Best gaming PCs for simulators in 2026 Builds for Flight Simulator, Euro Truck and Cities: Skylines II: the CPU is key
Simulators are the most CPU-demanding profile. Microsoft Flight Simulator and Cities: Skylines II depend on the processor more than any other genre — you need high single-core clock speeds, not just cores. A powerful GPU alone isn't enough: without the right CPU you'll get stutters even with a high-end graphics card.
Updated: September 2026
PCs for simulation: high single-core performance CPU + balanced GPU
In simulators, the CPU rules. These builds prioritise single-core clock speed to eliminate stutters in Flight Simulator, Cities: Skylines II and Assetto Corsa.
GPU
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D combines high clock speeds with 96 MB of L3 cache (3D V-Cache) — exactly what MSFS and Cities: Skylines II need. The RTX 5070 is well balanced so it isn't the bottleneck at 1440p in simulation titles.
See the analysis of this build →GPU
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
For MSFS at ultra resolution and Cities: Skylines II cities with hundreds of thousands of buildings, the RTX 5070 Ti removes any graphics limit. Same go-to CPU — in simulators the CPU always sets the limit first.
See the analysis of this build →Which simulators can you enjoy with these PCs?
Each simulator has a different demand profile. Click to see the exact recommended build for each title.
Microsoft Flight Simulator
Simulation
Euro Truck Simulator 2
Simulation
Cities: Skylines II
Simulation
Satisfactory
Simulation
Factorio
Simulation
Forza Motorsport
Racing
Forza Horizon 5
Racing
War Thunder
Simulation
World of Tanks
Simulation
Total War: Warhammer III
Strategy
Age of Empires IV
Strategy
Stellaris
Strategy
Frequently asked questions
Why are simulators so demanding on the processor?
Simulators calculate complex physics, advanced AI, procedural terrain generation and real-time systems simulation — all on the processor. In Flight Simulator, every frame requires weather, air traffic and terrain calculations that the GPU can't handle. Single-core clock speed determines how many calculations per second the processor can perform in these titles.
How much RAM do I need for Flight Simulator 2026 with mods?
32 GB of DDR5 is the recommended minimum for MSFS with add-ons and scenery mods. With lots of add-ons installed, the simulator can use 20-25 GB of RAM. If you're going to install terrain libraries, detailed aircraft and extra scenery, 64 GB isn't overkill for a smooth experience.
Is AMD or Intel better for flight simulators in 2026?
AMD leads in simulators in 2026. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D combines high clock speeds with a huge 3D cache that reduces latency when accessing simulator data. Intel Core Ultra chips are also a valid option, especially the models with high boost clocks. In simulators, single-core clock speed matters more than core count.