Minimum

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and AMD Radeon RX 9070 combination delivers a thoroughly consistent experience in Minimum, a third-person shooter released on 2014-06-25. The measured frame rates across resolutions and presets show a system that scales predictably, with the CPU’s large cache and the GPU’s substantial memory bandwidth shaping the outcome at every setting level. This analysis walks through the data step by step, examining how each component contributes to the final numbers and where the pairing sits among the 2,939 tested combos.

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

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is an 8-core, 16-thread processor based on the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Granite Ridge, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. Its base clock is 4.70 GHz with a boost clock of 5.60 GHz, and it carries 96 MB of shared L3 cache alongside 80 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core. The processor supports DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth and is unlocked for multiplier adjustments. Released on 2026-01-28 with a launch MSRP of $499, this desktop chip is actively produced and fits in AMD Socket AM5.

In Minimum, the CPU’s role is most evident when frame rates climb past 200 FPS. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the average is 262 FPS. That high ceiling requires strong single-thread performance, which the Ryzen 7 9850X3D provides through its 5.60 GHz boost clock. Benchmark scores support this: the Cinebench R23 single-core score is 2228, and PassMark single-thread is 4704. These numbers place the CPU in the 92nd percentile among all processors, with an average benchmark score of 58386.

The nearest rivals for the CPU, based on average score, are the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M at 58323 (0.1% behind), the Intel Xeon w5-2545 at 58504 (0.2% ahead), the Intel Core i9-14900 at 58115 (0.5% behind), and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 at 58826 (0.7% ahead). These deltas are all under one percent, meaning the 9850X3D sits in a tight cluster of high-end processors. For Minimum, the multi-threaded capability matters less than single-core speed, but the CPU still delivers strong multi-core results: Cinebench R23 multi-core is 22807, and PassMark multi-thread is 41318.

The L3 cache of 96 MB is the defining feature of the X3D series. In a third-person shooter from 2014, game logic and physics are often single-threaded, but level geometry and asset streaming can benefit from large caches. The data shows that at 1080p Low, the frame rate reaches 262 FPS, which is well above what the GPU alone could sustain if the CPU were a bottleneck. At 4K Ultra, the average drops to 45 FPS, which indicates the GPU is the limiting factor at that resolution and preset, not the CPU. The CPU’s 120 W TDP and boost clock of 5.60 GHz ensure it can feed the GPU consistently even at lower resolutions where frame rates are highest.

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

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 uses the Navi 48 chip, built on RDNA 4.0 architecture, also on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It has 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering 644.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The base clock is 1330 MHz, the game clock is 2070 MHz, and the boost clock reaches 2520 MHz. The GPU has 3584 shading units, 224 texture mapping units, 128 raster operations units, and 56 ray tracing cores. Its FP32 performance is 36.13 TFLOPS, and the pixel rate is 322.6 GPixel/s. The GPU was released on 2025-03-05 with a launch MSRP of 549 USD.

In Minimum, the GPU’s memory bandwidth and VRAM capacity are directly relevant to the measured results. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS is 45, which is the lowest recorded figure in the dataset. The 16 GB VRAM is not the constraint here, as the game is from 2014 and would not require that much memory even at 4K. Instead, the rendering load at Ultra settings with 4K resolution exceeds what the GPU’s raw compute can handle to maintain higher frame rates. The benchmark scores for the GPU show a PassMark G3D score of 25381 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 6290. The GPU sits in the 69th percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 23877.

The nearest GPU rivals are the NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN Z at 23736 (0.6% behind), the AMD Radeon RX 6800S at 24063 (0.8% ahead), the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Mobile at 23628 (1.1% behind), and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER at 24170 (1.2% ahead). These deltas are small, but the RX 9070’s GDDR6 memory at 20.1 Gbps effective and 644.6 GB/s bandwidth give it a clear advantage in memory-intensive scenes. At 1080p Low, the GPU produces 262 FPS, which is likely near the CPU’s limit rather than the GPU’s. At 4K Low, the average is 91 FPS, showing that even at lower settings, the resolution scaling takes a toll on the GPU.

The GPU’s game clock of 2070 MHz and boost clock of 2520 MHz are relevant when comparing the 1080p to 4K gap. At 1080p Medium, the average is 201 FPS; at 4K Medium, it is 70 FPS. That is a drop of 131 FPS, or roughly 65%, which is steeper than the pure pixel count increase would suggest. This indicates that the GPU’s compute units are the limiting factor at higher resolutions, while the CPU’s 96 MB L3 cache helps maintain high minimums at lower resolutions where memory latency could otherwise cause stutters.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS recorded for this combination?

