Downfall

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 produces a striking performance profile in Downfall, one defined by massive frame rates that scale in a very predictable pattern. The data shows a system that is overwhelmingly GPU-bound at higher resolutions and settings, while the CPU’s 6-core/12-thread configuration becomes a more significant factor only when the workload shifts toward lower resolutions and lighter graphical presets. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS data to explain exactly where the bottleneck lies and what it means for the overall experience.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear and consistent scaling pattern as resolution drops from 4K to 1080p. At 3840x2160 with High settings, the system delivers 135 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 at the same High preset, the average jumps to 217 FPS, a substantial 60.7% increase. Dropping further to 1920x1080 at High, the average reaches 303 FPS, another 39.6% improvement over the 1440p result. This linear progression—where each step down in resolution yields a significant FPS gain—strongly indicates that the RTX 5090 is the primary limiting component at these settings, as its workload decreases proportionally with pixel count.

The scaling behavior shifts when examining the Ultra preset. At 4K Ultra, the average is 84 FPS, which is notably lower than the High preset’s 135 FPS. At 1440p Ultra, the average is 135 FPS, and at 1080p Ultra, it reaches 190 FPS. The percentage gains between resolutions are similar to the High preset, but the absolute frame rates are lower across the board. This suggests that the Ultra preset adds a significant graphical workload that the GPU must process, and even with the RTX 5090’s immense power, the demands of Downfall at maximum settings keep the system below the 200 FPS mark at 1080p.

The Low preset shows the smallest relative gains from resolution scaling. At 4K Low, the average is 201 FPS. At 1440p Low, it jumps to 323 FPS, a 60.7% increase, but at 1080p Low, the average is 364 FPS, only a 12.7% improvement over 1440p. This flattening of the curve at 1080p Low is a classic sign that the CPU is beginning to cap performance. With the GPU no longer needing to work as hard, the Ryzen 5 5600’s limits become apparent, preventing the frame rate from scaling proportionally with the reduced resolution. The data shows that 1080p Low is the only configuration where the CPU becomes a notable limiting factor.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. Its 32 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR4 memory support provide a solid foundation for gaming. In benchmark tests, the CPU scores 882 in 3dmark_single_thread and 5641 in 3dmark_16_threads, showing a moderate gap between single-threaded and multi-threaded performance. The processor’s percentileVsAllCpus of 74 indicates it performs better than 74% of all CPUs in the database.

In the context of Downfall, the CPU’s role is most evident in the 1080p Low preset results. With an average of 364 FPS, this is the highest frame rate recorded in the entire dataset. However, the fact that this is only 12.7% higher than the 1440p Low result, compared to the 60.7% jump seen when going from 4K to 1440p, shows that the CPU is reaching its ceiling. The 6-core/12-thread configuration is sufficient to feed the RTX 5090 at lower resolutions, but it cannot scale infinitely. The data implies that at 1080p Low, the Ryzen 5 5600 is the limiting component, preventing the system from achieving even higher frame rates.

The CPU’s influence is less pronounced at higher settings. At 4K Ultra, the average is 84 FPS, which is likely well below the CPU’s threshold of influence, meaning the GPU is doing the heavy lifting. The benchmark results for the CPU, such as a cinebench_r23_multicore score of 18309, show it has substantial multi-threaded capability, but a single-thread score of 2584 suggests that per-core performance is what matters most for gaming. The data suggests that for Downfall, the Ryzen 5 5600 provides adequate performance for most scenarios, but it is not the star of the show when paired with a top-tier GPU.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 is the dominant component in this pairing. With 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus, it offers a bandwidth of 1.79 TB/s, which is essential for high-resolution textures and complex scenes. The GPU’s boost clock of 2407 MHz and its 21760 shading units provide immense compute power, reflected in its passmark_g3d score of 39650 and its percentileVsAllGpus of 92. The GPU’s avgBenchmarkScore of 79842 places it in the top tier of all graphics cards.

The GPU’s role is clear in the resolution scaling data. At 4K High, the system achieves 135 FPS, which is a strong result for a demanding resolution. The fact that the frame rate drops to 84 FPS at 4K Ultra shows that the Ultra preset pushes the GPU to its limits, even with the RTX 5090’s capabilities. The GPU’s memory capacity of 32 GB is likely not a limiting factor in Downfall, as the game’s release date of 2016 predates the era of massive VRAM requirements.

The GPU’s performance scales as expected with resolution. At 1440p High, the average is 217 FPS, and at 1080p High, it is 303 FPS. These numbers indicate that the RTX 5090 is not bottlenecked by the CPU at these settings, as the frame rates continue to rise significantly with each resolution drop. The GPU’s benchmark scores, such as a 3dmark_steel_nomad_dx12 score of 18355, further confirm its high-end positioning. The data shows that in Downfall, the RTX 5090 is the primary driver of performance, with the CPU only becoming a factor at the lowest settings and resolution.

