Microsoft Flight Simulator

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X paired with the Intel Arc B580 presents a mid-range combination that must contend with one of the most demanding simulation titles on the market. In Microsoft Flight Simulator, the measured data shows a system that is capable of smooth gameplay at 1080p and 1440p with adjusted settings, but one that falls short of the 60 FPS threshold at 4K across all tested presets. This analysis walks through the exact frame rates, the optimal settings per resolution, and how this combo compares to other tested hardware configurations.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The benchmark data provides a clear picture of performance across three resolutions and four graphics presets. At 1920x1080, the system delivers its strongest results. With Low settings, the average frame rate reaches 96.7 FPS, which is the highest figure recorded for this combination. Medium settings produce an average of 74.7 FPS, while High settings drop to 53.6 FPS. The Ultra preset yields an average of 52.4 FPS, which is only slightly lower than the High preset, indicating a performance plateau at the upper end of the graphics scale.

At 2560x1440, the frame rates show a predictable decline. Low settings average 79.1 FPS, which remains comfortably above the 60 FPS playable threshold. Medium settings average 60.2 FPS, placing it right at the threshold. High settings fall to an average of 48 FPS, and Ultra settings produce an average of 40.8 FPS. The gap between Low and Medium is approximately 19 FPS, while the drop from Medium to High is about 12 FPS, suggesting that the High preset introduces a significant rendering load.

The 3840x2160 results are the most demanding. Low settings average 59 FPS, which is just barely under the 60 FPS threshold. Medium settings average 41.9 FPS, High settings average 35.3 FPS, and Ultra settings average 33.1 FPS. The decline from Low to Medium is substantial, at roughly 17 FPS, and the difference between High and Ultra is relatively small, around 2.2 FPS. Notably, the data does not include separate minimum or maximum frame rate values; the average FPS figures are the sole metrics provided across all resolutions and settings.

Best Settings per Resolution

The verdict data identifies the most demanding preset that maintains an average of at least 60 FPS at each resolution. At 1920x1080, the best settings that clear this threshold are Medium, with an average of 74.7 FPS. This provides a comfortable margin above the 60 FPS target. The High preset at this resolution averages 53.6 FPS, which falls short of the playable threshold, meaning Medium is the optimal choice for a smooth experience without sacrificing too much visual quality.

At 2560x1440, the best settings are also Medium, with an average of 60.2 FPS. This is a narrow margin, just 0.2 FPS above the threshold, indicating that the system is operating right at the edge of playability. The Low preset at this resolution averages 79.1 FPS, which is smoother, but Medium offers a better visual balance for those who prefer higher fidelity. The High preset at 48 FPS and Ultra at 40.8 FPS are both below the threshold.

At 3840x2160, the verdict data lists no playable settings. All four presets — Low at 59 FPS, Medium at 41.9 FPS, High at 35.3 FPS, and Ultra at 33.1 FPS — fall below the 60 FPS threshold. The closest result is Low at 59 FPS, but that still does not clear the bar. Therefore, no preset at 4K is recommended for smooth gameplay according to the benchmark criteria.

How This Combo Ranks

In the broader context of all tested CPU and GPU combinations for Microsoft Flight Simulator, this configuration ranks at position 2825 out of 3714 total combos. This places it in the lower half of the tested hardware pool, which is a reflection of the demanding nature of the simulation title. The rank is determined by a combination of the CPU and GPU pair, and it indicates that while this system is not at the bottom of the heap, it is far from the top performers.

The data shows that this combo struggles with the highest settings at 1440p and 4K, as evidenced by frame rates in the 30s and 40s range. The percentile ranking for the CPU, which is 79, suggests that the processor itself is above average relative to all CPUs tested, while the GPU percentile is 68, indicating it sits slightly below the CPU in relative performance. The combined rank of 2825 out of 3714 reflects the game's heavy demand on GPU processing power, where the Arc B580 is the limiting factor at higher resolutions.

Similar Performance Alternatives

For those looking at this specific CPU and GPU pairing, the nearest rivals offer insights into what other hardware would behave similarly. On the CPU side, the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X has an average benchmark score of 27578, which is exactly matched by the Intel Core i5-12600K with a deltaPct of 0. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800 is nearly identical with a score of 27535 and a deltaPct of 0.2, meaning it is slightly less performant. The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X scores 27636, which is 0.2 percent higher, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H scores 27507, which is 0.3 percent higher. These small deltas indicate that swapping the CPU to any of these alternatives will result in virtually indistinguishable frame rates in this game.

