Microsoft Flight Simulator

The data for Microsoft Flight Simulator with the Intel Core i5-11400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 shows a configuration that scales predictably with resolution while maintaining a strong performance ceiling. The measured frame rates indicate that the RTX 5070 is the primary driver of performance across most settings, though the 6-core, 12-thread i5-11400F keeps pace without introducing significant bottlenecks at standard gaming resolutions. This combination ranks in the top tier of tested systems, placing 386th out of 1795 total combos, which places it in the 78th percentile of all configurations. The following sections break down how resolution affects frame rates, what the CPU contributes, and which settings deliver the best experience based on the measured data.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate progression from 1080p to 4K reveals a classic GPU-bound curve with the RTX 5070 doing the heavy lifting. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo produces 157.7 FPS. Moving to 1440p drops that to 145 FPS, a reduction of 12.7 FPS or roughly 8%. The jump to 4K at Low settings yields 102.8 FPS, which is 54.9 FPS lower than the 1080p result. This scaling pattern indicates that even at the lowest settings, the GPU is not being saturated at 1080p, and the CPU is capable of feeding it enough frames to keep the system well above playable thresholds.

The High preset tells a similar story with a steeper drop-off. At 1080p High, the combo achieves 106.8 FPS. At 1440p High, that falls to 85.9 FPS, a 20.9 FPS decrease. The 4K High result is 62.5 FPS, which is 44.3 FPS below the 1080p figure. The percentage drop from 1080p to 4K at High settings is approximately 41%, which is consistent with a rendering workload that quadruples pixel count. The fact that 4K High still holds above 60 FPS suggests the RTX 5070 has ample headroom for this simulation.

Ultra settings show the most pronounced sensitivity to resolution. At 1080p Ultra, the system hits 99.4 FPS. At 1440p Ultra, it drops to 76.9 FPS, and at 4K Ultra, it lands at exactly 60 FPS. The 4K Ultra result is exactly on the threshold for smooth gameplay, indicating that this is the most demanding configuration in the measured set. The scaling from 1080p to 4K at Ultra represents a 39.4 FPS loss, or roughly 40%, which aligns with the High preset’s behavior. This consistency suggests that the limiting component is the GPU’s pixel throughput, not the CPU or memory subsystem.

The data shows that the i5-11400F is not the bottleneck at any resolution. The 1080p Low result of 157.7 FPS demonstrates that the CPU can drive high frame rates when the GPU is underutilized. As resolution increases, the FPS drops proportionally to the added pixel workload, which is the expected behavior for a GPU-limited scenario. The 4K Low result of 102.8 FPS is particularly telling—it shows that even with minimal graphical settings, the RTX 5070 still delivers over 100 FPS, leaving no indication of CPU stalls.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average frame rate recorded for this combination?

A: The highest average frame rate is 157.7 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

Q: Can this system maintain 60 FPS at 4K with the highest settings?

A: Yes, the 4K Ultra preset produces an average of 60 FPS exactly, which is the minimum threshold for smooth performance.

Q: How much performance is lost when moving from 1080p to 4K at High settings?

A: The average frame rate drops from 106.8 FPS at 1080p to 62.5 FPS at 4K, a reduction of 44.3 FPS.

Q: Which resolution and settings combo yields the lowest average frame rate?

A: The lowest average is 60 FPS, recorded at 3840x2160 resolution with Ultra settings.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-11400F limiting performance in this game?

A: The data shows no CPU limitation. At 1080p Low, the system reaches 157.7 FPS, and frame rates scale down with resolution as expected for GPU-bound workloads.

Q: How does the 1440p Medium preset compare to the 1080p High preset?

A: The 1440p Medium preset produces 108.5 FPS, which is slightly higher than the 1080p High result of 106.8 FPS, indicating that the medium preset at a higher resolution can outperform high settings at a lower resolution.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-11400F brings 6 cores and 12 threads to the pairing, running at a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. Its 12 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR4 memory support provide adequate bandwidth for feeding the RTX 5070. In synthetic benchmarks, this CPU achieves a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 14372 and a single-core score of 2029, placing it in the 75th percentile of all CPUs. The nearest rivals in terms of average benchmark score include the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U at a deltaPct of 0 and the Intel Core i7-1260P at -0.2%, meaning the i5-11400F performs essentially on par with those mobile parts.

For Microsoft Flight Simulator, the CPU’s role is to handle the simulation logic, physics, and draw call preparation. The measured frame rates suggest that the 12 threads are sufficient for this workload. The 1080p Low score of 157.7 FPS is the strongest evidence of CPU headroom—at that setting, the GPU is rendering simple scenes, yet the CPU still manages to produce high frame rates. When moving to 4K Ultra, the frame rate drops to 60 FPS, which is a GPU-bound result; the CPU is not the constraining factor at that point.

