Downfall

The Intel Core i5-9400 paired with the AMD Radeon RX 7600 is a combination built on a generational gap, a Coffee Lake CPU from late 2018 meeting an RDNA 3.0 GPU from mid-2023. The database records for Downfall, a horror title from 2016, show that this pairing produces a wide spectrum of frame rates, ranging from a challenging 37.1 FPS at 4K Ultra to a fluid 194.8 FPS at 1080p Low. The data suggests that this system is highly capable for the game at most settings, with the primary bottleneck appearing at the highest resolution and preset combination.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The recorded FPS data for this combination covers three resolutions and four quality presets. The measurements are average FPS values, with no minimum or maximum frame time data recorded in the database.

At 1920x1080, the performance is consistently high. The Low preset delivers an average of 194.8 FPS, which is the highest frame rate recorded for this system in any configuration. Moving to Medium, the average drops to 155.3 FPS, a substantial 39.5 FPS decrease from Low. The High preset averages 127.1 FPS, remaining far above the 60 FPS threshold. The most demanding setting, Ultra, still produces a very playable average of 82.2 FPS. The scaling from Low to Ultra represents a reduction of 112.6 FPS, showing a clear performance cost for maximum visual fidelity.

At 2560x1440, the average frame rates remain strong. The Low preset averages 135.9 FPS. Medium follows at 113.6 FPS, a drop of 22.3 FPS from Low. High averages 93 FPS, which is still a comfortable margin above the playable threshold. The Ultra preset averages 57.8 FPS, which falls just short of the 60 FPS mark, making it the first configuration in the dataset to dip below the playable line.

At 3840x2160, the performance curve steepens. The Low preset averages 88.8 FPS, while Medium averages 71.5 FPS. High averages 60.3 FPS, which sits right at the playable threshold. The Ultra preset shows a significant performance hit, averaging only 37.1 FPS. This is the lowest recorded average in the entire dataset and the only configuration that is clearly unplayable. The gap between Low and Ultra at this resolution is 51.7 FPS.

CPU and GPU Roles

The data reveals how the workload shifts between the CPU and GPU as resolution changes. The i5-9400, with its six cores and six threads, appears sufficient to feed the RX 7600 at lower resolutions. At 1080p, the frame rates are exceptionally high, with the Low preset reaching 194.8 FPS. This high output suggests the GPU is being fully utilized, as the CPU is able to keep up with the demands of the game at this resolution. The scaling from Low to Ultra at 1080p shows a large drop from 194.8 FPS to 82.2 FPS, indicating that the GPU is the primary performance limiter as the visual workload increases.

At 2560x1440, the pattern is similar. The frame rates are lower than at 1080p across all presets, which is expected as the GPU takes on more pixel-rendering work. The drop from 135.9 FPS at Low to 57.8 FPS at Ultra shows the GPU is still the dominant factor in performance. The CPU's role appears consistent, as it has enough headroom to process the game logic and draw calls without becoming a limiting factor at this resolution.

The 3840x2160 results tell a more complex story. The average frame rates at High and Medium, 60.3 FPS and 71.5 FPS respectively, are lower than their 1440p counterparts. This is a direct result of the GPU being pushed harder by the increased pixel count. The Ultra preset at 4K, with an average of 37.1 FPS, shows a severe performance drop. This suggests that at this extreme configuration, the GPU is overwhelmed by the combination of high resolution and high graphical demands. The CPU is less likely to be the bottleneck here, as the sheer volume of pixels and shader work is more than enough to saturate the GPU's capabilities.

Best Settings per Resolution

For players targeting a stable 60 FPS or higher, the database provides a clear recommendation for each resolution.

At 1920x1080, all four presets exceed the 60 FPS threshold. The most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is Ultra, which averages 82.2 FPS. This allows players to experience the game at its highest visual quality without any performance concerns.

