The Medium

The Medium presents a unique stress profile that diverges sharply from typical action games, and the measured data for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 paired with the Intel Arc B570 reveals a configuration that is heavily constrained by its graphics subsystem. The benchmark results indicate a system that can handle the game’s atmospheric world at lower presets, but which struggles to maintain fluid motion at higher graphical loads, particularly at elevated resolutions. This analysis will break down the FPS measurements to identify the bottleneck, contextualize the hardware’s role, and offer practical settings guidance based solely on the provided data.

Resolution Scaling

The most striking finding in the data is the dramatic impact that resolution has on the Arc B570's performance. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves a respectable 78 FPS average. However, this figure drops to 66 FPS at 1440p and further to 52 FPS at 4K. This scaling pattern suggests a significant performance penalty as pixel count increases, a classic sign of a GPU-bound workload. The frame rate is not simply dipping; it is falling off a cliff as the render target grows.

This trend becomes even more pronounced at higher settings. When comparing the Medium preset, the frame rate falls from 49 FPS at 1080p to 41 FPS at 1440p, and then plummets to 32 FPS at 4K. The 1440p to 4K transition is particularly punishing, representing a 22% reduction in performance. This non-linear drop indicates that the GPU’s processing capabilities are being saturated by the sheer number of pixels, and the 160-bit memory bus and 380.0 GB/s bandwidth are likely becoming limiting factors. The data points to a system where the CPU has ample headroom, but the graphics card is working at its absolute limit.

The implication is clear: for this hardware combination, resolution is the single most important factor in determining playability. The game’s fixed camera angles and detailed environments demand significant pixel throughput, and the Arc B570, while competent at lower resolutions, cannot maintain a consistent frame rate as the resolution climbs. The performance delta between the Low and Medium presets at 4K (52 vs 32 FPS) further underscores that the GPU is the primary constraint, as simply lowering the graphical fidelity has a more profound impact at 4K than it does at 1080p, where the CPU can still keep the GPU fed.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B570 is the clear performance limiter in this configuration for The Medium. The GPU’s specifications show a 10 GB GDDR6 memory pool with a 160-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 380.0 GB/s. This memory subsystem appears to be a critical factor. At 4K Ultra, the game demands the most from the GPU, and the combo can only muster an 18 FPS average, which is effectively unplayable. Even at 4K High, the frame rate sits at just 23 FPS. These figures suggest that the game’s high-resolution textures and effects are overwhelming the GPU’s memory bandwidth and raw compute power.

The GPU's clock behavior is also informative. The base and boost clocks are both listed as 2500 MHz, which is a locked frequency profile. This means the card cannot dynamically increase its clock speed to compensate for increased load, potentially limiting its ability to squeeze out extra performance when needed. The 11.52 TFLOPS FP32 compute rating and the 200.0 GPixel/s pixel rate provide theoretical ceilings that seem to be reached in this title. The benchmark results show a 65th percentile ranking among all GPUs, indicating it is a mid-range performer, which aligns with its struggles in this demanding title.

The data suggests that while the GPU has enough memory capacity (10 GB), the bandwidth is not sufficient for the highest settings. The 380.0 GB/s figure is a hard cap on how quickly textures and geometry can be streamed to the render output. In The Medium, with its horror-themed, detail-rich environments, this becomes a bottleneck. The measured FPS drops are not gradual; they are steep, which is consistent with a component hitting a hard wall. For a smoother experience, the settings must be reduced to lessen the memory and compute pressure, as the GPU cannot be coaxed into higher performance through any settings tweak.

CPU Role

In stark contrast to the GPU, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 appears to have substantial performance headroom in this game. The CPU’s benchmark scores are robust, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 14769 and a single-core score of 2085. Its 89th percentile ranking among all CPUs further reinforces that it is a high-performing processor. More importantly, the nearest rivals for the CPU, such as the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 and the Intel Core i9-13900HX, have average scores that are within 0.1% and -0.1% of the Ultra 5 235, respectively. This indicates that the CPU is not a performance outlier in a negative way; it is on par with other strong contenders.

The processor’s architecture, with 14 cores and 14 threads, provides ample multi-threaded capability for a game that likely uses several threads for its fixed-camera rendering and AI logic. The 5.00 GHz boost clock ensures strong single-thread performance, which is often critical for game logic and draw call submission. However, the data shows that this CPU power is not being fully utilized. The fact that the frame rate drops so significantly with resolution increases means the CPU is waiting on the GPU to finish its work.

This is a classic CPU-GPU imbalance. The CPU is fast enough to prepare frames well ahead of the GPU’s ability to render them. The evidence is that at 1080p Low, the 78 FPS average is likely near the CPU’s limit for this game, but at any higher resolution or setting, the GPU becomes the bottleneck. The data does not suggest any CPU-related stutter or frame pacing issues, as the minimum FPS figures for the Medium preset are proportional to the average. The Core Ultra 5 235 is a capable partner, but it is being held back by the Arc B570.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and the Intel Arc B570 is ranked 2321 out of 2911 tested combos for The Medium. This places it in the lower 20th percentile of all tested systems, which is a surprisingly low position given the individual component scores. This rank is a direct consequence of the GPU’s performance ceiling. While the CPU is in the top 11% of all processors, the GPU is in the 65th percentile, and the game’s high graphical demands mean the weaker component dictates the overall experience.