The boost clock of 4.40 GHz gives the i5-11400F strong single-thread performance, which is relevant for flight simulators that often rely on a primary simulation thread. The single-core Cinebench R23 score of 2029 confirms this capability. The CPU’s 65 W TDP and Rocket Lake architecture are modest by modern standards, but the data shows no performance deficit in this game. The average benchmark score of 17181 and the 75th percentile ranking indicate a mid-to-high-tier CPU that pairs well with a high-end GPU like the RTX 5070 without creating a noticeable imbalance.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific combination of the Intel Core i5-11400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 ranks 386th out of 1795 tested combos for Microsoft Flight Simulator. That places it in the top 21.5% of all configurations, which is a strong showing given the CPU’s relatively modest standing in the broader market. The GPU itself ranks in the 83rd percentile of all graphics cards, while the CPU ranks in the 75th percentile, so the overall combo ranking is consistent with the higher-performing component driving the result.

In the context of the GPU’s nearest rivals, the RTX 5070 shows a tight grouping. Its average benchmark score of 41687 is nearly identical to the AMD Radeon Pro 5300, which scores 41610 with a deltaPct of 0.2%, and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090, which scores 41441 with a deltaPct of 0.6%. This means the RTX 5070 is statistically indistinguishable from those cards in synthetic tests, yet in this game, it delivers playable frame rates across all measured settings. The CPU’s nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core i7-1260P and Intel Core Ultra 7 164U, are both within 0.2% of its average score, indicating that the i5-11400F is a solid mid-range performer.

The rank of 386 out of 1795 suggests that this combo is well above average for this specific game, which is demanding on both CPU and GPU due to its complex rendering and simulation requirements. The fact that it achieves 60 FPS at 4K Ultra is a significant data point, as many systems struggle to hit that threshold in this title. The combination’s placement in the upper quartile of tested combos confirms that the i5-11400F does not hold back the RTX 5070 in any meaningful way.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the system delivers its highest frame rates across all settings. Low settings produce 157.7 FPS, Medium produces 137.6 FPS, High produces 106.8 FPS, and Ultra produces 99.4 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra is 58.3 FPS, showing that the Ultra preset imposes a significant rendering cost even at 1080p. The Medium preset at 137.6 FPS is notably close to the High preset’s 106.8 FPS, with a 30.8 FPS difference, suggesting that Medium is a sweet spot for high refresh rate displays.

Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates scale down as expected. Low settings yield 145 FPS, which is still very high and only 12.7 FPS below the 1080p result. Medium produces 108.5 FPS, High produces 85.9 FPS, and Ultra produces 76.9 FPS. The 1440p Ultra result is 22.5 FPS lower than the 1080p Ultra result, indicating that the extra pixels have a substantial impact at the highest quality settings. The 1440p Medium result of 108.5 FPS is slightly higher than the 1080p High result of 106.8 FPS, which is an interesting crossover point.

At 3840x2160, the frame rates drop further but remain playable. Low settings still deliver 102.8 FPS, which is above 100 FPS and suitable for most displays. Medium produces 82.9 FPS, High produces 62.5 FPS, and Ultra produces exactly 60 FPS. The 4K Ultra result is the lowest in the entire dataset, but it maintains the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. The difference between 4K Low and 4K Ultra is 42.8 FPS, which is a substantial range that gives users flexibility to prioritize visual fidelity or frame rate.

Settings Recommendations

For users with a 1080p display, the High preset at 106.8 FPS offers a balanced experience, but the Ultra preset at 99.4 FPS is also viable if visual fidelity is the priority. The data shows that Ultra at 1080p only costs 7.4 FPS compared to High, so there is little reason to avoid it on a standard 60 Hz monitor. For 144 Hz displays, the Medium preset at 137.6 FPS is the best choice, as it stays above 120 FPS while still providing decent visual quality.

At 1440p, the Medium preset at 108.5 FPS is the recommended starting point, as it delivers frame rates high enough for 100 Hz monitors. The High preset at 85.9 FPS is suitable for 75 Hz displays, and the Ultra preset at 76.9 FPS remains above 60 FPS, making it a viable option for users who want maximum quality without dropping below the playable threshold. The Low preset at 145 FPS is only recommended for competitive play or for users with very high refresh rate monitors.

For 4K displays, the Ultra preset at exactly 60 FPS is the best experience if the display supports 60 Hz, as it provides the highest visual quality without sacrificing smoothness. The High preset at 62.5 FPS is nearly identical in performance and may be preferable if there are occasional drops below 60 FPS in heavier scenes. The Medium preset at 82.9 FPS is the recommended choice for users who prefer a margin of safety, and the Low preset at 102.8 FPS is ideal for those who prioritize frame rate over all else. Across all resolutions, the Ultra preset consistently stays within 7.4 FPS of the High preset at 1080p, which suggests that the RTX 5070 has enough headroom to handle the highest settings without a major penalty until 4K.