Microsoft Flight Simulator

Microsoft Flight Simulator is a demanding title that stresses both the processor and the graphics card, but the data for this configuration—Intel Core i9-14900K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER—reveals a clear bottleneck. The CPU is a top-tier part with massive headroom, while the GPU is a mid-range performer from an older generation. The measured frame rates show a system where the graphics card determines playability, especially at higher resolutions and settings. This analysis breaks down the benchmark results to show how each component contributes to the final FPS numbers.

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

The Intel Core i9-14900K is a 24-core, 32-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 6.00 GHz. Its benchmark scores place it in the 97th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 79824. This is a processor with substantial compute power, as evidenced by its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 49872 and single-core score of 7040. For a flight simulator, which often has significant simulation and physics overhead that relies on strong single-threaded performance, this CPU is exceptionally well-equipped.

The data shows that the CPU is not the limiting factor in this pairing. Comparing it to its nearest rivals, the AMD EPYC 7413 scores 80041, which is just 0.3% higher, and the Intel Core i9-14900KF scores 79245, a 0.7% difference. These are all essentially equivalent performers. The i9-14900K's 36 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel memory support for DDR4 and DDR5 provide ample bandwidth for feeding the GPU. In the context of the measured FPS, the CPU's role is to ensure that frame times are stable and that the GPU is not starved of data. The fact that the FPS drops significantly when settings are increased, even at 1080p, points to the GPU being the primary constraint. The CPU has enough headroom to handle the game's core logic at all tested settings, meaning the frame rate ceilings are set by the graphics card, not the processor. The Passmark multi-thread score of 58674 and single-thread score of 4697 further solidify its position as a high-end part that will not bottleneck a GPU in this class.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER is a Turing-architecture card with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. Its base clock is 1470 MHz with a boost clock of 1650 MHz. The GPU's benchmark percentile is 63, with an average score of 19774. It sits close to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070, which scores 19680, a delta of 0.5%, and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN at 19706, a 0.3% delta. This places the 2060 SUPER firmly in the mid-range tier of performance, a significant step down from the CPU's top-tier status.

The 8 GB VRAM capacity is a critical factor in Microsoft Flight Simulator. The game is known for streaming vast amounts of terrain and scenery data. The measured FPS data shows that at 4K Ultra, the average frame rate drops to 32.2 FPS, which is likely due to both the GPU's compute limits and the strain on its VRAM buffer. The GPU's FP32 performance of 7.181 TFLOPS is modest by modern standards, and its 2176 shading units are not enough to push high frame rates at high resolutions with demanding settings. The data indicates that the GPU is the primary bottleneck in every configuration tested. For example, at 1080p, the difference between Low and Ultra settings is 40.3 FPS (99.3 vs 59), demonstrating that the GPU's workload scales directly with graphics quality. The card's DirectX 12 benchmark score of 61, compared to its DirectX 11 score of 130, suggests it may not be optimally efficient in the newer API, which could affect performance in a game like Flight Simulator that uses DX12. The GPU is a capable 1080p and entry-level 1440p part, but it is not suited for high-refresh or high-resolution play in this title.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS data across resolutions reveals a classic GPU-bound scenario. At 1080p with Low settings, the configuration achieves 99.3 FPS. Moving to 1440p Low drops that to 78.3 FPS, a 21% decrease. At 4K Low, the frame rate falls to 56.2 FPS, a further 28% drop from 1440p. This scaling pattern is a direct result of the GPU having to render an increasing number of pixels. The CPU's performance is constant across these resolutions, so it cannot compensate for the GPU's workload.

The pattern holds true for higher settings. At 1080p High, the average is 60.3 FPS. This drops to 44.4 FPS at 1440p High, and then to 31.6 FPS at 4K High. The frame rate at 4K High is not playable for a smooth experience, while 1440p High is borderline. The most telling comparison is on the Ultra preset. At 1080p Ultra, the system manages 59 FPS. At 1440p Ultra, it falls to 45.6 FPS, and at 4K Ultra, it crashes to 32.2 FPS. The consistent and substantial FPS loss as resolution increases is the definitive sign of a GPU bottleneck. If the CPU were the limiting factor, the FPS would remain relatively flat across resolutions, as the CPU's workload is largely independent of resolution. The data shows otherwise, confirming that the RTX 2060 SUPER's rendering capabilities are the ceiling for this system.

