Minimum

The data for this combination of an Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER graphics card in Minimum shows a system that is heavily influenced by resolution. The CPU is a top-tier part, but the GPU, while competent, sets the ceiling for performance. The recorded frames per second reveal a clear hierarchy: at 1080p, the combo is highly capable; at 1440p, it remains strong; but at 4K, it struggles to maintain high refresh rates on demanding presets.

Best Settings per Resolution

The database identifies the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS for each resolution. This is the threshold for playability, and the results show a steep drop-off as pixel count increases.

At 3840x2160, the only preset that clears the 60 FPS bar is Low, which delivers an average of 65 FPS. The next step up, Medium, falls to 50 FPS, which is below the playable threshold. High and Ultra are significantly lower, so Low is the only viable option for a fluid experience at this resolution.

At 2560x1440, the system has much more headroom. The best preset that maintains at least 60 FPS is High, with an average of 78 FPS. This is a substantial improvement over the 4K result and indicates that the GPU is still strong enough to handle high-quality settings at this mid-range resolution.

At 1920x1080, the combo reaches its full potential. The best preset is Ultra, which runs at an average of 92 FPS. This means the user can max out all graphics settings and still have a comfortable margin above the 60 FPS target, making 1080p the ideal environment for this pairing.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the database of tested combinations for Minimum, this specific CPU and GPU pairing ranks 2142 out of 3712 tested combos. This places it in the lower half of all possible configurations, which is an expected result given that the RTX 2070 SUPER is an older, end-of-life GPU while the processor is a current-generation flagship. The ranking reflects the balanced nature of the pairing: the CPU is not the limiting factor, but the GPU prevents the system from competing with modern high-end graphics cards.

The CPU itself ranks in the 96th percentile among all processors, which is an elite standing. The GPU, however, sits in the 65th percentile among all graphics cards. This disconnect explains the overall combo rank: the system is only as strong as its weakest link, and in this case, the GPU is the bottleneck for high-resolution gaming.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The recorded data provides a detailed look at how the system performs across every combination of resolution and settings. The measurements show clear scaling patterns.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: 65 FPS average
• Medium: 50 FPS average, 42 FPS minimum, 57 FPS maximum
• High: 42 FPS average
• Ultra: 32 FPS average

At 4K, the system is clearly GPU-limited. The jump from Low to Medium costs 15 FPS, and the jump from Medium to High costs another 8 FPS. Ultra is nearly unplayable at 32 FPS. The range between minimum and maximum on Medium is 15 FPS, which suggests some scene-dependent variability.

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: 121 FPS average
• Medium: 93 FPS average, 79 FPS minimum, 106 FPS maximum
• High: 78 FPS average
• Ultra: 59 FPS average

1440p is the sweet spot for this combo. Low settings produce a very high frame rate of 121 FPS, and even High stays well above 60 FPS at 78 FPS. The drop from Medium to High is 15 FPS, while the drop from High to Ultra is 19 FPS, showing that Ultra is a significant step up in demand. The minimum recorded on Medium is 79 FPS, which is still above the playable threshold.

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: 188 FPS average
• Medium: 144 FPS average, 122 FPS minimum, 165 FPS maximum
• High: 121 FPS average
• Ultra: 92 FPS average

At 1080p, the system is exceptionally fast. Low settings hit 188 FPS, which is ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors. Ultra still manages 92 FPS, which is a strong result. The scaling from Low to Medium is a 44 FPS drop, from Medium to High is a 23 FPS drop, and from High to Ultra is a 29 FPS drop. The minimum on Medium is 122 FPS, indicating that even the worst-case frametimes stay well above 60 FPS.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The nearest rivals in the database provide context for what other hardware would behave similarly to this combo.

For the CPU, the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus has an average benchmark score of 84003. The closest competitor is the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, which scores 83807, a difference of only 0.2%. This means the 285K would deliver virtually identical performance in CPU-bound scenarios. The AMD EPYC 4584PX scores 83090, 1.1% lower, and the AMD EPYC 9135 scores 82980, 1.2% lower. The AMD EPYC 7F72 scores 85072, which is 1.3% higher than the 290K Plus. These differences are all within a couple of percent, so any of these processors would produce nearly the same frame rates in Minimum when paired with the same GPU.

