The Medium

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F and AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX pairing in The Medium presents a fascinating case study in system bottlenecking, where a modest 6-core processor is mated to one of AMD’s most powerful graphics cards. The measured frame rates reveal a configuration that is heavily constrained by the CPU at lower resolutions, yet manages to deliver playable performance at 4K where the GPU finally takes center stage. This analysis breaks down the data to understand where each component’s influence begins and ends.

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

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer. It operates with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, which are unremarkable figures for a modern desktop chip. The processor’s 32 MB of shared L3 cache and 7 nm process node from TSMC are notable, but its performance ceiling appears to be the primary limiting factor in The Medium at lower resolutions.

The CPU’s benchmark scores place it in the 85th percentile of all tested processors, with an average benchmark score of 36945. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 (avgScore 36938, deltaPct 0), the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D (avgScore 37018, deltaPct -0.2), and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 (avgScore 37093, deltaPct -0.4). These scores suggest that the 5600F is a solidly mid-range performer, but not a top-tier chip for demanding titles.

In The Medium, the CPU’s influence is most apparent in the 1080p results. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 117 FPS. When the settings are raised to High, the average drops to 78 FPS, and at Ultra it falls to 62 FPS. This scaling pattern indicates that the processor is struggling to feed the GPU with enough data to maintain higher frame rates. The gap between Low and High settings is 39 FPS, which is a significant performance hit that points to CPU-bound scenarios where the 6 cores are working at their limit.

The CPU’s memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s and dual-channel DDR4 support are adequate for most tasks, but they may contribute to the bottleneck in a horror title that relies on complex scene transitions and detailed environments. The data suggests that the Ryzen 5 5600F is the component holding back performance at lower resolutions, as the GPU is capable of much higher output but is starved of instructions.

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

The AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX is a flagship graphics card built on the RDNA 3.0 architecture, codenamed Plum Bonito. It features 24 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 384-bit bus, yielding a massive 960.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The card’s boost clock is rated at 2498 MHz, with a game clock of 2365 MHz. These specifications place it among the most powerful consumer GPUs available, yet its benchmark percentile of 64 among all GPUs is surprisingly low.

The GPU’s benchmark scores include a Passmark G3D score of 31238 and a Geekbench Vulkan score of 85612. Its nearest rivals in the database are the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB (avgScore 19334, deltaPct 0.4), the NVIDIA Quadro K5200 (avgScore 19602, deltaPct -1), and the AMD FirePro D300 (avgScore 19637, deltaPct -1.2). This competitive context is unusual, as the RX 7900 XTX should theoretically outperform these older cards by a wide margin, but the aggregate benchmark data tells a different story.

In The Medium, the GPU’s role becomes more pronounced as resolution increases. At 4K (3840x2160) with Low settings, the system achieves 102 FPS, which drops to 72 FPS at Medium and 52 FPS at High. The Ultra preset yields only 41 FPS. This scaling demonstrates that the RX 7900 XTX is capable of delivering high frame rates, but only when the CPU is not the limiting factor. The card’s 24 GB of VRAM is more than sufficient for the game’s demands, and the 960.0 GB/s bandwidth ensures that texture streaming is not a bottleneck.

The GPU’s TDP of 355 W and suggested PSU of 750 W are substantial, but they are not reflected in the measured performance data. The card’s end-of-life production status and launch MSRP of 999 USD indicate that it is a premium product, yet its performance in this game is constrained by the CPU pairing.

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

The measured FPS data across resolutions reveals a clear pattern of CPU limitation at 1080p and GPU scaling at 4K. At 1920x1080 with Medium settings, the system averages 98 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 at the same settings, the average drops to 92 FPS, a modest decline of 6 FPS. At 3840x2160, the average falls to 72 FPS, a further drop of 20 FPS. This scaling suggests that the CPU is still providing enough data at 1440p to keep the GPU reasonably fed, but at 4K the GPU’s rendering workload begins to dominate.

The Low settings preset tells a similar story. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 117 FPS, which drops to 111 FPS at 1440p and 102 FPS at 4K. The total drop from 1080p to 4K is 15 FPS, which is relatively small compared to the High and Ultra presets. This indicates that at Low settings, the CPU is the primary bottleneck, as the GPU is not under significant load and the frame rate is limited by the processor’s ability to issue draw calls.

At High settings, the drop from 1080p (78 FPS) to 4K (52 FPS) is 26 FPS, while at Ultra, the drop from 1080p (62 FPS) to 4K (41 FPS) is 21 FPS. These larger drops suggest that as settings increase, the GPU becomes more involved, but the CPU still exerts a strong influence. The data implies that the Ryzen 5 5600F cannot fully saturate the RX 7900 XTX at any resolution, but the gap narrows at 4K where the GPU’s pixel-pushing capabilities are more critical.

The Medium preset at 4K shows a minimum FPS of 61 and a maximum of 83, with an average of 72. This variance is notable, as it indicates that the frame rate is not stable and can fluctuate significantly, likely due to CPU spikes during scene transitions. At 1080p Medium, the minimum is 83 FPS and the maximum is 112 FPS, showing a tighter range that still reflects CPU limitations.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F and AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX ranks 551st out of 2911 tested combos in The Medium. This places it in the top 19% of all configurations, which is a respectable showing given the CPU’s modest specifications. The rank is likely elevated by the GPU’s raw power, which can overcome many CPU limitations at higher resolutions.

However, the rank also reveals that there are 550 other combos that perform better, many of which likely pair the RX 7900 XTX with a more capable processor. The data suggests that this combo is not optimally balanced, as the CPU holds back the GPU’s potential. The 551st rank is a middle-of-the-pack result for a system with a flagship GPU, indicating that the CPU is a significant hindrance.

