The Medium

The Medium presents a demanding fixed-camera horror experience, and the combination of the Intel Core i5-13400F with the Intel Arc B570 produces a highly variable performance profile that hinges almost entirely on the graphics settings and resolution selected. The measured data reveals a system that can achieve playable frame rates at lower presets, but which is quickly overwhelmed by the game’s heavier visual options, particularly at higher resolutions. This analysis breaks down the specific performance metrics, explores the roles of the CPU and GPU, and provides a data-driven path to the best playable experience.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The frame rate scaling across resolutions tells a clear story about where the performance bottleneck lies in this pairing. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 78 FPS, but this drops to 66 FPS at 1440p and further to 52 FPS at 4K. This represents a 33% decrease in average frame rate from 1080p to 4K, which is a significant hit but not a catastrophic one. However, the pattern changes dramatically when looking at the Medium preset, where the average frame rate falls from 49 FPS at 1080p to 41 FPS at 1440p, and then plummets to 32 FPS at 4K—a 35% drop from 1080p to 4K. The scaling is even more punishing at the High preset, where the average frame rate goes from 35 FPS at 1080p to 29 FPS at 1440p, and then to 23 FPS at 4K, a 34% reduction.

The data suggests that the Intel Arc B570 is the primary limiting factor as resolution increases. The steep decline in performance when moving from 1440p to 4K, especially at Medium and High settings, indicates that the GPU’s rendering capabilities are being saturated. The frame rate drops are not linear, which points to the GPU hitting its memory bandwidth or shader processing limits. The relatively modest 33-35% performance penalty from 1080p to 4K, rather than a more severe drop, also hints that the GPU is not the only constraint; the CPU is likely contributing to the ceiling at lower resolutions, preventing the GPU from fully stretching its legs. The result is a system where 1080p is the most viable resolution for smooth gameplay, while 4K is only playable at the lowest settings.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Core i5-13400F is a 10-core, 16-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. Its benchmark scores suggest a strong mid-range performer, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 22604 and a single-core score of 3191. This level of single-thread performance is crucial for The Medium, a game that often relies on a single primary thread for gameplay logic. The processor’s 20 MB of shared L3 cache is also beneficial for keeping frequently accessed data close to the cores.

In this specific title, the CPU’s role appears to be that of a capable, but not overbearing, partner. At 1080p Low, where the GPU is less stressed, the CPU is able to push the frame rate to 78 FPS, indicating it is not the limiting factor at that preset. However, the fact that the frame rate does not scale perfectly with resolution suggests that the CPU is setting a hard ceiling. For instance, the jump from 52 FPS at 4K Low to 66 FPS at 1440p Low, and then to 78 FPS at 1080p Low, shows a clear dependency on the GPU’s workload. The CPU is likely able to feed the GPU with enough draw calls and physics calculations to sustain these frame rates, but it is not the component that dictates the final performance at higher settings. The processor’s 65W TDP and 10 nm process node are not directly visible in performance, but the benchmark results show it is a well-rounded chip that won't bottleneck the GPU in most scenarios, but it also doesn't have the raw single-thread power to overcome the GPU's limitations in this game. The data indicates the i5-13400F is a stable foundation, but the Arc B570 is the component that determines the playability envelope.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Arc B570 is the clear performance driver in this configuration, and its specifications explain the observed frame rates. It features 10 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 160-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 380.0 GB/s. The GPU has a base and boost clock of 2500 MHz, with 2304 shading units and 80 ROPs. These specs position it as a mid-range card, and its 65th percentile ranking among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 20556, confirms this. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile and the Intel Arc A750, with which it trades blows within a 0.1% margin in average score.

The GPU’s VRAM capacity and bandwidth are likely significant factors in The Medium's performance. The game’s higher presets, especially at 4K, demand substantial memory resources. The drop from 32 FPS at 4K Medium to 23 FPS at 4K High, and then to 18 FPS at 4K Ultra, suggests that the GPU is running out of both memory bandwidth and raw compute power. The 380 GB/s of bandwidth is a solid figure, but it appears insufficient for the highest settings at 4K. The 10 GB VRAM buffer is also a potential constraint, as the game’s textures at Ultra settings may be exceeding this capacity, leading to performance degradation. The GPU’s 11.52 TFLOPS of FP32 compute is a respectable number, but the data shows it is simply not enough to maintain playable frame rates at 4K on anything but the Low preset. The card's performance is more competitive at 1080p and 1440p, where its memory bandwidth is less of a limiting factor.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

In the broader context of all tested hardware combinations for The Medium, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i5-13400F and the Intel Arc B570 achieves a rank of 2321 out of 2911 combos. This places it in the bottom 20% of all tested systems, which is a sobering statistic. This low ranking is a direct reflection of the GPU’s inability to handle the game’s demanding presets at high resolutions. While the CPU is a solid performer, ranking in the 77th percentile of all CPUs, the GPU’s 65th percentile ranking and its specific struggles with this title drag the overall combo down.

