Minimum

Minimum, a 2014 third-person shooter, presents an interesting case study in system bottlenecking when paired with the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F and the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT. The benchmark data reveals a component pairing that behaves predictably across resolutions, with the GPU's workload scaling in a way that clearly defines its role as the primary limiting factor at higher graphical demands. This analysis interprets the measured FPS across various settings and resolutions, offering a data-driven look at how this specific combination performs.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a clear and consistent pattern of performance degradation as resolution increases, a hallmark of a GPU-bound scenario. At 1080p with Low settings, the combination achieves an average of 204 FPS. Stepping up to 1440p drops that average to 132 FPS, a significant reduction of 72 frames. Moving further to 4K at Low settings yields 71 FPS, which is roughly a 35% reduction from the 1440p figure. This scaling behavior indicates that the work required per frame is increasing substantially with each pixel count, a task that falls squarely on the graphics card.

The trend is even more pronounced at higher graphical presets, suggesting the GPU is being pushed harder. With High settings, the 1080p average of 131 FPS falls to 85 FPS at 1440p, a 46 FPS drop. At 4K High, the average plummets to 46 FPS. This shows that the combination of higher resolution and higher settings creates a multiplicative load on the GPU. The data implies that at 1080p, the system might have some headroom, but the GPU is still the primary determinant of frame rate, as even the lowest setting shows a substantial performance difference compared to what a strictly CPU-limited scenario would produce.

The most telling observation is the gap between settings at each resolution. At 1080p, the difference between Low (204 FPS) and Ultra (100 FPS) is 104 FPS, a massive swing that highlights how sensitive the GPU is to its own workload. This gap narrows at 1440p, where Low (132 FPS) and Ultra (64 FPS) differ by 68 FPS, and further still at 4K, where the difference is 36 FPS (71 vs 35). This compression of the FPS range at higher resolutions indicates that the pixel fill rate and memory bandwidth of the GPU become the dominant constraints, reducing the relative impact of the settings-based shader complexity.

This data strongly suggests that the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT is the limiting component across all tested resolutions. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, with its 6 cores and 12 threads, appears to be feeding the GPU adequately, but the frame rate is consistently dictated by the graphics card's ability to render the scene. For a game like Minimum, a third-person shooter, this means that players seeking the highest refresh rates would want to stay at 1080p, while those with 4K displays will need to make significant compromises in settings to achieve playable frame rates.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT is a RDNA 2.0 architecture GPU built on a 7 nm process. Its role in these benchmark results is defined by its 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing 384.0 GB/s of bandwidth. This memory configuration is a key factor in how the card handles the increasing resolutions, as the data shows a direct correlation between pixel count and performance drop, which is typical for a card whose bandwidth is being saturated.

The GPU's clock speeds are also relevant to its performance. With a base clock of 2321 MHz, a game clock of 2424 MHz, and a boost clock of 2581 MHz, the card is operating at a high frequency. The consistency of the scaling patterns—where performance drops are roughly proportional to the increase in pixel count—indicates that these clocks are being maintained, but the sheer amount of work is causing the frame rate to fall. The measured 4K results, with averages of 71 FPS on Low and 46 FPS on High, show that the card can handle the resolution but is not overpowered for it, particularly with more demanding settings.

The GPU's benchmark scores place it in the 72nd percentile among all GPUs, with an average score of 27425. This places it in a competitive tier, as evidenced by its nearest rivals. The data shows it performing nearly identically to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Mobile (deltaPct 0) and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 (deltaPct -0.5). This context is important; it suggests that the RX 6700 XT is a solid mid-to-high range performer, but not a top-tier card. The 4K Ultra result of 35 FPS is a clear indicator that it is not designed for maxed-out 4K gaming, but rather for high-refresh-rate 1440p or comfortable 1080p experiences.

The 12 GB VRAM capacity does not appear to be a limiting factor in this specific game's measured results. Since the frame rates scale consistently with resolution and settings, there is no evidence of a sudden performance cliff that would indicate memory capacity issues. The GPU's role is clearly to render the frame, and its performance is being measured directly by the FPS output. The data suggests a well-balanced card for its intended market, but one where the 4K Ultra preset is beyond its comfortable reach.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal experience for this combination depends heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For a 1080p display, the data shows that all settings are playable. The Low preset achieves 204 FPS, Medium 156 FPS, High 131 FPS, and even Ultra maintains 100 FPS. The recommendation here would be to use the High preset as a balance between visual fidelity and performance, as it still provides a frame rate far above the 60 FPS threshold and leaves headroom for smoother gameplay. The Ultra preset at 100 FPS is also a viable option for those who prioritize image quality above all else.

At 1440p, the choices become more defined. The High preset delivers 85 FPS, which is a good target for a high-refresh-rate monitor. The Medium preset offers 101 FPS, which is even better for competitive play. The data suggests that Medium is the sweet spot for 1440p, providing a significant FPS boost over High while presumably still looking better than Low. The Low preset at 132 FPS is for players who want maximum frame rates, but the visual compromise might be too steep for many. The Ultra preset at 64 FPS is technically playable but sits close to the 60 FPS minimum, so it is not recommended for a consistently smooth experience.

