Microsoft Flight Simulator

Microsoft Flight Simulator is an exceptionally demanding title, and the benchmark data for the Intel Core i5-12600KF paired with the Intel Arc B370 paints a clear picture of a system that is heavily constrained by its graphics solution. The measured frames per second (FPS) across all resolutions and settings are low, indicating that this combination is suitable only for the most forgiving visual configurations. The data suggests a system that prioritizes the strong multi-threaded capabilities of the CPU but is ultimately held back by the integrated graphics processor, resulting in a gameplay experience that is far from the smooth, high-fidelity simulation many enthusiasts expect.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS data reveals a predictable and steep decline as resolution increases, which is a classic indicator of a GPU-bound scenario at higher pixel counts. At 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 50 FPS. Moving up to 1440p at the same Low settings drops the average to 41 FPS, a reduction of 9 FPS or 18%. The jump to 4K at Low settings further reduces performance to an average of 30 FPS, which is a 20 FPS drop from the 1080p baseline and only 60% of the performance at the lowest resolution tested.

This scaling pattern is even more pronounced when analyzing the Medium preset. At 1920x1080, the average FPS is 39. At 2560x1440, it falls to 32 FPS, and at 3840x2160, it plummets to 23 FPS. The difference between the 1080p and 4K results at Medium settings is 16 FPS, a 41% decrease. This demonstrates that the integrated GPU is working progressively harder to fill the increasing number of pixels, and its performance ceiling is quickly reached. The 4K Medium result also shows a minimum FPS of 20 and a maximum of 27, indicating noticeable frame pacing issues and a lack of headroom.

The fact that the FPS drops are not linear but rather steeply exponential as resolution increases points directly to the GPU as the limiting component. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the FPS would remain relatively flat across resolutions, as the processor's workload would be similar regardless of pixel count. Instead, the data shows a clear and consistent penalty for every step up in resolution, confirming that the Intel Arc B370's processing power is the primary constraint. The move from 1440p to 4K is particularly punishing, with the system often dipping below the threshold of playability, even on Low settings.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) with a 25 W TDP, and the benchmark results are entirely consistent with its specifications. Its role in this combo is to render the game, and its performance ceiling is the single most important factor in the measured FPS. The GPU's memory size, type, and bus width are all listed as "System Shared," meaning it relies on the system's main memory for graphics data. This configuration often results in lower performance compared to dedicated graphics cards with their own high-speed VRAM, as the shared memory bus can become a bottleneck.

The Arc B370's clock speeds are listed with a base of 300 MHz and a boost of 2400 MHz. While the boost clock is relatively high, the low base clock and the shared memory architecture limit its effective throughput. The GPU's benchmark score in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 is 1184, which places it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. This incredibly low percentile ranking is a stark indicator of its performance class. Its nearest rivals, such as the ATI Radeon HD 5770 and the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570, are all legacy parts from a bygone era, further emphasizing how limited this integrated solution is for modern gaming.

The data shows that even on the "Low" settings preset, which typically reduces the graphical load on the GPU, the system cannot maintain a high frame rate at 4K. The 30 FPS average at 4K Low is on the edge of playability for a flight simulator, but the 18 FPS average at 4K High is a slideshow. The GPU's inability to handle the complex rendering tasks of Microsoft Flight Simulator, such as terrain tessellation and dynamic lighting, is the root cause of these low scores. There is no VRAM capacity figure to cite, but the "System Shared" designation implies a potential for contention with the CPU, which could lead to stutters and inconsistent frame times, as seen in the 20-27 FPS range for 4K Medium.

Settings Recommendations

According to the measured rows, the only configuration that approaches a playable experience at a standard resolution is the Low preset at 1920x1080, which yields an average of 50 FPS. This is the only setting/resolution combination that breaks the 50 FPS threshold. For users who prioritize smoothness over visual fidelity, this is the target. The data suggests that the "Low" preset is the only viable option for a consistently playable experience, and even then, only at 1080p.

The Medium preset at 1080p provides an average of 39 FPS with a minimum of 33 FPS. While this is a more visually appealing preset, the lower average and minimum FPS indicate a higher risk of noticeable slowdowns during complex scenes, such as flying over dense cityscapes or during weather effects. For a flight simulator where smooth camera panning is important, this could be a compromise too far. At 1440p, the Low preset's 41 FPS is a marginal step down from 1080p Low, but it is still a better choice than Medium at 1080p if resolution is a priority. However, the 39 FPS of 1080p Medium might be preferable to the 41 FPS of 1440p Low for some users due to the better visual quality.

