The Medium

The Medium is a demanding horror title that stresses both CPU and GPU heavily, and the combination of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti produces a wide spread of results depending on your resolution and settings. The data shows a system that can deliver high refresh rate experiences at 1080p, but which becomes firmly GPU-bound at 4K, requiring a careful balance of graphical presets to maintain smooth gameplay. This analysis breaks down the measured performance to help you understand exactly what this pairing offers.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is steep and reveals a clear shift in bottleneck. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 149 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 at Low settings, the average drops to 125 FPS, a reduction of 24 FPS. At 3840x2160 with Low settings, the average falls further to 98 FPS. This scaling pattern, while significant, is not linear; the 1080p to 1440p drop is 16%, while the 1440p to 4K drop is 22%. This indicates that the CPU is still providing enough headroom at 1440p, but the GPU is starting to take on a heavier load.

The shift in the limiting component becomes even more pronounced at higher graphical presets. At High settings, the average FPS goes from 67 at 1080p to 56 at 1440p and then to 44 at 4K. The gap between 1080p and 1440p narrows to 11 FPS, and the 1440p to 4K drop is 12 FPS. This suggests that the RTX 3080 Ti is becoming the primary constraint as the resolution increases. At Ultra settings, the trend is similar but with lower overall numbers: 53 FPS at 1080p, 45 FPS at 1440p, and 35 FPS at 4K. The consistent drop of roughly 8-10 FPS per resolution step at Ultra indicates the GPU is saturated, and the CPU's high performance is no longer the deciding factor.

The most telling data point for the GPU-bound nature of this combo at high resolutions is the scaling between Low and Ultra at 4K. The jump from 35 FPS at Ultra to 98 FPS at Low is a massive 2.8x increase, which is a hallmark of a scenario where the graphics card's rendering load is the primary limiter. At 1080p, the same Low-to-Ultra change results in a 2.8x increase as well (149 to 53 FPS), but the absolute numbers are high enough that the CPU is still likely contributing to the ceiling. For a smooth experience at 4K, you will need to rely on lower settings, as the data clearly shows the GPU cannot maintain high frame rates with this game's heavier presets at that resolution.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is a formidable processor with 24 cores and 24 threads, a base clock of 3.70 GHz, and a boost clock of 5.80 GHz. Its benchmark scores are exceptional, including a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 51731 and a single-core score of 7303. It sits in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 84003. This puts it just 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and 1.1% ahead of the AMD EPYC 4584PX, per the nearest rivals data. This level of performance ensures that the CPU is almost never the bottleneck in a game like The Medium, which is known for its complex scenes and fixed camera angles.

In this game, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with enough data to keep it busy, especially at lower resolutions where the GPU can render frames faster. The measured results support this. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 149 FPS, a number that suggests the CPU is capable of pushing well beyond 150 FPS if the GPU could keep up. As the resolution increases to 1440p and then 4K, the average FPS drops, but this is entirely consistent with the GPU having to render more pixels per frame. The CPU's high single-thread performance, evidenced by its 4823 Passmark single-thread score, is crucial for maintaining consistent frame pacing and avoiding stutters in a game that relies heavily on cinematic sequences and dynamic lighting.

The Thread Director technology in the Core Ultra Series 2 is not explicitly listed in the benchmarks, but the raw core count and clock speeds are more than sufficient for The Medium’s requirements. The game is not designed to scale perfectly across 24 cores, but the 290K Plus's strong per-core performance ensures that even the main game logic thread runs efficiently. The data shows that the CPU is a stable foundation; it doesn't prevent the GPU from reaching its limits, which is exactly what you want in a high-end pairing. The bottleneck at 4K is entirely on the GPU, as reducing the graphics settings from Ultra to Low at that resolution yields a 63 FPS increase (from 35 to 98 FPS), which would not happen if the CPU were the limiting factor.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the benchmark database, this specific combination of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti ranks 663rd out of 2911 tested combos for The Medium. This places it in the top 22.8% of all tested systems, which is a strong result but not a top-tier one. The ranking reflects the RTX 3080 Ti's position in the graphics card hierarchy; while it is a powerful card, it is not the latest generation, and its 83rd percentile ranking against all GPUs shows there are many faster options available.

The combo's rank is more a function of the GPU than the CPU. The RTX 3080 Ti has an average benchmark score of 41187, which is 2% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 and 0.8% higher than the AMD Radeon Pro 5300, per the nearest rivals data. This suggests that the GPU is a solid mid-to-high-end performer, and the 290K Plus is simply a very fast companion that ensures no CPU-related frame drops. The 663rd rank means that a significant number of other combinations, likely featuring newer GPUs like the GeForce 40-series, outperform it in this game.

