Microsoft Flight Simulator

Microsoft Flight Simulator presents one of the most demanding workloads in PC gaming, and the pairing of the Intel Core i7-12700KF with the AMD Radeon RX 9060 yields a specific performance profile that is heavily dictated by resolution and settings. The benchmark data shows a combination that is capable of smooth flight at 1080p but begins to struggle as pixel count and graphical fidelity increase, revealing a system where the GPU becomes the primary constraint at higher resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

Out of the 2,996 tested combos in the database, this specific configuration ranks 1,712th for Microsoft Flight Simulator. That places it in the lower-middle portion of the field, indicating that while the hardware is competent, it is not optimized for the absolute highest performance tiers in this simulator. The rank reflects the measured FPS across all tested resolutions and settings, and the data suggests that this combo is better suited for mainstream 1080p and 1440p play rather than extreme 4K or Ultra settings.

The CPU and GPU individually sit in different percentile brackets, which helps explain the overall ranking. The Intel Core i7-12700KF holds an 85th percentile ranking among all CPUs, a strong position that indicates it is well above average for processor performance. In contrast, the AMD Radeon RX 9060 sits in the 59th percentile among all GPUs, which is a more modest standing. This discrepancy is the first clue that the graphics card is the limiting factor in this pairing. When comparing the GPU to its nearest rivals, the data shows it is nearly identical to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, with a delta of -0.7%, meaning it performs essentially on par with that card. It is also slightly ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 7700 by 1% and the AMD Radeon Pro W5500 by 2.1%. This places the RX 9060 in a competitive but not class-leading position.

The CPU, on the other hand, is virtually tied with its closest competitors. It shows a -0.1% delta against the Intel Core i7-13700T and a -0.2% delta against the Intel Core 5 213PE, while being 0.2% ahead of both the Intel Core i5-13600T and the Intel Core i7-12700K. This indicates that the 12700KF is delivering performance that is indistinguishable from its immediate rivals, confirming that the processor is not the bottleneck in this system. The FPS data supports this interpretation, as the scores scale directly with GPU load rather than CPU capability.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 9060 is built on the RDNA 4.0 architecture with the Navi 44 chip, and it comes equipped with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus. This memory configuration provides 288.0 GB/s of bandwidth, which is a modest figure for modern gaming. The card's clocks are set at a base of 1700 MHz, with a game clock of 2400 MHz and a boost clock of 2990 MHz. These clocks are relatively high, and the GPU utilizes 1,792 shading units to process the graphical workload.

In the context of Microsoft Flight Simulator, the GPU's role is paramount. The game renders vast landscapes, complex aircraft models, and dynamic weather systems, all of which place a heavy burden on the graphics processor. The measured FPS data shows that the RX 9060 is capable of delivering playable frame rates, but only within certain parameters. At 1080p with Low settings, the card achieves 111 FPS, which is fluid and responsive. However, as settings are raised, the FPS drops significantly. At 1080p Ultra, the average FPS falls to 62, which is still playable but shows the card's limits. The 8 GB VRAM capacity is a notable factor here; while it is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p at moderate settings, the demands of higher resolutions and Ultra presets can push against this limit, potentially causing stutters or texture pop-in.

The GPU's benchmark scores align with its mid-range positioning. It scores 17,631 in Passmark G3D and 3,322 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12. These numbers are respectable but not exceptional, reinforcing the idea that this is a solid 1080p card that can handle some 1440p gaming. The gap between the GPU's 59th percentile and the CPU's 85th percentile is stark, and the FPS data confirms that the RX 9060 is the component that holds this combo back from higher rankings.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is dramatic and reveals the limiting component clearly. At 1080p High settings, the combo produces 65 FPS. Moving to 1440p High drops that to 52 FPS, a 20% reduction. At 4K High, the average FPS falls to 39, which is a 40% reduction from the 1080p figure. This steep decline is characteristic of a GPU-bound scenario, where the processor has plenty of headroom but the graphics card cannot keep up with the increasing pixel count.

The Low settings preset shows a similar trend with even higher absolute numbers. At 1080p Low, the system hits 111 FPS, which is excellent. At 1440p Low, it drops to 89 FPS, and at 4K Low, it falls to 66 FPS. The fact that 4K Low still manages to surpass 60 FPS indicates that the CPU is strong enough to feed the GPU, but the GPU is working hard even at minimal visual quality. The Medium preset offers the most complete data, with min and max FPS values recorded. At 1080p Medium, the average is 86 FPS with a min of 73 and a max of 99. At 1440p Medium, the average drops to 69 FPS with a min of 59 and a max of 80. At 4K Medium, the average falls to 51 FPS with a min of 44 and a max of 59. These numbers show a consistent scaling pattern where each resolution step costs roughly 15-20 FPS.

