The Medium

The Medium is a demanding horror title that stresses both CPU and GPU, but the data for the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 paired with the AMD Radeon RX 6600 shows a system that is firmly GPU-limited at higher resolutions. The measured frames per second (FPS) across the three tested resolutions reveal a configuration that can handle 1080p gaming comfortably at medium settings, but which struggles to maintain playable frame rates at 4K. This analysis breaks down the measured performance data, contextualizes the results against the component’s benchmark scores, and provides clear guidance on how to best configure the game for this specific hardware combination.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this CPU and GPU combo in The Medium?

A: Based on the measured data, 1920x1080 is the most viable resolution. At 1080p, the average FPS ranges from 30 at Ultra settings to 84 at Low settings, with Medium settings hitting a playable 52 FPS average. In contrast, the 2560x1440 and 3840x2160 resolutions only exceed 60 FPS at Low settings (71 and 55 FPS respectively), indicating a significant performance drop as resolution increases.

Q: How does the combo perform at 4K Ultra settings?

A: The performance at 3840x2160 Ultra settings is the lowest measured, with an average FPS of just 20. This is only half the frame rate of the 1080p Ultra result (30 FPS) and is well below the threshold for smooth gameplay. The data shows that this hardware is not suited for 4K Ultra in this title.

Q: Is the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 a bottleneck for the Radeon RX 6600 in this game?

A: The data suggests that the GPU is the primary limiting factor, especially at higher resolutions. For example, at 1440p, the FPS difference between Low (71 FPS) and High (32 FPS) settings is substantial, which points to the GPU struggling with increased graphical load. The CPU’s strong benchmark scores, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32924 and a 90th percentile ranking versus all CPUs, indicate it is likely not the main constraint in this scenario.

Q: What is the combo's rank among all tested configurations for The Medium?

A: The combo rank is 2260 out of 2911 tested combinations. This places it in the lower-mid tier of all tested systems, indicating that while it can run the game, many other hardware pairings deliver higher frame rates. This ranking is consistent with the GPU's performance percentile, which is 63rd among all GPUs.

Q: What is the difference in performance between Low and Medium settings at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the average FPS is 84 on Low settings and 52 on Medium settings. This represents a 32 FPS drop, or roughly a 38% reduction in performance, when moving from the Low preset to the Medium preset. The Medium preset also shows a minimum FPS of 44, indicating some frame drops during intense scenes.

Q: Does the Radeon RX 6600's 8GB of VRAM appear to be a limiting factor?

A: While the fact pack does not include specific VRAM usage data, the performance scaling provides indirect evidence. The significant FPS drops when moving from Low to High/Ultra settings at all resolutions suggest that the GPU is running out of memory or computational headroom. For instance, at 1440p, the average FPS falls from 71 on Low to 25 on Ultra, a drastic reduction that aligns with the GPU's 8GB memory capacity and 224.0 GB/s bandwidth being stressed by the higher-detail presets.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 6600 is the central component determining The Medium's performance in this configuration. The GPU, built on the RDNA 2.0 architecture, features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 224.0 GB/s. Its boost clock is rated at 2491 MHz, with a game clock of 2044 MHz. These specifications place the GPU in the 63rd percentile when compared to all GPUs in the benchmark database, with an average benchmark score of 19036.

The GPU's role becomes clear when examining the measured FPS data. The performance difference between settings presets is far more pronounced than what would be expected if the CPU were the bottleneck. For example, at 2560x1440, the average FPS goes from 71 on Low to 32 on High, a drop of 39 FPS. This heavy scaling with graphical settings is a classic sign of GPU limitation. The GPU's nearest rivals in the benchmark database include the NVIDIA Quadro K6000 and the GeForce RTX 4050 Mobile, with virtually identical average scores (19030 and 19049, respectively), confirming that the RX 6600 sits in a specific performance tier that is adequate for 1080p gaming but not for high-refresh 1440p or 4K gaming in demanding titles.

The memory configuration is also a key factor. With 8 GB of VRAM, the card has enough memory for lower presets at higher resolutions, but the data shows that Ultra presets at 1440p and 4K cause severe frame rate drops. The 25 FPS average at 1440p Ultra and 20 FPS at 4K Ultra suggest that the GPU is overwhelmed, likely due to both compute load and memory bandwidth constraints. The 14 Gbps effective memory speed and 224.0 GB/s bandwidth are simply not sufficient to feed the rendering pipeline at those settings, leading to the low scores.

The data indicates that the GPU is the definitive performance limiter in this pairing. The CPU, with its high benchmark scores, is capable of feeding the GPU, but the RX 6600 cannot render the frames fast enough at higher resolutions. This is a textbook example of a mid-range GPU holding back a capable processor in a graphically intensive game.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS data across 1920x1080, 2560x1440, and 3840x2160 resolutions provides a clear picture of how the system scales under increasing pixel load. The pattern is consistent across all settings presets: a significant drop in performance as resolution increases. This scaling behavior is the primary indicator of the system's limiting component.

At Low settings, the average FPS is 84 at 1080p, 71 at 1440p, and 55 at 4K. This shows a relatively smooth decline, with a 29 FPS difference between the lowest and highest resolutions. However, the percentage drop is telling. Moving from 1080p to 4K at Low settings results in a 34.5% reduction in frame rate. This is a substantial decrease, but the game remains playable at all resolutions on Low, suggesting that the GPU can still handle the load when the visual complexity is reduced.

