Downfall

The Intel Core i7-14700F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti combination ranks 822nd out of 3,716 tested combos for Downfall, placing it in the top 22% of all configurations. This pairing delivers playable performance across every resolution and preset tested, with the weakest result being 61 FPS at 4K Ultra—exactly at the playable threshold. The data shows a system that never drops below 60 FPS in any tested scenario, making it a versatile choice for this horror title.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo ranks 822 out of 3,716 tested combinations, which places it comfortably above the median but not among the elite configurations. This rank reflects a system that handles Downfall with substantial headroom at lower resolutions but approaches its limit at 4K Ultra. The CPU sits in the 91st percentile among all processors, while the GPU ranks in the 83rd percentile among all graphics cards—both are high-performing components individually, and their combined result reflects a balanced pairing.

Benchmark results show the CPU achieving an average benchmark score of 53,620, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 35,122 and a single-core score of 4,958. The GPU delivers a Passmark G3D score of 26,896 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 5,077. These raw numbers translate to a system that is 22.9% above the average combo in this game’s database, though the rank indicates many higher-end configurations exist. The 4K Ultra result of 61 FPS is the limiting factor; at 1080p and 1440p, the system has far more headroom, with Ultra settings reaching 133.7 FPS and 90.4 FPS respectively.

CPU and GPU Roles

The scaling between resolutions reveals a system where the GPU becomes increasingly dominant as resolution rises, while the CPU provides ample headroom at lower settings. At 1080p, moving from Low to Ultra settings drops average FPS from 314.2 to 133.7—a 57.4% reduction—indicating that settings changes have a massive impact at this resolution. The CPU’s strong multi-core performance (35,122 in Cinebench R23) ensures that even at Low settings with 314.2 FPS, the processor is not the bottleneck.

At 1440p, the same settings range produces FPS from 224.3 down to 90.4, showing a 59.7% drop from Low to Ultra. The GPU’s 12 GB of GDDR6X memory and 912.4 GB/s bandwidth become more relevant here, as the higher pixel count demands more memory throughput. At 4K, the Ultra preset yields 61 FPS while Low produces 141.2 FPS—a 56.8% reduction—demonstrating that the GPU is the primary constraint at this resolution. The CPU’s role diminishes as resolution increases; the data shows that at 1080p Low, the system achieves 314.2 FPS, which would require a very capable processor to sustain, but the 4K Ultra result of 61 FPS suggests the GPU is working near its limits.

The transition from 1080p to 1440p at Ultra settings shows a 32.4% FPS drop (133.7 to 90.4), while moving from 1440p to 4K at Ultra shows a 32.5% drop (90.4 to 61). This consistent scaling indicates the GPU is the limiting factor at higher resolutions, with the CPU providing sufficient performance to avoid bottlenecking even at 1080p Low.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The CPU’s nearest rivals in benchmark scores include the Intel Xeon 6505P with an average score of 53,701 (0.2% lower than the i7-14700F), the Intel Xeon Phi 7290 at 53,469 (0.3% higher), the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X at 53,288 (0.6% higher), and the AMD EPYC 7313P at 53,206 (0.8% higher). These alternatives would deliver nearly identical CPU performance in Downfall, with the Ryzen 9 7900X being the most likely consumer-oriented alternative that would behave similarly.

On the GPU side, the RTX 3080 Ti’s nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon Pro 5300 with an average score of 40,870 (0.8% lower), the NVIDIA Tesla M40 24 GB at 41,707 (1.2% higher), the NVIDIA Tesla M40 at 41,897 (1.7% higher), and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 at 40,377 (2% lower). The RTX 5070 is the most relevant modern alternative, while the Tesla M40 cards are data-center oriented but would produce similar frame rates in this title. These rivals would produce FPS numbers within a few percentage points of the RTX 3080 Ti across all resolutions and presets.

The Verdict

This system can run Downfall at all tested resolutions and presets, clearing the 60 FPS threshold in every scenario. At 4K, the Ultra preset achieves 61 FPS—just barely above the playable threshold—while High, Medium, and Low settings deliver 95.9, 112.8, and 141.2 FPS respectively. At 1440p, Ultra runs at 90.4 FPS with High at 151.8, Medium at 183.8, and Low at 224.3. At 1080p, all presets exceed 133 FPS, with Ultra at 133.7, High at 209.3, Medium at 257.4, and Low reaching 314.2 FPS.

The verdict is clear: this PC handles Downfall with ease at 1080p and 1440p, and remains playable at 4K even at maximum settings. The 4K Ultra result of 61 FPS leaves minimal headroom for framerate dips, but the measured average stays above the 60 FPS threshold. For players targeting 4K, the High preset at 95.9 FPS provides a safer margin while still delivering high visual quality.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the system produces its highest frame rates. Low settings average 314.2 FPS, Medium averages 257.4 FPS, High averages 209.3 FPS, and Ultra averages 133.7 FPS. The wide spread between presets—from 314.2 to 133.7—shows that Downfall’s settings have a substantial impact on GPU load at this resolution.

At 2560x1440, performance remains strong. Low averages 224.3 FPS, Medium averages 183.8 FPS, High averages 151.8 FPS, and Ultra averages 90.4 FPS. The transition from 1080p to 1440p reduces performance by roughly 28-32% across all presets, consistent with the increased pixel count.

At 3840x2160, the system shows its limits. Low averages 141.2 FPS, Medium averages 112.8 FPS, High averages 95.9 FPS, and Ultra averages 61 FPS. The 4K Ultra result is the only measurement that falls close to the 60 FPS threshold, with all other 4K presets maintaining substantial headroom. Min and max FPS values were not recorded in the dataset, so only average frame rates are available for analysis.

FAQ

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

A: Yes, the measured average FPS at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings is 61 FPS, which clears the 60 FPS playable threshold by a single frame.

Q: What is the best preset at 1440p that stays above 60 FPS?

A: All four presets at 2560x1440 exceed 60 FPS, with Ultra achieving 90.4 FPS, so the best settings are Ultra.

Q: How does the CPU compare to the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700F has an average benchmark score of 53,620, while the Ryzen 9 7900X scores 53,288—a 0.6% difference, meaning they perform nearly identically.

Q: What GPU rivals would produce similar frame rates?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 scores 2% lower than the RTX 3080 Ti, while the NVIDIA Tesla M40 24 GB scores 1.2% higher, so both would deliver very similar FPS in Downfall.

Q: Is the system CPU-bound or GPU-bound at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, the system reaches 314.2 FPS on Low settings, indicating the CPU is strong enough to avoid bottlenecking; the GPU becomes the limiting factor as settings are increased to Ultra at 133.7 FPS.

Q: What is the weakest performance scenario for this combo?

A: The lowest measured average FPS is 61 at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, which is the only configuration that comes close to the 60 FPS threshold.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 1920x1080, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is Ultra, which achieves 133.7 FPS. All presets at this resolution exceed 60 FPS, so players can use maximum settings without concern.

At 2560x1440, Ultra settings are also the best choice, delivering 90.4 FPS. This provides a comfortable margin above the 60 FPS threshold while offering the highest visual quality.

At 3840x2160, Ultra settings achieve exactly 61 FPS, making it the best preset that clears the playable threshold. However, the margin is slim—players seeking more stability could drop to High settings at 95.9 FPS, but the data confirms Ultra is playable at 4K.