On the GPU side, the Intel Arc B580 has an average benchmark score of 23021. The AMD Radeon RX 580 2048SP scores 23061, which is 0.2 percent higher, making it a direct match. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 scores 22895, which is 0.6 percent lower, and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 scores 23172, which is 0.7 percent higher. The NVIDIA P106-100 scores 23249, which is 1 percent higher. These rival GPUs show that the Arc B580 sits in a performance band where the differences are within a single percent, so users could expect similar frame rates from any of these cards in Microsoft Flight Simulator.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark data allows for an analysis of which component plays a larger role at each resolution. The CPU, the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X, has a strong benchmark profile with a single-thread score of 1499 in Cinebench R23 and a multi-core score of 13184. The GPU, the Intel Arc B580, has a Passmark G3D score of 15748. In Microsoft Flight Simulator, the game is known for its CPU-heavy simulation workload, but the data here shows the GPU becomes the limiting factor as resolution increases.

Looking at the scaling from 1080p to 1440p, the average frame rate at Medium settings drops from 74.7 FPS to 60.2 FPS, a reduction of approximately 19 percent. This is a substantial decline that points to the GPU being stressed by the higher pixel count. From 1440p to 2160p, the Medium settings frame rate drops from 60.2 FPS to 41.9 FPS, a reduction of about 30 percent. The pattern is consistent across presets: the GPU is the primary bottleneck at 4K, as the CPU does not see a corresponding increase in workload with resolution.

At 1080p, the CPU has more headroom to drive the simulation logic, but the GPU still struggles with High and Ultra settings. The difference between Low and Ultra at 1080p is 44.3 FPS, which highlights the heavy GPU impact of the higher presets. In contrast, the difference between Low and Ultra at 4K is 25.9 FPS, which is a smaller absolute gap but still shows GPU dominance. Overall, the CPU matters most for the minimum frame rates and physics calculations, while the GPU dictates the frame rate ceiling at higher resolutions.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS this combo achieves in Microsoft Flight Simulator?

A: The highest average frame rate is 96.7 FPS, which occurs at 1920x1080 with Low settings.

Q: Can this system run the game at 2560x1440 with Ultra settings?

A: No, the Ultra settings at 2560x1440 produce an average of 40.8 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B580 compare to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080?

A: The Arc B580 has an average benchmark score of 23021, while the RTX 2080 scores 22895, making the Arc B580 0.6 percent faster in synthetic benchmarks.

Q: What is the best playable preset at 1080p?

A: The Medium preset at 1080p yields an average of 74.7 FPS, which is the highest quality setting that stays above 60 FPS.

Q: Is 4K gaming viable with this combo?

A: No, all 4K presets, from Low at 59 FPS to Ultra at 33.1 FPS, fall below the 60 FPS threshold, so there are no playable settings at 4K.

Q: Which CPU rival is closest in performance to the Ryzen 7 5700X for this game?

A: The Intel Core i5-12600K has the exact same average score of 27578, with a deltaPct of 0, making it the closest match.

The Verdict

This PC can run Microsoft Flight Simulator, but with significant caveats depending on the target resolution. At 1920x1080, the system clears the 60 FPS threshold with the Medium preset, averaging 74.7 FPS, and it also exceeds the threshold with Low settings at 96.7 FPS. The High and Ultra presets fall short, with averages of 53.6 FPS and 52.4 FPS respectively, so those settings are not considered playable by the benchmark criteria.

At 2560x1440, the Medium preset is the best playable option, averaging 60.2 FPS, which is a marginal pass. The Low preset at 79.1 FPS also works, but it offers lower visual fidelity. High and Ultra settings at this resolution produce frame rates of 48 FPS and 40.8 FPS, which are not playable. At 3840x2160, the verdict is that no preset achieves 60 FPS, with the closest being Low at 59 FPS, which narrowly misses the threshold.

In summary, this PC is suitable for Microsoft Flight Simulator at 1080p with Medium settings for the best balance of quality and speed, and at 1440p with Medium settings if you are willing to accept a frame rate that hovers right at the 60 FPS mark. For 4K gaming, this combo lacks the GPU power to deliver smooth performance, and even the lowest settings fail to reach the playable threshold. The rank of 2825 out of 3714 combos reinforces that this is a mid-range configuration that can handle the game at lower resolutions, but it is not a high-end solution for demanding flight simulation enthusiasts.