Minimum

The Intel Core i5-12400 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB pairing delivers a strong, high-refresh-rate experience in Minimum, a Third-Person Shooter released in 2014. The benchmark data shows this combination is well-balanced for the game's engine, with the CPU providing ample headroom for the GPU to flex its capabilities across all tested resolutions and settings.

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

The Intel Core i5-12400 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor from the Core 12th Gen series, built on the Alder Lake-S architecture using a 10 nm process node. Its base clock of 2.50 GHz can boost up to 4.40 GHz, and with 18 MB of shared L3 cache, it offers a solid foundation for gaming workloads. The processor's average benchmark score of 18683 places it in the 72nd percentile among all CPUs, indicating it sits comfortably above the median in terms of raw compute capability.

In synthetic tests, the i5-12400 shows a clear scaling pattern from single to multi-threaded loads. Its single-thread score in 3DMark is 910, while the 2-thread score jumps to 1692, suggesting good per-core performance that is critical for the primary game thread. The 8-thread score of 4745 and max-thread score of 5890 demonstrate that the CPU can effectively utilize its 12 threads when needed, though the scaling from 8 to max threads is modest, indicating diminishing returns beyond that point. In Cinebench R23, the multicore score of 15989 versus the singlecore score of 2257 reinforces this profile: strong single-core performance with robust multi-core throughput.

For Minimum, a title from 2014, the game's engine likely does not heavily leverage more than a few cores. The i5-12400's high single-thread performance, exemplified by its Geekbench singlecore score of 1848 and Passmark singlethread score of 3456, is the key asset. This ensures that the game's main loop and physics calculations won't bottleneck the GPU. The nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-14100F, has an average score of 18519, which is 0.9% lower than the i5-12400's average. Meanwhile, the AMD EPYC 7643 and Intel Core i7-1355U score 18697 and 18730 respectively, showing deltas of -0.1% and -0.3% relative to the i5-12400, placing all these processors within a hair of each other in aggregate performance. This means that while the CPU is capable, it is not an outlier in its class; its strength lies in delivering consistent, predictable frame pacing rather than overwhelming the GPU.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB is the driving force in this configuration. Based on the AD106 chip and Ada Lovelace architecture, it operates at a base clock of 2310 MHz and a boost clock of 2535 MHz. The 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus provides a bandwidth of 288.0 GB/s, which is adequate for the game's textures and effects at the tested settings. The GPU's 4352 shading units and 136 texture mapping units give it substantial raw fill rate, evidenced by its 344.8 GTexel/s texture rate and 121.7 GPixel/s pixel rate.

The GPU's 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2913 places it in the 19th percentile of all GPUs. This percentile is relatively low because the benchmark database includes many high-end cards, but the RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB's nearest rivals show how tight the competition is at this performance tier. The NVIDIA RTX PRO 4000 Blackwell SFF scores 2910 (0.1% higher), the RTX 4060 Ti 16 GB scores 2907 (0.2% lower), and the NVIDIA Quadro P600 scores 2923 (0.3% higher). These negligible deltas indicate that this GPU's performance is firmly anchored in its class, with no significant variance from its direct peers.

In Minimum, the GPU's role is paramount. At 1080p Low settings, the average FPS reaches 234, which is well above any refresh rate ceiling, proving the GPU has massive headroom at lower resolutions. However, the 8 GB VRAM capacity becomes a factor at higher resolutions and settings. While the game is older and may not require massive memory pools, the data shows that the GPU's compute capabilities are the primary determinant of frame rates, as the CPU rarely becomes the limiting factor. The pixel rate and texture rate figures suggest the GPU can handle the geometry and shading loads, but the memory bandwidth of 288.0 GB/s may constrain performance at 4K, particularly with Ultra settings where the average FPS drops to 40.

How This Combo Ranks

Among all tested combinations in the benchmark database, this pairing of the Intel Core i5-12400 with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB ranks 1432 out of 3712 total combos. This places it in the top 38.6% of all configurations tested for Minimum, which is a respectable showing given the age of the game and the mid-range nature of both components. The rank reflects the balance between the CPU and GPU, where neither component is severely mismatched with the other, avoiding a scenario where one is clearly holding the other back.

The combo's standing is more indicative of the GPU's absolute performance tier than the CPU's. Since the i5-12400 is statistically similar to its nearest rivals (all within a 0.9% delta), the differentiating factor in the ranking comes from the RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB's position relative to other GPUs. The fact that this combo sits at 1432 out of 3712 suggests that there are many combos with more powerful GPUs that achieve higher ranks, but also a substantial number of weaker configurations that fall below it. The data indicates this is a mainstream pairing that delivers consistent, playable performance without being at the extreme high end of the spectrum.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of how this combo performs across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1080p, the baseline resolution, the average frame rates are robust across the board. With Low settings, the average FPS is 234, which is exceptional for any game. Medium settings yield 179 average FPS, with a minimum of 152 and maximum of 206, showing tight frame pacing. High settings drop to 150 average FPS, while Ultra settings bring it down to 115 average FPS. These numbers indicate that even at the highest settings, the combo easily clears 100 FPS, making it ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors.

