Microsoft Flight Simulator

Microsoft Flight Simulator places immense demands on both processor and graphics card, and the pairing of the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER produces a compelling dataset. The measured frames per second across resolutions and presets reveal a system that is consistently capable, yet the performance scaling exposes distinct bottlenecks. This analysis examines the role of each component, how they interact under load, and what the numbers indicate about the experience a user can expect.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor built on the Zen 3 architecture, with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. It features 32 MB of shared L3 cache and operates on the AMD Socket AM4 platform. In the context of Microsoft Flight Simulator, a title renowned for its complex flight models and detailed scenery generation, the CPU's multithreaded performance is crucial. The processor’s PassMark multithread score of 19236 and single-thread score of 2872 indicate a balanced capability, though the game’s engine often relies heavily on a few primary threads for core simulation tasks.

The data shows that the CPU is not the primary limiting factor at higher resolutions, but its influence is visible at 1080p. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system achieves 148 FPS, which is the highest recorded for this combo. However, when the resolution drops to 1080p and the GPU load decreases, the CPU must work harder to feed frames. The difference between Low and Ultra at 1080p is 46 FPS (148 vs. 102), suggesting that while the GPU is still doing significant work, the CPU's ability to process the simulation’s physics and AI is a contributing factor to the ceiling. The processor’s 65W TDP and 7 nm process node make it an efficient part, but its performance relative to rivals is telling; the nearest rival, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225, has an average score of 36938, which is 0% different, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D is 0.2% lower in score. This places the 5600F in a tight competitive band, indicating that its computational throughput is solid but not exceptional.

For a flight simulator, the CPU’s role extends beyond raw frame rate. The simulation must process weather, terrain, and aircraft systems continuously. The benchmark results, particularly the PassMark physics score of 1043 and integer math score of 59339, suggest that the processor handles these calculations without stuttering, as evidenced by the minimum FPS values. At 2560x1440 Medium settings, the minimum FPS is 98, and at 3840x2160 Medium, it is 72. These floors indicate that even when the CPU is stressed, it maintains a playable frame rate. However, the data implies that the 5600F is a capable, mid-range workhorse; it provides enough headroom for the GPU to stretch its legs at higher resolutions, but it does not dominate the performance equation.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER is the graphical powerhouse in this pairing, built on the Ada Lovelace architecture with a 5 nm process. It boasts 12 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 192-bit bus, delivering a bandwidth of 504.2 GB/s. The GPU’s boost clock is 2475 MHz, and its FP32 performance is 35.48 TFLOPS, which is substantial for rendering the vast, detailed environments of Microsoft Flight Simulator. The GPU’s 56 RT cores and 224 tensor cores also provide hardware support for advanced visual effects, though the game’s primary load is on traditional rasterization.

The measured FPS data strongly indicates that the RTX 4070 SUPER is the dominant component in this system, particularly as resolution increases. At 3840x2160 Ultra, the system delivers 61 FPS, which is nearly identical to the 1080p Ultra result of 102 FPS? No, that is a significant difference. The scaling from 1080p to 4K shows the GPU working progressively harder. At Low settings, the frame rate drops from 148 FPS at 1080p to 109 FPS at 4K, a 26% reduction. At Ultra settings, the drop is from 102 FPS at 1080p to 61 FPS at 4K, a 40% reduction. This demonstrates that the GPU is the primary limiter at 4K, as the increased pixel count demands more from the 12 GB of VRAM and the memory bandwidth.

The GPU’s PassMark G3D score of 29995 and percentile rank of 83 versus all GPUs confirm its high-end status. Its nearest rivals, such as the NVIDIA Quadro M6000 24 GB, have nearly identical average scores (43262 vs. 43223), indicating that the RTX 4070 SUPER is well-positioned in the performance hierarchy. For Microsoft Flight Simulator, the GPU’s role is to render the cockpit, terrain, and atmospheric effects. The 12 GB of VRAM is sufficient for the game’s textures at 4K, as the data shows playable frame rates even at Ultra settings. The GPU’s power, however, is best showcased at 1440p, where it can push beyond 100 FPS on Medium settings (115 FPS), providing a smooth experience without the CPU becoming a bottleneck.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The resolution scaling in the measured data provides a clear narrative about component limitations. Moving from 1920x1080 to 2560x1440, the average FPS drops across all settings, but the relative decrease informs us about the system’s balance. At Low settings, the drop from 148 FPS to 138 FPS is only 6.8%, suggesting that the CPU is keeping pace and the GPU is not yet saturated. However, at Ultra settings, the drop from 102 FPS to 82 FPS is 19.6%, indicating that the GPU is starting to feel the load of the higher resolution.

The transition from 1440p to 4K (3840x2160) amplifies this effect. At Low settings, the frame rate falls from 138 FPS to 109 FPS, a 21% reduction. At Medium settings, it drops from 115 FPS to 85 FPS, a 26% reduction. At High settings, the drop is from 86 FPS to 64 FPS, a 25.6% reduction. Finally, at Ultra settings, the frame rate falls from 82 FPS to 61 FPS, a 25.6% reduction. This consistent ~25% drop from 1440p to 4K across the higher settings is a classic sign of a GPU-bound scenario. The RTX 4070 SUPER is being pushed to its limits rendering more pixels, and the frame rate scales almost linearly with the pixel count increase.

Conversely, the smaller drops between 1080p and 1440p, especially at lower settings, indicate that the CPU is beginning to limit the system. For instance, at Low settings, the system only loses 10 FPS going from 1080p to 1440p, which suggests that the CPU is the bottleneck at 1080p, preventing the GPU from reaching even higher frame rates. The data implies that for this game, the RTX 4070 SUPER is best utilized at 1440p, where it can deliver high frame rates without being constrained by the CPU, and at 4K, where it provides a playable, console-like experience at 60+ FPS on High settings (64 FPS).

