Downfall

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 delivers a fascinating performance profile in Downfall, a 2016 horror title that scales from highly playable at 4K to exceptionally fast at 1080p. Measured data reveals a system where the CPU’s 96 MB of shared L3 cache and six Zen 3 cores interact with an 8 GB Ampere GPU in ways that shift the bottleneck depending on resolution. The RTX 3070, with its 5888 shading units and 448.0 GB/s memory bandwidth, clearly dominates at lower resolutions, while the Ryzen 5 5500X3D’s 3.00 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost clocks become more relevant as pixel count rises. This analysis breaks down the measured frames per second, contextualizes the combo’s rank among 2928 tested configurations, and explains what the numbers imply about each component’s role.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS drop from 1080p to 4K is steep but not uniform, revealing a GPU-bound workload at higher resolutions. At Low settings, the average frame rate falls from 257 FPS at 1920x1080 to 114 FPS at 3840x2160 — a 55.6% reduction. This indicates that even at the lowest preset, the RTX 3070’s compute resources are increasingly taxed as pixel count quadruples. At High settings, the decline is less severe in absolute terms: from 172 FPS at 1080p to 123 FPS at 1440p, then down to 77 FPS at 4K. The 1080p-to-4K drop at High is 55.2%, nearly identical to Low, which suggests the GPU’s shading units and texture rate (317.4 GTexel/s) are the primary limiter across presets.

Medium settings show a similar pattern, with the average FPS at 1080p (210) dropping to 150 at 1440p and 93 at 4K. The 4K Medium result includes a measured minimum of 79 FPS and maximum of 107 FPS, indicating some frame-time variance but no catastrophic stuttering. Ultra settings present the sharpest scaling cliff: 1080p Ultra averages 108 FPS, 1440p Ultra drops to 77 FPS, and 4K Ultra collapses to 48 FPS. The 4K Ultra figure is less than half the 1080p Ultra result, demonstrating that the RTX 3070’s 8 GB GDDR6 memory and 165.6 GPixel/s pixel rate are overwhelmed by the combination of high-resolution rendering and maxed-out effects.

What does this imply about the limiting component? At 1080p, the CPU’s role is more pronounced, as the Ryzen 5 5500X3D’s 6 cores and 12 threads can feed frames faster than the GPU can render them. The 257 FPS Low result at 1080p suggests the GPU is hitting a ceiling imposed by its 20.31 TFLOPS FP32 throughput, but the CPU’s 96 MB L3 cache helps maintain high minimums. At 4K, the GPU becomes the unambiguous bottleneck — the 77 FPS High result at 4K is still respectable, but the 48 FPS Ultra figure shows the pixel pipeline struggling. The data suggests that for 4K gaming, users should stick to High or Medium presets, while 1080p and 1440p allow for more headroom.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 ranks 1207 out of 2928 tested combos in Downfall. That places it in the 41st percentile of all configurations — meaning roughly 41% of tested combos perform better, and 59% perform worse. This rank is notable because the individual components have different percentile standings: the CPU sits at the 85th percentile among all CPUs, while the GPU is at the 61st percentile among all GPUs. The combo rank being lower than either component’s individual percentile suggests that Downfall’s engine does not fully leverage the CPU’s strengths, or that the GPU’s mid-pack standing drags the overall result down.

Contextualizing against the CPU’s nearest rivals clarifies the picture. The Ryzen 5 5500X3D’s average benchmark score is 37018, with the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F scoring 36945 (0.2% lower) and the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 scoring 36938 (0.2% lower). The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 scores 37093 (0.2% higher), and the Intel Core i9-12900T scores 37112 (0.3% higher). These deltas are tiny — within 0.3% of each other — meaning the CPU is essentially average for its class. In Downfall, the combo’s rank reflects this: the CPU provides a solid baseline, but it’s not a standout performer that would push the combo into the top quartile.

For the GPU, the RTX 3070’s average benchmark score is 17208, with the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT scoring 17083 (0.7% lower), the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 scoring 17037 (1% lower), and the AMD Radeon HD 7970M scoring 17019 (1.1% lower). Only the NVIDIA Tesla K40c scores higher at 17468 (1.5% above). These rivals are all within 1.5% of the RTX 3070, indicating the GPU is also near the middle of its performance band. The combo rank of 1207 out of 2928 aligns with these mid-pack scores — neither component is a high-flyer, but the combination is far from weak. The data implies that Downfall rewards balanced systems, and this pairing delivers consistent but not exceptional results.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D is a 6-core, 12-thread processor built on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer, using TSMC’s 7 nm process. Its base clock is 3.00 GHz with a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, and it carries 96 MB of shared L3 cache — a large pool that helps with game workloads that repeatedly access the same data. The CPU supports DDR4 memory in dual-channel mode with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, and it has 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. In the Passmark suite, its multithread score is 20363, single-thread score is 2941, and physics score is 2282. These numbers place it at the 85th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 37018.

