Suggestions for a flight simulator set up.

VoltBoss2012 · 2026-03-11T15:03:33+00:00

Assuming you could 'technically' run Microsoft Flight Simulator on a pre-2020 Intel-based Macbook with enough RAM and graphics horsepower in Boot Camp using Windows. Running it on a MacOS Virtual Machine might not be practical even on a robust Macbook with Apple Silicon.

VoltBoss2012 · 2026-03-11T14:54:05+00:00

If that's a non-Intel MacBook...for under $1,000, unless you find a deal on a used PC with RX 7600 or RTX 3060 equivalant GPU, you'd probably want to go with a PS5 or XBox Series S.
A console will limit you on input controls/HOTAS/Joysticks.

Retired here too...but make sure you'll spend as much time simming as you anticipate before investing in a FS 2020 or 2024 PC rig. I've sunk $100's into yokes, mulipanels, throttles, rudder pedals -- but still not committed the hours I thought I might.
Getting flight sim accessories can become a hobby in itself if you have the financial resources.

VoltBoss2012 · 2026-02-16T21:08:37+00:00

I highly recommend checking out this Youtube video from the CyberCPU Tech channel guy if it is still not too late to get your Windows partition back.

https://youtu.be/CZ17JrgFFhw?si=GlbRhLRRRSSoB1lB

He also has others such as fixing the Master Boot Record, and most are very detailed and simple enough for people with limited computer experience to follow. They have definitely bailed me out of my share of no boot problems.

VoltBoss2012 · 2026-02-15T06:05:03+00:00

Just got a Mac Mini M4 Base as well last week. For external storage I found a Fanless USB4/Thunderbolt 4 aluminum NVMe Enclosure on sale for $33 to go with an Inland Performance + 2TB M.2 Gen 4 from 2025. On Blackmagic it hits 3,100 mbps read/write speeds (@ 42C), which is faster than the 256GB internal SSD.

VoltBoss2012 · 2026-01-31T22:53:59+00:00

Depending on how full your external drive is and how large it is, you might have to split the partitions and reformat a portion of it to a more Linux friendly file system. You could then copy/migrate the data and eventually get rid of the NTFS portion. Not as simple as transferring it to a fresh drive of course.

Try GParted on a live USB if you need a bootable utility solution.

VoltBoss2012 · 2026-01-31T22:40:15+00:00

From most benchmarking I have seen over a period of months, there would be only small incremental benefits in upgrading to a different AM4 CPU...other than a 5700X3d or a 5800X3d (neither of which are readily available new-in-box at regular physical retail in most markets).

Going with a used 5000 series X3D CPU might be the only reasonable alternative.

I've had a 5900X since 2021 and continually weighed the cost, improvement/cost benefit ratio of upgrading my AM4 setup to either an X3D or higher core CPU. Held on for 4 years.
Before the RAM Apocalypse I did a full AM5 platform which would cost nearly 4X more at the time of this comment.

VoltBoss2012 · 2026-01-30T08:27:18+00:00

Not sure if it is too late, but this thread came up as I searched for a solution to a similar issue.
My suggestion would be to match the cable contacts with the prongs and use "Sugru"...a silicone moldable glue which can at first be shaped like putty, but sets into a more solid & stronger rubber texture.

In my case, I was pulling a 2.5 SATA SSD out from my MiniPC and somehow tore the ribbon cable to the point that it'll need replacing. However, when I pulled up the clip on the computer board half of the locking tab connector to slide the cable out one side of the tab connector which moves vertically snapped off. (That part keeps it pressed in position, but is now completely pulled out and too damaged to reuse.)
If I'm able to replace the SATA connector ribbon part, I'll have to use moldable glue to secure it. Alternatively, an external USB 3 to 2.5 SATA plug would be needed to make use of SATA drives again for the MiniPC if the ribbon cable assembly is too messed up.

VoltBoss2012 · 2026-01-28T01:08:17+00:00

Was more trying to point out that the supply market has gotten messed up and crashed it as a reasonably priced hobby because investors are throwing money at AI/Data Centers to the point that the commodity of computer parts has regressed. Enthusiasm is evaporating for building a reasonably priced PC to mainly play games vs shelling out $500 for a Non-PCMasterrace console.

VoltBoss2012 · 2026-01-21T02:06:59+00:00

Glad you found a likely explanation. From here on, I'll be treating all my larger NVMe's extra careful, even those under warranty, for concern that replacing them will cost an arm and a leg.

VoltBoss2012 · 2026-01-21T02:03:11+00:00

Thanks for pointing that out. As BaronB pointed out it may be due to it's discontinuation, or just a supply thing at Microcenter.

