The Medium

The Medium, a fixed-camera horror title from 2021, presents an interesting stress profile for the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT combination. The measured frame rates reveal a system where the GPU is the clear limiting factor at higher resolutions, while the CPU's substantial core count ensures headroom for the game's dual-world rendering mechanic. The data indicates a playable experience at 1080p and 1440p with medium settings, but 4K requires significant compromises.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate progression from 1080p to 4K clearly identifies the graphics card as the primary bottleneck in this configuration. At Medium settings, the average FPS drops from 72 at 1920x1080 to 61 at 2560x1440, a 15.3% reduction, and then falls to 48 at 3840x2160, a further 21.3% decline. This scaling pattern is typical for a GPU-bound scenario, where the pixel count increase directly impacts the rendering workload.

The Low settings preset shows the most dramatic resolution scaling, starting at 115 FPS at 1080p and dropping to 97 FPS at 1440p (a 15.7% decrease) and then to 76 FPS at 4K (a 21.6% decrease from 1440p). This suggests that even when the graphics load is minimized, the RX 6750 XT's raw throughput becomes the limiting factor at higher resolutions. The gap between Low and Medium settings at 4K is substantial, going from 76 FPS to 48 FPS, indicating that the game's medium-quality effects impose a significant cost on the GPU.

High settings present a particularly steep challenge for this combo. At 1080p, the average FPS is 52, which drops to 43 at 1440p and 34 at 4K. The Ultra preset is nearly unplayable at higher resolutions, with 41 FPS at 1080p, 34 FPS at 1440p, and just 27 FPS at 4K. The scaling from Medium to High at each resolution is consistent, showing roughly a 27-28% performance penalty, while the jump from High to Ultra adds another 20-21% reduction. This indicates that The Medium's higher presets contain progressively heavier post-processing and shadow effects that disproportionately tax the GPU.

The 1440p Medium result of 61 FPS with a minimum of 52 FPS and maximum of 70 FPS shows the system's stability in this mid-range configuration. The 4K Medium result of 48 FPS average with a 40-55 FPS range demonstrates that while the average is below the 60 FPS threshold, the frame pacing remains consistent enough for a playable experience in this slower-paced horror title. The data suggests that the RX 6750 XT's 12 GB VRAM is sufficient for these resolutions, as the frame rate drops are more consistent with compute or fill-rate limitations rather than memory capacity issues.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 brings 14 cores and 14 threads to this system, running at a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. This processor sits in the 90th percentile of all CPUs according to the benchmark database, with an average benchmark score of 48995. The nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G at 49196 (0.4% higher), the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 at 49228 (0.5% higher), and the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H at 48698 (0.6% lower).

The CPU's multi-threaded capabilities are substantial, as evidenced by its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32924 and single-core score of 4648. However, The Medium's performance patterns suggest that the game does not heavily stress the CPU, as the frame rate scaling is almost entirely governed by resolution and graphics settings. The fact that Low settings at 1080p achieve 115 FPS while Ultra at 4K only reaches 27 FPS points to a purely GPU-limited workload at higher settings.

The 14-thread configuration without hyper-threading (14 cores, 14 threads) is unusual for modern desktop processors, but it proves more than adequate for this title. The PassMark multithread score of 38706 and physics score of 2569 indicate strong compute performance that would handle the game's dual-world rendering logic, where the engine must track and render two simultaneous environments for the game's signature mechanic. The L3 cache of 24 MB shared across the 14 cores provides ample data locality for the game's streaming requirements.

The data compression performance of 400942 in PassMark suggests the CPU can handle the game's asset decompression efficiently, reducing potential stutter when loading new areas. The single-thread score of 4394 in PassMark ensures that the game's primary thread, which likely handles input and camera logic, has sufficient per-core performance. Given that the 1080p Low preset reaches 115 FPS, the CPU is clearly not the limiting factor at lower settings, and even at 1080p Ultra with 41 FPS, the frame rate is constrained by the GPU rather than the processor.

FAQ

Q: Can this system run The Medium at 60 FPS on Medium settings?

