The Medium

The Medium is a horror title that stresses both the CPU and GPU through its dual-reality rendering technique. For the tested configuration of an AMD Ryzen 7 5700X paired with an AMD Radeon RX 7700, benchmark results reveal a system that is capable of solid 1080p performance but is increasingly constrained by the graphics card at higher resolutions and quality presets. The data provides a clear picture of where this combo excels and where it falls short, with the CPU proving more than adequate for the game's logic while the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck as visual loads escalate.

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

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X is an 8-core, 16-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture. It has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, which is sufficient to handle the game's AI, physics, and scene management. The processor’s 32 MB of shared L3 cache helps with data locality, and its 7 nm process node from TSMC keeps power efficiency high. In the context of The Medium, which is not known for heavy multi-threaded scaling, the 16 threads provide ample headroom to avoid CPU-induced frame drops.

The CPU’s benchmark scores support this interpretation. In Cinebench R23, the 5700X scores 13,184 points in multi-core and 1,499 points in single-core. These are strong numbers, but more relevant is how it compares to its nearest rivals. The data shows it is exactly tied with the Intel Core i5-12600K with an average score of 27,578 and a delta of 0%. It is also within 0.2% of the AMD Ryzen 7 5800 and 0.3% of the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H. This places the 5700X in a performance tier where game engine overhead is rarely the limiting factor.

In practical terms for The Medium, the CPU’s role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and manage the two simultaneous worlds the game renders. The measured FPS data shows that at 1080p Low, the system achieves 115 FPS average, which is a high value that suggests the CPU is not holding back the frame rate at lower graphics loads. Even when the GPU is under less stress, the CPU maintains enough throughput to keep frame pacing stable. However, as resolution increases, the CPU's influence wanes, and the GPU takes over as the dominant component.

The processor's single-thread performance, as measured by a Geekbench score of 2,016 and a Passmark single-thread score of 3,385, is more than adequate for a game like The Medium, which relies heavily on a few primary threads for gameplay logic. The 3DMark scores, particularly 3DMark 16 threads at 6,858 and single thread at 921, further confirm that the CPU has the raw compute to handle the game's demands without becoming a bottleneck at the tested settings. The CPU’s percentile rank of 79 among all CPUs indicates it is a solid mid-to-high-tier performer, and in this specific game, the data shows no evidence of CPU-related performance ceilings.

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

The AMD Radeon RX 7700 is the primary driver of visual performance in this combo. It features 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 624.1 GB/s. This memory configuration is particularly relevant for The Medium, which uses high-resolution textures for its dual-world rendering. The GPU’s boost clock of 2459 MHz and game clock of 2041 MHz, based on the RDNA 3.0 architecture, deliver a solid foundation for the measured frame rates.

The GPU's benchmark scores show it sits at the 58th percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 15,852. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon R9 370X, which is only 0.1% slower, and the AMD Radeon RX 9060, which is 1% faster. More notably, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is 1.7% faster in average score. This places the RX 7700 in a competitive mid-range tier, but the game-specific results reveal how its performance scales with settings.

The measured FPS data shows a clear trend: the GPU is the limiting factor at higher resolutions and quality settings. At 4K Ultra, the system averages only 27 FPS, which is barely playable. At 4K High, it improves to 34 FPS, and at 4K Medium, it reaches 48 FPS with a minimum of 40 and maximum of 55. These numbers indicate that the GPU's raw compute and memory bandwidth are stretched thin at 4K, particularly with the highest quality presets. The 16 GB VRAM is not the issue here, as the game likely does not exceed that capacity at these settings; rather, the GPU's shading units and texture rate are insufficient to maintain high frame rates.

