The Medium

The Medium is a demanding horror title that stresses both CPU and GPU, and the pairing of the Intel Core i5-10400F with the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT produces a clear, predictable pattern across its four quality presets. The measured frame rates indicate that this combination is capable of smooth playable performance, but only when the settings are chosen with an understanding of where the bottleneck lies. The data shows a straightforward relationship between resolution, graphical fidelity, and the resulting frame rate, making it easy to recommend a specific path for the best experience.

Settings Recommendations

For the best balance of visual quality and playable performance, the Medium preset at 2560x1440 is the optimal choice for this hardware combination. The benchmark results show an average of 58 FPS at this setting, which is comfortably above the threshold for smooth gameplay in a title like this. While the Low preset at the same resolution delivers a much higher 92 FPS, it does so by sacrificing the atmospheric detail that is central to the horror genre. High settings at 1440p drop the average to 41 FPS, which is a significant step down in fluidity.

At 1920x1080, the Medium preset is again the standout choice, delivering an average of 69 FPS with minimums recorded at 58 FPS. This provides a stable experience that will satisfy most players. The Low preset at this resolution reaches 106 FPS, which is excellent for high-refresh-rate displays, but it comes at the cost of visual fidelity. The jump from Medium to High at 1080p is steep, with the average falling to 49 FPS, indicating that the GPU is working hard to render the additional effects.

For players with a 4K display, the situation is more challenging. The Medium preset at 3840x2160 produces an average of 45 FPS, with minimums of 39 FPS and maximums of 52 FPS. This is playable but not ideal for a game that relies on tension and precise timing. The Low preset at 4K is a much safer bet, with an average of 73 FPS, though this will noticeably soften the image quality. The data suggests that the Ultra preset is not a viable option for this combo at any resolution, as it only manages an average of 26 FPS at 4K and 39 FPS at 1080p. The performance cost of Ultra is simply too high for the visual benefit it provides on this hardware.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-10400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor from the Comet Lake architecture, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. In synthetic benchmarks, it scores 10,283 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 1,451 in single-core, placing it in the 68th percentile of all CPUs. This level of performance is generally sufficient for gaming, but The Medium's engine appears to be heavily influenced by the GPU at the tested settings.

The benchmark results indicate that the CPU is not the primary limiting factor in most scenarios. The frame rate scaling from 1080p to 4K is substantial, which points to the GPU being the main bottleneck. For instance, at Medium settings, the average FPS drops from 69 at 1080p to 45 at 4K, a reduction of about 35%. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the frame rates would remain more consistent across resolutions. The 12 threads of the i5-10400F are likely sufficient to feed the Radeon RX 6700 XT without causing significant stalls, especially at higher graphical presets where the GPU workload is heavier.

The CPU's performance relative to its nearest rivals in the database further confirms its adequacy. It sits within 0.6% of the AMD EPYC 7552 and within 0.3% of the Intel Core 7 160UL in average benchmark score. This suggests that the i5-10400F is a solid, mid-range performer that will not hold back a mid-range GPU in most gaming scenarios. The data shows that the combination's frame rates are more responsive to changes in resolution and settings than to any CPU-bound limitation, reinforcing that the RX 6700 XT is the component that dictates the overall performance envelope.

FAQ

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

A: For a consistently smooth experience, the data recommends 2560x1440 with the Medium preset. This yields an average of 58 FPS, which is a good balance. At 1920x1080, the Medium preset yields 69 FPS, but the higher resolution offers a more immersive image with only a moderate performance cost.

Q: How does the Ultra preset perform on this hardware?

A: The Ultra preset is generally not recommended for this pairing. The measured performance shows it is very demanding, with an average of 39 FPS at 1080p, 33 FPS at 1440p, and 26 FPS at 4K. These frame rates are too low for a title that requires responsive controls and a steady frame time.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the primary bottleneck in this game?

A: The benchmark data indicates the GPU is the primary bottleneck. The frame rates scale significantly with resolution, dropping from 69 FPS at 1080p Medium to 45 FPS at 4K Medium. If the CPU were the main constraint, these numbers would be much closer together.

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

A: Yes, but with caveats. The Low preset at 3840x2160 delivers a solid 73 FPS average. The Medium preset is playable at 45 FPS, but it will be less fluid. The High and Ultra presets are not recommended at this resolution due to the low frame rates.

