Minimum

The Intel Core i3-12100F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 delivers a strong performance profile for Minimum, a third-person shooter released in 2014. Analysis of the measured frame rate data shows this combination is capable of high refresh rate gameplay at 1080p and 1440p, while 4K requires a more conservative settings approach to stay fluid. The benchmark results indicate a system that comfortably handles the game’s demands across most modern resolutions.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data reveals a clear performance hierarchy across the three resolutions tested, with average frame rates scaling predictably as pixel count increases. At 1920x1080, the RTX 5060 produces exceptional results. The Low preset averages 211.7 FPS, which is more than triple the 60 FPS playability threshold. The Medium preset delivers 161.8 FPS, and High averages 137.6 FPS. Even the most demanding Ultra preset maintains an average of 104 FPS, leaving substantial headroom for high refresh rate monitors.

Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates remain well above playable levels. The Low preset averages 135.2 FPS, while Medium drops to 108 FPS. High settings produce 86.2 FPS, and the Ultra preset still holds at 68.4 FPS. This represents a 34.3% reduction in average FPS from 1080p to 1440p on the Ultra preset, but the system maintains a comfortable margin above the 60 FPS threshold.

At 3840x2160, the performance picture changes significantly. The Low preset averages 74.4 FPS, which remains playable. However, Medium drops to 57.8 FPS, just below the 60 FPS threshold. High averages 44.7 FPS, and Ultra falls to 34.7 FPS. The data shows a 66.6% reduction in average FPS from 1080p Ultra to 4K Ultra, illustrating the substantial rendering load that 4K resolution places on the GPU.

The scaling between presets is consistent across resolutions. At 1080p, moving from Low to Ultra reduces average FPS by 50.8%. At 1440p, the same preset transition results in a 49.4% reduction. At 4K, the drop is 53.4%. This uniformity suggests the GPU is the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions, while the CPU maintains sufficient headroom to feed frames efficiently.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The nearest rival data provides context for both components. The Intel Core i3-12100F sits at the 68th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 13,494. Its closest competitor is the Intel Core 3 N355, which scores 13,492, a delta of 0%. The Intel Core i5-9500 trails by 0.3% with a score of 13,452. The Intel Core 5 120UL leads by 0.7% at 13,594, while the Intel Core i7-1250U is 1.1% ahead at 13,351. These negligible differences mean any of these CPUs would produce nearly identical frame rates in Minimum, assuming the GPU remains the limiting factor.

For the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060, which ranks at the 72nd percentile among all GPUs with an average score of 26,331, the closest rivals are remarkably similar in aggregate performance. The AMD Radeon 860M scores 26,401, a delta of -0.3%. The NVIDIA GeForce MX550 also scores 26,421, matching that -0.3% delta. The AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary scores 26,553, which is 0.8% higher. The AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT trails by 1.2% at 26,011. In practical terms, these GPUs would deliver frame rates within a few percentage points of the RTX 5060 across all resolutions and presets in this game.

The data suggests that a system with any of these rival GPUs paired with the i3-12100F would produce nearly identical gameplay experiences. The performance envelope is tightly clustered, with the largest delta among GPU rivals being just 1.2%. This indicates that Minimum is not particularly sensitive to the specific GPU model within this performance class.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark data reveals a clear division of labor between the CPU and GPU in Minimum. At 1920x1080, the system achieves 211.7 FPS on Low settings, which is so high that the CPU’s frame delivery capability likely becomes a factor. The i3-12100F’s single-thread score of 893 in 3dmark and 1,674 in Cinebench R23 indicate strong per-core performance for a 4-core, 8-thread processor. However, the massive frame rates on lower presets suggest the GPU is still doing the majority of the work.

The scaling between resolutions clarifies the GPU’s dominant role. At Ultra settings, the average FPS drops from 104 at 1080p to 68.4 at 1440p, a 34.2% reduction, and then to 34.7 at 4K, a further 49.3% reduction. This steep decline with increasing resolution is classic GPU-bound behavior. The CPU’s workload remains relatively constant across resolutions for a given preset, so the FPS drop is attributable to the GPU’s pixel processing load.