At 1440p, the GPU performs more reasonably. The Medium setting yields an average of 61 FPS, which is smooth for a horror title. The High setting drops to 43 FPS, and Ultra falls to 34 FPS. This shows that the RX 7700 is capable of delivering a playable experience at 1440p, but only if users are willing to compromise on quality settings. At 1080p, the GPU has more headroom, with Medium averaging 72 FPS and Low hitting 115 FPS. The data suggests that the GPU’s performance is heavily dependent on resolution, and its 40 ray tracing cores are not specifically leveraged in the standard benchmark rows, which likely use rasterization.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to maintain a consistent 60 FPS?

A: Based on the measured data, 1440p with Medium settings is the highest resolution and quality combination that achieves an average of 61 FPS. At 1080p, Medium also exceeds 60 FPS at 72 FPS, but 1440p offers a sharper image while still staying above the 60 FPS threshold.

Q: How much faster is the system at 1080p Low compared to 4K Ultra?

A: The average FPS at 1080p Low is 115, while at 4K Ultra it is 27. This represents a performance difference of approximately 4.3 times, indicating a significant drop in frame rate as resolution and quality are increased to the maximum.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor at 4K Medium?

A: The GPU is the limiting factor. The CPU’s performance is consistent across resolutions, but the GPU’s average FPS at 4K Medium is 48, which is lower than the 61 FPS seen at 1440p Medium. This shows the GPU’s workload is the constraint.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded for this combo in the entire dataset?

A: The lowest recorded minimum FPS is 40, which occurs at 4K Medium settings. This is the only resolution and settings combination where a minimum FPS value is provided, and it indicates frame pacing can dip below 45 FPS at that configuration.

Q: How does the GPU compare to its closest rival in terms of average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Radeon RX 7700 has an average benchmark score of 15,852. Its closest rival, the AMD Radeon R9 370X, has a score of 15,862, which is 0.1% higher. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is 1.7% faster with a score of 16,129.

Q: Does the CPU’s multi-threaded performance give it an edge over its rivals in this game?

A: The CPU’s multi-threaded performance is essentially identical to its nearest rivals. It is tied with the Intel Core i5-12600K at 0% delta, and only 0.2% behind the AMD Ryzen 7 5800. This suggests no meaningful advantage or disadvantage in a game like The Medium.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

The measured data clearly indicates that the Medium preset offers the best balance of visual quality and frame rate for this combo. At 1080p, the Medium preset delivers an average of 72 FPS with a minimum of 61 FPS, which ensures smooth gameplay without major dips. This is a significant improvement over High, which averages 51 FPS, and it is still well above the 41 FPS seen at Ultra. The Low preset at 115 FPS is technically faster, but it sacrifices too much visual fidelity for a game that relies on atmosphere and lighting.

At 1440p, the Medium preset is again the recommended choice, averaging 61 FPS with a minimum of 51 FPS. This is the only 1440p preset that consistently stays above 50 FPS, making it the most playable option for users with a 1440p monitor. The High preset at 43 FPS is borderline, and Ultra at 34 FPS is not recommended for a smooth experience. At 4K, no preset achieves a fully smooth frame rate, but Medium at 48 FPS is the only option that approaches playability, while High at 34 FPS and Ultra at 27 FPS are too choppy for a game that requires immersion.

For users prioritizing frame rate stability, the Medium preset is the clear winner across all resolutions. It provides a 41% improvement over High at 1080p (72 vs 51 FPS) and a 42% improvement at 1440p (61 vs 43 FPS). The jump from Medium to Ultra is more drastic, with a 43% drop at 1080p (72 to 41 FPS) and a 44% drop at 1440p (61 to 34 FPS), making Ultra a poor trade-off for the marginal visual gains. The data suggests that Medium is the sweet spot for this hardware combination.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X and AMD Radeon RX 7700 combination ranks 1,307 out of 2,911 tested combos in The Medium. This places it in the 55th percentile of all tested systems, meaning it outperforms roughly 55% of other combinations. This rank is moderate, reflecting the GPU’s mid-range positioning. The CPU’s high percentile rank of 79 does not boost the combo significantly because the game is more GPU-bound at the tested resolutions.

