The Medium

# Resolution Scaling

The Medium presents a clear performance curve as resolution climbs from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160. At Medium settings — the only preset with full min/max data across all three resolutions — the average frame rate drops from 72 FPS at 1080p to 61 FPS at 1440p, then further to 48 FPS at 4K. That represents a 15% reduction moving from 1080p to 1440p, and a 21% reduction moving from 1440p to 4K. The cumulative drop from 1080p to 4K is 33%, which is meaningful but not catastrophic.

Looking at the High preset, the scaling pattern shifts. At 1080p, the combo produces 51 FPS average. At 1440p, that falls to 43 FPS — a 16% decline. At 4K, the average drops to 34 FPS, another 21% decline from 1440p. The trend suggests that each resolution step imposes a similar relative cost, indicating the rendering load scales predictably with pixel count.

The Low preset behaves differently. Here, 1080p delivers 115 FPS, 1440p delivers 97 FPS, and 4K delivers 76 FPS. The percentage drops are 16% from 1080p to 1440p and 22% from 1440p to 4K. Interestingly, the absolute gap between Low and High settings widens at higher resolutions. At 1080p, Low beats High by 64 FPS; at 4K, Low beats High by 42 FPS. This suggests that at lower resolutions, the CPU has more headroom to feed the GPU, while at 4K the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck.

Ultra settings tell a sobering story. At 1080p, Ultra averages 41 FPS. At 1440p, that drops to 34 FPS. At 4K, Ultra averages just 27 FPS. The gap between Medium and Ultra at 4K is 21 FPS, while at 1080p it is 31 FPS. This compression at higher resolutions indicates that the GPU is being pushed to its limits regardless of settings, and the differences between presets shrink as pixel count dominates.

The data implies a system that is balanced enough for 1080p gaming but increasingly GPU-limited as resolution rises. At 4K, even Low settings only reach 76 FPS, which is playable but far from high-refresh territory. The scaling behavior suggests that the limiting component shifts from CPU-bound at 1080p Low to firmly GPU-bound at 4K Ultra.

# GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 7700 sits at the 58th percentile among all GPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 15,852. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon R9 370X at 15,862 (0.1% slower), the AMD Radeon RX 9060 at 16,014 (1% faster), the AMD Radeon Pro W5500 at 15,679 (1.1% slower), and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti at 16,129 (1.7% faster). These are extremely tight margins, placing the RX 7700 in a crowded mid-range performance tier.

The GPU packs 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering 624.1 GB/s of bandwidth. This memory configuration is generous for a card in this performance class, and The Medium's measured results suggest that memory capacity is not a limiting factor. The card's boost clock reaches 2459 MHz, with a game clock of 2041 MHz and base clock of 1900 MHz. The 2560 shading units and 40 ray tracing cores provide the compute foundation for the game's rendering demands.

The GPU's 5 nm process node and RDNA 3.0 architecture allow for substantial clock speeds, which help explain why the card can maintain playable frame rates at 1440p in most presets. However, the 4K results reveal the card's limitations. At 4K Ultra, the combo averages 27 FPS, which is below the threshold for smooth gameplay. Even at 4K High, the 34 FPS average is borderline. The card appears to hit a computational ceiling around 4K, where pixel throughput demands outpace what the 25.18 TFLOPS FP32 performance can deliver.

The 96 ROPs and 160 TMUs contribute to texture fill and pixel output rates of 236.1 GPixel/s and 393.4 GTexel/s respectively. These figures help contextualize why the card performs better at lower resolutions — the fill rate requirements scale with pixel count, and 4K demands four times the pixels of 1080p. The memory bandwidth of 624.1 GB/s is substantial, but the data shows that raw compute, not bandwidth, appears to be the bottleneck in The Medium's most demanding settings.

The card's 200 W TDP and dual-slot design suggest it is a mainstream power envelope, and the PCIe 4.0 x16 interface provides adequate bandwidth for the game's data transfer needs. The 16 GB VRAM is likely never fully utilized in this title, as the frame rate drops at 4K are more consistent with compute limitations than memory capacity issues.

# How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X and AMD Radeon RX 7700 ranks 1,307 out of 2,911 tested combos in The Medium. This places it in the 44.9th percentile of all combinations — slightly below the median. The rank suggests that while this system is capable of running the game, it does not stand out as a particularly high-performing pairing.

