The Medium

The Intel Core i7-14700K pairs with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D to form a high-end foundation for The Medium, a horror title that clearly leverages both processor and graphics resources. The CPU provides 20 cores and 28 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz, which is substantial for a game that often involves complex scene loading and logical scripting. In synthetic benchmarks, this processor achieves a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 33440.5 and a single-core score of 2160, indicating strong performance in both heavily threaded and lightly threaded workloads. The multi-core strength is further evidenced by a Passmark multithread score of 52392. The data shows that the CPU’s 33 MB of shared L3 cache and 2 MB per-core L2 cache provide ample headroom for the game’s streaming assets.

Looking at the measured results for The Medium, the CPU does not appear to be the primary bottleneck at any tested setting. The FPS scaling across resolutions and settings is consistent with a GPU-bound scenario, particularly at higher presets. The CPU’s 94th percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 69355, places it in the upper echelon of processors. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, which scores 69515 (a delta of -0.2%), and the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX at 69875 (-0.7%). These margins are negligible in real-world gaming, confirming that the i7-14700K is a top-tier performer that won’t hold back the RTX 5090 D in this title. The CPU’s 125 W TDP is a modest figure for its class, but the performance data indicates it delivers the necessary throughput for the game’s calculations.

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

The Core i7-14700K’s architecture is Raptor Lake-R, built on Intel’s 10 nm process. With 20 cores and 28 threads, it offers a mix of performance and efficiency cores that handle both the primary game thread and background tasks. The boost clock of 5.60 GHz is critical for The Medium, as horror games often rely on single-threaded performance for physics, AI, and rendering commands. The Cinebench R20 single-core score of 2617 and Geekbench single-core score of 2569 support that the CPU is highly capable in this regard. In the context of the game’s measured FPS, the CPU’s role is to feed the GPU fast enough, and it does so without issue; even at 1080p Low, where CPU load is highest relative to GPU, the average FPS reaches 187, well above the refresh rate of most monitors.

The processor’s multi-threaded capabilities are also relevant. The Medium is known for its dual-reality gameplay mechanic, which can load two instances of the game world simultaneously. This creates a higher demand for CPU resources. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 33440.5 and the Passmark physics score of 2964 indicate that the i7-14700K can handle this dual-world simulation without causing frame hitches. The 33 MB of L3 cache is shared across all cores, reducing latency when the game accesses large texture and geometry pools. The data shows that the CPU’s performance is not a limiting factor in any of the measured configurations, as the FPS differences between settings are more attributable to GPU workload changes than to CPU stalls. The i7-14700K’s 94th percentile ranking confirms that it is among the fastest processors available, making it a solid match for the RTX 5090 D in this game.

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

The measured FPS data provides clear guidance on which settings preset offers the best balance of visual quality and performance. At 1920x1080, the Medium preset delivers an average of 144 FPS, with a minimum of 123 FPS and a maximum of 166 FPS. This is a smooth experience for high-refresh-rate displays, and it represents a significant improvement over the High preset, which averages 103 FPS. The Low preset pushes the average to 187 FPS, but the visual fidelity drop is substantial. For most users at 1080p, the Medium preset is the sweet spot, offering a high frame rate while maintaining a decent level of graphical detail. The Ultra preset at 1080p averages 82 FPS, which is still playable but leaves performance on the table.

Moving to 2560x1440, the Medium preset averages 122 FPS, with a minimum of 103 FPS and a maximum of 140 FPS. This is an excellent result, providing a fluid experience on 1440p monitors. The High preset at 1440p averages 87 FPS, which is acceptable but not ideal for competitive play. The Low preset at 1440p reaches 176 FPS, but again, the visual compromise is significant. The Ultra preset at 1440p drops to 69 FPS, which is near the threshold for 60 FPS gaming but may feel less responsive. At 3840x2160, the Medium preset averages 95 FPS, with a minimum of 81 FPS and a maximum of 110 FPS. This is the recommended setting for 4K gaming, as it provides a frame rate that is well above the 60 FPS target while still offering enhanced visuals over Low. The High preset at 4K averages 68 FPS, which is playable, but the Medium preset’s higher headroom is preferable. The Ultra preset at 4K averages 54 FPS, which is below the ideal threshold for a smooth experience.

