Microsoft Flight Simulator

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 is a formidable combination for Microsoft Flight Simulator, placing in the 970th position out of 3,714 tested combos. This puts the pairing in the top quartile of all tested systems, indicating strong overall capability for this demanding flight simulator. The data shows that this system is not merely adequate but is positioned to deliver high frame rates across a wide range of settings, with the primary caveat being the most extreme preset at 4K resolution.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo’s rank of 970 out of 3,714 tested systems places it in the 74th percentile of all configurations. This is a strong showing, reflecting the balance between the Ryzen 7 5800XT’s multi-threaded performance and the RTX 4070’s graphical horsepower. In the context of the entire benchmark database, this system is positioned to outperform the majority of other PC builds in this specific game. The 81st percentile ranking for both the CPU and GPU individually, when considered against all other processors and graphics cards, reinforces the system's high standing. The data indicates a harmonious pairing where neither component is likely to be a significant bottleneck, allowing the system as a whole to operate near its combined potential. This rank is a strong indicator of a high-performance gaming PC, particularly for a simulation title known for its heavy demands on both processing and rendering.

CPU and GPU Roles

The division of labor between the CPU and GPU in Microsoft Flight Simulator is revealed by examining the frame rate scaling across different resolutions and presets. At 1920x1080, the system achieves an average of 165.1 FPS on Low settings. This high frame rate, even at a CPU-bound resolution, demonstrates the Ryzen 7 5800XT’s strong single-threaded performance, which is critical for the simulation's complex flight and weather calculations. Moving to 2560x1440 on Low settings, the average FPS drops to 129.2, a decrease of approximately 21.7%. This scaling indicates that the GPU is beginning to take on more of the workload, but the CPU is still keeping pace. At 3840x2160 on Low settings, the frame rate is 97.6, a further 24.5% decrease from the 1440p result. This steeper drop at 4K clearly shows the GPU becoming the primary limiting factor, as the pixel fill rate and shading demands increase significantly.

The effect of graphical presets further clarifies the roles. At 1080p, moving from Low to Ultra reduces the average FPS from 165.1 to 91.8, a 44.4% performance hit. This significant drop at a resolution where the CPU is typically the main driver shows that the Ultra preset introduces a substantial load on the GPU as well. However, the system still maintains a high frame rate. At 4K, the transition from Low to Ultra is even more punishing, with the average FPS falling from 97.6 to 53.7, a 45% reduction. This demonstrates that at 4K, the RTX 4070 is thoroughly taxed by the Ultra preset, making it the clear performance bottleneck. The data shows a classic scaling pattern: the CPU dominates performance at lower resolutions and settings, while the GPU's importance grows with resolution and preset complexity, becoming the definitive constraint at 4K Ultra.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of the system's performance across all tested configurations. At 1920x1080, the system excels. The Low preset delivers an average of 165.1 FPS, ensuring an exceptionally smooth experience. The Medium preset averages 126.1 FPS, still well above the 60 FPS threshold. The High preset achieves 97.9 FPS, and even the most demanding Ultra preset maintains a solid 91.8 FPS average. All 1080p settings are comfortably playable, with a wide margin for high-refresh-rate monitors.

At 2560x1440, performance remains very strong. The Low preset yields an average of 129.2 FPS. The Medium preset averages 101.6 FPS, and the High preset delivers 79.1 FPS. The Ultra preset, while more demanding, still produces an average of 70.9 FPS, keeping it above the playable threshold. This resolution offers a great balance between visual fidelity and performance, with every setting capable of a smooth experience.

At 3840x2160, the system's limits become apparent. The Low preset provides an average of 97.6 FPS, which is still very good. The Medium preset averages 71.7 FPS, maintaining playability. However, the High preset drops to an average of 54 FPS, and the Ultra preset is only slightly lower at 53.7 FPS. These results fall below the 60 FPS playable threshold, indicating that the RTX 4070 is insufficient for the most demanding settings at 4K resolution. The data shows a clear performance ceiling at 4K, where only the Low and Medium presets offer a consistently playable experience.

