The Medium

The Medium is a demanding horror title, and the combination of the Intel Core i5-9400 with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 produces a specific performance profile that is heavily dependent on resolution and quality settings. The measured data shows this pairing ranks 1886 out of 2911 tested combos for this game, placing it in the lower-middle segment of the database. This rank indicates that while the combo is functional, it does not deliver top-tier frame rates, particularly at higher resolutions where the data shows significant performance degradation. The following analysis breaks down the benchmark results to explain how the CPU and GPU each contribute to the overall experience in The Medium.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo's rank of 1886 out of 2911 tested configurations places it in the 35th percentile of all tested systems for this specific game. This is a modest standing, suggesting that the hardware pairing is not optimized for The Medium's demanding visual load. The data indicates that the system will struggle to maintain high frame rates at maximum settings, but it can provide a playable experience at lower presets. The rank reflects a balance where the GPU is likely the primary limiting factor at higher resolutions, while the CPU's performance is adequate for the game's logic but may not be the bottleneck. When compared to the GPU's overall percentile of 66, the in-game rank is notably lower, suggesting that The Medium is a particularly demanding title that pulls this combo down relative to other games. The CPU's percentile of 47 is closer to the combo's in-game rank, hinting that the processor's capability is more aligned with the final result. The data shows a system that is capable of 1080p gaming but will require settings adjustments to achieve smooth frame rates, and the rank accurately reflects that it is not a high-end performer in this specific horror title.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 is the primary driver of visual performance, and its specifications directly explain the measured FPS results. It features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 320.0 GB/s. This memory configuration is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but at 4K, the capacity and bandwidth may become limiting factors, which is reflected in the benchmark data. The GPU's base clock is 2317 MHz with a boost clock of 2572 MHz, and it has 2560 shading units. In The Medium, the GPU's role is most evident in the scaling of frame rates with resolution. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 87 FPS, but this drops to 64 FPS at 4K on the same settings. This 26% reduction in performance from 1080p to 4K at Low settings shows that the GPU is being pushed harder at higher resolutions. The RTX 5050's architecture is Blackwell 2.0, built on a 5 nm process, and it supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, which is relevant for a modern title like The Medium. The GPU's benchmark scores also provide context: it scores 17326 in Passmark G3D and 2502 in 3DMark Steel Nomad, placing it in the 66th percentile of all GPUs. However, the game-specific data shows that even with this hardware, Ultra settings at 1440p will only yield an average of 29 FPS, indicating that the game's Ultra preset is exceptionally demanding. The GPU's performance is the dominant factor in the FPS differences between Low and Ultra presets, as the data shows a clear trend of diminishing returns at higher quality settings.

FAQ

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

A: Based on the measured FPS data, 1920x1080 is the most viable resolution for consistent performance. At 1080p with Medium settings, the combo achieves an average of 60 FPS, which is a solid baseline. Higher resolutions like 2560x1440 and 3840x2160 see significant drops, with 4K Ultra producing only 23 FPS on average.

Q: How does the combo perform at 4K resolution?

A: The data shows that 4K is challenging for this hardware. At 3840x2160, the average FPS ranges from 64 at Low settings to 23 at Ultra settings. The Medium preset at 4K yields an average of 40 FPS with minimums of 34 FPS, which may be playable for some but is below the 60 FPS target.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck in this combo?

A: The benchmark results indicate that the GPU is the primary limiting factor at higher resolutions. For example, going from 1080p Low to 4K Low drops the average FPS from 87 to 64, a 26% decrease that is entirely attributable to the GPU's workload. The CPU's performance, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6629, is sufficient to keep up at lower resolutions, but the GPU's rendering limits become apparent as resolution increases.

Q: What are the minimum FPS figures for the Medium settings?

A: The data provides minimum FPS figures only for the Medium preset at each resolution. At 1920x1080, the minimum is 51 FPS; at 2560x1440, it is 43 FPS; and at 3840x2160, it is 34 FPS. These minimums suggest that the Medium preset provides a relatively stable frame rate without severe dips.

Q: How does the RTX 5050 compare to its nearest rivals in the database?

A: The RTX 5050's average benchmark score is 21035, which is very close to its nearest rivals. It is 1.6% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, which scores 20713, and 0.6% behind the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL, which scores 21153. These small deltas indicate that the RTX 5050 performs in the same tier as these older GPUs.

Q: What is the combo's overall rank for The Medium?