The Ultra preset is the most demanding, and the results are telling. At 1080p Ultra, the average FPS is 62, which is just above the threshold for smooth play. At 1440p Ultra, it drops to 50 FPS, and at 4K Ultra, it falls to 37 FPS. The 4K Ultra result is below the playable threshold for most users, indicating that this combo is not suited for maximum settings at 4K. The data clearly shows that the GPU is the limiting factor; the CPU is capable of delivering high FPS at low settings, but the GPU cannot maintain that performance as the workload increases.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal experience for this combo is at 1080p with Medium settings. This preset yields an average of 86 FPS with a minimum of 73 FPS, providing a smooth and stable frame rate that is well above the 60 FPS target. The Medium preset also offers a good balance between visual quality and performance, as the jump from Low to Medium is significant in terms of graphical fidelity, while the FPS penalty is acceptable. At 1440p, the Medium preset is also viable, with an average of 69 FPS and a minimum of 59 FPS, though the minimum is slightly below 60 FPS, which could be noticeable in dense scenes.

For users who prioritize visual quality over raw frame rate, the High preset at 1080p is a reasonable choice, delivering 65 FPS on average. However, the drop from Medium to High is 21 FPS, which is substantial, and the visual improvement may not justify the performance loss. The Ultra preset is not recommended for this combo, as even at 1080p it only achieves 62 FPS, and at higher resolutions it becomes unplayable. The Low preset is best reserved for competitive scenarios or when maximum frame rates are needed, as it hits 111 FPS at 1080p and 89 FPS at 1440p.

At 4K, the data suggests that only Low settings are viable, with an average of 66 FPS. The Medium preset at 4K dips to 51 FPS, which is borderline, and the High and Ultra presets are not recommended due to their sub-60 FPS averages. The takeaway is that this combo is best suited for 1080p Medium or High, with 1440p Medium being a secondary option for those with higher-resolution monitors.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo in Microsoft Flight Simulator?

A: The data shows that 1080p is the sweet spot, with the Medium preset delivering 86 FPS and the High preset delivering 65 FPS. 1440p is also playable at Medium with 69 FPS, but 4K is only viable at Low settings with 66 FPS.

Q: How does the AMD Radeon RX 9060 compare to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti?

A: The RX 9060 has an average benchmark score of 16,014, while the RTX 3060 Ti has an average score of 16,129. This puts the RX 9060 at a -0.7% delta, meaning it is essentially on par with the RTX 3060 Ti in overall performance.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-12700KF a bottleneck in this system?

A: No, the CPU is not the bottleneck. It holds an 85th percentile ranking among all CPUs and shows performance that is nearly identical to its nearest rivals, with deltas ranging from -0.2% to 0.2%. The FPS scaling with resolution indicates the GPU is the limiting factor.

Q: What frame rate can I expect at 1440p Ultra settings?

A: The measured FPS for 1440p Ultra is 50 FPS on average. This is below the 60 FPS threshold, so it may not provide a consistently smooth experience.

Q: Does the GPU have enough VRAM for this game?

A: The RX 9060 has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory with 288.0 GB/s of bandwidth. This is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p at Medium or High settings, but the demands of 4K High or Ultra may exceed the VRAM capacity.

Q: How does this combo rank against all other tested combos?

A: This combo ranks 1,712th out of 2,996 tested combos for Microsoft Flight Simulator, placing it in the lower-middle portion of the field.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-12700KF is a 12-core, 20-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, built on a 10 nm process with a die size of 215 mm². It has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, along with a substantial 25 MB of shared L3 cache. The CPU supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and it uses the Intel Socket 1700. This processor is capable of high multi-threaded performance, as evidenced by its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 28,838 and its 3DMark max threads score of 9,983.

In the context of Microsoft Flight Simulator, the CPU's role is to handle the simulation logic, physics, and AI, which are notoriously demanding. The 12700KF's strong single-threaded performance, indicated by a 3DMark single-thread score of 1,043 and a Geekbench single-core score of 2,255, is crucial for this game, as it relies heavily on a few cores for its core simulation loop. The processor's 85th percentile ranking and its near-identical performance to the Core i7-13700T and Core i5-13600T confirm that it is more than capable of feeding the GPU with data.

The benchmark data shows that the CPU is not the constraint in this system. At 1080p Low, the combo achieves 111 FPS, which is a high frame rate that would not be possible if the CPU were struggling. The fact that FPS drops consistently as resolution increases is a clear sign that the GPU is the bottleneck. Even at 4K Low, the system manages 66 FPS, which indicates that the CPU can handle the simulation at high frame rates. The CPU's average benchmark score of 35,365, which is nearly identical to its rivals, further underscores that this processor is a stable and reliable foundation for this GPU. For users looking to upgrade this system, the data suggests that investing in a more powerful GPU would yield the greatest performance gains in Microsoft Flight Simulator, as the 12700KF has ample headroom to support a faster graphics card.