Minimum

Minimum is a third-person shooter released in 2014, and the measured performance for the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 paired with the Intel Arc B390 integrated GPU places this combo in a specific, quantifiable position within the database. This analysis examines the benchmark data for this pairing, detailing how the CPU’s architecture and the GPU’s integrated nature interact with the game’s demands across resolutions and settings. The data indicates a configuration that is heavily constrained by graphics processing, particularly at higher resolutions, while still offering playable frame rates under specific conditions.

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

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 is a 20-core, 20-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture. It operates at a base clock of 2.40 GHz and can boost up to 5.30 GHz. This is a desktop-class chip with a 65 W TDP, designed for Socket 1851. While the benchmark data for this game does not isolate CPU utilization, the processor’s capabilities are evident from its synthetic scores. In Cinebench R23, the CPU achieves a multi-core score of 42216 and a single-core score of 5960. These figures place the processor in the 93rd percentile against all CPUs, indicating a very robust processing foundation.

For a game released in 2014, the computational demands on the CPU are typically lower than modern titles. The Core Ultra 7 265, with its high boost clock of 5.30 GHz and strong single-thread performance (as evidenced by the 5960 Cinebench R23 single-core score), is far more than sufficient to handle the game logic and physics of Minimum. The 20 cores and 20 threads provide immense headroom for any background tasks or threading the game might utilize, though most titles of that era were not optimized for such high core counts. The Passmark single-thread score of 4689 reinforces the strong per-core performance, which is the most critical factor for older game engines.

The processor’s memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, using dual-channel DDR5, is ample for feeding the integrated GPU. Since the Arc B390 is an IGP (Integrated Graphics Processor), it relies on the system’s main memory for its frame buffer. The high bandwidth of DDR5 memory ensures that the CPU can transfer data to the GPU quickly, but the GPU’s own limitations will be the primary bottleneck. The data shows that at 1080p Low settings, the combo achieves 95 FPS, a number that suggests the CPU is not holding back performance at lower graphical loads. The decline in FPS as settings increase and resolution scales up points directly to the GPU being the limiting component, not the processor.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

In the database for Minimum, this specific combination of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 and Intel Arc B390 ranks 2602 out of 2939 tested combos. This places the pairing in the lower echelons of performance, roughly in the 11th percentile of all systems tested. This low ranking is directly attributable to the GPU component, as the CPU itself is a high-end part. The integrated GPU, despite its modern architecture, is not designed for high-end gaming performance.

Benchmark results indicate that the combo’s overall standing is dragged down by the graphics processor. The GPU’s average benchmark score is 1482 from the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test, and it sits in the 9th percentile against all GPUs. Its nearest rivals in that test are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (with a deltaPct of 1.3), the GeForce 800M (deltaPct 1.5), and the GeForce GT 625 OEM (deltaPct 2.5). These are all entry-level or legacy parts from many years ago. The data shows that the Arc B390 is only marginally faster than these older GPUs, which explains why the combo ranks so low for a modern game.

Even though the CPU is in the 93rd percentile, the combo rank is in the 11th percentile. This massive discrepancy highlights the profound impact of the GPU on gaming performance. The measured FPS data confirms this, as even at the lowest resolution and settings, the system only manages 95 FPS. While this is playable, it is not a high-performance result. The CPU’s processing power is effectively wasted in this configuration for gaming purposes, as the GPU cannot translate that power into higher frame rates.

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

The measured FPS data shows a clear and consistent pattern of performance degradation as resolution increases. This scaling is a classic indicator of a GPU-bound system. At 1080p Low, the system averages 95 FPS. Moving to 1440p Low, the average drops to 61 FPS, a significant 35.8% decrease. At 4K Low, the average falls to 33 FPS, which is a 65.3% drop from the 1080p result. This dramatic scaling with resolution is the definitive signature of a graphics card that is saturated with work.

The pattern holds across all settings presets. For High settings, the progression is 61 FPS at 1080p, 39 FPS at 1440p, and 21 FPS at 4K. For Medium, it is 72 FPS at 1080p, 47 FPS at 1440p, and 25 FPS at 4K. For Ultra, it is 46 FPS at 1080p, 30 FPS at 1440p, and 16 FPS at 4K. The consistent halving or near-halving of frame rates with each resolution step-up indicates that the integrated GPU’s pixel throughput and memory bandwidth are the limiting factors. The Intel Arc B390 has a pixel rate of 60.00 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 120.0 GTexel/s, which is simply insufficient for the pixel count at 4K.

If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see frame rates that are more consistent across resolutions, particularly at lower settings where the GPU load is lighter. The data shows the opposite; the frame rates are highly sensitive to resolution changes. This proves that the Core Ultra 7 265 is not the limiting component in this scenario. The CPU is capable of feeding the GPU data fast enough, but the GPU cannot process the frames quickly enough at higher resolutions. The 4K results, which dip to as low as 16 FPS on Ultra, are essentially unplayable, highlighting the severe GPU constraint.

