Downfall

The Intel Core i5-9400 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 delivers a robust performance profile in Downfall, a Horror title released in 2016. The measured data shows that this combination is capable of high frame rates across all tested resolutions and presets, with the GPU, the RTX 5070, acting as the primary performance driver. The following analysis breaks down the recorded FPS, contextualizes the combo's standing among other tested systems, and outlines the optimal settings for each resolution.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The performance data for this hardware combination was recorded at three resolutions (3840x2160, 2560x1440, and 1920x1080) and four graphics presets (Low, Medium, High, Ultra). The measurements capture average FPS; minimum and maximum frame rate data were not recorded. The results show a clear pattern: frame rates scale directly with resolution, with lower resolutions producing significantly higher averages.

At 3840x2160 (4K), the combo starts at 150.5 FPS on Low settings. Moving to Medium reduces the average to 124.6 FPS, a 25.9 FPS drop. High settings bring the average down to 101.6 FPS. The most demanding preset, Ultra, still produces an average of 64.3 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS playable threshold. This indicates that even at maximum settings, 4K remains playable, though with less headroom compared to lower resolutions.

At 2560x1440 (1440p), the performance headroom increases substantially. Low settings deliver an average of 239.5 FPS. Medium settings record 199 FPS, and High settings produce 162.2 FPS. The Ultra preset at this resolution yields an average of 100.5 FPS, which is more than 36 FPS higher than the 4K Ultra result. This suggests that the GPU has considerable capacity left at 1440p when handling the game's graphical load.

At 1920x1080 (1080p), the frame rates are the highest in the dataset. Low settings produce an average of 269.6 FPS, which is the highest recorded value for this combo. Medium settings reach 255.1 FPS, and High settings average 226.1 FPS. Even the Ultra preset, which is the most demanding, maintains an average of 142.9 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra at 1080p is 126.7 FPS, demonstrating that the preset selection has a significant impact on the final frame rate.

Across all resolutions, the transition from High to Ultra incurs the largest performance penalty. At 4K, the drop is 37.3 FPS; at 1440p, it is 61.7 FPS; and at 1080p, it is 83.2 FPS. The drop from Medium to High is comparatively smaller, at 23 FPS for 4K, 36.8 FPS for 1440p, and 29 FPS for 1080p.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database's records for Downfall, this specific combination of the Intel Core i5-9400 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 holds a rank of 819 out of 3716 tested combos. This places the system in the upper third of all recorded configurations, indicating a strong overall capability for this game. The percentile position suggests that a majority of tested systems, approximately 78%, deliver lower performance in this title.

The rank reflects the combined influence of both components. The RTX 5070, which sits in the 82nd percentile for all GPUs, contributes the majority of the graphics processing power. The CPU, the i5-9400, ranks in the 47th percentile for all CPUs, which is a more modest standing. Despite the CPU's lower relative ranking, the combo's overall placement in the top 22% of test cases for Downfall highlights that the game is not excessively dependent on processor strength, allowing the GPU to dominate the performance outcome.

The ranking data indicates that this setup is well-suited for high-refresh-rate displays. The frame rates measured at 1080p and 1440p are far above the 60 FPS baseline, and even 4K Ultra settings remain playable. The system is positioned to handle the game smoothly without significant compromises.

CPU and GPU Roles

The recorded data shows a clear division of labor between the CPU and GPU in Downfall. The impact of resolution scaling on FPS is the primary indicator of which component is the bottleneck. When resolution decreases from 3840x2160 to 1920x1080, the average FPS across all presets increases dramatically, which is a classic sign of GPU-bound performance. The GPU is doing the heavy lifting for rendering, and reducing the pixel count relieves its workload.

For example, on High settings, the average FPS jumps from 101.6 at 4K to 162.2 at 1440p and then to 226.1 at 1080p. This 124.5 FPS difference between the highest and lowest resolution on the same preset indicates that the RTX 5070's rendering capacity is the limiting factor at higher resolutions. The CPU, the i5-9400, is capable of feeding the GPU with data fast enough to sustain these high frame rates, but its role becomes more prominent at lower resolutions where the GPU is less strained.

The scaling between presets also informs the component roles. At 1080p, the difference between Low and Ultra is 126.7 FPS, which is a larger absolute gap than the 86.2 FPS gap at 4K. This suggests that at 1080p, the graphics settings have a more pronounced effect on the final output, as the GPU has more spare capacity to respond to changes in workload. The CPU's six cores and six threads appear sufficient to maintain these frame rates without becoming a limiting factor, as evidenced by the high averages even on Low settings where CPU load is typically higher relative to GPU load.

The data indicates that the RTX 5070 is the dominant component for this game. The i5-9400 provides adequate support, but its mid-range ranking does not hinder the GPU's ability to deliver high frame rates. For users with this combo, the performance is primarily dictated by the GPU's capabilities.