The CPU itself ranks at the 87th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 41,376. Its nearest rivals are the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H at 41,263 (0.3% faster), the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H at 41,215 (0.4% faster), the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 at 41,208 (0.4% faster), and the Intel Core i7-14650HX at 41,576 (0.5% slower). The CPU is extremely competitive with these alternatives, all within a 1% margin.

The GPU's 58th percentile ranking is notably lower than the CPU's 87th percentile. This mismatch helps explain the combo's overall ranking. A stronger GPU would likely push this combo higher in the rankings, as the CPU clearly has headroom to support faster graphics hardware. The data suggests that the RX 7700 is the limiting component in this pairing, at least in terms of how the combo ranks against other tested configurations.

The 1,307th rank out of 2,911 combos means roughly 55% of tested systems outperform this configuration in The Medium. However, the measured FPS data shows that the combo still delivers playable performance in most scenarios, particularly at 1080p and 1440p with Medium or High settings. The rank is a relative measure, and the absolute performance is sufficient for the game's requirements.

What is notable is the gap between the CPU's strong percentile ranking and the combo's middling overall rank. This suggests that many of the combos ranked above this one pair the Ryzen 9 5900X with more powerful GPUs, or pair similarly capable CPUs with faster graphics cards. The combination's performance ceiling in The Medium is set by the GPU, not the CPU.

# Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the combo delivers its strongest results. Low settings produce an average of 115 FPS, which is well above the threshold for smooth gameplay on high-refresh monitors. Medium settings average 72 FPS, with a minimum of 61 FPS and maximum of 83 FPS — a tight range indicating consistent frame pacing. High settings average 51 FPS, which is playable but with less headroom. Ultra settings average 41 FPS, which is the minimum for acceptable smoothness in a horror title that relies on atmospheric tension.

At 2560x1440, the performance drops are noticeable but manageable. Low settings average 97 FPS, still excellent for competitive or fast-paced play. Medium settings average 61 FPS, with a minimum of 51 FPS and maximum of 70 FPS. The minimum frame rate of 51 FPS suggests occasional dips that could be perceptible in demanding scenes. High settings average 43 FPS, which is starting to feel constrained. Ultra settings average 34 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target and may result in a less immersive experience.

At 3840x2160, the combo struggles to maintain high frame rates. Low settings average 76 FPS, which is respectable for 4K. Medium settings average 48 FPS, with a minimum of 40 FPS and maximum of 55 FPS. The 40 FPS minimum indicates that the game can dip into less smooth territory during intense moments. High settings average 34 FPS, which is at the edge of playability. Ultra settings average 27 FPS, which is not recommended for a smooth experience.

The Medium settings preset provides the most complete data, with min/max values recorded for all three resolutions. This allows for a detailed analysis of frame time consistency. At 1080p, the range is 61 to 83 FPS, a spread of 22 FPS. At 1440p, the range is 51 to 70 FPS, a spread of 19 FPS. At 4K, the range is 40 to 55 FPS, a spread of 15 FPS. The narrowing range at higher resolutions suggests that the GPU is becoming more consistently saturated, with less variation in frame delivery.

# CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is a 12-core, 24-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer. It operates at a base clock of 3.70 GHz and boosts up to 4.80 GHz. The CPU's 64 MB of L3 cache and dual-channel DDR4 memory support with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth provide a solid foundation for gaming workloads.

The CPU's benchmark scores are impressive. In Cinebench R23, it scores 16,262 in multicore and 1,527 in single-core. In Geekbench, it scores 14,118 in multicore and 2,083 in single-core. The PassMark multithread score is 39,002, and the single-thread score is 3,469. These figures indicate a processor that excels in both lightly-threaded and heavily-threaded workloads.

For The Medium, the CPU's role becomes evident when examining the frame rate scaling across resolutions. At 1080p Low, the combo achieves 115 FPS. This high frame rate suggests that the CPU can feed the GPU adequately at lower resolutions. The 3DMark scores reinforce this: 9,075 for 16 threads, 10,075 for max threads, and 941 for single-thread. The single-thread score is relevant because many game engines still rely heavily on a few primary threads.

However, the data indicates that the CPU is not the primary bottleneck in this combination. At 4K Ultra, the frame rate drops to 27 FPS, a level that is far below what the CPU could theoretically support. The CPU's 2-thread score of 1,852 and 4-thread score of 3,588 suggest that it has ample single-core and multi-core capability to handle the game's logic and rendering commands.

