Microsoft Flight Simulator

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER delivers a playable, though not flawless, experience in Microsoft Flight Simulator. The data shows that this combination is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, where it can achieve smooth frame rates at medium to high settings. At 4K, the system struggles to maintain a consistent 60 FPS, indicating that the GPU is the primary limiting factor at higher resolutions. This pairing ranks in the 69th percentile of all tested combinations, placing it firmly in the mid-range tier for this demanding flight simulator.

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

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is a 10-core, 10-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture. It operates with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and can boost up to 4.90 GHz. This processor is built on a 3 nm process node and supports DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus, offering a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The CPU's performance in synthetic benchmarks, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 25891 and a single-core score of 3655, indicates a strong capability for handling the complex simulation calculations that Microsoft Flight Simulator requires.

In the context of Microsoft Flight Simulator, the CPU's role is critical for processing the vast amounts of world data, physics, and AI traffic. The high boost clock of 4.90 GHz is particularly beneficial for the single-threaded nature of many simulation tasks. The data shows that at 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 101 FPS, which suggests the CPU can feed the GPU effectively at lower graphical loads. However, the CPU's influence is less apparent at higher resolutions, where the GPU becomes the bottleneck. The Core Ultra 5 225's 20 MB of shared L3 cache also aids in reducing latency when accessing frequently used data, which is essential for the smooth streaming of terrain and scenery.

The processor sits in the 85th percentile of all CPUs, and its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F and the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D, with average benchmark scores of 36945 and 37018, respectively. The Core Ultra 5 225's average benchmark score is 36938, showing it is essentially on par with these competitors, trailing the Ryzen 5 5600F by 0% and the Ryzen 5 5500X3D by 0.2%. This indicates that in CPU-bound scenarios, the Core Ultra 5 225 will deliver performance comparable to these established mid-range options. For this game, the CPU provides enough headroom to avoid being the primary limiting factor except in the most CPU-intensive situations, such as flying over densely populated cities with high object density.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER achieves a rank of 2058 out of 2996 tested combos for Microsoft Flight Simulator. This places the pairing in the 69th percentile of all configurations, indicating that it outperforms the majority of systems tested but is still a considerable distance from the top-tier setups. This ranking reflects a balanced mid-range system that can deliver acceptable performance but will require compromises in graphical settings to achieve higher frame rates.

The ranking suggests that while this combo is capable of running the game, it is not optimized for the highest visual fidelity or the most demanding resolutions. For context, the GPU alone ranks in the 62nd percentile of all GPUs, while the CPU ranks in the 85th percentile. The lower GPU percentile is a significant factor in the overall combo ranking, as Microsoft Flight Simulator is known to be heavily GPU-dependent, especially at higher resolutions and settings. The measured FPS data confirms this: at 4K Ultra, the system only manages 33 FPS, which is a clear indicator that the RTX 2060 SUPER is struggling to keep up with the game's graphical demands at that resolution.

When compared to other combos, this system is positioned in the upper-mid range. It is not among the top performers for this game, which would typically feature high-end GPUs with more VRAM and higher memory bandwidth. However, it is also far from the bottom, meaning that users can expect a functional experience at 1080p and 1440p. The ranking highlights that this combo is a viable option for gamers who prioritize frame rate over maximum visual quality and are willing to play at medium or high settings. It also underscores the importance of resolution selection; the performance gap between 1080p and 4K is substantial, as evidenced by the average FPS dropping from 101 at 1080p Low to 60 at 4K Low.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

Q: What is the best resolution to play Microsoft Flight Simulator with this hardware for a smooth 60 FPS experience?

A: The data shows that the system achieves an average of 60 FPS at 4K Low settings, 81 FPS at 1440p Low, and 101 FPS at 1080p Low. For a consistent 60 FPS with some visual quality, 1440p Medium yields 63 FPS, while 1080p High delivers 59 FPS. The most reliable choice for a solid 60 FPS experience with better fidelity is 1440p Medium.

Q: How does the RTX 2060 SUPER compare to its closest rivals in terms of raw benchmark score?

A: The RTX 2060 SUPER has an average benchmark score of 18093. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile, scores 18159, which is 0.4% higher. The AMD Radeon Pro 5700 scores 18189, also 0.5% higher. The AMD Radeon RX 460 and Intel Arc A770M score 18373 and 18383, respectively, which are 1.5% and 1.6% higher. This shows the RTX 2060 SUPER is slightly behind these competitors in overall GPU benchmarks.

Q: Is the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 a bottleneck for the RTX 2060 SUPER in this game?

A: The CPU's benchmark scores are strong, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 25891 and a single-core score of 3655. The measured FPS data suggests the CPU is not a bottleneck at higher resolutions, as the frame rates drop significantly from 1080p to 4K (e.g., 101 FPS at 1080p Low vs 60 FPS at 4K Low), indicating the GPU is the limiting factor. However, at 1080p Low, the CPU provides enough performance to allow the GPU to reach 101 FPS.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 1440p, the average FPS at Low settings is 81, while at Ultra settings it drops to 45. This represents a significant 44% decrease in average frame rate when moving from Low to Ultra. The Medium setting provides a middle ground with 63 FPS, showing a balanced trade-off between visual quality and performance.

Q: Does the system maintain a playable frame rate at 4K resolution?

