Minimum

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti pairing delivers a solid 1080p experience in Minimum, with performance scaling predictably as resolution increases. The data shows a clear transition from a CPU-bound scenario at lower resolutions to a GPU-bound one at 4K, making this combo a versatile choice for high-refresh-rate 1440p gaming.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a classic scaling pattern. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves 210 FPS, which drops to 135 FPS at 1440p and 73 FPS at 4K. This represents a 36% performance drop from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 46% drop from 1440p to 4K. The scaling is steep, indicating that the RTX 3060 Ti becomes the primary limiting factor as pixel count increases.

Moving to High settings, the pattern shifts slightly. The 1080p result is 135 FPS, which decreases to 87 FPS at 1440p (a 36% reduction) and then to 47 FPS at 4K (a 46% reduction from 1440p). The consistency of these percentage drops across settings suggests the GPU's rendering pipeline is the bottleneck, not the CPU. The 14-core Intel processor with a 5.00 GHz boost clock provides ample headroom to feed the GPU at lower resolutions.

Ultra settings tell a similar story but with lower absolute numbers. At 1080p Ultra, the combo produces 103 FPS, falling to 66 FPS at 1440p and 36 FPS at 4K. The 4K Ultra result is notably below the 60 FPS threshold, indicating that this resolution and quality combination is too demanding for the hardware. The scaling from 1440p to 4K at Ultra is a 45% drop, mirroring the trend seen at other settings.

The gap between Low and Ultra settings widens with resolution. At 1080p, the difference is 107 FPS (210 vs 103), while at 4K, it narrows to 37 FPS (73 vs 36). This narrowing suggests that at 4K, the GPU is so saturated that even reducing settings cannot fully compensate for the pixel count, though Low settings still nearly double the Ultra frame rate.

FAQ

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

A: Yes, but with limitations. At 4K High, the average FPS is 47, which is playable but not smooth. Dropping to 4K Medium yields 56 FPS, while 4K Low reaches 73 FPS. Only 4K Ultra falls below 40 FPS at 36. The data suggests 4K is viable with adjusted settings.

Q: What is the best resolution for high refresh rate monitors?

A: At 1080p, the combo delivers 135 FPS on High and 160 FPS on Medium, making it suitable for 144Hz displays. At 1440p, High settings produce 87 FPS, which suits 75Hz or 100Hz monitors but falls short of 144Hz. For 144Hz at 1440p, Low settings at 135 FPS are required.

Q: How does the CPU affect performance in this game?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has 14 cores and 14 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and boost up to 5.00 GHz. Benchmark results show strong single-thread performance (2085 in Cinebench R23), which is critical for game logic. The data indicates the CPU is not the bottleneck at any resolution, as frame rates scale consistently with GPU load.

Q: Is the RTX 3060 Ti a good match for this CPU?

A: Yes, the pairing shows balanced performance. The GPU's average benchmark score is 16129, placing it in the 59th percentile, while the CPU scores 46062, in the 89th percentile. The FPS data shows no signs of CPU limitation, even at 1080p Low with 210 FPS, suggesting the GPU is the limiting factor in most scenarios.

Q: What settings provide the smoothest experience at 1080p?

A: For maximum smoothness, Low settings at 210 FPS are ideal. For a balance of visual quality and performance, High settings at 135 FPS are recommended. Medium settings offer a middle ground at 160 FPS, while Ultra drops to 103 FPS, still above 100 FPS but with diminishing returns.

Q: How does this combo rank among other tested configurations?

A: The combo ranks 1419 out of 2939 tested combinations in Minimum, placing it in the middle of the pack. This ranking reflects its balanced performance, capable of high frame rates at 1080p and playable 1440p, but not top-tier for 4K gaming.

Settings Recommendations

The optimal settings depend on the target resolution and frame rate priority. At 1080p, High settings at 135 FPS provide the best experience, offering a significant visual upgrade over Low (210 FPS) while maintaining frame rates above 120 FPS. Medium settings at 160 FPS are a viable alternative for those who prefer extra smoothness, but the jump from High to Medium is less impactful than from Low to High.

For 1440p gaming, High settings at 87 FPS are the sweet spot. This provides a good balance of visual fidelity and performance, suitable for most monitors. Low settings at 135 FPS are recommended for competitive play where frame rate is paramount, while Medium at 103 FPS offers a compromise. Ultra at 66 FPS is playable but may feel less responsive in fast-paced situations.

At 4K, the recommendation shifts to Medium settings at 56 FPS, which is the highest quality setting that maintains a playable frame rate. Low settings at 73 FPS provide a smoother experience but sacrifice visual detail. High (47 FPS) and Ultra (36 FPS) are best avoided unless the game is played at a slower pace or the player tolerates lower frame rates.

