Microsoft Flight Simulator

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combination delivers a highly playable experience in Microsoft Flight Simulator, though the data reveals a system that is firmly balanced around 1080p and 1440p gaming. The measured frame rates show a clear progression from a fluid 119 FPS at 1080p Low to a demanding 40 FPS at 4K Ultra, indicating that while the CPU provides a strong foundation, the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions and settings.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F is an 8-core, 16-thread processor built on the Zen 5 architecture (Granite Ridge) for the AM5 socket. It operates with a base clock of 3.80 GHz and can boost up to 5.50 GHz, with a 65W TDP. This configuration provides substantial computational headroom for flight simulation, a genre that often relies on single-thread performance for physics and AI calculations. The processor’s single-thread Passmark score of 4691 places it in the 94th percentile among all CPUs, indicating very strong per-core performance. Its multi-thread score of 36470 further supports its capability to handle the complex background tasks of a flight simulator.

In the context of this game, the CPU’s role is evident in the high frame rates achieved at lower resolutions. At 1080p Low, the combo reaches 119 FPS, which is a significant jump from the 93 FPS at Medium. This scaling suggests that the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU with enough data to maintain high frame rates, but the GPU’s workload at higher settings begins to limit the output. The CPU’s nearest rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX (0.2% higher average score) and Intel Core i7-14700KF (0.2% lower average score), show that the 9700F sits in a highly competitive performance tier. This means that the processor is not a weak link in the chain; it is more than capable of driving the RTX 4060 in this title.

The data indicates that the CPU’s performance is not the limiting factor at 1080p. The difference between Low and Ultra settings at this resolution is 53 FPS (119 down to 66), which is a massive drop. This is a classic sign of GPU saturation, where the CPU is ready to deliver more frames but the graphics card is unable to render them. The Ryzen 7 9700F’s high boost clock and Zen 5 efficiency allow it to maintain stable performance without becoming a bottleneck, as evidenced by the lack of min FPS data points at most settings, suggesting consistent frame delivery.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is the graphics engine for this combo. It features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 272.0 GB/s. Its boost clock is 2460 MHz, and it has a 115W TDP. The GPU’s Passmark G3D score is 19545, placing it in the 61st percentile of all GPUs. This score shows that the RTX 4060 is a solid mid-range performer, but its nearest rivals in the database are the AMD Radeon HD 7790 (0.2% lower score) and the AMD Radeon 780M (0.3% higher score), which are not exactly comparable in terms of modern gaming features. This context suggests that while the 4060 is a capable card, it is positioned at a performance tier where its memory capacity and bus width can be challenged by demanding scenarios.

The GPU’s 8 GB VRAM is a crucial factor in Microsoft Flight Simulator, which is known for loading large textures for terrain and aircraft. At 4K Ultra, the combo only manages 40 FPS, and at 4K High, it produces 42 FPS. This small difference between Ultra and High at 4K suggests that the GPU is hitting a hard limit, likely due to memory bandwidth or capacity. The transition from Medium (55 FPS) to High (42 FPS) at 4K is a 13 FPS drop, which is a steep cost for the visual upgrade. This indicates that the RTX 4060’s resources are quickly exhausted when the resolution and texture details are pushed to the maximum.

The GPU’s performance is the primary driver of the FPS differences across settings. At 1440p, the spread from Low (96 FPS) to Ultra (54 FPS) is 42 FPS, showing a clear scaling pattern. The GPU’s 15.11 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is sufficient for 1080p gaming, but the data shows that it struggles to maintain playable frame rates at 4K Ultra. The benchmark results indicate that the RTX 4060 is best utilized at 1080p and 1440p, where it can provide a high refresh rate experience or a high-quality visual experience, respectively.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a clear pattern of performance degradation as resolution increases, which points directly to the GPU as the limiting component. At Low settings, the average frame rates are 119 FPS at 1080p, 96 FPS at 1440p, and 71 FPS at 4K. This represents a 23 FPS drop from 1080p to 1440p (a 19.3% decrease) and a further 25 FPS drop from 1440p to 4K (a 26.0% decrease). This scaling is typical of a GPU-bound scenario, where the increased pixel count demands more from the graphics card.

The trend is even more pronounced at higher settings. At Medium settings, the average frame rates are 93 FPS at 1080p, 75 FPS at 1440p, and 55 FPS at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 18 FPS (19.4%), and from 1440p to 4K is 20 FPS (26.7%). At High settings, the average frame rates are 70 FPS at 1080p, 56 FPS at 1440p, and 42 FPS at 4K. Here, the drop from 1080p to 1440p is 14 FPS (20.0%), and from 1440p to 4K is 14 FPS (25.0%). This consistent percentage drop across settings confirms that the GPU is the bottleneck.

