Microsoft Flight Simulator

Microsoft Flight Simulator is a uniquely demanding title, one where the CPU and GPU must work in concert to render dense photogrammetry, dynamic weather, and complex flight models. The combination of the Intel Core i5-12400 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER produces a system that is capable of high refresh rates at 1440p and solid 4K performance, though the data reveals a distinct shift in bottleneck behavior depending on resolution and settings. This analysis breaks down the measured performance of this specific pairing, interpreting the benchmark results against its nearest rivals and the broader database of tested combinations.

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

The Intel Core i5-12400 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture. It operates with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, using a 10 nm process node. Its cache structure includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 18 MB L3 cache. In the context of Microsoft Flight Simulator, which is known for its reliance on single-thread performance for core simulation logic, the processor's boost clock and architecture are critical. The processor's 3DMark single-thread score of 910 and Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2249 indicate robust per-core capability, which is essential for maintaining frame pacing in the simulator's complex world-streaming engine.

The data suggests that the i5-12400 is a strong but not dominant partner for the RTX 4080 SUPER. In synthetic multi-threaded benchmarks, the CPU scores 15,935 in Cinebench R23 and 5,873 in 3DMark's 16-thread test. Its average benchmark score of 19,850 places it in the 77th percentile of all CPUs tested. When compared to its nearest rivals, the performance is remarkably tight. It is a mere 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i7-9700 and 0.4% ahead of the Intel Core i5-11600K, while trailing the Intel Core i7-8700 by 0.2% and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX by 0.4%. This indicates that the i5-12400's performance is in a very competitive band, and its 6-core/12-thread configuration is sufficient to avoid being a severe bottleneck in most scenarios, though it will not provide the same headroom as higher-core-count parts in heavily multi-threaded workloads.

The CPU's memory support for both DDR4 and DDR5 provides platform flexibility. In Flight Simulator, the CPU's job is to feed the GPU with draw calls and process the game's physics and AI. The benchmark results show that at lower resolutions, the CPU's influence on final frame rates becomes more apparent. The transition from 1080p to 1440p and 4K shows a scaling pattern that is typical for a balanced system: the CPU's relative load decreases as the GPU's rendering load increases. The 65W TDP and locked multiplier suggest this is a power-efficient, mainstream part, which is a sensible pairing with a high-end GPU to keep overall system thermals manageable.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER is the dominant component in this pairing. Based on the Ada Lovelace architecture and built on a 5 nm process at TSMC, it features 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering a bandwidth of 736.3 GB/s. The GPU has a base clock of 2295 MHz and a boost clock of 2550 MHz, with memory running at an effective 23 Gbps. With 10,240 shading units, 80 RT cores, and 320 tensor cores, it is a formidable piece of silicon. Its FP32 performance is rated at 52.22 TFLOPS. The GPU's average benchmark score of 53,610 places it in the 88th percentile of all GPUs, highlighting its high-end status.

In the context of Flight Simulator, the RTX 4080 SUPER's 16 GB VRAM buffer is a significant asset. The game's high-resolution textures and detailed scenery can consume large amounts of memory, and the data shows that this GPU is rarely constrained by VRAM at the tested settings. Its PassMark G3D score of 34,245 and 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 6,600 confirm its raw rendering prowess. Against its nearest rivals, the GPU holds a slight edge. It is 0.2% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT, 0.4% ahead of the AMD Radeon Pro W6600M, 2.1% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 7700S, and 2.9% ahead of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti. These small deltas indicate that the RTX 4080 SUPER is very closely matched with its immediate competitors, meaning the CPU choice becomes more critical for differentiation.

The GPU's role in the measured FPS data is clear. At 4K Ultra, the system still manages 69.2 FPS, demonstrating that the GPU has enough horsepower to push the simulator's most demanding settings. The high boost clock of 2550 MHz ensures that the GPU can sustain high utilization, especially at 1440p where the CPU is less of a limiting factor. The data indicates that for this game, the RTX 4080 SUPER is the primary driver of performance at higher resolutions, while the CPU's capability becomes more influential at 1080p.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

In the database of tested CPU and GPU combinations for Microsoft Flight Simulator, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i5-12400 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER ranks at position 125 out of 1,795 total combinations. This places it in the top 7% of all tested systems, which is a strong result. This rank reflects the overall capability of the system across various resolutions and settings, not just a single benchmark. The high rank is largely attributable to the GPU's strength, as the CPU, while competent, is not the highest-performing part available. The fact that it ranks in the 125th spot suggests that there are many combinations with more powerful CPUs that achieve higher scores, but this pairing is still significantly ahead of the vast majority of systems in the database.

