The Medium

The Medium presents a demanding fixed-camera horror experience, and the data for the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D combination reveals a system that is heavily influenced by graphical settings and resolution. The measured frame rates indicate a configuration that can handle the game at high refresh rates in many scenarios, but which also shows the significant performance cost of the game's highest preset. This analysis walks through the measured FPS data to understand the scaling behavior and the role each component plays.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate data across the three tested resolutions—1920x1080, 2560x1440, and 3840x2160—shows a clear and predictable pattern of performance degradation as pixel count increases. However, the rate of this degradation is not uniform across all settings presets, which provides insight into the limiting component in different scenarios.

At the Low preset, the system demonstrates its highest level of performance and the most significant resolution scaling. The average frame rate drops from 170 FPS at 1920x1080 to 160 FPS at 2560x1440, a reduction of only 10 FPS or roughly 5.9%. Moving to 3840x2160, the average FPS falls to 148, a further 12 FPS drop from the 1440p result. This relatively modest scaling from 1080p to 4K (a 22 FPS total drop) strongly suggests that at the Low preset, the CPU is the primary limiting factor. The GPU has enough headroom to render the lower-detail frames quickly at all resolutions, but the processor's ability to feed the game's logic and draw calls becomes the bottleneck, capping performance even as the resolution increases.

The Medium preset shows a more pronounced scaling effect, indicating a better balance between CPU and GPU load. The average FPS at 1920x1080 is 142, which drops to 122 at 2560x1440 and further to 95 at 3840x2160. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 20 FPS (a 14.1% decrease), and from 1440p to 4K is 27 FPS (a 22.1% decrease). This steeper decline, particularly at 4K, shows that the GPU is starting to become a more significant factor, though the CPU is still likely contributing to the performance ceiling at lower resolutions.

The High preset exhibits the most dramatic scaling of all presets, pointing to a clear GPU bottleneck at higher resolutions. The average frame rate starts at 103 FPS at 1920x1080, then falls to 87 FPS at 2560x1440 and plummets to 68 FPS at 3840x2160. The 19 FPS drop from 1080p to 1440p and the subsequent 19 FPS drop from 1440p to 4K highlight how quickly the GPU's rendering workload increases with this preset. The RTX 5090 D, despite its immense power, is clearly being taxed by the High preset's effects, especially at 4K.

Finally, the Ultra preset, as expected, is the most demanding and shows a scaling pattern that is heavily GPU-bound across all resolutions. The average FPS is 82 at 1920x1080, which drops to 69 at 2560x1440 and then to 54 at 3840x2160. The 13 FPS difference between 1080p and 1440p and the 15 FPS difference between 1440p and 4K show that the game is pushing the GPU to its limits even at 1080p. At 4K Ultra, the system averages just 54 FPS, indicating that this combination struggles to maintain a smooth 60 FPS experience at the highest settings.

The data suggests that for this combo, the transition from 1080p to 1440p is generally manageable across all presets, but the jump to 4K comes with a significant performance penalty, especially on the High and Ultra presets. The scaling pattern confirms that the RTX 5090 D is the dominant factor in determining performance at High and Ultra settings, while the Ryzen 7 7700 becomes a more relevant constraint when the preset is lowered to Low or Medium.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the benchmark database, this specific combination of the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D performs exceptionally well in The Medium. The data shows it achieves a comboRankInGame of 31 out of a total of 2911 tested combinations. This places the system in the top 1.1% of all tested configurations, indicating that it is a very high-performing pairing for this particular title.

This high ranking is a result of the strengths of both components. The GPU, an RTX 5090 D, is a top-tier product, and its benchmark scores reflect that. Its passmark_g3d score of 44065 and 3dmark_3dmark_steel_nomad_dx12 score of 14326 put it in the 92nd percentile when compared to all other GPUs. Its nearest rivals, according to the data, are the AMD Radeon RX 6650M XT, which it beats by 1.1%, and the AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT, which is 1.6% faster. This shows that while it is a very fast card, its direct competition is close in synthetic benchmarks, making the CPU pairing important for real-world game performance.