The High and Ultra presets are effectively unplayable at any resolution. At 1080p, High averages 30 FPS and Ultra averages 28 FPS. At 1440p, these numbers drop to 24 and 23 FPS, respectively. At 4K, they fall to 18 and 17 FPS. The data is clear: these presets place an insurmountable load on the Intel Arc B370. The best experience per the measured rows is unequivocally the 1080p Low preset, as it is the only one that offers a frame rate that can be considered smooth and responsive for this genre. Any other configuration will result in a sub-optimal and likely frustrating experience.

How This Combo Ranks

In the grand scheme of tested hardware combinations for Microsoft Flight Simulator, this pairing of the Intel Core i5-12600KF and the Intel Arc B370 ranks near the very bottom. The combo holds a rank of 3428 out of 3714 tested combos, placing it in the bottom 8% of all systems. This ranking is a direct consequence of the GPU's performance, as the CPU itself is a relatively capable part. The Intel Core i5-12600KF has an average benchmark score of 27799, placing it in the 79th percentile of all CPUs, with a multi-core score that rivals the Intel Core i9-10900K and the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D.

The stark contrast between the CPU's strong standing among processors and the combo's low standing among game-testing combinations highlights the severe bottleneck created by the integrated graphics. The CPU is effectively waiting on the GPU for the vast majority of each frame. The GPU's 5th percentile ranking and its proximity to ancient rivals like the ATI Radeon HD 5770 in raw compute score fully explain the system's poor overall performance. While the CPU has the headroom to handle the game's complex simulation and physics calculations, it is being held back by a graphics solution that is fundamentally not designed for this level of graphical fidelity. This combo would only be suitable for users who are willing to play at the lowest settings and resolution and who prioritize the CPU's capabilities for other, less graphically intensive tasks.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution and settings combination for this hardware in Microsoft Flight Simulator?

A: Based on the data, the best experience is achieved at 1920x1080 with the Low settings preset, which produces an average of 50 FPS. This is the only configuration that consistently breaks the 50 FPS mark.

Q: Is this system capable of running the game at 4K?

A: Technically, yes, but the performance is not playable. At 3840x2160, the average FPS ranges from 17 on Ultra to 30 on Low, with the Medium preset showing a minimum of 20 FPS. These frame rates are far too low for a smooth simulation experience.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-12600KF has an average benchmark score of 27799, which is essentially on par with its nearest rivals. It is only 0.3% slower than the Intel Core i9-10900K and the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D, and 0.3% faster than the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE.

Q: Why is the performance so low if the CPU is a high-end part?

A: The performance is limited by the Intel Arc B370 integrated GPU. The GPU has a very low benchmark score of 1184, placing it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. This indicates that it is the primary bottleneck, unable to render frames fast enough to utilize the CPU's full potential.

Q: What are the FPS expectations for the High settings preset at 1440p?

A: The data shows an average of 24 FPS for the High preset at 2560x1440. This is not a playable frame rate for a flight simulator, indicating that High settings are not viable at this resolution.

Q: Is there any difference between the performance at 1080p Low and 1440p Low?

A: Yes. At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 50. At 1440p Low, the average FPS drops to 41. This is a significant 18% decrease in performance, showing the impact of the higher resolution on the integrated GPU.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following is a complete breakdown of the measured average FPS for every tested combination of resolution and settings.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Ultra: Average FPS 17
• High: Average FPS 18
• Medium: Average FPS 23 (Min 20, Max 27)
• Low: Average FPS 30

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Ultra: Average FPS 23
• High: Average FPS 24
• Medium: Average FPS 32 (Min 27, Max 36)
• Low: Average FPS 41

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Ultra: Average FPS 28
• High: Average FPS 30
• Medium: Average FPS 39 (Min 33, Max 45)
• Low: Average FPS 50

The data shows a clear trend: every increase in resolution or settings preset results in a lower average frame rate. The only playable result is the 1080p Low setting. The 1080p Medium preset is borderline, with a minimum FPS of 33. All other configurations fall below 30 FPS on average, which is generally considered the minimum threshold for a playable game, and many are far below that.