Microsoft Flight Simulator

Microsoft Flight Simulator is a demanding flight simulation title that stresses both the processor and graphics subsystem heavily. The measured data for the Intel Core i5-9400 paired with the Intel Arc B390 reveals a configuration that is firmly entry-level for this specific game, with performance characteristics that vary significantly depending on the chosen settings and resolution. The following analysis breaks down the measured frames per second (FPS) data to offer a clear picture of what this combination can deliver.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data across different presets indicates that the most balanced experience is achieved at the Medium preset. At 1920x1080, the Medium preset delivers an average of 43 FPS, with a minimum of 37 FPS and a maximum of 50 FPS. This is notably smoother than the High preset, which averages 33 FPS, and significantly more playable than Ultra, which drops to an average of 31 FPS at the same resolution. While the Low preset provides the highest frame rates, averaging 56 FPS at 1080p, it likely does so at a considerable cost to visual fidelity, which is a core aspect of the flight simulation experience.

The data suggests that the Medium preset is the optimal compromise. It provides a frame rate that is 10 FPS higher than High and 12 FPS higher than Ultra at 1080p, while presumably retaining a reasonable level of graphical detail. The minimum FPS of 37 at this setting is also important, as it indicates that the experience is less likely to suffer from severe stutters compared to the High and Ultra presets, which do not report a minimum FPS but average below the Medium setting's floor. For users prioritizing smoothness above all else, Low is the only preset that consistently pushes the average above 50 FPS at 1080p, but the Medium preset appears to be the "sweet spot" for a playable and visually acceptable experience.

At higher resolutions, the choice becomes more constrained. At 2560x1440, the Medium preset averages 35 FPS with a minimum of 30 FPS, which is on the edge of playability. At 3840x2160, the Medium preset averages only 26 FPS, and the Low preset is the only option that approaches a moderately playable 33 FPS. For this hardware combination, the Medium preset at 1080p is the recommended starting point, with the understanding that users may need to drop to Low for smoother performance at higher resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

The combined performance of the Intel Core i5-9400 and Intel Arc B390 places this configuration in the lower echelon of tested systems for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The data shows a comboRankInGame of 2665 out of 2996 tested combos. This means that this specific hardware pairing outperforms only about 11% of all tested configurations, placing it in the bottom percentile for this game. This low ranking is a strong indicator that the system will struggle to provide a high-performance experience in this particular title.

This ranking is supported by the individual component benchmarks. The CPU, while a capable six-core processor, sits at the 47th percentile compared to all CPUs. Its measured average benchmark score of 2254 places it in a close performance band with rivals like the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 (scoring 2259, with a delta of -0.2%) and the Intel Core i3-10305 (scoring 2264, with a delta of -0.4%). The GPU, however, is a more significant bottleneck. The Intel Arc B390's benchmark score of 1482 places it at the 9th percentile among all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are older, low-end parts like the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (scoring 1463, with a delta of 1.3%) and the GeForce GT 710 (scoring 1443, with a delta of 2.7%). This indicates the graphics solution is the primary factor dragging the combo's overall rank down.

The implication of this ranking is that the system is not designed for high-fidelity or high-frame-rate flight simulation. It is a configuration that will run the game, but users should have modest expectations. The data suggests that the experience will be best suited for lower resolutions and reduced graphical settings to achieve a playable frame rate. The combination's rank is a clear warning that this is not a hardware pairing for gamers seeking a premium Microsoft Flight Simulator experience.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390, despite being a recent-generation part, demonstrates performance characteristics that are severely limiting in Microsoft Flight Simulator. The GPU's benchmark results are poor, with an average benchmark score of 1482, placing it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. This is a critical data point, as it shows the graphics processor is the dominant bottleneck in this system for this game. Its nearest rivals are all very old, low-end NVIDIA parts, which further illustrates its weak standing.

The GPU's specifications paint a picture of a component that is not intended for heavy 3D workloads. It has 1536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units (TMUs), and 24 raster operation units (ROPs). The boost clock is listed at 2500 MHz, but the frame rate data suggests that raw clock speed is not enough to overcome the limited processing resources. The memory configuration is listed as "System Shared," meaning it uses a portion of the system's main memory (DDR4) rather than dedicated VRAM. The memory bandwidth is consequently "System Dependent," which in a dual-channel DDR4 setup with the i5-9400 is a significant limitation for a game that loads vast amounts of terrain and scenery data.

The effect of this GPU is clear in the measured FPS. The transition from Low to High settings at any resolution yields a substantial performance hit. For instance, at 2560x1440, the average FPS drops from 45 on Low to 26 on High. This 19 FPS drop suggests that the GPU is quickly overwhelmed by the increased rendering workload of higher presets. The data indicates that the Arc B390 can only manage a smooth experience on the lowest settings, and even then, only at 1080p. It is the primary reason why the entire combo ranks so low, as it lacks the raw throughput and memory bandwidth necessary to handle the demands of Microsoft Flight Simulator at higher quality levels.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution and settings combination for a playable experience with this hardware?

A: The best combination is the Low preset at 1920x1080, which yields an average of 56 FPS. For a better visual experience, the Medium preset at 1920x1080 is the highest quality option that stays above 40 FPS, averaging 43 FPS.

