Minecraft: Java Edition

The Intel Core i5-9400 paired with the AMD Radeon RX 570 is a balanced mid-range combination from the end of the 2010s. For Minecraft: Java Edition, the recorded data shows a system that is clearly capable of delivering smooth gameplay at standard resolutions, though it faces challenges at 4K. The measurements reveal a component split where the GPU is the primary driver of performance scaling, while the CPU provides a stable foundation that does not bottleneck at the tested settings.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest playable preset at 1920x1080?

A: The Ultra preset is fully playable, with the measured average FPS at 72.6. This is the most demanding setting that remains above the 60 FPS threshold at this resolution.

Q: Can this combo handle 4K resolution?

A: At 3840x2160, only the Low preset clears the 60 FPS mark, achieving an average of 64.6 FPS. The Medium preset drops to 51.9 FPS, and High falls to 37.5 FPS, which are below the playable threshold.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Core i5-9400 has an average benchmark score of 2254. It sits within a tight performance band of its rivals: it is 0.2% behind the Intel Core i7-1068NG7, 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i7-10710U, and 0.4% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500.

Q: What is the GPU's performance percentile?

A: The Radeon RX 570 ranks in the 74th percentile among all GPUs in the database. Its average benchmark score is 28766, placing it slightly above the AMD Radeon R9 M295X and marginally below the AMD Radeon RX 470.

Q: What is the FPS difference between Low and Ultra at 2560x1440?

A: The Low preset runs at 119.6 FPS, while the Ultra preset runs at 48.9 FPS. The High preset, which is the best playable setting, averages 72.8 FPS.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more important for this game?

A: The data indicates the GPU is the limiting factor. The CPU's nearest rivals show a negligible performance delta, while the GPU's workload scales heavily with resolution, causing the FPS to drop significantly as settings increase.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark results for Minecraft: Java Edition clearly demonstrate that the AMD Radeon RX 570 is the dominant component in this pairing. The evidence lies in the performance scaling across resolutions. At 1920x1080, the frame rates are exceptionally high, ranging from 186.2 FPS on Low to 117.4 FPS on High. When the resolution increases to 2560x1440, the frame rates drop substantially, with the High preset falling from 117.4 FPS to 72.8 FPS. This sharp decline is a classic sign of GPU-bound performance, where the rendering workload becomes more demanding.

The CPU's role is less pronounced in the scaling data. The Intel Core i5-9400, with its six cores and six threads, appears to provide ample headroom. Its average benchmark score of 2254 places it in the 47th percentile of all CPUs, and its nearest rivals are all within a 0.4% delta of its score. This consistency suggests that the processor is not a variable factor in the frame rate differences observed between presets. At 1920x1080, even the most demanding Ultra preset achieves 72.6 FPS, indicating the CPU can feed the GPU sufficiently at that resolution.

The pattern shifts further at 3840x2160, where the GPU's limitations become stark. The Ultra preset drops to 25.1 FPS, and even Medium only manages 51.9 FPS. The only way to achieve playable performance at 4K is to drop to the Low preset, which yields 64.6 FPS. This behavior reinforces that the Radeon RX 570, with its 4 GB of GDDR5 memory and 224.0 GB/s bandwidth, is the bottleneck. The CPU's performance is essentially static across these tests, as the workload on the graphics card increases with pixel count.

For players, the implication is straightforward: adjusting graphical settings will have a far greater impact on performance than any CPU tweaks. The data shows that the i5-9400 is a capable partner, but the RX 570's compute resources dictate the final frame rates.

Best Settings per Resolution

Based on the measured average FPS, the most demanding preset that maintains at least 60 FPS varies by resolution.

At 1920x1080, the system can handle the Ultra preset. The recorded average FPS is 72.6, which clears the playable threshold with a comfortable margin. The lower presets all run faster, with Medium at 152.1 FPS, High at 117.4 FPS, and Low at 186.2 FPS, but Ultra represents the highest visual quality without sacrificing smoothness.

