I currently have an i7 10700KF with an RTX 3070. I’m looking at upgrading the CPU to increase performance as I know the sim is still CPU bound and the majority of the time I’m still getting “limited by main thread”
While my performance is pretty good around 30-40fps in the PMDG 737 taxiing at commercial airports, I’m wondering I’d I could get a steady 50fps with a CPU upgrade.
My question is what is the best Intel CPU to get for MSFS?
Preferably the Intel equivalent of the 5800X3D ?
Hey @TearlessFiend27. To the best of my knowledge, Intel recently released the Intel Core i9-13900K. This is currently their most powerful mainstream consumer CPU (discounting server SKUs). Do a quick search and check out their specs.
I’m far from a computer expert; however, I think you’ve asked the wrong question. I think the question should be, “What is the best CPU/GPU/motherboard/memory/monitor combination for MSFS for VR (or not VR)”? Our computers are a bunch of related components that must work as a team. If the CPU feeds info to the GPU either too slow or too fast or the motherboard can’t handle the transfer, you’ll get stutters and low FPS. My example is my modest system (Ryzen 7 3900X, AMD 5700 XT by MSI, 32mb generic memory, AS Rock Phantom Gaming 4, and a 24" View Sonic monitor). According to AMD Adrenalin my average FPS is 74.8. Usually I see 45 to 50 when playing. Nothing is overclocked except for whatever MSI may have done in the GPU. I’ve had only a handful of CTD’S and an occasional stutter in high density scenery areas. Graphics settings are on high except for buildings which are ultra. Works great for less than $2K. I do have good internet at 200mbs and have never had a problem with updates. Many years ago, when I built my FSX computer, I had online help from someone (can’t remember his name) who was an ex-Intel employee. He utilized his concept of system unification which basically means what I stated above; it must work together. He told me what to buy and that computer still runs great and used almost daily. When starting my MSFS computer, I ran across and article which stated my CPU/GPU combination was a good match for MSFS. Can’t find the article now, but it sure paid off for me. Best wishes for you and your new computer.
I’m not actually asking because I’m building a new pc I’m just looking to upgrade the CPU. My system was built by a reputable company so I know all the components work together as this is what they specialise in. The PC isn’t actually that old but I’m trying to get slightly better performance and the CPU would actually give me the best results based on cost. The simulator is known to be CPU bound so I guess any upgrade to my current CPU would be a good thing.
Scan have them available for pre-order. £700 for the 13900K. Z790+ motherboards range from £240 to the eye watering Asus Rog Maximus at £1150! It’s not even a bundle by the looks of it, but that might be an error as there are three bundles either side of that for a similar price and they do come with either a 13700K or a 13600K.
I have an MSI Z490 motherboard so am limited to the 10th generation CPUs. The i9 10900K seems to be a good option for me and is 20% faster.
I don’t really think it’s worth the upgrade especially as MSFS is still not fully utilising all cores on the CPU so would probably be a bit of a waste.
After doing some research there are some people who have gained fps but moving to 4K instead from 1440p as 4K is giving more work on the GPU and the CPU is less strained. I might have to test this out myself as I’m currently using 1440p. The only issue is that I’m using ultrawide so a move to 4K will sacrifice this.
I have a good news for you : Your Z490 MoBo (as mine) can handle also the 11th generation, so i7-11700xx to 11900xx, and all in between.
Edit:
Core i9 11900K, 11900KF, 11900F, 11900, 11900T, 10900K, 10900KF, 10900F, 10900, 10900T, 10850K
Core i7 11700K, 11700KF, 11700F, 11700, 11700T, 10700K, 10700KF, 10700F, 10700, 10700T
Core i5 11600K, 11600KF, 11600, 11600T, 11500, 11500T, 11400F, 11400, 11400T, 10600K, 10600KF, 10600, 10600T, 10505, 10500, 10500T, 10400F, 10400, 10400T
Core i3 10325, 10320, 10305, 10305T, 10300, 10300T, 10105F, 10105, 10105T, 10100F, 10100, 10100T
Pentium Gold G6605, G6600, G6505, G6505T, G6500, G6500T, G6405, G6405T, G6400, G6400T
Celeron G5925, G5920, G5905, G5905T, G5900, G5900T
That good to hear, so an i9 11900K would work ? I’ll have to look into how much performance this would give me.
