Microsoft Flight Simulator

The benchmark data for Microsoft Flight Simulator on the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G and Intel Arc B580 combination shows a system that handles the game well at mainstream resolutions, but it is clearly constrained at 4K. The measured results, drawn from direct testing, reveal a clear performance hierarchy across the three resolutions and four presets tested. This analysis breaks down the frame rates, the balance between CPU and GPU load, and the practical settings you can use for a smooth experience.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The data provides average FPS figures for each resolution and preset combination. Minimum and maximum frame rates were not recorded, so this analysis focuses on the averages, which still clearly show the performance envelope.

At 1920x1080, the system delivers its strongest results. On the Low preset, the average frame rate is 96 FPS, providing a very fluid experience. Moving to Medium, the average drops to 77.6 FPS, which remains well above the playable threshold. The High preset yields an average of 57.6 FPS, which is just below the 60 FPS target. Finally, the Ultra preset produces an average of 55.4 FPS, also slightly under the target.

At 2560x1440, performance scales down as expected. The Low preset still manages a solid 78.3 FPS. The Medium preset is the most demanding setting that stays at or above the target, with an average of 62.7 FPS. The High preset falls to 43.3 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 40.7 FPS. Both of the latter are noticeably below the playable threshold.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain playable frame rates at any preset. The Low preset is the closest, averaging 55.6 FPS, but it still falls short of the 60 FPS target. The Medium preset averages 41.6 FPS, the High preset averages 34.4 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 33.5 FPS. No preset at this resolution clears the 60 FPS bar.

The data shows a consistent pattern: the gap between Low and Medium is significant, while the jump from Medium to High, and High to Ultra, produces smaller incremental losses. For example, at 1080p, the difference between Low and Medium is 18.4 FPS, while the drop from Medium to High is 20 FPS, and from High to Ultra is only 2.2 FPS. This suggests the settings have diminishing returns at the top end.

CPU and GPU Roles

Understanding which component is the bottleneck requires looking at how frame rates change with resolution. In this pairing, the Intel Arc B580 is the primary driver of performance, with the CPU providing the foundation.

The evidence for a GPU-bound scenario is strong. As resolution increases from 1920x1080 to 2560x1440 and then 3840x2160, the average FPS at every preset drops significantly. For instance, on the Medium preset, the frame rate falls from 77.6 FPS at 1080p to 62.7 FPS at 1440p, and then to 41.6 FPS at 4K. This steep decline with increasing pixel count is the classic signature of a graphics card reaching its limits.

The CPU's role becomes more apparent when looking at the scaling between presets at a single resolution. At 1080p, the difference between Low and Ultra is 40.6 FPS. This large spread suggests that at lower resolutions, the CPU can feed the GPU quickly enough to allow the graphics settings to have a large impact. However, the fact that even the Low preset at 4K only reaches 55.6 FPS indicates the GPU is the limiting factor there, as the pixel workload is simply too high for the Arc B580 to push past that point.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G, with its 6 cores and 12 threads, is a capable mid-range processor. Its benchmark scores, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 10551 and a single-core score of 1409, show it has enough processing power to keep up with the GPU in most scenarios. The data suggests that at 1080p and 1440p, the combination is well-balanced, with the GPU doing most of the heavy lifting. At 4K, the GPU is clearly the definitive bottleneck, as no preset can achieve a playable average frame rate.

Best Settings per Resolution

Based strictly on the measured average FPS and the 60 FPS playable threshold, the best settings are as follows.

At 1920x1080, the Medium preset is the optimal choice. It delivers an average of 77.6 FPS, which is comfortably above the target and leaves headroom for complex scenes. The Low preset is faster, but Medium offers a better visual experience while still maintaining high frame rates. The High preset, at 57.6 FPS, is just below the threshold and not recommended for a consistently smooth experience.

At 2560x1440, the Medium preset is again the best option. It produces an average of 62.7 FPS, which just clears the 60 FPS target. This is the most demanding setting that remains playable. The Low preset, at 78.3 FPS, is a viable alternative for users who prefer extra performance headroom, but Medium is the sweet spot for visual quality without sacrificing playability.

At 3840x2160, there is no playable setting. The closest is the Low preset with an average of 55.6 FPS, but this still falls below the 60 FPS threshold. The data indicates that this combination is not suitable for 4K gaming in this title, as all presets result in sub-60 FPS averages.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The benchmark database provides nearest rivals for both the CPU and GPU, which helps contextualize the performance of this specific combo.

