Minimum

The Intel Core i7-12700K paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 delivers a decisive verdict for Minimum: this combination is overwhelmingly capable, with the data showing that it maintains playable frame rates at every resolution tested, from 1080p up to 4K. The only exception to maximum settings is at 3840x2160, where the Ultra preset dips below the 60 FPS playable threshold, but the High preset still comfortably exceeds it. This pairing ranks 731st out of 3712 tested combos, placing it in the top quintile of all configurations in the database.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data for this combination reveals a performance curve that scales predictably with resolution and settings. At 1920x1080, the frame rates are exceptionally high across the board, indicating that the system is rarely constrained by either component. The Low preset produces an average of 302.7 FPS, which is a staggering figure for a third-person shooter, suggesting the game is highly optimized for lower-end hardware when paired with this powerful GPU. Moving up the quality ladder, the Medium preset yields 231.2 FPS, the High preset drops to 190.8 FPS, and the Ultra preset still maintains a strong 146.1 FPS average. None of these 1080p results approach the 60 FPS playable threshold, leaving an enormous performance buffer.

At 2560x1440, the scaling continues in a linear fashion, though the margins between presets tighten slightly. The Low preset averages 192.1 FPS, which is still more than triple the playable threshold. Medium follows at 146.9 FPS, High at 126.7 FPS, and Ultra at 97.7 FPS. The step from Low to Medium represents a 45.2 FPS drop, while the step from Medium to High is a 20.2 FPS drop, and High to Ultra is a 29 FPS drop. This pattern suggests that the Ultra preset introduces significant additional rendering work, but the hardware absorbs it without issue, as even the lowest 1440p result remains well above 60 FPS.

The 4K resolution results tell a more nuanced story. At 3840x2160, the Low preset averages 103.8 FPS, which is still highly playable and indicates that the GPU has substantial headroom even at this demanding resolution. The Medium preset averages 77.8 FPS, and High averages 66 FPS. However, the Ultra preset falls to an average of 51.2 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS playable threshold. This is the only configuration in the entire dataset where this combo fails to meet the playability criterion. The gap between High and Ultra at 4K is 14.8 FPS, which is the largest absolute drop between consecutive presets at any resolution, highlighting that the Ultra preset at 4K is the first point of strain for this combination.

CPU and GPU Roles

The data indicates that the GPU is the primary performance determinant for Minimum, particularly as resolution increases. At 1920x1080, the CPU is likely the limiting factor, as the frame rates exceed 300 FPS on Low, which is a classic sign of a CPU bottleneck at very high frame rates. The Intel Core i7-12700K, with its 12 cores and 20 threads, provides ample processing power, scoring 35287 in the average benchmark and ranking in the 84th percentile of all CPUs. However, the sheer speed of the RTX 5070 at 1080p means that the CPU is working at its limits to feed the GPU with draw calls and game logic.

When moving from 1080p to 1440p, the frame rates drop by roughly 36-37% across all presets, which is a clear indication that the GPU is becoming the bottleneck. For example, the High preset drops from 190.8 FPS at 1080p to 126.7 FPS at 1440p, a reduction of 64.1 FPS. This scaling is consistent with the GPU being the limiting factor, as the pixel count increases by 78% from 1080p to 1440p, but the frame rate does not drop proportionally due to other factors like memory bandwidth and shading efficiency.

The transition from 1440p to 4K further reinforces the GPU-centric nature of the workload. The High preset drops from 126.7 FPS to 66 FPS, a reduction of 60.7 FPS, which is a 48% decrease. This is a larger percentage drop than the 1080p to 1440p transition, indicating that the RTX 5070 is being pushed harder at 4K. The GPU's 12 GB of GDDR7 memory and 672.0 GB/s bandwidth are sufficient for the game, but the 4K Ultra preset, which likely uses higher-resolution textures and more complex shading, finally overwhelms the GPU's compute capabilities, resulting in the 51.2 FPS average.

The CPU's role becomes less significant at higher resolutions, but it is not irrelevant. The 12700K's single-thread performance, as evidenced by its 3dmark_single_thread score of 1043 and Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1850.5, ensures that it does not hold back the GPU at 1440p or 4K. The data shows no signs of CPU-induced stuttering or frame pacing issues, as the average FPS figures are consistent and stable across all tested configurations.

Similar Performance Alternatives

For the CPU, the Intel Core i7-12700K is positioned in a tight cluster of similarly performing processors. The nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-13600T, which has an average benchmark score of 35305, representing a negligible 0.1% difference from the 12700K's 35287. This means that a system with an i5-13600T would deliver virtually identical frame rates in Minimum, assuming the same GPU and settings. The Intel Core i7-12700KF is also nearly identical, with a score of 35365 and a delta of -0.2%, which is within the margin of error for benchmark testing. The Intel Core i7-13700T (score 35403, delta -0.3%) and the Intel Core 5 213PE (score 35428, delta -0.4%) round out the list, all within 0.4% of the 12700K. Any of these CPUs would produce indistinguishable results in this game.