The data suggests that the Medium preset is the most balanced choice across all resolutions. It consistently offers a significant FPS boost over High and Ultra while maintaining a respectable visual quality level. For users who prioritize frame rate above all else, the Low preset provides the highest averages, but the Medium preset strikes the best compromise between performance and image quality. The measured minimum FPS values for the Medium preset (123 FPS at 1080p, 103 FPS at 1440p, and 81 FPS at 4K) indicate that the frame pacing is stable, with no severe drops that would cause stuttering during intense horror sequences.

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

The FPS scaling across resolutions reveals that the RTX 5090 D is the primary limiting component in The Medium, especially at higher settings. At the Medium preset, the average FPS drops from 144 at 1080p to 122 at 1440p, a decrease of 22 FPS, and then to 95 at 4K, a further drop of 27 FPS. This scaling pattern is typical of a GPU-bound workload, where the number of pixels rendered has a direct impact on performance. At the Low preset, the FPS averages are 187 at 1080p, 176 at 1440p, and 153 at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 4K is 34 FPS, which is less severe in percentage terms than at Medium, but still indicates that the GPU is handling the rendering load.

At the High preset, the FPS averages are 103 at 1080p, 87 at 1440p, and 68 at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 4K is 35 FPS, which is a 34% reduction. This is a significant decrease, suggesting that the game’s high-quality effects, such as shadows and reflections, are taxing the GPU heavily at higher resolutions. The Ultra preset shows the most dramatic scaling: 82 FPS at 1080p, 69 FPS at 1440p, and 54 FPS at 4K. The 4K average is only 54 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS threshold, indicating that the Ultra preset is too demanding for this GPU at 4K, or that the game is not well-optimized for such high settings. The data shows that the CPU’s performance remains consistent across resolutions, as the FPS differences are almost entirely attributable to the GPU’s pixel throughput. This is further confirmed by the fact that the i7-14700K’s benchmark scores are much higher than what would be needed to bottleneck the RTX 5090 D in this title.

The most telling observation is the FPS ratio between 1080p and 4K. At Medium, the 4K average is 66% of the 1080p average (95/144). At Ultra, the 4K average is 66% of the 1080p average (54/82). This consistent ratio indicates that the game scales predictably with resolution, and the GPU is the limiting factor. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect the FPS to be much closer across resolutions, especially at lower settings. The RTX 5090 D’s 32 GB of GDDR7 memory and 1.79 TB/s bandwidth are likely being utilized fully at 4K, where texture memory and memory bandwidth become critical.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play The Medium with an Intel Core i7-14700K and RTX 5090 D?

A: Based on the measured data, 2560x1440 with Medium settings offers the best balance, averaging 122 FPS with a minimum of 103 FPS. This provides a high frame rate and good visual quality. At 4K, the Medium preset averages 95 FPS, which is also excellent, but 1440p provides more headroom for smoothness.

Q: How does the CPU’s performance compare to its nearest rivals in this setup?

A: The i7-14700K has an average benchmark score of 69355, which is nearly identical to the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X at 69515 (a delta of -0.2%). It is also within 1% of the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX and AMD Ryzen 7 9700F. In gaming, these differences are negligible, and the CPU will not be the limiting factor in The Medium.

Q: Is the RTX 5090 D’s performance sufficient for 4K gaming in The Medium?

A: Yes, at the Medium preset, the GPU averages 95 FPS at 3840x2160, which is well above the 60 FPS target. The High preset averages 68 FPS, which is also playable. However, the Ultra preset only averages 54 FPS, indicating that it is not recommended for 4K with this GPU.

Q: What is the impact of the CPU’s 125 W TDP on system requirements?

A: The 125 W TDP is the thermal design power, which indicates the maximum heat output under load. This is a moderate figure for a 20-core processor, and it suggests that a capable air cooler is sufficient. The CPU’s performance in The Medium is not constrained by its power envelope.

Q: How does the FPS vary between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, the Low preset averages 187 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 82 FPS. This is a difference of 105 FPS, or a 56% reduction in frame rate. This shows that the Ultra preset’s extra graphical effects come at a significant performance cost.

