The Medium

The Medium presents a significant challenge for the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X paired with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650. The measured data shows this combination ranking at 3594 out of 3724 tested combos for this title, placing it in the bottom percentile of systems. This pairing of a modern, high-end CPU with an older, entry-level GPU creates a stark performance bottleneck that becomes increasingly apparent as resolution and settings are pushed higher. The following analysis breaks down the measured frames per second (FPS) data to explain exactly where this combo stands, what is limiting its performance, and which settings provide the most playable experience.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS data reveals a classic case of GPU-bound performance, where the workload on the graphics card increases dramatically with resolution. The scaling from 1080p to 4K is punishing for the GTX 1650, and the impact is visible across all settings presets.

At Low settings, the average FPS drops from 44 at 1920x1080 to 37 at 2560x1440, a reduction of 7 FPS. The jump to 3840x2160 is more severe, bringing the average down to 29 FPS, which is a 34% drop from the 1080p figure. This indicates that even at the lowest graphical load, the GPU is struggling to manage the pixel count of higher resolutions.

The Medium preset shows a similar trajectory. Starting at 27 FPS on 1080p, it falls to 23 FPS at 1440p and then to 18 FPS at 4K. The minimum FPS values for this preset also scale poorly: 23 at 1080p, 20 at 1440p, and 15 at 4K. This suggests that not only is the average performance decreasing, but the frame time consistency is also being negatively impacted.

The High preset pushes the GTX 1650 even harder. The average FPS at 1080p is 20, which drops to 16 at 1440p and bottoms out at 13 at 4K. The difference between 1080p and 4K here is 7 FPS, a 35% reduction. The Ultra preset is nearly unplayable, with average FPS of 16 at 1080p, 13 at 1440p, and just 10 at 4K.

These results strongly suggest that the GPU is the limiting component. The Ryzen 7 9700X, with its high core count and fast clocks, is not the bottleneck; the GTX 1650's 4 GB of VRAM and limited processing power are overwhelmed by the game's rendering demands at higher resolutions. The fact that the FPS drops consistently with resolution, regardless of settings, confirms that the pixel fill rate and memory bandwidth of the GTX 1650 are the primary constraints.

FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 1080p with Medium settings?

A: The measured average FPS is 27, with minimum and maximum values of 23 and 31 respectively.

Q: How does the combo rank among other tested systems for this game?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X + NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 combination ranks 3594 out of 3724 tested combos for The Medium.

Q: Is this system capable of running the game at 4K resolution?

A: According to the data, it is not a viable option. The highest average FPS at 3840x2160 is 29, but only on Low settings. On Medium, High, and Ultra, the average FPS is 18, 13, and 10 respectively, which are all below playable thresholds.

Q: What is the best resolution for playable performance?

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the average FPS exceeds 30. Even then, this is only achievable on the Low settings preset, which scores an average of 44 FPS.

Q: How does the GTX 1650's benchmark score compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The GTX 1650 has an average benchmark score of 7472. Its closest rival, the Intel Arc A310, has an average score of 7550, which is 1% higher. The AMD Radeon HD 8850M, with a score of 7447, is 0.3% lower.

Q: Does the CPU's performance have a significant impact on the game's FPS?

A: The data indicates that the CPU is not the primary bottleneck. The Ryzen 7 9700X has a high average benchmark score and ranks in the 86th percentile, but the FPS in The Medium scales heavily with resolution and settings, pointing to the GPU as the limiting factor.

How This Combo Ranks

The performance of this pairing in The Medium is definitively poor. With a combo rank of 3594 out of 3724, it sits in the bottom 3.5% of all tested combinations. This ranking is a direct result of the severe imbalance between the two components for this specific workload.

The CPU, AMD Ryzen 7 9700X, is a high-tier processor. Its average benchmark score of 37943 places it in the 86th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-14901E, which is only 0.1% faster, and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, also 0.1% faster. This shows the CPU is a powerful component capable of handling demanding tasks.

The GPU, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650, is the weak link. Its average benchmark score is 7472, placing it in the 40th percentile of all GPUs. It is an end-of-life product that is outclassed by even the Intel Arc A310, which scores 1% higher. The vast difference in percentile ranking (86th for the CPU vs 40th for the GPU) illustrates a massive performance gap.

In the context of The Medium, this gap means the CPU is often waiting for the GPU to finish rendering a frame. The game's performance is therefore almost entirely determined by the GTX 1650's capabilities. The high rank of the CPU does not translate to high FPS because the GPU cannot keep up, solidifying the combo's low standing at 3594. This is a textbook example of a CPU being held back by a GPU in a graphically intensive title.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of the system's capabilities at different settings and resolutions. The numbers are presented below, showing a clear and consistent pattern of performance degradation.

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Ultra: Average FPS is 16.
• High: Average FPS is 20.
• Medium: Average FPS is 27, with a minimum of 23 and a maximum of 31.
• Low: Average FPS is 44.