The CPU, a Ryzen 7 7700, also performs well. Its avgBenchmarkScore of 40081 places it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 and the Intel Core 5 221E, with performance deltas of just 0.1% and -0.2% respectively. This indicates that the 7700 is a solid, well-rounded processor, though not a leader in its class. However, its high single-threaded performance, as evidenced by a cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecore score of 1930 and a passmark_single_thread score of 4063, is likely a key factor in achieving this strong in-game ranking, as many games still rely heavily on single-core performance.

The combination of a top-2% GPU and a well-above-average CPU results in a system that is ranked in the top 1.1% for this game. This suggests that the pairing is well-balanced for The Medium, with the GPU providing the raw rendering power and the CPU being more than sufficient to keep up with the game's processing demands, avoiding a severe bottleneck that would drag the ranking down.

FAQ

Q: What is the maximum average frame rate this combo can achieve in The Medium?

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 170 at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset.

Q: Can this system maintain a smooth 60 FPS experience at 4K?

A: Yes, at 4K resolution, the system averages 68 FPS on High and 95 FPS on Medium settings, both above the 60 FPS target. However, on the Ultra preset, the average drops to 54 FPS, which is below 60 FPS.

Q: How does the performance at 1440p on High compare to 4K on Medium?

A: The average FPS at 2560x1440 on High is 87, while at 3840x2160 on Medium it is 95. The 4K Medium configuration provides a higher average frame rate than 1440p High.

Q: What is the most consistent frame rate experience offered by this setup?

A: The Medium preset provides the most consistent data, with recorded min and max FPS values. At 1920x1080, it ranges from 120 to 163 FPS; at 2560x1440, from 103 to 140 FPS; and at 3840x2160, from 81 to 110 FPS.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more likely to be the limiting factor at 1080p with Low settings?

A: The data suggests the CPU is the primary limiter. The FPS only drops from 170 at 1080p to 160 at 1440p, indicating that the GPU is not being fully utilized and the processor is capping the frame rate.

Q: How does the RTX 5090 D's performance compare to its closest rival in synthetic tests?

A: According to the data, its closest rival is the AMD Radeon RX 6650M XT, which it outperforms by 1.1% in average benchmark score. The AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT is 1.6% faster.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following is a detailed breakdown of the measured average FPS for the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D combination in The Medium.

At 1920x1080, the performance hierarchy is clear. The Low preset delivers the highest average FPS at 170. The Medium preset provides a substantial drop to 142 FPS, but with a measured range of 120 to 163 FPS, showing good frame pacing. The High preset averages 103 FPS, demonstrating a significant cost for the visual uplift from Medium. The Ultra preset is the most demanding, with an average of 82 FPS, which is 60 FPS lower than the Low preset.

Moving to 2560x1440, the same pattern holds but with lower overall numbers. The Low preset averages 160 FPS, showing a minor 10 FPS reduction from the 1080p result. The Medium preset averages 122 FPS, with a range of 103 to 140 FPS. The High preset sees a more substantial drop to 87 FPS, and the Ultra preset falls to 69 FPS. The performance gap between Low and Ultra at this resolution is 91 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the GPU load becomes the defining factor. The Low preset still manages a high average of 148 FPS. The Medium preset averages 95 FPS, with a range of 81 to 110 FPS. The High preset drops to 68 FPS, and the Ultra preset bottoms out at 54 FPS. This is the only resolution and preset combination where the average FPS falls below the 60 FPS threshold.

The data shows a consistent performance hierarchy across all resolutions: Low > Medium > High > Ultra. The performance cost of each setting step is not uniform; the jump from Low to Medium is significant, but the jump from High to Ultra is also very steep. For example, at 4K, the difference between Medium and High is 27 FPS, while the difference between High and Ultra is 14 FPS, showing that the Ultra preset is not a linear step up from High, but rather a disproportionately heavy load.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings preset for this combination depends on the user's target resolution and preference for frame rate versus visual fidelity.

