Microsoft Flight Simulator

The Intel Core i5-11400F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER delivers a highly capable Microsoft Flight Simulator experience, with the data showing that the combination ranks in the top percentile of all tested configurations. The benchmark results indicate a system that is well-balanced for this simulator, though the CPU’s 6-core, 12-thread configuration and the GPU’s substantial memory bandwidth play distinct roles depending on the resolution and settings selected.

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

The Intel Core i5-11400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Rocket Lake architecture, built on a 14 nm process. Its base clock of 2.60 GHz can boost up to 4.40 GHz, which is crucial for a flight simulator that often relies on single-thread performance for core simulation logic. The CPU’s L3 cache is 12 MB shared, and it supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. In synthetic benchmarks, the processor scores 2029 points in Cinebench R23 single-core and 14372 points in multi-core, indicating a solid balance between single-thread responsiveness and multi-threaded capability. Its PassMark single-thread score of 2981 further underscores that this chip can handle the demanding per-frame calculations Microsoft Flight Simulator requires.

The data shows that this CPU is not the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions. At 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves 159.2 FPS, which is a high frame rate that suggests the CPU is feeding the GPU adequately. However, as resolution increases to 4K, the frame rates drop significantly even at Low settings (106.3 FPS), indicating a shift in bottleneck towards the GPU. The CPU’s 3DMark scores, such as 5619 for 16 threads and 868 for single-thread, place it in the 75th percentile of all CPUs, meaning it outperforms the majority of processors but is not a top-tier part. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U and Intel Core i7-1260P, with the i5-11400F essentially matching their average scores (deltaPct of 0 and -0.2, respectively), confirming that its performance is competitive in its class.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core i5-11400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER achieves a combo rank of 314 out of 1795 tested configurations in Microsoft Flight Simulator. This places it in the top 17.5% of all combos, which is a strong showing given the game’s reputation for being exceptionally demanding. The data indicates that this pair outperforms the vast majority of systems tested, though it is not at the very top tier where more expensive CPUs and GPUs reside. The rank reflects a balanced pairing; the CPU’s 75th percentile standing and the GPU’s 84th percentile standing combine to produce a result that is greater than the sum of its parts, likely because the game scales well with both strong single-core performance and high GPU throughput. When compared to other combos, this system is clearly positioned for high-refresh-rate 1440p play and respectable 4K performance, making it a versatile choice for simmers who want to adjust settings based on their display.

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

The measured FPS data reveals a clear scaling pattern across resolutions. At 1080p with Ultra settings, the system delivers 104.7 FPS, which drops to 63.4 FPS at 4K with High settings. This represents a 39.4% reduction in frame rate when moving from 1080p Ultra to 4K High, which is a significant decline that points to the GPU becoming the primary limiting factor at higher resolutions. Conversely, at Low settings, the frame rate drops from 159.2 FPS at 1080p to 106.3 FPS at 4K, a 33.2% decrease. The fact that even at Low settings, 4K performance is substantially lower than 1080p Low indicates that the GPU’s rendering workload, not the CPU’s simulation calculations, is the dominant constraint at 4K.

Looking at the medium settings, the system achieves 144.5 FPS at 1080p, 116 FPS at 1440p, and 84.3 FPS at 4K. This scaling shows that the RTX 4070 SUPER can maintain high frame rates at 1440p, but 4K requires a settings compromise to stay above 60 FPS. The data suggests that for 4K gaming, the GPU’s 12 GB of VRAM and 504.2 GB/s bandwidth are being heavily utilized, and the CPU’s role diminishes as resolution increases. This is typical for flight simulators, where the visual complexity of terrain and weather effects taxes the GPU more than the CPU’s physics and flight model calculations.

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

At 1920x1080, the system demonstrates its peak performance. With Low settings, it achieves 159.2 FPS, which is the highest frame rate recorded in the entire dataset. Medium settings produce 144.5 FPS, High settings yield 104.4 FPS, and Ultra settings deliver 104.7 FPS. Interestingly, High and Ultra settings produce nearly identical average frame rates at 1080p, differing by only 0.3 FPS, which suggests that the CPU may be creating a slight ceiling at this resolution, or that the visual difference between High and Ultra is not heavily GPU-bound.

Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates remain strong. Low settings reach 143.6 FPS, Medium settings hit 116 FPS, and High settings produce 88.2 FPS. Ultra settings drop to 78.7 FPS, which still provides a smooth experience for most players. The transition from 1080p to 1440p results in a 9.8% decrease at Low settings (from 159.2 to 143.6 FPS), but a 24.8% decrease at Ultra settings (from 104.7 to 78.7 FPS), showing that the GPU’s workload increases more steeply with resolution at higher settings.

