Downfall

The AMD Ryzen 5 7500F pairs with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER in a combination that leans heavily on the CPU’s modern architecture to offset an older GPU. The processor, built on the 5 nm Zen 4 (Raphael) design, brings 6 cores and 12 threads with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost of 5.00 GHz. This is a desktop part with a 65 W TDP, and its single-thread performance is strong enough to avoid bottlenecking in most scenarios. In the Cinebench R23 single-core test, the chip scores 3218, which is a solid figure for gaming workloads that rely on a few fast threads. Multi-core results are equally respectable, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 22799, indicating that background tasks or games using more threads will not overwhelm it.

The GTX 1660 SUPER, meanwhile, is a Turing-architecture card with 1408 shading units and a boost clock of 1785 MHz. Its 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus delivers 336.0 GB/s of bandwidth, which is adequate for 1080p gaming but becomes a limiting factor at higher resolutions. The GPU’s PassMark G3D score of 12699 places it in the 55th percentile among all GPUs, a middling position that reflects its age and mid-range origins. In this pairing, the CPU’s 82nd percentile ranking among all CPUs (with an average benchmark score of 24993) clearly outclasses the GPU’s relative standing, meaning the graphics card will often be the component that dictates frame rates, especially as resolution climbs.

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

The Ryzen 5 7500F’s 6 cores and 12 threads are sufficient for Downfall, a horror title that does not demand extreme thread counts. The CPU’s boost clock of 5.00 GHz is the key asset here, as it ensures that single-threaded game logic runs smoothly. Benchmark data supports this: the 3DMark single-thread score of 974 and Geekbench single-core score of 2759 are strong, and the Cinebench R15 single-core score of 324 confirms the chip’s ability to handle lightly-threaded workloads. In practice, this means the CPU will rarely be the bottleneck at 1080p, where the GPU is more likely to cap performance.

Multi-threaded performance is less critical for Downfall, but the Ryzen 5 7500F still delivers. Its Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 9575 and PassMark multi-thread score of 26825 show that it can handle any background processes or game physics without issue. The CPU’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-11850H (average score 24974, deltaPct 0.1) and the AMD Ryzen 7 2700X (average score 25057, deltaPct -0.3), both of which are within a fraction of a percent of the 7500F’s average score. This indicates that the 7500F is a balanced performer, neither dramatically ahead nor behind its peers, but its modern Zen 4 architecture gives it an efficiency edge that older parts lack.

For this game specifically, the CPU’s role is to feed the GPU with enough data to maintain consistent frame times. At 1080p Low settings, the measured average FPS of 146.4 suggests the CPU is not holding back, as that frame rate is well above what the GPU can sustain at higher detail levels. The CPU’s 32 MB of shared L3 cache also helps with game asset streaming, reducing stutter in a horror title where sudden load spikes are common.

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

The GTX 1660 SUPER’s 6 GB of VRAM is a limiting factor in Downfall at higher resolutions and settings. The card’s 1750 MHz memory clock (14 Gbps effective) and 192-bit bus provide 336.0 GB/s of bandwidth, which is sufficient for 1080p but becomes strained at 1440p and 4K. The GPU’s boost clock of 1785 MHz is modest by modern standards, and its FP32 performance of 5.027 TFLOPS places it firmly in the entry-to-mid-range category. The PassMark G3D score of 12699 and the 55th percentile ranking confirm this, with nearest rivals like the AMD Radeon RX Vega 11 (average score 14314, deltaPct -0.2) and Intel Iris Xe MAX Graphics (average score 14315, deltaPct -0.2) showing that the 1660 SUPER is barely ahead of integrated graphics in synthetic tests.

In Downfall, the GPU’s limitations become apparent when comparing settings at the same resolution. At 1080p, the average FPS drops from 146.4 at Low to 63.3 at Ultra, a reduction of 83.1 FPS. This is a clear sign that the GPU is the primary bottleneck at higher settings, as the CPU can handle the workload but the graphics card cannot maintain frame rates when pixel shaders and texture fill rates increase. The same pattern holds at 1440p, where Ultra settings yield 46.2 FPS versus 108 at Low, and at 4K, where Ultra drops to 27.5 FPS.

The GPU’s 6 GB VRAM is also a concern at 4K Ultra, where texture detail can exceed that capacity. While the measured data does not show stutter or texture pop-in, the frame rates at 4K Ultra (27.5 FPS average) suggest the card is struggling to keep up with both memory bandwidth and shading demands. For a horror game that relies on atmosphere and lighting, this GPU can manage at lower settings, but it will not provide a smooth experience at high resolutions.

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

The measured FPS data shows a clear scaling pattern across resolutions. At 1080p High, the combo averages 98.7 FPS, which drops to 71.8 at 1440p High and further to 43.5 at 4K High. This represents a 55.2 FPS drop from 1080p to 4K, or a 56% reduction in performance. When comparing Low settings, the drop is from 146.4 at 1080p to 108 at 1440p and 64.5 at 4K, a total loss of 81.9 FPS (56% reduction). This consistent percentage drop across settings indicates that the GPU is the limiting factor, as the CPU’s performance does not scale with resolution.

