Microsoft Flight Simulator

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 is an exceptionally powerful combination for Microsoft Flight Simulator, ranking in the 81st percentile of all 3,714 tested combos. This system delivers playable frame rates at every resolution and preset tested, even clearing 60 FPS at 4K Ultra with headroom to spare. The data indicates this is not merely a capable setup, but one that dominates the game’s most demanding scenarios, making it a top-tier choice for flight simulation enthusiasts who demand maximum visual fidelity without compromising smoothness.

How This Combo Ranks

Out of 3,714 tested hardware combinations for Microsoft Flight Simulator, this pairing of the Ryzen 7 9700F and RTX 4090 achieves a rank of 81. This places it in the top 2.2% of all configurations, evidence of the exceptional balance between the CPU’s strong single-thread performance and the GPU’s immense rasterization power. The rank reflects the system’s ability to maintain high average frame rates across all resolutions, a feat that many high-end components fail to achieve consistently in this simulation-heavy title.

The benchmark data underscores that this combo is not just about peak performance; it is about sustained capability. While the RTX 4090 is the primary driver of frame rates, the Ryzen 7 9700F’s architecture ensures that the CPU does not become a bottleneck, even at lower resolutions where the GPU has less work to do. The result is a system that sits comfortably above the vast majority of tested combos, with only a small fraction of more exotic or newer hardware surpassing it. For context, the CPU alone sits in the 94th percentile of all processors, while the GPU is in the 88th percentile of all graphics cards, and their combined effort pushes the total package into elite territory.

CPU and GPU Roles

The division of labor between the Ryzen 7 9700F and the RTX 4090 shifts predictably as resolution changes, but the GPU remains the dominant factor throughout. At 1920x1080, the system produces an average of 233 FPS on Low settings, which drops to 130 FPS on Ultra. This 103 FPS difference is almost entirely attributable to the GPU’s rendering load, as the CPU’s 8 cores and 16 threads are more than sufficient to feed the graphics card at this resolution. The scaling from Low to Ultra at 1080p shows a 44% performance reduction, a clear sign that the RTX 4090 is being pushed harder as graphical complexity increases.

Moving to 2560x1440, the pattern continues but with a slightly different emphasis. The average frame rate at Low is 188 FPS, falling to 105 FPS at Ultra. The CPU’s role becomes slightly more pronounced here, as the higher resolution demands more draw calls and simulation updates, but the RTX 4090 still handles the bulk of the work. At 3840x2160, the GPU’s dominance is absolute. The average frame rate at Low is 138 FPS, dropping to 77 FPS at Ultra. The 61 FPS gap between Low and Ultra at 4K highlights how the RTX 4090’s 24 GB of GDDR6X memory and 1.01 TB/s bandwidth are being fully utilized, while the CPU’s workload remains relatively static.

In practical terms, the Ryzen 7 9700F provides a stable foundation that never limits the RTX 4090, even at 1080p where CPU-bound scenarios are common in flight simulators. The CPU’s boost clock of 5.50 GHz and strong per-core performance ensure that the GPU is always fed with data, but the benchmark results show that the GPU is the primary driver of frame rates at every resolution. For players using lower presets, the CPU’s influence grows slightly, but the overall experience is dictated by the graphics card’s capabilities.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the data shows a wide range of performance across presets. Low settings produce an average of 233 FPS, with Medium delivering 181 FPS (minimum 154, maximum 208). High settings yield 136 FPS on average, while Ultra drops to 130 FPS. This represents a 44% reduction from Low to Ultra, indicating that the RTX 4090 is the limiting factor at this resolution, as the CPU has ample headroom. The minimum frame rates recorded at Medium (154 FPS) are still well above the playable threshold, ensuring a smooth experience even in complex scenes.

At 2560x1440, the averages are 188 FPS for Low, 146 FPS for Medium (minimum 124, maximum 168), 110 FPS for High, and 105 FPS for Ultra. The gap between Low and Ultra narrows to 44% here as well, but the absolute numbers remain high. The minimum at Medium (124 FPS) is still more than double the playable threshold, and even the lowest recorded frame rate across all presets at this resolution would be sufficient for a smooth experience. The RTX 4090’s memory bandwidth becomes more critical at this resolution, but the system handles it effortlessly.

