Minimum

This PC configuration, pairing the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080, is decisively capable of running Minimum at high performance levels across all common resolutions. The data shows that the system clears the 60 FPS playable threshold at every tested resolution, and at 1440p and 1080p it does so even at the Ultra preset. The benchmark results indicate that this is a system where the GPU is the primary driver of performance, and the CPU provides ample headroom to avoid bottlenecks.

Similar Performance Alternatives

When considering hardware that would behave similarly, the nearest rivals for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 provide useful context. The CPU sits in the 89th percentile of all processors, with an average benchmark score of 46062. Its closest competitor is the Intel Core i9-13900HX, which scores 46098, a delta of -0.1%, making them effectively identical in performance. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 is also within a hair, scoring 46030 (a 0.1% delta), and the AMD EPYC 4364P and AMD EPYC 7303 both score 45970 and 45960 respectively, representing a 0.2% delta. In practical terms, any of these CPUs would deliver nearly indistinguishable frame rates in Minimum, so users upgrading from or considering any of these alternatives can expect the same gameplay experience.

On the GPU side, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 holds the 68th percentile among all graphics cards, with an average benchmark score of 23172. Its nearest rivals are a somewhat eclectic mix, with the NVIDIA P106-100 scoring 23249 (-0.3% delta) and the AMD Radeon Pro Vega 16 scoring 23250 (-0.3% delta). The AMD Radeon RX 6600M is also close at 23273 (-0.4% delta). The performance delta between these GPUs is exceptionally small, meaning that in Minimum, any of these cards would produce nearly identical average frame rates. However, it is worth remembering the RTX 3080’s 10 GB of GDDR6X memory and 320-bit memory bus provide a bandwidth advantage (760.3 GB/s) that may manifest in texture-heavy scenes, even if the average scores are similar.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 3840x2160 (4K), the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is High, which delivers an average of 60 FPS exactly. The data shows that Medium also clears the threshold with an average of 71 FPS (with a minimum of 60 FPS and a maximum of 82 FPS), and Low runs at 93 FPS, but High is the best visual quality option that maintains the playable threshold. Ultra at 4K falls short, averaging only 45 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target.

Moving to 2560x1440 (1440p), the system has significantly more headroom. The Ultra preset, which is the most demanding, achieves an average of 84 FPS, comfortably above the 60 FPS threshold. This makes Ultra the best settings choice at this resolution, as it provides the maximum visual fidelity while still delivering smooth gameplay. For reference, High runs at 110 FPS, Medium at 132 FPS, and Low at 172 FPS.

At 1920x1080 (1080p), the Ultra preset is again the best choice, averaging 131 FPS. This is well above the playable threshold, and it is the highest quality setting available. Lower presets provide even higher frame rates, with High at 171 FPS, Medium at 204 FPS, and Low at 267 FPS, but they are not necessary for a smooth experience.

CPU and GPU Roles

The performance scaling across resolutions and presets clearly indicates that the GPU is the dominant component in this system for Minimum. The most telling evidence is the frame rate drop from 1080p to 4K. At 1080p Ultra, the system averages 131 FPS, but at 4K Ultra, that drops to 45 FPS, a reduction of roughly 66%. This steep decline is a classic sign of GPU-bound performance, where the render resolution increases the workload on the graphics card far more than on the processor.

The CPU’s role becomes less critical as resolution increases. Even at 4K, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235, with its 14 cores and 14 threads, is more than sufficient to feed the RTX 3080. The CPU’s high single-thread performance (evidenced by its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2085) ensures that it will not bottleneck the GPU at any settings. The data shows that even at 1080p Low, where CPU overhead is typically highest, the system achieves 267 FPS, indicating that the processor is not a limiting factor.

The scaling between presets at a fixed resolution further confirms this. At 1440p, moving from Low (172 FPS) to Ultra (84 FPS) shows a significant frame rate reduction, but the system remains playable throughout. This is consistent with a GPU that is being progressively more heavily loaded. In summary, for this game, the RTX 3080 is the component that determines playability, while the Core Ultra 5 235 provides a solid, non-restrictive foundation.

The Verdict

Yes, this PC can absolutely run Minimum with excellent performance. Based on the measured data, the system clears the 60 FPS playable threshold at every resolution and at nearly every settings preset. The verdict by resolution is as follows:

• 3840x2160 (4K): The system is playable on High, Medium, and Low presets. The best playable setting is High, with an average of 60 FPS. Ultra is not playable, averaging 45 FPS.
• 2560x1440 (1440p): The system is playable on all four presets, including Ultra. The best playable setting is Ultra, with an average of 84 FPS.
• 1920x1080 (1080p): The system is playable on all four presets. The best playable setting is Ultra, with an average of 131 FPS.

In practical terms, a user with a 1080p or 1440p monitor can enable the highest settings and enjoy a smooth, high-frame-rate experience. For 4K, dialing back to High will still provide a solid 60 FPS experience, but Ultra should be avoided. This is a very strong result for a game of Minimum's age and genre.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table details the exact measured frame rates for each resolution and settings combination.

| Resolution | Settings | Avg FPS | Min FPS | Max FPS |

|:--- |:--- |:--- |:--- |:--- |

| 3840x2160 | High | 60 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Low | 93 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Medium | 71 | 60 | 82 |

| 3840x2160 | Ultra | 45 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | High | 110 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Low | 172 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Medium | 132 | 112 | 151 |

| 2560x1440 | Ultra | 84 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | High | 171 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Low | 267 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Medium | 204 | 174 | 235 |

| 1920x1080 | Ultra | 131 | - | - |

The data shows a clear and predictable trend. As resolution increases, frame rates decrease, and as settings increase, frame rates also decrease. The minimum and maximum values, where provided, show that the frame pacing is consistent, with the 1440p Medium preset having a minimum of 112 FPS, which is still far above the 60 FPS threshold.

FAQ

*Q: Can this PC run Minimum at 4K with the highest settings?*

A: No, the Ultra preset at 3840x2160 averages 45 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS playable threshold. However, the High preset at 4K averages exactly 60 FPS, making it the best playable option at that resolution.

Q: What is the highest quality setting I can use at 1440p while maintaining 60 FPS?

A: The Ultra preset at 2560x1440 achieves an average of 84 FPS, so you can use the maximum settings. The High preset runs at 110 FPS, and Medium at 132 FPS, but Ultra is the best choice for visual quality.

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

A: The benchmark data indicates that the GPU is the dominant factor. The frame rate drops significantly from 1080p to 4K (from 131 FPS to 45 FPS at Ultra), which is a classic sign of GPU-bound performance. The CPU, with a high single-thread score, provides sufficient headroom and is not a bottleneck.

Q: What are the closest performance alternatives to this CPU and GPU combo?

A: For the CPU, the Intel Core i9-13900HX is effectively identical in performance with a 0.1% score delta. For the GPU, the NVIDIA P106-100, AMD Radeon Pro Vega 16, and AMD Radeon RX 6600M are all within a 0.4% performance delta, meaning they would deliver very similar frame rates in Minimum.

Q: Does this system meet the 60 FPS requirement at all resolutions?

A: Yes, it does. The system clears the 60 FPS threshold at 1080p and 1440p on all presets, including Ultra. At 4K, it clears the threshold on High, Medium, and Low presets. Only 4K Ultra falls below the threshold.

Q: What is the expected frame rate at 1080p with Medium settings?

A: The measured data shows an average of 204 FPS at 1080p with Medium settings, with a minimum of 174 FPS and a maximum of 235 FPS. This is an extremely smooth experience, far exceeding the 60 FPS playable threshold.