Minimum

The Intel Core i7-12700K paired with the AMD Radeon RX 7700 is a high-performing combination for the 2014 third-person shooter Minimum, ranking in the 1717th position out of 3712 tested combos. This places the combo in the top half of all possible pairings, indicating a solid foundation for gaming. The data shows that this system is not just adequate but genuinely capable, with the ability to handle even 4K gaming at playable frame rates, a feat that many systems cannot achieve. The benchmark results paint a clear picture: this is a versatile setup that excels across various resolutions, though the most demanding settings at 4K will push it to its limits.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo's rank of 1717 out of 3712 places it in the 54th percentile of all tested combinations, which is a strong showing. This is not a top-tier enthusiast setup, but it is far from a budget compromise. The percentile data indicates that this pairing outperforms a majority of other CPU-GPU combos tested in the database, making it a reliable choice for smooth gameplay in Minimum. The rank suggests that while there is headroom above, there is also a significant amount of hardware below this level that would struggle more noticeably with the game's demands.

Interpreting the numbers, the CPU’s position in the broader hardware landscape is noteworthy. The Intel Core i7-12700K sits at the 84th percentile against all CPUs, which is a very strong result. Its average benchmark score of 35287 is nearly identical to its nearest rivals, with the Intel Core i5-13600T scoring 35305 (a -0.1% difference) and the Intel Core i7-12700KF scoring 35365 (-0.2%). This shows that the i7-12700K is essentially performance-equivalent to these alternatives, making it a highly capable processor that should not bottleneck the GPU in most scenarios. The GPU, meanwhile, is at the 58th percentile against all GPUs, with an average score of 15852. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon R9 370X, scores 15862 (-0.1%), showing that the RX 7700 is very closely matched with that older card, while the AMD Radeon RX 9060 is a mere 1% faster. This suggests the GPU is a solid mid-to-high tier performer, though not a flagship.

The combination of a top-quartile CPU and a mid-to-high-tier GPU results in a balanced system. The data implies that for Minimum, the CPU has ample headroom, and the GPU is the primary driver of performance at higher resolutions and settings. The rank of 1717 reflects this balance, showing that the system is more than capable of delivering a great experience, though it may not be the absolute fastest configuration possible.

Similar Performance Alternatives

For users considering this specific CPU-GPU pairing, the nearest rival data offers insights into what other hardware would behave similarly. On the CPU side, the Intel Core i5-13600T, Core i7-12700KF, Core i7-13700T, and Core 5 213PE are all within a fraction of a percent of the i7-12700K's average benchmark score. The i5-13600T is effectively a tie at -0.1%, while the i7-12700KF is also nearly identical at -0.2%. This means that swapping to any of these processors would likely yield no noticeable difference in frame rates for Minimum, as the performance delta is negligible. The i7-13700T (-0.3%) and Core 5 213PE (-0.4%) are also extremely close, making them all viable alternatives that would perform nearly the same in this game.

On the GPU side, the AMD Radeon R9 370X is the closest match, with a score only 0.1% lower than the RX 7700. This is a fascinating comparison, as the R9 370X is a much older card, yet the data suggests it delivers nearly identical average performance in synthetic benchmarks. The AMD Radeon RX 9060 is 1% faster, and the AMD Radeon Pro W5500 is 1.1% slower, while the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is 1.7% faster. These small deltas mean that for Minimum, any of these GPUs would produce very similar frame rates, with the RTX 3060 Ti being the most likely to offer a slight edge in demanding scenarios. The data indicates that the RX 7700 is not an outlier in its performance class; it is squarely in the middle of a group of comparable cards.

From a practical standpoint, if a user already owns a system with one of these rival CPUs or GPUs, the performance with Minimum would be nearly indistinguishable from the i7-12700K + RX 7700 combo. Conversely, if someone is looking to build a system and these parts are unavailable, choosing any of the listed rivals would yield a very similar experience. The benchmark data does not show any significant advantage to picking one over the other, as the differences are all within a couple of percentage points.

CPU and GPU Roles

To understand which component matters more for Minimum, the measured FPS data across resolutions and settings provides a clear picture. At 1080p, the frame rates are exceptionally high, with the Low preset hitting 214 FPS and the Ultra preset still achieving 105 FPS. These numbers suggest that at this resolution, the system is heavily GPU-bound, as even the most demanding settings do not drop below the 100 FPS mark. The CPU has more than enough power to feed the GPU, and the frame rate is primarily dictated by the graphics card's rendering capabilities.

As the resolution increases to 1440p, the frame rates scale down predictably. The Low preset drops from 214 to 138 FPS, and the Ultra preset falls from 105 to 68 FPS. This scaling indicates that the GPU is becoming a more significant bottleneck, as the higher pixel count demands more from the graphics card. The CPU's role remains secondary, as the i7-12700K has sufficient headroom to keep up with the GPU's output.

At 4K, the GPU's dominance becomes even more apparent. The Low preset averages 74 FPS, but the Medium preset drops to 57 FPS, and the Ultra preset falls to just 36 FPS. This steep decline with increasing settings is a classic sign of a GPU-bound scenario. The CPU is no longer the limiting factor; instead, the RX 7700 is struggling to maintain high frame rates at this demanding resolution with higher visual quality. The data shows that the CPU's performance is largely irrelevant at 4K, as even the most powerful processor would not significantly improve these numbers.

The scaling between resolutions and presets reveals that the GPU is the primary driver of performance in Minimum. The CPU, while strong, is not the bottleneck in any tested configuration. For users aiming for high frame rates at 1080p or 1440p, the RX 7700 is the component that will determine the experience, and the i7-12700K simply provides a stable foundation without interfering.

