Minecraft: Java Edition

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i7-13700K paired with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER lands at rank 1533 out of 1727 tested combos in Minecraft: Java Edition. That places this configuration in the lower portion of the database, but raw ranking does not tell the whole story for this particular title. Minecraft: Java Edition is heavily dependent on single-threaded CPU performance, and the i7-13700K is a strong contributor in that regard.

The CPU itself sits in the 89th percentile against all processors in the database. Its average benchmark score of 46881 places it within a narrow band of close rivals: the AMD Ryzen 9 5900 scores 46971, which is 0.2% higher, while the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 scores 47022, 0.3% higher. The AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX and Intel Xeon w3-2535 both trail by 0.5% with scores of 46654 and 46653 respectively. This tells us the i7-13700K is essentially at parity with its nearest competitors in general compute workloads, but its single-thread performance, as shown by a 3dmark single-thread score of 1136 and a passmark single-thread score of 4333, is what matters most for Minecraft.

The GPU, the GTX 1660 SUPER, sits in the 53rd percentile against all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 12986. Its nearest rivals are tightly clustered: the RTX 3050 Ti Mobile scores 12940 (0.4% higher), the AMD Radeon RX 580 scores 12928 (0.4% higher), the Tesla M2090 scores 13075 (0.7% lower), and the AMD Radeon 740M scores 12870 (0.9% lower). The GTX 1660 SUPER is a mid-pack performer in the broader GPU landscape, but for a game like Minecraft, its role is secondary to the CPU.

The combination of a top-tier CPU with a mid-range GPU produces a system that ranks poorly in aggregate but performs far better in practice than the rank suggests. The 1727-combo field includes many pairings where both components are high-end, and this combo's low rank reflects the GPU's modest standing rather than any deficiency in the CPU. The measured frame rates confirm that this pairing punches well above its rank for Minecraft specifically.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Minecraft: Java Edition at 4K?

A: Yes, at 4K with High settings the combo averages 63.2 FPS, which clears the 60 FPS playable threshold. Medium settings average 77.7 FPS, and Low settings average 97.5 FPS. Ultra settings drop to 40 FPS, which falls below the threshold.

Q: What is the best settings preset at 1440p for this combo?

A: At 2560x1440, Ultra settings average 71.5 FPS, which is the most demanding preset that stays above 60 FPS. High averages 118.1 FPS, Medium averages 150.5 FPS, and Low averages 186.9 FPS.

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

A: The i7-13700K has an average benchmark score of 46881. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900 scores 46971, which is 0.2% higher. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 scores 47022, 0.3% higher. The AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX and Intel Xeon w3-2535 both score 0.5% lower at 46654 and 46653 respectively. The differences are minimal across all four rivals.

Q: How does the GPU compare to its closest rivals?

A: The GTX 1660 SUPER has an average benchmark score of 12986. The RTX 3050 Ti Mobile and AMD Radeon RX 580 both score 0.4% higher at 12940 and 12928. The Tesla M2090 scores 13075, which is 0.7% higher, while the AMD Radeon 740M scores 12870, 0.9% lower. The GTX 1660 SUPER sits in the middle of this group.

Q: What frame rate can I expect at 1080p with Ultra settings?

A: At 1920x1080 with Ultra settings, the combo averages 119.3 FPS. This is well above the 60 FPS threshold and indicates the system has substantial headroom at this resolution.

Q: Is 4K Ultra playable with this setup?

A: No. At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average frame rate drops to 40 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS playable threshold. Users who want 4K Ultra would need a more powerful GPU.

CPU and GPU Roles

The recorded data shows a clear pattern where the CPU dominates performance in Minecraft: Java Edition, with the GPU playing a supporting role that becomes more relevant as resolution increases. The i7-13700K's strong single-thread performance, evidenced by a 3dmark single-thread score of 1136 and a passmark single-thread score of 4333, drives the high frame rates seen at lower resolutions.

At 1920x1080, the scaling from Low to Ultra settings shows a range from 297.4 FPS down to 119.3 FPS. The CPU is the primary constraint here; even at Ultra settings, the frame rate remains far above the 60 FPS threshold. The GTX 1660 SUPER's capabilities are not fully taxed at this resolution, as even the most demanding preset leaves significant performance on the table.

Moving to 2560x1440, the picture changes slightly. Frame rates at Low settings reach 186.9 FPS, but Ultra settings drop to 71.5 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra is 115.4 FPS, compared to a 178.1 FPS gap at 1080p. This narrowing indicates the GPU is beginning to take on more responsibility as pixel count rises, but the CPU still keeps the system comfortably above 60 FPS at all presets.

