The Medium

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700 paired with the AMD Radeon RX 7700 presents a fascinating case study in The Medium. The benchmark data reveals a system with significant graphical horsepower that is consistently held back by its processing core, resulting in a specific set of performance characteristics across resolutions and settings. This analysis will break down the measured FPS data to understand the dynamic between the CPU and GPU in this horror title.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS data reveals a clear and dramatic inverse relationship between resolution and performance, but the rate of that drop-off is the most telling detail. At 1080p with Low settings, the system produces an average of 115 FPS. Moving to 1440p at the same settings, the average drops to 97 FPS, and at 4K, it falls further to 76 FPS. While this is a steady decline, the game remains highly playable at Low settings even at the highest resolution.

The picture changes drastically when we look at higher graphical presets. At Ultra settings, the average FPS plummets from 41 at 1080p, to 34 at 1440p, and finally to 27 at 4K. This scaling pattern suggests that the game's Ultra preset introduces a significant graphical load that the RX 7700 struggles to maintain, particularly as the pixel count increases. The drop from 1080p to 1440p at Ultra is a 7 FPS loss, and the drop from 1440p to 4K is another 7 FPS loss, indicating that the GPU is becoming the primary bottleneck, with its rendering capabilities being overwhelmed by the combined demands of high resolution and high fidelity.

However, the data also shows where the CPU begins to limit performance. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p on Medium settings is a 11 FPS drop (from 72 to 61), and the subsequent drop to 4K is 13 FPS (from 61 to 48). This is a more linear decline compared to the Ultra preset. This indicates that at Medium settings, the system is in a more balanced state, where neither the CPU nor the GPU is completely saturated. The CPU can still push enough frames to feed the GPU at 1080p, but as resolution increases, the GPU's workload grows, and it becomes the limiting factor, leading to the observed FPS decline. The data implies that the RX 7700 is the component most responsible for the FPS drop when moving up in resolution, but the CPU's influence is still felt at lower settings where it can become the bottleneck.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700 is an 8-core, 16-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture. Its performance profile, as shown in the benchmark scores, is a mix of strong multi-threaded capability and modest single-threaded performance. For example, its Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 20655, which places it in the 78th percentile of all CPUs, but its single-core score is 2916. This suggests a processor that can handle heavy workloads but may not have the absolute highest per-core speed.

In The Medium, this CPU profile appears to be a limiting factor at lower resolutions. At 1080p with Low settings, the average FPS is 115. This is a high frame rate, but it is not exceptionally high, and it suggests that the CPU is nearing its limit for this game's engine. The fact that the 1440p Low average is 97 FPS, a drop of 18 FPS, while the 4K Low average is 76 FPS, a drop of 21 FPS, indicates that the GPU is also being pushed harder. However, the relatively high frame rates at Low settings across all resolutions imply that the CPU is capable of delivering a solid baseline.

The system's performance becomes more telling when compared to its nearest CPU rivals. The data shows that the Ryzen 7 5700's average benchmark score is 25517, which is nearly identical to the AMD Ryzen 5 6600H (25550, a -0.1% delta) and the Intel Xeon D-2752TER (25530, a -0.1% delta). This means that for general processing, these CPUs are effectively equivalent. However, the Ryzen 7 5700's 8-core/16-thread configuration might be more of a factor in games that are heavily multi-threaded. The benchmark results suggest that the CPU's overall capability is solid, but its single-threaded performance, while adequate, could be what prevents even higher frame rates in less demanding scenes. The data does not show a scenario where the CPU is the absolute primary bottleneck, as the GPU's workload clearly scales with resolution, but it does indicate that the CPU is a participant in the performance equation, particularly at 1080p where its frame generation limit is more likely to be reached.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 7700 is a formidable graphics card with 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a substantial memory bandwidth of 624.1 GB/s. Its RDNA 3.0 architecture, built on a 5 nm process, includes 2560 shading units and a boost clock of 2459 MHz. These specifications point to a card designed for high-resolution gaming, and the benchmark data confirms this, but with significant caveats.

The GPU's performance in The Medium is highly dependent on the settings preset. At Low settings, the card is clearly not being fully utilized, as evidenced by the 115 FPS average at 1080p. This suggests that the CPU is the primary limiting factor at this point, as the GPU is capable of rendering many more frames. The card's true potential is revealed at Medium settings, where the 1080p average is 72 FPS and the 1440p average is 61 FPS. These are playable frame rates, but the drop from 1080p to 1440p suggests the GPU is starting to work harder.

The most revealing data comes from the High and Ultra presets. At 4K High, the average FPS is just 34, and at 4K Ultra, it drops to 27. These are very low frame rates that would significantly hinder the gameplay experience. This indicates that the RX 7700, despite its 16 GB of VRAM, is not powerful enough to handle the most demanding settings at 4K. The card's raw compute power, measured at 25.18 TFLOPS, is insufficient for the extreme visual fidelity of the Ultra preset at that resolution. When compared to its nearest GPU rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, which has an average score of 16129 (a -1.7% delta from the RX 7700's 15852), the RX 7700 is slightly slower in synthetic benchmarks. This suggests that its performance in The Medium is likely representative of its class, but the game's demands at High and Ultra settings are simply too much for this level of GPU at 4K, and even challenging at 1440p.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play at for a smooth experience?