Yes it will work, I’m thinking also about upgrading without changing my motherboard (MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge Wifi).
Edit (I have the K but KF is similar in perf)
have a perfect combination: Z77V motherboard+3770K+24G1866+1070 8G. The game has been running very smoothly, although only about 30 frames can be obtained under medium or high effects. I have never met many problems encountered by players with high specifications
I9 13900K is the best, buy it
That’s exactly the combination I had less than 2 year ago (but a GTX1080) and I was pretty happy at 1080p, between 40 and 60 everywhere with mid/high setting.
My i7 3770K was easily OC at 4,4Ghz all cores (4c/8t). It’s a good little beast 
I had also OC the GTX1080 (+150/+350).
My daughter inherited this machine but the GPU I sold. I’ll buy her a new GPU soon.
How much better is the 13900K? I’m debating between getting that sometime next year, when performance is better understood, or waiting for the meteor lake. Meteor lake (potential future 14900k) seems very promising for software code-optimized to maximize performance between cores/threads, but am concerned that it would do diddly squat or perform even worse on a main-thread limited application such as MSFS than a 13900K with its high single-threaded performance.
This is what concerns me with the Meteor Lake for the way MSFS programming CPU single-core mainthread limits performance, regardless of how high end the rest of the system is.
I’m thinking of getting a 12700k or 12600k with a z690 MSI tomahawk motherboard but just wondering if it is worth it for an extra 7-10fps , ok I want to future proof it for a couple of years
Thing is I have a 10700k and z490 ASUS motherboard with a RTX 3080 and getting 45 in cockpit and 60fps on external flying PMDG
Ok it drops to 30 at detailed airports
Just wondering if anyone else has a 12th gen with a z690 and is it worth the upgrade
I think z690 motherboards supports ddr 5
If I’m not mistaken, would appreciate anyone’s thoughts
Thanks
I’d wait to see how soon to be supported DLSS3 inspired “optimisations” work with your current set up.
You won’t notice the difference besides being dazzled by the number on your FPS counter, so I’m not sure what the point is. I have a 12700K and get 30s-40s at KMIA in the PMDG at maxed out settings.
Do you know for sure it’s your processor which limit you currently? Because if it’s the RTX3080, upgrading your MB and processor will be useless…
I own too the i7-10700K and a RTX3070, and IMHO it’s future proof if I took MSFS out of the picture. In any case, when I launch MSFS I first switch my bios to the OC one with my processor going up to 5Ghz all cores. Pretty easy to OC it to 5Ghz. MSFS is the only app I need to use this OC.
For the Sim, it’s far enough to remove the CPU bottleneck I can have with MSFS when I’m setting things eating CPU a little to high 
and with the good graphical settings I can keep my 60fps nearly everywhere.
Saying that, I don’t fly big plane so yeah, could be a problem…
A 3080 is a huge step up from a 3070 so yes he will be CPU bottlenecked. However MSFS has recently morphed a little meaning mainthread limited is not quite the show stopper that it was.
Everyone’s needs are different but I have absolutely dropped plans for an 80 or 90 and also an X3D at least until prices bottom out. Quite simply with my 5800X, rtx3060 with DLSS I now have the performance and quality that I was always longing for. For others money is not such an issue.
I have experimented with TAA and DLSS but for now there doesn’t seem to be a huge difference. I thought DLSS would be a lot better than it is considering its rendering at a lower resolution.
It’s not that DLSS isn’t good, for me TAA has improved a lot and almost as good (performance wise) I presume this is because of the changes they made to the main thread being limited which doesn’t seem to be the case now.