The current AISC341-10 standard specifiesa value of 0.02 radian for the minimum rotation capacity of connections for the intermediate steel moment frame system. However, despite of the advances realized in the domains of performance evaluation method and analysis method, research onthe minimum rotation capacity of the intermediate steel moment frame systemsatisfying the seismic performance has not been conducted in detail. In this study, the intermediate moment frame systemisdesigned with respect to current standards and the seismic performance in accordance with the rotational capacity of connections is evaluated using the seismic performance evaluation method presented in FEMA-P695. The minimum rotation capacity of intermediate steel moment frames required to satisfy seismic performance as well as the major design values affecting the seismic performance of moment frame areestimated. To that goal, the design parameters are selected and various target frames are designed. The analysis models of the main nonlinear elements are also developed for evaluating seismic performance. The resultsshow that the 20-story structure doesnot meet the seismic performance even if it satisfies the rotation capacity of 0.02 radian.