At 3840x2160, the GPU becomes the limiting factor. Low settings average 97.5 FPS, Medium averages 77.7 FPS, High averages 63.2 FPS, and Ultra falls to 40 FPS. The CPU's influence is still present, but the GTX 1660 SUPER's 6 GB of GDDR6 memory and 336.0 GB/s of bandwidth are not sufficient to maintain 60 FPS at the highest preset. The transition from 1440p to 4K shows a steeper performance drop for each settings tier, confirming that the GPU is the bottleneck at this resolution.

The data suggests that for 1080p and 1440p gaming, the i7-13700K is doing most of the heavy lifting. For 4K gaming, the GTX 1660 SUPER determines the ceiling. Users pairing this CPU with a stronger GPU would see improved 4K performance, while users keeping this GPU would benefit from a less powerful CPU without noticing much difference at 4K.

The Verdict

This PC can run Minecraft: Java Edition, and it does so comfortably at most resolutions and presets. The verdict by resolution is clear: at 3840x2160, the playable settings are High, Low, and Medium, with High being the best at 63.2 FPS. At 2560x1440, all four presets are playable, with Ultra being the best at 71.5 FPS. At 1920x1080, all four presets are playable, with Ultra being the best at 119.3 FPS.

The 60 FPS threshold is the playable benchmark used in the database. The system clears this at every resolution except 4K Ultra. For users with a 1080p or 1440p monitor, this combo delivers a smooth experience across all settings. For 4K users, High settings are the ceiling, and even then the margin above 60 FPS is only 3.2 FPS, which could be tight in demanding scenes. The i7-13700K's single-thread strength ensures that the game never becomes CPU-bound at these frame rates, and the GTX 1660 SUPER handles the rendering load adequately up to 4K High.

The overall rank of 1533 out of 1727 does not reflect the practical experience this combo delivers for Minecraft. The rank is dragged down by the GPU's modest standing in the broader benchmark database, but the game's specific requirements favor the CPU, which is this system's strongest component. Players who prioritize high refresh rates at 1080p will find this combo more than capable. Players who want maximum visual quality at 4K will need to look elsewhere.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured frame rates for this combo in Minecraft: Java Edition are as follows, with all values representing average FPS at each resolution and preset combination.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: 97.5 FPS
• Medium: 77.7 FPS
• High: 63.2 FPS
• Ultra: 40 FPS

At 4K, the system stays above 60 FPS for Low, Medium, and High presets. The drop from High to Ultra is severe, from 63.2 FPS to 40 FPS, representing a 23.2 FPS loss for the highest preset. This indicates a hard performance ceiling for the GTX 1660 SUPER at this resolution.

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: 186.9 FPS
• Medium: 150.5 FPS
• High: 118.1 FPS
• Ultra: 71.5 FPS

At 1440p, all presets clear 60 FPS. The scaling from Low to Ultra is gradual, with each step down in settings yielding a consistent frame rate improvement. The Ultra preset's 71.5 FPS leaves room for occasional dips without falling below the playable threshold.

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: 297.4 FPS
• Medium: 238.5 FPS
• High: 190.7 FPS
• Ultra: 119.3 FPS

At 1080p, the system produces very high frame rates across all presets. Low settings approach 300 FPS, and even Ultra stays above 119 FPS. This resolution offers the most headroom and is where the CPU's single-thread performance shines most clearly.

The data shows no min or max FPS values recorded for any resolution or preset; only average frame rates are available. The averages are sufficient to assess playability, and the margins at 1080p and 1440p are large enough that frame time variances are unlikely to cause noticeable stuttering.

Best Settings per Resolution

The recommended settings for each resolution are determined by finding the most demanding preset that maintains an average frame rate at or above 60 FPS.

3840x2160: High (63.2 FPS average)

High is the highest preset at 4K that clears the 60 FPS threshold. The margin is slim at 3.2 FPS above the threshold, so users who want more stability could drop to Medium at 77.7 FPS for additional headroom. Ultra at 40 FPS is not playable at this resolution.

2560x1440: Ultra (71.5 FPS average)

Ultra at 1440p averages 71.5 FPS, which is 11.5 FPS above the threshold. This provides the best visual quality while maintaining playability. The gap between Ultra at 1440p and High at 4K is notable: the 1440p Ultra preset delivers 8.3 FPS more than the 4K High preset, making 1440p the sweet spot for this combo.

1920x1080: Ultra (119.3 FPS average)

Ultra at 1080p averages 119.3 FPS, nearly double the 60 FPS threshold. This is the best visual experience available from this system, with substantial performance headroom for demanding scenes or modded gameplay. The frame rate at 1080p Ultra is 48.1 FPS higher than at 1440p Ultra, showing how much resolution affects the GTX 1660 SUPER's output.

For users with a 4K display, High settings are the maximum playable option. For 1440p and 1080p displays, Ultra settings are fully playable and recommended. The data indicates this combo is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, with 4K as a secondary option limited to High settings or lower.