The Medium

The Intel Core i7-12700KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 combination delivers a high-refresh-rate experience in The Medium, with benchmark results showing a clear progression from playable frame rates at 4K to excellent performance at 1080p. The measured data indicates that this pairing is well-balanced for the horror title, with the GPU handling the primary rendering load while the processor provides sufficient headroom to avoid bottlenecks at lower resolutions. The following analysis breaks down the specific roles of each component, scaling behavior, and the optimal settings for this configuration.

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

The Intel Core i7-12700KF is a 12-core, 20-thread processor from the Core 12th Gen series, built on the Alder Lake-S architecture using a 10 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, with a 125 W TDP. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 25 MB L3 cache. This processor supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, and it uses PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU.

In The Medium, the CPU’s role is secondary to the GPU, but the data shows it is more than adequate for the game’s demands. The processor’s single-thread performance, as indicated by a 3DMark single-thread score of 1043 and a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4071, provides strong per-core throughput. This matters for a game like The Medium, which relies on consistent frame pacing rather than extreme multi-threaded scaling. The multi-threaded capabilities are also robust, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 28838 and a Passmark multithread score of 34092, but the benchmark results in-game suggest that these extra threads are not heavily utilized.

The 12-core configuration with 20 threads gives the system overhead for background tasks, but in terms of gameplay, the CPU is not the limiting factor at any tested resolution. For instance, at 1080p with Medium settings, the average FPS is 120, which is significantly higher than at 4K with the same settings, indicating that the GPU is the primary constraint. The processor’s boost clock of 5.00 GHz ensures that single-threaded workloads, such as game logic and draw call submission, are handled efficiently. Compared to its nearest rivals, the Core i7-12700KF sits within a tight performance band: it is 0.1% slower than the Core i7-13700T, 0.2% faster than the Core i5-13600T, 0.2% slower than the Core 5 213PE, and 0.2% faster than the Core i7-12700K, based on average benchmark scores. This indicates that the processor is well-matched to its peers, with no meaningful performance advantage or deficit in synthetic tests, and the in-game data reflects this balanced position.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is the dominant component in this pairing, built on the Ada Lovelace architecture with a 5 nm process from TSMC. It features 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 716.8 GB/s. The GPU operates with a base clock of 2205 MHz and a boost clock of 2505 MHz, with memory running at 1400 MHz (22.4 Gbps effective). The core configuration includes 9728 shading units, 304 TMUs, 112 ROPs, 76 RT cores, and 304 tensor cores. The GPU’s compute capabilities are substantial, with FP32 performance of 48.74 TFLOPS and a pixel rate of 280.6 GPixel/s.

In The Medium, the RTX 4080’s role is central, as the game’s rendering demands scale heavily with resolution and settings. The 16 GB VRAM capacity is more than sufficient for the tested configurations, ensuring that texture streaming and high-resolution assets do not cause stuttering or memory-related frame drops. The GPU’s boost clock of 2505 MHz allows for sustained high clock speeds under load, which is reflected in the measured FPS. For example, at 4K with High settings, the average FPS is 57, which is playable but not high-refresh territory. At 1080p with Low settings, the average jumps to 167 FPS, showing the GPU’s headroom when the resolution is lowered.

The RTX 4080’s performance relative to its rivals shows it is competitive but not class-leading. It is 0.1% faster than the RTX 4080 SUPER, 1.1% faster than the AMD Radeon Pro W5700X, 2.6% faster than the AMD Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB, and 2.7% faster than the AMD Radeon 8060S, based on average benchmark scores. These small deltas indicate that the RTX 4080 is positioned at the top of its tier, but the in-game results for The Medium are more influenced by the specific settings and resolution than by these marginal synthetic differences. The GPU’s 76 RT cores are relevant for any ray-traced effects, but the measured data does not separate those scenarios, so the focus remains on the rasterized performance across the tested presets.

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

The measured FPS data across resolutions reveals a clear pattern of GPU limitation. Starting at 1080p with High settings, the average FPS is 86. Moving to 1440p at the same settings drops the average to 72 FPS, a reduction of 14 FPS. At 4K with High settings, the average falls to 57 FPS, another 15 FPS decrease. This linear scaling with resolution is characteristic of a GPU-bound scenario, where the RTX 4080’s rendering throughput is the primary constraint. The CPU, with its high boost clock and ample threads, is not holding back performance at any resolution.