The combo’s rank is particularly interesting when compared to the CPU’s individual percentile of 85 and the GPU’s percentile of 64. The CPU is rated higher than the GPU in their respective databases, yet the combo rank suggests that the GPU’s performance is being squandered. This discrepancy implies that The Medium is a CPU-sensitive title, and the 5600F’s 6 cores and 4.00 GHz boost clock are not sufficient to unlock the GPU’s full capabilities.

The data indicates that users with this combo would see a significant improvement in rank by upgrading the CPU, as the GPU is clearly capable of much higher performance. The 551st rank is not a failure, but it is a warning that the system is not leveraging its most expensive component effectively.

FAQ

*Q: What is the best resolution for this combo in The Medium?*

A: The data shows that 2560x1440 with Medium settings provides a balanced experience, with an average of 92 FPS and a minimum of 78 FPS. This resolution offers a good compromise between visual quality and frame rate stability, as the CPU bottleneck is less severe than at 1080p and the GPU load is manageable.

Q: Why is the frame rate at 1080p lower than expected?

A: At 1920x1080, the CPU is the limiting factor. The Ryzen 5 5600F’s 6 cores and 12 threads struggle to keep up with the game’s demands, as evidenced by the 117 FPS at Low settings dropping to 62 FPS at Ultra. The GPU is not being fully utilized at this resolution, as it is waiting for the CPU to provide more data.

Q: Is the RX 7900 XTX a good match for this CPU in this game?

A: The data suggests that the pairing is suboptimal. The combo ranks 551st out of 2911, and the CPU’s limitations are apparent at lower resolutions. While the GPU performs well at 4K, it is not reaching its full potential due to the processor’s constraints. A more powerful CPU would likely improve the combo’s rank.

Q: How does the 4K Medium preset perform?

A: At 3840x2160 with Medium settings, the system averages 72 FPS, with a minimum of 61 FPS and a maximum of 83 FPS. This is a playable frame rate, but the variance indicates instability, likely due to CPU bottlenecks during complex scenes.

Q: What does the GPU’s benchmark percentile of 64 mean for this game?

A: The GPU’s percentile of 64 is lower than expected for a flagship card, and its nearest rivals include older models like the GTX 1060. In The Medium, this translates to a card that is capable of high frame rates, but only when the CPU can keep up. The GPU’s performance is not the primary issue; rather, it is the CPU that holds back the system.

Q: Should I use Low or Medium settings for the best experience?

A: Based on the measured data, Medium settings at 1440p offer the best experience, with an average of 92 FPS and a minimum of 78 FPS. Low settings at 1080p provide 117 FPS but sacrifice visual quality. Medium at 4K is also viable at 72 FPS, but the frame rate variance is higher.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data provides clear guidance for the optimal settings preset. At 1080p, Low settings yield 117 FPS, but this is a marginal gain over Medium’s 98 FPS, and the visual quality difference is substantial. Medium at 1080p offers a better balance, with a minimum of 83 FPS and a maximum of 112 FPS, ensuring smooth gameplay.

At 1440p, Medium is the clear winner, with an average of 92 FPS and a minimum of 78 FPS. High settings drop to 66 FPS, which is still playable but noticeably less smooth. Ultra at 1440p averages only 52 FPS, which is not ideal for a horror game that relies on atmosphere and pacing.

At 4K, Medium is the only viable preset, with an average of 72 FPS and a minimum of 61 FPS. High settings drop to 52 FPS, and Ultra falls to 41 FPS, both of which are below the threshold for a comfortable experience. Low settings at 4K achieve 102 FPS, but the visual compromise is significant.

The data indicates that Medium settings provide the best experience across all resolutions, as it offers a balance between visual fidelity and frame rate stability. The preset’s minimum FPS values are consistently above 60 at 1080p and 1440p, and at 4K it remains playable with a minimum of 61 FPS. For users prioritizing visual quality, High at 1440p is a reasonable trade-off, but Ultra is not recommended due to the significant frame rate drops.

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

At 1920x1080, the system delivers the following average frame rates:

• Low: 117 FPS
• Medium: 98 FPS (min 83, max 112)
• High: 78 FPS
• Ultra: 62 FPS

The 1080p data shows a clear CPU bottleneck, as the frame rate drops by 19 FPS from Low to Medium, and another 20 FPS from Medium to High. The jump from High to Ultra is smaller at 16 FPS, but the overall trend is a steady decline as settings increase.

At 2560x1440, the measured averages are:

• Low: 111 FPS
• Medium: 92 FPS (min 78, max 106)
• High: 66 FPS
• Ultra: 52 FPS

The 1440p results show a similar pattern, with Low and Medium providing high frame rates, while High and Ultra suffer significant drops. The difference between Low and Medium is 19 FPS, and the drop from Medium to High is 26 FPS, indicating that the GPU is becoming more involved.

At 3840x2160, the averages are:

• Low: 102 FPS
• Medium: 72 FPS (min 61, max 83)
• High: 52 FPS
• Ultra: 41 FPS

The 4K data reveals the GPU’s influence, as the frame rate drops by 30 FPS from Low to Medium, and another 20 FPS from Medium to High. The Ultra preset yields only 41 FPS, which is a steep decline. The Medium preset’s minimum of 61 FPS is the only 4K option that maintains a playable frame rate, while the other presets fall below 60 FPS.

The full dataset shows that the system’s performance is highly dependent on the settings preset and resolution, with the CPU being the primary constraint at 1080p and the GPU becoming more relevant at 4K. The measured values provide a complete picture of the combo’s capabilities in The Medium.