Microsoft Flight Simulator FPS & GPU Guide
Estimated FPS for Microsoft Flight Simulator on every popular graphics card at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K, the cheapest card that clears each target, and the builds that run it well. Figures are honest estimates at high settings, native resolution (upscaling raises them) - not lab measurements.
144 FPS at 1440p
Needs DLSS / FSR upscaling
Microsoft Flight Simulator FPS by graphics card
Every graphics card we track, with its price and a one-click build around it. Search for yours.
Estimated FPS in Microsoft Flight Simulator at 1440p, paired with a fast CPU, high settings, native (no DLSS/FSR - upscaling raises these). This game is CPU-limited, so a weak CPU caps these regardless of GPU. Modeled estimates, not benchmarks.
Minimum (1080p 60)
CPU: Intel Core i5-12400
GPU: AMD RX 5600 XT
Recommended (1440p high)
CPU: Intel Core i7-12700K
GPU: AMD RX 6600
Complete builds for Microsoft Flight Simulator
Balanced, buildable PCs sized to this game - every part picked so nothing bottlenecks the rest.
Will your PC run Microsoft Flight Simulator?
Enter your exact CPU and GPU in our free bottleneck checker to see your estimated FPS in Microsoft Flight Simulator at every resolution - and whether one part is holding the other back.
Check your PC free →Frequently Asked Questions
What graphics card do I need to run Microsoft Flight Simulator at 1440p?
For a smooth 60 FPS at 1440p (high settings, no upscaling), you want at least an AMD RX 6600 (around $129). Faster cards give you headroom for higher refresh rates or ray tracing.
Is Microsoft Flight Simulator CPU or GPU intensive?
Microsoft Flight Simulator leans on your CPU - a weak processor will cap your frame rate no matter how strong the GPU. Pair a modern 6-8 core chip (Ryzen 5/7 or Core i5/i7) with your card.
What FPS does the NVIDIA RTX 5090 get in Microsoft Flight Simulator?
Paired with a fast CPU, the NVIDIA RTX 5090 pushes roughly 74 FPS at 1080p, 74 at 1440p, and 74 at 4K in Microsoft Flight Simulator (native, high settings - upscaling raises these).
Can my PC run Microsoft Flight Simulator?
At a minimum you'll want around an AMD RX 5600 XT for 1080p 60 FPS. Not sure if your exact parts are up to it? Run our free bottleneck checker to see your estimated FPS.
FPS estimates are modeled from GPU/CPU performance tiers and each game's typical demands - honest ranges, not measured benchmarks. Real numbers vary with settings, drivers, upscaling (DLSS/FSR), and scene. Prices are approximate; confirm at the retailer.