Frame Generation Explained
Estimated Lesson Time: 35–45 Minutes
Lesson Overview
In the previous lesson, we explored Anti-Aliasing technologies such as TAA, DLAA, DLSS, FSR and XeSS.
Now we’re going to discuss one of the biggest advancements in modern PC gaming technology:
Frame Generation.
When NVIDIA introduced Frame Generation with the RTX 40 Series, it changed how games could achieve smoother frame rates.
Rather than simply rendering every frame traditionally, Frame Generation creates entirely new frames using Artificial Intelligence.
For Microsoft Flight Simulator, this technology can significantly improve smoothness on compatible hardware.
However…
Frame Generation is not magic.
It cannot fix every performance problem.
It cannot solve severe CPU bottlenecks.
It is not suitable for every PC.
Understanding when to use it is just as important as understanding how it works.
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson you will understand:
What Frame Generation is.
How Frame Generation works.
Which graphics cards support it.
How Frame Generation affects latency.
What frame pacing is.
How CPU bottlenecks affect Frame Generation.
When Frame Generation should be enabled.
When Frame Generation should be avoided.
1. What Is Frame Generation?
Traditionally…
Your graphics card renders every frame that appears on your monitor.
For example:
If your GPU renders:
60 FPS
It creates 60 unique frames every second.
Frame Generation works differently.
Instead of rendering every single frame…
The GPU renders some frames normally.
Artificial Intelligence creates additional frames in between them.
These are called:
Generated Frames.
The result is a smoother animation with more displayed frames.
Think Of It Like Animation
Imagine creating a cartoon.
Normally you draw:
Frame 1
Frame 2
Frame 3
Frame 4
Frame 5
Frame 6
With Frame Generation…
Artificial Intelligence creates extra drawings between each original frame.
The animation appears much smoother.
That’s exactly what Frame Generation does.
It predicts what the next image should look like and inserts an additional frame between two rendered frames.
2. How Frame Generation Works
Frame Generation combines several technologies.
It analyses:
Previous frame.
Current frame.
Motion vectors.
Object movement.
Camera movement.
Depth information.
Artificial Intelligence then predicts what the next frame should look like.
The GPU displays:
Real Frame
Generated Frame
Real Frame
Generated Frame
Real Frame
Generated Frame
This creates the appearance of a much higher frame rate.
Example
Without Frame Generation:
60 Real Frames
↓
60 FPS
With Frame Generation:
60 Real Frames
- ●
60 AI Generated Frames
↓
120 Displayed FPS
The GPU still renders 60 real frames.
The AI creates another 60 frames.
The result appears much smoother.
3. Which Graphics Cards Support Frame Generation?
Frame Generation requires specialised AI hardware.
Currently, NVIDIA Frame Generation is officially supported on:
RTX 40 Series
RTX 50 Series
Examples include:
RTX 4060
RTX 4070
RTX 4080
RTX 4090
RTX 5060
RTX 5070
RTX 5080
RTX 5090
Older RTX 20 and RTX 30 Series graphics cards support DLSS Super Resolution but do not support NVIDIA DLSS Frame Generation.
AMD and Intel also have their own frame generation technologies in some games, but support depends on the title and implementation.
4. Why Frame Generation Was Created
Modern games are becoming increasingly demanding.
Higher resolutions.
Ray tracing.
Volumetric clouds.
Photogrammetry.
Large open worlds.
Rendering every frame natively becomes extremely demanding.
Frame Generation helps increase displayed smoothness without requiring the GPU to render every frame itself.
This is especially useful at:
1440p
4K
Ultra settings
Microsoft Flight Simulator benefits because much of its workload is already very heavy.
5. Understanding Latency
Latency is the delay between:
Your input…
and…
What appears on screen.
For example:
You move your joystick.
Milliseconds later…
The aircraft begins turning.
That delay is latency.
Lower latency generally feels more responsive.
Higher latency feels less immediate.
How Frame Generation Affects Latency
Because Frame Generation inserts additional AI-generated frames, the displayed frame rate increases.
However…
Those generated frames do not replace the need for real rendered frames.
Input is still based on the real frames.
This means Frame Generation can increase visual smoothness while also adding a small amount of additional latency.
To help minimise this, NVIDIA recommends using technologies such as NVIDIA Reflex where available.
For a simulator like MSFS, where reactions are generally less time-critical than in competitive shooters, many users find the trade-off worthwhile.
6. What Is Frame Pacing?
Frame pacing refers to how evenly frames are delivered to your monitor.
This is one of the most important concepts in smooth gameplay.
Imagine two scenarios.
Example One
Every frame arrives every 16 milliseconds.
Movement appears smooth.
Example Two
Frames arrive like this:
16ms
16ms
45ms
12ms
38ms
17ms
Although the average FPS may be similar…
The motion feels inconsistent.
