Minimum

The Intel Core i5-14600KF paired with the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT is a balanced mid-range combination for playing Minimum, a 2014 third-person shooter. The benchmark data shows this setup delivers high frame rates at standard resolutions, though the GPU becomes the clear limiting factor at 4K. This analysis breaks down the measured performance across resolutions, settings, and the CPU's role in the results.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a classic pattern of GPU-bound scaling as resolution increases. At 1080p with High settings, the combo produces 131 FPS average. Moving to 1440p High drops that to 85 FPS, a 35% reduction. At 4K High, the average falls to 46 FPS, which is a 65% drop from the 1080p result. This steep decline indicates that the Radeon RX 6700 XT's rendering throughput is the primary constraint at higher pixel counts, while the CPU has ample headroom.

The scaling factor becomes even more apparent when comparing Low settings. At 1080p Low, the system hits 204 FPS average. At 1440p Low, it still manages 132 FPS, but at 4K Low, it drops to 71 FPS. The gap between 1440p and 4K at Low settings is a 46% reduction, which is substantial. This suggests that even with reduced graphical load, the GPU's memory bandwidth and shader output cannot keep pace with the 4K pixel count, whereas the CPU is not the bottleneck in any scenario.

The most telling comparison is the Ultra preset. At 1080p Ultra, the average is 100 FPS. At 1440p Ultra, it falls to 64 FPS, and at 4K Ultra, it bottoms out at 35 FPS. The 4K Ultra result is barely playable, and the 65% drop from 1080p Ultra to 4K Ultra confirms that the RX 6700 XT is overwhelmed by the combination of high detail and 4K resolution. For a smooth experience, the data suggests staying at 1440p or below, where the frame rates remain above 60 FPS for most settings.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-14600KF is a 14-core, 20-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. Its benchmark scores are strong, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32544 and a single-core score of 4594. The CPU sits in the 90th percentile among all tested processors, with an average benchmark score of 49394. This places it roughly on par with the AMD Ryzen 9 7900, which scores 49228 (a 0.3% delta), and ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245, which scores 48995 (a 0.8% delta).

In Minimum, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and game logic. Given the game's 2014 release date, it is not a particularly demanding title for modern processors. The measured FPS data shows that at 1080p Low, the system reaches 204 FPS average, indicating that the CPU can push well beyond 200 frames per second when the GPU is not the limiting factor. The single-thread performance, evidenced by a Geekbench single-core score of 2445 and a Passmark single-thread score of 4273, is more than sufficient for this title's engine.

The CPU's 24 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel memory support (DDR4 or DDR5) contribute to its ability to handle high frame rates without stuttering. The multi-threaded performance, with a Passmark multithread score of 38697, ensures that background tasks and game threads do not interfere with frame pacing. However, the data indicates that the CPU is never the bottleneck in this configuration; the GPU's performance drop at higher resolutions is the dominant factor. The CPU's percentile ranking versus all CPUs at 90% further reinforces that it is a high-end part relative to the rest of the market.

FAQ

*Q: What is the best resolution to play Minimum with this combo?*

A: Based on the measured data, 1440p is the optimal resolution. At High settings, the average FPS is 85, and at Medium settings, it is 101 FPS. This provides a good balance between visual fidelity and smooth gameplay. 1080p offers higher frame rates (up to 204 FPS on Low), but 4K is only playable on Low settings with 71 FPS.

Q: Is this CPU or GPU the bottleneck at 4K?

A: The GPU is the clear bottleneck at 4K. The average FPS drops from 71 at Low settings to 35 at Ultra settings, while the CPU's performance is consistent across resolutions. The RX 6700 XT's rendering capabilities are insufficient for sustained high frame rates at 4K, regardless of the CPU's strength.

Q: How does the RX 6700 XT compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The RX 6700 XT has an average benchmark score of 27425, placing it in the 72nd percentile of all GPUs. It is nearly identical to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Mobile, which scores 27435 (a 0% delta), and slightly behind the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090, which scores 27565 (a -0.5% delta). This shows it is a mid-to-high-range GPU, but not a top-tier performer.

Q: Can this system achieve 144 FPS at 1080p?

A: Yes, on Medium settings, the average FPS at 1080p is 156, and on Low settings, it is 204. However, at High settings, the average drops to 131 FPS, which is below 144. For a 144Hz monitor, using Medium or Low settings at 1080p is recommended.

