Downfall

The Intel Core i7-14700KF paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER is an overwhelmingly capable combination for Downfall, delivering playable frame rates at every tested resolution and preset, including 4K Ultra. The data shows a system that not only clears the 60 FPS threshold but does so with significant headroom, making it a top-tier choice for this horror title.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured performance across all three resolutions and four quality presets confirms a consistent pattern of high average frame rates. At 1920x1080, the combo is essentially unburdened, with even the most demanding Ultra preset producing an average of 143.9 FPS. The scaling is linear and impressive: Low settings yield 347.7 FPS, Medium drops to 285.7 FPS, and High still manages a robust 235.3 FPS. This indicates the CPU-GPU pairing is well-balanced at this resolution, with no single component creating a bottleneck that would prevent the system from pushing beyond 200 FPS on most settings.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance remains exceptionally high, though the GPU begins to show its workload. Ultra settings produce an average of 106.8 FPS, which is still nearly double the playable threshold. High settings deliver 166 FPS, while Medium and Low reach 203.9 FPS and 248.4 FPS, respectively. The transition from 1080p to 1440p shows a performance cost of roughly 25-30% across most presets, which is expected given the increased pixel count, but the absolute numbers remain far above what would cause any concern for smooth gameplay.

At 3840x2160, the RTX 4070 SUPER's 12 GB of memory and 504.2 GB/s of bandwidth are put to serious use. The Ultra preset, which is the most demanding configuration, still averages 62.5 FPS, just barely clearing the 60 FPS playable threshold. High settings provide more comfort at 102.6 FPS, while Medium and Low achieve 124 FPS and 154.7 FPS, respectively. The data indicates that 4K is the only resolution where the user must make a choice between maximum visual fidelity and higher refresh rates, but even at the highest settings, the game remains playable.

It is notable that the measured FPS data does not include minimum or maximum frame rate figures, only averages. This means the analysis cannot account for frame time spikes or stutters. However, given the high average values, it is reasonable to infer that even if frame dips occur, they would likely stay well above the 60 FPS threshold in most scenarios. The consistency of the scaling across resolutions suggests a stable performance profile.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations for Downfall, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i7-14700KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER ranks 655th out of 3716 tested combos. This places it in the top 17.6% of all configurations, which is a strong showing. The percentile ranking for the CPU is 94, meaning it outperforms 94% of all tested processors, while the GPU sits at the 83rd percentile, outperforming 83% of all tested graphics cards. The combination of these two high-percentile components results in a system that is clearly positioned for high-end gaming.

The combo rank of 655 out of 3716 is more indicative of the GPU's performance ceiling than the CPU's, given that the benchmark is heavily graphics-dependent. The fact that this combo ranks in the top 18% suggests that while there are faster configurations available, they are in the minority. For a game like Downfall, which is a horror title rather than a competitive esports shooter, this level of performance is more than sufficient to provide an immersive and smooth experience.

The rank also implies that this combination is not at the absolute current-generation, which is reserved for the top 1-2% of configurations featuring flagship GPUs. However, the data supports the conclusion that this combo is a very high-tier option, capable of handling the game at maximum settings in 4K, which is a feat that many other combinations cannot achieve. The 655th rank confirms the balance between the 20-core CPU and the 7168-shading-unit GPU.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The nearest rivals for the CPU and GPU provide context for what other hardware would behave similarly in this system. For the Intel Core i7-14700KF, the closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F, which has an average benchmark score of 69996, a mere 0.2% lower. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is also nearly identical at 69875, just 0.4% behind. The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X trails by 0.9%, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K is actually 1% faster with a score of 70879. These deltas are so small that in real-world gaming, they would be virtually indistinguishable.

On the GPU side, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER has an average benchmark score of 43223. Its nearest rivals are all within a 1% margin: the NVIDIA Quadro M6000 24 GB scores 43262, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Mobile scores 43268, and the NVIDIA Quadro M6000 scores 43301. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile is 1% faster at 43667. For a user considering an alternative build, swapping the CPU for a Ryzen 7 9700F or the GPU for a Quadro M6000 24 GB would yield almost identical performance in Downfall.

