The Medium

The Medium presents an interesting case study in hardware scaling, and the combination of the Intel Core i5-12600KF with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER delivers a revealing dataset. The measured frames per second (FPS) across resolutions and settings suggest a system that is largely graphics-limited, but with nuances that point to specific strengths and weaknesses in the CPU-GPU pairing. This analysis digs into the data to understand where the bottleneck lies and how this combo stacks up against the broader field.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS data shows a clear and predictable trend: as resolution increases, average frame rates drop. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 164 FPS. Moving to 1440p Low drops that to 140 FPS, a 24 FPS decrease. At 4K Low, the average further falls to 110 FPS. This scaling pattern indicates that the system is becoming increasingly reliant on the GPU to fill pixels, which is expected as the workload shifts from the CPU to the graphics card.

However, the more telling story is in the High and Ultra settings. At 1080p High, the average is 75 FPS. At 1440p High, it drops to 63 FPS, and at 4K High, it plummets to 49 FPS. The gap between 1440p and 4K is a 14 FPS loss, which is significant. The Ultra preset tells a similar tale: 59 FPS at 1080p, 50 FPS at 1440p, and a demanding 39 FPS at 4K. The data suggests that the RTX 4070 SUPER is the primary limiting factor at higher resolutions and quality settings. The 4K Ultra result of 39 FPS is particularly telling, as it falls below the 60 FPS threshold that many consider the baseline for a smooth experience.

The scaling from Medium to High at 4K is also noteworthy. The Medium preset at 4K yields 69 FPS, while High drops to 49 FPS. This 20 FPS penalty for moving up one quality tier is substantial and implies that the High preset introduces a significant graphical workload that heavily taxes the GPU. The data indicates that at 4K, the user is often choosing between smoother gameplay at Medium or higher fidelity at a lower frame rate. The Low preset at 4K (110 FPS) shows the headroom available when the graphical load is reduced, confirming that the CPU is not the primary constraint in this title.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-12600KF is a 10-core, 16-thread processor with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. Its benchmark scores are solid, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23391 and a single-core score of 3302. In the context of The Medium, the CPU's role seems to be to feed the GPU enough data to keep it busy, a task it handles well at lower resolutions. The 1080p Low result of 164 FPS suggests that the processor is not holding the system back in less demanding scenes.

However, the scaling data implies a shift in the bottleneck. At 1080p High (75 FPS) and 1080p Ultra (59 FPS), the frame rates are lower than at 1080p Low, but the CPU is still likely providing enough throughput. The real question is whether the CPU becomes a limiting factor at high frame rates. The 1080p Low score of 164 FPS is the highest in the dataset, and the drop to 140 FPS at 1440p Low and 110 FPS at 4K Low suggests that the GPU is becoming the primary constraint even at the lowest settings. This indicates that the i5-12600KF has enough single-thread performance to push high frame rates, but the RTX 4070 SUPER cannot maintain those rates as the pixel count increases.

The processor's performance relative to its peers is interesting. Its average benchmark score of 27799 places it in the 79th percentile of all CPUs. The nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-10900K, which is 0.3% slower, and the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D, which is also 0.3% slower. This puts the i5-12600KF in a competitive position, suggesting it is not a weak link in the system. In The Medium, this means the CPU is likely delivering consistent frame pacing, but the data does not suggest it is the component driving the FPS differences between settings. The CPU appears to be a capable partner that rarely, if ever, becomes the limiting factor in this specific game.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER is a powerful graphics card with 12 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 504.2 GB/s. It has a boost clock of 2475 MHz and 7168 shading units. Its compute capabilities are substantial, with an FP32 performance of 35.48 TFLOPS. The benchmark results reflect this, with a Passmark G3D score of 29995 and a percentile ranking of 83 among all GPUs. This card is clearly designed for high-resolution gaming, but the data from The Medium shows its limits.

The GPU's role is most apparent in the resolution scaling. The drop from 1080p to 4K at High settings (75 to 49 FPS) is a 34.7% reduction, which is a heavy load. The 4K Ultra result of 39 FPS is a stark indicator that the card is struggling to maintain playable frame rates at the highest fidelity. The memory bandwidth of 504.2 GB/s is likely sufficient, but the sheer number of pixels and the complexity of the Ultra settings overwhelm the card's processing power. The data suggests that the RTX 4070 SUPER is a capable 1440p card for this game, but it is not a 4K Ultra card.