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured FPS rows, the optimal settings depend heavily on the user's target resolution and desired smoothness. At 1920x1080, the Medium preset delivers an average of 135 FPS with a minimum of 115 FPS, which is excellent for a flight simulator where smooth panning is critical. The High preset at 107 FPS is also very good, but the jump to Ultra only yields 102 FPS, a marginal gain for the potential visual cost. The Low preset at 148 FPS is unnecessarily high and sacrifices too much visual fidelity for a simulator that thrives on immersion. Therefore, at 1080p, Medium or High are the best choices, with Medium offering a higher safety margin.

At 2560x1440, the Medium preset provides an average of 115 FPS and a minimum of 98 FPS, which is the sweet spot for high-refresh-rate monitors. The High preset at 86 FPS is still smooth but dips closer to the 60 FPS threshold. The Ultra preset at 82 FPS is playable but offers diminishing returns over High. The data suggests that Medium at 1440p is the best experience, balancing high average FPS with a robust minimum FPS to avoid stutters during complex scenery loads.

At 3840x2160, the situation changes. The High preset delivers an average of 64 FPS, which is just above the 60 FPS target for most displays. The Medium preset at 85 FPS is smoother, but the visual difference between Medium and High in a sim like this can be significant for readability. The Ultra preset at 61 FPS is technically playable but leaves little headroom for frame drops. The Low preset at 109 FPS is not recommended as it defeats the purpose of 4K. For 4K, the High preset is the best recommendation, as it provides a stable 64 FPS average, ensuring a cinematic and detailed experience without compromising too much on performance. The Medium preset is the safer choice if the user prioritizes frame rate stability over maximum visual quality.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

In the comprehensive database of tested combinations for Microsoft Flight Simulator, this specific pairing of the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER holds a rank of 558 out of 2996 total combos. This places it in the top 18.6% of all systems tested, which is a strong showing for a mid-range CPU paired with a high-end GPU. The rank indicates that this combo outperforms the vast majority of other configurations, likely including those with weaker graphics cards or older CPUs.

The rank is particularly impressive given the CPU's position in the market. The Ryzen 5 5600F, while not a top-tier processor, is sufficient to feed the RTX 4070 SUPER effectively, as evidenced by the measured frame rates. The combo’s rank of 558 suggests that while there are 557 combos that achieve higher average FPS, this system delivers a level of performance that is competitive with setups featuring more expensive CPUs. The data implies that the GPU is the primary driver of this high rank, as the RTX 4070 SUPER’s 83rd percentile performance among GPUs lifts the entire system.

However, the rank also shows that there is room for improvement. The 557 combos ranked higher likely include pairings with more powerful CPUs, such as the Ryzen 7 or Core i7 series, which can push the RTX 4070 SUPER to higher frame rates at lower resolutions. In this context, the combo’s rank reflects a balanced system that excels at higher resolutions where the GPU is the limiting factor, but it may fall behind in CPU-bound scenarios at 1080p. The rank of 558 out of 2996 confirms the RTX 4070 SUPER’s raw power, but it also highlights that the Ryzen 5 5600F, while competent, is not the ideal partner to unlock the GPU’s full potential in every situation.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The following is the exact measured FPS data for the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER combination in Microsoft Flight Simulator:

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: 148 FPS average
• Medium: 135 FPS average (minimum 115, maximum 155)
• High: 107 FPS average
• Ultra: 102 FPS average

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: 138 FPS average
• Medium: 115 FPS average (minimum 98, maximum 132)
• High: 86 FPS average
• Ultra: 82 FPS average

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: 109 FPS average
• Medium: 85 FPS average (minimum 72, maximum 98)
• High: 64 FPS average
• Ultra: 61 FPS average

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to use with this CPU and GPU combo for a smooth 60+ FPS experience?

A: The data shows that 2560x1440 on Medium settings provides an average of 115 FPS with a minimum of 98 FPS, ensuring a smooth experience. At 3840x2160, the High preset averages 64 FPS, which is also above 60 FPS, but the Medium preset at 85 FPS offers a larger safety margin.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor at 1080p resolution?

A: Benchmark results indicate that the CPU is more of a limiting factor at 1080p. The frame rate drops from 148 FPS at Low settings to 102 FPS at Ultra settings, and the scaling from 1080p to 1440p at Low settings is minimal (from 148 to 138 FPS), suggesting the CPU is constraining the GPU.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to other systems tested for this game?

A: This pairing has a combo rank of 558 out of 2996 tested combos, placing it in the top 18.6% of all systems. This indicates it performs better than the majority of other configurations in the database.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Microsoft Flight Simulator?

A: Yes, the measured data shows that at 3840x2160, the system achieves 64 FPS on High settings and 61 FPS on Ultra settings. These frame rates are playable for a flight simulator, though they are on the lower end of the spectrum.

Q: What is the performance difference between the Medium and Ultra presets at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Medium preset averages 115 FPS with a minimum of 98 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 82 FPS. This represents a 33 FPS difference in average frame rate, with Medium providing a significantly smoother experience.

Q: Does the GPU have enough VRAM for this game at high resolutions?

A: The RTX 4070 SUPER has 12 GB of GDDR6X memory. The measured performance at 4K Ultra (61 FPS) and 4K High (64 FPS) indicates that the 12 GB is sufficient to handle the game's textures and assets at those settings without causing a significant performance drop.