The Medium

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a 6-core, 6-thread processor from the Coffee Lake generation, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. This configuration provides a solid foundation for gaming, though its lack of hyper-threading means it relies on raw clock speed rather than additional logical cores. In The Medium, a horror title that often presents complex scenes, the CPU's performance ceiling is reflected in its benchmark scores: a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6629 and a single-core score of 935. The processor sits at the 47th percentile among all CPUs, indicating it is a mid-range part. Its nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500, have average scores within 0.4% of the i5-9400, confirming its position in a tightly contested performance band; the data shows it performs comparably to these chips, with deltas of -0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4% respectively.

For a game like The Medium, which is known for its fixed camera angles and detailed environments, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and manage game logic. The i5-9400's 9 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR4 memory support (with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth) are adequate for this task, but the absence of extra threads can be a limiting factor in scenes with high entity counts. The measured FPS data suggests that the CPU is not the primary bottleneck at lower settings, but its influence becomes more apparent when frame rates are high; for instance, at 1080p Low, the combo reaches 87 FPS, which is a significant jump from the 39 FPS at 1080p Ultra, indicating that the GPU is taking on more work at higher settings, while the CPU holds steady. The processor's 65 W TDP and end-of-life production status further define it as a mainstream part from its era, but its performance in this title remains competent, as the benchmark results do not show extreme frame drops that would indicate a severe CPU limitation.

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Core i5-9400 compare to its closest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The data shows the i5-9400 has an average benchmark score of 2254, placing it nearly even with the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 (2259, delta -0.2%) and the Intel Core i7-10710U (2248, delta 0.3%). It also closely matches the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 (2246, delta 0.4%) and the Intel Core i3-10305 (2264, delta -0.4%), meaning performance differences are negligible.

Q: What is the best FPS the i5-9400 and RTX 4060 combo achieves in The Medium?

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 87 at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. At the same resolution with Medium settings, the average drops to 68 FPS, while High and Ultra yield 49 and 39 FPS respectively.

Q: Is the RTX 4060 the limiting factor at 4K resolution in this game?

A: Yes, the benchmark results indicate a GPU bottleneck at 3840x2160. At Ultra settings, the average FPS falls to 25, while at Low settings it rises to 72 FPS. This wide gap (47 FPS difference) between Low and Ultra at 4K shows the GPU's workload scaling is the primary constraint, as the CPU's performance remains constant.

Q: How does the combo rank among all tested configurations for The Medium?

A: The combo ranks 2094 out of 3724 tested combos, placing it in the middle of the pack. This position suggests that while the hardware is capable, there are many other configurations that deliver higher frame rates in this specific title.

Q: What is the difference between Medium settings at 1080p and 1440p?

A: At 1920x1080 with Medium settings, the average FPS is 68, with a minimum of 58 and maximum of 78. At 2560x1440 with Medium settings, the average FPS drops to 57, with a minimum of 49 and maximum of 66. The 11 FPS reduction indicates a moderate performance hit when increasing resolution.

Q: Does the CPU's single-core performance affect the game's frame rates?

A: The CPU's single-core scores are modest, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 935 and a Geekbench single-core score of 1389. In The Medium, the measured FPS at 1080p Low (87 FPS) versus 1080p Ultra (39 FPS) suggests that while the CPU can handle high frame rates, it is not the primary driver of performance differences; the GPU's settings-dependent workload dominates the frame rate changes.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern of performance degradation as resolution increases, which is typical for a GPU-bound scenario. At 1920x1080, the average FPS across settings ranges from 39 (Ultra) to 87 (Low), with Medium at 68 and High at 49. Moving to 2560x1440, the averages decrease to 32 (Ultra), 82 (Low), 57 (Medium), and 41 (High). At 3840x2160, the averages drop further to 25 (Ultra), 72 (Low), 45 (Medium), and 32 (High). The relative consistency in Low settings across resolutions (87 to 82 to 72 FPS) suggests that the CPU is still capable of delivering high frame rates even at 4K, but the GPU's rendering load increases substantially.

The scaling from 1080p to 4K at Low settings shows only a 17% reduction in FPS (87 to 72), indicating that the RTX 4060 can handle the geometry and texture work at lower fidelity without severe penalties. However, at Ultra settings, the drop from 1080p to 4K is more dramatic: 39 to 25 FPS, a 36% decrease. This indicates that the GPU's pixel throughput and memory bandwidth become critical at higher resolutions with maxed-out effects. The GPU has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus with 272.0 GB/s bandwidth, which is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p but strained at 4K Ultra. The data shows that the limiting component shifts from a balanced load at 1080p to a clear GPU bottleneck at 4K, especially when settings are raised.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combos for The Medium, this configuration holds a rank of 2094 out of 3724, placing it in the 56th percentile of all tested systems. This rank is derived from the measured FPS across all resolutions and settings, and it reflects the hardware's overall capability in this specific title. The combo's position suggests that it outperforms a majority of tested configurations, but there is significant headroom for improvement with more powerful components. The CPU's 47th percentile and the GPU's 61st percentile among their respective categories indicate that the GPU is the stronger component in this pairing, which aligns with the resolution scaling data showing GPU-bound behavior at higher settings.