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Ultra: Average FPS is 13.
• High: Average FPS is 16.
• Medium: Average FPS is 23, with a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 26.
• Low: Average FPS is 37.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Ultra: Average FPS is 10.
• High: Average FPS is 13.
• Medium: Average FPS is 18, with a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 21.
• Low: Average FPS is 29.

The data reveals that the only configuration to break the 30 FPS barrier is 1080p with Low settings, achieving an average of 44 FPS. Every other combination falls below this threshold, with Ultra settings at any resolution resulting in single-digit or low-teens FPS. The 1080p Medium preset, at 27 FPS, is the highest average achievable with any semblance of visual quality, but it still falls short of a smooth 30 FPS target. The performance deltas between presets are consistent; for instance, moving from Low to Medium at 1080p costs 17 FPS, which is a significant 38.6% performance hit. This pattern is mirrored at 1440p and 4K, confirming that the GPU is the primary constraint.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 is the central factor limiting performance in The Medium. Its specifications and benchmark results clearly explain why this combo struggles. The GPU has 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 128.1 GB/s. This is a modest amount of memory for a game like The Medium, which likely requires substantial texture data. At higher resolutions, the demand for VRAM increases, and the 4 GB capacity is quickly saturated, which can lead to stuttering and texture pop-in, although the average FPS data alone cannot confirm this.

The GPU's compute capabilities are also limited. With 896 shading units and a boost clock of 1665 MHz, it offers an FP32 performance of 2.984 TFLOPS. This is a low figure for a modern game. The benchmark data supports this, with the GPU scoring 7880 in the Passmark G3D test and 35 in the DirectX 12 test. The low DirectX 12 score is particularly telling, as The Medium likely relies on modern graphics APIs. The GPU's overall percentile rank of 40 places it below the majority of other GPUs.

The GTX 1650 is the clear bottleneck. The data shows that as the resolution increases, the FPS drops in a linear fashion, which is a hallmark of a GPU struggling with fill rate and memory bandwidth. The CPU is not the issue; the GTX 1650 simply lacks the raw power to render the game's scenes smoothly at any setting above Low. The performance difference between the GPU's 40th percentile rank and the CPU's 86th percentile rank is vast, confirming that the GPU's age and entry-level positioning are the root cause of the poor frame rates.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X is a powerful processor that is not the limiting factor in this configuration. Its role is to feed the GPU with data, and in this case, it is doing its job exceptionally well. The CPU has 8 cores and 16 threads, based on the Zen 5 architecture. Its base clock is 3.80 GHz, and it can boost up to 5.50 GHz. This high clock speed is beneficial for gaming, as it reduces the time needed to process game logic and physics.

Its benchmark scores are excellent. For example, it scores 20485 in Cinebench R23 multicore and 2211 in the single-core test. Its 3DMark results are also strong, with a score of 9824 for 16 threads and 9771 for max threads. The CPU's average benchmark score of 37943 puts it in the 86th percentile, and it is within 0.4% of its nearest rivals. This indicates that the CPU is performing at the top of its class.

In the context of The Medium, the CPU's power is largely untapped. The evidence for this is that the FPS does not improve when the CPU is not stressed. For instance, the FPS drops consistently from 1080p to 4K, regardless of the CPU's state. The pair's combo rank of 3594 is not a reflection of CPU performance but rather a clear indication that the GPU cannot utilize the CPU's capabilities. The 9700X is ready for a much more powerful graphics card, but in this pairing, it is left waiting for the GTX 1650 to catch up.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the only way to achieve a playable experience is to prioritize performance over visual fidelity. The primary goal should be to maintain an average FPS above 30, which the data shows is only possible at a specific configuration.

The Low settings preset at 1920x1080 is the only option that provides a comfortable frame rate, with an average of 44 FPS. This should be the starting point for any user. This preset will sacrifice most graphical enhancements, but it is the only way to ensure a smooth, responsive experience. The game will appear less detailed, but it will be playable.

The Medium preset at 1080p is a marginal step up in quality but comes at a significant performance cost. With an average of 27 FPS, this is below the 30 FPS threshold but might be acceptable for some users who prefer visual quality over smoothness. The minimum FPS of 23 suggests there will be occasional stutters, which can be problematic in a horror game where timing is critical. It is a risky choice.

At 1440p or 4K, even the Low preset is not recommended. The average FPS at 1440p Low is 37, which is still playable, but the 4K Low preset, at 29 FPS, dips below the 30 FPS target. The High and Ultra presets are not viable at any resolution, as they all result in average FPS below 20, which is a slideshow. The data strongly suggests that users should stick to 1080p. If the stuttering from Medium is too distracting, then Low is the only sensible choice. The performance gap between Low and Medium is substantial, and the GTX 1650 cannot handle anything above the lowest settings in this title.