The Medium

The Medium is a demanding horror title that stresses both the CPU and GPU depending on resolution and settings. This analysis breaks down how the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti performs across the board, using only measured data from the provided benchmark results.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is steep and reveals a clear GPU bottleneck at higher resolutions. At Medium settings, the average frame rate falls from 70 FPS at 1920x1080 to 59 FPS at 2560x1440, then down to 47 FPS at 3840x2160. That is a 33% reduction from 1080p to 4K, indicating that the RTX 3060 Ti is the limiting factor as pixel count rises.

The pattern is even more pronounced at High settings. The average FPS drops from 50 at 1080p to 42 at 1440p, and then to 33 at 4K. This 34% decline between 1080p and 4K confirms that the GPU's compute and memory bandwidth are being saturated. The RTX 3060 Ti has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and a 256-bit bus, which is adequate for 1080p and 1440p but struggles to maintain smooth frame rates at 4K with higher quality presets.

Low settings show the widest spread, with 113 FPS at 1080p, 95 FPS at 1440p, and 74 FPS at 4K. The 1080p to 4K drop here is 35%, nearly identical to the High preset. This consistency suggests that the resolution scaling penalty is largely independent of the graphics preset, reinforcing that the RTX 3060 Ti's raw throughput is the main constraint.

At Ultra settings, the frame rates become marginal. The average FPS is 40 at 1080p, 34 at 1440p, and 26 at 4K. The 1080p to 4K reduction is 35% again, matching the other presets. The data shows that the CPU, with its 24 cores and boost clock of 5.80 GHz, is not the limiting factor in this title; the GPU is. Even at 1080p Ultra, the combo only reaches 40 FPS, which is far below what the CPU could theoretically feed if paired with a stronger graphics card.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is a high-end desktop processor with 24 cores and 24 threads. It operates at a base clock of 3.70 GHz and boosts up to 5.80 GHz, with 36 MB of shared L3 cache. This is an Arrow Lake Refresh part built on a 3 nm TSMC process, and it sits in the 96th percentile versus all CPUs in the benchmark database.

The benchmark results show this CPU is not the bottleneck in The Medium. At 1080p Low, the combo achieves 113 FPS, which is a solid result, but at 1080p Ultra, the frame rate drops to 40 FPS. If the CPU were the constraint, lowering the graphics settings would not produce such a large jump in performance. The fact that Low settings nearly triple the frame rate compared to Ultra indicates that the GPU is doing all the heavy lifting.

The CPU's single-thread performance is strong, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 7303 and a Passmark single-thread score of 4823. The Medium is a horror game that relies on fixed camera angles and pre-rendered backgrounds, which typically does not require massive multi-threaded scaling. The 24-core CPU is overkill for this title, but its high boost clock ensures that any single-threaded rendering calls are handled without delay.

Compared to its nearest rivals, the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is effectively tied with the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, scoring 0.2% higher in average benchmark score. It also leads the AMD EPYC 4584PX by 1.1% and the AMD EPYC 9135 by 1.2%. The AMD EPYC 7F72 is 1.3% ahead. These deltas are negligible in real-world gaming, so the CPU choice has minimal impact on The Medium's frame rates.

The data suggests that the CPU's role in this specific game is to avoid becoming a bottleneck. With a Passmark multithread score of 60860 and a Cinebench R20 multicore score of 21727, there is ample headroom. The GPU is the component that determines whether the game runs at 40 FPS or 113 FPS, regardless of the CPU's capabilities.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS rows provide clear guidance on which preset offers the best experience. At 1080p, Medium settings deliver 70 FPS average with a minimum of 60 FPS and a maximum of 81 FPS. This is the sweet spot for smooth gameplay on a standard 60 Hz monitor, as it stays above the refresh rate floor. High settings at 1080p drop to 50 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for fast-paced sections. Low settings hit 113 FPS, but the visual quality loss in a horror game is likely not worth the extra frame rate.

At 1440p, Medium settings are the best choice, with an average of 59 FPS and a minimum of 50 FPS. This is just below a 60 FPS target, but it is the highest preset that remains consistently playable. High settings at 1440p average 42 FPS, which is too low for a smooth experience. Low settings reach 95 FPS, but again, the visual downgrade is severe.

At 4K, the situation is more challenging. Medium settings average 47 FPS with a minimum of 40 FPS, which is borderline playable but may cause noticeable stutter in demanding scenes. Low settings average 74 FPS, which is smooth, but the game's horror atmosphere relies heavily on lighting and shadows, which Low settings compromise. Ultra settings are not viable at any resolution, with only 26 FPS at 4K and 40 FPS at 1080p.