At 3840x2160, the performance is still strong but shows the expected drop. Low settings average 138 FPS, Medium averages 108 FPS (minimum 92, maximum 124), High averages 81 FPS, and Ultra averages 77 FPS. The reduction from Low to Ultra is 44%, consistent with the other resolutions. The minimum at Medium (92 FPS) is still comfortably above 60 FPS, and even the lowest expected frame rates at Ultra would likely stay playable. This resolution is where the RTX 4090’s 24 GB of VRAM and 1.01 TB/s bandwidth are fully tested, and the results show that the card is up to the task.

The Verdict

This PC can run Microsoft Flight Simulator at every resolution and preset combination tested, with all results clearing the 60 FPS playable threshold. At 3840x2160, the best settings are Ultra, which averages 77 FPS, providing a fully playable and visually stunning experience. The 4K Medium preset averages 108 FPS, and even the most demanding Ultra preset does not dip below the playable threshold based on the data. The system has no trouble maintaining smooth frame rates at this resolution, making it suitable for high-end displays.

At 2560x1440, the verdict is equally positive. Ultra settings average 105 FPS, which is not only playable but also smooth enough for competitive or high-refresh-rate displays. The 1440p Medium preset averages 146 FPS, and Low settings hit 188 FPS, offering significant headroom for players who prefer maximum frame rates over visual fidelity. At 1920x1080, the system excels, with Ultra averaging 130 FPS and Low reaching 233 FPS. This makes the combo ideal for 1080p high-refresh-rate monitors, as even the most demanding settings provide a comfortable margin above 60 FPS.

The data confirms that this hardware pairing is overqualified for the game at lower settings, but it shines at 4K Ultra, where it delivers a smooth and immersive experience. For players with a 4K display, the RTX 4090’s raw power combined with the Ryzen 7 9700F’s efficiency ensures that Microsoft Flight Simulator can be enjoyed at its highest visual quality without compromise.

Similar Performance Alternatives

Looking at the CPU’s nearest rivals, the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX has an average score of 69,875, which is 0.2% higher than the Ryzen 7 9700F’s average. This suggests that the 7940HX would deliver nearly identical performance in this game, making it a viable alternative for systems where a mobile-class processor is acceptable. The Intel Core i7-14700KF scores 70,163, which is 0.2% lower than the 9700F, indicating a negligible performance difference. The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X scores 69,515, which is 0.7% lower, and the Intel Core i7-14700K scores 69,355, which is 0.9% lower.

For the GPU, the RTX 4090’s nearest rivals are surprising, as they include workstation cards. The Intel Arc Pro A60 has an average score of 60,326, which is 0% different from the RTX 4090’s 60,347. The AMD Radeon Pro Vega 48 scores 60,140, which is 0.3% lower, and the AMD Radeon Pro W6600M scores 61,896, which is 2.5% higher. The AMD Radeon PRO V710 scores 58,657, which is 2.9% lower. These cards would behave similarly in terms of raw benchmark scores, though their real-world gaming performance may vary due to driver optimizations and architectural differences.

In practice, a system with a Ryzen 7 9700F and an RTX 4090 is unlikely to be paired with any of these alternatives, as they serve different market segments. However, the data shows that the 9700F’s performance is closely matched by the 7940HX, 14700KF, 7950X, and 14700K, meaning users with those CPUs can expect similar frame rates. For the GPU, the nearest rivals are professional-grade cards, which suggests that the RTX 4090 has no direct consumer-level competitor in this benchmark.

FAQ

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

A: Yes, the data shows an average of 77 FPS at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, which clears the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: What is the best settings preset for this system at 1440p?

A: The Ultra preset at 2560x1440 averages 105 FPS, making it the best choice for visual quality while maintaining smooth performance.

Q: How much of a performance drop is there from Low to Ultra at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the average frame rate drops from 233 FPS on Low to 130 FPS on Ultra, a 44% reduction.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more important for this game at 4K?

A: The GPU is the dominant factor at 3840x2160, as the RTX 4090 handles the increased rendering load, while the CPU’s workload remains relatively constant.

Q: Are there any settings where this combo fails to reach 60 FPS?

A: No, every tested resolution and preset combination averages above 60 FPS, with the lowest recorded average being 77 FPS at 4K Ultra.

Q: What are the minimum recorded frame rates for this combo?

A: The minimum frame rates are only provided for Medium settings: 154 FPS at 1080p, 124 FPS at 1440p, and 92 FPS at 4K, all well above the playable threshold.