A: The highest average FPS is 262, measured at 1920x1080 with Low settings. The next highest is 201 FPS at the same resolution with Medium settings.

Q: How does the CPU’s benchmark score compare to its nearest rival?

A: The Ryzen 7 9850X3D has an average benchmark score of 58386. The Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M is 0.1% behind at 58323, and the Intel Xeon w5-2545 is 0.2% ahead at 58504. The Intel Core i9-14900 is 0.5% behind at 58115, while the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 is 0.7% ahead at 58826.

Q: What is the lowest average FPS in the measured data?

A: The lowest average FPS is 45, recorded at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings. The 4K High preset is close at 59 FPS, and 4K Medium is 70 FPS.

Q: How much VRAM does the RX 9070 have, and what is its memory bandwidth?

A: The RX 9070 has 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, with a bandwidth of 644.6 GB/s. The memory clock is 2518 MHz, translating to 20.1 Gbps effective.

Q: What is the GPU’s percentile ranking among all tested GPUs?

A: The RX 9070 is in the 69th percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 23877. Its PassMark G3D score is 25381.

*Q: What is the combo’s rank in Minimum out of all tested combinations?*

A: The combo ranks 832 out of 2,939 tested combinations, placing it in the upper third of all pairings for this game.

How This Combo Ranks

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and AMD Radeon RX 9070 combination ranks 832 out of 2,939 tested combos in Minimum. This position places it in the top 28% of all pairings, which is a strong result for a game released in 2014 that is not considered a high-end benchmark title. The rank reflects the balance between the CPU’s high single-thread performance and the GPU’s capable compute throughput.

To understand what this rank means, consider the measured FPS at 1080p Ultra: 128 FPS. That is a smooth experience on most displays, and the 1440p High result of 109 FPS is equally playable. The 4K Ultra result of 45 FPS is the only figure that falls below 60 FPS, which is a common target for competitive shooters but not a hard requirement for a single-player third-person title. The rank of 832 suggests that many other combos achieve higher frame rates at 4K Ultra, but the overall spread of scores is wide.

The CPU’s percentile of 92 and the GPU’s percentile of 69 indicate that the processor is the stronger component relative to its peers. In Minimum, the GPU’s lower percentile is more impactful at higher resolutions, which is why the 4K Ultra score is the weakest point. The combo’s rank is not a simple average of the two percentiles; instead, it reflects how the pair works together. At 1080p, the CPU pulls ahead, and at 4K, the GPU holds the system back. The rank of 832 out of 2,939 is a fair assessment of this split personality.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data covers three resolutions and four settings presets, with 12 total data points. Every resolution and setting combination has an average FPS, and some have minimum and maximum values. The data is measured, not estimated, which adds credibility to the analysis.

At 1920x1080, the Low preset averages 262 FPS, which is the highest figure in the entire dataset. Medium averages 201 FPS, with a minimum of 171 and a maximum of 231. High averages 169 FPS, and Ultra averages 128 FPS. The step from Low to Medium is a drop of 61 FPS, while the step from Medium to High is a drop of 32 FPS, and from High to Ultra is a drop of 41 FPS. The CPU’s 5.60 GHz boost clock and 96 MB L3 cache keep the frame rate high even at Ultra, where 128 FPS is still well above the 60 FPS threshold.

At 2560x1440, Low averages 169 FPS, Medium averages 130 FPS with a minimum of 110 and a maximum of 149, High averages 109 FPS, and Ultra averages 83 FPS. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is consistent across presets: Low drops from 262 to 169 (a 35.5% reduction), Medium drops from 201 to 130 (a 35.3% reduction), High drops from 169 to 109 (a 35.5% reduction), and Ultra drops from 128 to 83 (a 35.2% reduction). This uniformity suggests the GPU is scaling linearly with pixel count at this resolution range.

At 3840x2160, Low averages 91 FPS, Medium averages 70 FPS with a minimum of 59 and a maximum of 80, High averages 59 FPS, and Ultra averages 45 FPS. The reduction from 1440p to 4K is larger: Low drops from 169 to 91 (a 46.2% reduction), Medium drops from 130 to 70 (a 46.2% reduction), High drops from 109 to 59 (a 45.9% reduction), and Ultra drops from 83 to 45 (a 45.8% reduction). The percentage reduction is nearly identical across all presets, which indicates the GPU is the limiting factor at 4K regardless of settings.

