Minimum

The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Mobile delivers a top-tier experience in Minimum, a 2014 Third-Person Shooter. The benchmark data places this combination at rank 1022 out of 3712 tested configurations, positioning it comfortably within the top 28% of all combos. This ranking is notable given the game's age, as it suggests the hardware is not merely adequate but provides substantial headroom over the majority of systems. The data indicates a system that excels at high refresh rate gameplay, particularly at lower resolutions, while still maintaining playable performance at the demanding 4K Ultra preset.

How This Combo Ranks

The comboRankInGame of 1022 out of 3712 combos (roughly the 72.5th percentile) is a strong indicator of this system's capability in Minimum. This is a game from 2014, but the data shows the modern components in this laptop are not being pushed to their limits at most settings. The rank suggests that while some specialized or extreme configurations outperform it, the Ultra 9 185H and RTX 5080 Mobile combination is in the upper echelon of systems tested for this specific title. The performance gap to the very top is likely due to the mobile nature of these parts, but the score still reflects a highly capable gaming machine.

To contextualize this ranking, we can look at the individual component benchmarks. The CPU's average benchmark score of 35670 places it at the 85th percentile versus all CPUs. The GPU's average benchmark score of 38349 places it at the 81st percentile versus all GPUs. The fact that both components are in the low-to-mid 80s percentile, yet the system ranks in the 72nd percentile for this game, suggests that game-specific optimization and the balance between the two components are more critical than raw synthetic scores alone. The data implies that while each part is powerful, their combined performance in Minimum is slightly less dominant than their individual benchmarks might suggest, likely due to the game's engine limitations on modern hardware.

The nearest rivals for the CPU provide further insight into its performance tier. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350 has an average score of 35719, which is a deltaPct of -0.1% from the Ultra 9 185H. This indicates they are virtually identical in processing power. Similarly, the Intel Core 7 250H is only 0.2% slower, and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845 is 0.4% slower. The most substantial rival listed is the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X, which is 0.7% faster. These are all extremely close margins, meaning the CPU is performing exactly as expected for its class, and any differences in game performance are unlikely to be CPU-bound at most settings.

The GPU's nearest rivals tell a similar story of tight competition. The NVIDIA GeForce MX570 is a mere 0.1% faster, and the RTX 4080 Mobile is 0.6% faster. The NVIDIA GeForce MX570 A and AMD Radeon Pro 580X are 0.9% slower. The fact that the RTX 5080 Mobile is within a 1% performance delta of an older RTX 4080 Mobile and much lower-tier MX570 parts in the average benchmark score is an interesting anomaly. It suggests the average benchmark score may not be the best metric for comparing gaming performance, as the measured FPS data in Minimum shows a very high level of performance that is typical of a flagship mobile GPU. The rank of this combo is ultimately a product of both components, and the data shows they work together effectively to deliver high frame rates.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Mobile is the primary driver of the high frame rates observed in Minimum. The GPU boasts 16 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a substantial memory bandwidth of 896.0 GB/s. For a game from 2014, this is an immense amount of memory bandwidth and capacity, meaning texture loading and memory-related bottlenecks are essentially non-existent. The benchmark results confirm this, showing that the GPU can push well over 200 FPS at 1080p, indicating it is not being constrained by memory or pixel throughput at that resolution.

The GPU's clock speeds are listed with a base of 975 MHz and a boost of 1500 MHz. While these numbers seem conservative for a modern flagship, they are the recorded specifications. The memory clock is listed as 1750 MHz, which translates to 28 Gbps effective. These clocks generate a pixel rate of 144.0 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 360.0 GTexel/s. For a game as old as Minimum, these figures are more than sufficient to handle the graphical load. The measured FPS data shows that even at 4K Ultra, the system maintains an average of 47 FPS, which reflects the raw power of the GPU, as this is a very demanding resolution and settings combination.