A: The combo ranks 1886 out of 2911 tested combinations, placing it in the lower-middle portion of the database. This rank is a comprehensive measure of its performance in this specific game, reflecting its limitations at higher settings and resolutions.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of how this combo handles The Medium across different resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the system is most capable, with the Low preset producing an average of 87 FPS and the Medium preset achieving 60 FPS. The High preset drops to 43 FPS, while Ultra is the most demanding, yielding only 34 FPS on average. The Medium preset also shows a minimum FPS of 51 and a maximum of 69, indicating a playable range. Moving to 2560x1440, the performance decreases across the board. The Low preset averages 81 FPS, which is still smooth, but Medium drops to 51 FPS, High to 36 FPS, and Ultra to 29 FPS. The Medium preset at 1440p has a minimum of 43 FPS and a maximum of 58 FPS, showing a tighter but lower frame rate band. At 3840x2160, the GPU is clearly stressed. Low settings still manage an average of 64 FPS, but Medium falls to 40 FPS, High to 29 FPS, and Ultra to just 23 FPS. The Medium preset at 4K has a minimum of 34 FPS and a maximum of 46 FPS, which is below the desired 60 FPS target. This data shows a consistent pattern: each step up in resolution or quality preset reduces the average FPS, with the most drastic drops occurring at 4K. The difference between Low and Ultra at 1080p is 53 FPS, while at 4K it is 41 FPS, indicating that the Ultra preset is disproportionately heavy at lower resolutions. The system's performance is best described as capable for 1080p gaming, acceptable for 1440p with settings adjustments, and marginal for 4K.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-9400 provides the processing foundation for this combo, and its specifications are adequate for The Medium's requirements. It has 6 cores and 6 threads, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. This is a Coffee Lake architecture processor on a 14 nm process, and it supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus. The CPU's cache configuration includes 9 MB of shared L3 cache, which is sufficient for gaming workloads. In terms of synthetic benchmarks, the i5-9400 scores 6629 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 935 in single-core, placing it in the 47th percentile of all CPUs. Its average benchmark score is 2254, which is nearly identical to its nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core i7-1068NG7, which scores 2259, a delta of -0.2%. This indicates that the CPU is a mid-range performer, not a high-end part. In The Medium, the CPU's role is less critical than the GPU at higher resolutions, as the FPS drops from 1080p to 4K are primarily due to GPU load. However, at 1080p, the CPU's performance may be more relevant, as the data shows a 43 FPS difference between Low and Ultra presets. The CPU's 6-core configuration is adequate for the game's threading, but it does not provide the headroom seen in higher-end processors. The data suggests that the i5-9400 is not a bottleneck at lower settings, but it may limit performance in scenarios where the GPU is not fully saturated. The CPU's benchmark scores, such as a Geekbench multi-core score of 5141, confirm it is a capable mid-range part that pairs reasonably with the RTX 5050, though it is not a top-tier performer.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the user's target frame rate and resolution. For a smooth 60 FPS experience, the Medium preset at 1920x1080 is the best choice, as it delivers an average of 60 FPS with a minimum of 51 FPS. This provides a stable and playable experience without significant dips. If the user prioritizes higher visual fidelity, the High preset at 1080p yields 43 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for fast-paced action. The Low preset at 1080p offers the highest average FPS at 87, but it sacrifices visual quality. At 2560x1440, the Medium preset is the most balanced option, producing 51 FPS on average with a minimum of 43 FPS. This is acceptable for a horror game where a consistent frame rate is more important than extreme detail. The High preset at 1440p drops to 36 FPS, which may be too low for some users. For 4K, the Low preset is the only viable option for a playable frame rate, averaging 64 FPS. The Medium preset at 4K averages 40 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target and may cause noticeable stuttering. In summary, the data suggests that users should stick to 1080p Medium for a balanced experience, or 1440p Medium if they have a lower frame rate tolerance. The Ultra preset is not recommended at any resolution, as it produces average FPS below 35 in all cases, making it unsuitable for smooth gameplay.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS data reveals a clear pattern of performance degradation as resolution increases, which directly indicates the limiting component. From 1920x1080 to 2560x1440, the average FPS at Low settings drops from 87 to 81, a 7% decrease. From 1080p to 4K, the drop is more pronounced, with the Low preset falling from 87 to 64 FPS, a 26% reduction. This scaling is primarily due to the GPU's workload, as the RTX 5050 must render more pixels at higher resolutions. The CPU's performance, with its 6 cores and 6 threads, is sufficient to maintain frame rates at lower resolutions, but it is not the reason for the FPS drop. The data shows that at 4K, even the Low preset cannot maintain 60 FPS, which confirms that the GPU is the bottleneck. The Medium preset shows a similar trend: 60 FPS at 1080p, 51 FPS at 1440p, and 40 FPS at 4K. This represents a 33% drop from 1080p to 4K. The High preset is even more affected, falling from 43 FPS at 1080p to 36 FPS at 1440p and 29 FPS at 4K, a 33% reduction. The Ultra preset is the most demanding, with 34 FPS at 1080p, 29 FPS at 1440p, and 23 FPS at 4K, a 32% drop. These percentages are consistent across presets, indicating that the GPU's rendering capabilities are the primary constraint. The CPU's role is secondary, as its performance does not change with resolution. This analysis shows that users should expect a significant performance penalty when moving to 4K, and the system is best suited for 1080p or 1440p gaming, where the GPU can deliver more stable frame rates.