Minimum

The Intel Core i5-14600K paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 delivers an exceptional experience in Minimum, a 2014 third-person shooter. The benchmark data reveals a system that is overwhelmingly GPU-bound at higher resolutions, while the CPU's robust architecture ensures that even at 1080p, frame rates remain extraordinarily high. This combination consistently produces triple-digit frame rates across nearly all settings, making it a top-tier performer for this title.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a classic pattern of performance scaling across resolutions. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 393.8 FPS. This figure drops to 255 FPS at 1440p and further to 135.1 FPS at 4K. This steep decline indicates that the RTX 4090 is the primary limiting factor as resolution increases, with the CPU having ample headroom to feed the GPU at lower resolutions.

Moving from 1080p to 1440p at High settings, the average frame rate falls from 253.5 FPS to 161.4 FPS, a reduction that highlights the increased pixel workload. The scaling continues to 4K, where the High preset yields 87 FPS. This progression from 253.5 to 161.4 to 87 FPS represents a 36% drop from 1080p to 1440p and a 46% drop from 1440p to 4K. The data suggests that the RTX 4090's immense compute power is being taxed more heavily as the pixel count grows, while the i5-14600K remains a capable partner throughout.

At the Ultra preset, the scaling is equally pronounced. The 1080p result of 191.4 FPS drops to 125.4 FPS at 1440p and then to 68.4 FPS at 4K. This shows that even with the most demanding settings, the system remains fluid at 1440p and playable at 4K. The gap between Low and Ultra settings at 4K (135.1 FPS vs. 68.4 FPS) is a 49% performance hit, demonstrating that the visual fidelity gains come at a significant cost to frame rate. The limiting component shifts decisively to the GPU as resolution climbs, with the CPU's role diminishing in importance.

Settings Recommendations

The benchmark results indicate that the High preset offers the best balance of visual quality and performance for this combination. At 1440p, the High preset delivers 161.4 FPS, which is more than sufficient for a smooth experience on high-refresh-rate displays. At 4K, the High preset achieves 87 FPS, which remains above the 60 FPS threshold for most monitors, making it a viable option for those prioritizing visual fidelity.

The Medium preset provides a substantial performance uplift over High, with a 22% increase in average FPS at 1440p (196.7 FPS vs. 161.4 FPS) and a 22% increase at 4K (106.4 FPS vs. 87 FPS). This preset is recommended for players who prefer higher frame rates over maximum graphical detail, particularly at 4K where the jump to 106.4 FPS provides a noticeable improvement in smoothness.

The Low preset is the clear choice for competitive play or maximum refresh rate utilization. At 1080p, it achieves 393.8 FPS, and even at 1440p it maintains 255 FPS. This preset eliminates most graphical effects, but the raw performance is ideal for high-speed gameplay. The Ultra preset, while visually stunning, is best reserved for 1080p and 1440p displays, as the 4K average of 68.4 FPS approaches the lower bounds of what is considered comfortable for fast-paced action.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS achieved by this combo at 1080p?

A: The highest average FPS is 393.8, achieved with the Low preset at 1920x1080 resolution.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming with the High preset?

A: Yes, the data shows an average of 87 FPS at 3840x2160 with the High preset, which is well above the 60 FPS standard for smooth gameplay.

Q: How does the Ultra preset compare to High at 1440p?

A: The Ultra preset delivers 125.4 FPS at 2560x1440, while the High preset achieves 161.4 FPS, making High approximately 29% faster.

Q: Is the CPU a bottleneck at lower resolutions?

A: The benchmark data does not indicate a CPU bottleneck. At 1080p with Low settings, the system reaches 393.8 FPS, suggesting the i5-14600K has enough headroom to support the RTX 4090's performance.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra at 4K?

A: The Low preset averages 135.1 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 68.4 FPS at 3840x2160. This represents a 49% reduction in performance when using the Ultra preset.

Q: Which preset offers the best experience at 4K?

A: The High preset is the best balance, offering 87 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS target. The Medium preset provides an even higher 106.4 FPS for those who prefer a smoother experience.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific combination of the Intel Core i5-14600K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 ranks 43rd out of 1733 tested combos in Minimum. This places it in the top 2.5% of all configurations, indicating that it is a high-end pairing that delivers outstanding performance in this title. The rank reflects the system's ability to maintain very high frame rates, even at demanding 4K resolutions with the Ultra preset.

The ranking is notably strong given the game's age and the hardware's capability. The i5-14600K, with its 14 cores and 20 threads, provides a solid foundation, while the RTX 4090's raw power drives the high scores. The data suggests that this combo is more than sufficient for the game's demands, and its top-50 placement underscores its effectiveness. The measured FPS at 4K Ultra (68.4 FPS) and 1440p High (161.4 FPS) are indicative of a system that excels across all tested settings.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-14600K is a 14-core, 20-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture. It features a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz, with a 24 MB shared L3 cache. These specifications provide substantial computational power, which is reflected in its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32881 and single-core score of 4642.

In Minimum, the CPU's role is to maintain a steady stream of frames, and the data shows it performs admirably. The high single-core performance, evidenced by the 4270 Passmark single-thread score, is crucial for game logic and physics calculations. The multi-core capabilities, demonstrated by the 38682 Passmark multithread score, ensure that background tasks and modern game engines that utilize multiple threads do not cause stutters.

The CPU's 93rd percentile ranking against all CPUs indicates it is a strong performer overall. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X, which has a delta of 0.2%, and the Intel Core i5-14600KF, which has a delta of -0.4%. These margins are negligible in real-world gaming, confirming that the i5-14600K is a highly capable processor. The 125W TDP and support for DDR4/DDR5 memory make it a versatile choice, and the benchmark results confirm it does not bottleneck the RTX 4090 at any tested resolution or setting.