A: The system can run the game at 4K, but only at lower settings. At 4K Low, it averages 60 FPS, which is playable. At 4K Medium, the average drops to 47 FPS with a minimum of 40 FPS, which may lead to noticeable stutters. At 4K High and Ultra, the average FPS falls to 35 and 33, respectively, which is generally considered too low for a smooth experience.

Q: How does the combo's in-game rank compare to its individual component percentiles?

A: The combo ranks 2058 out of 2996, placing it in the 69th percentile of all tested combos. The CPU is in the 85th percentile of all CPUs, and the GPU is in the 62nd percentile of all GPUs. This indicates that the GPU's lower relative performance is dragging down the overall combo ranking for this game.

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

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of how this system performs across different resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the system shows its strongest performance. With Low settings, the average FPS is 101, which provides an exceptionally smooth experience. Moving to Medium settings, the average drops to 78 FPS, with a minimum of 67 and a maximum of 90, indicating a stable frame rate. High settings yield an average of 59 FPS, which is at the edge of smoothness for many users. At Ultra settings, the average FPS is 56, showing that the system can handle 1080p at the highest settings, but with a noticeable reduction in frame rate compared to lower settings.

At 2560x1440, the performance scales predictably. Low settings produce an average of 81 FPS, which is still very playable. Medium settings average 63 FPS, with a minimum of 54 and a maximum of 73, offering a good balance. High settings reduce the average to 47 FPS, which may be acceptable for some players but is not ideal for fast-paced action. Ultra settings at 1440p bring the average down to 45 FPS, making it the least desirable option at this resolution for a smooth experience.

At 3840x2160, the system's limitations become apparent. Low settings achieve an average of 60 FPS, barely hitting the 60 FPS mark. Medium settings average 47 FPS, with a minimum of 40 and a maximum of 54, showing significant frame dips. High settings average 35 FPS, which is generally too low for a comfortable experience. Ultra settings at 4K yield an average of 33 FPS, making it the most demanding configuration and resulting in a sub-optimal play experience. The data clearly shows that 4K is only viable for this combo when using the lowest settings, and even then, the performance is marginal.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER is a Turing-architecture GPU with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. It has a base clock of 1470 MHz and a boost clock of 1650 MHz. The GPU's memory configuration is a critical factor in Microsoft Flight Simulator, which is known for loading large textures and scenery data. The 8 GB VRAM is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but it may become a limiting factor at 4K with high-resolution textures, potentially causing texture streaming issues.

The GPU's raw compute power is reflected in its benchmarks, with a Passmark G3D score of 16462 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2011. These scores place the RTX 2060 SUPER in the 62nd percentile of all GPUs. In the context of Microsoft Flight Simulator, the GPU's performance is the primary determinant of frame rates at higher resolutions. The measured data supports this: the average FPS drops by roughly 40% when moving from 1080p to 4K at the same settings (e.g., 101 FPS at 1080p Low vs 60 FPS at 4K Low). This indicates that the GPU is heavily taxed by the game's rendering requirements at higher pixel counts.

The GPU's closest rivals, such as the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile, have an average score 0.4% higher, suggesting the RTX 2060 SUPER is slightly behind the curve for modern gaming. The RTX 2060 SUPER's 7.181 TFLOPS of FP32 performance and 224.4 GTexel/s texture rate are adequate for this game at medium settings, but the data shows that ultra settings at 1440p and above push the GPU beyond its comfort zone. The GPU's 8 GB VRAM and 448.0 GB/s bandwidth are sufficient for the game's demands at 1080p and 1440p, but for 4K, the system requires a more powerful GPU with greater memory bandwidth and capacity to maintain high frame rates.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the user's resolution and performance priorities. For a 1080p display, the Medium preset offers the best balance, with an average of 78 FPS and a minimum of 67 FPS, ensuring a smooth and stable experience. High settings also provide a playable 59 FPS average, but the Medium preset offers more headroom to avoid frame drops. The Low preset at 1080p achieves 101 FPS, which is excellent for maximum smoothness, but sacrifices visual fidelity. Ultra at 1080p is viable for users who prioritize visuals over frame rate, with an average of 56 FPS, but this is on the edge of smoothness.

At 1440p, the Medium preset is the recommended choice, delivering an average of 63 FPS with a minimum of 54 FPS. This provides a good balance between visual quality and performance. The Low preset at 1440p achieves 81 FPS, which is ideal for competitive or high-refresh-rate play, but the Medium preset offers a more immersive experience. High settings at 1440p average 47 FPS, which is playable but may result in noticeable stutters in dense areas. Ultra at 1440p is not recommended, as the 45 FPS average is below the threshold for a consistently smooth experience.

For 4K displays, the data suggests that only the Low preset is viable, with an average of 60 FPS. The Medium preset at 4K averages 47 FPS, which is borderline playable but will have significant dips to 40 FPS. High and Ultra presets at 4K are not recommended, as they average 35 and 33 FPS, respectively, which is too low for a satisfactory experience. Therefore, users with 4K displays should either lower the resolution to 1440p or stick to Low settings for a playable frame rate. Overall, the best experience for this combo is to play at 1080p or 1440p with the Medium preset, which offers the best combination of visual quality and performance without compromising the smoothness of the flight simulation.