Microsoft Flight Simulator

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER combination ranks 1351 out of 1795 tested combos in Microsoft Flight Simulator. This places the pairing in the lower-middle portion of the database, indicating that while it can run the sim, it is far from the top tier for this demanding title. The rank reflects a system that is more suited to playable settings at mainstream resolutions than to maxing out the game at 4K.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo’s position at the 1351st spot out of 1795 total tested configurations puts it in the 25th percentile of all systems evaluated for this game. This is a modest result, driven by the fact that Microsoft Flight Simulator is notoriously heavy on both CPU and GPU resources. The Ryzen 5 5600X, while a solid Zen 3 part, is not the strongest contender in this title, and the RTX 2060 SUPER, while capable, is outclassed by more modern or higher-tier cards.

The CPU’s overall benchmark percentile sits at 78 among all processors, with an average benchmark score of 20680. Its nearest rivals in general compute include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT, which scores 20740 (a 0.3% delta), and the Intel Core i7-10700, also at 20746 (a 0.3% delta). The data shows the 5600X is essentially tied with these parts, meaning the processor is not the primary bottleneck in this specific game’s ranking. The GPU, however, tells a different story, with a percentile of just 63 among all graphics cards. Its nearest rivals in synthetic tests include the NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN, which scores 19706 (a 0.3% delta), and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 at 19680 (a 0.5% delta), showing the 2060 SUPER is performing right at its expected level.

For Microsoft Flight Simulator specifically, the low combo rank suggests that the frame rates are playable but require compromises. The measured FPS data confirms this, showing that the system only reaches a 60 FPS average at 1080p with Low settings. This rank is not an indictment of the hardware’s quality, but rather a reflection of the game’s extreme demands. Many other combinations with higher-tier GPUs will achieve significantly better results, pushing this pairing down the list.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER is built on the Turing architecture with a TU106 chip, manufactured on a 12 nm process at TSMC. It features 2176 shading units, 136 texture mapping units, and 64 raster output units. The card includes 34 RT cores and 272 tensor cores, providing hardware support for ray tracing and DLSS, though the measured FPS data does not indicate these features were enabled in the tested scenarios. The GPU operates at a base clock of 1470 MHz and boosts up to 1650 MHz, with memory running at 1750 MHz, or 14 Gbps effective.

The memory subsystem is a critical factor for a flight simulator that streams vast landscapes. The card has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. This is a substantial amount of bandwidth, which helps with texture loading at higher settings. The GPU’s pixel rate is 105.6 GPixel/s and its texture rate is 224.4 GTexel/s, with a FP32 performance of 7.181 TFLOPS. These figures indicate that the card is capable of handling the geometry and shading required by the sim, but the 8 GB VRAM capacity can become a limiting factor at 4K Ultra settings, where the average FPS drops to 31.

The GPU’s role in this combo is to provide a baseline for playability. At 1080p, it can push past 90 FPS on Low, but at 4K Ultra, it falls below 30 FPS. The data suggests that the card is best utilized at 1440p with Medium or High settings, where it maintains a balance between visual fidelity and smoothness. The 2060 SUPER’s performance is closely matched by the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 in synthetic benchmarks, but in this game, the difference in memory bandwidth and core count becomes more apparent as resolution increases.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to maintain a 60 FPS average?

A: At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 97.4 FPS. To stay above 60 FPS, you can use 2560x1440 with Low settings, which yields 79.7 FPS, or 1920x1080 with Medium settings, which produces 78.8 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals in general performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X has an average benchmark score of 20680. Its closest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT, scores 20740, which is a 0.3% difference. The Intel Core i7-10700 also scores 20746, showing the 5600X is statistically tied with these processors.

Q: Can this combo handle 4K resolution in Microsoft Flight Simulator?

A: The data shows it can run at 4K, but with compromises. At 3840x2160 with High settings, the average FPS is 36.6. Dropping to Low settings at 4K raises the average to 55.7 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for a smooth experience.

Q: What is the GPU’s memory configuration and how does it affect performance?

A: The RTX 2060 SUPER has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus with 448.0 GB/s bandwidth. This bandwidth helps maintain texture streaming, but the 8 GB capacity is likely a limiting factor at Ultra settings, where the 4K average FPS falls to 31.

Q: How does the GPU’s synthetic benchmark score compare to its rivals?

A: The GPU’s average benchmark score is 19774. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN, scores 19706, a 0.3% delta. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 scores 19680, a 0.5% delta, indicating the 2060 SUPER is performing within its expected range.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more responsible for the low combo rank?

A: The GPU has a lower percentile rank (63) compared to the CPU (78). The data suggests the GPU is a more significant bottleneck in this game, as the CPU’s performance is on par with its direct competitors, while the GPU’s frame rates drop sharply at higher resolutions and settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the system delivers strong results across all presets. With Low settings, the average FPS is 97.4, which is the highest recorded for this combo. Moving to Medium settings drops the average to 78.8 FPS, while High settings yield 57 FPS. Ultra settings at 1080p produce an average of 54.6 FPS, which is still playable but shows a significant cost for the highest visual quality.

At 2560x1440, the performance scales predictably. Low settings average 79.7 FPS, keeping the experience smooth. Medium settings drop to 64.5 FPS, which is still above the 60 FPS threshold. High settings average 48.5 FPS, requiring some tolerance for lower frame rates. Ultra settings at 1440p bring the average down to 42.9 FPS, which is a noticeable step down from the lower presets.

At 3840x2160, the RTX 2060 SUPER begins to struggle. Low settings average 55.7 FPS, which is the only 4K preset that approaches playability. Medium settings average 46.7 FPS, while High settings drop to 36.6 FPS. Ultra settings at 4K produce an average of 31 FPS, which is below the threshold for a consistently smooth experience. The data shows a clear pattern: the combo is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, with 4K reserved for Low or Medium presets at best.

Settings Recommendations

For the best overall experience, the data suggests using 1920x1080 with High settings, which yields an average of 57 FPS. This provides a good balance between visual fidelity and smoothness, though it falls just short of 60 FPS. If a higher frame rate is preferred, 1920x1080 with Medium settings achieves 78.8 FPS, offering a much smoother experience with only a slight reduction in graphical quality.

For users with a 2560x1440 monitor, Medium settings are the sweet spot, delivering 64.5 FPS. This keeps the frame rate above 60 while providing a sharp image. Dropping to Low settings at 1440p yields 79.7 FPS, which is ideal for a competitive or high-refresh experience, but sacrifices visual details. High settings at 1440p are not recommended, as the 48.5 FPS average may cause noticeable stutter in a flight simulator.

At 3840x2160, the only viable option for a playable frame rate is Low settings, which averages 55.7 FPS. Medium settings at 4K drop to 46.7 FPS, which is playable but not smooth. High and Ultra settings at 4K should be avoided, as they produce averages of 36.6 and 31 FPS, respectively. The data indicates that this combo is not designed for maximum settings at 4K in this title. The best experience is achieved by prioritizing frame rate over extreme detail, making 1440p Medium or 1080p High the recommended presets for this hardware.