The data indicates that the combo is best utilized at 1080p or 1440p, where it can maintain high frame rates with quality settings. For 4K, players should prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity, using Medium or Low settings to stay above 50 FPS.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combos, this configuration ranks 1419 out of 2939 for Minimum, placing it roughly in the 52nd percentile. This mid-pack ranking reflects its balanced capabilities: it significantly outperforms low-end combos but trails high-end systems that can achieve higher frame rates at 4K Ultra.

The ranking is consistent with the measured FPS data. At 1080p, the combo achieves frame rates that would place it in the upper echelon, with 210 FPS at Low and 135 FPS at High. However, at 4K Ultra, the 36 FPS result pulls the overall ranking down, as many competing combos exceed 60 FPS at this setting.

Compared to the GPU's individual standing, the combo ranks slightly lower. The RTX 3060 Ti sits in the 59th percentile among all GPUs, while the CPU is in the 89th percentile. This suggests that the GPU is the limiting factor in this pairing, and the combo's rank in Minimum is constrained by the graphics card's performance at higher resolutions.

The rank of 1419 indicates that there are 1520 combos that perform worse and 1418 that perform better in this game. This places the combo in the middle of the distribution, suitable for mainstream gaming but not for enthusiasts seeking maximum settings at 4K. The data shows a clear improvement over lower-ranked combos, particularly at 1080p and 1440p resolutions.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It operates at a base clock of 3.40 GHz and boosts to 5.00 GHz, with a TDP of 65 W. The CPU's benchmark scores demonstrate strong multi-threaded performance, achieving 14769 in Cinebench R23 multicore and 2085 in single-core tests.

In Minimum, the CPU's role is primarily to feed the GPU with draw calls and game logic. The data shows that even at 1080p Low with 210 FPS, the CPU is not bottlenecking, as the frame rate is limited by the GPU's rendering capacity. This indicates that the 14 cores and high boost clock provide sufficient headroom for this game's requirements.

The CPU's single-thread performance is particularly relevant for gaming. A score of 2085 in Cinebench R23 single-core places it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, with nearest rivals including the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 (0.1% faster) and the Intel Core i9-13900HX (0.1% slower). This level of single-thread performance ensures smooth frame pacing in CPU-bound scenarios.

The L3 cache of 24 MB shared across the 14 cores helps with game data locality, while the dual-channel DDR5 memory support with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth provides adequate data throughput. The CPU's 3 nm process node and 17,800 million transistors contribute to its efficiency, though the game's performance is not limited by power delivery.

At higher resolutions, the CPU's load decreases relative to the GPU. The consistent FPS scaling from 1080p to 4K across all settings confirms that the CPU is not the limiting factor in this configuration. The processor's 89th percentile ranking among all CPUs (average benchmark score of 46062) further supports its capability to handle this game without issue.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of performance across resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the combo achieves 210 FPS at Low, 160 FPS at Medium, 135 FPS at High, and 103 FPS at Ultra. The Medium setting shows a minimum of 136 FPS and maximum of 185 FPS, indicating consistent frame delivery with a 49 FPS range.

At 2560x1440, performance scales down accordingly. Low settings produce 135 FPS, Medium delivers 103 FPS, High achieves 87 FPS, and Ultra drops to 66 FPS. The Medium setting at this resolution has a minimum of 88 FPS and maximum of 119 FPS, a 31 FPS range that shows tighter frame pacing than at 1080p.

The 3840x2160 results show the GPU's limits. Low settings yield 73 FPS, Medium produces 56 FPS, High reaches 47 FPS, and Ultra falls to 36 FPS. At Medium, the minimum FPS is 47 and the maximum is 64, a 17 FPS range that indicates less variance but lower overall performance.

Comparing resolutions, the 1080p to 1440p step costs roughly 36% of performance across Low, Medium, and High settings. The 1440p to 4K step costs a further 46%, showing that the GPU's memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s and 8 GB of GDDR6 memory become increasingly stressed at higher pixel counts.

The Ultra settings consistently show the largest performance penalty. At 1080p Ultra, the frame rate drops to 103 FPS, a 51% reduction from Low. At 1440p Ultra, it falls to 66 FPS, a 51% reduction from Low. At 4K Ultra, the drop is 51% from Low, showing a consistent scaling factor regardless of resolution.

The data reveals that the combo is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, where it can maintain high frame rates with quality settings. At 4K, only Low and Medium settings provide playable frame rates above 50 FPS, while High and Ultra fall below the 60 FPS threshold typically desired for smooth gameplay.