Q: What is the CPU's ranking among all tested processors?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600KF is in the 90th percentile of all CPUs tested. Its average benchmark score of 49394 is slightly above the AMD Ryzen 9 7900's 49228 score, with a delta of 0.3%. It is also 0.8% faster than the Intel Core Ultra 5 245, which scores 48995.

Q: Is the 4K Ultra preset playable?

A: No, the 4K Ultra preset averages only 35 FPS. This is below the standard 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay. The data suggests that 4K Ultra is not a viable option for this combo, and users should stick to lower settings or lower resolutions.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a full picture of this combo's performance across three resolutions and four settings presets.

At 1920x1080, the system performs exceptionally well. On Low settings, the average FPS is 204, which is extremely high and suggests the CPU can handle very high frame rates. Medium settings produce 156 FPS average, with a minimum of 133 FPS and a maximum of 180 FPS. High settings yield 131 FPS average, which is still smooth for most displays. Ultra settings drop to 100 FPS average, which is playable but shows the GPU starting to work harder.

At 2560x1440, the frame rates remain respectable. Low settings average 132 FPS, which is still above 120 FPS. Medium settings average 101 FPS, with a minimum of 86 FPS and a maximum of 116 FPS. High settings produce 85 FPS average, which is suitable for a 60Hz monitor. Ultra settings drop to 64 FPS average, which is just above the 60 FPS threshold but shows signs of strain.

At 3840x2160, the GPU becomes the limiting factor. Low settings average 71 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for fast-paced gameplay. Medium settings average 54 FPS, with a minimum of 46 FPS and a maximum of 62 FPS, indicating inconsistent frame times. High settings average 46 FPS, which is borderline playable. Ultra settings average 35 FPS, which is not smooth and will result in a poor experience.

The data shows a clear trend: the RX 6700 XT can handle 1080p and 1440p with ease, but 4K requires significant compromises. The Medium preset at 1440p is a sweet spot, offering 101 FPS average with a minimum of 86 FPS, ensuring a consistent experience.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database for Minimum, this specific combination of the Intel Core i5-14600KF and AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT ranks 1935 out of 3712 tested combos. This places it in the lower half of all tested systems, which is somewhat surprising given the individual components' performance. However, this ranking is likely influenced by the fact that many tested combos may include higher-end GPUs or newer hardware that can achieve higher frame rates at 4K.

The combo's rank of 1935 out of 3712 indicates that it is an average performer relative to the entire test pool. The CPU is in the 90th percentile, and the GPU is in the 72nd percentile, but the combination does not push into the top tier. This is primarily due to the GPU's limitations at higher resolutions, which drags down the overall ranking. For a user with a 1080p or 1440p monitor, this combo would feel fast, but the ranking reflects the full range of resolutions tested, including 4K.

The data suggests that this combo is a solid mid-range option. It outperforms many older or lower-spec systems, but it is not competitive with top-tier configurations that feature more powerful GPUs. The rank of 1935 out of 3712 means that about 52% of tested combos are faster, which is a reasonable position for a balanced build.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the user's resolution and target frame rate.

For 1080p users with a 144Hz monitor, the Medium preset is the best choice. It delivers 156 FPS average, which is above 144 FPS, and the minimum of 133 FPS ensures no major dips. The High preset at 131 FPS is also acceptable but may drop below 144 FPS in heavy scenes. For those with a 60Hz monitor, the Ultra preset at 100 FPS provides the best visual quality without any risk of drops below 60 FPS.

For 1440p users, the Medium preset is the recommended balance. It offers 101 FPS average with a minimum of 86 FPS, ensuring a smooth experience on high refresh rate monitors. The High preset at 85 FPS is also viable for 60Hz displays, but the Medium preset provides more headroom. The Low preset at 132 FPS is best for competitive play where frame rate is paramount, but it sacrifices visual fidelity.

For 4K users, the Low preset is the only playable option, averaging 71 FPS. The Medium preset averages 54 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target and may feel choppy. The High and Ultra presets are not recommended due to average FPS of 46 and 35, respectively. If 4K is a priority, users should consider lowering the resolution to 1440p or upgrading the GPU.

In summary, the data shows that this combo shines at 1080p and 1440p, with the Medium or High presets providing the best experience. At 4K, only Low settings are viable, and the GPU becomes the limiting factor. For most users, 1440p Medium offers the best combination of visual quality and performance, delivering 101 FPS average with no major frame drops.