Minimum

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured frame rates for Minimum with the Intel Core i7-12700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8 GB show a steep and consistent performance drop as resolution increases, which points directly to the GPU as the primary bottleneck at higher settings. At Low settings, the average frame rate falls from 233 FPS at 1920x1080 to 150 FPS at 2560x1440 — a 36% reduction — and then to 81 FPS at 3840x2160, a further 46% drop from 1440p. This scaling pattern is typical of a GPU-limited scenario, where pixel throughput becomes the deciding factor.

The gap between resolutions widens dramatically at higher presets. At Ultra settings, the average FPS is 114 at 1080p, 73 at 1440p, and just 40 at 4K. That means moving from 1080p to 4K at Ultra cuts performance by roughly 65%, which is a far larger relative loss than the 42% drop seen when comparing the same resolution change at Low settings. This divergence is informative: the Low preset is light enough on the GPU that the CPU can keep feeding frames, but once the visual load increases, the RTX 5060 Ti's 8 GB frame buffer and 128-bit memory interface become the constraining factors.

The intermediate steps confirm the trend. At Medium settings, average FPS goes from 178 at 1080p, to 115 at 1440p, to 62 at 4K. The 1440p-to-4K drop at Medium is 46%, nearly identical to the Low preset's 46% decline, which suggests that the GPU is consistently the limiting component once resolution exceeds 1080p. At High settings, the averages are 149, 96, and 52 FPS respectively, with the 4K figure falling below the 60 FPS threshold that many users consider the baseline for smooth gameplay.

What this resolution scaling reveals is that the i7-12700K is not holding this system back in Minimum. The 12-core, 20-thread processor with a 5.00 GHz boost clock is capable of delivering frame rates far beyond what the GPU can render at 1440p and 4K. The evidence is in the 1080p Low result: 233 FPS is a very high number, and it is the only preset where the CPU's single-thread performance (3DMark single-thread score of 1043) and multi-core capabilities (Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 19784) can be fully utilized. At every other resolution and preset combination, the GPU's rendering limits cap the system's output well before the CPU becomes a factor.

The practical takeaway is that users targeting 4K will need to be selective with settings. The data shows that 4K High produces only 52 FPS average, which is playable but not ideal for fast-paced third-person shooting. Dropping to 4K Medium raises the average to 62 FPS, and 4K Low reaches 81 FPS. For those with 1440p displays, the system is much more comfortable, with High settings achieving 96 FPS and Medium hitting 115 FPS. The 1080p results are all above 114 FPS even at Ultra, meaning the CPU-GPU combination is well balanced for that resolution.

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

The Intel Core i7-12700K brings a substantial amount of processing headroom to Minimum, and the benchmark data shows that this headroom is rarely taxed. The processor features 12 physical cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Its Alder Lake architecture, built on a 10 nm process from Intel, includes a 25 MB shared L3 cache and 1.25 MB L2 cache per core. These specifications translate into strong synthetic benchmark scores: the CPU achieves a PassMark multi-thread score of 34404, a Geekbench multi-core score of 15790, and a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 19784.

In the context of Minimum, the CPU's role is best understood by examining the frame rates at 1080p Low, where the GPU load is minimal. At 233 FPS average, the system is generating frames faster than most displays can refresh, and this figure is likely near the upper bound of what the game engine can produce with this processor. The single-thread performance, measured at 4013 in PassMark single-thread and 1850.5 in Cinebench R23 single-core, is critical for a third-person shooter where game logic, physics, and draw call submission often rely on a few fast cores. The 3DMark 2-thread score of 2065 further indicates that even lightly threaded workloads are handled efficiently.

However, the CPU's multi-core strength becomes largely irrelevant at higher resolutions. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS drops to 40, and the difference between the i7-12700K and a less capable processor would likely be minimal because the GPU is the limiting factor. The CPU's 84th percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 35287, places it well above the median, but the game's measured results show that this processing power is only partially utilized. The nearest rivals — the Intel Core i5-13600T, Core i7-12700KF, Core i7-13700T, and Core 5 213PE — all have average scores within 0.4% of the i7-12700K, suggesting that any of these CPUs would deliver nearly identical frame rates in Minimum when paired with this GPU.

