As a flight simulation enthusiast, I recently delved into the performance of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (MSFS 2024) on Xbox Series X, aiming to compare it directly with my mid-range PC setup. My initial experiences with MSFS 2024 on the Series X were less than ideal, marked by noticeable blurriness, stuttering, and occasional freezes, reminiscent of early server issues with MSFS 2020. However, after testing MSFS 2024 on my PC, it became clear that server-side problems weren’t the primary culprit. My PC, equipped with an Intel i5-10600K, NVIDIA GTX 1660, and 16GB RAM—a modest configuration by today’s standards—delivered a smoother and visually superior experience, even at medium settings and 30FPS. This prompted a deeper visual comparison between the two platforms.
To illustrate the differences, consider these screenshots taken at EGSS airport, under identical conditions and viewpoints. First, the Xbox Series X rendition:
The visual quality is noticeably lacking. Observe the pink texture glitch and the blurred, indistinct scenery in the distance. Initially, I suspected this was due to inefficient data streaming on the console.
Now, let’s examine the same scene rendered on PC, under the exact same conditions:
The improvement in visual fidelity is striking. This direct comparison leads to the conclusion that server issues are unlikely to be the primary cause. Given my UK location and consistent 1GB download speeds on both platforms, server-related streaming problems should theoretically affect both Xbox and PC versions equally. However, this is clearly not the case.
This evidence suggests that the Xbox Series X is struggling to deliver the intended visual experience of MSFS 2024, falling short of the PC version’s graphical capabilities. Several factors could contribute to this disparity:
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Hardware Limitations: Despite the Xbox Series X’s powerful specifications, its processing capabilities may still be insufficient to handle the demanding graphical workload of MSFS 2024 at higher settings, especially when compared to a dedicated gaming PC which offers more flexibility in terms of component upgrades and customization.
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Optimization Issues: The console version of MSFS 2024 might not be as finely tuned as the PC version. Inefficient resource utilization could lead to performance bottlenecks, preventing the game from fully leveraging the Xbox Series X’s hardware potential.
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Xbox-Specific Streaming Bottleneck: While general server issues seem unlikely, there might be a streaming-related problem specifically affecting Xbox consoles. This could involve how the console handles data streaming for large, detailed environments like those in MSFS 2024.
Further investigation revealed that the Xbox version of MSFS 2024 likely employs “dynamic settings.” This feature automatically adjusts the Level of Detail (LOD) in the simulation to maintain a stable frame rate. When performance dips, the game reduces LODs, leading to decreased draw distance and the blurry textures and missing objects observed in the Xbox screenshots. While dynamic settings are intended to ensure smooth gameplay, in this instance, they appear to compromise visual quality significantly on Xbox Series X compared to PC.
In conclusion, while Xbox consoles offer a more accessible entry point to gaming, this comparison highlights that for visually intensive and performance-demanding titles like MSFS 2024, PC gaming still maintains a considerable edge in graphical fidelity and overall visual experience.
