Downfall

Resolution Scaling

The measured frame rates in Downfall show a clear and consistent GPU-bound scaling pattern as resolution increases. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo of AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER delivers 210 FPS average. Moving to 1440p Low drops that to 150 FPS, a reduction of 60 FPS (28.6%), and at 4K Low the average falls to 94 FPS. This progressive decline is the classic signature of a system where the graphics card is the primary limiting factor at higher pixel counts.

The scaling behavior becomes more pronounced when examining the High preset. At 1080p High, the average is 141 FPS. At 1440p High, it drops to 101 FPS, a 40 FPS decline. At 4K High, the average falls to 63 FPS, which is less than half of the 1080p High result. The frame rate reduction from 1440p to 4K is 38 FPS, while the reduction from 1080p to 1440p is 40 FPS. This near-linear scaling with pixel count indicates the RTX 2070 SUPER is saturating its compute and memory bandwidth as resolution climbs.

Ultra settings tell a starker story. At 1080p Ultra, the average is 88 FPS. At 1440p Ultra, it falls to 63 FPS. At 4K Ultra, the average plummets to 39 FPS. The gap between 1080p and 4K Ultra is 49 FPS, meaning 4K Ultra delivers only 44.3% of the 1080p Ultra frame rate. This is a severe drop that confirms the GPU is overwhelmed by the combination of high resolution and maximum graphical fidelity.

The data suggests that at 1080p, the CPU still has headroom. The jump from Low (210 FPS) to High (141 FPS) at 1080p is a 69 FPS difference, which is substantial and shows the GPU is still the bottleneck even at lower resolutions. However, the Ryzen 5 7500X3D's 6 cores and 12 threads with a 4.50 GHz boost clock provide enough processing power to keep the GPU fed at these frame rates. If the CPU were the limiting factor, we would expect to see frame rates plateau across different settings at the same resolution, which is not the case.

At 4K, the GPU is unquestionably the limiting component. The difference between Low (94 FPS) and High (63 FPS) at 4K is 31 FPS, and between Low and Ultra (39 FPS) is 55 FPS. This wide spread across settings at the same resolution indicates that the RTX 2070 SUPER's 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and 448.0 GB/s bandwidth are being taxed heavily. The 256-bit memory bus is sufficient for 1440p but struggles to maintain high frame rates at 4K with demanding presets.

The medium preset provides an interesting middle ground. At 1080p Medium, the average is 172 FPS with a minimum of 146 FPS and maximum of 198 FPS. At 1440p Medium, the average is 123 FPS with a range of 105 to 141 FPS. At 4K Medium, the average is 77 FPS with a range of 65 to 88 FPS. The Medium preset at 4K achieves 77 FPS, which is 14 FPS higher than 4K High (63 FPS) and 38 FPS higher than 4K Ultra (39 FPS). This makes Medium the most playable preset at 4K, as it stays above the 60 FPS threshold.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D is a 6-core, 12-thread processor from the 7000 series, built on the Zen 4 architecture with the Raphael codename. It operates at a base clock of 4.00 GHz and boosts up to 4.50 GHz. The CPU features a substantial L3 cache of 96 MB shared across all cores, which is a hallmark of the X3D line. This large cache is particularly beneficial in gaming scenarios where repeated data access patterns can be cached locally, reducing memory latency.

In Downfall, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and game logic updates. The benchmark results show that the Ryzen 5 7500X3D is more than capable of handling this task, even at high frame rates. At 1080p Low, the combo achieves 210 FPS, which is a demanding scenario for any processor. The fact that the system reaches this frame rate indicates the CPU is not a bottleneck at this resolution. The Passmark single-thread score of 3494 and multithread score of 25047 place this CPU in the 89th percentile against all CPUs, confirming strong per-core performance.

The nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks provide context for the CPU's capability. The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H scores 44466 on average, just 0.2% ahead of the Ryzen 5 7500X3D's 44573 average benchmark score. The Intel Core i9-13950HX is 0.5% behind, and the AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 is 0.6% behind. The Intel Core i5-14600 is 0.7% ahead. These deltas are minuscule, indicating that the Ryzen 5 7500X3D is performance-competitive with top-tier mobile and desktop chips from rival families. However, the X3D's 96 MB L3 cache gives it an edge in gaming workloads that synthetic benchmarks may not fully capture.

The CPU's 65 W TDP is notably low for a desktop processor with this level of performance. This efficiency, combined with the 5 nm process node from TSMC, means the processor generates less heat and consumes less power than many competitors. In a gaming system paired with a 215 W GPU, the total system power draw remains manageable, allowing for smaller cooling solutions and potentially quieter operation.

The benchmark results in Downfall show that the CPU is not the limiting factor at any resolution tested. The frame rate scaling from 1080p to 4K is consistent with GPU-bound behavior. If the CPU were limiting, we would see frame rates converge at higher resolutions as the GPU becomes the bottleneck, but instead we see a widening gap between settings at each resolution. At 1080p Ultra, the system achieves 88 FPS, which is still well above the 60 FPS target. This suggests the CPU has additional headroom even at maximum settings.

