Minimum

The pairing of an Intel Core i9-14900K with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER creates a significant performance bottleneck for the GPU in the game Minimum. The data shows a processor with immense headroom (24 cores, 32 threads) paired with a mid-range graphics card from a previous generation. This analysis breaks down how that imbalance affects frame rates, what it means for overall ranking, and how to get the most playable experience.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate data reveals a classic GPU-bound scenario. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 172.2 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 at Low settings drops that to 112 FPS, and at 3840x2160 at Low, it falls to 56.9 FPS. This steep decline as resolution increases is the primary indicator that the RTX 2060 SUPER is the limiting component; the CPU is not being taxed enough to matter.

The scaling from 1080p to 1440p at High settings shows a drop from 111 FPS to 69.9 FPS, a substantial 37% reduction. The jump to 4K High further crushes performance to 40.9 FPS. This pattern holds across all settings presets. The Ultra preset is particularly punishing, with 1080p delivering 85.5 FPS, 1440p dropping to 54.6 FPS, and 4K falling to a barely playable 28.1 FPS. The consistent and large frame rate penalties at higher resolutions confirm that the rendering workload is overwhelming the GPU, while the i9-14900K sits idle for the most part.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations for Minimum, this specific pairing ranks 1217 out of 1733 combos. This places it in the lower third of all tested systems. The benchmark results indicate that while the CPU is a top-tier performer (ranking in the 97th percentile versus all CPUs), the GPU is far more modest (ranking in the 63rd percentile versus all GPUs). The combo's overall rank is therefore dragged down by the graphics card.

Looking at the CPU's nearest rivals, the i9-14900K scores an average of 79824, which is just 0.3% behind the AMD EPYC 7413 and 0.7% ahead of the Intel Core i9-14900KF and Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF. The data suggests the processor is not a differentiator in this pairing. The GPU's nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070, which has an average score only 0.5% higher. This indicates that the RTX 2060 SUPER is performing as expected for its class, but that class is simply not sufficient to push this combo higher in the rankings for a game that scales heavily with GPU power.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Core i9-14900K bottlenecking the RTX 2060 SUPER in this game?

A: No. The benchmark results show the opposite. The frame rates drop significantly as resolution increases, which is the signature of a GPU bottleneck. The i9-14900K's massive multi-threaded capability (it scores 49872 in Cinebench R23 multicore) is not the limiting factor at any of the tested resolutions.

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to maintain high frame rates?

A: For the highest frame rates, 1920x1080 is clearly the best choice. The data shows an average of 172.2 FPS at Low settings and 111 FPS at High settings. At 2560x1440, the frame rates become more moderate, with the High preset yielding 69.9 FPS.

Q: How does the RTX 2060 SUPER's performance compare to its closest competitor?

A: The GPU's average benchmark score is 19774. Its closest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070, has an average score of 19680, which is a 0.5% difference. The performance is virtually identical, indicating the 2060 SUPER is performing at its expected level.

Q: Can this combo handle the Ultra settings preset?

A: At 1920x1080, Yes, with an average of 85.5 FPS. However, at 2560x1440, the average drops to 54.6 FPS, and at 3840x2160, it falls to 28.1 FPS, which is not a smooth experience for a third-person shooter.

Q: What does the CPU's 24-core configuration contribute to gaming performance here?

A: In this specific game, the data suggests it contributes very little. The core count and high boost clock of 6.00 GHz provide plenty of headroom, but the frame rate is consistently dictated by the GPU's rendering limits. The processor is not a factor in the FPS differences between settings presets.

Q: Is the 8 GB of VRAM on the RTX 2060 SUPER sufficient for 4K in this game?

A: The performance data shows that 4K is not a viable option for smooth play. The highest average FPS at 3840x2160 is 56.9 on Low settings. At High settings, it drops to 40.9 FPS, suggesting the GPU is struggling with the workload at that resolution.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The complete measured FPS data for this combo is as follows:

• 1920x1080: Low settings yield an average of 172.2 FPS. Medium settings average 128.7 FPS. High settings average 111 FPS. Ultra settings average 85.5 FPS.
• 2560x1440: Low settings average 112 FPS. Medium settings average 82.6 FPS. High settings average 69.9 FPS. Ultra settings average 54.6 FPS.
• 3840x2160: Low settings average 56.9 FPS. Medium settings average 43.3 FPS. High settings average 40.9 FPS. Ultra settings average 28.1 FPS.

The data shows a clear hierarchy: Low is always fastest, followed by Medium, then High, with Ultra being the slowest. The gap between Low and Ultra is consistent, but the absolute numbers at 4K show that even the lowest preset struggles to maintain a solid 60 FPS, while at 1080p, even the Ultra preset is comfortably above that threshold.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i9-14900K is a 24-core, 32-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture. It has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 6.00 GHz. It also features a large 36 MB shared L3 cache. These specifications make it an exceptionally powerful processor for multi-threaded workloads, as evidenced by its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 49872 and its 97th percentile ranking among all CPUs.

However, in Minimum, this power goes largely unused. The benchmark results show that the game's performance is not sensitive to the CPU's capabilities. Whether the game is running at Low or Ultra settings, the frame rate differences are almost entirely attributable to the GPU's rendering load. The CPU has ample resources to feed the GPU, but the GPU cannot keep up with the demands of higher resolutions and settings. This is a clear case where the processor is not the bottleneck, and its high core count and clock speeds do not translate into higher frame rates in this title.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the optimal experience for this combo depends heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate.

For a high-refresh-rate 1080p monitor, the High preset is the sweet spot. It delivers an average of 111 FPS, which is a great balance of visual quality and performance. The Ultra preset is also viable at this resolution, with 85.5 FPS, offering a more visually rich experience if you prefer that over a higher frame rate. The Low preset at 172.2 FPS is only useful for competitive play where maximum FPS is paramount.

At 2560x1440, the Medium preset is the most balanced choice, providing an average of 82.6 FPS. The High preset is still playable at 69.9 FPS, but the drop below 70 FPS might be noticeable to some. The Ultra preset at 54.6 FPS is below the 60 FPS threshold and should be avoided for a smooth experience.

At 3840x2160, the data shows that this combo is not suited for high-quality gaming. Even the Low preset only averages 56.9 FPS, which is not ideal. The Medium and High presets are below 45 FPS, and Ultra is at 28.1 FPS. For 4K, the only viable option is the Low preset, and even then, the frame rate is not consistently smooth. The data strongly suggests that this game should be played at 1440p or lower with this hardware configuration.