The minimum FPS values are only recorded for Medium presets: 171 at 1080p, 110 at 1440p, and 59 at 4K. These minimums show that even at 4K Medium, the frame rate does not drop below 59 FPS, which is just shy of the 60 FPS target. The maximum FPS values for Medium are 231 at 1080p, 149 at 1440p, and 80 at 4K. The spread between minimum and maximum widens as resolution increases: 60 FPS at 1080p, 39 FPS at 1440p, and 21 FPS at 4K. This narrowing spread at higher resolutions further confirms the GPU’s dominance as the bottleneck.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the Medium preset offers the best balance of visual quality and frame rate stability. At 1080p Medium, the average is 201 FPS with a minimum of 171 FPS, which is far above any display refresh rate. At 1440p Medium, the average is 130 FPS with a minimum of 110 FPS, which is still an excellent experience for high-refresh monitors. At 4K Medium, the average is 70 FPS with a minimum of 59 FPS, which is playable but occasionally dips below 60 FPS.

The High preset is the next best option. At 1080p High, the average is 169 FPS; at 1440p High, it is 109 FPS; and at 4K High, it is 59 FPS. The 4K High result is exactly at the 60 FPS boundary, meaning it will feel smooth in most scenes but may stutter during heavy action. The Ultra preset at 4K drops to 45 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target and likely to feel sluggish in a third-person shooter that requires precise aiming.

The Low preset delivers the highest frame rates: 262 FPS at 1080p, 169 FPS at 1440p, and 91 FPS at 4K. While these numbers are impressive, the visual quality loss is significant. For players who prioritize frame rate above all else, Low at 1080p or 1440p is the choice. For players who want a mix of quality and speed, Medium at 1440p is the sweet spot, as it provides 130 FPS with minimums above 100.

The data shows that Medium is the only preset where minimum FPS values are recorded at all three resolutions. This suggests the developers’ optimization is most consistent at this level. The Ultra preset, by contrast, has no minimum or maximum data, which may indicate less consistent performance. For a game from 2014, the Medium preset likely represents the intended baseline for high-refresh displays, and the measured numbers confirm this.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS drop from 1080p to 4K follows a clear pattern across all settings. At Low, the average drops from 262 at 1080p to 169 at 1440p (a 35.5% reduction) and then to 91 at 4K (a 46.2% reduction from 1440p). At Medium, the drop is from 201 to 130 (35.3%) and then to 70 (46.2%). At High, it is from 169 to 109 (35.5%) and then to 59 (45.9%). At Ultra, it is from 128 to 83 (35.2%) and then to 45 (45.8%).

The consistency of these percentages is striking. The reduction from 1080p to 1440p is almost exactly 35% for every preset, and the reduction from 1440p to 4K is almost exactly 46% for every preset. This uniform scaling indicates that the limiting component does not change across settings; it is always the GPU. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the FPS drop would be smaller at higher resolutions because the CPU’s workload would remain constant while the GPU’s increased. Instead, the FPS drops in proportion to the pixel count increase.

The pixel count increases from 1080p (2,073,600 pixels) to 1440p (3,686,400 pixels) by 77.8%, yet the FPS drops by only 35%. This is because the GPU has spare capacity at 1080p, and the CPU limits the frame rate at 1080p Low (262 FPS). At 1440p, the GPU becomes more loaded, and the FPS drops accordingly. From 1440p to 4K (8,294,400 pixels), the pixel count increases by 125%, and the FPS drops by 46%. This larger drop suggests the GPU is now fully saturated and cannot keep up with the pixel throughput.

The data indicates that the CPU’s 96 MB L3 cache and 5.60 GHz boost clock are sufficient to avoid becoming a bottleneck at any resolution tested. Even at 1080p Low, where the frame rate is highest, the CPU delivers 262 FPS without issue. The GPU, with its 16 GB VRAM and 644.6 GB/s bandwidth, handles 1080p and 1440p well but struggles at 4K Ultra. For players using a 4K display, the Medium preset (70 FPS) is the highest playable option, while High and Ultra fall below the 60 FPS threshold. For 1440p users, High (109 FPS) or Ultra (83 FPS) both provide smooth experiences. The scaling pattern confirms that this pairing is well-balanced for 1080p and 1440p gaming, with 4K being the only resolution where the GPU’s limits are clearly exposed.