It is important to note that these rival comparisons are based on aggregate benchmark scores, not game-specific FPS data. However, given the minimal percentage differences, the frame rates in Downfall would be within a few FPS of the measured values. A system with an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X instead of the Intel chip would perform nearly the same, as would a build using a GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile instead of the desktop RTX 4070 SUPER. The practical takeaway is that this performance tier has several interchangeable components.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: this PC can run Downfall at playable frame rates across all tested resolutions and settings. The verdict by resolution confirms that at 3840x2160, all four presets—Low, Medium, High, and Ultra—are playable, with the best setting being Ultra at an average of 62.5 FPS. This is a significant achievement, as 4K Ultra is often the exclusive domain of much more expensive graphics cards.

At 2560x1440, the verdict is even more decisive. All settings are playable, and the best setting, Ultra, produces an average of 106.8 FPS. This means users can enjoy the game at maximum visual quality with a frame rate that is suitable for high-refresh-rate monitors. The 1920x1080 resolution sees the best performance, with Ultra averaging 143.9 FPS, which is excellent for competitive play or for those who prefer the smoothest possible experience.

The playable threshold is defined as 60 FPS, and this combo exceeds it in every single configuration tested. The absolute worst-case scenario is 62.5 FPS at 4K Ultra, which is still above the threshold. There is no configuration in the measured data where the system fails to deliver a playable experience. This is a definitive pass for the game, with the only caveat being that 4K Ultra leaves little headroom for frame rate drops, though the average is still solid.

CPU and GPU Roles

The data reveals a clear shift in component responsibility as resolution increases. At 1920x1080, the GPU is not heavily taxed, as evidenced by the massive frame rates. The CPU's role is more prominent here, as it must feed the GPU with enough data to maintain over 200 FPS on lower settings. The Intel Core i7-14700KF, with its 20 cores and 28 threads, is more than capable of this task, and the high single-thread performance (6235 in Cinebench R23 single-core) ensures that frame times remain consistent.

As the resolution increases to 2560x1440 and then 3840x2160, the GPU becomes the dominant factor. The frame rate drops by a larger margin when moving from 1440p to 4K than from 1080p to 1440p, which is a classic sign of GPU-bound rendering. At 4K, the RTX 4070 SUPER is working much harder, and the CPU's advantage becomes less relevant. The scaling from Low to Ultra at 4K shows a 92.2 FPS difference (154.7 down to 62.5), which is almost entirely attributable to GPU load.

The fact that the system can maintain over 60 FPS at 4K Ultra suggests the CPU is not a bottleneck even at high resolutions. If the CPU were insufficient, the frame rates at 4K would show less variation between Low and Ultra settings, as the CPU would limit the maximum FPS. Instead, the significant scaling indicates the GPU is the limiting factor at 4K, while at 1080p, the CPU is likely the limiting factor for the highest frame rates. This is a healthy balance for a gaming system.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Downfall at 4K with maximum settings?

A: Yes, the data shows an average of 62.5 FPS at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, which is above the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: What is the best setting for highest frame rates at 1440p?

A: The Ultra preset is the best setting, delivering an average of 106.8 FPS at 2560x1440, which is still well above the playable threshold.

Q: How does this combo rank among all tested systems for Downfall?

A: It ranks 655th out of 3716 tested combinations, placing it in the top 17.6% of all configurations.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more important for this game?

A: At 1080p, the CPU is more relevant for achieving the highest frame rates. At 1440p and 4K, the GPU becomes the dominant factor, as shown by the larger performance drops at higher resolutions.

Q: What other CPUs perform similarly to the Intel Core i7-14700KF?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F is 0.2% slower, the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is 0.4% slower, and the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X is 0.9% slower in benchmark scores.

Q: Are there any settings where this combo fails to reach 60 FPS?

A: No, every measured configuration—across all resolutions and presets—averages above 60 FPS, with the lowest being 62.5 FPS at 4K Ultra.