At 2560x1440, the best playable setting is High, achieving an average of 72.8 FPS. The Medium preset is also playable at 96.6 FPS, and Low runs at 119.6 FPS. The Ultra preset, however, drops to 48.9 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS threshold and therefore not recommended for a consistently smooth experience.

At 3840x2160, the only playable option is the Low preset, with an average of 64.6 FPS. This is a marginal pass over the 60 FPS line. The Medium preset falls short at 51.9 FPS, and the High preset is significantly lower at 37.5 FPS. The Ultra preset at 4K is not viable, with a measured 25.1 FPS.

These results show a clear hierarchy: 1080p allows for maximum settings, 1440p requires a step down from Ultra, and 4K demands the lowest preset for playability.

Similar Performance Alternatives

For users considering this specific combination, the database's nearest rival data provides context on what other hardware would deliver comparable results.

On the CPU side, the Intel Core i5-9400's average score of 2254 is nearly identical to several other processors. The Intel Core i7-1068NG7, with an average score of 2259, is only 0.2% faster. The Intel Core i7-10710U scores 2248, a 0.3% deficit. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 scores 2246, also 0.3% slower. The Intel Core i3-10305 is the closest, scoring 2264, which is 0.4% faster. In practice, any of these CPUs would produce nearly identical frame rates in Minecraft: Java Edition, as the game's performance is not sensitive to the minor differences in processing power.

On the GPU side, the AMD Radeon RX 570 has an average benchmark score of 28766. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX 6800M, which scores 28874 and is 0.4% faster. The AMD Radeon R9 M295X scores 28580, a 0.7% deficit. The AMD Radeon RX 470 scores 28996, which is 0.8% faster. The NVIDIA Quadro RTX 8000 scores 28421, a 1.2% deficit. For Minecraft, these GPUs would fall into the same performance tier, meaning users could expect similar scaling across resolutions and presets. The RX 470, in particular, is essentially a sibling product and would behave almost identically.

It is important to note that this comparison is based on average benchmark scores, not game-specific data. However, the close deltas suggest that swapping any of these parts for the originals would not drastically alter the playability conclusions drawn here.

The Verdict

Yes, this PC can run Minecraft: Java Edition, but the playable experience depends heavily on resolution.

At 1920x1080, the verdict is a clear success. The database shows that all four presets, Low, Medium, High, and Ultra, are playable. The Ultra preset runs at an average of 72.6 FPS, providing the best visual experience while remaining well above the 60 FPS threshold.

At 2560x1440, the system remains capable, but with a caveat. The High preset is the best playable option, averaging 72.8 FPS. The Low and Medium presets also exceed 60 FPS, but Ultra does not, falling to 48.9 FPS. Players who want to use 1440p will need to compromise on visual fidelity.

At 3840x2160, the verdict is marginal. Only the Low preset is playable, with an average of 64.6 FPS. This is a narrow pass, and any in-game fluctuation or background load could push it below 60 FPS. The Medium, High, and Ultra presets all fail to reach playable frame rates, with scores of 51.9, 37.5, and 25.1 FPS respectively.

The data confirms that this combo is best suited for 1080p gaming with maximum settings, or 1440p gaming with high settings. 4K is limited to the lowest settings and is not recommended for a consistently smooth experience.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested hardware combinations for Minecraft: Java Edition, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i5-9400 and AMD Radeon RX 570 holds a rank of 1622 out of 1727 combos. This places it in the lower tier of tested systems, indicating that while it can run the game, many other combinations deliver higher frame rates.

The rank reflects the GPU's position in the 74th percentile and the CPU's 47th percentile. The combination's average benchmark scores are respectable for its era, but the 4K results drag down its overall standing. The fact that it cannot handle Ultra settings at 1440p or even Medium settings at 4K suggests that it is outperformed by a significant number of newer or higher-end parts in the database.

For a player with a 1080p monitor, this rank might be misleading, as the system performs excellently at that resolution. The rank is a global measure, though, and it shows that for the most demanding scenarios, this combo is not a top-tier performer. The recorded data shows a system that is a capable entry-level to mid-range option, but it is far from the best in the database.