Minimum

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is a high-end mobile combination that delivers a decisive performance advantage in Minimum. This pairing ranks in the 69th percentile of all tested combos, placing it well above the median but short of the top tier. The following analysis breaks down the measured data to explain how the CPU and GPU split their duties, what you can expect at each resolution, and which settings offer the best experience.

FAQ

Q: How does this combo compare to the average tested configuration?

A: Out of 2,939 total tested combos, this specific pairing ranks 918th. This places it in the top 31% of all combinations, meaning it outperforms the vast majority of systems tested for this game.

Q: What is the performance gap between the CPU and its closest rival?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H has an average benchmark score of 29,093. Its closest rival, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, scores 29,123, which is a negligible 0.1% difference. This indicates the 135H provides essentially identical processing power to a well-known desktop-class competitor.

Q: How much VRAM does the RTX 4080 have, and is it sufficient?

A: The GPU features 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 716.8 GB/s. Based on the measured FPS data, this capacity is more than sufficient for all tested settings at every resolution, as the game never dips below playable averages even at 4K Ultra.

Q: What is the CPU's single-threaded performance relative to its multi-threaded score?

A: In Cinebench R23, the CPU scores 1,700 points in single-core and 11,875.5 points in multi-core. The multi-core score is roughly 7 times higher, reflecting the 14 cores and 18 threads, which is excellent for games that can use multiple cores.

Q: Is the GPU better suited for 1080p or 1440p gaming?

A: At 1920x1080, the average FPS ranges from 125 (Ultra) to 256 (Low). At 2560x1440, the range is 81 (Ultra) to 165 (Low). The data shows the GPU is capable of delivering high refresh rates at 1440p, with the 1080p results being primarily limited by CPU performance rather than GPU capability.

Q: What is the GPU's standing among all tested graphics cards?

A: The RTX 4080 has a percentile rank of 86, meaning it performs better than 86% of all GPUs in the database. Its average benchmark score of 54,247 is nearly identical to the RTX 4080 SUPER, which scores 54,209 (a 0.1% difference).

How This Combo Ranks

The combo rank of 918 out of 2,939 tested combinations places this system in the upper-middle tier of all configurations. This is a strong result, but it is not at the very top, which suggests that while the hardware is excellent, there are other combinations that achieve higher frame rates in Minimum.

The ranking is influenced by both components. The RTX 4080's 86th percentile ranking is higher than the CPU's 81st percentile, indicating the GPU is the more dominant factor in the overall performance. However, the CPU's 14-core, 18-thread configuration ensures it can keep up with the GPU's output, preventing a significant bottleneck. The delta between the two components is small enough that the system performs as a cohesive unit rather than being held back by one weak link.

When considering the CPU's nearest rivals, the performance is remarkably tight. The Core Ultra 5 135H is within 0.6% of the Intel Core i5-13500HX and within 0.5% of the AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT. This means that in CPU-bound scenarios, the choice between these processors would yield nearly identical results. The GPU's nearest rival, the RTX 4080 SUPER, is only 0.1% faster, making the two graphics cards effectively interchangeable in terms of average performance.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is the primary driver of frame rates in this combination. Its 16 GB of GDDR6X memory, paired with a 256-bit bus, yields 716.8 GB/s of bandwidth. This memory configuration is critical for handling the high-resolution textures and assets in Minimum at 4K resolutions without stuttering. The Ada Lovelace architecture, built on a 5 nm process, provides the raw compute power with 9,728 shading units and a boost clock of 2,505 MHz.

The GPU's role becomes more pronounced as resolution increases. At 1920x1080, the average FPS at High settings is 164, but this jumps to 256 at Low settings. This wide spread indicates that at 1080p, the system is often CPU-limited, and the GPU has headroom. At 2560x1440, the High preset delivers 106 FPS, showing the GPU is now working harder. At 3840x2160, the High preset yields 57 FPS, demonstrating that the RTX 4080 is the deciding factor for 4K performance.