How do these specs relate to Downfall? The game’s 2016 release date means it predates many modern multi-threading optimizations, but the 12 threads still provide headroom for background tasks and physics calculations. The 96 MB L3 cache is particularly relevant — it can hold more game assets on-die, reducing memory latency. The measured FPS at 1080p Low (257) and 1080p Medium (210) suggests the CPU can drive frame rates well above 200 FPS when the GPU isn’t the bottleneck. At 1080p Ultra, the drop to 108 FPS is more likely due to GPU load, but the CPU’s boost clock of 4.00 GHz helps maintain decent frame pacing.

The CPU’s nearest rivals show how close the 5500X3D is to other mid-range processors. The Ryzen 5 5600F (0.2% lower score) and Intel Core Ultra 5 225 (0.2% lower) are essentially identical in raw compute, while the Intel Core i9-12900T (0.3% higher) and Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 (0.2% higher) are marginally ahead. In Downfall, these tiny differences likely translate to just a few FPS at most. The CPU’s 105 W TDP and 74 mm² die size indicate it runs efficiently, but the data doesn’t show thermal throttling affecting results. The combination of 6 cores, 12 threads, and that large L3 cache is well-suited for a game like Downfall that doesn’t require extreme core counts but benefits from fast cache access.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the full range of settings shows the system’s capability. Low settings produce an average of 257 FPS, which is the highest measured result across all resolutions and presets. Medium settings average 210 FPS with a minimum of 179 FPS and maximum of 242 FPS, showing good consistency. High settings average 172 FPS, and Ultra settings drop to 108 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra at 1080p is 149 FPS, or 58% — indicating that Ultra settings impose a significant load on the GPU, likely through increased shadow quality, texture filtering, and post-processing effects. For a 60 Hz or 144 Hz monitor, all 1080p presets are playable, with even Ultra exceeding 100 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the averages scale down but remain strong. Low settings average 183 FPS, Medium averages 150 FPS (minimum 127, maximum 172), High averages 123 FPS, and Ultra averages 77 FPS. The 1440p Ultra result is nearly identical to the 4K High result (77 FPS), suggesting that Ultra at 1440p and High at 4K place similar demands on the GPU. The drop from 1080p to 1440p at Low is 74 FPS (from 257 to 183), which is a 28.8% reduction — less severe than the 1080p-to-4K drop at the same settings. This suggests that 1440p is a sweet spot for this combo, offering high frame rates without the extreme GPU stress of 4K.

At 3840x2160, the numbers confirm the GPU bottleneck. Low settings average 114 FPS, Medium averages 93 FPS (minimum 79, maximum 107), High averages 77 FPS, and Ultra averages 48 FPS. The 4K Ultra result is the only measured average below 60 FPS, which would be noticeable on a standard refresh rate display. The difference between Low and Ultra at 4K is 66 FPS, or 57.9% — similar to the 1080p gap, indicating that the RTX 3070’s performance scales consistently with settings across resolutions. For 4K gaming, the data suggests sticking to Low or Medium for smooth play, with High being borderline (77 FPS) and Ultra requiring a lower refresh rate or adaptive sync.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 is built on the Ampere architecture with the GA104 chip, fabricated on Samsung’s 8 nm process. It has 5888 shading units, 184 texture mapping units, and 96 raster output units, along with 46 ray tracing cores and 184 tensor cores. The GPU operates at a base clock of 1500 MHz with a boost clock of 1725 MHz, and its 8 GB of GDDR6 memory runs at 1750 MHz (14 Gbps effective) across a 256-bit bus, yielding 448.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The pixel rate is 165.6 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 317.4 GTexel/s, with FP32 performance of 20.31 TFLOPS. These specs place the RTX 3070 at the 61st percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 17208.

In Downfall, the GPU’s role is clear from the resolution scaling. At 1080p, the GPU is often the limiter even at Low settings — the 257 FPS result is high but not CPU-bound, as a faster GPU might push higher. The 8 GB VRAM is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p across all presets, but at 4K Ultra, the memory capacity and bandwidth may be strained. The 448.0 GB/s bandwidth is moderate by modern standards, and the 4K Ultra result of 48 FPS suggests the GPU is running out of compute headroom rather than memory, as the texture rate and pixel rate are likely saturated.