A: The data shows that 1080p is the only resolution that consistently provides a smooth experience. At Low settings, the average is 115 FPS, and even at Medium settings, it averages 72 FPS. At 1440p, the Medium preset averages 61 FPS, which is acceptable, but the High preset drops to 43 FPS, which is less ideal.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in The Medium?

A: Yes, but only at the lowest settings. The 4K Low preset yields an average of 76 FPS. However, at Medium, High, and Ultra settings, the average FPS is 48, 34, and 27 respectively, indicating that the RX 7700 is not powerful enough for a consistently smooth experience at higher fidelity settings.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more important for this game?

A: The data indicates that the GPU is the primary component for determining performance at higher settings and resolutions. This is shown by the significant FPS drops when switching from Low to High settings. However, the CPU is also a factor, as the 1080p Low average of 115 FPS is likely limited by the Ryzen 7 5700, since the GPU is not being fully utilized at that point.

Q: How does the RX 7700 compare to the RTX 3060 Ti in terms of overall performance?

A: Based on the synthetic benchmark data, the RX 7700 has an average score of 15852, while the RTX 3060 Ti has an average score of 16129. This represents a -1.7% delta, meaning the RTX 3060 Ti holds a slight performance advantage in general computing tasks. This suggests they are in the same performance tier.

Q: Is there a big difference between Medium and High settings?

A: Yes, the performance cost is substantial. At 1080p, the average FPS drops from 72 on Medium to 51 on High, a 21 FPS difference. At 1440p, the difference is 18 FPS (61 to 43), and at 4K, it is 14 FPS (48 to 34). This suggests that the High preset adds a significant graphical load.

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

A: The Medium preset appears to be the best balance for 1440p. It provides an average FPS of 61, which is generally considered smooth. The Low preset offers a higher frame rate, but the Medium preset provides a better visual experience for a modest performance cost.

How This Combo Ranks

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700 and AMD Radeon RX 7700 combination is ranked 1307 out of 2911 tested combos in The Medium. This places it in the 55th percentile of all systems tested, indicating that it is a mid-range performer for this specific title. The data suggests that while this system is capable of running the game, it is not a top-tier performer and will require compromises on settings, especially at higher resolutions.

This ranking is a reflection of the system's overall capabilities. The CPU is a solid performer in its class, but the GPU, while having a large amount of VRAM, does not have the raw processing power to excel in the most demanding scenarios. The combination's mid-pack ranking reflects the balance of its components, but also highlights that it is not optimized for the absolute highest settings. The fact that it falls behind 1306 other combinations suggests that many other systems offer better performance, likely due to more powerful GPUs or CPUs. The data implies that this combo is a capable 1080p machine and can handle 1440p with settings turned down, but it is not a top contender for 4K gaming in this game. Its position in the middle of the pack underscores the need for careful settings management to achieve a good experience.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following is the complete measured FPS data for this system in The Medium.

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: Average 115 FPS.
• Medium: Average 72 FPS, with a minimum of 61 FPS and a maximum of 83 FPS.
• High: Average 51 FPS.
• Ultra: Average 41 FPS.

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: Average 97 FPS.
• Medium: Average 61 FPS, with a minimum of 51 FPS and a maximum of 70 FPS.
• High: Average 43 FPS.
• Ultra: Average 34 FPS.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: Average 76 FPS.
• Medium: Average 48 FPS, with a minimum of 40 FPS and a maximum of 55 FPS.
• High: Average 34 FPS.
• Ultra: Average 27 FPS.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate. The data shows a clear trade-off between visual fidelity and performance.

For a 1080p display, the Medium preset is the strongest recommendation. It provides an average of 72 FPS, which is a smooth and responsive experience. The jump to High settings is costly, dropping the average by 21 FPS to 51, which is a significant sacrifice for a moderate visual gain. The Low preset offers 115 FPS, but the Medium preset provides a much better visual experience for a still-excellent frame rate.

At 1440p, the Medium preset is again the best compromise. The 61 FPS average is on the edge of smoothness, but it is playable. The Low preset offers 97 FPS, which is smoother, but the Medium preset's increased detail is likely worth the 36 FPS loss for many players. The High preset is not recommended, as its 43 FPS average is a noticeable step down in smoothness. For a more consistent competitive experience, Low is the choice, but for a balanced single-player experience, Medium is the sweet spot.

For 4K gaming, the situation is more challenging. The Low preset is the only one that provides a consistently smooth experience, with an average of 76 FPS. The Medium preset, at 48 FPS, is playable but not ideal for fast-paced action. The High and Ultra presets are not recommended, as their average frame rates of 34 and 27 FPS, respectively, will likely result in a stuttery and unsatisfying experience. The data clearly indicates that this system is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, with 4K requiring significant compromises on graphical settings.