What Can I Upgrade? (Predator G3-710)

Sasa_Landgren

Hello!

I've recently got a generous gift from my older brother, a Predator G3-710. It's their old one since they've bought a new one.
I'm an aviation enthusiast and I want to be able to play the new "Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020" with decent graphics and something around 50 fps.
Here's a link to the specs requirements: 
https://cnet3.cbsistatic.com/img/mc3ZBRYiSWP25Osnj3DrBfE_2TE=/940x0/2020/04/22/2f03de55-f317-41dc-90a8-76ad905f59bc/microsoft-flight-sim-2020-hardware-specs.jpg.

I'm wondering what I could upgrade to my pc and how to do so. I've got my brothers to help so I'll probably be able to get some help from them installing components.
Heres my specs:

Geforce GTX 980

8GB Installed Ram

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-6400 CPU @ 2.70GHz, 2701 Mhz.

Windows 10 Home.

I've got a budget of about <$450, Note that I live in Sweden and that prices and taxes are quite high.

Thanks

billsey

Your first step is likely to be an upgrade from the HDD to a SSD. You have a M.2 slot on the motherboard that supports a SATA 3.0 SSD (not NVMe). If you aren't yet booting and running Windows from a SSD you'll be surprised at how big of an improvement that is. The next best upgrade for your use is likely the memory. You'll notice from that spec sheet they suggest 16GB of memory with the GTX 970 so you are already there for the GPU but still short with the memory. Between those two upgrades you'll be well within the mid range for the game and also well under your budget unless things are even more expensive than you expect. The next upgrade is going to be more spendy since you'll want to bump the graphics up a generation or two, and those cards aren't cheap.

billsey

Your first step is likely to be an upgrade from the HDD to a SSD. You have a M.2 slot on the motherboard that supports a SATA 3.0 SSD (not NVMe). If you aren't yet booting and running Windows from a SSD you'll be surprised at how big of an improvement that is. The next best upgrade for your use is likely the memory. You'll notice from that spec sheet they suggest 16GB of memory with the GTX 970 so you are already there for the GPU but still short with the memory. Between those two upgrades you'll be well within the mid range for the game and also well under your budget unless things are even more expensive than you expect. The next upgrade is going to be more spendy since you'll want to bump the graphics up a generation or two, and those cards aren't cheap.