can I upgrade to a graphics card if I have an i3-4170 with intel HD graphics 4400

[DanR5]

I have a HP 550-153w with 6G RAM, intel i3-4170, intel HD graphics 4400.  I am looking to upgrade to 16G RAM (no prob, I can handle that) and upgrade the processor and graphics.  The recommended for the new Flight Simulator is:  min 8G RAM,  intel i5-4460 I AMD Ryzen 3 1200, Nvidia GTX 770 I AMD Radeon RX 570.  The recommended is  16G RAM, intel i5 8400 I AMD Ryzen 5 1500X, and Nvidia GTX 970 I AMD Radeon RX 590.

The spec sheet says I can upgrade to 

Intel Core i5-4460 (Haswell) 3.4 GHz Quad Core

84 W

Intel HD Graphics 4600 (GT2)

Intel Core i5-4460S (Haswell) 3.1 GHz Quad Core

84 W

Intel HD Graphics 4600 (GT2)

Intel Core i5-4460T (Haswell) 1.9 GHz Quad Core

35 W

Intel HD Graphics 4600 (GT2)

Intel Core i5-4590 (Haswell) 3.3 GHz Quad Core

84 W

Intel HD Graphics 4600 (GT2)

Intel Core i5-4690 (Haswell) 3.5 GHz Quad Core

84 W

Intel HD Graphics 4600 (GT2)

Intel Core i5-4690K (Haswell) 3.5 GHz Quad Core

88 W

GT2

Intel Core i7-4790 (Haswell) 3.6 GHz Quad Core

84 W

Intel HD Graphics 4600 (GT2)

Intel Core i7-4790S (Haswell) 3.2 GHz Quad Core

65 W

Intel HD Graphics 4600 (GT2)

Intel Core i7-4790T (Haswell) 2.7 GHz Quad Core

45 W

Intel HD Graphics 4600 (GT2)

 So, if I upgrade the processor with its built in graphics, do I need to add a graphics card?

[wb2001]

@DanR5 

Actually the answer is a resounding "NO".  There is no way to reach the recommended level. The I7-4790T is 20% less performance that the i5-8400, which you can not even use.

Too many have asked that question, so I have a stock answer for you: There are 3 levels of play. You mentioned minimum levels. I will not discuss that level, it is just too meager and ultimately frustrating.

MSFS2020

If you have the recommended CPU:

Intel i5-8400, and 16GB motherboard RAM,  GTX 1060 4 GB Video RAM

If you want the better play,  CPU:

Intel i7-9800X and 32GB motherboard RAM,  8GB Video RAM  RTX 2080 level card.

Now the RTX 3000 series is coming available, either the RTX 3080 or the RTX 3070

PSU of 750W-850W.    That means do not purchase any of the TP01, TE01, TG01, or M01 series.  All those have an HP proprietary designed PSU, and will not satisfy your needs.  Ask before you leap.

Best style MSFS joysticks are running $240-280

So to play a $120 program you will spend: computer(see below)  $2700+ joystick + MSFS2020 = $3100 USD.

If you wait for an HP 875-1040ST (customized) with a 1TB NVMe SSD, 1-2 TB data drive, RTX 3070 or 3080, and wired mouse/keyboard.  The problem will be the PSU,  IMHO the RTX 3080 in this configuration needs an 850W PSU.   The specification page only shows an RTX 2080 and Shadow 750W.

[DanR5]

too much info.....I already have the joystick, and other things you mention are going overboard, but thanks

[wb2001]

@DanR5,

I surmise the true hurts.

Another OP with an HP550 bit the dust, and it was shutting down.

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Gaming-Desktops/I-cant-run-Flt-Sim-2020-on-my-computer/td-p/7788143

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/Will-The-Bios-of-my-Omen-870-22...

[DanR5]

HP spec sheet says I can upgrade to a 

intel Core i5-4690 (Haswell) 3.5 GHz Quad Core

84 W

Intel HD Graphics 4600 (GT2).  Will that do it?  or do I need to add a graphics card?

[DanR5]

I did not mention any levels.  dont know where you got that.

[wb2001]

@DanR5 

The i7-4790K is the most powerful CPU, it is 22% above the i5-4690.  But the I7-4790K is still 20% below the minimum recommended CPU chip.  Piling on a new GPU (if the card length would fit) and a new PSU still will not overcome the CPU chip.