The scaling becomes more pronounced at lower settings. At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 167. At 1440p Low, it drops to 157 FPS, and at 4K Low, it falls to 127 FPS. The relative drop from 1080p to 4K at Low settings is 40 FPS, which is a 24% reduction. In contrast, the drop from 1080p to 4K at High settings is 29 FPS, a 34% reduction. This indicates that at higher settings, the GPU is working harder per frame, making the resolution impact more significant. The data suggests that the limiting component is the GPU across all tested scenarios, as the CPU’s performance remains constant regardless of resolution.

At Medium settings, the trend continues: 1080p averages 120 FPS, 1440p averages 101 FPS, and 4K averages 79 FPS. The drop from 1080p to 4K is 41 FPS, a 34% reduction. At Ultra settings, the averages are 68 FPS at 1080p, 57 FPS at 1440p, and 45 FPS at 4K, a 23 FPS drop from 1080p to 4K, which is a 34% reduction. This consistent percentage drop across settings reinforces that the GPU is the bottleneck, with the RTX 4080’s fill rate and memory bandwidth determining the upper limits. The CPU’s role is to feed the GPU, and with a 5.00 GHz boost clock, it does so without introducing frame time spikes, as indicated by the minimum FPS values at Medium settings: 102 at 1080p, 86 at 1440p, and 67 at 4K.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core i7-12700KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 ranks 252nd out of 3724 tested combos in The Medium. This places it in the top 6.8% of all configurations, which is a strong showing for a pairing that includes a last-generation CPU and a current-generation GPU. The rank reflects the overall performance across all measured settings and resolutions, indicating that this combo delivers above-average frame rates for the majority of tested systems.

The ranking position is notable because it highlights the balance between the two components. The CPU’s 85th percentile ranking among all processors and the GPU’s 86th percentile ranking among all GPUs suggest that neither component is significantly underpowered or overpowered relative to the other. The combo rank of 252 out of 3724 is consistent with this balance, as it places the system in the upper echelon of performance without being at the very top, which would typically require a more recent flagship CPU paired with the same GPU. The data shows that the Core i7-12700KF does not hold back the RTX 4080 in this game, as the measured FPS are high enough to benefit from the GPU’s capabilities.

Compared to other combos, this pairing’s rank is influenced by the fact that The Medium is not a heavily CPU-dependent title. Systems with higher-end CPUs might rank slightly better due to marginal gains in minimum frame rates, but the average FPS across the tested settings is primarily GPU-driven. The 252nd rank out of 3724 combos means that only about 6.8% of tested systems achieve better overall performance in this game, which is a strong result. The data confirms that this is a high-performing combo, with the RTX 4080 providing the bulk of the rendering power and the Core i7-12700KF offering sufficient single-thread performance to avoid bottlenecks.

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

At 1920x1080, the measured FPS for the Core i7-12700KF and RTX 4080 combo is as follows: Low settings average 167 FPS, Medium settings average 120 FPS with a minimum of 102 and a maximum of 138, High settings average 86 FPS, and Ultra settings average 68 FPS. The progression from Low to Ultra shows a clear trade-off between visual quality and frame rate, with a 99 FPS difference between the lowest and highest presets. The minimum FPS at Medium settings is 102, which indicates that even in demanding scenes, the frame rate stays well above 60 FPS, providing a smooth experience.

At 2560x1440, the averages are: Low settings at 157 FPS, Medium settings at 101 FPS with a minimum of 86 and a maximum of 116, High settings at 72 FPS, and Ultra settings at 57 FPS. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is most significant at High settings, where the average falls by 14 FPS, and least significant at Low settings, where it drops by 10 FPS. The Medium settings minimum of 86 FPS is still above 60, but the Ultra preset at 57 FPS is just below the 60 FPS threshold, suggesting that this preset is not ideal for a consistent high-refresh experience.

