Downfall

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F and Intel Arc B390 pairing in Downfall delivers surprisingly consistent frame pacing despite the GPU’s low overall benchmark standing. The data shows a system that is heavily GPU-bound at every resolution, with the CPU’s six Zen 3 cores rarely becoming the limiting factor. This is a classic case where the processor provides ample headroom for the graphics card to reach its performance ceiling, even if that ceiling is modest by modern standards.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Ryzen 5 5600F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture (codenamed Vermeer), built on TSMC’s 7 nm process. It runs with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, with a 65 W TDP. The cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 32 MB L3 pool. For a horror title like Downfall, which typically relies on single-thread responsiveness and moderate multi-threading, this configuration is more than adequate.

Looking at the CPU’s synthetic benchmarks, the single-thread score of 2872 and the multithread score of 19236 indicate a solidly capable mid-range part. The data places it at the 85th percentile among all CPUs tested, which is a strong position. When compared to its nearest rivals, the differences are negligible: the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 scores 36938 (0% delta), the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D scores 37018 (-0.2%), and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 scores 37093 (-0.4%). Essentially, the 5600F is statistically tied with these alternatives in general compute tasks.

In the context of Downfall, the CPU’s role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and game logic updates without becoming a bottleneck. The measured FPS data suggests it succeeds. At 1080p Low, the system reaches 106 FPS average, which is the highest observed in the entire dataset. If the CPU were struggling, we would expect to see frame rates plateau or drop disproportionately at lower resolutions where GPU load decreases. Instead, the scaling from 1080p to 1440p and 4K shows a smooth degradation pattern consistent with GPU limitations. The Ryzen 5 5600F’s 12 threads and high boost clock ensure that even the most demanding scenes in Downfall do not cause CPU-induced stutters, as evidenced by the consistent minimum FPS figures recorded at Medium settings (74 FPS at 1080p, 53 FPS at 1440p, 33 FPS at 4K).

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Arc B390 is an integrated graphics solution based on the Xe3-LPG architecture (chip codename Panther Lake), produced on Intel’s 3 nm process. It features 1536 shading units, 48 TMUs, and 24 ROPs, along with 12 ray tracing cores. The clock speeds are set at a 300 MHz base and a 2500 MHz boost, which is a wide range for dynamic power management. Memory is system-shared, meaning it borrows from the main DDR4 pool with bandwidth that is system-dependent. The GPU’s pixel rate is 60.00 GPixel/s and texture rate is 120.0 GTexel/s, with FP32 performance rated at 7.680 TFLOPS.

This is where the data becomes stark. The Arc B390’s 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 1482, placing it at just the 9th percentile among all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are ancient or entry-level parts: the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1463, +1.3%), the NVIDIA GeForce 800M (1460, +1.5%), the NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM (1446, +2.5%), and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 (1443, +2.7%). The Arc B390 is effectively within 3% of these legacy cards in raw compute benchmarks. This explains why Downfall runs are constrained to playable frame rates only at lower settings.

In practice, the Arc B390’s system-shared memory is a critical factor. Without dedicated VRAM, the GPU must contend with the CPU for memory bandwidth, which can cause hitches in texture-heavy scenes. However, the measured FPS data shows that Downfall still manages to produce playable results. At 1080p Low, the average FPS of 106 suggests the game is not overly demanding on GPU resources at minimal settings. The boost clock of 2500 MHz helps maintain responsiveness, but the low percentile ranking makes it clear that this is not a GPU built for high-fidelity gaming. The 12 RT cores are largely irrelevant here since Downfall is a 2016 release that predates widespread ray tracing adoption in games.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The resolution scaling pattern in the data is textbook GPU-bound behavior. At 1080p Low, the system averages 106 FPS. Moving to 1440p Low drops that to 76 FPS, a 28% reduction. At 4K Low, the average falls to 47 FPS, which is a 56% drop from 1080p. This steep decline aligns with the pixel count increase: 4K has roughly 4 times the pixels of 1080p, and the GPU’s fill rate and shading capacity simply cannot keep up.

The same trend appears at High settings. 1080p High yields 71 FPS, 1440p High drops to 51 FPS (a 28% reduction), and 4K High falls to 32 FPS (a 55% reduction from 1080p). The consistency of these percentage drops across different settings levels strongly indicates that the CPU is not the bottleneck. If the Ryzen 5 5600F were limiting performance, we would see diminishing FPS differences between 1080p and 1440p, because the CPU would cap the frame rate regardless of resolution. Instead, the FPS scales almost exactly with pixel throughput, which is the signature of a GPU-bound system.

At Medium settings, the data includes minimum and maximum FPS values. At 1080p Medium, the average is 87 FPS with a minimum of 74 and maximum of 100. At 1440p Medium, the average is 62 FPS (minimum 53, maximum 71). At 4K Medium, the average is 39 FPS (minimum 33, maximum 44). The minimum FPS values do not collapse relative to averages, suggesting stable frame pacing without severe spikes. This further reinforces that the Arc B390 is delivering its performance in a consistent manner, even if that performance is limited.

