Core NVIDIA Settings

Core NVIDIA Settings Explained

Estimated Lesson Time: 35–45 Minutes

Lesson Overview

Welcome to Lesson 3 of Module 4.

In the previous lesson, we learnt how NVIDIA Control Panel works and why Microsoft Flight Simulator should have its own dedicated driver profile.

Today we’re going to begin configuring that profile.

We’ll look at the core NVIDIA settings that have the greatest relevance to Microsoft Flight Simulator. Some of these settings can influence performance or display behaviour, while others are best left to the simulator itself.

One of the most important things to remember is this:

The goal isn’t to change every setting. The goal is to understand which settings are worth changing and which should be left alone.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson you will understand:

What each core NVIDIA setting does.

Whether Microsoft Flight Simulator actually uses it.

Whether it mainly affects the CPU or GPU.

When to leave it at its default value.

When it should be changed.

How to build a clean NVIDIA profile for MSFS.

Before You Begin

Open NVIDIA Control Panel.

Navigate to:

Manage 3D Settings → Program Settings

Select:

Microsoft Flight Simulator

If you haven’t already created a profile, create one now before continuing.

1. Image Scaling (NVIDIA Image Scaling)

What It Does

Image Scaling (NIS) is NVIDIA’s spatial upscaling technology. It allows a game to render at a lower internal resolution and then upscale the image to your monitor’s native resolution, with optional sharpening.

Unlike DLSS, NIS does not use AI or Tensor Cores. It is a driver-level feature that works with many games.

Does MSFS Use It?

Microsoft Flight Simulator already includes its own upscaling technologies such as:

  • DLSS
  • FSR
  • XeSS (where available)

These are integrated into the simulator and generally provide better results than forcing NVIDIA Image Scaling.

CPU or GPU Impact?

Primarily GPU.

Rendering at a lower internal resolution reduces GPU workload, but image quality can suffer.

Should You Leave It At Default?

Yes, in most cases.

If you’re using DLSS or another in-game upscaling option, leave Image Scaling disabled in NVIDIA Control Panel.

My Recommendation

Recommendation: Off

Use the simulator’s built-in upscaling options instead.

Only consider NIS if a game does not offer modern upscaling technologies.

2. CUDA – GPUs

What It Does

CUDA determines which NVIDIA GPU performs CUDA-based processing.

If your PC has only one NVIDIA graphics card, the correct choice is simply that GPU.

Does MSFS Use It?

Yes, indirectly.

Microsoft Flight Simulator benefits from CUDA-enabled hardware through NVIDIA’s driver stack and technologies such as DLSS, but there is no performance benefit from manually restricting CUDA to fewer GPUs in a typical gaming PC.

CPU or GPU Impact?

GPU.

Should You Leave It At Default?

Usually yes.

My Recommendation

Recommendation: All GPUs (or the single installed GPU).

Do not limit CUDA unless you have a specialised multi-GPU workstation and understand why you’re doing so.

3. Low Latency Mode

What It Does

Low Latency Mode controls how many frames the graphics driver prepares in advance.

Reducing this queue can lower input latency in some games.

Options typically include:

  • Off
  • On
  • Ultra

Does MSFS Use It?

Microsoft Flight Simulator includes support for NVIDIA Reflex, which is specifically designed to reduce latency.

When Reflex is available and enabled in the simulator, it generally takes priority over the older Low Latency Mode.

CPU or GPU Impact?

Neither setting increases raw FPS.

It mainly affects input responsiveness.

Should You Leave It At Default?

If you’re using NVIDIA Reflex in MSFS, leave Low Latency Mode at its default value and allow the simulator to manage latency.

My Recommendation

Recommendation: Off (when Reflex is available in MSFS).

Avoid forcing Ultra through the driver unless troubleshooting or testing a specific scenario.

4. Max Frame Rate

What It Does

This allows you to cap the maximum FPS at the driver level.

For example:

  • 60 FPS
  • 120 FPS
  • 144 FPS

Limiting FPS can reduce unnecessary GPU workload, lower temperatures and power consumption, and improve consistency in some situations.

Does MSFS Use It?

Yes.

However, Microsoft Flight Simulator also provides frame-limiting options through V-Sync and other in-game settings.

CPU or GPU Impact?

Mainly reduces GPU workload when the GPU would otherwise render more frames than necessary.

Should You Leave It At Default?

If you already use an in-game limiter or have G-SYNC configured correctly, you may not need a driver-level limit.

My Recommendation

Recommendation: Leave Off unless you have a specific reason to cap FPS at the driver level.

If you choose to use a driver cap, keep it consistent with your monitor’s refresh rate and your overall display configuration.

5. Power Management Mode

What It Does

Power Management Mode controls how aggressively the graphics card changes its clock speeds.

Options include:

  • Normal
  • Prefer Maximum Performance

Does MSFS Use It?

Yes.

Microsoft Flight Simulator is a long-running, demanding application that benefits from stable GPU performance.

CPU or GPU Impact?

GPU.

This setting influences GPU clock behaviour rather than increasing raw processing power.

Should You Leave It At Default?

For most users, the default setting is appropriate.

