Microsoft Flight Simulator

Microsoft Flight Simulator is a demanding title that stresses both the CPU and GPU heavily, and the measured data for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 provides a clear picture of where the bottlenecks lie. The combination of a 10-core Arrow Lake processor and a 12 GB Ada Lovelace GPU produces a range of frame rates that scale predictably with resolution and settings, revealing a system that is well-balanced but ultimately limited by the graphics card at higher resolutions. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS data to explain how the components interact across the tested configurations.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate data shows a classic pattern of GPU-bound scaling as resolution increases. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves 165 FPS, but this drops to 133 FPS at 1440p and further to 98 FPS at 4K. This represents a 20% decrease from 1080p to 1440p, and another 26% decrease from 1440p to 4K, indicating that the rendering load is scaling heavily with pixel count. The RTX 4070’s 504.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth and 29.15 TFLOPS of FP32 performance are being pushed harder as resolution increases, which is the dominant factor in this performance curve.

The scaling behavior changes when moving to higher quality presets. With Ultra settings, the frame rate drops from 92 FPS at 1080p to 74 FPS at 1440p (a 20% reduction) and then to 55 FPS at 4K (a 26% reduction from 1440p). The consistent percentage drops across Low and Ultra presets suggest that the GPU is the primary limiter in all cases. However, the absolute headroom at lower resolutions hints that the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU adequately. The 1080p Low result of 165 FPS is particularly telling, as it shows the processor can push well beyond 144 Hz, meaning at higher settings, the GPU is not being starved for data.

The most significant observation is the gap between 1080p and 4K at High settings. The system delivers 96 FPS at 1080p but only 57 FPS at 4K, a 41% reduction. This steep drop-off underscores that the RTX 4070’s 12 GB of GDDR6X memory and 192-bit bus are adequate for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but at 4K, the sheer pixel throughput requirement becomes the limiting factor. The data suggests that for a smooth 60 FPS experience at 4K, the user must step down to Medium settings, where the average is 76 FPS, or accept the High preset's 57 FPS average, which is below the 60 FPS threshold.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 plays the central role in determining performance at higher resolutions. Its boost clock of 2475 MHz and 5888 shading units are the workhorses for pixel processing, and the measured results reflect that. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS is 55, which is the lowest recorded score in the entire dataset. This is a direct consequence of the GPU’s 29.15 TFLOPS being saturated by the combined load of high resolution and maximum graphical fidelity. The 12 GB VRAM capacity is not the issue here, as the game’s data footprint at these settings fits within that limit, but the compute throughput is the bottleneck.

The GPU’s memory subsystem, featuring 21 Gbps effective GDDR6X and a 504.2 GB/s bandwidth, is sufficient for the data streaming required by a flight simulator. The difference between 1080p Medium (128 FPS) and 1080p High (96 FPS) is 25%, which is a larger jump than the 15% difference between High and Ultra (92 FPS). This indicates that the High preset introduces effects that heavily tax the GPU’s texture rate of 455.4 GTexel/s, while the Ultra preset adds more compute-intensive features that impact the FP32 performance. The GPU’s 64 ROPs are also a factor, with the pixel rate of 158.4 GPixel/s being a limiting factor at 4K.

The RTX 4070’s position in the market is confirmed by its percentile rank of 81 among all GPUs. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56, has an average score only 0.4% higher, showing that this card is a solid mid-to-high-end performer. However, the data shows that for Microsoft Flight Simulator specifically, the card is not a 4K Ultra powerhouse. The 55 FPS at 4K Ultra is a clear signal that the GPU is the limiting factor, and users targeting that resolution must adjust settings. The GPU’s 200 W TDP is a modest figure for the performance delivered, which reflects the efficiency of the 5 nm Ada Lovelace architecture.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 ranks at position 630 out of 2996 tested combos for this game. This places the system in the top 21% of all configurations tested, which is a strong showing for a mid-range CPU paired with a high-end GPU. The rank indicates that while the system is not at the absolute top tier, it outperforms the vast majority of other pairings, likely those with weaker GPUs or older CPUs. This ranking is a holistic measure that accounts for the synergy between the two components.

The CPU itself has an average benchmark score of 36938, which places it at the 85th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, has a nearly identical average score with a deltaPct of 0, indicating that the Intel chip offers similar processing power to that AMD competitor. The GPU, with an average benchmark score of 37648, sits at the 81st percentile of all GPUs. The fact that both components are in the 81-85 percentile range suggests a well-matched pairing where neither component is drastically over or underpowered relative to the other.

The combo rank of 630 out of 2996 is particularly interesting because it shows that the system is not merely the sum of its parts. Many combos with a higher-ranked GPU but a weaker CPU may fall below this rank, as the CPU’s 10 cores and 10 threads are enough to avoid bottlenecking the GPU in this specific title. Conversely, combos with a more powerful CPU but a weaker GPU would also rank lower, as the GPU would become the limiting factor. This balance is why the combo achieves a top 21% rank, demonstrating that the Core Ultra 5 225 is a capable partner for the RTX 4070 in this flight simulator.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the system delivers an average of 165 FPS on Low, 128 FPS on Medium, 96 FPS on High, and 92 FPS on Ultra. The Medium preset has a recorded minimum of 109 FPS and a maximum of 147 FPS, showing a stable frame time distribution. The 1080p results are consistently high, with even the Ultra preset achieving 92 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS target for most displays. This resolution is clearly where the system shines, offering high refresh rate capabilities even on the most demanding settings.

