Minecraft: Java Edition

This CPU and GPU pairing lands at rank 1534 out of 1727 tested combos in Minecraft: Java Edition. That places it in the lower half of the database, but the raw frame rates tell a more nuanced story than the rank alone suggests. The combo sits in the 11th percentile of tested configurations, meaning roughly 89% of other pairings deliver higher average performance in this specific title. The data indicates that this is not a top-tier setup for pushing extreme refresh rates, but it is far from a poor experience at mainstream resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

The comboRankInGame of 1534 out of 1727 places this pairing firmly in the bottom quartile of tested systems for Minecraft: Java Edition. This rank reflects the overall average performance across all measured settings and resolutions. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 does its part by ranking in the 79th percentile against all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 20875. However, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER pulls the combined score down, as it sits in the 55th percentile against all GPUs with an average benchmark score of 14286. The disparity between the CPU's strong percentile and the GPU's middling percentile suggests the graphics card is the limiting factor in this pairing. The data shows that while the processor has headroom, the graphics card caps what the system can deliver in this voxel-based title. This rank should not be read as a failure — the measured FPS numbers reveal that the combo handles 1080p exceptionally well, but the overall rank is dragged down by weaker 4K performance.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER uses the TU116 chip on a 12 nm process, with 1408 shading units, 88 texture mapping units, and 48 render output units. The memory subsystem consists of 6 GB of GDDR6 on a 192-bit bus, delivering 336.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The base clock runs at 1530 MHz with a boost clock of 1785 MHz. In Minecraft: Java Edition, the GPU's memory bandwidth becomes critical at higher resolutions. The measured data shows a clear pattern: at 3840x2160, the Ultra preset drops to 37.7 FPS, while High settings reach 59.5 FPS. The card's 55th percentile ranking against all GPUs corresponds to its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX Vega 11, which scores 14314 versus the GTX 1660 SUPER's 14286 — a delta of -0.2%. The GPU's compute performance of 5076 in Passmark GPU Compute and 12699 in Passmark G3D indicates it has enough raw power for 1080p gaming. The 6 GB VRAM capacity is sufficient for this game's textures, but the card's 48 ROPs limit fill-rate-heavy scenarios like the Ultra preset's effects. The data indicates the GTX 1660 SUPER is a capable 1080p card that begins to struggle when resolution scales up, particularly at Ultra settings where the 4K average of 37.7 FPS falls below playable thresholds.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 provides 6 cores and 12 threads based on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Cezanne, on a 7 nm process. Base clock is 3.60 GHz with a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The cache hierarchy includes 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and a 16 MB L3 cache. The CPU's single-thread performance in Cinebench R23 scores 2319, while multicore reaches 16429. In Minecraft: Java Edition, which relies heavily on single-thread performance for world generation and physics, this processor shows its strength. The 3DMark single-thread score of 836 and Passmark single-thread score of 3058 demonstrate solid per-core capability. The CPU's nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-12500, scores 20897 in average benchmarks versus the Ryzen 5 5500's 20875, a delta of -0.1%. The 16 MB L3 cache helps with chunk loading and entity processing. The processor's rank in the 79th percentile against all CPUs suggests it has ample headroom for this game. However, the measured frame rates show that at 1920x1080 Low settings, the system reaches 298.7 FPS — indicating the CPU can feed the GPU well beyond typical refresh rates at lower settings. At 3840x2160 Ultra, the CPU is not the bottleneck; instead, the GPU's limits become apparent.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the combo delivers strong performance across all presets. Low settings produce an average of 298.7 FPS, Medium hits 239.5 FPS, High reaches 190 FPS, and Ultra still maintains 116.9 FPS. These numbers indicate that at 1080p, the system can drive high-refresh monitors even at Ultra settings, with the Low preset pushing close to 300 FPS for esports-style play. The jump from Low to Ultra costs roughly 61% of the frame rate, but the result remains smooth.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance drops but stays respectable. Low settings average 187.3 FPS, Medium achieves 151.3 FPS, High delivers 117.4 FPS, and Ultra falls to 73.2 FPS. The data shows that 1440p High is still playable for most users, while Ultra remains above 60 FPS, making it viable for those who prioritize visual fidelity over extreme refresh rates. The gap between Low and Ultra at this resolution is about 61%, mirroring the 1080p pattern.

At 3840x2160, the GPU begins to show its limits. Low settings average 98.6 FPS, Medium drops to 80.1 FPS, High reaches 59.5 FPS, and Ultra falls to 37.7 FPS. The Ultra preset at 4K is the only configuration that dips below 60 FPS, making it unsuitable for smooth gameplay. High settings at 4K just barely cross the 60 FPS threshold, while Medium and Low remain comfortably playable. The scaling from 1080p to 4K at High settings shows a 69% reduction in frame rate, from 190 FPS to 59.5 FPS.

FAQ

Q: Can this combo run Minecraft: Java Edition at 1080p Ultra settings smoothly?

A: Yes. The measured average FPS at 1920x1080 Ultra is 116.9 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay and suitable for high-refresh displays.

Q: How does the Ryzen 5 5500 compare to its closest rival?

A: The Ryzen 5 5500 has an average benchmark score of 20875, which is 0.1% lower than the Intel Core i5-12500's score of 20897. This places the two processors effectively at parity in synthetic benchmarks.

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo in Minecraft?

A: Based on the measured data, 1920x1080 offers the best balance of performance and visual quality. At High settings, the system delivers 190 FPS, and even at Ultra it maintains 116.9 FPS. 2560x1440 is also viable, with High settings at 117.4 FPS, but 3840x2160 Ultra falls to 37.7 FPS, which is not playable.

Q: How does the GTX 1660 SUPER's performance compare to the RX Vega 11?

A: The GTX 1660 SUPER scores 14286 in average benchmarks, while the AMD Radeon RX Vega 11 scores 14314, giving the GTX 1660 SUPER a -0.2% delta. The two GPUs perform nearly identically in this database's metrics.

Q: Is there a significant performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: Yes. At 2560x1440, Low settings average 187.3 FPS, while Ultra drops to 73.2 FPS. This represents a 61% reduction in frame rate, but Ultra remains above 60 FPS, making it a viable choice for users who prefer maximum visual quality.

Q: Does this combo handle 4K gaming at any settings?

A: At 3840x2160, Low settings average 98.6 FPS and Medium achieves 80.1 FPS, both of which are playable. High settings reach 59.5 FPS, which is borderline, while Ultra at 37.7 FPS is too low for smooth gameplay.

Settings Recommendations

The measured data points to 1920x1080 as the sweet spot for this combo. At this resolution, even the Ultra preset delivers 116.9 FPS, which is ideal for most users. Players with 144 Hz monitors can comfortably run High settings at 190 FPS, while those seeking maximum visual fidelity can enable Ultra without sacrificing smoothness. The Low preset at 298.7 FPS is excessive for most displays, but it demonstrates the system's headroom for competitive play or modded environments that add CPU load.

At 2560x1440, the recommendation shifts to High settings at 117.4 FPS. This provides a strong balance between visual quality and frame rate. Ultra at 73.2 FPS is acceptable for users who prioritize graphics over refresh rate, but the drop from High is noticeable. Medium at 151.3 FPS offers an alternative for those who want higher frame rates without the visual impact of Low.

For 3840x2160, users should stick to Medium settings at 80.1 FPS or Low at 98.6 FPS. High at 59.5 FPS is marginal and may result in stutter during intense scenes, while Ultra at 37.7 FPS is not recommended for gameplay. The data shows that this combo is best suited for 1080p gaming, with 1440p as a secondary option and 4K limited to lower presets.