The combo’s rank of 1,307 is consistent with the GPU’s average benchmark score of 15,852, which sits at the 58th percentile. The CPU’s strong performance does not compensate for the GPU’s limitations at higher settings. In the context of the measured FPS, this rank is justified: the system can handle 1080p and 1440p Medium well, but it struggles at 4K and at Ultra presets. Compared to other combos, it is a capable mid-range setup, but it is not positioned for high-end 4K gaming.

The rank also reflects the balance of the pairing. With a CPU that is tied with the Intel Core i5-12600K in average score, the system has no CPU bottleneck. However, the GPU is only 1.7% slower than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, which is a common mid-range competitor. This suggests that the combo’s rank is driven by the GPU’s performance tier, and users should expect results similar to other systems with comparable graphics cards.

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

At 1920x1080, the system shows strong performance across the board. The Low preset achieves an average of 115 FPS, which is the highest measured value in the entire dataset. The Medium preset averages 72 FPS with a minimum of 61 FPS and a maximum of 83 FPS, providing a stable experience. The High preset drops to an average of 51 FPS, and the Ultra preset falls further to 41 FPS. This resolution is where the combo is most comfortable, with even High and Ultra remaining playable.

At 2560x1440, performance scales down as expected. The Low preset averages 97 FPS, which is still high, but Medium averages 61 FPS with a minimum of 51 FPS and a maximum of 70 FPS. The High preset averages 43 FPS, and Ultra averages 34 FPS. The gap between Low and Medium is significant, but the gap between Medium and High is also notable, representing a 30% drop in average FPS (61 to 43). This resolution highlights the GPU’s workload, as the CPU is not a limiting factor.

At 3840x2160, the system is clearly GPU-limited. The Low preset averages 76 FPS, which is surprisingly high for 4K, but Medium drops to 48 FPS with a minimum of 40 FPS and a maximum of 55 FPS. The High preset averages 34 FPS, and Ultra averages only 27 FPS. The difference between Low and Medium at 4K is a 37% drop in average FPS (76 to 48), while the jump from Medium to High is a 29% drop (48 to 34). These numbers show that the GPU is the primary constraint at 4K, and only the Low preset provides a consistently smooth experience.

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

The resolution scaling data reveals a clear pattern of GPU limitation. At the Medium preset, the average FPS drops from 72 at 1080p to 61 at 1440p, a 15% decrease, and then to 48 at 4K, a 21% decrease from 1440p. This non-linear drop is typical of a GPU-bound scenario, where the rendering workload increases exponentially with pixel count. The CPU’s performance is consistent across these resolutions, as it is not affected by pixel count, so the FPS drop is entirely attributable to the GPU.

At the Low preset, the scaling is even more pronounced. The average FPS drops from 115 at 1080p to 97 at 1440p, a 16% decrease, and then to 76 at 4K, a 22% decrease from 1440p. This indicates that even at the lowest visual settings, the GPU is still the limiting factor at higher resolutions. The 4K Low performance of 76 FPS is higher than the 1080p Ultra performance of 41 FPS, which further confirms that the GPU’s compute capability, not memory or CPU, is the bottleneck.

The data also shows that the drop from 1080p to 1440p is smaller than the drop from 1440p to 4K for most presets. For Medium, the 1080p to 1440p drop is 11 FPS, while the 1440p to 4K drop is 13 FPS. For High, the drops are 8 FPS and 9 FPS, respectively. This suggests that the GPU’s memory bandwidth of 624.1 GB/s is sufficient for 1440p, but the sheer number of pixels at 4K overwhelms the GPU’s shading units. The 16 GB VRAM is not a concern, as the game likely fits within that capacity, but the GPU’s 25.18 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is not enough to maintain high frame rates at 4K Ultra. The limiting component is unequivocally the AMD Radeon RX 7700.