For users with a 1920x1080 display, the High preset is a strong recommendation. It provides an average FPS of 103, which is well above the 60 FPS target and offers a significant visual improvement over Medium. The Ultra preset, with an average of 82 FPS, is also playable and delivers the highest visual quality, making it a viable option for those who prioritize image fidelity over maximum frame rate. The Medium preset is a good choice for those seeking very high refresh rates, offering 142 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the High preset is the best balance. The 87 FPS average is smooth and provides a great visual experience. The Ultra preset drops to 69 FPS, which is still above the 60 FPS target and would be suitable for players who want the best possible graphics and can tolerate slightly lower frame rates. For high-refresh-rate 1440p monitors, the Medium preset, at 122 FPS, is the most appropriate choice.

For 3840x2160 resolution, the choice is more constrained. The Medium preset, with an average of 95 FPS, delivers a very good experience and is the best option for maintaining a high frame rate. The High preset is also viable, with an average of 68 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS standard and offers a substantial visual upgrade over Medium. The Ultra preset is not recommended for 4K gaming, as the 54 FPS average falls below the 60 FPS threshold, which can lead to a less fluid experience. For users with a 4K display, the High preset offers the best balance of visual quality and performance, while Medium is the best choice for those who want to prioritize frame rate.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 7 7700 is a capable 8-core, 16-thread processor from the Zen 4 architecture. With a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz, it offers strong single-threaded performance, which is reflected in its benchmark scores. Its cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecore score of 1930 and passmark_single_thread score of 4063 are indicative of a processor that can handle game logic and physics calculations efficiently.

In The Medium, the CPU's role is most apparent at lower resolutions and settings. The data shows that at the Low preset, the frame rate is nearly identical between 1080p (170 FPS) and 1440p (160 FPS), suggesting that the GPU is not the limiting factor. The CPU's performance ceiling is likely being reached, preventing the GPU from rendering even more frames. This indicates that the Ryzen 7 7700 is more than sufficient for this game, and its performance is not a bottleneck until the GPU load is reduced to very low levels.

The processor's multi-threaded performance is also strong, with a cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicore score of 18760. This is useful for The Medium, which may utilize multiple cores for various tasks like AI, streaming, and level streaming. Its 32 MB of shared L3 cache helps with data access speeds. Overall, the data shows that the Ryzen 7 7700 provides a robust foundation for this game, ensuring that the system's performance is not unduly limited by the processor in most standard gaming scenarios. Its performance is very close to its nearest rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365, which is only 0.1% faster in average benchmark score.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D is a flagship graphics card based on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture. It features a massive 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 1.79 TB/s. This memory configuration is more than ample for The Medium at any resolution and settings, ensuring that texture streaming and high-resolution assets do not cause performance issues. Its core is also powerful, with a boost clock of 2407 MHz and 21760 shading units.

The GPU's role in The Medium is the primary determinant of performance at higher settings and resolutions. The measured FPS data shows a clear pattern where the frame rate drops significantly as the preset is increased from Medium to High to Ultra, and as the resolution is increased. For instance, at 3840x2160, the frame rate falls from 148 FPS on Low to just 54 FPS on Ultra. This demonstrates that the RTX 5090 D, despite being a top-tier card, is still taxed heavily by the game's most demanding visual effects.

The synthetic benchmarks for the GPU show it is a very powerful card. Its passmark_g3d score of 44065 places it in the 92nd percentile of all GPUs. However, its nearest rivals in the database are the AMD Radeon RX 6650M XT and RX 6850M XT, which are within 2% of its average benchmark score. This suggests that while the card is fast, its performance in synthetic tests is not overwhelmingly ahead of its direct competitors. In The Medium, the GPU's performance is the deciding factor for achieving high frame rates at 4K or with the Ultra preset. The card's high memory bandwidth and large frame buffer are key to its ability to handle the game's high-resolution textures without stuttering, but its raw compute power is what ultimately limits the frame rate at the most demanding settings.