The Medium

The Intel Core i7-12700K paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 is a high-end combination from the previous generation, and in The Medium, the data shows a system that is firmly capable of handling the game’s horror atmosphere, though the demands of its fixed-camera angles and heavy post-processing are evident. The benchmark results reveal a pairing where the GPU is the primary driver of performance, with the CPU providing ample headroom. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS data to explain how the components interact, how the combo ranks against other tested systems, and what settings you should use for the best experience.

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

The Intel Core i7-12700K is a 12-core, 20-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture. It operates at a base clock of 3.60 GHz and can boost up to 5.00 GHz, giving it strong single-thread performance that is often relevant for game logic and frame pacing. The CPU’s benchmark scores are solid, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 19784 and a single-core score of 1850.5. In the context of this game, the CPU does not appear to be a bottleneck; the data shows that performance scales almost entirely with resolution and graphics settings, which is characteristic of a GPU-bound workload.

The 12 cores and 20 threads are more than sufficient for The Medium, a game that does not typically stress high core counts. The processor’s ability to push high frame rates at lower resolutions is evident in the 1920x1080 Low setting result, where the combo achieves 143 FPS. This suggests that the CPU can feed the GPU efficiently even when the graphical load is light. The benchmark data for the CPU places it at the 84th percentile against all CPUs, indicating it is a strong performer, though not at the absolute top tier. Its nearest rivals show it is essentially tied with the Intel Core i5-13600T, with a deltaPct of -0.1, and the Intel Core i7-12700KF, with a deltaPct of -0.2. This means that for this game, the i7-12700K is providing a level of performance that is statistically indistinguishable from these alternatives, reinforcing that CPU choice is not the deciding factor in these results.

The game’s performance at 1080p with Medium settings (90 FPS) and High settings (64 FPS) shows a clear drop as the graphical workload increases. This is a classic sign that the GPU is the limiting component, as the CPU is capable of maintaining higher frame rates if the GPU could render them. The 143 FPS at Low settings is a clear indication that the CPU can support very high frame rates, but the GPU’s workload at higher settings prevents it from reaching that ceiling. For a horror game like The Medium, where atmosphere and visual fidelity are key, the CPU’s role is to ensure that the GPU is never starved for data, and the data confirms it does this job well.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 is the star of this show, and the measured FPS data shows that its capabilities directly dictate the experience. This GPU features 10 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 320-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 760.3 GB/s. The memory clock runs at 1188 MHz, which translates to 19 Gbps effective. The GPU’s base clock is 1440 MHz, with a boost clock of 1710 MHz. These specifications are more than adequate for The Medium at 1080p and 1440p, but the data shows that at 4K, the card struggles with the most demanding presets.

The RTX 3080’s benchmark scores, such as a Passmark G3D score of 25086 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 4407, place it at the 68th percentile of all GPUs. This is a strong result, but the nearest rivals listed are surprising, with the NVIDIA P106-100, AMD Radeon Pro Vega 16, and AMD Radeon RX 6600M all showing deltaPct values of -0.3 to -0.4. This indicates that in the broader benchmark database, the RTX 3080 is performing right at the edge of a cluster of other GPUs, which is a statistical quirk rather than a reflection of its gaming capabilities. In The Medium specifically, the GPU’s performance is what matters, and the data shows it is a capable 1440p card, but a 4K card only at lower settings.

The 10 GB of VRAM is a crucial factor. At 4K with Ultra settings, the average FPS drops to 34, which is likely due to both the raw compute load and the memory requirements of the high-resolution textures. The data does not show a hard VRAM limit, but the significant frame rate drop from High (42 FPS) to Ultra (34 FPS) at 4K suggests that the card is being pushed to its limits. At 1440p, the RTX 3080 shows a much healthier performance envelope, with Ultra settings hitting 43 FPS and High settings at 54 FPS. For a smooth experience, the data indicates that the GPU is best utilized at 1440p with High or Medium settings, where it can maintain frame rates that are well above playable thresholds.

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

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of how the system scales across resolutions. Starting at 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves 143 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 at the same Low settings, the average drops to 121 FPS, a reduction of roughly 15%. At 3840x2160 with Low settings, the average is 95 FPS, which is a 34% drop from the 1080p result. This scaling pattern is typical of a GPU-bound scenario, where the CPU has enough headroom to handle the increased pixel count, but the GPU’s rendering workload grows significantly.

The scaling becomes more pronounced at higher settings. For High settings, the FPS goes from 64 at 1080p to 54 at 1440p (a 16% drop) and then to 42 at 4K (a 34% drop from 1080p). This non-linear drop is a clear indicator that the GPU is the limiting component. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see a much smaller difference between 1080p and 4K, as the CPU’s workload would remain relatively constant. The data shows the opposite, confirming that the RTX 3080 is the primary constraint.