The data shows that the CPU is not the primary bottleneck at any resolution. If the CPU were the limiting factor, the frame rates would remain relatively constant across different resolutions. However, the measured FPS drops significantly with each resolution increase. For example, at Ultra settings, the frame rates are 66 FPS at 1080p, 54 FPS at 1440p, and 40 FPS at 4K. This 26 FPS difference between 1080p and 4K is a strong indication that the RTX 4060’s rendering capabilities are the main constraint. The CPU’s high single-thread score and the fact that it can deliver 119 FPS at 1080p Low show that it is not holding the system back.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the user’s resolution and performance priorities. For 1080p gaming, the High preset offers the best balance of visual quality and performance, with an average of 70 FPS. This is a significant improvement over the Ultra preset (66 FPS) in terms of frame rate headroom, while still providing a high level of detail. The Low preset at 1080p yields 119 FPS, which is excellent for competitive play or high refresh rate monitors, but the visual compromise is substantial. The Medium preset at 93 FPS is also viable, but High offers a better visual return for the relatively small 23 FPS cost.

At 1440p, the Medium preset provides the most balanced experience, with an average of 75 FPS. This is comfortably above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. The High preset at 56 FPS is still playable, but it is closer to the edge of the playable range. The Ultra preset at 54 FPS may be acceptable for users who prioritize visual fidelity over frame rate, but the data shows that it only offers a marginal improvement over High (2 FPS) while requiring a significant performance hit. The Low preset at 96 FPS is the best choice for users with high refresh rate 1440p monitors, but again, the visual quality is reduced.

For 4K gaming, the data suggests that this combo is not well-suited for high or ultra settings. The High preset yields 42 FPS, and the Ultra preset yields 40 FPS, both of which are below the ideal playable threshold. The Medium preset at 55 FPS is the only 4K option that approaches a playable level, but it still falls short of 60 FPS. The Low preset at 71 FPS is the most playable 4K option, but it requires a significant reduction in visual quality. The data indicates that 4K gaming with this combo is only viable at Low or Medium settings, and users should consider 1440p for a better experience.

How This Combo Ranks

In the benchmark database, this specific combo of the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 ranks 1564 out of 2996 tested combinations for Microsoft Flight Simulator. This places it in the 48th percentile of all tested combos, meaning that slightly more than half of the other tested systems perform better in this game. This ranking is a reflection of the RTX 4060’s mid-range positioning, as the CPU is a high performer (94th percentile), but the GPU’s 61st percentile score drags the overall combo down.

The ranking suggests that this combo is a solid mid-tier option for flight simulation. It is capable of delivering a good experience at 1080p and 1440p, but it is not a top-tier performer for 4K gaming. The data shows that the combo’s performance is heavily influenced by the GPU, which is the more likely bottleneck. The CPU’s high percentile ranking indicates that it would be able to support a more powerful GPU in the future, but in this configuration, the RTX 4060 limits the system’s overall potential in this demanding title. The rank of 1564 out of 2996 is not a poor showing, but it clearly indicates that there are many faster combos available for users who require higher frame rates at 4K.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table details the exact measured average FPS, with min/max where available, for every resolution and setting combination.

| Resolution | Settings | Avg FPS | Min FPS | Max FPS |

| :--------- | :------- | :------ | :------ | :------ |

| 3840x2160 | High | 42 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Low | 71 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Medium | 55 | 47 | 64 |

| 3840x2160 | Ultra | 40 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | High | 56 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Low | 96 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Medium | 75 | 64 | 86 |

| 2560x1440 | Ultra | 54 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | High | 70 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Low | 119 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Medium | 93 | 79 | 107 |

| 1920x1080 | Ultra | 66 | - | - |

FAQ

Q: What is the maximum average FPS this combo achieves in Microsoft Flight Simulator?

A: The maximum average FPS is 119, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

Q: Can this combo handle 4K gaming at a playable frame rate?

A: The data shows that at 4K resolution, the combo reaches 71 FPS on Low settings and 55 FPS on Medium settings. However, on High and Ultra settings, the average FPS drops to 42 and 40, respectively, which may not be considered playable for all users.

Q: How does the performance drop from 1080p to 1440p compare to the drop from 1440p to 4K?

A: At High settings, the average FPS drops by 14 FPS from 1080p to 1440p (70 to 56), and then by another 14 FPS from 1440p to 4K (56 to 42). This consistent drop indicates a GPU-bound scenario.

Q: Which settings preset provides the highest average FPS at 1440p?

A: The Low settings preset provides the highest average FPS at 1440p, reaching 96 FPS. The Medium preset follows at 75 FPS, High at 56 FPS, and Ultra at 54 FPS.

Q: What is the combo’s rank among all tested systems for this game?

A: This combo ranks 1564 out of 2996 tested combinations in the database for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

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

A: The data indicates the GPU is the limiting factor. The CPU is capable of delivering 119 FPS at Low settings, but the frame rate drops to 66 FPS at Ultra settings, showing that the GPU’s rendering workload is the primary constraint.