The Verdict

Based on the verdict by resolution, this PC can absolutely run Minimum at playable frame rates in most scenarios. At 1080p, all four tested settings (Low, Medium, High, and Ultra) are playable, with the Ultra preset achieving an average of 105 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold. At 1440p, the system also clears the 60 FPS bar on all settings, with the Ultra preset averaging 68 FPS. This means that users can enjoy the game at maximum visual quality at both 1080p and 1440p without any concerns about performance.

The situation at 4K is more nuanced. The verdict indicates that only the Low preset is playable, achieving an average of 74 FPS. The Medium preset falls to 57 FPS, just below the 60 FPS threshold, and the High and Ultra presets drop further to 48 and 36 FPS, respectively. This means that at 4K, users must compromise on visual quality to maintain smooth gameplay. The Low preset is the only option that meets the playability standard, but it still offers a good experience with an average frame rate of 74 FPS.

In summary, the data shows that this system is an excellent choice for Minimum at 1080p and 1440p, where it can run the game at the highest settings with ease. At 4K, it is still capable of running the game, but only at the lowest settings. For users with a 4K monitor who want to play at higher quality, this combo would be a limiting factor, but for the vast majority of gamers on 1080p or 1440p displays, this setup is more than sufficient.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed look at how the system performs across each resolution and setting combination. At 1920x1080, the frame rates are consistently high. The Low preset delivers an average of 214 FPS, which is exceptionally smooth and ideal for competitive play. The Medium preset averages 164 FPS, with a minimum of 139 and a maximum of 188, showing a stable performance range. The High preset averages 137 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 105 FPS. All of these figures are well above the 60 FPS threshold, indicating that the system has significant headroom at this resolution.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance remains strong but the numbers naturally drop. The Low preset averages 138 FPS, which is still very high. The Medium preset averages 106 FPS, with a minimum of 90 and a maximum of 121, demonstrating consistent performance. The High preset averages 89 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 68 FPS. All settings are playable, with the Ultra preset just barely clearing the 60 FPS threshold. This suggests that 1440p is a sweet spot for this combo, offering high visual quality without sacrificing smoothness.

At 3840x2160, the frame rates take a more significant hit. The Low preset averages 74 FPS, which is playable. The Medium preset averages 57 FPS, with a minimum of 48 and a maximum of 65, indicating that there are moments where the performance dips below the 60 FPS threshold. The High preset averages 48 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 36 FPS. These numbers show that 4K is a demanding resolution for this GPU, and only the Low preset provides a consistently smooth experience.

The data also reveals a clear pattern: the gap between Low and Ultra settings is significant at every resolution. At 1080p, the difference is 109 FPS (from 214 to 105), at 1440p it is 70 FPS (from 138 to 68), and at 4K it is 38 FPS (from 74 to 36). This scaling indicates that the GPU is the primary factor in performance, as the visual quality settings have a direct and substantial impact on frame rates.

Best Settings per Resolution

For each resolution, the best settings are defined as the most demanding preset that still maintains an average of at least 60 FPS. At 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the best choice, as it achieves an average of 105 FPS. This means users can enjoy the game at its highest visual quality with a very smooth frame rate, making it the optimal setting for this resolution. The data shows that there is no need to compromise on quality at 1080p, as even the most demanding settings are easily playable.

At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset also qualifies as the best setting, with an average of 68 FPS. This is just above the 60 FPS threshold, so users can still play at maximum quality, but there is less headroom compared to 1080p. The benchmark results indicate that the Ultra preset is playable at 1440p, but those who prefer a more consistent frame rate might consider the High preset, which averages 89 FPS and offers a more comfortable margin.

At 3840x2160, the situation changes dramatically. The only setting that meets the 60 FPS requirement is the Low preset, which averages 74 FPS. The Medium preset falls short at 57 FPS, so it is not recommended if maintaining a smooth experience is a priority. The data shows that at 4K, users must accept the lowest visual quality to achieve playable frame rates. This is a significant compromise, but the game remains fully playable at 74 FPS, which is still a good experience.

FAQ

*Q: Can this system run Minimum at 4K with high settings?*

A: No. The measured FPS at 3840x2160 with High settings is 48 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS playable threshold. Only the Low preset at 4K achieves a playable frame rate, with an average of 74 FPS.

Q: What is the maximum playable setting at 1440p?

A: The Ultra preset is playable at 2560x1440, with an average of 68 FPS. This is the most demanding setting that still clears the 60 FPS threshold.

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

A: The Intel Core i7-12700K has an average benchmark score of 35287, which is within 0.4% of its nearest rivals. The Intel Core i5-13600T scores 35305 (-0.1%), the i7-12700KF scores 35365 (-0.2%), the i7-13700T scores 35403 (-0.3%), and the Core 5 213PE scores 35428 (-0.4%). These differences are negligible.

Q: Is the GPU the bottleneck at 1080p?

A: The benchmark data suggests the GPU is the primary driver of performance at all resolutions. At 1080p, frame rates range from 105 FPS at Ultra to 214 FPS at Low, indicating that the GPU is the limiting factor, as the CPU has ample headroom.

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

A: The measured average FPS at 1920x1080 with Medium settings is 164 FPS, with a minimum of 139 and a maximum of 188. This is significantly above the 60 FPS threshold, providing a very smooth experience.

Q: How does the GPU's performance compare to the AMD Radeon RX 9060?

A: The AMD Radeon RX 7700 has an average benchmark score of 15852, while the AMD Radeon RX 9060 scores 16014, which is 1% faster. This difference is minor and would result in nearly identical frame rates in Minimum.