The pattern is even more pronounced at Ultra settings. At 1080p Ultra, the average FPS is 63.3, which drops to 46.2 at 1440p and 27.5 at 4K. The 4K Ultra result is barely playable, suggesting that the combination of higher resolution and maximum detail pushes the GTX 1660 SUPER beyond its capabilities. The GPU’s 6 GB VRAM and 336.0 GB/s bandwidth are simply not enough to handle the texture and shading demands of 4K Ultra in a modern game.

This scaling behavior confirms that the Ryzen 5 7500F is not the bottleneck. If the CPU were limiting, we would expect to see similar FPS across resolutions, but the data shows clear resolution-dependent drops. The CPU’s strong single-thread performance, as evidenced by its 3DMark single-thread score of 974, ensures that it can keep up with the GPU’s demands at all tested settings. For the best experience, users should target 1080p, where the combo delivers over 60 FPS at all settings except Ultra (63.3 FPS is still playable), or 1440p with Medium or Low settings.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combo ranks 1522 out of 1741 tested combinations in Downfall, placing it in the bottom 13% of all tested setups. This is a low ranking that reflects the GPU’s age and limited VRAM, despite the CPU’s strong performance. The rank is determined by the combination’s overall performance across all measured resolutions and settings, and the GTX 1660 SUPER’s struggles at 4K and Ultra settings drag the average down.

Given that the CPU is in the 82nd percentile and the GPU is in the 55th percentile, the combo ranking is expected to be skewed by the weaker component. The data shows that this pairing is best suited for 1080p gaming, where it can achieve playable frame rates at most settings. At 1440p, only Low and Medium settings provide acceptable performance (108 and 86.5 FPS respectively), while High and Ultra drop below 72 FPS. At 4K, even Low settings (64.5 FPS) are marginal, and Ultra is nearly unplayable at 27.5 FPS.

Compared to other combos in the database, this setup is not competitive for high-resolution gaming. The GPU’s nearest rivals, such as the AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT (average score 14389, deltaPct -0.7), have similar performance, but the 1660 SUPER’s 6 GB VRAM is a disadvantage in modern games that use more than 6 GB at high settings. The CPU, however, is a strong foundation that would pair well with a more capable GPU, and this combination’s low rank is primarily due to the graphics card’s limitations.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

For the best balance of visual quality and performance, the Medium preset at 1080p is the recommended starting point. At this setting, the combo averages 119 FPS, which is smooth and responsive, while still providing better visuals than Low. The jump from Low to Medium costs 27.4 FPS (from 146.4 to 119), but the visual improvement is worth it for a horror game where lighting and shadows matter. At 1080p High, the average drops to 98.7 FPS, which is still playable, but the difference between High and Medium is not as impactful as the step from Low to Medium.

For users with a 1440p monitor, the Medium preset at 86.5 FPS is the best option, as it maintains a high frame rate while offering better detail than Low (108 FPS). High at 1440p (71.8 FPS) is acceptable for slower-paced horror games, but the drop from Medium to High is 14.7 FPS, which may be noticeable in fast-moving scenes. Ultra settings at 1440p (46.2 FPS) are not recommended, as the frame rate falls below the 60 FPS threshold that most players consider smooth.

At 4K, the data suggests avoiding this combo entirely for a good experience. Even Low settings (64.5 FPS) are barely playable, and Medium (54.8 FPS) and High (43.5 FPS) are below 60 FPS. Ultra at 4K (27.5 FPS) is not viable for gameplay. The GPU’s 6 GB VRAM and limited bandwidth make 4K a poor choice, and users with a 4K display should lower the resolution or upgrade the GPU.

FAQ

Q: Is the Ryzen 5 7500F strong enough for Downfall?

A: Yes. The CPU’s 6 cores and 12 threads, with a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, provide ample performance for this game. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3218 ensures that the game’s logic runs smoothly, and the combo’s 1080p Low average of 146.4 FPS shows the CPU is not a bottleneck.

Q: Can the GTX 1660 SUPER handle 1440p in this game?

A: At Medium settings, the average FPS is 86.5, which is playable. At High settings, it drops to 71.8 FPS, which is still acceptable for a slower-paced horror title. Ultra is not recommended, as it falls to 46.2 FPS.

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo?

A: 1080p is the sweet spot. At Medium settings, the combo averages 119 FPS, and at High it averages 98.7 FPS. Both provide a smooth experience, while 1440p and 4K require lower settings to maintain playable frame rates.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to other tested setups?

A: The combo ranks 1522 out of 1741 tested combinations in Downfall, placing it in the bottom 13%. This low ranking is primarily due to the GPU’s 55th percentile standing, while the CPU is in the 82nd percentile.

Q: Is the GTX 1660 SUPER’s 6 GB VRAM enough for this game?

A: At 1080p and 1440p, 6 GB is sufficient for most settings. At 4K Ultra, the frame rate drops to 27.5 FPS, likely due to both VRAM capacity and bandwidth limitations. The card’s 336.0 GB/s bandwidth is a bottleneck at high resolutions.

Q: Should I use Ultra settings for the best visuals?

A: Only at 1080p, where Ultra averages 63.3 FPS. At 1440p, Ultra drops to 46.2 FPS, and at 4K it falls to 27.5 FPS. For a consistent 60 FPS experience, Medium or High at 1080p is the better choice.