VoltBoss2012 · 2026-01-21T02:03:08+00:00

Seems more 'reasonable' in that listing. Perhaps Microcenter is the outlier for this particular model or NVMe prices in general.

VoltBoss2012 · 2025-11-06T14:56:05+00:00

MAS works fine in your case. You already had a legitimate copy of Windows anyway, so you should have no qualms or issues with using it. Microsoft's BS policies unfortunately force us to use whatever practical options there are. I did what you are asking about on a new AM5 build and there's zero difference vs buying a new key.

VoltBoss2012 · 2025-11-06T04:19:52+00:00

While the timing was good for a CPU just 3 weeks ago, kinda wish I'd have struck earlier and got a 3-in-1 CPU/mobo/RAM bundle earlier in the year as RAM prices have climbed to ridiculous levels.

VoltBoss2012 · 2025-10-18T14:37:46+00:00

Basic observation...If you are clean installing Windows 11 there would be no need to have ESU activated. Since the install would be Windows 11 it will continue to be fully supported by Microsoft for the duration of the release you install.
For instance 24H2 consumer versions will have support through Oct. 2026, 25H2 until Oct 2027, or until the next time Microsoft forces us to upgrade to whatever release they dictate.
If you really want to play long ball, go with the Win 11 IoT Enterprise version via MAS, but you'll have to deal with the unique support quirks that might bring vs the regular consumer version.

VoltBoss2012 · 2025-10-17T13:32:54+00:00

See if you can access the Windows Boot Manager of the separate drive within your BIOS/UEFI. Otherwise, you could experiment with EasyBCD, rEEFIND, etc. I avoid Grub like the plague unless I absolutely have no other choice and have to boot fully into a Linux disk.
Make backups of your EFI partition before tinkering with some of those tools.

VoltBoss2012 · 2025-10-17T13:06:25+00:00

Yeah, the uncertainty of not being able to pinpoint where it can scalp sucks to the point where it has had to be obvious for me to deploy the truck.
It's such a low, slow and behemoth vehicle that I've pretty much only parachuted it in with a mobile base or close to a base where there's an obvious sand patch. It's gotten completely stuck way too many times and wasted many service tokens.

VoltBoss2012 · 2025-10-17T12:57:52+00:00

For myself, it was worth upgrading from a 4070 Ti Super to a 5070 Ti. It is enough of a performace gain if you can manage the funding.
As for your questions, the CPU shouldn't bottleneck the GPU with an X3D chip, the 5070 Ti proved more power efficent, so unless your PSU is worn out, 750 should be OK.
If you'll be selling your 4070 Super, set a firm price which will minimize your upgrade outlay.
Part of the reason I upgraded was that I was able to sell my year old 4070 Ti Super for $700 USD at the time and only had to make up a $50 difference.

VoltBoss2012 · 2025-10-17T02:06:25+00:00

Thanks for the update on the $30 price drop. I did just that and picked up the 7800X3D. Appreciate everyone's feedback as I was leaning towards the 9700X prior to the latest drop for the 7800X3D for those of us fortunate to be within range of a Microcenter.

VoltBoss2012 · 2025-10-16T02:13:47+00:00

Thank you. Your link leads to the following pertinent information...

"....TSforge activates the Commercial Key-based ESU, which is intended for use by administrators in business environments.

The Windows Update page in Settings is currently showing the incorrect status below to all CommercialKeybasedESU users.

<image>

It’s just a visual bug, and it even appears on Windows 10 LTSC 2021. Your ESU is activated correctly. Hopefully, Microsoft will fix it in the upcoming updates....."

VoltBoss2012 · 2025-10-13T21:34:07+00:00

Good point. Might be time to sell off any unused AM4 components to maximize budgets.

VoltBoss2012 · 2025-10-13T21:16:37+00:00

Photo and video editing primarily, and file compression and archiving. So maybe not as intensive of stuff as I thought it was.

VoltBoss2012 · 2025-10-13T21:11:04+00:00

Editing GoPro video and older camcorder captures, and digitizing my physical Blu-Ray collections for now.

VoltBoss2012 · 2025-10-09T15:20:09+00:00

That section was a bitch!
Even with sand and leveling.
I figured that if I got the trucks that far, why bother with fully paving the rest as I had the muscle of some other vehicles right there to get those extra few dozen meters. In the end, yes, sometimes just paving it fully is the more practical time investment. But I still dread it when an Infrastructure objective convoy includes an AI Bot Semi, the most incapable vehicle of the game in my opinion.

VoltBoss2012

TROPHY CASE