Minimum

This benchmark analysis examines the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 4 GB in the game Minimum. The data reveals a configuration with a strong central processor that is consistently constrained by a graphics card with limited memory bandwidth and capacity at higher resolutions. The following sections break down the specific roles of each component, how the system scales across resolutions, and what settings provide the most playable experience based on the measured frames per second (FPS) data.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer. It operates on a 7 nm process from TSMC and features a base clock of 3.00 GHz with a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. This CPU has a 65 W TDP and supports DDR4 memory through a dual-channel interface, providing a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The processor includes a 32 MB shared L3 cache, which is significant for gaming workloads that rely on quick data access.

In the context of Minimum, the CPU's role appears to be secondary to the GPU across most settings, as indicated by the FPS patterns. At 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves a 120 FPS average, which is the highest measured value in the entire dataset. This suggests that at this resolution and setting, the Ryzen 5 5600F's 6 cores and 12 threads are sufficient to feed the GPU without becoming a bottleneck. The processor’s single-thread performance is also noteworthy; its PassMark single-thread score of 2872 contributes to the overall responsiveness in a third-person shooter where frame pacing matters.

However, the data shows that the CPU is not the limiting factor when the resolution increases. The processor’s average benchmark score is 36945, placing it in the 85th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 with an average score of 36938 and a deltaPct of 0, and the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D with a score of 37018 and a deltaPct of -0.2. These rivals are essentially identical in performance, meaning the 5600F is positioned at a performance plateau where small differences do not translate into meaningful FPS changes in this game.

The CPU’s multi-threaded capabilities, with a PassMark multithread score of 19236, are likely underutilized in Minimum, as the game is not heavily threaded. The benchmark results indicate that the system’s FPS is more dependent on the graphics settings and resolution than on the CPU’s clock speed or core count. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS drops to 20, which is a dramatic reduction from the 1080p Low result of 120 FPS. This scaling pattern confirms that the CPU is not the primary constraint; instead, the GPU’s ability to render pixels at higher resolutions dictates the performance ceiling.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 4 GB is the clear performance limiter in this configuration. This GPU is based on the Ampere architecture with the GA107 chip, manufactured on an 8 nm process from Samsung. It features 2048 shading units, 64 texture mapping units, and 32 raster output units. The memory configuration is particularly important: 4 GB of GDDR6 on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 192.0 GB/s. The memory clock runs at 1500 MHz, effectively 12 Gbps.

The 4 GB VRAM capacity is a critical factor in this game’s performance at higher resolutions and settings. At 1080p, the GPU can handle the workload, with average FPS ranging from 120 at Low to 59 at Ultra. The data shows a clear progression: as settings increase, the FPS drops proportionally. At 1440p, the same pattern emerges but with lower absolute numbers, such as 78 FPS at Low and 38 FPS at Ultra. At 4K, the GPU struggles significantly, with the highest average being 42 FPS at Low and the lowest being 20 FPS at Ultra.

The GPU’s clock speeds are set at a base of 1545 MHz and a boost of 1740 MHz. These clocks are modest, and the pixel rate of 55.68 GPixel/s along with a texture rate of 111.4 GTexel/s indicate that the card is designed for entry-level to mid-range performance. The FP32 performance of 7.127 TFLOPS further contextualizes its capabilities. In the context of Minimum, the GPU’s memory bandwidth of 192.0 GB/s becomes a bottleneck at higher resolutions, where the demand for texture data and frame buffer memory increases.

The RTX 3050 4 GB has a TDP of 90 W, which is low, but this does not compensate for its memory limitations. The GPU is positioned at the 50th percentile of all GPUs, indicating it is an average performer. Unlike the CPU, which has rivals listed, the GPU has no nearest rivals in the data, suggesting it is a unique or standalone comparison point. The benchmark results clearly show that the GPU is the limiting component, as the FPS drops significantly when moving from 1080p to 4K, regardless of the CPU’s headroom.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The resolution scaling data provides a clear picture of where the bottleneck lies. Starting at 1080p, the system delivers respectable performance across all settings. At Low, the average FPS is 120, which is the highest in the dataset. Moving to Medium, the FPS drops to 92, and at High, it is 77. At Ultra, the average FPS falls to 59. This progression shows a consistent decrease of roughly 15-20 FPS with each settings tier, which is expected as the GPU works harder to render more visual effects.

When the resolution increases to 1440p, the FPS values drop by approximately 35-50% compared to 1080p. For instance, at Low, the average FPS is 78, down from 120, representing a 35% reduction. At Medium, it is 59, down from 92, a 36% reduction. At High, it is 50, down from 77, a 35% reduction. At Ultra, it is 38, down from 59, a 36% reduction. This consistent percentage drop indicates that the GPU is the limiting factor, as the CPU’s performance is resolution-independent.

At 4K, the drop is even more pronounced. At Low, the average FPS is 42, which is a 65% reduction from the 1080p Low result. At Medium, it is 32, a 65% reduction from 1080p Medium. At High, it is 27, a 65% reduction from 1080p High. At Ultra, it is 20, a 66% reduction from 1080p Ultra. This near-constant reduction percentage across all settings at 4K strongly suggests that the GPU’s memory bandwidth and VRAM capacity are saturated, and the system is unable to maintain playable frame rates.