At 3840x2160, the averages are: Low settings at 127 FPS, Medium settings at 79 FPS with a minimum of 67 and a maximum of 91, High settings at 57 FPS, and Ultra settings at 45 FPS. The 4K resolution significantly stresses the GPU, as seen in the Ultra preset dropping to 45 FPS, which is below the playable threshold for many users. The Medium preset at 79 FPS is the only setting at 4K that provides a comfortable margin above 60 FPS, while High at 57 FPS is borderline. The minimum FPS at 4K Medium is 67, which is still smooth, but the Ultra preset’s lack of a minimum FPS value in the data suggests that it may be too demanding for consistent performance.

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

Based on the measured FPS data, the best experience depends on the target resolution and the user’s preference for frame rate versus visual fidelity. At 1920x1080, the High preset at 86 FPS is the sweet spot, offering a significant visual upgrade over Medium (120 FPS) while still maintaining a frame rate well above 60. For users with high-refresh monitors, the Medium preset at 120 FPS is the optimal choice, as it provides a smooth and responsive experience with a minimum of 102 FPS. The Ultra preset at 68 FPS is playable but does not offer a substantial visual improvement over High to justify the 18 FPS loss.

At 2560x1440, the Medium preset at 101 FPS is the recommended choice, as it provides a balance between visual quality and performance, with a minimum of 86 FPS ensuring no major dips. The High preset at 72 FPS is also viable, but it drops closer to the 60 FPS threshold, especially in demanding scenes. The Ultra preset at 57 FPS is not recommended for a consistent experience, as it falls below 60 FPS on average. For 4K, the Medium preset at 79 FPS is the only setting that delivers a comfortable margin above 60 FPS, with a minimum of 67 FPS. The High preset at 57 FPS is borderline, and the Ultra preset at 45 FPS is too demanding for smooth gameplay.

Overall, the Medium preset is the most versatile across all resolutions, providing the best balance of visual fidelity and frame rate. At 1080p, it enables high-refresh gaming; at 1440p, it maintains a smooth 101 FPS; and at 4K, it remains playable at 79 FPS. For users prioritizing maximum visual quality, the High preset is acceptable at 1080p and 1440p, but at 4K, it requires a compromise on frame rate. The Ultra preset is only viable at 1080p, where it still achieves 68 FPS, but it is not recommended for higher resolutions due to the significant performance cost.

FAQ

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

A: Based on the measured FPS data, 1920x1080 provides the highest frame rates, with the Medium preset achieving 120 FPS and the High preset at 86 FPS. This resolution maximizes the RTX 4080’s headroom, but 2560x1440 at Medium settings (101 FPS) offers a strong balance of visual quality and performance.

Q: How does the Core i7-12700KF compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Core i7-12700KF has an average benchmark score of 35365, which is 0.1% lower than the Intel Core i7-13700T, 0.2% higher than the Intel Core i5-13600T, 0.2% lower than the Intel Core 5 213PE, and 0.2% higher than the Intel Core i7-12700K. These deltas are negligible, indicating similar performance levels.

*Q: Is the RTX 4080’s 16 GB VRAM sufficient for The Medium?*

A: The measured data shows no performance issues related to VRAM capacity across all tested settings and resolutions. The 16 GB GDDR6X memory is more than adequate for the game’s requirements, as evidenced by the consistent frame rates at 4K Medium (79 FPS) and 1080p Ultra (68 FPS).

Q: What is the combo’s rank among all tested systems?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 combo ranks 252nd out of 3724 tested combinations in The Medium, placing it in the top 6.8% of all tested systems.

Q: Which settings preset provides the most consistent frame rate?

A: The Medium preset offers the most consistent performance, with minimum FPS values of 102 at 1080p, 86 at 1440p, and 67 at 4K. This preset avoids the significant frame rate drops seen at Ultra settings, especially at higher resolutions.

Q: How does the GPU’s performance compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The RTX 4080 has an average benchmark score of 54247, which is 0.1% higher than the RTX 4080 SUPER, 1.1% higher than the AMD Radeon Pro W5700X, 2.6% higher than the AMD Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB, and 2.7% higher than the AMD Radeon 8060S. These differences are small, but the RTX 4080 leads this group in synthetic tests.