Downfall

The Intel Core i7-13700K paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 presents a high-performance baseline for Downfall, a 2016 horror title. Measured data indicates this combination delivers frame rates well above the 60 FPS playability threshold across most configurations, with the primary limitation appearing only at 4K with the highest preset. The benchmark results show a system that is capable of leveraging high refresh rates at lower resolutions, while still maintaining smooth performance at 4K.

Best Settings per Resolution

For 3840x2160, the most demanding preset that maintains an average of at least 60 FPS is High. The measured average frame rate at this setting is 89 FPS. While the Medium preset achieves an average of 109 FPS, the High preset is the optimal choice for visual fidelity without sacrificing the 60 FPS target. The Ultra preset at this resolution drops to an average of 56 FPS, which falls below the playable threshold.

At 2560x1440, the system can handle the maximum settings. The Ultra preset is playable, with a measured average of 90 FPS. This allows for the full range of graphical features to be enabled. The High preset at this resolution delivers a higher average of 143 FPS, but the Ultra setting remains comfortably above the 60 FPS line, making it the best selection for maximum quality.

For 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the clear choice, yielding an average of 125 FPS. This resolution provides a significant performance buffer, allowing the game to run at its highest visual settings while still offering headroom for high refresh rate displays. The data shows a consistent scaling pattern where the most demanding preset is only unplayable at the highest resolution tested.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark data reveals a shift in performance scaling that indicates the GPU becomes the primary limiting factor as resolution increases. At 1920x1080, the difference between Low and Ultra presets is substantial, with average frame rates of 299 FPS and 125 FPS respectively. This suggests the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU with enough data to produce high frame rates, but the GPU workload at Ultra settings begins to constrain performance.

When moving from 1920x1080 to 2560x1440, the performance drop is evident across all settings. The Low preset falls from 299 FPS to 214 FPS, and the Ultra preset drops from 125 FPS to 90 FPS. This scaling indicates that the GPU is handling a significantly increased pixel workload. The trend continues at 3840x2160, where the Ultra preset averages only 56 FPS, a clear sign that the graphics card is saturated.

The data points to the RTX 3080 as the decisive component for Downfall. The CPU, with its high multi-threaded performance, appears to be less of a bottleneck since even at 1080p with Low settings, the frame rate reaches nearly 300 FPS. The performance degradation from 1080p to 4K at the same settings is primarily attributable to the GPU’s rendering capabilities. The Core i7-13700K provides sufficient processing power to avoid limiting the frame rate in this scenario.

Similar Performance Alternatives

Based on the average benchmark scores, the CPU's closest rivals are all within a narrow performance band. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900 has an average score of 46971, which is 0.2% lower than the Core i7-13700K's average of 46881. Similarly, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 scores 47022, a 0.3% difference. The AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX and Intel Xeon w3-2535 are both 0.5% higher, with scores of 46654 and 46653 respectively. In gaming workloads, these processors would likely deliver very similar frame rates to the Core i7-13700K.

For the GPU, the nearest rivals present a more varied picture. The NVIDIA P106-100 has an average score of 23249, which is 0.3% lower than the RTX 3080's 23172. The AMD Radeon Pro Vega 16 and AMD Radeon RX 6600M have scores of 23250 and 23273, showing differences of -0.3% and -0.4% respectively. The AMD Radeon R9 M290X is also close, with a score of 23276. These alternatives suggest that while the RTX 3080 is a strong performer, there are other cards that would produce comparable frame rates in Downfall.

The data implies that users with any of these alternative components could expect a similar experience. The differences in average scores are minimal, and in a game like Downfall, which is not exceedingly demanding, these variations would likely translate to only a few frames per second difference.

The Verdict

The data confirms that this PC can run Downfall effectively. At 1920x1080, all four presets—Low, Medium, High, and Ultra—are playable, with the Ultra preset achieving an average of 125 FPS. At 2560x1440, the same is true, with the Ultra preset maintaining an average of 90 FPS. The system only faces a challenge at 3840x2160, where the Ultra preset falls below 60 FPS with an average of 56 FPS.

According to the verdict by resolution, the best playable settings are High at 3840x2160 with an average of 89 FPS, Ultra at 2560x1440 with an average of 90 FPS, and Ultra at 1920x1080 with an average of 125 FPS. This indicates that the system is fully capable of delivering a smooth experience at all tested resolutions, provided the user selects the appropriate quality level. The only scenario that fails to meet the 60 FPS target is 4K with the Ultra preset.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the frame rates are consistently high. The Low setting averages 299 FPS, while the Medium setting averages 245 FPS with a minimum of 208 FPS and a maximum of 282 FPS. The High setting delivers an average of 201 FPS, and the Ultra setting averages 125 FPS. The data shows a clear progression of decreasing performance as the visual quality increases.

At 2560x1440, the performance remains strong. The Low setting averages 214 FPS, and the Medium setting averages 175 FPS, with a minimum of 149 FPS and a maximum of 201 FPS. The High setting produces an average of 143 FPS, while the Ultra setting averages 90 FPS. The minimum frame rates for the Medium preset indicate the system can maintain smooth gameplay even during intense moments.

At 3840x2160, the results are more varied. The Low setting averages 133 FPS, and the Medium setting averages 109 FPS, with a minimum of 92 FPS and a maximum of 125 FPS. The High setting averages 89 FPS, but the Ultra setting drops to an average of 56 FPS, which is below the playable threshold. The minimum frame rates for the Medium preset still provide a comfortable margin above 60 FPS.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested configurations, this combination of the Intel Core i7-13700K and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 holds a rank of 1057 out of 3716 tested combos. This places it in the upper third of all systems, indicating a strong overall performance. The percentile rankings for the individual components are also notable. The CPU is in the 89th percentile among all CPUs, while the GPU is in the 68th percentile among all GPUs.

This ranking suggests that while the GPU is a solid performer, it is the CPU that stands out as a top-tier component. The system’s overall rank is likely bolstered by the CPU’s exceptional multi-threaded capabilities. For a game like Downfall, which may not be heavily optimized for multi-core processors, the GPU’s performance at higher resolutions becomes more critical, and the system’s rank reflects a balanced, capable setup.

FAQ

Q: Is the Ultra preset playable at 2560x1440 with this hardware?

A: Yes, the measured average frame rate at 2560x1440 with the Ultra preset is 90 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: What is the highest playable setting at 3840x2160?

A: The High preset is the most demanding setting that remains playable at 3840x2160, with an average frame rate of 89 FPS. The Ultra preset drops to an average of 56 FPS, which is not playable.

Q: How does the Core i7-13700K compare to the AMD Ryzen 9 5900?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900 has an average benchmark score of 46971, which is 0.2% lower than the Core i7-13700K's average of 46881, indicating nearly identical performance.

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1920x1080 with the Medium preset?

A: The average frame rate is 245 FPS, with a minimum of 208 FPS and a maximum of 282 FPS.

Q: Is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 a top-tier GPU according to the data?

A: The RTX 3080 is in the 68th percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 23172. It is a strong performer but not at the very top of the range.

Q: Does the system maintain 60 FPS at all resolutions?

A: No, at 3840x2160 with the Ultra preset, the average frame rate is 56 FPS. All other tested settings at all resolutions are at or above 60 FPS.