Downfall

Intel Core i9-14900K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 deliver exceptionally high frame rates in Downfall, with every resolution and preset combination tested clearing the 60 FPS playable threshold. The data shows a system that is heavily GPU-bound at 4K Ultra, yet still maintains an average of 79.9 FPS, while lower resolutions push into territory that exceeds the refresh rates of most high-end monitors. Benchmark results indicate this combination is overkill for the game's demands, providing a comfortable margin for high-refresh-rate displays at 1440p and 1080p.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data for this combination covers three resolutions and four quality presets, with average frame rates ranging from 79.9 FPS to 420.6 FPS. No minimum or maximum frame rate data was captured in the test run, so the analysis relies entirely on average FPS values.

At 3840x2160 (4K), the frame rate scales predictably with settings. The Low preset produces an average of 187.8 FPS, which drops to 154.7 FPS at Medium. The High preset yields 128.6 FPS, while the Ultra preset, the most demanding configuration, still maintains a strong 79.9 FPS average. This range shows that even at 4K, the RTX 5080 has substantial headroom; the difference between Low and Ultra is 107.9 FPS, representing a 57.5% reduction in performance when maxing out settings.

Moving to 2560x1440 (1440p), performance increases significantly across all presets. The Low preset reaches an average of 303.1 FPS, followed by Medium at 245.9 FPS and High at 201.3 FPS. The Ultra preset at 1440p delivers 125.3 FPS, which is 45.4 FPS higher than the 4K Ultra result. The scaling from 4K to 1440p is substantial: at Ultra settings, the frame rate improves by 56.8% (from 79.9 to 125.3 FPS), while at Low settings the improvement is 61.4% (from 187.8 to 303.1 FPS).

At 1920x1080 (1080p), the combination produces exceptionally high frame rates that approach the limits of current display technology. The Low preset averages 420.6 FPS, making it the highest recorded score in the entire dataset. Medium settings yield 345.9 FPS, High settings produce 287 FPS, and even the Ultra preset maintains an average of 179.7 FPS. The spread between Low and Ultra at 1080p is 240.9 FPS, which indicates that the CPU and GPU are both capable of feeding the render pipeline at very high rates, though the Ultra preset still imposes a significant load.

CPU and GPU Roles

The data reveals a clear division of labor between the Intel Core i9-14900K and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080, with the GPU becoming progressively more dominant as resolution increases. At 1080p, the frame rates are extraordinarily high, with the Low preset hitting 420.6 FPS. Such numbers suggest that the CPU is able to feed frames quickly enough that the GPU is not the sole bottleneck, but the scaling from Low to Ultra (a 57.2% drop from 420.6 to 179.7 FPS) shows that the GPU's workload still dictates overall performance.

At 1440p, the GPU's role becomes more pronounced. The frame rate drop from 1080p to 1440p at Low settings is 27.8% (from 420.6 to 303.1 FPS), while at Ultra settings the drop is 30.3% (from 179.7 to 125.3 FPS). This indicates that the GPU is handling the increased pixel count effectively, and the CPU has enough headroom to avoid becoming a limiting factor. The 1440p results are uniformly high, with even the Ultra preset exceeding 120 FPS, which points to a balanced system where the GPU is the primary constraint but still has ample performance.

At 4K, the GPU is unequivocally the dominant component. The frame rates drop substantially compared to 1440p, with the Low preset falling by 38.0% (from 303.1 to 187.8 FPS) and the Ultra preset falling by 36.2% (from 125.3 to 79.9 FPS). The gap between Low and Ultra at 4K is 107.9 FPS, which is narrower in relative terms than at lower resolutions, confirming that the GPU's raw pixel throughput is the limiting factor. The i9-14900K, with its high single-core performance, is not holding back the RTX 5080 at any resolution, as evidenced by the consistently high frame rates even at 1080p Low where CPU overhead typically matters most.

Best Settings per Resolution

For each resolution, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is the Ultra preset, and the data shows that this combination exceeds that threshold with significant margin at every resolution.

At 3840x2160, the Ultra preset averages 79.9 FPS, which is 19.9 FPS above the playable threshold. This is the most demanding configuration available in the test, and it still delivers a smooth experience for a horror game where consistent frame pacing matters. If a user prefers higher frame rates, the High preset at 128.6 FPS offers a substantial boost, but it is not necessary to hit 60 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset averages 125.3 FPS, which is more than double the 60 FPS threshold. This makes 1440p Ultra the sweet spot for high-refresh-rate monitors, as the frame rate is high enough to take advantage of 120 Hz or 144 Hz displays. The gap between Ultra and High (201.3 FPS) suggests that users on lower refresh rate panels could even enable High settings for extra visual fidelity, but Ultra already provides a strong balance.

