The Medium

The Intel Core Ultra 7 165H paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile is a formidable combination for The Medium, a horror title that relies heavily on both sustained CPU throughput and raw GPU rasterization power. The benchmark data places this specific configuration at rank 758 out of 3724 tested combos, placing it in the top 20.4% of all systems evaluated for this title. This ranking is not merely a reflection of the high-end GPU, but also of a mobile CPU that delivers strong multi-threaded performance, ensuring the system does not become CPU-bound at lower resolutions. The measured frames per second across the board indicate that this combo is positioned to handle the game's demanding fixed-camera perspectives and detailed environments, though the gap between the highest and lowest settings is substantial.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo’s rank of 758 out of 3724 represents a top-quartile standing, but the data suggests it is not at the absolute apex of performance. This is a nuanced position: the GPU is a flagship mobile part, but its score is constrained by the mobile platform's power and thermal limits, and the CPU, while competent, is not a desktop-class flagship. The ranking indicates that a significant number of combinations—roughly 2,966 others—trail this system in The Medium. However, it also shows there are 757 faster configurations, which likely include higher-power desktop CPUs paired with similarly powerful or superior GPUs. The percentile rank of 84 for both the CPU and GPU independently reinforces this, as they sit in the 84th percentile of their respective categories, yet the game's performance is a function of their interaction.

The deltaPct values from the nearest rivals provide context for the CPU's standing. The Core Ultra 7 165H has an average benchmark score of 34083, which is a mere 0.3% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H (score 33989) and just 0.4% higher than the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 (score 34222). This indicates that within its segment, the 165H is a very strong performer, but it is essentially tied with its closest competitors. The margin over the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, a previous-generation desktop part, is also a thin 0.5% (score 34260), showing that the mobile chip's efficiency and architecture have brought it to parity with older desktop designs. For The Medium, this means the CPU provides a stable foundation that will not bottleneck the RTX 5090 Mobile in most scenarios, but it does not provide the overwhelming headroom that a top-tier desktop processor might.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 7 165H is a 16-core, 22-thread processor based on the Meteor Lake architecture, built on a 7 nm process. Its base clock is 3.80 GHz, which can boost up to 5.00 GHz. This hybrid configuration allows for efficient handling of both light background tasks and heavy multi-threaded workloads. In The Medium, a game that often loads entire levels and streams assets, the multi-threaded capabilities are directly relevant. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 14551 and the Passmark multi-thread score of 25933 highlight a strong capacity for parallel processing, which helps maintain consistent frame times when the game's engine is spawning entities or calculating complex lighting and shadow interactions.

The cache hierarchy is notable, with 24 MB of shared L3 cache, which is crucial for feeding the 22 threads with data. The Passmark data encryption score of 17169 and data compression score of 291161 are indicative of the CPU's ability to handle data shuffling, which is a common task in open-world or level-streaming games. The single-thread performance, measured at a Passmark score of 3509 and a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1759, is also strong, ensuring that the game's primary simulation thread runs efficiently. The benchmark results show this CPU is not a weak link; for instance, the 47 FPS average at 4K Ultra is a GPU-bound scenario, while the 146 FPS at 1080p Low suggests the CPU can push frame rates high when the GPU workload is light. The chip's 28 W TDP is a mobile-specific constraint, but its performance demonstrates that modern efficiency cores and a solid boost clock can deliver a high level of gameplay capability.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile is the primary driver of visual fidelity in this configuration. It is a massive mobile GPU with 24 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 896.0 GB/s. This is a substantial amount of VRAM, which is more than sufficient for The Medium's highest textures at 4K resolution, preventing any potential texture streaming or memory allocation stutters. The GPU is based on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture on a 5 nm process and boasts 10496 shading units, 328 texture mapping units, and 112 raster output units. Its compute capabilities are immense, with a FP32 throughput of 31.80 TFLOPS. The 82 RT cores and 328 tensor cores are present, but The Medium primarily uses standard rasterization, so these features are not the main focus of the benchmark results.