On the GPU side, the RTX 5070's nearest rivals are a mix of professional and mobile workstation cards, which is unusual but reflects the benchmark database's categorization. The AMD Radeon Pro 580 has an average score of 40318, which is 0.1% higher than the RTX 5070's 40377, meaning it would perform essentially identically in Minimum. The AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100 (score 40063, delta 0.8%) is also very close, though it trails slightly. The AMD Radeon Pro 5300 (score 40870, delta -1.2%) is actually faster by a small margin, which would translate to a few extra FPS in practice. The NVIDIA RTX A500 Mobile (score 39568, delta 2%) is the slowest of the group, but still within 2% of the RTX 5070, so it would also deliver similar performance, though it may have different thermal and power characteristics due to its mobile design.

It is important to note that these rival GPUs are not direct consumer gaming equivalents to the RTX 5070, but the benchmark scores indicate that they occupy the same performance tier. For a gamer building a system, a desktop GPU from the same performance class would likely yield similar results in Minimum, but the data does not include any such direct comparisons.

FAQ

*Q: Can this combo run Minimum at 4K with the Ultra preset?*

A: No. The data shows an average FPS of 51.2 at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, which falls below the 60 FPS playable threshold. The High preset at 4K achieves 66 FPS and is the best playable option.

Q: What is the highest playable preset at 2560x1440?

A: The Ultra preset is playable at 1440p, with an average FPS of 97.7. This is well above the 60 FPS threshold, and it is the most demanding preset that maintains playability.

Q: How does the performance at 1080p compare to 1440p?

A: At 1080p, the Ultra preset averages 146.1 FPS, while at 1440p it averages 97.7 FPS. This represents a 48.4 FPS drop, or approximately 33% lower performance when moving up one resolution step.

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

A: The GPU is the primary performance driver at higher resolutions. The data shows frame rates scale down significantly from 1080p to 4K, indicating GPU-bound performance. At 1080p with Low settings, the CPU may become the limiting factor, as evidenced by the extremely high 302.7 FPS average.

Q: What is the worst performing configuration in the dataset?

A: The 3840x2160 Ultra preset, with an average FPS of 51.2, is the only configuration that fails to reach the 60 FPS playable threshold. All other tested settings and resolutions are playable.

Q: How does this combo rank against all other tested systems?

A: This combination ranks 731st out of 3712 tested combos, placing it in the top 20% of all configurations in the database. This indicates it is a high-performing setup for Minimum.

Best Settings per Resolution

For 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the recommended choice, as it delivers an average FPS of 146.1. This is more than double the 60 FPS threshold, providing a smooth and visually rich experience without any risk of dropping below playable levels. There is no reason to reduce settings at this resolution, as even the most demanding preset leaves substantial headroom.

At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset is again the best option, with an average FPS of 97.7. This is comfortably above the 60 FPS threshold, and the visual fidelity gains from Ultra settings are worth the performance cost. The data shows that the step from High to Ultra at 1440p costs 29 FPS, but the resulting 97.7 FPS average is still excellent.

For 3840x2160, the High preset is the most demanding setting that remains playable, with an average FPS of 66. This is just 6 FPS above the playable threshold, so there is limited headroom, but it is sufficient for a stable experience. The Ultra preset at 4K is not recommended, as its 51.2 FPS average is below the 60 FPS threshold. Users who prioritize frame rate over visual quality could also consider the Medium preset, which offers 77.8 FPS, but High provides the best balance of visual quality and performance.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i7-12700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 combination ranks 731st out of 3712 tested combos for Minimum, placing it in the 80th percentile of all systems in the database. This is a strong result, confirming that this setup is well above average for this game. The ranking reflects the combination's ability to handle the most demanding settings at lower resolutions and maintain playability at 4K with reduced settings.

The rank is particularly impressive given that the CPU and GPU individually score in the 84th and 82nd percentiles respectively. The combo's performance in Minimum is slightly lower than the individual component percentiles might suggest, which indicates that the game is not perfectly optimized to leverage the full potential of either component. However, the 731st rank still places this system in the top fifth of all configurations, meaning that only about 20% of tested setups would deliver better performance.

The data shows that this combo excels at 1080p and 1440p, where it can run Ultra settings with average frame rates well above 100 FPS. The only real weakness is at 4K Ultra, where it falls short of the 60 FPS threshold, but this is a minor limitation given that the High preset at 4K remains playable. Overall, this is a highly capable pairing for Minimum, and the benchmark results indicate that it would provide a smooth, high-quality experience for the vast majority of players.