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

A: No, it cannot provide a smooth experience at 4K. At 3840x2160, the highest average FPS is 33 on the Low preset. The High and Ultra presets both average 19 FPS, and Medium averages 26 FPS, all of which are below playable thresholds.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B390 compare to its nearest rivals according to benchmark data?

A: The Arc B390 has an average benchmark score of 1482. This is very close to the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1463, delta 1.3%) and the NVIDIA GeForce 800M (1460, delta 1.5%), showing it is in the same performance class as these very old, entry-level GPUs.

Q: Is the CPU or the GPU the main limiting factor for this combo?

A: The GPU is the main limiting factor. The CPU scores in the 47th percentile, while the GPU is in the 9th percentile. The GPU's performance is far weaker relative to its peers, making it the primary bottleneck.

Q: What is the overall standing of this CPU and GPU combination for this game?

A: The combination ranks 2665 out of 2996 tested combos for Microsoft Flight Simulator, placing it in the bottom 11% of all systems tested.

Q: What is the difference in performance between the Low and Ultra presets at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the Low preset averages 56 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 31 FPS. This represents a 25 FPS drop in average performance when moving from the lowest to the highest settings.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows how the system's performance degrades as resolution increases. At the Medium preset, the average FPS drops from 43 at 1920x1080 to 35 at 2560x1440 and further to 26 at 3840x2160. This represents a 17 FPS drop from 1080p to 4K. Similarly, on the Low preset, the average FPS falls from 56 at 1080p to 45 at 1440p and 33 at 4K, a 23 FPS drop.

This pattern of performance degradation is a clear indicator of the limiting component. As resolution increases, the number of pixels the GPU must render grows exponentially. The significant frame rate drops at higher resolutions show that the Intel Arc B390 is struggling to keep up with the increased pixel throughput. If the CPU were the primary bottleneck, we would expect to see a more consistent frame rate across resolutions, as the CPU workload remains relatively constant. Instead, the FPS scales downwards with resolution, which is the classic signature of a GPU-bound scenario.

The data implies that the system is heavily GPU-limited. The performance loss from 1440p to 4K is particularly steep, with the average FPS dropping by 9 FPS on Medium and 12 FPS on Low. This highlights that the Arc B390, with its "System Shared" memory and limited computing resources, is simply not equipped to handle the rendering demands of 4K in a game as complex as Microsoft Flight Simulator. For users with 1440p or 4K displays, the only viable option is to use the Low preset, and even then, the experience will be far from smooth.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-9400 plays a secondary but still important role in this configuration. The CPU has 6 cores and 6 threads, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. Its benchmark scores are mediocre, with an average score of 2254, placing it at the 47th percentile of all CPUs. Its performance is tightly clustered with its nearest rivals, including the Intel Core i7-10710U (delta 0.3%) and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 (delta 0.4%), suggesting it is a solid but unspectacular mid-range processor.

In Microsoft Flight Simulator, the CPU is responsible for simulating flight physics, handling AI traffic, and processing the game's complex world data. The data suggests that while the i5-9400 is not the primary bottleneck, it is not a particularly strong performer either. The fact that the combo rank is so low, even with a 47th percentile CPU, indicates that the CPU is not compensating for the GPU's weaknesses. The 6-core/6-thread configuration is adequate for the game, but it does not provide a surplus of processing power.

The influence of the CPU can be seen in the frame rate scaling. At 1080p with the Low preset, the system achieves 56 FPS. When the resolution is increased to 4K with the same settings, the frame rate drops to 33 FPS. The CPU's performance is likely to be a factor in the absolute frame rates, but the steep drop-off with resolution confirms the GPU is the more significant constraint. The CPU provides a baseline level of performance that is sufficient for the Medium preset at 1080p, but it lacks the headroom to push frame rates higher when the GPU is not the limiting factor.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following is the complete breakdown of measured average FPS for the Intel Core i5-9400 and Intel Arc B390 combination in Microsoft Flight Simulator.

1920x1080:

• Low: 56 FPS average.
• Medium: 43 FPS average, with a minimum of 37 FPS and a maximum of 50 FPS.
• High: 33 FPS average.
• Ultra: 31 FPS average.

2560x1440:

• Low: 45 FPS average.
• Medium: 35 FPS average, with a minimum of 30 FPS and a maximum of 40 FPS.
• High: 26 FPS average.
• Ultra: 25 FPS average.

3840x2160:

• Low: 33 FPS average.
• Medium: 26 FPS average, with a minimum of 22 FPS and a maximum of 30 FPS.
• High: 19 FPS average.
• Ultra: 19 FPS average.

This data reveals a clear performance hierarchy. The only configuration that achieves an average frame rate above 50 FPS is the Low preset at 1080p. The Medium preset at 1080p is the only other setting that breaks the 40 FPS barrier. All other settings and resolution combinations result in average frame rates below 45 FPS, with the 4K presets consistently falling into the low 20s or below. The minimum FPS values, where available, show that the system can experience dips, such as the 22 FPS minimum at 4K Medium, which would be noticeable as stuttering. The data consistently points to the conclusion that this hardware is only suitable for 1080p gaming on lower settings, and it is not capable of delivering a high-refresh-rate or high-resolution experience in this title.