The rank suggests that for a game like The Medium, which is known for its heavy visual effects and fixed-camera angles that still render large environments, the Arc B570 is a weak link. The combo is not performing at the level of more balanced mid-range systems. The data implies that many other configurations, likely those with more powerful GPUs, are able to achieve much higher frame rates. This ranking is a clear indicator that users should not expect high-refresh-rate or high-resolution experiences with this hardware. The performance is adequate for 1080p at lower settings, but it is far from being a top-tier combination. The fact that it is measured data, not an estimate, makes this ranking a definitive statement on the hardware's capabilities in this specific game.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The measured frame rates provide a comprehensive look at the performance envelope. At 1920x1080, the combo delivers an average of 78 FPS on Low, which is the only preset that achieves a fully smooth experience. The Medium preset averages 49 FPS, with a minimum of 41 FPS and a maximum of 56 FPS, indicating a playable but not perfectly stable frame time. High settings drop the average to 35 FPS, while Ultra brings it down to 28 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440, the Low preset still manages a respectable 66 FPS average. The Medium preset averages 41 FPS, with a range of 35 to 47 FPS. High settings at 1440p yield an average of 29 FPS, and Ultra drops to 23 FPS. At 3840x2160, the performance becomes marginal. The Low preset is the only one that remains playable, with an average of 52 FPS. The Medium preset averages 32 FPS, with a minimum of 27 FPS and a maximum of 37 FPS. High settings average 23 FPS, and Ultra averages just 18 FPS.

These numbers show a clear pattern: the Low preset is the only consistent choice for 60+ FPS gameplay, and only at 1080p. The Medium preset offers a playable experience at 1080p and 1440p, but it is not a locked 60 FPS. The High and Ultra presets are only suitable for slower, more atmospheric moments, and even then, they are often below 30 FPS. The data indicates that the system's sweet spot is 1080p Medium, which offers a balance of visual quality and performance. The minimum frame rates for Medium at all resolutions also show that there are occasional dips, which could be noticeable in fast-moving scenes.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured data, the optimal experience is achieved at 1920x1080 with the Medium preset. This setting provides an average of 49 FPS, with a minimum of 41 FPS, which is a playable and relatively stable frame rate for a horror game. Lowering to Low at 1080p yields 78 FPS, but the visual quality difference is likely significant. The Medium preset appears to be the best compromise, offering a substantial improvement over Low without the performance collapse seen at High and Ultra. For players with a 1440p monitor, the Medium preset is also the best choice, with an average of 41 FPS. This is a lower frame rate than at 1080p, but it may be acceptable for a slower-paced game like The Medium.

At 4K, the only viable option is the Low preset, which averages 52 FPS. While this is not ideal, it is the only way to achieve a playable frame rate at that resolution. The High and Ultra presets are not recommended, as they consistently drop below 25 FPS, which will likely result in a stuttering and unpleasant experience. The data suggests that players should prioritize frame rate stability over higher visual fidelity with this hardware. The Medium preset is the clear winner, providing the best balance of visuals and performance, and it is the recommended starting point for most users. The fact that the Medium preset has a reported minimum FPS also allows for a more accurate expectation of the experience.

FAQ

*Q: What is the best resolution and settings combination for this hardware in The Medium?*

A: The measured data shows that 1920x1080 with Medium settings provides the best balance, yielding an average of 49 FPS with a minimum of 41 FPS. This is the only preset that offers a consistently playable experience with decent visual quality.

*Q: Can this system run The Medium at 4K?*

A: Yes, but only at the Low preset, which achieves an average of 52 FPS. The Medium, High, and Ultra presets at 4K all fall below 33 FPS, with Ultra averaging just 18 FPS, making them not recommended for smooth gameplay.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B570 compare to its closest rivals?

A: The Arc B570 has an average benchmark score of 20556, placing it in the 65th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile, which scores 20534 (0.1% higher), and the Intel Arc A750, which scores 20582 (0.1% lower).

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the main bottleneck in this system?

A: The GPU is the primary limiting factor. The frame rate drops significantly with increased resolution and settings, indicating the Arc B570 is being overwhelmed. The CPU, while not a top-tier performer, is capable of supporting the frame rates seen at lower settings.

Q: What is the expected frame rate at 1440p with Medium settings?

A: The measured average frame rate is 41 FPS, with a minimum of 35 FPS and a maximum of 47 FPS. This is a playable experience for a horror title, but it is not a locked 60 FPS.

Q: How does this combination rank compared to all other tested systems?

A: This specific combo ranks 2321 out of 2911 tested combinations, placing it in the bottom 20% of all systems tested for The Medium. This low ranking is primarily due to the GPU's performance limitations in this title.