The comparison with its nearest rivals is telling. The RTX 4070 SUPER's average benchmark score of 43223 is nearly identical to the NVIDIA Quadro M6000 24 GB (0.1% slower) and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile (1% slower). This indicates that in synthetic tests, the card is performing as expected. However, in The Medium, the 4K results show that the card's real-world performance is more nuanced. The 12 GB of VRAM is not a limiting factor at these settings, but the GPU's compute units are. The data points to a card that excels at 1080p and 1440p, but at 4K, users must be selective with their settings to achieve a smooth experience.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations, this pairing of the Intel Core i5-12600KF and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER ranks 565 out of 3724 combos for The Medium. This places it in the top 15% of all tested systems, which is a strong showing. The rank suggests that this is a high-performing combination for this specific game, even if it does not achieve the absolute top-tier results that might be seen with more powerful components.

The ranking is a holistic measure, taking into account the measured FPS across all resolutions and settings. The fact that the combo ranks in the 565th position out of 3724 indicates that many other systems are slower, but a significant number are also faster. The data shows that this combo is well-balanced, with the CPU and GPU working well together to deliver solid performance. However, the 4K results, particularly at Ultra settings, likely prevent it from ranking higher. The combo is not a top-100 performer, but it is far from a budget or entry-level setup.

The rank also implies that the i5-12600KF is not a bottleneck that is dragging down the RTX 4070 SUPER. If the CPU were significantly underpowered, the combo would likely rank lower. The fact that it is in the top 15% suggests that the processor is providing adequate support for the graphics card. The data indicates that for users targeting 1080p or 1440p gaming, this combo is an excellent choice, and even at 4K, it can handle Medium or High settings with playable frame rates.

FAQ

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

A: The data shows that 1440p is the sweet spot. At Medium settings, the combo achieves 88 FPS, and at High, it gets 63 FPS. This provides a good balance between visual fidelity and smoothness, whereas 4K Ultra only reaches 39 FPS.

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

A: Yes, but with compromises. At 4K Medium, it averages 69 FPS, which is playable. However, at 4K High (49 FPS) and 4K Ultra (39 FPS), the frame rates drop below the 60 FPS threshold, indicating that lower settings are necessary for a consistently smooth experience.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor in this game?

A: The data indicates the GPU is the primary limiting factor at higher resolutions and settings. The FPS drops significantly from 1080p to 4K, especially at High and Ultra settings, while the CPU's performance relative to its rivals suggests it is not the bottleneck.

Q: How does the RTX 4070 SUPER compare to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The RTX 4070 SUPER has an average benchmark score of 43223, which is 0.1% slower than the NVIDIA Quadro M6000 24 GB and 1% slower than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile. This shows it is performing as expected for its class.

Q: What are the FPS differences between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, the Low preset averages 164 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 59 FPS. This is a difference of 105 FPS, showing a massive performance impact from the graphical settings.

Q: Does the combo rank well compared to other tested systems?

A: Yes, it ranks 565 out of 3724 tested combos for The Medium, placing it in the top 15% of all systems. This indicates it is a high-performing combination for this game.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a granular view of performance. At 1920x1080, the Low preset yields an average of 164 FPS. The Medium preset averages 104 FPS, with a minimum of 88 FPS and a maximum of 120 FPS. High settings produce 75 FPS, and Ultra drops to 59 FPS. This shows a clear hierarchy, with each increase in quality costing a significant number of frames.

Moving to 2560x1440, the Low preset averages 140 FPS. Medium settings yield 88 FPS, with a minimum of 75 FPS and a maximum of 101 FPS. High settings average 63 FPS, and Ultra drops to 50 FPS. The pattern continues, with the Medium preset showing a tighter range of frame times, suggesting more consistent performance.

At 3840x2160, the Low preset averages 110 FPS. Medium settings average 69 FPS, with a minimum of 59 FPS and a maximum of 79 FPS. High settings produce 49 FPS, and Ultra drops to 39 FPS. The 4K results are the most demanding, and the data shows that the GPU is heavily taxed, especially at High and Ultra settings. The Medium preset at 4K is the most balanced option, offering a playable average with a minimum above 60 FPS.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the best experience for this combo depends on the target resolution. For users with a 1080p monitor, the High preset (75 FPS) is a solid choice, offering a good balance of visuals and performance. Those seeking maximum smoothness can use the Medium preset (104 FPS), while the Ultra preset (59 FPS) is playable but may not be ideal for fast-paced action.

At 1440p, the Medium preset (88 FPS) is the recommended starting point, as it provides a high frame rate with good visual quality. The High preset (63 FPS) is also viable for those who prioritize fidelity, but the frame rate is lower. The Ultra preset (50 FPS) is acceptable but may feel less smooth. The data suggests that 1440p Medium is the sweet spot for this card.

For 4K displays, the Medium preset (69 FPS) is the clear recommendation. It is the only 4K setting that averages above 60 FPS, ensuring a mostly smooth experience. The High preset (49 FPS) is playable but will have noticeable dips, and the Ultra preset (39 FPS) is not recommended for a comfortable experience. The data shows that at 4K, users must compromise on settings to get playable frame rates, and the Medium preset is the best trade-off.