FAQ

*Q: What is the highest average FPS recorded for this combo in Downfall?*

A: The highest average FPS is 364, measured at 1920x1080 with Low settings.

Q: How does the combo perform at 4K Ultra settings?

A: At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average FPS is 84, which is the lowest average recorded in the dataset.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor at 1080p Low settings?

A: The data suggests the CPU is the limiting factor at 1080p Low, as the FPS gain from 1440p Low to 1080p Low is only 12.7%, indicating the CPU’s performance ceiling is being reached.

Q: What is the difference in average FPS between High and Ultra settings at 2560x1440?

A: At 2560x1440, the High preset averages 217 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 135 FPS, a difference of 82 FPS.

Q: Does the RTX 5090’s 32 GB of VRAM appear to be a limiting factor?

A: No, the data does not indicate VRAM is a limiting factor. The FPS drops are consistent with increased graphical workload from resolution and settings, not memory capacity issues.

Q: What are the minimum FPS values recorded for Medium settings?

A: The minimum FPS values are 140 at 3840x2160, 225 at 2560x1440, and 288 at 1920x1080, all with Medium settings.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations for Downfall, this pairing of the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 ranks 148th out of 3716 combos. This places it in the top 4% of all tested configurations, indicating a very high-performing setup. The rank reflects the overall measured FPS across all resolutions and settings, and the data shows that this combo excels in most scenarios.

The high rank is primarily driven by the RTX 5090’s exceptional performance. The GPU’s percentileVsAllGpus of 92 means it outperforms 92% of all GPUs, and its avgBenchmarkScore of 79842 is near the top of the range. The CPU, while not the fastest, is still above average with a percentileVsAllCpus of 74, and its closest rivals in terms of average benchmark score include the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V and AMD Ryzen 5 8500G, with deltaPct values of 0.1% and 0.2% respectively. This suggests the CPU is a competent partner that does not significantly hold back the GPU in most cases.

The rank of 148 out of 3716 is a strong indicator of the system’s capabilities. While it is not the absolute top performer, the data shows that it delivers high frame rates across all tested settings, with the only notable dip being at 4K Ultra. The combination of a capable 6-core CPU and a flagship GPU results in a system that is well-suited for high-refresh-rate gaming at 1440p and 1080p, and it can still handle 4K with adjusted settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the system’s performance across all twelve configurations. At 3840x2160, the average FPS ranges from 84 at Ultra to 201 at Low, with High at 135 and Medium at 164. The Medium preset also includes a minimum FPS of 140 and a maximum of 189, showing some variance in frame times. At 2560x1440, the averages are 135 for Ultra, 217 for High, 264 for Medium, and 323 for Low. The Medium preset at this resolution has a minimum of 225 and a maximum of 304.

At 1920x1080, the system achieves its highest frame rates. The Ultra preset averages 190 FPS, High averages 303 FPS, Medium averages 339 FPS, and Low averages 364 FPS. The Medium preset at 1080p has a minimum of 288 and a maximum of 390, indicating a wide range of performance depending on the scene. The data shows a clear trend: as resolution decreases and settings are lowered, the average FPS increases, but the gains diminish at the lowest settings due to CPU limitations.

The exact numbers illustrate the system’s versatility. At 4K, the system is playable at all settings, with even the Ultra preset hitting 84 FPS. At 1440p, the system is excellent for high-refresh-rate monitors, with the High preset delivering 217 FPS. At 1080p, the system is capable of extreme frame rates, particularly at Low settings where it reaches 364 FPS. The Medium preset’s minimum FPS values at all three resolutions show that the system maintains a stable experience, with no severe drops that would indicate stuttering.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the best experience for this combo depends on the target resolution. For 4K gaming, the High preset is the optimal choice, delivering an average of 135 FPS. This provides a smooth and visually detailed experience, as the Ultra preset’s 84 FPS average may be less ideal for fast-paced gameplay, though it is still playable. The Medium preset at 4K offers 164 FPS, which is a good middle ground, but High provides a better balance of visuals and performance.

For 1440p, the High preset is again a strong recommendation, with an average of 217 FPS, which is well above the 144 Hz refresh rate common on many monitors. The Ultra preset at 135 FPS is also viable for those seeking maximum visual fidelity, but High offers a significant performance boost with likely minimal visual difference. The Medium preset at 264 FPS is an option for competitive play, but the High preset’s balance makes it the default choice.

For 1080p, the High preset delivers 303 FPS, which is more than enough for any high-refresh-rate display. The Ultra preset at 190 FPS is also excellent, providing the best visual quality while still maintaining high frame rates. The Low preset at 364 FPS is only necessary for the most extreme competitive scenarios, and the data shows that the CPU becomes a limiting factor here, so the additional FPS gain over Medium (339 FPS) is marginal. Overall, the High preset at any resolution provides the most balanced experience, with the Ultra preset being a viable option for those prioritizing visuals over raw frame rate.