting for the Xbox version because I don’t have a PC, but now I’m wondering if that’s really the best way to go. You guys know everything, so which one should I get? I suppose that would be based on things like price, performance, availability of add-ons and peripherals and … I don’t even know what else.
( For the purposes of discussion, you can assume it’s very unlikely I’d use a PC for any other computing tasks, but it is possible I’d try out other games in the future.)
I would use the Xbox version initially and see if there was something you were missing. I’ve been told, but haven’t confirmed, that the Xbox version is an older build than the lates PC version. I’d probably spend money on stick/yoke/throttle before I splashed on a whole system.
OK, good advice. What’s a whole system though? If I buy an Xbox and the peripherals you mentioned, that’s not a full system yet?
I’ve used multiple iterations of MS Flight Sims and many, many others. The PC versions have always been better IMO. Playing on a game controller was never as satisfying to me as a HOTAS or yoke and pedals type. You can do that with either setup, though and if all you’re doing is games a desktop PC is probably overkill for one game.
It looks like it comes out for xBox in just a couple of weeks (July 27), so at this point I’d wait for the inevitable comparison reviews to come out.
If you already have the xbox, I would 100% recommend you starting there. The absolute worst case scenario is that you hate it and are out 60 bucks. You can also purchase peripherals which are compatible with both the xBox and Windows, so if you end up moving to a PC you don’t have to buy new equipment.
Sorry, I was under the impression you already had an Xbox.
Ah, gotcha! I do not already have an Xbox. I probably should have made that clearer. As I say, I’m not really a gamer. The last dedicated game console I owned was Pong (c. 1980) and, actually, my dad owned that.
So, is it better to get an Xbox or a PC? The Xbox isn’t exactly cheap, but I have the impression that gaming PCs are even more expensive. On the other hand, PCs might be more configurable or have more access to add-ons.
Do you have a computer at all?
The benefit of a PC is that you can do everything an Xbox can do plus standard computer stuff and it may run games better than a console (or it may not).
The benefit of an Xbox is that it is a known entity for developers so a game will be designed with the Xbox in mind while it might not be designed with your specific PC’s build in mind. Also you may prefer the lounge room/ TV setup.
If it was me and I didn’t have a computer, I’d get a gaming PC, if I already had a computer (a Mac for example), I would get the Xbox, but I like lounge room / big TV gaming.
Moved to the Game Room (from IMHO).
I’ve played Microsoft Flight Simulator a decent amount. It is a very demanding title. The Xbox Series X is the most capable console to date, but I’d be surprised if it can push a silky smooth 60 frames per second.
The downside is getting a PC capable of this is going to cost several times more than an Xbox would. The value offered by the Xbox Series X is fantastic relative to the cost of a PC, especially with the current COVID shortages going on.
PC will almost certainly be better but it will cost more (probably).
Your PC is also much more versatile but if you only want to use it to play one game the XBox will be a much, much better value.
PC advantages are you can use mods for the game (which is really one of the best parts of using a PC for gaming). You can also use it as a PC and run a zillion other programs. Also, you can upgrade it in the future for relatively low cost.
PC disadvantages are it will almost certainly cost more. Maybe a lot more. Depends what you want to build.
Yes and no. Can you buy an Xbox Series X for MSRP? I’m seeing them for $800 - $900 on Newegg, $720 or so on Amazon. The MSRP is $499, which is what Best Buy sells it at but of course they’re out of stock. It looks like a 50% scalper markup at the moment.
According to this article:
The Xbox experience sounds like 30 FPS at 1440p on an Series X or 1080p on a series S. The article speculates if the series x could handle 4k, but I doubt it could. Still, 30 FPS at 1440p for a flight simulator would probably be pretty damn sweet. You need higher framerates for fast reflex games like shooters, not serene flight simulators.
A gaming pc can be built far more powerful than any console, but the problem is video cards all by themselves cost four digits. If money is no object, I’d say build your own monster gaming rig for somewhere in the $3000 to $4000 range. (The video card alone might be $2000.)