The CPU's 87th percentile ranking among all CPUs means it outperforms the vast majority of processors in the database. Its nearest rivals, all within 0.5% performance, include both Intel and AMD mobile and desktop parts. This indicates that the Ryzen 9 5900X is a mature, well-performing processor that is unlikely to hold back the GPU in most gaming scenarios.

The PassMark data compression score of 499,968 and data encryption score of 31,106 highlight the CPU's strong integer and memory throughput capabilities. These factors contribute to consistent frame delivery in games like The Medium that require real-time asset decompression and streaming. The CPU's 105 W TDP and 7 nm process node from TSMC represent a balance of performance and efficiency.

# Settings Recommendations

The measured data provides clear guidance for optimal settings. At 1920x1080, Medium settings offer the best balance of performance and visual quality, with an average of 72 FPS and a minimum of 61 FPS that stays above the 60 FPS threshold. The 61 FPS minimum ensures that even demanding scenes remain smooth. High settings at 1080p drop to 51 FPS average, which is acceptable but lacks the headroom of Medium.

At 2560x1440, Medium settings are again the recommended choice. The 61 FPS average with a 51 FPS minimum provides mostly smooth gameplay, though the minimum dips below 60 FPS. Low settings at 1440p deliver 97 FPS, which is excellent for players who prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity. High settings at 43 FPS and Ultra at 34 FPS are less desirable for a game that benefits from smooth motion.

At 3840x2160, the recommendation shifts. Low settings produce 76 FPS average, making it the only preset at 4K that consistently exceeds 60 FPS. Medium settings at 48 FPS average with a 40 FPS minimum may be playable for some, but the low minimum indicates potential stutter. High and Ultra settings at 34 and 27 FPS respectively are not recommended for a smooth experience.

The overall recommendation depends on the player's display resolution. For 1080p displays, Medium settings provide the best experience per the measured data, offering 72 FPS average with a minimum of 61 FPS. For 1440p displays, Medium settings are viable at 61 FPS average, though players sensitive to frame drops may prefer Low at 97 FPS. For 4K displays, Low settings at 76 FPS is the only preset that maintains high frame rates.

The Medium settings preset shows the most consistent performance across all resolutions, with the smallest relative drop from 1080p to 4K among all presets. This suggests that Medium is the sweet spot for this hardware combination, providing a good balance of GPU load and visual output. The Ultra preset, while visually impressive, pushes the GPU beyond its comfort zone at all resolutions.

Players should also consider the game's horror genre, where atmosphere and tension are paramount. A stable frame rate is crucial for immersion, and the data shows that Medium settings at 1080p or 1440p provide the stability needed for an engaging experience without sacrificing too much visual detail.

# FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this CPU/GPU combo in The Medium?

A: Based on the measured data, 1920x1080 with Medium settings provides the best experience, averaging 72 FPS with a minimum of 61 FPS. At 2560x1440, Medium averages 61 FPS but dips to 51 FPS minimum. At 3840x2160, even Low settings only reach 76 FPS, while Medium drops to 48 FPS.

Q: How does the Ryzen 9 5900X compare to its nearest CPU rivals?

A: The Ryzen 9 5900X has an average benchmark score of 41,376, ranking at the 87th percentile. It trails the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H by 0.3%, the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H by 0.4%, and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 by 0.4%, while leading the Intel Core i7-14650HX by 0.5%.

Q: Is the RX 7700 GPU or the Ryzen 9 5900X CPU the bottleneck in this game?

A: The GPU is the limiting factor. The CPU ranks at the 87th percentile while the GPU ranks at the 58th percentile. At 4K Ultra, the combo only achieves 27 FPS, far below what the CPU could support. The frame rate drops at higher resolutions indicate GPU-bound performance.

Q: What is the frame rate difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, Low settings average 97 FPS while Ultra settings average 34 FPS. This is a difference of 63 FPS. For comparison, at 1080p the difference is 74 FPS (115 vs 41), and at 4K the difference is 49 FPS (76 vs 27).

Q: How does this combo rank among all tested combinations in The Medium?

A: This combo ranks 1,307 out of 2,911 tested combos, placing it in the 44.9th percentile. This is below the median, indicating that most tested systems outperform this configuration in this specific game.

Q: Does increasing resolution affect the minimum frame rate proportionally?

A: No. At Medium settings, the minimum frame rate drops from 61 FPS at 1080p to 51 FPS at 1440p (16% reduction), then to 40 FPS at 4K (22% reduction from 1440p). The minimum frame rate drops are slightly steeper than the average frame rate drops, indicating less frame time consistency at higher resolutions.