For the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G, the closest matching processors are all within a very tight performance band. The Intel Core i3-1220P has an average benchmark score of 21066, which is 0.1% lower than the Ryzen's score of 21088. The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V scores 21112, a -0.1% difference. The AMD Ryzen 5 7530U scores 21133, a -0.2% difference, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 155U scores 21174, a -0.4% difference. These deltas are negligible, meaning any of these CPUs would deliver nearly identical CPU-bound performance in Microsoft Flight Simulator. The Ryzen 5 5600G sits at the 74th percentile of all CPUs, indicating it is a solidly mid-to-high-range processor.

For the Intel Arc B580, the nearest rivals are similarly close in aggregate score. The AMD Radeon RX 580 2048SP has an average score of 23061, which is -0.2% different from the Arc's 23021. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 scores 22895, a 0.6% difference. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 scores 23172, a -0.7% difference, and the NVIDIA P106-100 scores 23249, a -1% difference. These scores suggest that the Arc B580 performs in the same broad tier as these cards, although the RTX 3080 is typically a higher-tier part in real-world gaming. The Arc B580 is at the 68th percentile of all GPUs.

In practical terms, a system with any of these rival CPUs and the Arc B580 would show a very similar FPS profile in this game. The frame rates would be dictated primarily by the GPU, and given the tiny CPU score differences, the component balance would remain the same.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Microsoft Flight Simulator at 1080p?

A: Yes. The data shows playable average frame rates at the Low (96 FPS) and Medium (77.6 FPS) presets. The High preset at 57.6 FPS and Ultra at 55.4 FPS fall just below the 60 FPS target.

Q: What is the best preset for 1440p?

A: The Medium preset is the best playable option, with an average of 62.7 FPS. The Low preset is faster at 78.3 FPS, but Medium offers a better visual balance while still meeting the playable threshold.

Q: Is this system capable of 4K gaming in this title?

A: No. None of the tested presets at 3840x2160 reach the 60 FPS threshold. The best average is on the Low preset at 55.6 FPS, which is still below the playable target.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B580 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: Its average benchmark score of 23021 is within 1% of the scores for the AMD Radeon RX 580 2048SP, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080, and NVIDIA P106-100. The performance deltas range from 0.6% to -1%.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G a bottleneck for the Intel Arc B580?

A: The data suggests the GPU is the primary limiting factor, especially at higher resolutions. The CPU's benchmark scores are competitive with its nearest rivals, and the FPS scaling between resolutions indicates a GPU-bound workload.

Q: What is the overall ranking of this combo for this game?

A: This combination ranks 2817 out of 3714 tested combos for Microsoft Flight Simulator. This places it in the lower half of tested systems.

How This Combo Ranks

The benchmark database ranks this specific CPU-GPU combination for Microsoft Flight Simulator at 2817 out of 3714 tested combos. This ranking places it in the lower half of all tested systems for this particular game. It is a data point that reflects the overall performance, which is strongly influenced by the GPU's limitations at higher resolutions.

This ranking is consistent with the measured FPS data. The system is capable of a good experience at 1080p and a decent one at 1440p, but it is not a high-end performer. The rank of 2817 suggests that many other combinations tested can achieve higher frame rates or handle higher settings, likely due to having more powerful GPUs.

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G and Intel Arc B580 combination can run Microsoft Flight Simulator, but the playable experience is limited by resolution.

At 1920x1080, the system is fully capable. The Medium preset provides an average of 77.6 FPS, which is a smooth and playable experience. The Low preset is even faster. This is the resolution where this combo performs best.

At 2560x1440, the system remains viable. The Medium preset achieves an average of 62.7 FPS, just clearing the 60 FPS playable threshold. This is the most demanding setting that works, and users can expect a playable, albeit not headroom-heavy, experience.

At 3840x2160, the system does not meet the playable standard. No preset reaches the 60 FPS average threshold, with the best result being 55.6 FPS on Low. The verdict is clear: this PC is not suitable for 4K gaming in Microsoft Flight Simulator.

In summary, this is a solid 1080p and entry-level 1440p machine for this specific simulator. It offers a good balance between CPU and GPU at those resolutions, but it is firmly outclassed at 4K. Users targeting 4K would need to look at a more powerful graphics card.