You could consider a prebuild for around $2000 that would be more powerful than an xbox, but falls short of bleeding edge. Here’s a system that I think could probably handle 50-ish FPS at 1440p for $1800:
https://www.newegg.com/cyberpowerpc-gx60090-gamer-xtreme/p/N82E16883230634?quicklink=true
I don’t actually recommend this particular machine; the hard drive is too small and you kind of want double the RAM. The fact that it doesn’t even list the speed of the ram isn’t encouraging, either. But it gives an idea of a price range for a prebuild with an RTX 3070.
So it’s looking like a choice between:
$400 for 30fps 1080p xbox s
$720 for a 30fps 1440p xbox x
$2000 for a 50fps 1440p gaming pc
$3500+ for a 60fps 4k bleeding edge gaming pc
Yeah, @Palooka, I think you’re right. The xbox looks like the clear best value even with the scalper markup. If money is no object then a custom bleeding edge gaming pc could be a fun project, but otherwise the Xbox Series X (or possibly S) seems like the way to go.
and also there’s the hugely successful Xbox game pass that’s pretty much Netflix for gaming i mean the ultimate version for around 15-25 bucks you get live and the pass …
Yes. I got one for MSRP. Actually came with two years of GamePass for slightly less than recommended retail for the combo. Granted, I stayed up to date with when the retailer had stock and ordered it online the minute they advised stock was in.
This is advertised as “real time 4K”.
I don’t have a 4K screen to judge it on but goddamn that looks gorgeous.
Personally I think 1440 is where you want to be rather than 4k but that’s just my opinion.
But yeah…MS Flight Simulator is a high water mark. Truly outstanding.
Just remember it is a simulator and not a game.
I would suggest a PC. Both because MS Fight Sim is very system intensive and a PC will give you the best results if this is the thing you’re buying tech to play on and because a PC is most likely to have other titles you’re most interested in (and mods, etc) if MS Flight Sim is the sort of thing you’d buy a PC/console for.
I also missed that you don’t have an Xbox already.
It really boils down to what you’re willing to spend and how comfortable you are with PCs. Do you mind dropping the money on a PC (and monitor) to run the game? Are you willing to learn to use third-party software to mod your game for extra planes and stuff? If so, then go with a computer.
Money aside, the main advantage of a console is that the game will always work, no matter what. It won’t look as good as the PC, but so long as the box itself is working you’ll never have to tweak a setting or troubleshoot a component.
If you’re ‘highly unlikely’ to ever use your beefy new computer to do other computing and only a little likely to want to try other games, I’d go with the Xbox.
If you do buy a PC, see if there’s a reputable shop in your area that will source parts and build it for you. The build qualities of prebuilt machines can be wildly variable. The service will cost you more, but if you’re buying a PC to play just one game I assume money isn’t a concern. 
A couple logistical questions:
Do you already have a place and furniture set up that a new PC could just drop right in and you’re good to go, or would you need to figure out a place to put it and buy a desk and chair that fits?
Do you already have a tv set up that an xbox could just plug right in and you’re up and running? Also, any interest in flight controls, as opposed to just a regular xbox controller? They may not work great on a couch setup for watching tv.
Wow, a lot of great information here! Answering the various questions: yes, I’m a software dev, so I do have a computer already. Half a dozen, if you count Raspberry Pi as a computer, and also one MacBook Pro. I just don’t have any use for a Windows box except for this game, and possibly others. I’m not afraid of doing my own buildout. Manual customizations of software tools also wouldn’t be a big problem for me, just sort of a busman’s holiday, but that’s OK. I do want the various flight controls, but I’m not too particular and it seems there are at least some that do work with Xbox. I thought I’d hook it up to my TV, but I do have a wide-screen Dell U3419W. It is great for development, but I’m not sure how well it works for games, but this is a sim, not a game, so maybe it’s OK?
It’s good to know about the Xbox MSRP. I’ve been seeing them for $900 also, and just thought that was the normal price. $500 sounds way better to me than $2000 for a OK-but-not-ideal gaming PC. Maybe I’ll just try to get on a waiting list. I’ve waited for a year already, so I can wait a while longer. It’s tough to think that means sacrificing some of the visual grandeur of the simulation though. Still, that’s a lot of coin, and it might be put to better use as a charitable contribution to national parks or something that would preserve the source material.
