Downfall

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i7-14700K paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER sits at rank 2157 out of 3716 tested combinations for Downfall. This places the pairing in the upper-middle portion of the database, comfortably ahead of the median but far from the top tier of configurations. The ranking reflects a blend of a very strong modern CPU with a GPU that, while capable, is now several generations old.

Looking at the component-level data, the CPU is the standout piece. The i7-14700K scores in the 94th percentile against all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 69355. Its nearest rivals, the AMD EPYC 9115 (69288, 0.1% slower), AMD Ryzen 9 7950X (69515, 0.2% faster), AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX (69875, 0.7% faster), and AMD Ryzen 7 9700F (69996, 0.9% faster), all sit within a single percentage point. This means the processor is delivering essentially flagship-level compute performance, even if it is not the absolute fastest chip recorded.

The GPU, in contrast, is more modest. The RTX 2070 SUPER rests in the 65th percentile among all GPUs, with an average score of 20282. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA Quadro M4000M (20480, 1% faster), NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (20534, 1.2% faster), Intel Arc B570 (20556, 1.3% faster), and Intel Arc A750 (20582, 1.5% faster). The deltas here are small, all within 1.5%, meaning the graphics card is functionally equivalent to those alternatives in raw compute terms. The data indicates that Downfall's overall combo rank is heavily influenced by the CPU's strength, while the GPU is more of a limiting factor at higher resolutions.

Best Settings per Resolution

The database provides measured average FPS for four presets at three resolutions. The "best settings" are defined as the most demanding preset that still maintains an average of at least 60 FPS.

At 3840x2160 (4K), the most demanding playable preset is High, delivering an average of 63 FPS. The Medium preset runs at 77 FPS, and Low at 94 FPS, but High is the highest quality that clears the 60 FPS threshold. Ultra falls short, averaging only 39 FPS, which is not playable by the 60 FPS standard.

At 2560x1440 (1440p), the best settings are Ultra, with an average of 63 FPS. This is a significant jump from 4K, where Ultra was unplayable. High runs at 101 FPS, Medium at 123 FPS, and Low at 150 FPS, but Ultra is the top preset that stays above 60 FPS.

At 1920x1080 (1080p), the best settings are again Ultra, but with a much higher average of 88 FPS. High runs at 141 FPS, Medium at 172 FPS, and Low at 210 FPS. At this resolution, the combo has ample headroom, and even the most demanding preset provides a smooth experience well above the playable threshold.

The pattern is clear: as resolution drops, the GPU load decreases, and the CPU's strength allows higher presets to be used. At 1080p, the system is nowhere near its limit, while at 4K it is just barely able to handle High settings.

CPU and GPU Roles

The division of labor between the Intel Core i7-14700K and the RTX 2070 SUPER shifts dramatically across resolutions. The data shows that the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck at 4K, while the CPU's capabilities are more fully utilized at lower resolutions.

At 3840x2160, the scaling from Low to Ultra tells the story. Low runs at 94 FPS, Medium at 77 FPS, High at 63 FPS, and Ultra drops to 39 FPS. The steep drop from High to Ultra, a 24 FPS loss, indicates that the GPU is saturated by the most demanding settings. The RTX 2070 SUPER's 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and 448.0 GB/s bandwidth are likely being pushed hard. The CPU, which ranks in the 94th percentile, is not the constraint here; the GPU is.

At 2560x1440, the picture changes. Low runs at 150 FPS, Medium at 123 FPS, High at 101 FPS, and Ultra at 63 FPS. The progression is more linear, and the fact that Ultra stays above 60 FPS shows the GPU has more headroom than at 4K. The CPU's role becomes more prominent, as higher frame rates require more processing power. The i7-14700K, with its 20 cores and 28 threads, has plenty of capacity to feed the GPU.

At 1920x1080, the CPU is clearly the dominant factor. Low runs at 210 FPS, Medium at 172 FPS, High at 141 FPS, and Ultra at 88 FPS. These are very high frame rates, and they are only possible because the CPU can handle the draw calls and game logic at such speeds. The RTX 2070 SUPER is still relevant, but its performance ceiling is not being tested; the CPU is setting the pace. The measured FPS at 1080p Low, 210 FPS, is more than triple the 4K Ultra result, showing how resolution scaling favors the CPU.