A: Yes, at 1920x1080 Medium settings, the average FPS is 72 with a minimum of 61 and maximum of 83. At 2560x1440 Medium, the average drops to 61 FPS with a minimum of 52, so 60 FPS is borderline at that resolution.

Q: What is the highest preset that maintains above 60 FPS at 1080p?

A: Only the Low preset achieves a comfortable margin above 60 FPS, with an average of 115 FPS. The Medium preset averages 72 FPS, which is above 60, but the minimum recorded is 61 FPS, making it technically playable but with occasional dips.

Q: Is 4K gaming viable with this CPU and GPU combination?

A: At 4K, only the Low preset provides a playable experience with an average of 76 FPS. Medium settings drop to 48 FPS average, High to 34 FPS, and Ultra to 27 FPS. For a smooth experience, 4K requires Low settings or an upgrade to a more powerful GPU.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 scores 48995 on average, which is 0.4% lower than the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G's 49196 and 0.5% lower than the AMD Ryzen 9 7900's 49228. It is 0.6% higher than the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H's 48698 and 0.8% higher than the Intel Core i5-14600K's 48618.

Q: What frame rate range can be expected at 1440p High settings?

A: The average FPS at 2560x1440 High is 43, with no minimum or maximum recorded. This is below the 60 FPS threshold and represents a playable but not smooth experience for most users.

Q: Does the Ultra preset provide any playable resolutions?

A: At 1080p Ultra, the average FPS is 41, at 1440p it is 34, and at 4K it drops to 27. None of these reach 60 FPS, and even 30 FPS is only achieved at 1080p and 1440p.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT ranks 1292 out of 2911 tested combos for The Medium, placing it in the 55.6th percentile of all systems tested. This mid-pack ranking reflects the balance between a strong modern CPU and a mid-range previous-generation GPU. The CPU's 90th percentile standing among all processors and the GPU's 71st percentile standing among all graphics cards suggest that the GPU is the weaker component in this pairing, which aligns with the observed frame rate scaling.

Among the 2911 combos tested, this system's position indicates that many configurations with higher-end graphics cards or more balanced pairings achieve better results. The RX 6750 XT's nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks include the AMD Radeon R9 M395X at 25891 (0.5% higher), the AMD FirePro W7100 at 25856 (0.6% higher), and the AMD FirePro D700 at 25842 (0.7% higher). These comparisons reinforce that the GPU is a solid mid-range performer but not a top-tier solution for demanding titles like The Medium.

The rank of 1292 out of 2911 suggests that roughly 46% of tested combinations perform better, which is consistent with the GPU being positioned at the 71st percentile of all GPUs. The CPU's performance headroom means that upgrading the graphics card would likely yield significant improvements, as the processor is capable of supporting higher frame rates than the current GPU can deliver. This ranking serves as a useful reference point for users considering this pairing, indicating that it is a competent mid-range system that will require settings adjustments for demanding games.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this system depend on the target resolution and the user's preference for visual quality versus frame rate smoothness. For users with 1080p displays, the Medium preset provides the best balance, with an average of 72 FPS and a minimum of 61 FPS, ensuring that the game remains above 60 FPS for the majority of the experience. The Low preset at 115 FPS is overkill for most displays and sacrifices visual fidelity unnecessarily.

At 1440p, the Medium preset delivers an average of 61 FPS with a minimum of 52 FPS, which is acceptable for a slower-paced horror game but may show occasional dips below 60 FPS during intense scenes. Users prioritizing a consistent 60 FPS should consider the Low preset, which averages 97 FPS and provides ample headroom. The High preset at 43 FPS is playable but noticeably less smooth, and Ultra at 34 FPS should be avoided.

For 4K displays, the Low preset is the only viable option, with an average of 76 FPS providing a comfortable experience. The Medium preset's 48 FPS average is borderline, and the High and Ultra presets at 34 and 27 FPS respectively are not recommended for a satisfactory experience. The game's fixed-camera angles and slower pacing make lower frame rates more tolerable than in fast-action titles, but the data suggests that 4K Medium is the maximum acceptable compromise.

