The Medium

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X paired with the Intel Arc B370 produces a severely constrained gaming experience in The Medium, with benchmark results placing this combination at rank 2681 out of 2911 tested combos. The data indicates a fundamental bottleneck in the graphics subsystem, where the Arc B370’s integrated-class performance limits frame rates to sub-30 FPS territory across nearly every configuration tested. This analysis breaks down the measured results, component roles, and practical settings guidance based solely on the provided benchmark data.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a steep and consistent performance cliff as resolution increases, which is the classic signature of a GPU-bound workload. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo averages 46 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 at the same settings drops the average to 39 FPS, a reduction of 7 FPS or approximately 15.2%. The subsequent jump to 3840x2160 at Low settings yields 30 FPS, another 9 FPS drop, representing a 23.1% decrease from the 1440p result. This scaling pattern is not linear but accelerates at higher resolutions, indicating that pixel throughput becomes the dominant limiting factor rather than CPU processing.

The Medium settings row provides the only complete frame time data, with min and max values recorded. At 1920x1080 Medium, the average is 29 FPS with a range of 24 to 33 FPS. At 2560x1440 Medium, the average falls to 24 FPS with a range of 21 to 28 FPS. At 3840x2160 Medium, the average drops to 19 FPS with a range of 16 to 22 FPS. The frame time variance remains relatively tight across these three resolutions, with the spread between min and max staying between 6 and 9 FPS. This consistency suggests the bottleneck is steady-state rendering throughput rather than intermittent stutters or CPU hitches.

The High settings row shows an even more dramatic resolution penalty. From 1920x1080 at 21 FPS to 2560x1440 at 17 FPS, the drop is 4 FPS (19.0%). From 1440p to 4K, the average falls to 14 FPS, another 3 FPS reduction (17.6%). The Ultra settings row is the most punishing, with 16 FPS at 1080p, 14 FPS at 1440p, and 11 FPS at 4K. The absolute difference between the lowest and highest resolution at Ultra is only 5 FPS, but the relative performance is already so low that any resolution increase makes the game essentially unplayable. These results confirm that the limiting component is the GPU, as the CPU’s role diminishes at higher resolutions where pixel fill rate dominates.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X is a desktop processor built on the Zen 2 architecture and Matisse codename, manufactured on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The CPU’s TDP is rated at 65 W, and it supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a 32 MB L3 cache. The processor’s benchmark scores show a PassMark multithread result of 22458 and a single-thread score of 2656, with a Cinebench R15 multicore score of 2092 and single-core score of 204.

In the context of The Medium, the CPU’s 8-core and 16-thread configuration is more than sufficient to feed the GPU at the frame rates measured. The highest average FPS recorded across all rows is 46 FPS at 1080p Low, which is well within the capability of this processor. The data shows that even at the lowest resolution and settings, the system cannot exceed 46 FPS, and the FPS drops proportionally with resolution increases. This pattern indicates that the CPU is not the bottleneck; if it were, we would expect similar FPS across different resolutions because CPU workload is largely independent of pixel count.

The CPU’s percentile ranking against all CPUs is 84, and its average benchmark score is 34260. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 with an average score of 34222 (0.1% higher), the AMD EPYC 4244P at 34220 (0.1% higher), the Intel Core i5-13450HX at 34333 (0.2% lower), and the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H at 34083 (0.5% higher). These scores place the 3700X in a competitive mid-range position, capable of handling modern game logic and physics. The benchmark results in The Medium show no evidence of CPU-related frame pacing issues, as the min FPS values at Medium settings (24, 21, and 16 at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K respectively) are proportionally consistent with the averages.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is the clear performance limiter in this combination. It is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) based on the Xe3-LPG architecture and Panther Lake chip, manufactured on Intel’s 3 nm process. The GPU has a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2400 MHz, with shading units totaling 1280, 40 texture mapping units, and 20 render output units. It includes 10 ray tracing cores and supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The memory configuration is system-shared, meaning the GPU uses the system’s DDR4 memory with bandwidth that is system-dependent. The GPU’s TDP is rated at just 25 W, and its FP32 performance is 6.144 TFLOPS.

The Arc B370’s benchmark results are extremely low, with a single 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1184. This places the GPU in the 5th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 1184. Its nearest rivals are all older integrated or low-end discrete parts: the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 at 1186 (0.2% higher), the ATI Radeon HD 5770 at 1190 (0.5% higher), the AMD Radeon HD 7650M at 1192 (0.7% higher), and the AMD FirePro M2000 at 1168 (1.4% lower). These rivals are from a much older hardware generation, which underscores how underpowered the Arc B370 is for a 2021 horror title like The Medium.

The GPU’s role in this game is entirely dominant. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 46 FPS, which is the only row with a playable average. At every other resolution and settings combination, the FPS is below 30. The boost clock of 2400 MHz is not enough to compensate for the low shading unit count and shared memory bandwidth. The 10 ray tracing cores are present, but the game’s rendering demands overwhelm them. The data suggests that the Arc B370 is operating at its maximum capacity even at the lowest settings, as the FPS drops consistently with any increase in resolution or fidelity.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The complete measured FPS dataset provides a clear picture of this combo’s capabilities across all tested configurations. Starting at 1920x1080, the results are as follows: Low settings yield an average of 46 FPS, Medium yields 29 FPS (with min 24 and max 33), High yields 21 FPS, and Ultra yields 16 FPS. This represents a performance range of 30 FPS between Low and Ultra at 1080p. The step from Low to Medium is a 17 FPS drop (37.0%), while the step from Medium to High is an 8 FPS drop (27.6%), and from High to Ultra is a 5 FPS drop (23.8%). The diminishing returns are evident as settings increase, but every step is substantial.