The GPU's architecture is Blackwell 2.0, built on a 5 nm process by TSMC, containing 45,600 million transistors on a 378 mm² die. This hardware supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. Minimum, being a 2014 title, likely relies on an older DirectX version, but the modern drivers and hardware are fully backward compatible. The GPU's performance in synthetic benchmarks, such as a Passmark G3D score of 27711 and a Geekbench Vulkan score of 169754, further confirm its high-end status. The data shows that the GPU is the star of the show, providing the horsepower needed for the high FPS figures, while the CPU is more than capable of keeping up.

FAQ

*Q: What is the overall performance ranking of this CPU and GPU combo in Minimum?*

A: The combo is ranked 1022 out of 3712 tested configurations. This places it in the top 28% of all systems tested for this game, indicating a very strong performance level.

Q: How does the RTX 5080 Mobile compare to its nearest rival, the RTX 4080 Mobile, based on average benchmark scores?

A: The RTX 5080 Mobile has an average benchmark score of 38349, while the RTX 4080 Mobile has a score of 38135. This results in a deltaPct of 0.6%, meaning the RTX 5080 Mobile is slightly faster on average, but the difference is minimal.

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

A: Yes, the data shows it can. At 3840x2160 resolution with High settings, it achieves an average of 61 FPS. Even at the Ultra preset, it maintains an average of 47 FPS, which is playable. The Low preset at 4K yields an average of 95 FPS.

Q: What is the highest average FPS recorded for this combo?

A: The highest average FPS is 274, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. This demonstrates the system's ability to deliver extremely high frame rates for competitive play on lower settings.

Q: What is the CPU's percentile ranking compared to all other CPUs?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H is at the 85th percentile versus all CPUs. Its average benchmark score is 35670, which puts it just slightly below the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X, its fastest listed rival.

Q: What is the GPU's memory configuration?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Mobile comes equipped with 16 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 256-bit bus. This configuration provides a memory bandwidth of 896.0 GB/s, ensuring high-speed data transfer for the GPU.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of the system's performance across a matrix of resolutions and settings. The data was collected at three resolutions (1920x1080, 2560x1440, and 3840x2160) and four quality presets (Low, Medium, High, Ultra). The results are comprehensive and show a predictable scaling pattern.

At 1920x1080, the system is exceptionally fast. The Low preset yields an average of 274 FPS, which is extraordinarily high and ideal for esports-style play. The Medium preset averages 210 FPS, with a minimum of 178 and a maximum of 241 FPS, showing good frame consistency. The High preset averages 176 FPS, which is still very high. The most demanding setting, Ultra, still produces an average of 134 FPS. These numbers indicate a system that will easily push a 144Hz or 240Hz monitor to its limits at 1080p.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance remains excellent. The Low preset averages 177 FPS, a significant drop from 1080p but still very high. The Medium preset averages 135 FPS (minimum 115, maximum 156), which is excellent for a high-refresh rate 1440p monitor. The High preset averages 114 FPS. The Ultra preset at 1440p drops to an average of 87 FPS, which is still smooth but begins to show the load on the GPU. This resolution proves to be a sweet spot, balancing visual quality with high performance.

At 3840x2160 (4K), the system starts to show its limits, but it remains playable. The Low preset averages 95 FPS, which is a great result for 4K. The Medium preset averages 73 FPS (minimum 62, maximum 84), providing a good balance. The High preset averages 61 FPS, which is right at the boundary for smooth gameplay. The Ultra preset drops to 47 FPS, which is a heavier load but still playable for a single-player or slower-paced title. The data shows a clear progression: the system is a 1080p beast, a 1440p champion, and a competent 4K performer.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS drop from 1080p to 4K is substantial and reveals where the bottleneck lies. Looking at the High preset, the average FPS goes from 176 at 1080p, to 114 at 1440p, and finally to 61 at 4K. This represents a 35% drop from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 46% drop from 1440p to 4K. The scaling is not linear; the cost of each additional pixel is higher at higher resolutions. This pattern is classic evidence of a GPU-bound scenario at higher resolutions.