If you experience GPU downclocking or inconsistent performance during long flights, using “Prefer Maximum Performance” within the MSFS profile may help maintain more consistent GPU clocks.

My Recommendation

Recommendation: Prefer Maximum Performance (Program Profile only).

Avoid setting this globally unless you have a reason to keep your GPU at higher clocks for all applications.

6. Preferred Refresh Rate

What It Does

This setting tells the driver which monitor refresh rate to prioritise when an application starts.

Does MSFS Use It?

Yes.

Especially on high-refresh-rate monitors.

CPU or GPU Impact?

Neither.

It affects display behaviour rather than rendering performance.

Should You Leave It At Default?

If your monitor already runs at its highest refresh rate in Windows, you can often leave this alone.

My Recommendation

Recommendation: Highest Available.

This ensures MSFS uses the maximum refresh rate your monitor supports.

7. OpenGL Rendering GPU

What It Does

This setting selects which GPU should render OpenGL applications.

Does MSFS Use It?

No.

Microsoft Flight Simulator uses DirectX 12 (or DirectX 11 in some versions), not OpenGL.

CPU or GPU Impact?

None for MSFS.

Should You Leave It At Default?

Yes.

My Recommendation

Recommendation: Default / Auto-select.

There is no performance benefit for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

8. Monitor Technology (G-SYNC)

What It Does

This controls whether NVIDIA G-SYNC or Compatible Variable Refresh Rate technology is used.

G-SYNC synchronises your monitor’s refresh rate with the GPU’s frame output.

This helps reduce:

  • Screen tearing.
  • Judder.
  • Uneven frame pacing.

Does MSFS Use It?

Yes, if you have a compatible monitor.

CPU or GPU Impact?

Neither.

It improves the presentation of frames rather than increasing performance.

Should You Leave It At Default?

If your monitor supports G-SYNC or G-SYNC Compatible, enable it.

My Recommendation

Recommendation: G-SYNC Enabled (if supported).

For compatible monitors, this is one of the best ways to improve smoothness without changing graphics quality.

9. Vertical Sync (V-Sync)

What It Does

V-Sync prevents screen tearing by synchronising frame output with your monitor’s refresh rate.

Does MSFS Use It?

Yes.

Microsoft Flight Simulator also includes its own V-Sync option.

CPU or GPU Impact?

Neither directly.

It affects frame presentation and may influence latency depending on how it’s configured.

Should You Leave It At Default?

Avoid forcing V-Sync in both the driver and the simulator at the same time unless you fully understand the interaction.

Use one method consistently.

My Recommendation

Recommendation: Let the application control V-Sync in most cases.

Configure V-Sync within MSFS unless your display setup requires a specific driver-level configuration.

Recommended NVIDIA Profile

Setting

Recommended Value

Image Scaling

Off

CUDA – GPUs

All

Low Latency Mode

Off (use Reflex in-game if available)

Max Frame Rate

Off (unless intentionally capping FPS)

Power Management Mode

Prefer Maximum Performance (MSFS profile)

Preferred Refresh Rate

Highest Available

OpenGL Rendering GPU

Auto-select / Default

Monitor Technology

G-SYNC (if supported)

Vertical Sync

Use Application Setting

Common Mistakes

Enabling NVIDIA Image Scaling while also using DLSS.

Forcing Low Latency Mode Ultra when NVIDIA Reflex is available.

Changing Global Settings instead of the MSFS profile.

Enabling V-Sync in both the driver and the simulator without understanding the interaction.

Setting every option to “Maximum Performance” without testing.

Student Task

Today you’re going to configure the core NVIDIA settings for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

  1. Open NVIDIA Control Panel.
  2. Navigate to Manage 3D Settings → Program Settings.
  3. Select the Microsoft Flight Simulator profile.
  4. Review each setting discussed in this lesson.
  5. Apply the recommended values where appropriate.
  6. Launch MSFS and verify that the simulator behaves as expected before making any further changes.

Student Checklist

MSFS NVIDIA profile opened.

Core settings reviewed.

Recommended values applied.

Profile saved.

Simulator tested successfully.

Lesson Summary

Congratulations.

You have now configured the core NVIDIA Control Panel settings most relevant to Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Remember:

  • Not every driver setting improves performance.
  • Microsoft Flight Simulator already includes many advanced graphics options, so unnecessary driver overrides should be avoided.
  • Use a dedicated MSFS profile rather than changing Global Settings.
  • Power Management Mode can help maintain consistent GPU clocks during long flights.
  • G-SYNC and proper refresh rate configuration can improve smoothness without affecting image quality.
  • A clean, well-understood driver profile is a stronger foundation than copying random settings from the internet.

Knowledge Check

  1. What is NVIDIA Image Scaling, and why is it usually unnecessary in MSFS?
  2. What does the CUDA – GPUs setting control?
  3. Why is Low Latency Mode generally left off when NVIDIA Reflex is available?
  4. When might a driver-level Max Frame Rate cap be useful?
  5. What is the purpose of Power Management Mode?
  6. Why is OpenGL Rendering GPU irrelevant for Microsoft Flight Simulator?
  7. How does G-SYNC improve the visual experience?
  8. Why is it usually better to let the application control V-Sync rather than forcing it through the driver?
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