Compared to the CPU's nearest rivals, which have average scores within 0.4%, the i5-9400 is not a differentiator; the GPU is the primary driver of the combo's rank. The RTX 4060's average benchmark score of 17639 places it at the 61st percentile, with rivals like the AMD Radeon HD 7790 (17666, delta -0.2%) and AMD Radeon 780M (17588, delta 0.3%) showing similar synthetic performance. However, in The Medium, the measured FPS data is the definitive metric, and the combo's rank of 2094 indicates that it delivers a playable experience at most settings, but not a top-tier one. The data does not include comparisons to other specific combos, so the rank must be interpreted as a general position within the tested pool.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the lowest resolution tested, the combo achieves an average of 87 FPS on Low settings, which is the highest frame rate recorded in the entire dataset. The Medium preset delivers 68 FPS with a minimum of 58 and a maximum of 78, while High drops to 49 FPS. Ultra is the most demanding, with an average of 39 FPS. These numbers suggest that 1080p is well within the RTX 4060's comfort zone, and even Ultra settings remain playable, though not at high refresh rates.

At 2560x1440, the performance decreases as expected. Low settings yield 82 FPS, which is still smooth, while Medium produces 57 FPS (min 49, max 66). High settings average 41 FPS, and Ultra falls to 32 FPS. The step from 1080p to 1440p costs roughly 5-10 FPS at each settings level, which is a moderate penalty. At 3840x2160, the GPU is clearly strained. Low settings still manage 72 FPS, but Medium drops to 45 FPS (min 38, max 52), High averages 32 FPS, and Ultra falls to 25 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra at 4K is 47 FPS, which underscores the GPU's limited ability to handle high-fidelity effects at this resolution. The data shows that the combo is best suited for 1080p or 1440p gaming, with 4K only viable at Low settings.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS rows, the optimal experience depends on the target resolution and desired smoothness. At 1920x1080, the Medium preset offers the best balance, with an average of 68 FPS and a minimum of 58 FPS, ensuring consistent frame pacing without dropping below 60 FPS. High settings at 49 FPS are playable but may exhibit noticeable stutter in action sequences. Ultra at 39 FPS is not recommended for a smooth experience, as it approaches the lower bounds of playability.

At 2560x1440, the Medium preset remains the best choice, with an average of 57 FPS and a minimum of 49 FPS. This provides a good gaming experience, though the minimum dips below 60 FPS. Low settings at 82 FPS are the only option for a locked 60+ FPS experience at this resolution, making it suitable for competitive play or if frame rate is the priority. High (41 FPS) and Ultra (32 FPS) are not ideal for this title, as they may result in noticeable slowdowns.

At 3840x2160, the only viable preset is Low, which delivers 72 FPS on average. Medium settings drop to 45 FPS, which is borderline playable, but the minimum of 38 FPS could result in choppy scenes. High (32 FPS) and Ultra (25 FPS) are below the threshold for smooth gameplay, making them unsuitable for a horror game that relies on atmosphere and timing. The data indicates that the Medium preset is the sweet spot for 1080p and 1440p, while 4K users should stick to Low settings.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is the dominant component in this combo, and its specifications directly influence the measured FPS in The Medium. The GPU features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering 272.0 GB/s of bandwidth. This memory configuration is a key factor in the resolution scaling observed; at 4K, the higher memory pressure causes significant frame rate drops at Ultra settings. The GPU's boost clock of 2460 MHz and base clock of 1830 MHz, combined with 3072 shading units and 24 RT cores, provide the compute power needed for the game's effects.

The RTX 4060's performance in synthetic benchmarks places it at the 61st percentile among all GPUs, with an average score of 17639. Its nearest rivals, such as the AMD Radeon HD 7790 and AMD Radeon 780M, have scores within 0.5% of the RTX 4060, indicating that this GPU sits in a specific performance tier. In The Medium, the GPU's role is pronounced: the measured FPS at 1080p Low (87 FPS) versus 4K Ultra (25 FPS) shows a 62 FPS swing, which is entirely attributable to the GPU's rendering load. The GPU's TDP of 115 W and suggested PSU of 300 W indicate it is a power-efficient part, but its 8 GB VRAM is a limiting factor at higher resolutions in this title.

The data shows that the RTX 4060 is capable of handling the game at 1080p and 1440p with balanced settings, but it struggles at 4K with high fidelity. The GPU's 128-bit memory interface and 272.0 GB/s bandwidth are adequate for 1080p, but at 4K, the pixel throughput requirements exceed what the memory system can efficiently deliver, causing the frame rate to plummet at Ultra settings. The GPU's role is therefore central to the combo's performance, and its limitations define the playable settings at each resolution.