The memory bandwidth is a key asset here. With a 16 GB frame buffer, there are no concerns about running out of VRAM at any tested setting. The bandwidth of 716.8 GB/s ensures that data can be fed to the GPU cores quickly, which is essential for maintaining the high frame rates seen at 1080p and 1440p. The GPU's transistor count of 45,900 million on a 379 mm² die allows for robust geometry and texture processing, which is reflected in the large FPS jumps between Low and Ultra settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data shows a clear scaling pattern across the three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the system is exceptionally fast. The Low preset achieves an average of 256 FPS, which is far beyond any display's refresh rate. Medium settings drop to 196 FPS, with a minimum of 166 FPS and a maximum of 225 FPS, indicating smooth performance even during intense scenes. High settings yield 164 FPS, still very fluid. Ultra settings bring the average down to 125 FPS, which remains excellent for competitive play.

At 2560x1440, the performance scales down proportionally. Low settings average 165 FPS, which is still high enough for most high-refresh-rate monitors. Medium settings produce 126 FPS, with a range of 107 to 145 FPS. High settings deliver 106 FPS, a comfortable level for a smooth experience. Ultra settings drop to 81 FPS, which is still playable but begins to show the GPU's workload. The step from High to Ultra at 1440p is a 25 FPS drop, indicating that the Ultra preset introduces significantly more visual complexity.

At 3840x2160, the system becomes more demanding. Low settings average 89 FPS, which is quite good for 4K. Medium settings drop to 68 FPS, with a minimum of 58 FPS, which is close to the edge of what is considered smooth. High settings yield 57 FPS, which is borderline for a 60 Hz display. Ultra settings produce 43 FPS, which is not ideal for fast-paced gameplay. The scaling from 1440p to 4K shows a roughly 50% reduction in FPS at each preset, consistent with the doubling of pixel count.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H is a 14-core, 18-thread processor based on the Meteor Lake architecture. Its base clock of 3.60 GHz and boost clock of 4.60 GHz provide strong single-threaded performance, as evidenced by its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1,700. This is crucial for Minimum, as the game's engine relies heavily on a well-performing primary thread for game logic and physics.

The CPU's multi-threaded capabilities, shown by the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11,875.5, ensure that background tasks and the game's secondary threads are handled efficiently. The 18 MB of shared L3 cache helps reduce memory latency, which is beneficial for maintaining stable frame times. The processor's 81st percentile ranking against all CPUs indicates it is a robust performer, though it is not the absolute fastest available.

In this specific game, the CPU's role is most evident at lower resolutions. The jump from 106 FPS at 1440p High to 164 FPS at 1080p High suggests that at 1080p, the CPU is able to feed frames to the GPU faster than the GPU can render them. This is confirmed by the 256 FPS result at 1080p Low, which is likely near the CPU's maximum output for this game. The CPU's PassMark single-thread score of 3,521 and multi-thread score of 22,422 provide a baseline for its processing capability.

The CPU's nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, has a nearly identical average benchmark score (29,123 vs. 29,093). This suggests that the 135H's 14-core configuration is well-optimized for gaming workloads, matching the performance of a desktop-class competitor. The 81st percentile ranking means that while this CPU is not the top performer, it provides ample headroom for the RTX 4080 to operate without being a limiting factor.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal setting depends on the target resolution and desired refresh rate. For 1920x1080, the High preset is the sweet spot. It delivers 164 FPS, which is smooth on any monitor, and the jump to Ultra (125 FPS) offers diminishing visual returns for a 39 FPS loss. For players with 144 Hz or 165 Hz monitors, the Medium preset (196 FPS) provides a comfortable margin above the refresh rate.

At 2560x1440, the High preset is the best balance of visual quality and performance. The 106 FPS average is above the 90 FPS threshold for a smooth experience on most high-refresh monitors. The Ultra preset (81 FPS) is viable for slower-paced play but suffers from a noticeable 25 FPS drop. The Medium preset (126 FPS) is ideal for competitive players who prioritize frame rate over maximum detail.

For 3840x2160, the Low preset (89 FPS) is the only setting that guarantees a consistently smooth experience. Medium (68 FPS) is playable on a 60 Hz display but may have occasional dips, as the minimum FPS of 58 shows. High (57 FPS) and Ultra (43 FPS) are not recommended for a game that requires quick reactions, as they fall below the 60 FPS threshold.

The data indicates that the Ultra preset at any resolution is not worth the performance cost. The GPU's 86th percentile ranking shows it is a top-tier card, but Minimum's Ultra settings are clearly designed to push even the most powerful hardware. Sticking with High or Medium presets provides the best experience, ensuring that the frame rate remains high enough to react to in-game events without sacrificing too much visual fidelity.