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

The following breakdown details the exact average FPS, and where available, the minimum and maximum FPS for each tested configuration.

1920x1080 (1080p)

At this resolution, the system provides its best performance. With Low settings, the average FPS is 95. Medium settings yield an average of 72 FPS, with a minimum of 62 and a maximum of 83 FPS. High settings produce an average of 61 FPS. Ultra settings reduce the average to 46 FPS. This shows a clear scaling with visual fidelity, but all presets at 1080p are at or above the threshold for playable frame rates.

2560x1440 (1440p)

The performance drops significantly at 1440p. Low settings average 61 FPS, which is a playable rate. Medium settings average 47 FPS, with a range of 40 to 54 FPS. High settings average 39 FPS, and Ultra settings average 30 FPS. At this resolution, the system begins to struggle with the higher presets, with Ultra dipping to an average that is borderline playable.

3840x2160 (4K)

The 4K results are mostly unplayable. Low settings average 33 FPS. Medium settings average 25 FPS, with a minimum of 21 and a maximum of 29 FPS. High settings average 21 FPS. Ultra settings average only 16 FPS. The data shows that this combo is not suited for 4K gaming in Minimum, as even the lowest settings fail to maintain a smooth 60 FPS.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play Minimum with this combo?

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 is the only resolution that provides consistently playable frame rates across all settings. The lowest average FPS at 1080p is 46 on Ultra, while at 1440p, the Ultra preset drops to 30 FPS.

Q: Is the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 holding back the Intel Arc B390?

A: No. The frame rates drop significantly as resolution increases (e.g., 95 FPS at 1080p Low to 33 FPS at 4K Low). This pattern indicates the GPU is the limiting component, as the CPU’s performance is not resolution-dependent.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to other tested systems for Minimum?

A: The combo ranks 2602 out of 2939 tested combos, placing it in the lower 11th percentile of all tested systems for this game.

Q: Can this system run Minimum at 4K?

A: Technically yes, but not well. The highest average FPS at 4K is 33 on Low settings, and it drops to 16 FPS on Ultra. These rates are below the generally accepted threshold for smooth gameplay.

Q: What settings preset provides the most balanced experience at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, the Low preset yields 95 FPS, while Medium yields 72 FPS. The Medium preset offers a significant improvement in visual quality over Low with a still-high frame rate, making it a strong choice.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B390 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: In the 3DMark Steel Nomad benchmark, the Arc B390 scores 1482. It is 1.3% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, 1.5% faster than the GeForce 800M, and 2.5% faster than the GeForce GT 625 OEM.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal experience for this combination is at 1920x1080 resolution. All presets at this resolution yield average frame rates of 46 FPS or higher. For players prioritizing a smooth, high-refresh-rate experience, the Low preset at 95 FPS is the best option. This provides the highest frame rate and minimizes the load on the integrated GPU.

For a balance between visual fidelity and performance, the Medium preset at 1080p is recommended. It achieves an average of 72 FPS, with a minimum of 62 FPS, which ensures that frame rates do not dip below the playable threshold. The jump from Low to Medium provides a noticeable improvement in graphical quality for a 23 FPS average cost. The High preset at 61 FPS is also playable, but Medium offers a better margin for demanding scenes.

The Ultra preset at 1080p, with an average of 46 FPS, is the least desirable of the playable options. While it is technically above 30 FPS, the lower average and lack of min/max data suggest it is more likely to experience stutter. At 1440p, the Low preset at 61 FPS is the only recommended setting, as Medium and above drop to 47 FPS and lower. The 4K resolution should be avoided for this game, as all presets fail to provide a smooth experience. The data strongly suggests that 1080p Medium is the sweet spot for this hardware configuration.

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

The Intel Arc B390 is an integrated graphics processor built on the Xe3-LPG architecture. It operates with a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2500 MHz. Its memory configuration is "System Shared," meaning it uses the system’s DDR5 RAM rather than dedicated VRAM. The bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent," which, for this setup, is tied to the CPU’s dual-channel memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. This shared memory architecture is a significant factor in its gaming performance.

The GPU has 1536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 24 raster output units. It also features 12 ray tracing cores. Its theoretical performance is 7.680 TFLOPS for FP32 and 15.36 TFLOPS for FP16. The GPU’s 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 1482, which places it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. This low percentile is reflected in the game’s measured FPS. The integrated nature of the GPU, with no dedicated VRAM, means it must compete with the CPU for memory bandwidth, which further limits its performance in memory-intensive scenarios.

The data shows that the GPU is the definitive bottleneck in this configuration. The frame rates at 4K, which range from 16 to 33 FPS depending on settings, are far too low for playable gaming. The GPU’s performance is comparable to legacy entry-level parts like the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710, which is 2.7% slower in the 3DMark benchmark. The results indicate that while the GPU is modern and supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, its integrated design and shared memory severely limit its ability to render games at high resolutions and settings. The system’s overall performance in Minimum is therefore dictated almost entirely by this integrated GPU’s capabilities.