The most telling comparison is at Medium settings, where the min and max FPS are recorded. At 1080p, the average is 90 FPS with a min of 76 and a max of 103. At 1440p, the average is 75 FPS with a min of 64 and a max of 87. At 4K, the average drops to 59 FPS with a min of 50 and a max of 68. The frame time consistency also degrades as resolution increases, with the gap between min and max FPS narrowing slightly in absolute terms but representing a larger percentage of the average. This suggests that the GPU is working harder and frame pacing becomes less stable at higher resolutions. For the best experience, the data suggests that 1440p is the sweet spot for this combo, offering a good balance between visual fidelity and frame rate. At 4K, you are limited to Low or Medium settings to maintain a playable frame rate, and even then, the game may not feel as smooth as it does at lower resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core i7-12700K and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 ranks at 1014 out of 3724 tested combos in The Medium. This places it in the top 27% of all systems tested, which is a solid result for a previous-generation setup. This ranking is a cumulative measure of performance across all resolutions and settings, so it gives a good overall indication of where this system stands relative to other hardware pairings.

The rank of 1014 is not a top-tier position, but it is respectable, indicating that this combo is more capable than the majority of systems in the database. The fact that it is not higher is likely due to the demanding nature of the game at 4K, where the RTX 3080 shows its age. However, when looking at the performance at 1080p and 1440p, the combo is clearly capable of delivering a high-quality experience. The rank should be interpreted with the understanding that many of the combos above it are likely using newer, more powerful GPUs or CPUs.

Within the context of the CPU’s nearest rivals, the i7-12700K is essentially tied with the i5-13600T and the i7-12700KF. This means that if you were to swap the CPU for one of these alternatives, the combo’s rank would likely be very similar. The GPU’s nearest rivals are less relevant here, as they are not direct performance equivalents in gaming. The rank of 1014 out of 3724 suggests that this system is a strong mid-to-high-tier performer, and the data shows it is best suited for 1440p gaming, where it can achieve high frame rates without the compromises required at 4K.

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

Looking at the measured data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on your target resolution and desired frame rate. For a smooth and visually pleasing experience, the data strongly suggests that 2560x1440 with High settings is the best choice. The average FPS of 54 is playable, but it is not as smooth as the 75 FPS average at Medium settings. If you prioritize a higher frame rate over maximum visual quality, then 1440p Medium is the recommended preset, as it provides a 75 FPS average with a min of 64 FPS, ensuring a mostly consistent experience.

At 1920x1080, the system has more headroom. The High preset yields 64 FPS, which is perfectly playable, but the Medium preset offers a much smoother 90 FPS average. For a horror game where immersion is key, the higher frame rate of Medium at 1080p might be preferable to the minor visual improvements of High. The Ultra preset at 1080p drops to 51 FPS, which is still playable but introduces more noticeable frame pacing issues. The data indicates that Ultra settings are not worth the performance cost, even at 1080p.

At 3840x2160, the options are limited. The Low preset gives a 95 FPS average, which is surprisingly good, but the visual quality will be significantly reduced. The Medium preset drops to 59 FPS, which is on the edge of playability, but the min FPS of 50 shows that there will be noticeable dips. The High and Ultra presets at 4K are not recommended, as they produce averages of 42 and 34 FPS, respectively, which are too low for a smooth experience. For 4K, the Low preset is the only one that provides a consistently high frame rate, but the visual compromise is substantial.

The best overall experience per the measured rows is at 2560x1440 with Medium settings. This preset offers a 75 FPS average with a min of 64 FPS, which is smooth and responsive. It balances the GPU’s workload well, allowing the system to maintain a good frame rate without sacrificing too much visual fidelity. If you have a high-refresh-rate monitor, 1080p Medium at 90 FPS is an excellent choice. For those who insist on 4K, the Low preset is the only viable option for a smooth experience, but you will lose many of the visual details that make the game atmospheric.

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

The following is the complete measured FPS data for this combo in The Medium.

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: 143 FPS average
• Medium: 90 FPS average, with a min of 76 FPS and a max of 103 FPS
• High: 64 FPS average
• Ultra: 51 FPS average

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: 121 FPS average
• Medium: 75 FPS average, with a min of 64 FPS and a max of 87 FPS
• High: 54 FPS average
• Ultra: 43 FPS average

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: 95 FPS average
• Medium: 59 FPS average, with a min of 50 FPS and a max of 68 FPS
• High: 42 FPS average
• Ultra: 34 FPS average

This data shows a clear and consistent pattern. At 1080p, the system is capable of very high frame rates at Low and Medium settings, but the Ultra preset brings the average down to 51 FPS. At 1440p, the frame rates are still respectable, with the Medium preset offering a good balance. At 4K, the system is only comfortable with the Low preset, as the Medium preset’s min FPS of 50 indicates it will dip below the 60 FPS threshold. The High and Ultra presets at 4K are not playable for a smooth experience. The data shows that the RTX 3080 is a strong 1440p card, and the i7-12700K provides enough CPU power to let the GPU stretch its legs. For the best experience, stick to 1440p Medium or High, and avoid 4K Ultra unless you are willing to accept a sub-40 FPS experience.