Similar Performance Alternatives

For the AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT, the benchmark data shows its closest rivals in terms of average score are a group of mobile and desktop processors. The AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS and AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS both have an average score of 29,955, which is 0.3% higher than the 5800XT. The AMD Ryzen 7 7840H is nearly identical, with an average score of 29,868, showing a 0% delta. The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X has a slightly lower average score of 29,713, which is 0.6% below the 5800XT. This suggests that in CPU-intensive tasks, the 5800XT would perform nearly identically to these other processors, with differences well within the margin of error.

For the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070, the nearest rivals present a more varied picture. The AMD Radeon PRO W6400 has a similar average score of 37,157, which is 1.3% lower than the RTX 4070's 37,648. The AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 scores 37,507, a 0.4% deficit. The NVIDIA Tesla P4 is nearly identical, with a score of 37,628, just 0.1% lower. Interestingly, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile is listed as a rival with a score of 38,135, which is 1.3% higher. This indicates that in terms of overall compute benchmarks, the desktop RTX 4070 is closely matched with these other GPUs, including a high-end mobile part. In practice, this means users could expect similar frame rates in Microsoft Flight Simulator from these alternatives, with the RTX 4080 Mobile potentially offering a slight edge.

Best Settings per Resolution

Based on the measured FPS data, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS varies by resolution. At 1920x1080, every preset clears the 60 FPS threshold. The highest quality option is Ultra, which achieves an average of 91.8 FPS, providing the best visual experience without sacrificing smoothness. At 2560x1440, all presets also remain playable. The best visual setting is Ultra, with an average of 70.9 FPS, which offers a high level of detail while maintaining a comfortable frame rate. At 3840x2160, the situation is more restrictive. The High and Ultra presets both fall below 60 FPS. The most demanding playable setting is Medium, which delivers an average of 71.7 FPS. This is the recommended setting for 4K, as it provides a good balance of visual quality and performance.

The Verdict

The data clearly shows that this PC can run Microsoft Flight Simulator effectively, with its capability scaling predictably with resolution. At 1920x1080, the system is fully capable, with all presets, including Ultra, maintaining an average of 91.8 FPS, well above the 60 FPS playable threshold. At 2560x1440, the system remains fully capable, with the Ultra preset averaging 70.9 FPS, again clearing the threshold. The verdict for these resolutions is a definitive yes for all settings.

At 3840x2160, the system is conditionally capable. The Low and Medium presets are playable, with the Medium preset achieving an average of 71.7 FPS. However, the High and Ultra presets are not, with averages of 54 and 53.7 FPS respectively. Therefore, the verdict for 4K is that the system can run the game, but only with reduced graphical settings. To achieve a smooth experience at 4K, users must select the Medium preset or lower. This system is a strong performer, offering a fully playable experience at 1080p and 1440p, and a good experience at 4K with adjusted settings.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Microsoft Flight Simulator at 4K resolution?

A: Yes, but not at the highest settings. The benchmark data shows that at 3840x2160, the Low preset (97.6 FPS) and Medium preset (71.7 FPS) are playable, while the High (54 FPS) and Ultra (53.7 FPS) presets fall below the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: What is the best graphical preset for 1440p gaming with this system?

A: At 2560x1440, all presets are playable. The Ultra preset offers the highest visual fidelity while still maintaining an average of 70.9 FPS, making it the best choice.

Q: How much of a performance difference is there between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: The difference is significant. The average frame rate drops from 165.1 FPS on Low to 91.8 FPS on Ultra, a decrease of 73.3 FPS or approximately 44.4%.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more of a limiting factor at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, especially on lower settings, the CPU is more likely to be the primary driver of performance. The high frame rates on Low settings (165.1 FPS) suggest the Ryzen 7 5800XT is keeping up well, but the large performance drop when moving to Ultra (91.8 FPS) indicates that the GPU is also heavily taxed at this resolution.

Q: What are the closest performance rivals to the RTX 4070 in this game?

A: Based on average benchmark scores, the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 (0.4% slower) and the NVIDIA Tesla P4 (0.1% slower) are extremely close. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile is also a rival, offering a 1.3% higher average score.

Q: Is the Ryzen 7 5800XT's performance similar to any other processors?

A: Yes, the data shows it is virtually identical to the AMD Ryzen 7 7840H (0% delta). The AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS and 7840HS are also very close, with a 0.3% higher average score, while the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X is 0.6% slower.