MSFS 2020 vs 2024 in VR: What Does Pimax Crystal Light Bring to the Cockpit?

With the release of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, flight sim enthusiasts are once again stepping into a more expansive, mission-driven virtual world — featuring career modes, dynamic missions, wildlife, and revamped weather systems. For flat-screen users, this marks a substantial upgrade. But for VR pilots, especially those seeking high-fidelity, low-latency immersion, the story is more nuanced.

At launch, MSFS2024 feels more like the foundation of a next-generation platform than a fully polished experience. While the recent Sim Update 2 (SU2) has addressed some critical issues, the VR implementation still suffers from bugs and performance instability. In contrast, MSFS2020 remains a mature, finely optimized simulator — delivering smooth, stable, and immersive VR experiences, especially when paired with next-generation headsets like the Pimax Crystal Light.

VR Experience: MSFS 2020 vs MSFS 2024

While Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 introduces a wealth of new systems and content — including over 120 aircraft (with more than 40 newly modeled types), a variety of dynamic mission types such as search & rescue, cargo transport, firefighting, skydiving, and aerial reconnaissance, as well as improvements like real-time traffic, animated crowds, animals, landmarks, and cloud-streamed resources — this added complexity comes at a significant performance cost, especially for VR users.

Graphical upgrades such as enhanced cockpit reflections, mirror effects, and richer environmental surfaces do increase the sense of immersion. However, VR performance in MSFS2024 is currently far less stable than in its predecessor. GPU and CPU usage are notably higher under identical settings — particularly when rendering the new weather system, dense scenery, or animated wildlife.

By comparison, MSFS2020 has had years of updates and optimization. For VR users, it still delivers smoother frame pacing, more predictable performance, and generally fewer visual bugs — making it a more reliable platform for high-end PCVR setups like the Pimax Crystal Light.

Even under high-end conditions (RTX 4090 + top-tier CPU + 32GB RAM), 2024 shows notable slowdowns during complex scenes or heavy weather rendering.

Key Technical Comparison: MSFS 2020 vs MSFS 2024 in VR (Test by VR Flight Sim Guy)

• TAA Mode: MSFS2020 > MSFS2024

  • MSFS 2020 has a consistent ~10 FPS lead when using TAA.

  • Especially evident in lower-density environments and with DX11 rendering.

Visual clarity is higher due to more aggressive TAA sharpening in 2020.

• DX12 vs DX12: More Balanced

  • Running both sims in DirectX 12 narrows the FPS gap to about 4 FPS.

  • Frame rate becomes more consistent across moderate-density regions.
    

MSFS 2024 seems to utilize DX12 better at the driver level, though less optimized in general.

• DLSS (Balanced): Performance Gains, Visual Loss

DLSS brings similar FPS across both sims, but:

• • Cockpit readability suffers noticeably.

  • Not suitable for serious IFR flying or complex glass cockpit aircraft like the A320 or 787.

  • Acceptable for low-level VFR sightseeing in rural or scenic zones.

• Ultra Settings + LOD 400 = Stutterfest

  • Both versions become nearly unplayable under Ultra + LOD 400 + native resolution.

  • This acts as a "stress test" that reveals potential CPU bottlenecks.

  • Frame drops and stuttering occur even when GPU isn’t fully utilized — indicates scheduling or draw call overhead.

• TAA + Ultra = Identical FPS, but Not Practical

  • In Ultra mode with native resolution and TAA enabled, both titles perform similarly.

  • However, stuttering and frame pacing issues make this mode unsuitable for most users.

If You Fly MSFS2020: Why Upgrade to Pimax Crystal Light?

For pilots sticking with the refined, plugin-rich MSFS2020, Pimax Crystal Light offers a transformative leap in image clarity, comfort, and immersion:

• MiniLED + QLED panels deliver incredible brightness, contrast, and black levels — crucial for identifying runway lights, terrain shading, and weather transitions. Enhanced color saturation and dynamic range help MSFS2020’s vibrant scenery look more lifelike — sunsets glow, clouds have depth, and terrain feels layered.

• 2880×2880 per eye native resolution ensures razor-sharp readability of analog and glass cockpit instruments. Even complex MCDUs and G1000s remain legible without leaning in.

• Ultra-wide field of view (FOV) offers better Situational Awareness, dramatically reduces tunnel vision, and restores peripheral awareness — especially useful during approaches, VFR turns, and formation flying.

• High Refresh Rate (up to 120Hz): Supports up to 120Hz refresh rate, enabling exceptionally fluid visuals even during fast head movement or when scanning rapidly across the horizon.

• Open Ecosystem: No need for headset-specific workarounds — Crystal Light runs natively with OpenXR and offers user-friendly customization for render scale, FFR zones, and more.

• DisplayPort Native Connection: lossless compressed visuals with the lowest latency possible — critical for fast maneuvering and accurate input timing.

A “Next-Gen” Upgrade Without Leaving MSFS2020

MSFS2020 may be aging, but its world remains vast, richly detailed, and deeply modifiable. The Pimax Crystal Light breathes new life into it — unlocking fidelity and responsiveness previously limited by headset hardware. Whether you're flying IFR in the A320, bush hopping in Alaska, or training VFR circuits in a Cessna, Crystal Light lets you see and feel more of the sim world — comfortably, clearly, and smoothly.

If You Fly MSFS2024: What Does Crystal Light Enable?

Designed for the next generation of simulation, the Pimax Crystal Light combines ultra-high pixel density and industry-leading display technology to effectively counteract the blurring effects of DLSS and cloud streaming, preserving crisp cockpit details and distant terrain clarity. Its expansive field of view enhances situational awareness and immersion—even during frame drops or complex visual scenes—making it uniquely equipped to fully leverage the advancements of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and deliver a future-proof VR experience built for tomorrow’s simulation challenges.

Support for Advanced Rendering Technologies

Foveated Rendering (Sim Update 2)

• Now supporting both fixed and eye-tracking modes, this technique renders only your focal point at full resolution, while reducing peripheral detail — significantly easing GPU load. For high-resolution headsets like Crystal Light, this translates into tangible performance gains, especially in complex scenes or during low-level VFR flight.

DLSS 4

• Integrated into MSFS2024, DLSS 4 introduces AI-powered upscaling that boosts frame rates while approximating native image quality. Though DLSS can still soften cockpit labels and HUDs in VR, Crystal Light’s native clarity and pixel density help preserve critical visual information.

Future-Ready and Future-Proof Flight Simulation Experience

Pimax Crystal Light is fully equipped to take advantage of upcoming VR-specific performance patches and improvements for MSFS2024. As these updates roll out, Crystal Light will be among the first headsets to unlock the simulator’s full visual potential.

More than just supporting MSFS2024, Crystal Light is built to thrive with it. Users will experience the new visual systems exactly as intended — sharp, smooth, and deeply immersive. For those aiming for the true next-generation VR flight simulation experience, there is no better headset to own today.