The measured minimum and maximum FPS values for Medium settings across all resolutions (61-83 at 1080p, 52-70 at 1440p, 40-55 at 4K) indicate consistent frame pacing without major stutters. This stability makes the Medium preset the recommended choice for users who prioritize a smooth experience, as the frame time variance is relatively low. Users with high-refresh-rate displays should stick to 1080p Low or Medium to take advantage of the higher frame rates available.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the system delivers an average of 115 FPS on Low settings, 72 FPS on Medium with a minimum of 61 and maximum of 83, 52 FPS on High, and 41 FPS on Ultra. The progression shows a 37.4% decrease from Low to Medium, a 27.8% decrease from Medium to High, and a 21.2% decrease from High to Ultra. This resolution provides the most flexibility, with two presets exceeding 60 FPS and all presets remaining playable above 40 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the average FPS values are 97 on Low, 61 on Medium with a minimum of 52 and maximum of 70, 43 on High, and 34 on Ultra. The scaling from Low to Medium shows a 37.1% decrease, from Medium to High a 29.5% decrease, and from High to Ultra a 20.9% decrease. Only the Low preset comfortably exceeds 60 FPS, while Medium is right at the threshold and the higher presets fall below playable standards for most users.

At 3840x2160, the average FPS values are 76 on Low, 48 on Medium with a minimum of 40 and maximum of 55, 34 on High, and 27 on Ultra. The scaling from Low to Medium shows a 36.8% decrease, from Medium to High a 29.2% decrease, and from High to Ultra a 20.6% decrease. The 4K resolution demonstrates the GPU's limitations most clearly, with only the Low preset providing a smooth experience and the Ultra preset barely maintaining 27 FPS average.

The Medium settings at each resolution provide the most complete data, showing that the frame rate range scales proportionally with the average. At 1080p, the 61-83 FPS range represents an 18.3% variation from minimum to maximum, while at 1440p the 52-70 FPS range shows a 17.1% variation, and at 4K the 40-55 FPS range shows a 15.4% variation. This decreasing variance at higher resolutions suggests that the GPU's workload becomes more consistent as it becomes more fully utilized, reducing frame time spikes that could occur at lower resolutions.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT is based on the Navi 22 chip with RDNA 2.0 architecture, manufactured on a 7 nm process by TSMC. It features 2560 shading units, 160 texture mapping units, and 64 raster operation units, with 40 ray tracing cores. The GPU operates at a base clock of 2150 MHz, a boost clock of 2600 MHz, and a game clock of 2495 MHz, with memory running at 2250 MHz (18 Gbps effective) across a 192-bit bus.

The 12 GB of GDDR6 memory provides 432.0 GB/s of bandwidth, which is sufficient for The Medium's requirements at the tested resolutions. The GPU's FP32 performance of 13.31 TFLOPS and texture rate of 416.0 GTexel/s indicate solid mid-range compute capabilities. The pixel rate of 166.4 GPixel/s helps explain the frame rate scaling at higher resolutions, as the 4K pixel count of approximately 8.3 million pixels per frame requires significant fill-rate resources.

The GPU's 71st percentile ranking among all graphics cards positions it as a competent but not exceptional performer. Its PassMark G3D score of 20700 and 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2548 provide synthetic benchmarks that correlate with the observed gaming performance. The nearest rivals in the benchmark database include the AMD Radeon R9 M395X (0.5% higher average score), the AMD FirePro W7100 (0.6% higher), and the AMD FirePro D700 (0.7% higher), all of which are older or lower-tier products, indicating the RX 6750 XT's position at the top of the mid-range segment.

The GPU's 250 W TDP and PCIe 4.0 x16 interface provide adequate power and bandwidth for this title. The frame rate data shows that the GPU becomes the limiting factor at higher resolutions and settings, with the 4K Ultra result of 27 FPS representing a 76.5% decrease from the 1080p Low result of 115 FPS. This scaling is characteristic of a GPU-bound scenario, where the CPU's 14 cores and 5.10 GHz boost clock provide more than enough processing power to feed the graphics pipeline. The GPU's 12 GB VRAM capacity ensures that memory is not a constraint, as the frame rate drops are consistent with compute and fill-rate limitations rather than memory bandwidth or capacity issues.