The GPU's clock speeds are a key indicator of its performance. The base clock is 990 MHz, boosting to 1515 MHz. These clock speeds, combined with the high core count, allow for substantial fill rates, with a pixel rate of 169.7 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 496.9 GTexel/s. The benchmark data shows the GPU's raw power scales predictably with settings. At 1080p Low, the GPU is able to output 146 FPS, but at 4K Ultra, it drops to 37 FPS. This is a classic rasterization workload curve. The Passmark G3D score of 30034 places it in the 84th percentile of all GPUs, and its average benchmark score of 45152 is just 0.8% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti (score 44795), according to the nearest rivals data. This suggests that while it is a top-tier mobile part, its performance is closer to a previous-generation high-end desktop card than to a new flagship desktop equivalent. In The Medium, this translates to playable frame rates at high settings, but not the massive headroom one might expect from the generational naming.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed look at the combo's performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the results are consistently high. Low settings yield an average of 146 FPS, which is an excellent result for a 1080p monitor with a high refresh rate. Medium settings drop to 98 FPS, with a minimum frame time of 84 FPS and a maximum of 113 FPS, indicating smooth gameplay. High settings reduce the average to 70 FPS, and Ultra settings bring it down to 56 FPS. This shows that at 1080p, the system is capable of maintaining 60+ FPS on High settings, but the Ultra preset will require a 60 Hz refresh rate or V-sync to avoid screen tearing.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance scales down accordingly. Low settings produce an average of 132 FPS, still a very high frame rate. Medium settings average 83 FPS, with a min/max of 70/95 FPS, which is a comfortable range for a 1440p high-refresh panel. High settings average 59 FPS, which is just below the 60 FPS target but still playable. Ultra settings average 47 FPS, which is a notable step down. At 3840x2160, the GPU is heavily taxed. Low settings still manage an average of 104 FPS, which is impressive for 4K. Medium settings average 65 FPS, with min/max of 55/75 FPS, making it the best balance for 4K. High settings drop to 47 FPS, and Ultra settings fall to 37 FPS, which is only suitable for slower-paced, atmospheric sections of the game.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS drop from 1080p to 4K is steep, confirming that this combo is GPU-limited at higher resolutions. At Low settings, the average FPS falls from 146 at 1080p to 132 at 1440p (a 9.6% drop) and then to 104 at 4K (a 28.8% drop from 1080p). This is a significant reduction, but the absolute numbers remain high. At Medium settings, the drop is more pronounced: from 98 at 1080p to 83 at 1440p (a 15.3% drop) and to 65 at 4K (a 33.7% drop from 1080p). This indicates that the increased fill-rate and shading demands of higher resolutions and medium settings are starting to saturate the GPU's execution units.

The scaling becomes even more aggressive at High and Ultra settings. At High, the average FPS drops from 70 at 1080p to 59 at 1440p (a 15.7% drop) and then to 47 at 4K (a 32.9% drop). At Ultra, the drop is from 56 to 47 (a 16.1% drop) and then to 37 (a 33.9% drop). The consistency of this ~33% total drop from 1080p to 4K across the higher settings suggests that the game's rendering complexity at these presets is scaling linearly with pixel count, and the GPU is the sole limiting factor. The CPU, with its strong multi-threaded scores, does not show any signs of bottlenecking, as the frame rates do not plateau at 1080p; they continue to rise, proving the CPU can feed the GPU with enough draw calls.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured rows, the optimal settings depend on the target resolution and refresh rate. For 1080p users with a 144 Hz or higher monitor, the High preset is the recommended choice, as it delivers an average of 70 FPS, which is a solid balance of visual quality and speed. The Medium preset at 98 FPS would be preferable for competitive or very fast-paced action, but High offers a richer visual experience. For those with a 60 Hz 1080p panel, the Ultra preset at 56 FPS is viable, though it may occasionally dip below 60 FPS.

At 1440p, the High preset at 59 FPS is the best compromise for a 60 Hz monitor, providing a near-ideal experience. The Medium preset at 83 FPS is the clear winner for 1440p high-refresh displays, offering a smooth and responsive experience without sacrificing too much visual fidelity. The Ultra preset at 47 FPS is not recommended for typical gameplay, as the frame rate is too low for consistent smoothness. For 4K, the Medium preset is the definitive choice, with an average of 65 FPS and a minimum of 55 FPS. This provides a stable, playable experience that is significantly better than the 47 FPS of High and the 37 FPS of Ultra. The data suggests that the "Medium" preset is the sweet spot for high-resolution gaming, as it allocates resources efficiently without triggering the most demanding effects that tank performance.

FAQ

Q: Is this configuration capable of running The Medium at 4K?

A: Yes, but only at Medium settings can it achieve a stable 65 FPS average. At High settings, the average drops to 47 FPS, and at Ultra, it falls to 37 FPS, which are less ideal for a smooth experience.

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H compare to its nearest CPU rivals in terms of performance?

A: The CPU has an average benchmark score of 34083, which is 0.3% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H and 0.4% higher than the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 and AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, showing it is essentially tied with these competitors.

Q: What is the best settings preset for a 1440p high-refresh-rate monitor?

A: The Medium preset is the best, delivering an average of 83 FPS with a minimum of 70 FPS, which is ideal for a 144 Hz or similar high-refresh panel.

Q: Does the CPU bottleneck the GPU at 1080p?

A: No, the data does not indicate a CPU bottleneck. At 1080p Low settings, the system reaches 146 FPS, and the frame rate scales down as resolution and settings increase, indicating the GPU is the primary limiting factor.

Q: How much VRAM does the RTX 5090 Mobile have, and is it sufficient?

A: The GPU has 24 GB of GDDR7 memory with a bandwidth of 896.0 GB/s, which is more than sufficient for The Medium's highest texture settings at any resolution.

Q: What is the performance difference between the Low and Ultra presets at 4K?

A: The average FPS drops from 104 at Low settings to 37 at Ultra settings, a difference of 67 FPS, highlighting the massive impact of the Ultra preset's rendering demands on the GPU.