The data implies that the limiting component is definitively the GPU. The CPU’s 6 cores and 12 threads are not challenged by the resolution scaling, as the FPS drops are uniform across settings. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see a smaller performance gap between resolutions, but the opposite is true. The RTX 3050 4 GB simply does not have the memory bandwidth to handle the pixel throughput required at 4K, resulting in average FPS below 30 at all settings except Low.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to achieve a consistent 60 FPS?

A: The data shows that at 1080p, the system achieves a 60 FPS average or higher at Low, Medium, and High settings. Specifically, Low averages 120 FPS, Medium averages 92 FPS, and High averages 77 FPS. At 1440p, only Low settings reach a 78 FPS average, while Medium falls to 59 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals in terms of average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F has an average benchmark score of 36945. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225, has an average score of 36938 with a deltaPct of 0. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D scores 37018 with a deltaPct of -0.2, and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 scores 37093 with a deltaPct of -0.4.

Q: Is the GPU’s 4 GB VRAM sufficient for Ultra settings at any resolution?

A: The data indicates that Ultra settings are not playable at higher resolutions. At 1080p Ultra, the average FPS is 59, which is borderline playable. At 1440p Ultra, the average FPS drops to 38, and at 4K Ultra, it falls to 20, indicating that the VRAM capacity is insufficient for smooth gameplay.

Q: What is the FPS difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, the difference between Low and Ultra settings is significant. Low settings yield an average FPS of 120, while Ultra settings yield an average FPS of 59. This represents a 61 FPS difference, or roughly a 51% reduction in performance when moving from Low to Ultra.

Q: Does the combo rank high among all tested combinations in this game?

A: The combo ranks 2580 out of 2939 tested combinations in Minimum. This places it in the lower 12% of all combos, indicating that it is a below-average performer relative to other tested systems.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded in the dataset?

A: The lowest average FPS recorded is 20, which occurs at 3840x2160 resolution with Ultra settings. The dataset does not provide minimum FPS values for most settings, but the Medium setting at 4K shows a min FPS of 27, which is the only min FPS value above 20.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo of the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 4 GB ranks 2580 out of 2939 tested combos in Minimum. This places it in the bottom 12% of all combinations, which is a low ranking. The rank reflects the GPU’s limitations, as the CPU is a strong performer in its own right. The 5600F sits at the 85th percentile of all CPUs, but the RTX 3050 4 GB is at the 50th percentile of all GPUs, dragging the overall combo down.

The ranking suggests that this configuration is not well-suited for high-end gaming at higher resolutions, but it may be adequate for 1080p gaming at medium to high settings. The data shows that 1080p Medium yields a 92 FPS average, which is above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. However, the combo’s low rank relative to others indicates that many other systems can achieve higher frame rates, particularly at 1440p and 4K.

The GPU’s lack of nearest rivals in the data means that there is no direct comparison point, but its 50th percentile ranking indicates it is an average GPU. The CPU’s rivals are all within a 0.5% deltaPct, showing that the 5600F is not a differentiator. Therefore, the combo’s low rank is primarily due to the GPU’s performance ceiling, and users should not expect this system to compete with higher-end configurations.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the user’s performance goals. For a consistent 60 FPS experience, the best choice is 1080p with High settings, which yields an average FPS of 77. This provides a good balance between visual quality and performance, as the FPS is well above the 60 FPS threshold, and the settings are not at the lowest tier.

If the user prioritizes maximum visual fidelity, 1080p Ultra is viable, with an average FPS of 59. This is just below 60 FPS, but it is close enough that most users would find it playable. However, the data shows that Ultra settings at 1440p or 4K are not recommended, as the average FPS drops to 38 and 20, respectively, which are below playable thresholds.

For users with a 1440p monitor, Low settings are the only option that provides a smooth experience, with an average FPS of 78. Medium settings at 1440p yield 59 FPS, which is borderline, and High settings drop to 50 FPS. At 4K, no settings provide a playable experience, as even Low averages only 42 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target.

The data suggests that the best experience is achieved at 1080p with High settings, as it offers a high frame rate while maintaining decent visual quality. Users should avoid 4K altogether and only use 1440p if they are willing to lower settings to Low. The Medium settings at 1080p also provide a strong 92 FPS average, making it a viable alternative for those who want a slight performance buffer.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the combo’s performance across three resolutions and four settings tiers. At 1920x1080, the system delivers the following average FPS: Low at 120, Medium at 92, High at 77, and Ultra at 59. The Medium setting also includes a minimum FPS of 78 and a maximum of 106, indicating some frame variability but generally stable performance.

At 2560x1440, the average FPS drops to: Low at 78, Medium at 59, High at 50, and Ultra at 38. The Medium setting reports a minimum FPS of 50 and a maximum of 68, showing a wider range of frame times compared to 1080p. This suggests that the GPU is under more stress at 1440p, leading to more pronounced FPS fluctuations.

At 3840x2160, the average FPS is significantly lower: Low at 42, Medium at 32, High at 27, and Ultra at 20. The Medium setting shows a minimum FPS of 27 and a maximum of 37, which is the only setting at 4K with min/max data. The other settings do not have min/max values, but the averages clearly indicate that the system is not capable of maintaining smooth gameplay at this resolution.

The data shows a clear pattern: as resolution increases, the FPS drops by roughly 35% from 1080p to 1440p, and then by another 45-50% from 1440p to 4K. This scaling is consistent across all settings, confirming that the GPU is the limiting factor. The system is best suited for 1080p gaming, where it can achieve high frame rates at all settings, and it can handle 1440p only at Low settings with acceptable performance.