Minimum

The Intel Core i7-12700KF paired with the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT delivers a solid 1080p and 1440p experience in Minimum, a third-person shooter from 2014. The data shows a consistent ability to push high frame rates at lower settings, with a clear performance ceiling emerging at higher resolutions. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS, scaling behavior, and optimal settings based strictly on the provided benchmark data.

FAQ

Q: What is the combo's overall rank among tested configurations in this game?

A: The combo ranks 951st out of 1733 tested combinations, placing it in the middle of the pack overall, though its performance is highly dependent on resolution and settings.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The i7-12700KF has an average benchmark score of 35355. Its closest rival, the Intel Core i5-14400, scores 35336, a delta of only 0.1%. The Core i9-12900HX is 0.2% ahead, and the Core i5-13600T is 0.3% ahead, indicating near-identical synthetic performance among these four.

Q: What is the maximum average FPS achievable with this hardware?

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 206.7, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. This is the only measured result exceeding 200 FPS.

Q: Is the GPU more of a bottleneck at 4K or at 1080p?

A: The data indicates a GPU bottleneck at 4K. At 3840x2160, the average FPS drops to 47.9 on High settings, while at 1920x1080 on High settings, it reaches 129 FPS. The frame rate scales strongly with resolution, which is typical of GPU-limited scenarios.

Q: What is the difference in performance between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the average FPS drops from 130.1 on Low settings to 63.8 on Ultra settings. This represents a significant 66.3 FPS difference between the lowest and highest quality presets.

Q: Does the CPU's multi-threaded performance stand out compared to its single-threaded scores?

A: Yes. The CPU scores 28979 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 4091 in single-core. In 3DMark, the max-thread score is 9983, which is nearly ten times higher than the single-thread score of 1043, showing strong scaling across its 12 cores and 20 threads.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT plays the dominant role in determining Minimum's frame rates, particularly at higher resolutions and quality settings. The GPU's 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus provides a 384.0 GB/s bandwidth, which is ample for the game's data demands. Its base clock is 2321 MHz, with a boost clock of 2581 MHz and a game clock of 2424 MHz.

At 3840x2160, the frame rates are consistently below 70 FPS across all settings. The Ultra preset yields an average of 38.2 FPS, and even Low settings only reach 69.5 FPS. This suggests that at 4K, the GPU's raw processing power—measured at 13.21 TFLOPS FP32—is the limiting factor. The GPU's percentile ranking of 77 indicates it is a mid-to-high-tier part, but it is insufficient for maintaining high frame rates at this demanding resolution in this title.

In contrast, at 1920x1080, the same GPU is far less constrained. Low settings produce an average of 206.7 FPS, and even Ultra settings maintain 101 FPS. This large spread between resolutions confirms that the RX 6700 XT's capabilities are the primary determinant of performance, with the CPU providing enough headroom to avoid becoming the bottleneck until frame rates are very high.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo's rank of 951 out of 1733 tested combinations places it in the 55th percentile of all tested systems. This is a middling position, suggesting that while this hardware is far from the weakest, it is also not among the top performers for this specific title. The ranking is likely pulled down by the 4K results, where the GPU struggles to maintain playable frame rates on higher presets.

The CPU's synthetic benchmark scores, however, are strong. The i7-12700KF sits in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, with an average score of 35355. Its nearest rivals, the Core i5-14400 and Core i7-13800H, are within a 0.2% delta of its score, indicating that the CPU is not a differentiator in this comparison. The GPU, on the other hand, is in the 77th percentile of all GPUs, which is noticeably lower than the CPU's standing. This discrepancy suggests that the GPU is the component holding the combo back in the overall ranking.

In practical terms, this means the system is well-balanced for 1080p gaming, where the CPU can feed the GPU effectively. At higher resolutions, the GPU's limitations become the primary constraint, preventing the combo from achieving higher frame rates and a better overall rank.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of performance across three resolutions and four settings presets.

At 1920x1080, the combo excels. The Low preset delivers an average of 206.7 FPS. Medium settings reduce this to 158.8 FPS, while High settings yield 129 FPS. The Ultra preset, while still playable, drops to an average of 101 FPS. This resolution offers the widest range of playable options, from ultra-smooth competitive play to visually rich experiences.

At 2560x1440, performance remains strong but begins to show the GPU's workload. Low settings average 130.1 FPS, which is still excellent for high-refresh-rate monitors. Medium settings produce 99.9 FPS, and High settings average 84.9 FPS. The Ultra preset falls to 63.8 FPS, which is still playable but marks a significant step down from the lower presets.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is clearly overburdened. Low settings are the only option that breaks the 60 FPS barrier, with an average of 69.5 FPS. Medium settings drop to 52.5 FPS, and High settings average 47.9 FPS. The Ultra preset is the most demanding, yielding just 38.2 FPS. None of the 4K results are ideal for a smooth experience, particularly at higher settings.

Resolution Scaling

The data shows a steep performance drop as resolution increases, which is a classic sign of a GPU-bound workload. Moving from 1920x1080 to 2560x1440 on High settings reduces the average FPS from 129 to 84.9, a 34.2% decrease. The drop from 1440p to 4K is even more pronounced, with the High preset falling from 84.9 FPS to 47.9 FPS, a 43.6% reduction.

This scaling pattern is consistent across all settings. On Low settings, the FPS drops from 206.7 at 1080p to 130.1 at 1440p (a 37% decrease) and then to 69.5 at 4K (a 46.6% decrease from 1440p). The consistent pattern of large percentage drops between each resolution step indicates that the RX 6700 XT's rendering throughput is the limiting component, not the i7-12700KF.

The CPU's high single-thread score of 4091 in Cinebench R23 and its 89th percentile ranking suggest it has ample headroom. The fact that frame rates scale so dramatically with resolution confirms that the GPU is the bottleneck, as the CPU's workload does not increase proportionally with pixel count.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the target resolution and refresh rate.

For 1920x1080, users with a 144Hz monitor should select the High preset, which provides an average of 129 FPS. This offers a good balance between visual quality and smoothness. For 165Hz or 240Hz displays, the Medium preset at 158.8 FPS is a better choice, as it provides a significant frame rate boost over High while still maintaining decent visual fidelity. The Low preset at 206.7 FPS is only recommended for competitive play where maximum frame rate is paramount.

At 2560x1440, the High preset is the best recommendation for a 144Hz display, as its 84.9 FPS average is within reach of that target. For users with a 60Hz monitor, the Ultra preset at 63.8 FPS is viable, offering the best visual experience while staying above the refresh rate. The Medium preset at 99.9 FPS is a strong middle ground for high-refresh-rate 1440p displays.

For 3840x2160, the data suggests that the system is not well-suited for high-refresh-rate gaming. The Low preset at 69.5 FPS is the only option that exceeds 60 FPS, but it sacrifices significant visual quality. The Medium preset at 52.5 FPS is the best choice for a 60Hz 4K display, as it provides a more balanced visual experience while remaining playable. The High and Ultra presets should be avoided at this resolution, as they drop below 50 FPS and 40 FPS respectively.