At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset falls short, averaging 57.8 FPS. The most demanding preset that remains at or above 60 FPS is High, with an average of 93 FPS. This provides a significant performance cushion while still offering high visual quality.

At 3840x2160, the Ultra preset averages only 37.1 FPS, making it unplayable. The High preset averages 60.3 FPS, which is just above the playable threshold. The database identifies High as the best settings for 4K, as it is the most demanding preset that clears 60 FPS. Medium and Low also remain playable, with averages of 71.5 FPS and 88.8 FPS, but High offers the best visual experience within the playable range.

How This Combo Ranks

The database places this specific CPU and GPU combination at rank 2505 out of 3716 tested combos for Downfall. This places it in the lower half of all tested systems, a ranking that may seem surprising given the strong FPS numbers at 1080p and 1440p. The rank is likely influenced by the system's performance at 4K Ultra, where it struggles to maintain playable frame rates. Many other combinations in the database are able to achieve higher performance at that extreme preset, which would push the overall rank up. The ranking also reflects the age of the i5-9400. While it still performs adequately in this game, it lacks the higher core counts and faster single-thread performance of more modern CPUs, which can be a factor in CPU-bound scenarios. The combination is not a top-tier performer, but it is far from the bottom of the list.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The nearest rivals for the CPU and GPU provide context for what other hardware might deliver similar results. The i5-9400 has an average benchmark score of 2254. Its closest rival is the Intel Core i7-1068NG7, with an average score of 2259, a difference of -0.2%. This means the i7-1068NG7 performs nearly identically to the i5-9400, and a system with that CPU would likely produce very similar frame rates in Downfall. Other close rivals include the Intel Core i3-10305, which is 0.4% slower, and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500, which is 0.4% faster. The Intel Core i7-10710U is also a near match, being 0.3% slower.

On the GPU side, the RX 7600 has an average benchmark score of 15171. Its nearest rival is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM, with an average score of 15199, a delta of -0.2%. This suggests that the RTX 3050 OEM would provide essentially the same level of graphical performance in Downfall. The AMD Radeon 680M is 0.7% faster, while the AMD Radeon Pro 560X is 0.6% slower. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti is also a close match, being 0.7% slower. Any of these CPUs or GPUs could be swapped into the system without a noticeable change in the game's performance.

The Verdict

The data shows that this PC can run Downfall effectively. The verdict by resolution is clear. At 1920x1080, the system is fully capable, with playable settings including Low, Medium, High, and Ultra. The best settings are Ultra, which runs at an average of 82.2 FPS. At 2560x1440, the playable settings are Low, Medium, and High. The Ultra preset is not playable, as it falls below 60 FPS. The best settings at this resolution are High, with an average of 93 FPS. At 3840x2160, the playable settings are Low, Medium, and High. The Ultra preset is not playable. The best settings at 4K are High, which averages 60.3 FPS, just clearing the playable threshold. In summary, the system can run the game at every resolution with the High preset, and only the Ultra preset at 1440p and 4K proves to be too demanding.

FAQ

*Q: Can this PC run Downfall at 4K resolution?*

A: Yes, at 4K the playable settings are Low, Medium, and High. The High preset averages 60.3 FPS, which is just above the 60 FPS threshold.

Q: What is the best setting for 1080p gameplay?

A: At 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the most demanding setting that stays at or above 60 FPS, with an average of 82.2 FPS.

Q: Is the Ultra preset playable at 1440p?

A: No, at 2560x1440 the Ultra preset averages 57.8 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: Which component is more important for performance at 1080p?

A: The scaling from Low to Ultra at 1080p shows a large drop from 194.8 FPS to 82.2 FPS, indicating the GPU is the primary performance limiter.

Q: What GPU is a close performance match to the RX 7600?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is a close match, with an average benchmark score 0.2% different from the RX 7600.

Q: What is the lowest recorded average FPS for this system?

A: The lowest recorded average is 37.1 FPS, which occurs at 3840x2160 resolution with the Ultra preset.