This is poor frame pacing.
Why Frame Pacing Matters More Than FPS
Many people only look at FPS.
Professionals also examine:
Frame times.
Frame pacing.
Consistency.
A simulator running at:
60 stable FPS
often feels smoother than one fluctuating between:
70–100 FPS
with inconsistent frame delivery.
Frame Generation can improve perceived smoothness, but good frame pacing still depends on a healthy underlying frame rate.
7. CPU Bottlenecks & Frame Generation
This is one of the most misunderstood topics.
Frame Generation cannot fix a severe CPU bottleneck.
Remember from Module 1:
The CPU prepares every frame.
The GPU renders every frame.
If the CPU cannot prepare frames quickly enough…
Frame Generation has fewer real frames to work with.
Example
Scenario A:
GPU Limited
Native FPS:
55
Frame Generation:
Enabled
Displayed FPS:
Around 100+
Excellent experience.
Scenario B:
CPU Limited
Native FPS:
25
Frame Generation:
Enabled
Displayed FPS:
Higher than 25, but the simulator may still feel sluggish because the CPU is still limiting how quickly real frames are produced.
The AI cannot create information that the CPU has not yet processed.
The Golden Rule
Frame Generation works best when your base performance is already reasonably smooth.
If your simulator is struggling badly at very low frame rates due to a CPU bottleneck, enabling Frame Generation is unlikely to solve the root cause.
8. When Should You Enable Frame Generation?
Frame Generation is an excellent option if:
- You own a supported RTX 40 or RTX 50 Series GPU.
- You play at 1440p or 4K.
- Your GPU is doing most of the work.
- Your native frame rate is already reasonably smooth.
- You want improved visual smoothness.
- You are flying in demanding scenery where GPU load is high.
Many users find it particularly beneficial for complex airliners and detailed airports.
9. When Should You Avoid Frame Generation?
Frame Generation may not be the best choice if:
- You have an unsupported GPU.
- Your simulator is heavily CPU limited.
- Your native frame rate is already extremely low.
- You are troubleshooting stutters caused by another issue.
- You prefer the lowest possible input latency.
- You are experiencing instability related to Frame Generation on your specific system.
Always diagnose the underlying problem first rather than assuming Frame Generation will fix it.
10. Common Myths About Frame Generation
Myth 1
“Frame Generation doubles my real FPS.”
False.
It increases the number of displayed frames, but it does not double the number of frames your CPU and GPU actually render.
Myth 2
“Frame Generation fixes CPU bottlenecks.”
False.
The CPU still has to prepare every real frame.
Myth 3
“More displayed FPS always means better performance.”
Not always.
Smoothness depends on frame pacing, stability and responsiveness, not just the FPS counter.
Myth 4
“Everyone should enable Frame Generation.”
False.
The best choice depends on your hardware, flying style and personal preference.
Student Exercise
Today we are going to compare Frame Generation performance.
Step 1
Load your Module 1 benchmark flight.
Use the same:
- Airport
- Aircraft
- Weather
- Resolution
- Graphics settings
Step 2
Complete one flight with:
Frame Generation:
Off
Record:
- Average FPS
- Lowest FPS
- Frame pacing
- GPU utilisation
- CPU utilisation
- Overall smoothness
Step 3
Enable:
Frame Generation
Repeat the exact same flight.
Record:
- Displayed FPS
- Average GPU utilisation
- CPU utilisation
- Overall smoothness
- Any visual artefacts
- Overall responsiveness
Step 4
Compare your results.
Ask yourself:
- Did movement feel smoother?
- Was cockpit clarity unchanged?
- Did you notice any additional latency?
- Was the improvement worth enabling on your system?
Remember: there is no right or wrong answer—choose the setting that provides the best overall experience for your hardware.
Lesson Summary
Congratulations.
You now understand one of the most advanced graphics technologies available in Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Remember:
- Frame Generation uses Artificial Intelligence to create additional frames between traditionally rendered frames.
- It is officially supported on NVIDIA RTX 40 Series and RTX 50 Series graphics cards.
- It can significantly improve perceived smoothness, particularly at higher resolutions.
- It does not eliminate CPU bottlenecks or replace the need for a healthy native frame rate.
- Frame pacing remains just as important as the FPS number.
- Frame Generation is most effective when your base performance is already stable.
- The decision to enable it should be based on testing, not assumptions.
Knowledge Check
- What is Frame Generation?
- How does Frame Generation differ from traditional rendering?
- Which NVIDIA GPU generations officially support DLSS Frame Generation?
- What is latency, and how can Frame Generation affect it?
- What is frame pacing, and why is it important?
- Why can’t Frame Generation solve a severe CPU bottleneck?
- In what situations is Frame Generation most beneficial?
- After testing on your own system, did Frame Generation improve your overall flying experience? Explain why or why not.