The scaling is much more aggressive at higher settings. At Medium settings, the average FPS is 52 at 1080p, 44 at 1440p, and 35 at 4K. At High settings, the numbers fall to 37, 32, and 25 for 1080p, 1440p, and 4K respectively. The Ultra preset shows the worst scaling, with 30 FPS at 1080p, dropping to 25 at 1440p, and finally to 20 at 4K.

This pattern reveals that the GPU is the limiting component. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see a smaller difference between resolutions, as the CPU's workload does not increase significantly with resolution. Instead, the frame rates drop steeply as resolution climbs, indicating that the GPU's pixel fill rate and memory bandwidth are being saturated. The data shows that this combo is best suited for 1080p gaming, where it can achieve a respectable 52 FPS average on Medium settings. At 1440p, users must compromise on settings to stay above 60 FPS, and at 4K, only the Low preset provides a playable experience.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this hardware configuration depend heavily on the target resolution and the user's preference for visual fidelity versus frame rate smoothness. The data provides a clear hierarchy of performance across the four presets: Low, Medium, High, and Ultra.

For 1920x1080, the Medium preset delivers an average FPS of 52, with a minimum FPS of 44 and a maximum of 60. This is the best balanced choice, offering a significant visual upgrade over Low (84 FPS) while maintaining a frame rate that is smooth for most players. The High preset at 37 FPS is playable but may feel less fluid, while Ultra at 30 FPS is at the edge of acceptability for a slow-paced horror game. The Low preset, while fast, sacrifices too much visual detail for a game that relies heavily on atmosphere and environmental storytelling.

At 2560x1440, the performance drops significantly. The Low preset achieves an average of 71 FPS, which is the only preset above 60 FPS at this resolution. The Medium preset averages 44 FPS, which is playable but not ideal. Given the game's horror genre and slower pacing, the Medium preset at 1440p is a viable option for users who prioritize visual quality over a high refresh rate. The High (32 FPS) and Ultra (25 FPS) presets are too demanding for a consistent experience.

For 3840x2160, the situation is dire. Only the Low preset, with an average of 55 FPS, provides a playable frame rate. The Medium preset drops to 35 FPS, and High and Ultra are 25 and 20 FPS respectively. These lower frame rates are likely to cause noticeable stuttering and a less responsive experience. For 4K gaming, users must accept the Low preset or consider lowering the resolution.

In summary, the recommendation is to use the Medium preset at 1080p for the best balance of visuals and performance. At 1440p, the Low preset is recommended for a smooth experience, with Medium as a compromise. At 4K, only the Low preset is viable. The data clearly shows that this GPU is not designed for high-fidelity gaming at resolutions above 1080p in this title.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and AMD Radeon RX 6600 combination has a measured combo rank of 2260 out of 2911 tested configurations for The Medium. This ranking places the system in the bottom 22% of all tested hardware pairings, indicating that it is a lower-mid-range performer in this specific game.

This ranking is heavily influenced by the GPU's performance. The Radeon RX 6600's average benchmark score of 19036 and its 63rd percentile ranking against all GPUs suggest it is a competent mid-range card, but it is outclassed by many others in the database. The GPU's nearest rivals, such as the NVIDIA Quadro K6000 and GeForce RTX 4050 Mobile, have nearly identical scores, confirming its position in the market.

In contrast, the CPU is a much stronger component. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 has an average benchmark score of 48995 and sits in the 90th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 and Intel Core i5-14600K, with delta percentages of -0.5% and 0.8% respectively, indicating a very close performance grouping. This suggests that the CPU is not the limiting factor in this combo.

The significant gap between the CPU's high ranking and the GPU's mid-range ranking highlights the imbalance in this pairing. The data shows that the system's overall performance in The Medium is capped by the GPU, as evidenced by the combo ranking of 2260. To improve the combo's rank, a more powerful GPU would be required, as the CPU has ample headroom to support a faster graphics card. The low ranking is a direct result of the GPU's inability to maintain high frame rates at higher resolutions and settings, as detailed in the measured FPS breakdown.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following data represents the exact measured average FPS for the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and AMD Radeon RX 6600 combination in The Medium. The data includes minimum and maximum FPS where recorded.

1920x1080

• Low: Average FPS 84. This is the highest performance recorded for this combo at any resolution or setting.
• Medium: Average FPS 52, with a minimum of 44 and a maximum of 60. This represents the best balance of quality and performance.
• High: Average FPS 37. This setting is playable but shows a significant drop from Medium.
• Ultra: Average FPS 30. This is the lowest 1080p result and is at the threshold of playability.

2560x1440

• Low: Average FPS 71. This is the only 1440p setting that provides a smooth experience above 60 FPS.
• Medium: Average FPS 44, with a minimum of 37 and a maximum of 51. This is a playable option for users who prefer higher resolution.
• High: Average FPS 32. This setting shows a substantial performance penalty.
• Ultra: Average FPS 25. This is a marginal experience, with noticeable frame drops expected.

3840x2160

• Low: Average FPS 55. This is the only 4K setting that approaches playable frame rates.
• Medium: Average FPS 35, with a minimum of 29 and a maximum of 40. This shows the GPU struggling at 4K.
• High: Average FPS 25. This is not recommended for a consistent experience.
• Ultra: Average FPS 20. This is the lowest recorded result and is not playable.

The data shows a clear trend of diminishing returns as resolution and settings increase. The system excels at 1080p Medium, providing a stable frame rate. At higher resolutions, users are forced to lower settings significantly to maintain a playable experience. The minimum FPS figures for Medium settings (44 at 1080p, 37 at 1440p, and 29 at 4K) also indicate that the game will experience frame drops during intense scenes, which can be more noticeable in a horror title where smooth motion is important for immersion.