The Medium

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D delivers a playable experience in The Medium across all tested settings and resolutions, though the performance ceiling varies significantly with the graphics preset. The dataset shows a clear pattern: the GPU dominates workload scaling, while the CPU provides a stable foundation that prevents major bottlenecks at lower resolutions. This analysis walks through the measured FPS data to explain the relationship between resolution, settings, and the components driving them.

Resolution Scaling

The measured frames per second reveal how the RTX 5090 D responds to increasing pixel counts. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo produces 111 FPS average. Moving to 2560x1440 Low drops that number to 105 FPS, a reduction of roughly 5.4% for a 78% increase in pixel count. The scaling becomes more pronounced at 3840x2160 Low, where the average falls to 97 FPS — another 7.6% drop from the 1440p figure. This progression indicates the GPU still has headroom at 1080p and 1440p, but the workload grows substantially at 4K.

Looking at the High preset, the same pattern holds. The average FPS goes from 82 at 1920x1080 to 77 at 2560x1440, then down to 68 at 3840x2160. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 6.1%, and the subsequent drop to 4K is 11.7%. The larger percentage loss between 1440p and 4K suggests the GPU is approaching its limits at the higher resolution, though it remains above the 60 FPS threshold.

The Medium preset shows the most detailed data, with min and max FPS recorded at every resolution. At 1080p Medium, the average is 93 FPS with a range of 79 to 107. At 1440p Medium, the average slips to 87 FPS (range 74 to 101), and at 4K Medium it reaches 81 FPS (range 69 to 93). The consistent 6-8 FPS step-down per resolution tier demonstrates a linear scaling pattern, which is typical for a GPU-bound scenario where the renderer's workload increases proportionally with pixel count.

Ultra settings produce the lowest frame rates across the board. The average at 1080p is 75 FPS, dropping to 69 at 1440p and 54 at 4K. The 4K result falls below the common 60 FPS playability standard, making that combination the only one in the dataset that struggles. The incremental differences between resolutions are smaller here (6 FPS between 1080p and 1440p, 15 FPS between 1440p and 4K), suggesting the Ultra preset's additional effects create a steeper performance cliff at 4K.

The limiting component in all these scenarios is clearly the GPU. The CPU, an 8-core 16-thread Zen 2 processor, maintains consistent performance across resolutions, as evidenced by the relatively small FPS gaps at Low settings. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the 1080p results would plateau while 4K remained unchanged; instead, every resolution shows measurable scaling, confirming the RTX 5090 D is doing the heavy lifting.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X provides the computational backbone for this combo, operating with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and boosting up to 4.40 GHz. Its 8 cores and 16 threads are well-suited for modern gaming workloads, and the Zen 2 architecture with 32 MB of L3 cache ensures adequate data locality for The Medium's fixed-camera scenes. The CPU's benchmark scores reinforce its capability: it achieves 22458 in Passmark multithread and 2656 in Passmark single-thread, placing it in the 84th percentile of all CPUs.

In the context of this game, the CPU's role appears secondary but not negligible. At 1080p Low, the combo reaches 111 FPS, which is the highest measured value in the entire dataset. This suggests the CPU can feed the GPU enough data to avoid stalling the frame pipeline at lower workloads. The 16 threads help with the game's streaming and physics calculations, though The Medium is primarily a visual experience with pre-rendered backgrounds and limited real-time simulation.

Comparing the 3700X to its nearest rivals shows it holds its own. It edges out the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 by 0.1% in average benchmark score (34260 vs 34222) and trails the Intel Core i5-13450HX by 0.2% (34260 vs 34333). The Intel Core Ultra 7 165H is 0.5% behind at 34083. These tight margins indicate that the 3700X is not the limiting factor in most gaming scenarios, including this one.

The CPU's memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s over dual-channel DDR4 is sufficient for the game's requirements, though it is modest by modern standards. The PCIe Gen 4 interface with 24 lanes provides ample bandwidth for the RTX 5090 D, ensuring no data transfer bottlenecks between the CPU and GPU. The 65W TDP suggests efficient operation, and the unlocked multiplier offers headroom for overclocking, though the measured results use stock settings.