Q: Does the game use the CPU’s multi-threading capabilities effectively?

A: The CPU’s high multi-threaded scores (e.g., Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 33440.5) suggest it can handle the dual-reality mechanic. The measured FPS data shows no CPU-related bottlenecks, as the FPS scales consistently with resolution and settings, indicating the CPU has ample headroom.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D is a powerhouse that plays a central role in The Medium’s performance. It is based on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture and features 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 1.79 TB/s. This is crucial for The Medium, which uses high-resolution textures and complex lighting effects. The GPU’s boost clock of 2407 MHz and base clock of 2017 MHz are high, and its 21760 shading units provide immense compute power. The FP32 performance is 104.8 TFLOPS, which is substantial for a gaming GPU. In synthetic benchmarks, the RTX 5090 D achieves a Passmark G3D score of 44065 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 14326, placing it in the 92nd percentile of all GPUs.

The GPU’s nearest rivals show interesting comparisons. The AMD Radeon RX 6650M XT has an average score of 76904, which is 1.1% higher than the RTX 5090 D’s score of 77712, despite being a mobile GPU. This is likely a quirk of the benchmark database, as the RTX 5090 D’s desktop-oriented design and 32 GB of VRAM are far more capable in real-world gaming. The Nvidia Tesla P100 PCIe 16 GB scores 79605, which is 2.4% higher, but this is a data center card not designed for gaming. In The Medium, the RTX 5090 D’s performance is directly tied to its ability to render the game’s dual-world scenes. The 32 GB of VRAM ensures that even at 4K Ultra, there is no memory bottleneck, as the game can load all necessary assets without swapping.

The GPU’s memory clock of 1750 MHz (28 Gbps effective) and 1.79 TB/s bandwidth allow for fast texture streaming, which is evident in the consistent FPS at 4K. The Medium preset at 4K averages 95 FPS, which is a strong result for a horror game with heavy visual effects. The Ultra preset at 4K averages 54 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target, indicating that the GPU is being pushed to its limits with the highest settings. This is not a flaw in the GPU, but rather a reflection of the demanding nature of The Medium’s Ultra preset. The RTX 5090 D’s pixel rate of 423.6 GPixel/s and texture rate of 1,636.8 GTexel/s are high, but the game’s effects at Ultra are computationally expensive. The data shows that the GPU is the clear driver of performance, as the FPS scales with resolution and settings in a predictable manner.

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

The measured FPS data for The Medium with the Intel Core i7-14700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D covers three resolutions (1920x1080, 2560x1440, and 3840x2160) and four settings (Low, Medium, High, Ultra). Here is the exact breakdown:

At 1920x1080, the Low preset averages 187 FPS. The Medium preset averages 144 FPS, with a minimum of 123 FPS and a maximum of 166 FPS. The High preset averages 103 FPS. The Ultra preset averages 82 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the Low preset averages 176 FPS. The Medium preset averages 122 FPS, with a minimum of 103 FPS and a maximum of 140 FPS. The High preset averages 87 FPS. The Ultra preset averages 69 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the Low preset averages 153 FPS. The Medium preset averages 95 FPS, with a minimum of 81 FPS and a maximum of 110 FPS. The High preset averages 68 FPS. The Ultra preset averages 54 FPS.

The data shows a clear pattern: the Medium preset is the only one with measured minimum and maximum FPS values, indicating that it was the focus of testing for stability. The minimum FPS at 4K Medium is 81, which is above the 60 FPS threshold, ensuring a smooth experience. The maximum FPS at 4K Medium is 110, showing that there is headroom for occasional spikes. At 1080p Medium, the minimum is 123 and the maximum is 166, which is excellent for high-refresh-rate gaming. The FPS drops from 1080p to 4K are consistent with GPU-bound scaling, as noted earlier. The Low preset offers the highest FPS at all resolutions, but the visual quality is significantly reduced. The Ultra preset is the most demanding, with 4K averaging only 54 FPS, making it unsuitable for smooth 4K play. The High preset sits between Medium and Ultra, but it is often only marginally better than Ultra in terms of FPS, while offering less visual fidelity than Ultra. Overall, the data supports the Medium preset as the optimal choice for this combination of CPU and GPU across all resolutions.