The data suggests that for this combo, players should prioritize GPU-heavy settings at 4K, while at 1440p and 1080p, they can push CPU-bound settings like draw distance and physics without worrying about the processor holding them back.

Similar Performance Alternatives

For the CPU and GPU, the nearest rivals in the database provide a sense of what other hardware would behave similarly in this game.

The Intel Core i7-14700K is bracketed by several high-end processors. The AMD EPYC 9115 is essentially tied, with a delta of 0.1%. The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X is 0.2% faster, the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is 0.7% faster, and the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F is 0.9% faster. All of these chips would deliver nearly identical frame rates in Downfall, as the game is unlikely to stress any of them beyond their capabilities at the tested resolutions. The choice between them would come down to platform features rather than gaming performance.

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER has similarly close rivals. The NVIDIA Quadro M4000M is 1% faster, which is a negligible difference in practice. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile is 1.2% faster, the Intel Arc B570 is 1.3% faster, and the Intel Arc A750 is 1.5% faster. None of these would produce a meaningful change in FPS in Downfall. The RTX 2070 SUPER's performance class is well established, and these alternatives would all land within a couple of frames per second of each other.

It is importantly the GPU's nearest rivals include mobile and workstation parts, which underscores that the RTX 2070 SUPER is an older desktop card. The Intel Arc cards are newer, but their raw scores place them in the same tier. For Downfall specifically, any of these GPUs would be the limiting factor at 4K, but would perform admirably at 1440p and 1080p.

FAQ

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

A: No. At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average FPS is 39, which is below the 60 FPS playable threshold. The best playable 4K preset is High, which runs at 63 FPS.

Q: What is the highest preset that maintains 60 FPS at 1440p?

A: Ultra settings at 2560x1440 run at an average of 63 FPS, making it the most demanding playable preset. Lower presets also clear the threshold: High at 101 FPS, Medium at 123 FPS, and Low at 150 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700K is within 1% of the AMD EPYC 9115, AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX, and AMD Ryzen 7 9700F. The largest delta is 0.9%, meaning all of these processors deliver nearly identical performance in the database.

Q: Is the RTX 2070 SUPER the bottleneck at 1080p?

A: No. At 1920x1080, the CPU becomes more important. The system hits 210 FPS at Low settings and 88 FPS at Ultra, which suggests the GPU has headroom and the i7-14700K is driving the high frame rates.

Q: What GPU alternatives would perform similarly?

A: The NVIDIA Quadro M4000M (1% faster), NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (1.2% faster), Intel Arc B570 (1.3% faster), and Intel Arc A750 (1.5% faster) are all within 1.5% of the RTX 2070 SUPER's average score. They would produce nearly identical FPS in Downfall.

Q: Does the system meet the 60 FPS playable standard at any resolution?

A: Yes. At 4K, High, Medium, and Low presets all exceed 60 FPS. At 1440p and 1080p, all four presets, including Ultra, run above 60 FPS. The only non-playable combination is 4K Ultra.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-14700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER combination can run Downfall, but the experience depends heavily on resolution and settings. The verdict by resolution is clear.

At 3840x2160, the system is playable on High, Medium, and Low presets. The best settings are High, which runs at 63 FPS. Ultra is not playable, dropping to 39 FPS. For a 4K display, players should stick to High or lower to maintain smooth performance.

At 2560x1440, the system is playable on all four presets. The best settings are Ultra, running at 63 FPS. This is the sweet spot for this combo, offering maximum visual quality while staying just above the 60 FPS threshold. Lower presets provide much higher frame rates, up to 150 FPS at Low, for those who prefer competitive frame rates over visuals.

At 1920x1080, the system is playable on all presets with significant headroom. The best settings are Ultra, averaging 88 FPS. Even the most demanding preset leaves room for dips, and the minimum recorded FPS for Medium is 146, indicating a very stable experience. This is where the combo shines, delivering high refresh rate gaming without compromise.

In summary, this PC can run Downfall well. It is a capable 1080p and 1440p machine for this game, with Ultra settings viable at both resolutions. At 4K, it requires a step down to High settings, but that still provides a smooth 63 FPS average. The CPU is far more powerful than the GPU, but the pairing is balanced enough for a satisfying experience across most common gaming scenarios.