Microsoft Flight Simulator

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 demonstrates strong, consistent performance in Microsoft Flight Simulator across all tested resolutions. Benchmark data confirms the combination is well-balanced, with the measured frame rates indicating that the GPU is the primary performance driver at higher settings, while the CPU maintains sufficient headroom to support high frame rates at lower presets. The data shows a clear path to a smooth experience at 1080p and 1440p with maximum settings, while 4K requires a slight settings adjustment to maintain a consistent 60 FPS.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The CPU and GPU in this combination each sit near closely matched alternatives, according to aggregate benchmark scores. For the AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT, the nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 7840H, which has a nearly identical average score with a delta of 0%. The AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS and AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS are both marginally behind, with a delta of -0.3%, while the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X is slightly ahead at +0.6%. In practical terms, any of these processors would deliver a nearly indistinguishable experience in CPU-bound scenarios, given the negligible score differences.

On the graphics side, the RTX 3080's nearest rivals include the NVIDIA P106-100, which scores 0.3% lower, and the AMD Radeon Pro Vega 16, also 0.3% lower. The AMD Radeon RX 6600M and AMD Radeon R9 M290X trail by 0.4%. These deltas are within a narrow band, meaning that a system equipped with any of these GPUs would produce very similar frame rates in Microsoft Flight Simulator, particularly at settings where the GPU is the limiting factor. The percentile ranking for the CPU is 81, indicating it outperforms the majority of all tested processors, while the GPU's percentile of 68 shows it is a solid mid-to-high-tier performer, though not at the very top of the stack.

CPU and GPU Roles

The measured FPS data reveals a distinct shift in component importance depending on resolution and preset. At 1920x1080, the difference between Low and Ultra settings is substantial, with average FPS dropping from 157.2 to 90.2. This 67 FPS gap indicates that the GPU is heavily engaged, but the CPU is also capable of driving high frame rates, as evidenced by the 157.2 FPS result at Low settings. The scaling from Low to Medium at 1080p shows a drop to 123.1 FPS, and then to 94.3 at High, demonstrating that the RTX 3080's workload scales predictably with graphical complexity.

Moving to 2560x1440, the same pattern holds but with lower absolute values. Low settings produce 125.9 FPS, while Ultra drops to 70.2 FPS. The performance gap between Low and Ultra here is 55.7 FPS, slightly smaller than at 1080p, suggesting that the GPU is becoming more of a bottleneck as pixel count increases. At 3840x2160, the GPU's dominance is clear: Low settings yield 94 FPS, but High and Ultra fall to 54.9 and 54.1 FPS respectively, both below the 60 FPS threshold. The Medium preset at 4K achieves 72.7 FPS, showing that the RTX 3080 can handle 4K only with reduced settings. The data indicates that at 1080p and 1440p, both components contribute meaningfully, but at 4K, the GPU is the definitive constraint, with the CPU providing sufficient headroom to avoid limiting performance.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the system delivers its highest frame rates. With Low settings, the average FPS is 157.2, which is the fastest result across all configurations. Medium settings reduce performance to 123.1 FPS, while High settings yield 94.3 FPS. The most demanding preset, Ultra, still maintains an average of 90.2 FPS, comfortably above the 60 FPS playability threshold. No minimum or maximum FPS figures were recorded for any setting, so the analysis relies solely on average performance.

At 2560x1440, the results remain strong. Low settings produce an average of 125.9 FPS, and Medium settings follow at 100 FPS. High settings drop to 73 FPS, while Ultra settings achieve 70.2 FPS. All four presets at this resolution clear the 60 FPS threshold, with Ultra providing only a marginal reduction in frame rate compared to High. The scaling from Low to Ultra represents a 55.7 FPS decrease, indicating that the GPU handles the increased load efficiently enough to keep all presets playable.