Q: How does the frame rate difference between Low and High settings compare?

A: The jump from Low to High is substantial. At 1080p, the average FPS drops from 106 to 49, a reduction of 57 FPS. At 1440p, it drops from 92 to 41. This shows a massive performance cost for the extra visual detail in the High preset.

Q: What is the most stable setting for maintaining a high minimum frame rate?

A: The data shows that the Medium preset at 1920x1080 is the most stable, with a minimum recorded FPS of 58. At 2560x1440 Medium, the minimum is 49 FPS. These minimums suggest a consistent frame pacing that avoids sudden stutters.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-10400F and the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT ranks 1983rd out of 3724 tested combinations for The Medium. This places it in the 47th percentile of all tested systems, meaning that a slight majority of other combinations in the database deliver higher frame rates in this specific game. This ranking is not a reflection of poor quality, but rather a consequence of the game's high demands and the fact that many tested combos include more powerful hardware.

This mid-pack ranking is consistent with the individual components' standings. The GPU, the RX 6700 XT, is in the 72nd percentile of all GPUs, indicating it is a solidly above-average performer. The CPU, the i5-10400F, is in the 68th percentile of all CPUs. While both are respectable, neither is a top-tier part, so their combination lands in the middle of the pack for a demanding title like The Medium. The data shows that the combo's performance is competitive with systems that feature slightly different hardware, but it is not designed to push the highest frame rates in this particular game. The ranking suggests that players with this setup should stick to the recommended settings to achieve a satisfying experience, as pushing beyond them will result in the frame rate drops seen in the measured data.

Resolution Scaling

The performance scaling across resolutions provides a clear picture of where the bottleneck lies. The data shows a consistent and significant drop in frame rates as the resolution increases. At Medium settings, the average FPS goes from 69 at 1920x1080, to 58 at 2560x1440, and finally to 45 at 3840x2160. This represents a 35% reduction in performance from 1080p to 4K.

This scaling pattern is a classic indicator of a GPU-bound scenario. The workload on the CPU remains relatively constant across these resolutions, as the game logic and draw calls are similar. However, the GPU must render an exponentially larger number of pixels at 4K, which directly impacts its performance. The i5-10400F is clearly able to keep up with the GPU's demands at all resolutions, as the frame rate is not hitting a wall that would indicate a CPU limitation. The difference between 1080p and 1440p is a 16% drop, while the difference between 1440p and 4K is a 22% drop, showing that the GPU is progressively more stressed as the pixel count increases.

The data for the Low preset further confirms this. The average FPS at 1080p Low is 106, which drops to 92 at 1440p, and then to 73 at 4K. Even at the lowest graphical settings, the GPU is still the limiting factor, as the frame rate continues to scale downwards with resolution. This reinforces that the Radeon RX 6700 XT is the component that determines the final performance in this title, and that the processor has enough headroom to support it across all tested resolutions.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following data represents the exact measured average frame rates for this combination in The Medium.

At 1920x1080:

• The Low preset delivers an average of 106 FPS.
• The Medium preset delivers an average of 69 FPS, with a minimum of 58 FPS and a maximum of 79 FPS.
• The High preset delivers an average of 49 FPS.
• The Ultra preset delivers an average of 39 FPS.

At 2560x1440:

• The Low preset delivers an average of 92 FPS.
• The Medium preset delivers an average of 58 FPS, with a minimum of 49 FPS and a maximum of 66 FPS.
• The High preset delivers an average of 41 FPS.
• The Ultra preset delivers an average of 33 FPS.

At 3840x2160:

• The Low preset delivers an average of 73 FPS.
• The Medium preset delivers an average of 45 FPS, with a minimum of 39 FPS and a maximum of 52 FPS.
• The High preset delivers an average of 32 FPS.
• The Ultra preset delivers an average of 26 FPS.

These numbers illustrate the performance envelope of the Intel Core i5-10400F and AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT pairing. The Low preset offers the highest frame rates at all resolutions, but the Medium preset is the sweet spot for visual quality, offering a playable experience at both 1080p and 1440p. The High and Ultra presets are too demanding for this combo, especially at higher resolutions, and should be avoided for a consistently smooth experience. The minimum FPS data for the Medium preset indicates that frame pacing is stable, which is crucial for a horror game where sudden drops can break immersion.