FAQ

Q: Can this system run Downfall at 4K with Ultra settings?

A: Yes. The measured average FPS at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings is 64.3 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS playable threshold. The verdict data confirms that Ultra settings are playable at this resolution.

Q: What is the highest average FPS recorded for this combo?

A: The highest average FPS is 269.6, recorded at 1920x1080 with Low settings. This is the peak performance point in the measured dataset.

Q: How does the RTX 5070's ranking compare to the i5-9400's ranking?

A: The GPU ranks in the 82nd percentile of all GPUs, while the CPU ranks in the 47th percentile of all CPUs. This indicates that the GPU is a much stronger performer relative to its peers than the CPU is.

Q: Is there a large performance difference between High and Ultra presets?

A: Yes. The performance penalty for enabling Ultra over High is significant at all resolutions. At 1920x1080, the average FPS drops from 226.1 to 142.9, a difference of 83.2 FPS. At 3840x2160, the drop is from 101.6 to 64.3, a difference of 37.3 FPS.

Q: Which resolution provides the most headroom above the 60 FPS threshold?

A: 1920x1080 provides the most headroom. Even on the most demanding Ultra preset, the average FPS is 142.9, which is 82.9 FPS above the playable threshold.

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

A: The measured average FPS at 2560x1440 with High settings is 162.2. This is well above the 60 FPS threshold and provides a smooth experience.

Best Settings per Resolution

For each resolution, the database identifies the most demanding preset that maintains an average FPS at or above the 60 FPS playable threshold. Based on the measured data, the best settings are defined by the highest quality preset that still clears this bar.

At 3840x2160, the Ultra preset is the best option. It delivers an average of 64.3 FPS, which is just above the 60 FPS threshold. While High settings at this resolution offer a higher average of 101.6 FPS, Ultra provides the maximum visual quality without falling below the playable mark. The margin is slim, but it is sufficient.

At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset is also the best choice. The measured average FPS is 100.5, which provides a comfortable margin above the 60 FPS threshold. This setting offers the highest graphical fidelity while retaining a frame rate that is well-suited for smooth gameplay.

At 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the best option as well. The average FPS is 142.9, which is significantly above the playable threshold. This resolution offers the most performance headroom, allowing for the highest settings without any concern for dropping below 60 FPS.

The data shows that this combo can run the game at maximum settings at every tested resolution, with the 1080p and 1440p results providing particularly high frame rates.

The Verdict

The recorded data confirms that this PC configuration is fully capable of running Downfall. Across all three tested resolutions and all four graphics presets, the average FPS never falls below the 60 FPS playable threshold. The verdict by resolution is clear: the system achieves playable frame rates at 3840x2160, 2560x1440, and 1920x1080.

At 3840x2160, the best playable setting is Ultra, with an average FPS of 64.3. At 2560x1440, the best playable setting is also Ultra, with an average FPS of 100.5. At 1920x1080, the best playable setting is again Ultra, with an average FPS of 142.9. The system not only runs the game but does so at high quality settings with substantial performance to spare, especially at lower resolutions.

The combination of the Intel Core i5-9400 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 is a strong match for this title. The GPU's high percentile ranking ensures that the graphics workload is handled efficiently, while the CPU provides sufficient support to avoid bottlenecking. The ranking of 819 out of 3716 combos places this system in a favorable position for Downfall. For any user targeting 60 FPS or higher, this combo delivers across the board.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The database provides comparable hardware options based on average benchmark scores. For the CPU, the nearest rivals to the Intel Core i5-9400 include the Intel Core i7-1068NG7, the Intel Core i7-10710U, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500, and the Intel Core i3-10305. These processors have average scores very close to the i5-9400, with deltas ranging from -0.4% to 0.4%. This indicates that swapping the i5-9400 for any of these models would result in a nearly identical performance profile in CPU-bound scenarios.

For the GPU, the nearest rivals to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 include the AMD Radeon Pro 580, the AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100, the AMD Radeon Pro 5300, and the NVIDIA RTX A500 Mobile. The average score deltas for these GPUs range from -1.2% to 2%. This suggests that these alternatives would deliver very similar graphics performance, with the RTX A500 Mobile being slightly ahead on average and the Radeon Pro 5300 being slightly behind.

If a user were to pair the i5-9400 with one of the similar GPUs, such as the AMD Radeon Pro 580, the expected performance in Downfall would be almost indistinguishable from the RTX 5070 setup, given the small score deltas. Likewise, pairing the RTX 5070 with a similar CPU, such as the Intel Core i7-10710U, would yield a comparable result. The measured frame rates for this combo can be considered representative of what these alternative pairings would achieve, with only minor variations possible due to the slight score differences.