The ranking indicates that this is a high-end configuration that will deliver a premium experience in Flight Simulator. The gap between this combo and the top-ranked ones is likely due to CPU performance in simulation-heavy scenes. While the i5-12400 is a solid performer, a more powerful CPU with higher single-thread performance would likely push this combo higher up the ranks. However, the data shows that for most users, this pairing provides an excellent balance, enabling high frame rates without the need for a top-tier flagship CPU. The 125th rank out of 1,795 confirms the RTX 4080 SUPER's ability to carry the system to impressive heights.

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

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of the system's performance across three resolutions and four quality settings. At 1080p, the system is capable of very high frame rates. With Low settings, the average FPS is 182.6. This drops to 163.1 at Medium, 124.8 at High, and 115.5 at Ultra. The scaling from Low to Ultra shows a 67.1 FPS difference, indicating that the GPU is well-utilized but also that the CPU is starting to limit the maximum frame rate at this resolution. The 1080p results are all above 115 FPS, making this an excellent setup for high-refresh-rate monitors.

Moving to 1440p, the frame rates remain very high, though they decrease as expected. Low settings produce an average of 165.2 FPS. Medium settings yield 129.9 FPS, and High settings drop to 98.2 FPS. At Ultra, the system still maintains an average of 91.3 FPS. The difference between 1080p and 1440p is most pronounced at Low settings, with a 17.4 FPS drop, while at Ultra, the drop is only 24.2 FPS. This suggests that at 1440p, the GPU is becoming the more significant bottleneck, but the system remains highly playable even at the highest settings.

At 4K (3840x2160), the system delivers playable frame rates across all settings. Low settings average 120.8 FPS, Medium averages 97 FPS, High averages 74.1 FPS, and Ultra averages 69.2 FPS. The 4K results show a clear GPU-bound scenario, with the difference between Low and Ultra being 51.6 FPS. The Ultra setting at 69.2 FPS is the most demanding scenario tested, and it remains above the 60 FPS threshold, indicating a smooth experience for most users. The data shows a consistent scaling pattern, with the RTX 4080 SUPER providing a strong foundation for high-fidelity flight simulation at all tested resolutions.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-12400 a bottleneck for the RTX 4080 SUPER in this game?

A: The benchmark data indicates that the CPU is not a severe bottleneck at higher resolutions. At 4K Ultra, the system achieves 69.2 FPS, showing the GPU is the primary driver. However, at 1080p Low, the average FPS of 182.6 is likely limited by the CPU's single-thread performance, as the GPU could potentially render more frames.

Q: How does this CPU compare to its closest rivals in overall benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core i5-12400 has an average benchmark score of 19,850. It is 0.1% faster than the Intel Core i7-9700 and 0.4% faster than the Intel Core i5-11600K. It is 0.2% slower than the Intel Core i7-8700 and 0.4% slower than the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX.

Q: What is the best resolution and settings combination for this system?

A: For a balance of visual quality and frame rate, 1440p Ultra at 91.3 FPS is an excellent choice. For users prioritizing higher frame rates, 1080p High at 124.8 FPS is very strong. At 4K, the system is capable of 74.1 FPS at High settings, which is still a smooth experience.

Q: How does the RTX 4080 SUPER's performance compare to the AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT?

A: The RTX 4080 SUPER has an average benchmark score of 53,610, which is 0.2% higher than the AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT's score of 53,489. This indicates a negligible performance difference between the two in synthetic benchmarks.

Q: What frame rates can be expected at 4K with Ultra settings?

A: The measured data shows an average FPS of 69.2 at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings. This is a playable frame rate for a flight simulator, ensuring a smooth and detailed visual experience.

Q: Does the system support the latest graphics APIs?

A: Yes, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. This ensures compatibility with modern rendering features and future titles.