The GPU’s nearest rivals provide a useful context. The Intel Arc B570’s average benchmark score is 20556, which is nearly identical to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (20534, 0.1% delta) and the Intel Arc A750 (20582, -0.1% delta). This means the B570 is performing at a level comparable to those cards. However, in The Medium specifically, the ranking suggests that this performance tier is not sufficient for a high-quality experience at higher resolutions. The combination’s rank is a stark reminder that a powerful CPU cannot compensate for a mid-range GPU in a graphically intensive title.

The combo rank of 2321 out of 2911 should be interpreted as a warning. It suggests that most other hardware configurations tested with this game will deliver a smoother experience on average. The data implies that this setup is best suited for 1080p gaming, where it can achieve playable frame rates, but it is simply outclassed at higher resolutions. The system’s overall performance is dictated by the GPU, and its mid-range standing means users will have to make significant compromises in graphical settings to achieve a playable experience.

FAQ

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

A: The only resolution where this combo achieves consistently playable frame rates is 1920x1080. At 1080p, the average FPS ranges from 28 on Ultra to 78 on Low, with the Medium preset hitting 49 FPS. Higher resolutions result in average FPS that often dips below 30, which is generally considered unplayable for a smooth experience.

Q: Why is the performance at 4K so poor?

A: The data shows a severe frame rate drop at 3840x2160. For instance, the High preset averages 23 FPS and the Ultra preset averages only 18 FPS. This is because the Intel Arc B570, with its 160-bit memory bus and 380.0 GB/s bandwidth, is unable to process the massive number of pixels required at 4K efficiently. The GPU is the primary bottleneck, and it is overwhelmed by the resolution.

Q: Is the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 holding back the system?

A: No, the benchmark data does not indicate the CPU is a limiting factor. The CPU has a high average benchmark score (46062) and an 89th percentile ranking. Its nearest rivals are within 0.2% of its score. The frame rate remains relatively high at 1080p (78 FPS on Low), suggesting the CPU can handle the game logic, but the GPU cannot maintain those frame rates as resolution increases.

Q: How does this combo compare to other systems tested?

A: This specific combo ranks 2321 out of 2911 tested combinations for The Medium. This places it in the lower portion of the rankings, indicating that most other tested hardware configurations deliver better performance. This is primarily due to the GPU’s mid-range standing, despite the CPU’s strong performance.

Q: Are the frame rates consistent, or are there major dips?

A: The data includes minimum FPS figures for the Medium preset at various resolutions. At 1080p, the average is 49 FPS with a minimum of 41 FPS. At 1440p, the average is 41 FPS with a minimum of 35 FPS. At 4K, the average is 32 FPS with a minimum of 27 FPS. These figures show that frame pacing is relatively stable, with no severe stuttering, but the averages are too low at higher resolutions for a fluid experience.

Q: What is the highest quality setting that is playable at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the Medium preset provides a 49 FPS average, which is a good balance. The High preset drops to 35 FPS, which is still playable but less smooth. The Ultra preset at 28 FPS is borderline. The Medium setting offers the best compromise between visual quality and performance for this resolution.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following data is the complete set of measured average FPS results for this hardware combination in The Medium.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: 52 FPS average
• Medium: 32 FPS average (Minimum: 27, Maximum: 37)
• High: 23 FPS average
• Ultra: 18 FPS average

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: 66 FPS average
• Medium: 41 FPS average (Minimum: 35, Maximum: 47)
• High: 29 FPS average
• Ultra: 23 FPS average

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: 78 FPS average
• Medium: 49 FPS average (Minimum: 41, Maximum: 56)
• High: 35 FPS average
• Ultra: 28 FPS average

The delta between the Low and Medium presets is relatively small at 1080p (78 to 49 FPS), but the jump from Medium to High (49 to 35 FPS) and High to Ultra (35 to 28 FPS) is more significant. At 1440p, the Low preset is the only option that stays above 60 FPS. At 4K, only the Low preset manages to stay above 30 FPS, and all others are below the playability threshold.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the optimal experience for this hardware is clearly at 1080p. For users prioritizing a smooth, responsive experience, the Medium preset is the logical choice. It delivers a 49 FPS average with a minimum of 41 FPS, ensuring consistent frame delivery that is suitable for a game of this genre. The improvement from Low to Medium is a significant visual upgrade for a relatively modest performance cost of 29 FPS.

For those with a 1440p monitor, the Low preset is the only way to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate, averaging 66 FPS. Choosing Medium at 1440p drops the average to 41 FPS, which may be tolerable for some but risks feeling less fluid. The High and Ultra presets are not recommended at this resolution due to their sub-30 FPS averages.

At 4K, the data suggests that this configuration is not suited for the game. While the Low preset averages 52 FPS, the visual fidelity will be drastically reduced. The Medium preset at 32 FPS and High at 23 FPS are not recommended for a playable experience. The Ultra preset at 18 FPS is effectively a slideshow. Users should avoid 4K with this GPU unless they are willing to accept a significant reduction in visual quality for a playable frame rate. The best overall experience, balancing visual quality and performance, is the Medium preset at 1080p.