The GPU’s nearest rivals show it’s a mid-pack performer. The AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT (0.7% lower score) and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 (1% lower) are close competitors, while the AMD Radeon HD 7970M (1.1% lower) trails slightly. Only the NVIDIA Tesla K40c (1.5% higher) outperforms it among these rivals. In Downfall, the RTX 3070’s 20.31 TFLOPS FP32 throughput is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p gaming at high frame rates, but 4K Ultra demands more than the GPU can deliver. The 220 W TDP and dual-slot cooler suggest the card can sustain boost clocks, but the data doesn’t include thermal or power measurements. The 46 ray tracing cores are unlikely to matter in Downfall, as the game predates widespread ray tracing adoption, but the 184 tensor cores may assist with any DLSS features if enabled — though no DLSS data is provided.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS rows, the optimal settings depend on the target resolution and refresh rate. For 1920x1080, Ultra settings average 108 FPS, which exceeds 60 FPS and is suitable for a 144 Hz display. If the user prioritizes maximum smoothness, Medium settings (210 FPS) or Low (257 FPS) offer headroom for high-refresh monitors, but the visual trade-off may not be justified given that Ultra already delivers over 100 FPS. The data indicates that 1080p Ultra is the best experience for image quality without sacrificing playability.

At 2560x1440, High settings average 123 FPS, which is ideal for a 120 Hz or 144 Hz monitor. Ultra averages 77 FPS, which is still above 60 FPS but leaves less margin for frame drops. Medium averages 150 FPS, which is excellent for competitive play but may reduce visual fidelity. The measured minimums for Medium (127 FPS) and maximums (172 FPS) show good stability, suggesting Medium is a safe choice for 1440p. However, High provides a better balance, with 123 FPS average and no reported minimums below playable levels. For 1440p, the recommendation is High — it delivers 123 FPS, which is 60% above the 60 FPS threshold and only 27 FPS below the Medium result.

At 3840x2160, the choices are more constrained. Low settings average 114 FPS, which is playable on a 60 Hz or 120 Hz display. Medium averages 93 FPS with a minimum of 79 FPS, ensuring smooth gameplay with some visual enhancements. High averages 77 FPS, which is above 60 FPS but could dip below on demanding scenes. Ultra averages 48 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS threshold and would result in noticeable stuttering on a standard display. The data strongly suggests that 4K Ultra is not viable for this combo, and users should choose between Medium (93 FPS) and High (77 FPS) based on their tolerance for visual effects. Medium is the safer recommendation for 4K, offering 93 FPS with a 79 FPS minimum that keeps frame times consistent. High is acceptable for those with adaptive sync, but the 77 FPS average leaves little headroom.

FAQ

*Q: What is the best resolution for this combo in Downfall?*

A: The data shows 2560x1440 provides the best balance, with High settings averaging 123 FPS and Low settings at 183 FPS. At 4K, even Low settings only reach 114 FPS, so 1440p offers higher frame rates with less GPU stress.

Q: How does the Ryzen 5 5500X3D compare to its nearest CPU rivals?

A: Its average benchmark score is 37018, which is 0.2% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F (36945) and Intel Core Ultra 5 225 (36938), but 0.2% lower than the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 (37093) and 0.3% lower than the Intel Core i9-12900T (37112). These differences are negligible in-game.

*Q: Is the RTX 3070’s 8 GB VRAM enough for 4K in Downfall?*

A: The measured results show 4K Medium averages 93 FPS with a minimum of 79 FPS, and 4K High averages 77 FPS. The 8 GB memory appears sufficient for these settings, but 4K Ultra drops to 48 FPS, suggesting the GPU’s compute limits are the primary constraint rather than VRAM capacity.

Q: What FPS can I expect at 1080p with Ultra settings?

A: The measured average is 108 FPS at 1920x1080 with Ultra settings. This is above the 60 FPS threshold and suitable for 144 Hz displays, though lower presets like Medium (210 FPS) and Low (257 FPS) offer much higher rates.

Q: How does this combo rank among all tested configurations?

A: It ranks 1207 out of 2928 combos in Downfall, placing it in the 41st percentile. This is lower than the CPU’s 85th percentile and GPU’s 61st percentile individually, indicating the game does not fully utilize the CPU’s strengths.

Q: Does the CPU or GPU bottleneck at 4K?

A: The data indicates the GPU is the bottleneck at 4K. The 4K Low result (114 FPS) is higher than 4K Ultra (48 FPS), and the scaling from Low to Ultra at 4K shows a 57.9% drop, which aligns with GPU-side limits like pixel rate and shading unit throughput.