The launch MSRP of $409 for the i7-12700K positions it as a high-end desktop processor, and its 125 W TDP requires adequate cooling, but the data indicates that users could potentially pair it with a weaker GPU without losing much performance at 1080p. The 3DMark 16-thread score of 9276 and max-thread score of 9979 demonstrate that the processor scales well with increased thread usage, which is beneficial for background tasks or streaming while gaming. For Minimum specifically, the CPU's job is to keep the GPU fed with data, and at 1080p Low, it succeeds admirably; at 4K, the GPU simply cannot keep pace with the CPU's output.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8 GB is the dominant factor in Minimum's performance at most resolution and settings combinations. This GPU, based on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture and fabricated on a 5 nm process by TSMC, contains 21,900 million transistors on a 181 mm² die. Its memory configuration of 8 GB GDDR7 on a 128-bit bus delivers a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s, with memory clocks rated at 1750 MHz (28 Gbps effective). The GPU's boost clock of 2572 MHz and base clock of 2407 MHz drive 4608 shading units, 144 texture mapping units, and 48 ROPs.

The benchmark results for Minimum show a clear pattern: the RTX 5060 Ti 8 GB is capable of high frame rates at 1080p but struggles to maintain 60 FPS at 4K with higher presets. At 1080p Ultra, the GPU produces 114 FPS average, which is respectable for a third-person shooter. At 1440p High, it achieves 96 FPS, and at 1440p Medium, 115 FPS. The 4K results are the most telling: High averages 52 FPS, Medium 62 FPS, and Ultra just 40 FPS. These numbers suggest that the GPU's compute power (23.70 TFLOPS FP32) is sufficient for 1440p gaming but is overwhelmed by the pixel count at 4K.

The 8 GB VRAM capacity is a notable consideration. While the game is from 2014 and may not require large frame buffers, the measured results show that the GPU's memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s is a limiting factor at 4K. The pixel rate of 123.5 GPixel/s and texture rate of 370.4 GTexel/s are respectable for the 50-series class, but the 128-bit memory bus constrains data throughput. This is evident in the 4K Ultra result of 40 FPS, which is well below the 60 FPS target. The PassMark G3D score of 21981 and 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 4019 place this GPU in the 29th percentile among all GPUs, indicating that it is not a high-end part, despite its modern architecture.

Comparing to its nearest rivals from the FACT PACK — the AMD FirePro W5130M, NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450, AMD Radeon R7 M265, and AMD Radeon R7 M360 — the RTX 5060 Ti 8 GB's average benchmark score of 4901 is within 0.6% of these older and lower-tier cards. This is an unusual grouping, as the RTX 5060 Ti is a current-generation part, but the percentile ranking suggests that its raw compute metrics are not exceptional. In Minimum, however, the GPU's modern feature set and driver optimizations likely contribute to its measured performance, which is substantially higher than what those rival GPUs could achieve in this game.

For users considering this GPU for Minimum, the data suggests that 1440p is the sweet spot. At 1440p High, the 96 FPS average provides smooth gameplay, and 1440p Medium at 115 FPS is even better. The 8 GB VRAM is sufficient for this game at these settings, as the measured FPS values do not indicate any VRAM-related stuttering or frame drops (the Medium preset shows min FPS of 98 at 1440p and 151 at 1080p, which are healthy margins). At 4K, users will need to accept lower settings to maintain playable frame rates.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for Minimum with this hardware depend heavily on the target resolution and the user's preference for visual fidelity versus frame rate smoothness. The data provides a clear hierarchy of performance across four presets — Low, Medium, High, and Ultra — at three resolutions.

At 1080p, all four presets deliver average frame rates above 114 FPS. The Ultra preset at 114 FPS is the best choice for users who want the highest visual quality without sacrificing playability, as 114 FPS is well above the 60 FPS threshold and provides a smooth experience on most monitors. The High preset at 149 FPS and Medium at 178 FPS offer progressively higher frame rates, but the visual difference between High and Ultra is often minimal in a third-person shooter. The Low preset at 233 FPS is only recommended for competitive players who prioritize maximum frame rate over graphics, as the visual downgrade is significant.

At 1440p, the recommendation shifts. The Ultra preset drops to 73 FPS, which is still playable but close to the 60 FPS minimum for comfortable gameplay. The High preset at 96 FPS is the balanced choice, offering a substantial improvement in frame rate over Ultra while maintaining most visual quality. The Medium preset at 115 FPS is ideal for users with high-refresh-rate 1440p monitors (120 Hz or above), as it provides a smooth experience with only a moderate reduction in visual fidelity. The Low preset at 150 FPS is excessive for most users, but it demonstrates the system's headroom at this resolution.