The data shows no signs of CPU-induced stuttering or frame pacing issues. The Medium preset's min FPS values (79 at 1080p, 74 at 1440p, 69 at 4K) are consistently close to the averages, indicating smooth frame delivery. If the CPU were struggling, these minimums would likely show larger deviations from the average, particularly at lower resolutions where the GPU finishes frames faster and the CPU must keep up.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D is the dominant component in this pairing, and its specifications explain why the frame rates scale so predictably. With 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus, the GPU has access to 1.79 TB/s of bandwidth — more than enough for The Medium's 4K textures and effects. The 21760 shading units and 170 RT cores provide substantial compute throughput, with the GPU achieving 104.8 TFLOPS in FP32 operations.

The GPU's clock speeds are set at a base of 2017 MHz and boost up to 2407 MHz. These frequencies, combined with the massive memory subsystem, allow the card to maintain high utilization across all tested resolutions. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 14326 and Geekbench Vulkan score of 376915 place the GPU in the 92nd percentile of all GPUs, confirming its high-end positioning.

In the context of The Medium, the GPU's role is to render the game's detailed environments, volumetric lighting, and character models. The measured FPS data shows the GPU handles these tasks effectively up to 4K Medium, but the Ultra preset at 4K pushes it to its limits. The 54 FPS average at 4K Ultra is the lowest result in the dataset, indicating that the additional rendering features in Ultra mode (likely higher shadow quality, more particles, and increased draw distances) tax the GPU beyond its comfort zone at that resolution.

The nearest rivals to the RTX 5090 D in the benchmark database provide context for its performance. The AMD Radeon RX 6650M XT scores 1.1% lower on average (76904 vs 77712), while the AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT scores 1.6% higher (78940). The NVIDIA Tesla P100 variants are 2.1% and 2.4% higher respectively, though these are datacenter cards with different driver optimizations. These small deltas suggest the 5090 D is well-positioned among its peers, though not the absolute fastest in every workload.

The GPU's 575W TDP and 950W suggested PSU indicate it draws significant power, but this is necessary to achieve the frame rates observed. The 32 GB VRAM capacity is particularly relevant for The Medium at 4K Ultra, where texture memory requirements are highest. The dataset shows no signs of VRAM throttling, as even the 4K Ultra result maintains a stable average with no reported min FPS below 54.

Settings Recommendations

The measured data provides clear guidance on which settings preset offers the best experience for this combo. At 1920x1080, all four presets produce playable frame rates, with Low at 111 FPS, Medium at 93 FPS, High at 82 FPS, and Ultra at 75 FPS. The differences between presets are noticeable but not dramatic, so users can prioritize visual quality without sacrificing smoothness.

At 2560x1440, the situation remains favorable. Low hits 105 FPS, Medium 87 FPS, High 77 FPS, and Ultra 69 FPS. All of these exceed the 60 FPS threshold, making 1440p a sweet spot for this configuration. The Ultra preset at this resolution provides the best balance of visual fidelity and performance, as the 69 FPS average is still comfortably playable.

The 3840x2160 results require more careful consideration. Low settings produce 97 FPS, Medium 81 FPS, and High 68 FPS — all playable. Ultra, however, drops to 54 FPS, which falls below the standard 60 FPS target. For 4K gaming, the High preset is the recommended choice, as it maintains 68 FPS while delivering most of the visual enhancements. The Medium preset at 81 FPS is a safer option for those who prioritize frame rate stability, particularly given its reported min FPS of 69.

The Medium preset deserves special attention because it is the only one with complete min/max data. At 1080p, it ranges from 79 to 107 FPS; at 1440p, 74 to 101 FPS; and at 4K, 69 to 93 FPS. The minimum frame rates are all above 60, indicating no severe dips during gameplay. This consistency makes Medium the most reliable preset across all resolutions, offering a good balance between visual quality and performance headroom.

For users with high refresh rate monitors (144Hz or higher), the 1080p High preset at 82 FPS or the 1440p Medium preset at 87 FPS would be appropriate. For those with standard 60Hz displays, the 4K High preset at 68 FPS provides the best visual experience without dropping below the refresh rate. The Ultra preset is only recommended at 1080p or 1440p, as the 4K result is too close to the 60 FPS threshold for comfort.