At 3840x2160, the performance picture changes. Low settings produce an average of 94 FPS, which is the only preset that provides a large margin over the 60 FPS threshold. Medium settings achieve 72.7 FPS, still above the threshold. However, High settings fall to 54.9 FPS, and Ultra settings are slightly lower at 54.1 FPS. Both High and Ultra presets fail to maintain a consistent 60 FPS, making them unsuitable for a smooth experience at this resolution. The gap between Low and High is 39.1 FPS, highlighting the significant GPU load increase at 4K.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Ryzen 7 5800XT and RTX 3080 ranks 1030 out of 3714 tested combos in Microsoft Flight Simulator. This places it in the upper third of all configurations, which is a strong result given the game's demanding nature. The rank reflects the balanced performance of the two components, with the CPU's high percentile (81) and the GPU's solid percentile (68) combining to deliver consistent frame rates across most settings. The data suggests that while this combo is not at the very top of the leaderboard, it outperforms the majority of systems, making it a reliable choice for this title.

The ranking also indicates that there is room for improvement, likely from a more powerful GPU, but the current configuration provides a good balance. For users prioritizing high frame rates at 1080p or 1440p, this combo is well-suited, as it achieves 90 FPS or higher at Ultra settings in both cases. At 4K, the ranking still holds up, but the need to reduce settings to Medium or Low to maintain playability is a notable limitation.

The Verdict

Based on the measured data, this PC can run Microsoft Flight Simulator with playable performance at all three tested resolutions, but the settings must be adjusted appropriately. At 1920x1080, all four presets—Low, Medium, High, and Ultra—are playable, with the Ultra preset achieving an average of 90.2 FPS, well above the 60 FPS threshold. At 2560x1440, all presets are also playable, with Ultra reaching 70.2 FPS, providing a smooth experience without sacrificing visual quality.

At 3840x2160, the verdict is more nuanced. The Low and Medium presets are playable, with average FPS of 94 and 72.7 respectively. However, High and Ultra presets fall below the 60 FPS threshold, with averages of 54.9 and 54.1 FPS. To maintain a consistent 60 FPS at 4K, users must select the Medium preset or lower. The data confirms that this system is capable of running the game, but 4K users will need to compromise on settings to achieve a fluid experience.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 1920x1080, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is Ultra, with an average FPS of 90.2. This allows users to enable the highest visual quality while retaining a significant margin over the playability threshold.

At 2560x1440, the best settings are also Ultra, achieving an average FPS of 70.2. This preset provides the full visual experience while still maintaining a comfortable buffer above 60 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the most demanding preset that clears the 60 FPS threshold is Medium, with an average FPS of 72.7. High and Ultra presets fall short, so Medium represents the optimal balance of visual fidelity and performance at this resolution.

FAQ

Q: Can this system run Microsoft Flight Simulator at 4K with Ultra settings?

A: No. At 3840x2160 Ultra settings, the average FPS drops to 54.1, which is below the 60 FPS playability threshold. The Medium preset, with an average of 72.7 FPS, is the highest setting that maintains playable performance at 4K.

Q: What is the best settings preset for 1440p gaming?

A: At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset achieves an average of 70.2 FPS, making it the best choice for maximum visual quality while staying above 60 FPS. All presets at this resolution are playable, but Ultra offers the highest fidelity.

Q: How much performance is lost when moving from 1080p to 4K at Ultra settings?

A: At 1920x1080 Ultra, the average FPS is 90.2, while at 3840x2160 Ultra, it drops to 54.1. This represents a 36.1 FPS reduction, highlighting the significant GPU load increase at higher resolutions.

Q: Which component is the limiting factor at 4K?

A: The data indicates the GPU is the primary constraint at 3840x2160. The RTX 3080's performance drops below 60 FPS on High and Ultra presets, while the CPU's strong benchmark scores (81st percentile) suggest it is not the bottleneck at this resolution.

Q: Is the 60 FPS threshold met at 1080p with all settings?

A: Yes. At 1920x1080, the lowest average FPS is 90.2 at Ultra settings, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold. Even the most demanding preset provides a smooth experience.

Q: How does this combo rank among all tested systems?

A: The combination ranks 1030 out of 3714 tested combos in Microsoft Flight Simulator, placing it in the upper third of all configurations and indicating solid overall performance.