Minimum

Minimum, a third-person shooter from 2014, is a title where the combination of an Intel Core i5-14600KF and an AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT demonstrates a clear performance hierarchy driven by resolution and graphics settings. The benchmark data indicates that this pairing is exceptionally strong at 1080p, capable of delivering very high frame rates, but begins to show the GPU's limitations as pixel count increases, particularly when aiming for maximum visual fidelity. The measured results provide a definitive look at how this specific hardware duo handles the game's demands, with the scaling from 1080p to 4K revealing a system that is heavily GPU-bound at higher resolutions.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is significant and clearly identifies the GPU as the primary limiting factor in this configuration. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 247.7 FPS, which is more than sufficient for any high-refresh-rate display. However, moving to 1440p at the same Low preset drops the average to 161.7 FPS, a reduction of 86 FPS. The scaling continues aggressively to 4K, where the average further falls to 83.3 FPS. This pattern indicates that while the CPU has ample headroom at lower resolutions, the Radeon RX 7800 XT's rendering workload grows exponentially with each step up in resolution.

The trend is consistent across all settings presets. With High settings, the frame rate scales from 158.4 FPS at 1080p, down to 105.7 FPS at 1440p, and finally to 53.5 FPS at 4K. This represents a 66.2% reduction in average FPS from 1080p to 4K. The data suggests that the i5-14600KF, with its 14 cores and 20 threads, is never the bottleneck in this scenario. The frame rate deltas between resolutions are substantial, confirming that the GPU's fill rate and memory bandwidth are being saturated as the pixel count increases. For players targeting 4K, the results show that even the High preset will struggle to maintain a solid 60 FPS, while 1440p offers a more balanced experience with frame rates that can still exceed 100 FPS on lower presets.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT is the central figure in determining Minimum's performance, and its specifications align well with the measured outcomes. The GPU features 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 624.1 GB/s. This is more than adequate for a 2014 title, even at 4K resolution, where texture data and frame buffers are largest. The card's boost clock of 2430 MHz and game clock of 2124 MHz are the key drivers of its raw compute power, which is rated at 37.32 TFLOPS for FP32 operations.

Looking at the benchmark results, the GPU's performance in synthetic tests reflects its capability. It scores 24,176 in Passmark's G3D test and 4,157 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12. These scores place it in the 76th percentile of all GPUs. The data shows that the GPU is the decisive factor in the measured FPS. At 1080p Low, the 247.7 FPS average is likely near the upper limit of what the game engine can produce, indicating the GPU is not fully stressed. However, at 4K Ultra, the average drops to 39.5 FPS, a clear indication that the GPU's processing units are overwhelmed by the combination of high resolution and intensive settings. The 16 GB VRAM capacity is not a limiting factor here, as the game's texture requirements are well below that threshold, but the sheer computational load of 4K rendering is what causes the performance cliff.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS rows, the optimal balance between visual quality and performance for this combo is the High preset at 1440p. This configuration yields an average of 105.7 FPS, which is smooth and responsive for a third-person shooter. Stepping up to Ultra at this resolution drops the average to 78.6 FPS, which is still playable, but the performance cost is noticeable. For players prioritizing the highest frame rates, the Low preset at 1080p provides an average of 247.7 FPS, but this comes at the cost of visual fidelity.

At 4K, the data suggests that players should avoid the Ultra preset, as the 39.5 FPS average is below the threshold for a comfortable experience. The Medium preset at 4K provides a more acceptable 68.9 FPS, but the High preset, at 53.5 FPS, is a marginal trade-off. The sweet spot for this hardware in Minimum is clearly 1440p with High settings, offering a 105.7 FPS average that balances the GPU's workload with the CPU's capabilities. For those with 1080p monitors, the Medium preset at 193.2 FPS is a strong choice, offering higher visual quality than Low without a significant performance penalty.

FAQ

Q: Can this combo run Minimum at 4K with maximum settings?

A: No. The measured data shows that at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average FPS is 39.5, which is not smooth enough for a fast-paced shooter. The High preset at 4K provides 53.5 FPS, still below the 60 FPS target, while Medium is the only preset to exceed 60 FPS at 68.9.

Q: What is the best resolution for this CPU and GPU pairing in Minimum?

A: The data indicates that 2560x1440 is the optimal resolution. At High settings, it delivers an average of 105.7 FPS, offering a strong balance between visual clarity and high frame rate. This avoids the performance drop seen at 4K and takes advantage of the GPU's power more than 1080p.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-14600KF a bottleneck for the Radeon RX 7800 XT in this game?