The 4K resolution presents the most significant challenge. The data shows that only the Low preset (71 FPS) and Medium preset (54 FPS) are viable options. The High preset at 46 FPS and Ultra at 35 FPS are below the ideal 60 FPS threshold and would likely feel less fluid. For 4K, the Low preset is the only one that maintains a comfortable frame rate, while Medium offers a better visual experience but dips into the 50s. This analysis suggests that the RX 6700 XT is not an ideal 4K card for this game, and users should either target 1440p or accept lower settings at 4K.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following breakdown details the exact average FPS figures from the FACT PACK for each resolution and settings combination.

1920x1080:

• Low: 204 FPS
• Medium: 156 FPS (min 133, max 180)
• High: 131 FPS
• Ultra: 100 FPS

2560x1440:

• Low: 132 FPS
• Medium: 101 FPS (min 86, max 116)
• High: 85 FPS
• Ultra: 64 FPS

3840x2160:

• Low: 71 FPS
• Medium: 54 FPS (min 46, max 62)
• High: 46 FPS
• Ultra: 35 FPS

The data shows a clear hierarchy, with performance decreasing as both resolution and settings increase. The Medium preset at each resolution is the only one with min/max FPS data, showing a consistent frame pacing with a 29 FPS spread at 1080p, a 30 FPS spread at 1440p, and a 16 FPS spread at 4K. This tighter range at 4K suggests that the GPU is more consistently bottlenecked, leading to less variance. The 1080p Low result of 204 FPS indicates the CPU is capable of high frame rates, but the GPU prevents this from being sustained at higher resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database for Minimum, this specific combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F and AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT ranks 1501 out of 2939 tested combos. This places it in the 51st percentile of all tested systems. This ranking suggests that the combo is a solid, above-average performer, but it is not at the top of the heap. The data implies that while the individual components are capable, there are many other pairings that achieve higher frame rates in this game.

The ranking of 1501 out of 2939 is a more holistic metric than a single FPS number, as it likely considers performance across multiple settings and resolutions. The fact that this combo lands in the middle of the pack indicates that its performance is representative of a typical mid-range system. For comparison, the CPU's individual performance is in the 85th percentile, and the GPU is in the 72nd percentile. The combined rank is lower than either individual percentile, suggesting that the pairing, while effective, may not maximize the potential of either component in this specific game, likely due to the GPU becoming the limiting factor at higher resolutions. This rank indicates a competent setup that will handle the game well, but it is not a record-breaking combination.

FAQ

Q: Can this system run Minimum at 4K resolution?

A: Yes, but with limitations. The measured data shows that at 4K, the Low preset achieves 71 FPS and Medium achieves 54 FPS. Higher presets drop below 50 FPS, which may not be ideal for a smooth experience.

Q: What is the best settings preset for 1440p gaming?

A: Based on the data, the Medium preset is the most balanced, achieving an average of 101 FPS. This provides a high frame rate while offering a step up in visual quality from the Low preset, which runs at 132 FPS.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor in this game?

A: The data strongly indicates that the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT is the limiting component. The FPS scales significantly with resolution and settings, which is characteristic of a GPU-bound workload. The CPU's performance is sufficient to push high frame rates at 1080p Low (204 FPS), but the GPU cannot maintain that performance at higher loads.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to other tested systems?

A: The combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F and AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT ranks 1501 out of 2939 tested combos for Minimum. This places it in the middle of the pack.

Q: What is the average FPS at 1080p with Ultra settings?

A: The measured average FPS at 1080p with the Ultra preset is 100 FPS. This is a playable frame rate for most users, though it is half the frame rate of the Low preset at the same resolution.

Q: Does the GPU's 12 GB VRAM cause any performance issues?

A: The data does not suggest any VRAM capacity issues. The performance scales in a predictable manner with resolution and settings, with no sudden drops that would indicate a memory capacity bottleneck.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture. With a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, it provides a strong foundation for gaming. The benchmark data shows that this CPU is not the primary bottleneck in Minimum, as the frame rates are largely determined by the GPU's workload. The PassMark single-thread score of 2872 indicates strong per-core performance, which is crucial for games that rely on fewer threads.

The CPU's multi-threaded performance is also solid, with a PassMark multithread score of 19236. This suggests that the processor has ample headroom to handle game logic and other background tasks. The fact that the 1080p Low preset achieves 204 FPS shows that the CPU is capable of issuing draw calls fast enough to support very high frame rates. The performance drop to 132 FPS at 1440p Low is almost entirely attributable to the GPU having to render more pixels, not to a CPU limitation.

The Ryzen 5 5600F's position in the CPU market is confirmed by its benchmark scores. It sits in the 85th percentile of all CPUs, with an average score of 36945. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 (deltaPct 0) and the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D (deltaPct -0.2). This data indicates that the CPU is a high-performance part that pairs well with the RX 6700 XT. In the context of this game, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU efficiently, and the measured results show it does so without becoming a limiting factor, even at the highest frame rates recorded.