At 1080p, the CPU and GPU are both likely well-utilized, but the frame rate is so high that the CPU's ability to feed the GPU becomes a limiting factor. The difference between Low (274 FPS) and Ultra (134 FPS) at 1080p is 140 FPS, which is a massive gap. This indicates that the GPU is working much harder at Ultra, but the CPU is still able to keep up. However, the high FPS numbers suggest the system is not GPU-limited in the traditional sense; rather, the game engine's frame rate limit or CPU driver overhead might be a factor.

As resolution increases to 4K, the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck. The FPS drop from 1080p High (176 FPS) to 4K High (61 FPS) is a 65% reduction. This is a clear indication that the GPU's fill rate and pixel processing capabilities are being taxed. The CPU, with its high single-core performance (Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1810.5), is likely not the limiting factor at 4K. The data implies that to get the most out of the RTX 5080 Mobile, lower resolutions are preferred, but the system is powerful enough to make 4K gaming viable at most settings.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate. At 1920x1080, the High preset at 176 FPS is an excellent choice for a smooth and visually pleasing experience. However, for players seeking the absolute maximum frame rate for competitive advantage, the Low preset at 274 FPS is the clear winner. The Ultra preset at 134 FPS is also viable and is the best choice for maximum visual fidelity, as it still exceeds the refresh rate of most standard monitors.

At 2560x1440, the High preset at 114 FPS provides an excellent balance of visual quality and performance, making it the recommended choice for most users. The Medium preset at 135 FPS is also a strong contender if you prefer higher frame rates over slightly better visuals. The Ultra preset at 87 FPS is still playable and offers the best image quality, but it dips below the 100 FPS mark that many gamers consider ideal. The data suggests that 1440p High is the "sweet spot" for this system, offering a significant visual upgrade over 1080p without sacrificing high FPS.

At 3840x2160, the choices are more constrained. The Medium preset at 73 FPS is the recommended choice, as it offers a good balance between visual quality and playability. The High preset at 61 FPS is also perfectly playable and is recommended for those who prioritize image quality. The Low preset at 95 FPS is the best choice for a high-refresh 4K experience. The Ultra preset at 47 FPS is best suited for slower-paced games or those who can tolerate lower frame rates for the highest fidelity. The data indicates that for 4K, players should stick to Medium or High presets for the best experience, as Ultra begins to compromise smoothness.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H plays a crucial, albeit supporting, role in the performance of this combo. The CPU is a 16-core, 22-thread processor based on the Meteor Lake architecture. It has a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. For a game from 2014, the multi-core capabilities are largely irrelevant, as most titles from that era were designed for 4 or 8 threads. The CPU's performance in this game is therefore heavily dependent on its single-core speed, which is strong, as indicated by its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1810.5.

The CPU's 24 MB of shared L3 cache is also an asset, as it helps reduce memory latency and improves performance in games. Its memory support for DDR5 and a dual-channel memory bus with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth ensures the CPU and GPU have fast access to data. The CPU's benchmark results, like a Geekbench single-core score of 1794 and a Passmark single-thread score of 3697, confirm its high single-threaded performance. This is critical for ensuring the CPU can process game logic and feed the GPU fast enough to maintain high frame rates.

The data indicates that at 1080p, the CPU is sufficiently powerful to avoid creating a bottleneck. The high FPS figures at this resolution, especially the 274 FPS on Low settings, suggest the CPU is capable of handling even the most demanding game logic. However, the CPU's 85th percentile ranking versus all CPUs, and the fact that it is only 0.7% slower than the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X, a desktop part, shows it is one of the best mobile processors available. In Minimum, its role is to provide a stable platform for the GPU to do the heavy lifting, and the data suggests it does so flawlessly, with no signs of CPU-induced frame drops or stuttering in the measured data.