With a system running a 9600x processor at 5.4 GHz across all cores, 32 GB of 6400 MHz RAM, a 7900 GRE GPU, and a 1000W power supply, I recently made the switch from combat flight simulators to general aviation. To ensure optimal performance, I installed Microsoft Flight Simulator 20 on a dedicated 1 TB NVMe drive, separate from my C drive. Initially, I purchased both MSFS 20 and 24, hoping to transition to the newer version. However, despite my hardware, MSFS 24 was unplayable, consistently showing “limited by main thread” and delivering no more than 30 fps even at simple airports, with more complex scenes turning into a slideshow.
After hearing about the SU4 update, I decided to test the beta, and the results were remarkable. Previously, I couldn’t progress beyond starting up an A310 without severe stuttering, but now I experience smooth 45–60 fps, even at busy locations like LAX. My main thread time stays well below 13 ms, and with a mix of ultra and high settings—textures set to high—VRAM usage sits at 10.4 GB, a significant improvement from the 16 GB it previously maxed out. For anyone who has struggled with performance, this update is a game-changer, making MSFS 24 a viable and impressive alternative to its predecessor.