The data indicates that this combo is well-balanced for 1440p gaming, where the CPU can stretch its legs and the GPU is still capable of delivering high frame rates. At 4K, the combo's rank would likely be lower if the database were sorted purely on 4K performance, as the GPU becomes the sole limiting factor. The high rank of the CPU (96th percentile) does not boost the combo's overall rank because the game's performance is so heavily tied to the graphics card. For a builder, this means the combo is a capable, reliable choice, but it is not the absolute fastest configuration available, and its strengths lie in its consistency rather than raw top-end 4K performance.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured data provides a clear picture of performance across all settings and resolutions. At 1920x1080, the system is capable of high refresh rate gaming. With Low settings, it averages 149 FPS. Moving to Medium settings, the average drops to 93 FPS, with a minimum of 79 FPS and a maximum of 107 FPS. High settings yield an average of 67 FPS, and Ultra settings reduce the average to 53 FPS. This shows that at 1080p, even Ultra settings are playable, but for competitive or very smooth gameplay, Medium or Low settings are preferable.

At 2560x1440, the performance is still solid but requires more careful settings management. Low settings average 125 FPS, which is excellent. Medium settings average 78 FPS, with a minimum of 67 and a maximum of 90 FPS. High settings drop to 56 FPS on average, and Ultra settings fall to 45 FPS. The jump from Low to Medium at this resolution is a 47 FPS difference, which is significant, but the Medium preset still provides good playability. High and Ultra are more demanding and may result in noticeable dips in performance during intense scenes.

At 3840x2160, the RTX 3080 Ti is clearly challenged. Low settings average 98 FPS, which is playable. Medium settings average 61 FPS, with a minimum of 52 FPS and a maximum of 71 FPS, which is on the edge of playability for a smooth experience. High settings average 44 FPS, and Ultra settings drop to a 35 FPS average. The data shows that 4K gaming with this combo is only viable at Low or Medium settings. The Medium preset's minimum FPS of 52 is concerning for a game like The Medium, which can have sudden loading or transition stutters, and you may prefer Low settings for a more consistent experience at this resolution.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is based on the Ampere architecture and features the GA102 chip. It has 12 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 384-bit bus, providing 912.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The GPU has 10240 shading units, 320 texture mapping units, and 112 raster output units. Its boost clock is 1665 MHz. These specifications place it in the 83rd percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 41187. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon Pro 5300 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070, which are within 2% of its score.

In The Medium, the GPU's role is paramount. The game's fixed camera angles and heavy use of volumetric lighting and reflections put a massive load on the graphics processor. The 12 GB of VRAM is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p at all settings, and it handles 4K at Medium settings without issue. The card's high memory bandwidth is crucial for streaming textures in a game with detailed environments. The measured FPS data confirms that the GPU is the main determinant of performance. At 4K Ultra, the card delivers only 35 FPS, which is a clear sign that it is at its limits.

The RTX 3080 Ti's performance in this game is strong but not exceptional by modern standards. The 2% deltaPct over the RTX 5070 in the benchmark scores is interesting, but in actual gaming, the newer architecture of the 5070 might handle specific features better. However, the data shows that for this title, the 3080 Ti is a capable card that can deliver playable frame rates at 1440p on High settings. The GPU's power is best utilized at 1440p, where it can balance resolution and graphical fidelity without being overwhelmed. At 4K, it is a card that demands compromises on settings to achieve a playable experience.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the best experience for this combo depends heavily on your display resolution. For 1920x1080, the High preset at 67 FPS is a solid choice, but the Medium preset at 93 FPS offers a much smoother experience with a small visual trade-off. The Low preset at 149 FPS is ideal for players who prioritize frame rate above all else, but for most, the Medium preset provides the best balance of visual quality and performance. Ultra at 53 FPS is playable but not ideal for a horror game where smooth camera movement is important for immersion.

For 2560x1440, the Medium preset is the clear recommendation. With an average of 78 FPS and a minimum of 67 FPS, it provides a consistent and smooth experience that is well-suited for the game's atmosphere. The High preset at 56 FPS is acceptable, but the lower minimum frame rates could lead to occasional stutters. Low at 125 FPS is excellent for those who want maximum fluidity, but Medium is the sweet spot. Ultra at 45 FPS is not recommended, as it is too close to the threshold where the game starts to feel less responsive.

For 3840x2160, the options are more limited. The Low preset at 98 FPS is the only setting that provides a truly comfortable margin above 60 FPS. The Medium preset at 61 FPS is technically playable, but its minimum of 52 FPS means you will experience frame drops below 60 FPS during heavy scenes. Given the cinematic nature of The Medium, these dips can be jarring. Therefore, the Low preset is recommended for 4K to ensure a consistent and immersive experience. The High and Ultra presets at 44 and 35 FPS respectively are not viable for smooth gameplay. The data suggests that Medium at 4K is a compromise, but Low is the safer bet for performance consistency.