Moving to 2560x1440, the average FPS drops to 133 on Low, 103 on Medium, 78 on High, and 74 on Ultra. The Medium preset shows a minimum of 88 FPS and a maximum of 119 FPS, indicating a slightly wider variance than at 1080p. The 1440p results are still very playable, with the High and Ultra presets both staying above 70 FPS. This resolution is a sweet spot for the RTX 4070, as it balances visual quality with performance, offering a 74 FPS average on Ultra that is smooth for most gameplay scenarios. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is noticeable but not drastic, showing the GPU’s capability to handle a 1.78x increase in pixel count.

At 3840x2160, the performance becomes more constrained. The Low preset averages 98 FPS, which is still very good, but the Medium preset drops to 76 FPS with a minimum of 65 FPS and a maximum of 88 FPS. The High preset averages 57 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 55 FPS. The 4K results show a clear cliff between Medium and High, where the average FPS drops by 25%. This indicates that the High preset’s additional graphical features, such as increased draw distances and more detailed textures, place a significant load on the GPU. The Ultra preset only marginally reduces the FPS from High (55 vs 57), suggesting that the GPU is already saturated and the additional Ultra features have a limited impact on performance at this resolution.

Settings Recommendations

For users with a 1080p display, the data supports using the Ultra preset. The 92 FPS average on Ultra is only 4 FPS lower than High, making the visual quality upgrade essentially free in terms of performance. For those seeking the highest possible frame rates, the Medium preset at 128 FPS offers a significant boost over High, but the jump from Medium to Ultra is only a 28% reduction in FPS, which many users might find acceptable for the added detail. The 1080p data shows no reason to lower settings below High, as even Ultra comfortably exceeds 90 FPS.

At 1440p, the Ultra preset is still the best choice for visual fidelity, with a 74 FPS average that is above the 60 FPS target. However, for users with high refresh rate monitors, the High preset at 78 FPS offers a marginal improvement, while the Medium preset at 103 FPS provides a much smoother experience. The data suggests that the Medium preset is the optimal balance at 1440p, as it delivers a 103 FPS average with a minimum of 88 FPS, ensuring minimal frame drops. The High and Ultra presets are close in performance, but the Medium preset’s 39% improvement over High makes it the recommended choice for competitive or fast-paced flying.

For 4K users, the recommendation is more nuanced. The High preset at 57 FPS is below the 60 FPS threshold, which can lead to perceptible stutter. The Medium preset at 76 FPS is the clear winner, offering a smooth experience with an average that is 33% higher than High. The Low preset at 98 FPS is also viable for users who prioritize frame rate above all else. The Ultra preset at 55 FPS is not recommended, as it offers no advantage over High in terms of FPS (55 vs 57) while likely adding more visual strain. The data strongly indicates that Medium is the sweet spot for 4K, providing a playable frame rate without sacrificing too much visual quality.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS this combo can achieve in Microsoft Flight Simulator?

A: The highest recorded average FPS is 165, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset.

Q: Can this system maintain 60 FPS at 4K resolution?

A: Yes, but only on Medium settings, where the average FPS is 76. On High settings, the average drops to 57 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target.

Q: How does the CPU’s performance compare to its nearest rival?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has an average benchmark score of 36938, which is nearly identical to the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F’s 36945, resulting in a deltaPct of 0.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded at 1440p Medium settings?

A: The minimum FPS at 2560x1440 with Medium settings is 88, with a maximum of 119 and an average of 103.

Q: Is the GPU or CPU the limiting factor at 4K Ultra settings?

A: The GPU is the limiting factor. The 55 FPS average at 4K Ultra is significantly lower than the 92 FPS at 1080p Ultra, indicating that the RTX 4070’s compute and memory bandwidth are saturated, while the CPU has enough headroom to feed it.

Q: What is the percentile rank of the RTX 4070 among all GPUs?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 is in the 81st percentile of all GPUs, with a score of 37648 in the average benchmark.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is a 10-core, 10-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. Its performance in this game is primarily measured by its ability to feed the GPU with draw calls and simulation data. In CPU-bound scenarios, such as the 1080p Low preset where the average FPS is 165, the processor’s multi-threaded performance is what allows the GPU to run at its maximum potential. The CPU’s Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 25891 indicates strong parallel processing capabilities, which is crucial for a flight simulator that simulates physics and AI traffic.

The CPU’s cache hierarchy, featuring a 20 MB shared L3 cache and 3 MB L2 per core, helps reduce latency when accessing frequently used game data. The memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s on a dual-channel DDR5 setup is adequate for this game, as the measured FPS does not show signs of memory starvation. The processor’s 85th percentile ranking among all CPUs suggests it is a strong performer, and its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, has nearly identical average benchmark scores. This means that in this game, the CPU is not a bottleneck until the GPU is fully utilized.

The data shows that the CPU’s role becomes less critical as resolution increases. At 4K Ultra, the GPU is the clear bottleneck, and the CPU is likely idling or waiting for the GPU to finish rendering. However, at 1080p Low, the CPU is working harder to generate the high frame rate of 165 FPS. The CPU’s boost clock of 4.90 GHz is essential for this scenario, as it ensures that the single-threaded performance is sufficient to process the game’s main simulation loop. The Core Ultra 5 225’s 10 threads are enough for this game, which does not heavily utilize more than a few cores, but the high clock speeds ensure that the processor never becomes the limiting factor in the tested configurations.