At 3840x2160, the system begins to show its limits. Low settings still manage 106.3 FPS, which is playable, but Medium settings drop to 84.3 FPS, and High settings fall to 63.4 FPS. Ultra settings produce 59.4 FPS, which is just below the 60 FPS threshold that many consider the minimum for a smooth experience. The data shows that at 4K, users will need to use Medium or Low settings to maintain high frame rates, or accept a slightly lower frame rate at High settings. The difference between 4K Medium (84.3 FPS) and 4K High (63.4 FPS) is 24.8%, indicating that the High preset significantly increases GPU load.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER is built on the Ada Lovelace architecture using a 5 nm process from TSMC. It features 12 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 504.2 GB/s. The GPU’s base clock is 1980 MHz, boosting to 2475 MHz, and its memory runs at an effective 21 Gbps. With 7168 shading units, 224 texture mapping units, and 80 ROPs, the card is well-equipped for the heavy pixel and texture workloads that Microsoft Flight Simulator presents. Its FP32 performance is 35.48 TFLOPS, and it supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, which the game can leverage for advanced rendering features.

The GPU’s benchmark scores are impressive, with a PassMark G3D score of 29995 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 4627. It ranks in the 84th percentile of all GPUs, and its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA RTX A6000 and AMD Radeon RX 7650 GRE, with deltaPct values of -0.2 and -0.3, respectively, meaning the RTX 4070 SUPER is statistically tied with these cards. In the context of this game, the GPU’s role is paramount at higher resolutions. The data shows that at 4K Ultra settings, the system only manages 59.4 FPS, which is a 43.3% drop from 1080p Ultra (104.7 FPS). This bottleneck is almost entirely due to the GPU’s rendering load, as the CPU’s performance remains constant regardless of resolution. The 12 GB VRAM is likely sufficient for this game’s textures at 4K, but the 192-bit memory bus and 504.2 GB/s bandwidth may be a limiting factor when rendering dense scenery.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play this game with this combo?

A: The data shows that 2560x1440 provides the best balance of performance and visual quality. At 1440p, High settings achieve 88.2 FPS, and Ultra settings maintain 78.7 FPS, both of which are well above the 60 FPS threshold.

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

A: Yes, but with compromises. At 4K, Low settings produce 106.3 FPS, Medium produces 84.3 FPS, and High produces 63.4 FPS. Ultra settings drop to 59.4 FPS, which is just below 60 FPS, so users should choose High or Medium for a smoother experience.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-11400F has an average benchmark score of 17181, which is essentially identical to the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U (17189, deltaPct 0) and the Intel Core i7-1260P (17212, deltaPct -0.2). This means there is no meaningful performance difference between them.

Q: Is the GPU or CPU the main bottleneck at 1080p?

A: The data suggests the CPU is more of a factor at 1080p. At Low settings, the system achieves 159.2 FPS, but High and Ultra settings both produce around 104 FPS, indicating that the CPU’s single-thread performance may be limiting the frame rate beyond that point.

Q: What is the impact of Ultra settings compared to High settings?

A: At 4K, the difference is significant, with Ultra producing 59.4 FPS versus High’s 63.4 FPS, a 6.7% drop. At 1440p, the drop is from 88.2 to 78.7 FPS (10.8%), and at 1080p, the difference is negligible, with only 0.3 FPS separating the two.

Q: How does the GPU rank against other graphics cards?

A: The RTX 4070 SUPER is in the 84th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA RTX A6000, has an average score of 42653, which is only 0.2% higher, indicating they perform at nearly the same level in general benchmarks.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the user’s display resolution and desired frame rate. For 1080p users, the High preset at 104.4 FPS is the recommended choice, as it provides excellent visual quality without a significant frame rate penalty compared to Ultra (104.7 FPS), which offers negligible gains. Medium settings at 144.5 FPS are also viable for those prioritizing frame rate over fidelity.

For 1440p, the High preset at 88.2 FPS strikes the best balance, offering smooth gameplay with strong visual detail. Ultra settings at 78.7 FPS are still playable, but the 10.8% drop from High may not be worth the visual upgrade for all users. Medium settings at 116 FPS are ideal for players who prefer higher refresh rates or want headroom for demanding scenery.

For 4K, the Medium preset at 84.3 FPS is the best choice for a consistently smooth experience. High settings at 63.4 FPS are acceptable for those who prioritize visuals, but Ultra at 59.4 FPS is not recommended for standard 60 Hz displays, as it falls below the refresh rate threshold. Low settings at 106.3 FPS are the best option for competitive or high-refresh-rate play, though they sacrifice significant visual quality. Overall, the data indicates that the system is best utilized at 1440p, where it can maintain high frame rates with High or Ultra settings, while 4K users should stick to Medium for optimal performance.