A: The benchmark results suggest that the CPU is not the limiting factor. The FPS scaling from 1080p to 4K is consistent and significant, which is a classic sign of GPU-bound performance. The CPU's high single-thread score of 4,643 in Cinebench R23 indicates it has ample power to feed the GPU.

Q: How much performance is lost when moving from 1080p to 1440p on High settings?

A: The average FPS drops from 158.4 at 1920x1080 to 105.7 at 2560x1440. This is a reduction of 52.7 FPS, or roughly 33% lower performance. This is a substantial cost, but the resulting 105.7 FPS is still a very playable frame rate.

Q: Is the 16 GB VRAM of the RX 7800 XT necessary for this game?

A: The data does not suggest VRAM is a limiting factor. Given the game's 2014 release date, its memory requirements are likely modest. The 16 GB capacity is more than sufficient, and the performance differences between settings are more likely due to compute and shading unit load rather than memory capacity.

Q: How does the combo's performance at 1080p Low compare to 4K Medium?

A: The difference is stark. At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 247.7, which is over three times higher than the 68.9 FPS average at 4K Medium. This highlights the massive performance cost of increasing resolution, even when lowering other settings.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-14600KF provides the foundational performance for this system, and in Minimum, it proves to be a capable partner for the RX 7800 XT. With 14 cores and 20 threads, it offers substantial multi-threaded headroom, scoring 32,889 in Cinebench R23 multi-core. However, for gaming, the single-core performance is often more critical, and the processor excels here with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4,643. This strong single-thread capability ensures that the game's main logic and draw call processing are handled efficiently, allowing the GPU to work without stalling.

The benchmark data shows that the CPU's role is to keep the GPU fed. At 1080p Low, the 247.7 FPS average is likely approaching the engine's limit, and the performance drop to 161.7 FPS at 1440p Low is purely a result of the GPU working harder. The CPU's boost clock of 5.30 GHz and base clock of 3.50 GHz are high, which helps in maintaining high frame rates. The processor is rated in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, and it outperforms the Intel Core i5-14600K by 0.4% in average benchmark score. In this title, the CPU is never the bottleneck, as evidenced by the consistent frame rate scaling that follows the GPU's workload curve.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of performance across all tested configurations. At 1920x1080, the combo produces an average of 247.7 FPS on Low, 193.2 FPS on Medium, 158.4 FPS on High, and 123.5 FPS on Ultra. This shows a smooth progression, with a 124.2 FPS difference between the lowest and highest presets. At 2560x1440, the averages are 161.7 FPS on Low, 124.1 FPS on Medium, 105.7 FPS on High, and 78.6 FPS on Ultra. The gap between Low and Ultra narrows to 83.1 FPS, indicating that the GPU is becoming the limiting factor.

Moving to 3840x2160, the performance drops significantly. The Low preset yields an average of 83.3 FPS, which is the only setting at this resolution to exceed 80 FPS. Medium averages 68.9 FPS, High averages 53.5 FPS, and Ultra averages 39.5 FPS. The data reveals that the performance hit from 1440p to 4K is severe, with the High preset losing over half its frame rate (from 105.7 to 53.5 FPS). This breakdown confirms that the RX 7800 XT is most comfortable at 1440p and below, and that 4K gaming requires significant compromises in settings to maintain playable frame rates.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested hardware combinations, the Intel Core i5-14600KF paired with the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT achieves a combo rank of 669 out of 1,733 total combinations. This places the pairing in the top 38.6% of all tested systems, indicating it is a strong performer. The rank reflects the GPU's 76th percentile status and the CPU's 93rd percentile status, with the overall system performance being slightly held back by the GPU in this specific game's context.

The combo's ranking suggests that while it is not a top-tier enthusiast setup, it is a high-performing mid-range configuration that delivers excellent results in Minimum. The data shows that the system's performance is dominated by the GPU's capabilities, as the CPU is more than adequate for the task. Compared to other combos, this pairing offers a strong balance, particularly for 1440p gaming, where it can deliver high frame rates with high visual settings. The rank of 669 out of 1,733 is a solid position, reinforcing the conclusion that this is a competent and well-matched duo for this title, offering a smooth experience at most resolutions and settings, save for the most demanding 4K Ultra configuration.