FAQ

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

A: The data shows that 1080p is the most consistent resolution. At 1080p Medium, the system achieves 78.2 FPS, and at 1080p High, it gets 60.3 FPS. At 1440p, the frame rates become less consistent, with High dropping to 44.4 FPS. 4K is not recommended for smooth play, as even Low settings only reach 56.2 FPS, which is below the threshold for a fluid experience in a flight sim.

Q: How does the RTX 2060 SUPER compare to its direct rival, the RTX 2070?

A: The benchmark data shows the RTX 2060 SUPER has an average score of 19774, while the RTX 2070 scores 19680. This is a delta of 0.5%, meaning the 2060 SUPER is actually slightly ahead in synthetic benchmarks. In real-world gaming, performance will be nearly identical, and the measured FPS here reflects that level of performance.

Q: Is the Intel Core i9-14900K overkill for this GPU?

A: Yes, the data suggests a significant imbalance. The CPU is in the 97th percentile, while the GPU is in the 63rd. The CPU's benchmark scores, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 49872, are far beyond what this game needs with this GPU. The FPS is consistently limited by the GPU, meaning the CPU has substantial unused headroom.

Q: Will lowering settings from Ultra to Low make a big difference in FPS?

A: Yes, the difference is substantial. At 1080p, lowering from Ultra to Low increases the average FPS from 59 to 99.3, a gain of 40.3 FPS. At 1440p, the gain is from 45.6 to 78.3 FPS. The most dramatic change is at 4K, where Low settings yield 56.2 FPS compared to 32.2 FPS on Ultra, which is a 75% improvement.

Q: What is the CPU's performance percentile compared to all other CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900K is in the 97th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 79824. This puts it ahead of 97% of processors, confirming its status as a high-end part that will not be a limiting factor in most gaming scenarios.

Q: What is the GPU's memory bandwidth and how might it affect this game?

A: The RTX 2060 SUPER has a memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s from its 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus. This is sufficient for 1080p and light 1440p, but the 8 GB capacity can be a limiting factor at high settings and 4K in a game that streams large textures, contributing to the low FPS at 4K Ultra.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal experience for this configuration is achieved by prioritizing a stable frame rate over maximum visual fidelity. At 1080p, the High preset provides an average of 60.3 FPS, which is a good balance for a flight simulator where smoothness matters. The Ultra preset at 1080p drops to 59 FPS, a negligible difference, so either is acceptable. However, the Medium preset at 78.2 FPS offers a significantly smoother experience with a modest visual downgrade, making it the best choice for consistent performance.

At 1440p, the Medium preset at 63.3 FPS is the most playable option. The High preset at 44.4 FPS may be playable for some, but it is below the 60 FPS target. The Ultra preset at 45.6 FPS is not recommended as it offers no advantage over High in frame rate. For 4K, the Low preset at 56.2 FPS is the only viable option for a semi-smooth experience, but it sacrifices significant visual quality. The Medium preset at 46.5 FPS is marginal, and High and Ultra are not playable. For the best overall experience, using 1080p with Medium or High settings is the safest recommendation.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following data represents the average FPS for the Intel Core i9-14900K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER in Microsoft Flight Simulator.

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: 99.3 FPS
• Medium: 78.2 FPS
• High: 60.3 FPS
• Ultra: 59.0 FPS

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: 78.3 FPS
• Medium: 63.3 FPS
• High: 44.4 FPS
• Ultra: 45.6 FPS

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: 56.2 FPS
• Medium: 46.5 FPS
• High: 31.6 FPS
• Ultra: 32.2 FPS

The data clearly shows that the RTX 2060 SUPER is the limiting component. The i9-14900K has ample power, and the frame rates scale directly with the GPU's workload. The system is well-suited for 1080p gaming and can handle 1440p with lowered settings, but it is not a 4K-capable configuration for this title.