Ultra settings are the most punishing. 1080p Ultra averages 44 FPS, 1440p Ultra drops to 32 FPS, and 4K Ultra falls to 20 FPS. The 4K Ultra result is essentially unplayable for a horror game that relies on atmosphere and reaction time. The data clearly shows that the GPU is the limiting component at all resolutions, and the CPU’s role diminishes further as resolution increases.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combined ranking for this CPU-GPU pairing in Downfall is 2589 out of 2928 tested combos. This places it in the bottom 12% of all configurations tested. The ranking reflects the Arc B390’s severe performance deficit relative to virtually any discrete GPU on the market. The Ryzen 5 5600F is doing its part — the CPU’s 85th percentile standing among all processors means it is far stronger than the GPU. But in a gaming workload, the weakest link determines the outcome, and the Arc B390 is clearly that weak link.

To put this in perspective, the combo rank of 2589 means there are 2588 other CPU-GPU pairings that achieve higher average FPS in Downfall. This is not a condemnation of the CPU; it is a reflection of the GPU’s 9th percentile standing. The nearest GPU rivals to the Arc B390, such as the GT 710 or GT 625 OEM, are parts that were considered low-end over a decade ago. The fact that this combo ranks above 339 other configurations (2928 total minus 2589) suggests there are even weaker pairings, likely involving older integrated graphics or severely mismatched components.

For a builder considering this combo, the data indicates that the Ryzen 5 5600F is being wasted in this pairing for Downfall. The CPU has the headroom to drive much more powerful graphics cards, but the Arc B390 caps the system’s potential. The ranking is a warning that this configuration is only suitable for very light gaming or non-gaming workloads, despite the competent CPU.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of what to expect in Downfall with this hardware. All figures are average FPS unless otherwise noted.

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: 106 FPS average
• Medium: 87 FPS average (minimum 74, maximum 100)
• High: 71 FPS average
• Ultra: 44 FPS average

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: 76 FPS average
• Medium: 62 FPS average (minimum 53, maximum 71)
• High: 51 FPS average
• Ultra: 32 FPS average

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: 47 FPS average
• Medium: 39 FPS average (minimum 33, maximum 44)
• High: 32 FPS average
• Ultra: 20 FPS average

The 1080p results are the only ones that offer consistently smooth gameplay. At Low settings, 106 FPS is well above the 60 FPS threshold for most players. Even at High settings, 71 FPS is playable, though not ideal for a horror game where sudden frame drops can be jarring. The Medium setting at 87 FPS with a minimum of 74 FPS is the sweet spot for 1080p, providing a good balance between visual quality and frame rate consistency.

At 1440p, the system becomes marginal. Low settings at 76 FPS are acceptable, but High settings drop to 51 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target for many gamers. Ultra settings at 32 FPS are not recommended for any serious playthrough. The 1440p Medium result of 62 FPS is the best compromise, but the minimum of 53 FPS indicates occasional dips that could be noticeable in tense moments.

At 4K, the system is largely unsuitable for Downfall. Only Low settings clear the 30 FPS playability threshold with 47 FPS. Medium settings at 39 FPS are borderline, but High (32 FPS) and Ultra (20 FPS) are effectively unplayable. The 4K Medium minimum of 33 FPS suggests that even the "playable" settings will have moments of stutter.

FAQ

*Q: Is this CPU-GPU combo capable of running Downfall at 60 FPS?*

A: Only at 1080p. The data shows 106 FPS at Low settings, 87 FPS at Medium, and 71 FPS at High settings. At 1440p, only Low settings (76 FPS) exceed 60 FPS, while Medium (62 FPS) barely does. At 4K, no settings level reaches 60 FPS.

Q: Which setting should I use for the best experience at 1080p?

A: Based on the measured FPS, Medium settings offer the best balance. The 87 FPS average with a 74 FPS minimum ensures smooth gameplay without the visual degradation of Low settings. High settings at 71 FPS are also viable if you prefer better visuals.

Q: How does the Ryzen 5 5600F compare to its closest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The CPU scores 36945 on average, which is virtually identical to the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 (36938, 0% delta), the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D (37018, -0.2%), the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 (37093, -0.4%), and the Intel Core i9-12900T (37112, -0.5%). There is no meaningful performance difference among these parts.

Q: Why is the GPU ranking so low despite having 1536 shading units?

A: The Intel Arc B390 scores 1482 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, placing it at the 9th percentile. Its nearest rivals are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1463), GeForce 800M (1460), GT 625 OEM (1446), and GT 710 (1443). The architecture’s low clock speeds and system-shared memory severely limit real-world gaming performance.

*Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck in this system for Downfall?*

A: The GPU is the bottleneck at all resolutions. This is evident from the resolution scaling: FPS drops by roughly 28% from 1080p to 1440p and another 39% from 1440p to 4K, which matches pixel count increases. A CPU bottleneck would show smaller FPS differences at higher resolutions.

*Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Downfall at any setting?*

A: Technically yes, but only at Low settings with a 47 FPS average. Medium settings drop to 39 FPS, High to 32 FPS, and Ultra to 20 FPS. For a horror game requiring quick reactions, only the Low setting is marginally acceptable at 4K.