FAQ

*Q: Is this combo capable of running The Medium at 4K?*

A: Yes, at Low settings it achieves 97 FPS, at Medium 81 FPS, and at High 68 FPS. The Ultra preset drops to 54 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS standard.

Q: What is the best settings preset for 1440p gaming?

A: The Ultra preset at 2560x1440 delivers 69 FPS average, which is playable and offers the highest visual quality. The Medium preset at 87 FPS provides more headroom if you prefer smoother motion.

Q: How does the CPU performance compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Ryzen 7 3700X scores 34260 in average benchmark, which is 0.1% higher than the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 and 0.5% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H. It trails the Intel Core i5-13450HX by 0.2%.

Q: What is the GPU's percentile ranking among all GPUs?

A: The RTX 5090 D places in the 92nd percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 77712.

Q: Does the 4K Ultra preset maintain a stable frame rate?

A: The average is 54 FPS with no reported minimum FPS value, which suggests it may dip below that number. The Medium preset at 4K reports a minimum of 69 FPS, indicating better stability.

Q: How much VRAM does the GPU have, and does it matter for this game?

A: The RTX 5090 D has 32 GB of GDDR7 memory. The dataset shows no signs of VRAM limitations at any resolution or preset, indicating the memory capacity is more than sufficient for The Medium.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The complete measured FPS data for the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D combination in The Medium is as follows:

At 1920x1080, the Low preset averages 111 FPS. The Medium preset averages 93 FPS, with a minimum of 79 FPS and maximum of 107 FPS. The High preset averages 82 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 75 FPS. No minimum or maximum values are reported for Low, High, or Ultra at this resolution.

At 2560x1440, the Low preset averages 105 FPS. The Medium preset averages 87 FPS, with a minimum of 74 FPS and maximum of 101 FPS. The High preset averages 77 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 69 FPS. Again, only the Medium preset includes min/max data.

At 3840x2160, the Low preset averages 97 FPS. The Medium preset averages 81 FPS, with a minimum of 69 FPS and maximum of 93 FPS. The High preset averages 68 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 54 FPS. The Medium preset is the only one at this resolution with reported min/max values.

The data reveals a consistent pattern: increasing resolution reduces FPS by roughly 5-10% per step from 1080p to 1440p, and a larger 10-20% drop from 1440p to 4K. Increasing settings from Low to Medium costs about 15-16% performance, Medium to High costs 10-12%, and High to Ultra costs 8-20% depending on resolution. The Ultra preset at 4K shows the largest total performance penalty, dropping from 111 FPS at 1080p Low to 54 FPS at 4K Ultra.

How This Combo Ranks

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D combination ranks 592nd out of 3724 tested combos in The Medium, placing it in the top 15.9% of all configurations. This ranking reflects the strong performance of the RTX 5090 D, which compensates for the older Ryzen 7 3700X's age. The CPU, released in 2019, is several generations behind current processors, but its 8-core/16-thread configuration remains relevant for gaming.

The ranking indicates that this combo outperforms approximately 84% of tested configurations in this specific game. This is notable because The Medium is a visually demanding title with a horror genre focus, and the fixed-camera perspective allows for high-quality pre-rendered elements that stress the GPU heavily. The GPU's 92nd percentile ranking among all GPUs is the primary driver of the combo's success, while the CPU's 84th percentile ranking provides sufficient support.

In the broader context of the benchmark database, this combo sits in the upper-middle tier. It outperforms many newer CPU + midrange GPU combos, but it would be surpassed by configurations pairing the RTX 5090 D with a more modern high-end CPU. The 592nd rank out of 3724 combos represents a solid but not exceptional position, reflecting the balance between a top-tier GPU and a mid-range CPU from a previous generation.

The measured FPS data supports this ranking. The combo achieves playable frame rates at all tested settings except 4K Ultra, which is a demanding scenario that even high-end systems struggle with. The fact that it maintains 68 FPS at 4K High and 81 FPS at 4K Medium demonstrates that this configuration is well-suited for high-resolution gaming, making it a viable choice for users with 4K displays who are willing to adjust settings for optimal performance.