At 2560x1440, the same settings hierarchy produces: Low at 39 FPS, Medium at 24 FPS (with min 21 and max 28), High at 17 FPS, and Ultra at 14 FPS. The range between Low and Ultra is 25 FPS. Comparing to 1080p, the Low setting loses 7 FPS (15.2%), Medium loses 5 FPS (17.2%), High loses 4 FPS (19.0%), and Ultra loses 2 FPS (12.5%). The percentage losses are relatively consistent, confirming that resolution scaling is uniform across settings.

At 3840x2160, the results are: Low at 30 FPS, Medium at 19 FPS (with min 16 and max 22), High at 14 FPS, and Ultra at 11 FPS. The range between Low and Ultra is 19 FPS. From 1440p to 4K, the Low setting drops 9 FPS (23.1%), Medium drops 5 FPS (20.8%), High drops 3 FPS (17.6%), and Ultra drops 3 FPS (21.4%). The 4K Low result of 30 FPS is the only 4K row that approaches playability, and it is exactly at the threshold of 30 FPS.

The medium settings rows are the only ones with complete min and max data. At 1080p, the frame times range from 24 to 33, a 9 FPS spread. At 1440p, the range is 21 to 28, a 7 FPS spread. At 4K, the range is 16 to 22, a 6 FPS spread. This tightening of the frame time spread at higher resolutions suggests that the GPU is consistently saturated, reducing the opportunity for frame time spikes. The data shows no evidence of CPU-related stuttering, as the min FPS values remain proportional to the averages.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X and Intel Arc B370 ranks 2681 out of 2911 tested combos in The Medium. This places the combo in the bottom 8% of all tested configurations, with only 230 combos performing worse. The rank reflects the GPU’s severe limitations, as the CPU is a competent mid-range part. The data shows that the combo’s best case scenario is 46 FPS at 1080p Low, which is below the 60 FPS target most modern systems aim for. At any setting above Low, the FPS falls below 30, making the game feel sluggish and unresponsive.

The combo’s rank is not surprising given the GPU’s 5th percentile standing among all GPUs. The CPU’s 84th percentile ranking is irrelevant when the GPU is this weak, as the rendering pipeline is entirely GPU-bound. The measured FPS data confirms this, as no settings combination achieves a 60 FPS average, and only one row (1080p Low) exceeds 40 FPS. The combo’s performance is comparable to systems with much older GPUs, as evidenced by the Arc B370’s nearest rivals being ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 and ATI Radeon HD 5770.

In practical terms, this rank means the combo is unsuitable for a smooth experience in The Medium at any resolution above 1080p with Medium or higher settings. The only viable configuration is 1080p Low, which provides 46 FPS but requires significant visual compromises. The rank also indicates that most other CPU and GPU combinations in the database deliver better results, making this pairing a poor choice for this specific game. The data does not support any other conclusion.

FAQ

*Q: What is the best average FPS this combo can achieve in The Medium?*

A: The highest recorded average FPS is 46 at 1920x1080 with Low settings. No other configuration exceeds 39 FPS.

Q: How does the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X perform relative to its nearest rivals?

A: The CPU’s average benchmark score is 34260. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350, scores 34222, which is 0.1% lower. The Intel Core i5-13450HX scores 34333, which is 0.2% higher.

Q: What is the Intel Arc B370’s GPU percentile ranking?

A: The GPU is in the 5th percentile of all GPUs, with an average 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1184. Its closest rival is the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 at 1186, which is 0.2% higher.

Q: Which resolution and settings combination provides the most consistent frame times?

A: The Medium settings rows have the only complete min and max data. At 3840x2160, the frame times range from 16 to 22 FPS, a 6 FPS spread, which is the tightest range across all resolutions.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the primary bottleneck in this game?

A: The GPU is the primary bottleneck. The FPS drops consistently with resolution increases, and the highest FPS is only 46 at 1080p Low, indicating the GPU cannot render frames fast enough regardless of CPU capability.

*Q: How does this combo rank among all tested combos in The Medium?*

A: The combo ranks 2681 out of 2911 tested combos, placing it in the bottom 8% of all systems tested.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the only configuration that achieves a playable average frame rate is 1920x1080 with Low settings, which delivers 46 FPS. This is the sole row above 30 FPS, and it is the recommended starting point for any user attempting to play The Medium with this hardware. The Low preset at 1080p sacrifices visual fidelity but provides the best balance of performance and playability. The next best option is 2560x1440 Low at 39 FPS, but the resolution increase does not compensate for the 7 FPS loss, and 1080p Low is preferable for smoother motion.

At Medium settings, the game becomes marginal at 1920x1080 with an average of 29 FPS and a minimum of 24 FPS. This is below the 30 FPS threshold for comfortable play, and the frame time data shows potential dips into the low 20s. Users who prioritize visual quality over smoothness might consider 1080p Medium, but the data suggests that the experience will feel choppy. The High and Ultra presets are not recommended at any resolution, as they produce averages below 21 FPS at 1080p and below 17 FPS at 1440p and 4K.

For users who must play at higher resolutions, 3840x2160 Low at 30 FPS is the only 4K option that reaches the 30 FPS mark, but it will be borderline. The 2560x1440 Medium setting at 24 FPS is also borderline, with the min FPS at 21. The data clearly shows that this combo is not designed for high-fidelity gaming in The Medium, and the best experience is achieved by accepting Low settings at 1080p. Any settings increase beyond Low results in a disproportionate FPS drop, making the game increasingly difficult to play. The recommendation is to use 1080p Low for the best experience, with 1440p Low as a secondary option if resolution is more important than frame rate stability.