At 1920x1080, the Ultra preset averages 179.7 FPS, which is nearly three times the playable threshold. This is the highest Ultra preset score in the dataset, and it means that users can run the game at maximum settings with frame rates that exceed the refresh rate of most gaming monitors. The Low preset at 420.6 FPS is only relevant for esports-style play or extreme refresh rate displays, which are not typical for a horror title.

FAQ

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

A: Yes. The measured average frame rate at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings is 79.9 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS playable threshold. This is the most demanding preset and resolution combination tested, and it still provides a comfortable margin.

Q: What is the highest frame rate recorded for this combination?

A: The highest average frame rate is 420.6 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 with Low settings. This is the maximum value in the measured FPS dataset and indicates that the system is far from being stressed at lower resolutions and settings.

Q: How does the RTX 5080's performance at 4K compare to its performance at 1440p?

A: At 4K Ultra, the average frame rate is 79.9 FPS, while at 1440p Ultra it is 125.3 FPS. This represents a 45.4 FPS increase when moving from 4K to 1440p at the same preset, showing that the GPU has significant headroom at lower resolutions.

Q: Is the Intel Core i9-14900K a bottleneck for the RTX 5080 in this game?

A: The data does not indicate a CPU bottleneck. At 1080p Low, the frame rate reaches 420.6 FPS, which suggests that the CPU can feed frames at a very high rate. The consistent scaling of frame rates across resolutions points to the GPU as the primary performance limiter.

Q: Which resolution and preset should I use for a 60 Hz monitor?

A: Any combination will exceed 60 FPS. For a 60 Hz monitor, 4K Ultra at 79.9 FPS provides the highest visual quality while staying above the threshold. Lower resolutions and settings will yield even higher frame rates, but they are unnecessary for a standard 60 Hz display.

Q: How does the Ultra preset performance compare to the Medium preset at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset averages 125.3 FPS, while the Medium preset averages 245.9 FPS. The Ultra preset is 120.6 FPS lower, which is a significant drop, but it still remains well above the playable threshold. The choice between them depends on whether visual quality or frame rate is prioritized.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of Intel Core i9-14900K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 ranks 171 out of 3716 tested combos in Downfall. This places it in the top 4.6% of all tested configurations, indicating that it is a high-performing pairing for this specific game. The rank reflects the raw frame rate capabilities measured across the various resolution and settings combinations.

Relative to other tested combos, this system sits in the 95th percentile for the CPU and the 87th percentile for the GPU, according to their respective benchmark percentiles. The CPU's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-14900KF (0.3% faster on average) and the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus (0.6% faster), while the GPU's nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE (2.2% faster) and the AMD Radeon 8060S (0.6% slower). These deltas are small, which suggests that the combo's rank is driven more by the GPU's performance in Downfall than by minor CPU differences.

The high rank of 171 out of 3716 is consistent with the measured FPS data, which shows that this system clears the 60 FPS threshold at every resolution and preset. It is not the top-ranked combo, but it is firmly in the upper echelon of tested hardware, making it a strong choice for playing this horror title at any resolution.

The Verdict

This PC can run Downfall at 60 FPS or higher at every resolution and preset combination tested. The verdict by resolution confirms that all settings are playable at each resolution, with the Ultra preset being the best playable setting in every case.

At 3840x2160, the Ultra preset averages 79.9 FPS, which is the lowest score in the dataset but still 19.9 FPS above the playable threshold. This makes 4K gaming viable with maximum settings, though users seeking higher frame rates can drop to High for 128.6 FPS or Medium for 154.7 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset averages 125.3 FPS, providing a strong experience for high-refresh-rate monitors. The system has enough headroom to run the game at maximum settings while staying well above the 60 FPS floor, and the Low preset at 303.1 FPS shows that there is no risk of performance issues at lower settings.

At 1920x1080, the Ultra preset averages 179.7 FPS, which is nearly three times the playable threshold. The system is overkill for 1080p gaming, as even the most demanding preset produces frame rates that exceed the refresh rate of most displays. The data indicates that this combination is a top-tier performer for Downfall, capable of handling any configuration a user might choose.