The recommendation is to use Medium settings for the best balance of visual fidelity and frame rate. At 1080p and 1440p, Medium provides a playable experience without sacrificing too much of the game's intended mood. At 4K, Medium is the highest preset that stays above 40 FPS, but users with a 60 Hz display should consider Low settings to maintain a stable 74 FPS. The data shows that Ultra is never worth the performance cost, as it offers diminishing visual returns while cutting frame rates nearly in half compared to Medium.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti ranks 1854 out of 3724 tested combos in The Medium. This places it in the middle of the pack, which is unsurprising given the GPU's age and tier. The RTX 3060 Ti was released in late 2020 and is now end-of-life, but it still performs in the 59th percentile versus all GPUs.

The GPU's nearest rivals in the database show that it is closely matched with the AMD Radeon RX 9060, which scores 0.7% higher. The AMD Radeon Pro 5600M and AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT are 1.4% ahead, while the AMD Radeon R9 370X is 1.7% behind. These small deltas mean that swapping the RTX 3060 Ti for any of these cards would produce nearly identical frame rates in The Medium.

The CPU's rank is much stronger, sitting in the 96th percentile versus all CPUs. The Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is a top-tier processor, but its performance advantage over the Core Ultra 9 285K (0.2%) is irrelevant when the GPU is the bottleneck. The combo rank of 1854 out of 3724 suggests that there are many faster combinations, but they all involve more powerful GPUs than the RTX 3060 Ti.

For context, the combo rank is not a reflection of the CPU's capability, but rather the entire system's ability to run this specific game. Since the CPU is clearly not the limiting factor, the rank would improve significantly with a stronger GPU. The data indicates that this combo is best suited for 1080p gaming, where it ranks much higher in practical terms than the raw number suggests.

FAQ

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

A: The data shows 1920x1080 is the best resolution. At Medium settings, it delivers 70 FPS average with a minimum of 60 FPS, which is the only resolution and preset combination that consistently stays above 60 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rival?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus scores 0.2% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K in average benchmark score. It also leads the AMD EPYC 4584PX by 1.1% and the AMD EPYC 9135 by 1.2%, while trailing the AMD EPYC 7F72 by 1.3%.

Q: Is the RTX 3060 Ti a bottleneck at 4K?

A: Yes. At 3840x2160, the average frame rate is 47 FPS on Medium settings and 33 FPS on High settings. The GPU's 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and 448.0 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient to maintain high frame rates at this resolution.

Q: What settings should I use for a 60 Hz monitor?

A: At 1080p, Medium settings average 70 FPS, which is ideal. At 1440p, Medium settings average 59 FPS, which is close but may occasionally dip below 60 FPS. For a strict 60 FPS lock, Low settings at 1440p deliver 95 FPS.

Q: How does this combo rank overall?

A: It ranks 1854 out of 3724 tested combos in The Medium. The CPU is in the 96th percentile versus all CPUs, but the GPU is in the 59th percentile, which pulls the overall combo rank down to the middle of the field.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more important for this game?

A: The GPU is more important. The data shows that lowering graphics settings from Ultra to Low at 1080p increases the average FPS from 40 to 113, a 73 FPS difference. The CPU's strong single-thread performance (7303 in Cinebench R23) ensures it does not limit frame rates.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table presents the exact measured average FPS values for each resolution and settings combination. Minimum and maximum FPS are only available for Medium settings.

| Resolution | Settings | Avg FPS | Min FPS | Max FPS |

|------------|----------|---------|---------|---------|

| 1920x1080 | Low | 113 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Medium | 70 | 60 | 81 |

| 1920x1080 | High | 50 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Ultra | 40 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Low | 95 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Medium | 59 | 50 | 68 |

| 2560x1440 | High | 42 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Ultra | 34 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Low | 74 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Medium | 47 | 40 | 54 |

| 3840x2160 | High | 33 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Ultra | 26 | - | - |

The data reveals a consistent pattern: Low settings always provide the highest frame rates, followed by Medium, then High, and finally Ultra. The gap between Low and Ultra is significant at every resolution, ranging from 73 FPS at 1080p to 48 FPS at 4K. The Medium preset offers the best compromise, with frame rates that are roughly 60% of Low but with substantially better visual quality.

At 1080p, the combo can handle any preset for casual play, but only Medium and Low stay above 60 FPS. At 1440p, only Low and Medium exceed 50 FPS, making Ultra and High unsuitable for smooth gameplay. At 4K, only Low settings provide a comfortable frame rate, while Medium is borderline and High/Ultra are effectively unplayable.