At 4K, the CPU’s role becomes less relevant. The RTX 5060 produces 74.4 FPS on Low settings and 34.7 FPS on Ultra. Even at the highest preset, the GPU is clearly the bottleneck. The i3-12100F’s multi-thread score of 11,860 in Cinebench R23 and 4,051 in 3dmark 16-thread tests shows it can handle the game’s CPU demands, which are likely modest given the 2014 release date.

The preset scaling at each resolution further confirms the GPU’s dominance. At 1080p, the difference between Low and Ultra is 107.7 FPS. At 1440p, it is 66.8 FPS. At 4K, it is 39.7 FPS. The diminishing absolute difference at higher resolutions indicates that the GPU is being saturated at 4K, while at 1080p there is more headroom for preset adjustments.

The Verdict

The question of whether this PC can run Minimum is answered definitively by the measured data. The system clears the 60 FPS playability threshold at multiple settings across all three resolutions. At 1920x1080, all four presets—Low, Medium, High, and Ultra—average above 60 FPS. The Ultra preset achieves 104 FPS, providing a comfortable margin for consistent gameplay.

At 2560x1440, the same holds true. The most demanding Ultra preset averages 68.4 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS threshold. This means users can enable maximum graphical fidelity at 1440p and still enjoy smooth performance. The High preset at 86.2 FPS offers even more headroom for those who prefer higher frame rates.

At 3840x2160, the situation is more nuanced. Only the Low preset averages above 60 FPS, at 74.4 FPS. The Medium preset falls just short at 57.8 FPS, and High and Ultra are well below the threshold at 44.7 and 34.7 FPS respectively. Therefore, 4K gaming is possible, but only with reduced graphical settings.

The data clearly shows this PC can run Minimum effectively. The strongest experience is at 1080p and 1440p, where even maximum settings maintain playable frame rates. At 4K, users must compromise on visual quality to stay above 60 FPS. The combo rank of 1,823 out of 3,712 tested combinations places this system in the upper half of all possible pairings, reinforcing its capability for this title.

FAQ

*Q: Can this PC run Minimum at 4K resolution?*

A: Yes, but only on the Low preset, which averages 74.4 FPS. The Medium preset averages 57.8 FPS, just below the 60 FPS threshold, while High and Ultra average 44.7 and 34.7 FPS respectively.

Q: What is the best preset at 2560x1440?

A: The Ultra preset is playable at 1440p, averaging 68.4 FPS. This is the most demanding preset that stays above the 60 FPS threshold at this resolution.

Q: How does the RTX 5060 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The RTX 5060’s average benchmark score is 26,331. The AMD Radeon 860M scores 26,401 (-0.3%), the NVIDIA GeForce MX550 scores 26,421 (-0.3%), the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary scores 26,553 (-0.8%), and the AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT scores 26,011 (+1.2%).

Q: Is the Core i3-12100F a bottleneck at 1080p?

A: At 1080p Low settings, the system averages 211.7 FPS, which is extremely high. The CPU’s single-thread score of 1,674 in Cinebench R23 suggests it can keep up with the GPU at these frame rates, but the data does not isolate CPU-only performance.

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

A: The measured average FPS at 1920x1080 with High settings is 137.6 FPS. This provides a smooth experience on high refresh rate monitors.

Q: Does the game favor the CPU or GPU more?

A: The data indicates the GPU is the primary factor. The steep FPS drops as resolution increases from 1080p to 4K—a 66.6% reduction on Ultra settings—point to GPU-bound performance. The CPU’s role is consistent across resolutions.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the best choice. It delivers an average of 104 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold. This provides the maximum visual quality while maintaining a smooth frame rate. Users with 144Hz monitors will still see headroom, as the average FPS exceeds the refresh rate of standard displays.

At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset is also recommended. The average FPS of 68.4 clears the 60 FPS threshold, allowing for full graphical fidelity. This is a strong result for a 1440p display, as the system maintains playability at the highest settings. For users who prioritize frame rates over visuals, the High preset at 86.2 FPS is a viable alternative.

At 3840x2160, the Low preset is the only setting that averages above 60 FPS, at 74.4 FPS. This is the recommended configuration for 4K displays. Users seeking higher visual quality at 4K will need to accept frame rates below the playability threshold, as the Medium preset averages 57.8 FPS and Ultra averages 34.7 FPS. The data suggests that 4K gaming with this hardware requires a compromise toward lower settings for a smooth experience.