So I'm still on MSFS 2020, I'm using a AMD 5800X3D CPU, 32GB DDR4 RAM on a RTX 2060 Super GPU - I'm reasonably happy with my output. Using two 1080 20" monitors 

I'm looking to upgrade my GPU - something like an RX 9070 XT

Does anyone have a set up like this? are they able to share screenshots? 

What sort of graphics improvement should I expect

1 hour ago, NZAA said:

So I'm still on MSFS 2020, I'm using a AMD 5800X3D CPU, 32GB DDR4 RAM on a RTX 2060 Super GPU - I'm reasonably happy with my output. Using two 1080 20" monitors 

I'm looking to upgrade my GPU - something like an RX 9070 XT

Does anyone have a set up like this? are they able to share screenshots? 

What sort of graphics improvement should I expect

I have the 9070 XT. On the hardware side i use the ATX 3.0 12v cable in the Nitro 3.1 6v psu plug hoping no fires start.

 

There are ATX 3.1 psu with the sensor in the plug so nothing would short if not plugged properly.

 

As for any benchmarks someone will chime in however the Vram nowhere nears tapped out at 1080p default plus payware airports before i stopped using it.

3 hours ago, NZAA said:

What sort of graphics improvement should I expect

That is the wrong question. You should first ask yourself: what sort of graphics improvement do I expect. Then you have to test some things, do you have limited FPS and you want to upgrade because of this? If yes, first use the dev mode to monitor your FPS where you think they are low and if the dev mode overlay tells you then "limited by GPU", you are ready to go. If the dev mode overlay tells you however "limited by main thread", you are CPU limited and as such, updating the GPU wont help you that much. 

following w interest, exact same setup here, been also considering the 9070 .. the 2060Super defo the bottle-neck

What kind of improvements should you expect from a GPU upgrade? - not a massive amount!  Maybe where multi-screen comes into it, that might be a factor.

While amount of VRAM is important (although, hopefully it is something Asobo are trying to solve, as there are still a few issues with the amount being used), actual GPU processing power is not a great problem.  I used to run MSFS2020 on an old 1080Ti with reasonable results at 4k, 30FPS, high settings, and MSFS2024 is optimised even more graphically (apart from the mentioned VRAM issues).  So if I had some advice, I would say go for the amount of VRAM above raw GPU processing power.

I currently have a 4080 and it is barely used in SU3 and SU4 beta.  I run at 4k ultra settings locked at 60fps, and it shows around 50%.  The fans barely spin up.

Meanwhile some of the cores on my Intel 14900k CPU are still running at 100% and getting close to 100C.  This is not overclocked, and with a 360 water cooler.  So that is the bottleneck for me.

So, as others have said, performance wise, it is all about the main thread for the CPU.  
We need new CPU's from AMD and Intel that either have higher clock speeds, or more instructions per cycle (IPC) or preferably both, without getting too hot. 

Currently AMD seem to be on the up, as the latest Intel offerings (Intel Core Ultra 9 285K etc.) have been an absolute joke in terms of performance improvement (basically none), and price to 'upgrade' with the new motherboard.  No doubt Intel have been struggling, and I am not too pleased on the degradation issues with my 14900k which I now have to run locked at 5.2 MHz to avoid overheating and crashing.

So basically, at the moment, CPU power and VRAM are still the most important things to look for, even with the optimised SU4 on its way.

With RAM, I have run 32GB (6000-30) and 64GB and don't see any noticeable difference. 

All these extra threads on the CPU's also add next to nothing.  Likewise, hyperthreading on my 14900 adds nothing except extra heat, so I turn it off.

If we could get a new CPU from Intel or AMD running consistently at 6+MHz with better IPC it would solve a lot of our problems, and it wouldn't need that many cores, as MSFS2024 only seems to fully use two on mine, the rest have low utilisation.  All this 32 core stuff is a waste of time for what we need for MSFS.

That's my take on trying to get better performance anyway.

 

Edited October 29, 2025Oct 29 by bobcat999

Great stuff Rob, and Chris. Interesting stuff. Not sure about OP but my 2060Super has 8GB VRAM only so am picking 12 or higher on a replacement CPU might make a difference?

CPU will always be a bottleneck both MSFS and P3D use the same base code created 15 years ago.

13 minutes ago, G-RFRY said:

CPU will always be a bottleneck both MSFS and P3D use the same base code created 15 years ago.

That's not entirely true.

Not to mention I saw much larger improvements in performance upgrading my CPU than I did my GPU when VRAM wasn't a constraint.

15 hours ago, NZAA said:

I'm looking to upgrade my GPU - something like an RX 9070 XT

Exceptionally good GPU.  I used it for about 2 months and was very happy.  Most important thing to do with the  AMD 9070XT is to undervolt which should allow higher frequency and performance.  I had no issues matching a nVidia 5080 (even in RT) with an undervolt.  

I’ve used just about every GPU on the market that is mid to high-end.  The only reason I upgraded to nVidia 5090 32GB was because of the VRAM usage in MSFS 2024.  If you can stay under 16GB VRAM usage, the AMD 9070XT will be a great choice … 1/2 the cost of a nVidia 5080 with the same performance (when undervolt).

3 hours ago, Lucky38i said:

Not to mention I saw much larger improvements in performance upgrading my CPU than I did my GPU when VRAM wasn't a constraint.

That`s what said a faster CPU will benefit your performance.

MS code in FS the CPU controls the workflow the faster the better. the Aces Game Studio team explained this more than 20 years ago before they were sacked and the studio shut.

https://www.guru3d.com/story/another-meltdown-reported-this-time-on-sapphire-rx-9070-xt/

and

AMD is pushing to get it out in 2026, but I would think early 2027 would be more likely, especially given DDR7 supply issues.

AMD have been doing very well as of late, hope they can keep the momentum going:

Need that competition if we want to avoid paying $3000-$5000 for a gaming GPU.