At 4K, the recommendations become more constrained. The Ultra preset at 40 FPS is not recommended, as it falls below the 60 FPS threshold and may feel choppy in fast-paced gameplay. The High preset at 52 FPS is borderline, but the Medium preset at 62 FPS is the best overall choice for 4K, as it is the only preset that achieves average FPS above 60 while maintaining reasonable visual quality. The Low preset at 81 FPS provides the smoothest 4K experience, but users should be aware that Low settings will significantly reduce shadows, textures, and effects.

The best overall experience per the measured data is 1440p High at 96 FPS. This combination offers a strong balance between visual fidelity and frame rate, with enough headroom above 60 FPS to handle occasional scene complexity. For users with 1080p displays, 1080p Ultra at 114 FPS is the recommended preset, as it maximizes visual quality without compromising smoothness. For 4K users, 4K Medium at 62 FPS is the only preset that meets the 60 FPS baseline, making it the default recommendation despite the visual trade-offs.

FAQ

*Q: What is the best resolution and settings combination for this CPU-GPU pair in Minimum?*

A: The measured data shows that 2560x1440 with High settings produces 96 FPS average, which is the best balance of visual quality and frame rate. At 1080p, Ultra settings at 114 FPS is recommended, while at 4K, Medium settings at 62 FPS is the only preset above the 60 FPS baseline.

*Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Minimum?*

A: Yes, but with limitations. At 4K Medium, the average FPS is 62, which is above the 60 FPS threshold. 4K High drops to 52 FPS, and 4K Ultra falls to 40 FPS. Users should stick to Medium or Low settings for 4K.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck in this game?

A: The GPU is the bottleneck at resolutions above 1080p. At 1080p Low, the CPU can deliver 233 FPS, but at 4K Ultra, the GPU limits performance to 40 FPS. The CPU's 12 cores and 20 threads provide ample headroom for this game.

Q: How does the RTX 5060 Ti 8 GB compare to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The GPU's average benchmark score is 4901, which is within 0.6% of the AMD FirePro W5130M, NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450, AMD Radeon R7 M265, and AMD Radeon R7 M360. The GPU ranks in the 29th percentile among all GPUs.

Q: What frame rates can I expect at 1080p with high-refresh-rate monitors?

A: At 1080p, the system achieves 149 FPS on High, 178 FPS on Medium, and 233 FPS on Low. These results are suitable for 144 Hz or even 240 Hz monitors, though the Low preset's visual quality may be too degraded for some users.

*Q: Does the 8 GB VRAM cause any issues in Minimum?*

A: The measured data does not show any VRAM-related problems. The Medium preset at 1440p has a minimum FPS of 98, and at 1080p a minimum of 151, indicating stable frame delivery without stuttering or texture thrashing.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The complete measured frame rate data for the Intel Core i7-12700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8 GB in Minimum is presented below, organized by resolution and settings preset. All values are average FPS unless otherwise noted.

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: 233 FPS average
• Medium: 178 FPS average, with minimum 151 FPS and maximum 205 FPS
• High: 149 FPS average
• Ultra: 114 FPS average

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: 150 FPS average
• Medium: 115 FPS average, with minimum 98 FPS and maximum 132 FPS
• High: 96 FPS average
• Ultra: 73 FPS average

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: 81 FPS average
• Medium: 62 FPS average, with minimum 53 FPS and maximum 71 FPS
• High: 52 FPS average
• Ultra: 40 FPS average

The data shows a consistent performance hierarchy across all resolutions: Low is always the fastest, followed by Medium, High, and Ultra in descending order. The gap between presets widens at higher resolutions, with the difference between Low and Ultra at 1080p being 119 FPS (233 vs 114), but at 4K the same comparison yields a 41 FPS difference (81 vs 40). This pattern confirms that the GPU's workload scales more steeply with resolution than with preset changes.

The Medium preset is the only one with recorded minimum and maximum FPS values in the FACT PACK, providing insight into frame time consistency. At 1080p Medium, the minimum of 151 FPS is 85% of the average (178 FPS), indicating stable performance. At 1440p Medium, the minimum of 98 FPS is also 85% of the 115 FPS average. At 4K Medium, the minimum of 53 FPS is 85% of the 62 FPS average. This consistent 85% ratio across resolutions suggests that the game's frame pacing is stable and that the system does not experience sudden drops or stutters.

The combination's rank in the game is 1113 out of 2939 tested combinations, placing it in the top 38% of all CPU-GPU pairings tested for Minimum. This ranking reflects the system's solid but not exceptional performance, consistent with the GPU's 29th percentile ranking among all GPUs and the CPU's 84th percentile ranking. The data is marked as measured, confirming that these are real benchmark results rather than estimates.