Moving to 1440p, the performance scales down proportionally. Low settings produce an average of 151 FPS, which is still very high. Medium settings average 115 FPS, with a min of 98 and max of 133, maintaining a stable experience. High settings average 97 FPS, which is just below the 100 FPS threshold but still smooth. Ultra settings average 74 FPS, which is playable but begins to show the strain on the GPU. At 4K, the results are more variable. Low settings average 81 FPS, which is surprising for such a high resolution. Medium settings average 62 FPS, with a min of 53 and max of 72, indicating some frame drops in intense scenes. High settings average 52 FPS, and Ultra settings average 40 FPS, which falls below the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay.

Resolution Scaling

The scaling from 1080p to 4K reveals the limiting component in this setup. At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 234, which drops to 151 at 1440p Low, and then to 81 at 4K Low. This represents a 35.5% drop from 1080p to 1440p, and a 46.4% drop from 1440p to 4K. This pattern is typical of a GPU-bound scenario, where the CPU has enough headroom to feed frames, but the GPU's rendering load increases disproportionately with resolution. The same trend holds for Medium settings: 179 FPS at 1080p, 115 FPS at 1440p, and 62 FPS at 4K, with drops of 35.8% and 46.1% respectively.

For High settings, the drops are 35.3% from 1080p (150 FPS) to 1440p (97 FPS), and 46.4% from 1440p to 4K (52 FPS). Ultra settings show a similar pattern: 115 FPS at 1080p, 74 FPS at 1440p (a 35.7% drop), and 40 FPS at 4K (a 45.9% drop). The consistency of these percentage drops across all settings strongly indicates that the GPU is the primary limiting factor. The CPU's performance is sufficient to maintain high frame rates at lower resolutions, but as the pixel count increases, the GPU's fill rate and memory bandwidth become the bottlenecks. The data shows that the RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB can handle 1440p with ease, but 4K requires a reduction in settings to maintain playable frame rates.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured rows, the optimal settings depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For 1080p, the Ultra preset at 115 average FPS is the best choice for players with a 120 Hz or 144 Hz monitor, as it offers the highest visual fidelity while still maintaining a high frame rate. If a player has a 240 Hz monitor, the Low preset at 234 average FPS is the only option to fully utilize that refresh rate, though the visual trade-off is significant. The Medium preset at 179 average FPS is a balanced choice for most 144 Hz displays, offering a good mix of quality and performance.

For 1440p, the High preset at 97 average FPS is recommended for a 100 Hz monitor, as it provides excellent visual quality without dipping below 60 FPS. The Medium preset at 115 average FPS is better for 120 Hz displays, while Low at 151 average FPS can push frame rates high enough for 144 Hz monitors, though with reduced visuals. The Ultra preset at 74 average FPS is acceptable for 75 Hz monitors but is not ideal for faster displays.

At 4K, the Low preset at 81 average FPS is the only setting that consistently stays above 60 FPS, making it the recommended choice for a smooth experience. The Medium preset at 62 average FPS is borderline, with a minimum of 53 FPS that could cause noticeable stutters. The High and Ultra presets at 52 and 40 average FPS respectively are not recommended for 4K gaming, as they fall below the 60 FPS threshold and will result in a less fluid experience. For most players, the Medium preset at 1440p offers the best balance of visual quality and performance, delivering an average of 115 FPS with a minimum of 98 FPS, ensuring smooth gameplay in most scenarios.

FAQ

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

A: The average FPS is 150, which is well above the 144 Hz refresh rate threshold, making it suitable for high-refresh-rate monitors.

Q: Can this combo handle 4K gaming?

A: At 4K, the combo can only maintain an average above 60 FPS with Low settings (81 FPS). Medium settings average 62 FPS, while High and Ultra settings drop to 52 and 40 FPS respectively, which are below the 60 FPS playability threshold.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-14100F?

A: The Intel Core i5-12400 has an average benchmark score of 18683, which is 0.9% higher than the Intel Core i3-14100F's score of 18519, indicating a slight performance advantage.

Q: What is the best settings preset for a 1440p 120 Hz monitor?

A: The Medium preset at 1440p delivers an average of 115 FPS with a minimum of 98 FPS, making it the best option for a 120 Hz display as it stays consistently above the refresh rate.

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

A: Benchmark results indicate the GPU is the limiting factor, as FPS drops consistently by roughly 35% from 1080p to 1440p and 46% from 1440p to 4K across all settings, which is a classic GPU-bound scaling pattern.

Q: What is the GPU's average score in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB scores 2913 in the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 benchmark, which is 0.2% higher than the RTX 4060 Ti 16 GB's score of 2907.