MSFS 2024 Performance Guide: How to Get Smooth Frames Without Sacrificing Visuals

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is gorgeous, but it's also one of the most demanding applications you'll ever run on a PC. The good news is that there's a lot of room for optimization — targeted tweaks that can give you noticeably smoother performance without turning the sim into a blurry mess.

Here's what actually works, based on community testing and real-world results.

Start with Windows

Before touching anything in the sim, make sure your OS isn't fighting you.

GPU Drivers

This sounds obvious, but it matters more than you think. Both NVIDIA and AMD release driver updates that specifically target MSFS performance. Always run the latest stable driver — not necessarily the beta.

Background Processes

MSFS is a resource hog, and every background process eats into your headroom. Close browser tabs, disable overlays you don't need (Discord overlay, GeForce Experience), and consider creating a dedicated 'sim profile' in Windows that strips unnecessary startup items.

Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling

In Windows Settings → Display → Graphics → Default Graphics Settings, enable Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling. This can reduce input lag and improve frame pacing on modern GPUs.

Game Mode

Windows Game Mode (Settings → Gaming → Game Mode) is worth enabling. It prioritises your sim's access to CPU and GPU resources.

In-Sim Settings That Actually Matter

Not all settings are created equal. Some barely affect visuals but tank your FPS. Here's where to focus:

DLSS / FSR — Your Best Friend

If you have an NVIDIA GPU, enable DLSS (Quality or Balanced mode). AMD users should use FSR. These upscaling technologies can give you 30-50% more frames with minimal visual impact. This is the single biggest performance gain available.

Terrain Level of Detail

The Terrain LOD slider has a massive performance impact. Try reducing it from 200 to 150 or even 100. You'll lose some distant terrain detail, but in most scenarios you won't notice from the cockpit.

Object Level of Detail

Similar to Terrain LOD, the Object LOD affects how many 3D objects are rendered at distance. Dropping from 200 to 150 is a good starting point.

Glass Cockpit Refresh Rate

If you fly complex airliners, set Glass Cockpit Refresh Rate to Medium or Low. Rendering those avionics displays at full rate is surprisingly expensive.

Clouds

Clouds are beautiful in MSFS but punishingly expensive. Dropping cloud quality by one notch (e.g., Ultra to High) can save significant frames, especially in overcast conditions.

Storage Matters

Rolling Cache

Enable Rolling Cache on an SSD (not an HDD). Set it to at least 32GB — this caches terrain and scenery data locally, reducing stutters from streaming. If you frequently fly the same routes, a larger cache (64-100GB) pays dividends.

Install Location

MSFS should live on an SSD. If you're running it from a hard drive, that's likely your biggest bottleneck.

The Testing Approach

Don't change everything at once. Adjust one setting, fly a consistent test scenario (same airport, same weather, same aircraft), and compare. What works for one system may not work for another — the goal is finding your personal sweet spot between visual fidelity and smooth performance.

The most effective changes, in order of impact:

1. Enable DLSS/FSR — biggest single gain
2. Reduce Terrain and Object LOD — easy frames
3. Update GPU drivers — free performance
4. Rolling Cache on SSD — reduces stutters
5. Lower cloud quality one notch — noticeable in overcast