For the GPU, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER has an average benchmark score of 20282. The closest rival is the NVIDIA Quadro M4000M, which scores 20480, 1% higher. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile scores 20534, 1.2% higher, and the Intel Arc B570 scores 20556, 1.3% higher. The Intel Arc A750 scores 20582, 1.5% higher. These GPUs would all perform within a narrow margin of the RTX 2070 SUPER, meaning the measured FPS in Minimum would be nearly identical if any of these were substituted.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Minimum at 4K with playable frame rates?

A: Yes, but only on Low settings. The recorded data shows an average of 65 FPS at 3840x2160 on Low, which is above the 60 FPS threshold. Medium, High, and Ultra all fall below 60 FPS.

Q: What is the best graphics preset for 1080p gaming with this combo?

A: Ultra is the best preset at 1920x1080, delivering an average of 92 FPS. This is the most demanding preset that stays above the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: How does the RTX 2070 SUPER compare to the Intel Arc A750?

A: The database lists the Intel Arc A750 as a nearest rival with an average score of 20582, which is 1.5% higher than the RTX 2070 SUPER's 20282. The performance difference is minimal, so the measured FPS would be very similar.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck in this system?

A: The data indicates that the GPU is the limiting factor. The CPU ranks in the 96th percentile among all processors, while the GPU ranks in the 65th percentile. At higher resolutions, the frame rates drop significantly, which is a sign of GPU limitation.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded on Medium settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440 on Medium, the minimum recorded FPS is 79, with an average of 93 FPS and a maximum of 106 FPS. Even the lowest recorded frame rate stays above the 60 FPS threshold.

Q: How many total combinations were tested for this game?

A: The database includes 3712 tested combos for Minimum. This specific CPU and GPU pairing ranks 2142nd among them.

The Verdict

The verdict is clear: this system can run Minimum at all three tested resolutions, but the quality level varies dramatically.

At 1920x1080, the system is fully capable. Ultra settings run at 92 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold. All four presets are playable, with even the lowest recorded frametime on Medium sitting at 122 FPS. This is the resolution where the combo performs best.

At 2560x1440, the system remains strong but loses the Ultra preset. High settings run at 78 FPS, which is playable, and Low runs at 121 FPS. Ultra drops to 59 FPS, just below the threshold, so it is not recommended. The playable settings are High, Low, and Medium.

At 3840x2160, the system is severely constrained. Only Low settings clear 60 FPS, with an average of 65 FPS. Medium drops to 50 FPS, High to 42 FPS, and Ultra to 32 FPS. Users seeking 4K playability must accept the lowest visual quality.

CPU and GPU Roles

The division of labor between the CPU and GPU is evident from the scaling patterns across resolutions and presets.

The CPU is a high-end part with a 96th percentile ranking. It provides ample headroom for the game's logic, physics, and draw calls. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 51731 and single-core score of 7303 indicate that neither multi-threaded nor single-threaded workloads will be a concern. The PassMark single-thread score of 4823 reinforces this. In Minimum, a third-person shooter, the CPU is unlikely to be the limiting factor at any resolution.

The GPU is the decisive component. The RTX 2070 SUPER has a 65th percentile ranking, and its 8 GB of GDDR6 memory with 448.0 GB/s bandwidth is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p but strained at 4K. The evidence is in the frame rate scaling: at 1080p, the difference between Low and Ultra is 96 FPS, but at 4K, the difference is only 33 FPS. This compression of frame rates at higher resolutions indicates that the GPU is reaching its limits.

The resolution scaling is the clearest indicator. At Low settings, the frame rate drops from 188 FPS at 1080p to 121 FPS at 1440p to 65 FPS at 4K. This is a 65% reduction from 1080p to 4K, which is typical of a GPU-bound scenario. The CPU's performance is constant across resolutions, so all the variation comes from the graphics card.

In practical terms, users with a 1080p monitor will experience a system that feels overpowered, with the CPU and GPU working in harmony. At 1440p, the balance is still good, but the GPU starts to show its age. At 4K, the GPU is clearly the bottleneck, and the CPU's power is largely wasted. The data suggests that this combination is best suited for 1080p high-refresh-rate gaming, with 1440p being a secondary option at High settings or lower.