The Ryzen 5 7500X3D's memory support for DDR5 with dual-channel configuration and 83.2 GB/s bandwidth ensures that game assets and textures are loaded quickly. The PCIe Gen 5 interface with 24 lanes provides ample bandwidth for the RTX 2070 SUPER, although the GPU itself uses PCIe 3.0 x16. This backward compatibility means the GPU is not bottlenecked by the interface.

FAQ

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

A: Based on the measured data, 1440p Medium provides the best balance with an average of 123 FPS, a minimum of 105 FPS, and a maximum of 141 FPS. This resolution and preset combination keeps frame rates well above 60 FPS while offering better visual quality than 1080p.

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

A: Yes, but only at Medium settings. The 4K Medium preset achieves an average of 77 FPS with a minimum of 65 FPS and maximum of 88 FPS. 4K High drops to 63 FPS average, and 4K Ultra falls to 39 FPS, which is below playable thresholds.

Q: How does the RTX 2070 SUPER compare to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The RTX 2070 SUPER has an average benchmark score of 20282, placing it in the 65th percentile of all GPUs. The NVIDIA Quadro M4000M is 1% ahead, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile is 1.2% ahead, the Intel Arc B570 is 1.3% ahead, and the Intel Arc A750 is 1.5% ahead. These deltas are small, showing the GPU remains competitive.

*Q: Is the Ryzen 5 7500X3D a bottleneck in Downfall?*

A: No. The frame rate scaling across resolutions and settings indicates the GPU is the limiting factor. The CPU's single-thread score of 3494 and multithread score of 25047, combined with the 89th percentile ranking, show it is more than capable of driving the RTX 2070 SUPER.

Q: What is the difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, the Low preset averages 210 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 88 FPS. This is a difference of 122 FPS, meaning Ultra delivers 41.9% of the Low preset's frame rate. The Medium preset averages 172 FPS, and High averages 141 FPS.

*Q: How does the combo rank among all tested combinations in Downfall?*

A: The combo ranks 1653 out of 2928 tested combinations. This places it in the 56.5th percentile of all combos, indicating it performs slightly better than the median tested system.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080 resolution, the system delivers its highest frame rates. With Low settings, the average FPS is 210. Medium settings yield an average of 172 FPS, with a minimum of 146 FPS and a maximum of 198 FPS. High settings produce an average of 141 FPS. Ultra settings drop to an average of 88 FPS. The progression from Low to Ultra shows a consistent decline: Low to Medium is a 38 FPS drop, Medium to High is a 31 FPS drop, and High to Ultra is a 53 FPS drop. The largest single-step decline occurs between High and Ultra, which indicates that Ultra settings introduce significant rendering overhead.

At 2560x1440 resolution, the frame rates are lower but still playable. Low settings average 150 FPS. Medium settings average 123 FPS, with a minimum of 105 FPS and maximum of 141 FPS. High settings average 101 FPS. Ultra settings average 63 FPS. The decline from Low to Ultra is 87 FPS, with the largest single-step drop again occurring between High and Ultra at 38 FPS. The Medium preset at 1440p provides a smooth experience with a minimum of 105 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold.

At 3840x2160 resolution, the system begins to struggle with higher settings. Low settings average 94 FPS. Medium settings average 77 FPS, with a minimum of 65 FPS and maximum of 88 FPS. High settings average 63 FPS. Ultra settings drop to an average of 39 FPS. The decline from Low to Ultra is 55 FPS, with the largest single-step drop between High and Ultra at 24 FPS. The Medium preset at 4K is the only preset that maintains an average above 60 FPS, with a minimum of 65 FPS.

Comparing across resolutions at the same settings reveals the scaling penalty. For Low settings, moving from 1080p to 1440p reduces the average from 210 to 150 FPS, a 60 FPS drop. Moving from 1440p to 4K reduces it further to 94 FPS, a 56 FPS drop. For Medium settings, the 1080p to 1440p drop is 49 FPS (from 172 to 123), and the 1440p to 4K drop is 46 FPS (from 123 to 77). For High settings, the 1080p to 1440p drop is 40 FPS (from 141 to 101), and the 1440p to 4K drop is 38 FPS (from 101 to 63). For Ultra settings, the 1080p to 1440p drop is 25 FPS (from 88 to 63), and the 1440p to 4K drop is 24 FPS (from 63 to 39).

The minimum FPS data is only available for the Medium preset at each resolution. At 1080p Medium, the minimum is 146 FPS. At 1440p Medium, the minimum is 105 FPS. At 4K Medium, the minimum is 65 FPS. This indicates that the Medium preset provides consistent frame pacing without severe drops, making it the most stable option across all resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER ranks 1653 out of 2928 tested combinations in Downfall. This places the combo in the 56.5th percentile of all tested systems, meaning it performs better than 56.5% of the combinations in the database. This is a mid-pack ranking, reflecting the GPU's position as a previous-generation mid-range card paired with a current-generation high-end CPU.

The ranking is influenced more by the GPU than the CPU. The RTX 2070 SUPER sits in the 65th percentile of all GPUs, while the Ryzen 5 7500X3D sits in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. The combination of a high-percentile CPU with a mid-percentile GPU results in a system that is balanced but ultimately limited by the graphics card. In Downfall, which is a Horror game from 2016, the graphical demands are moderate, allowing the RTX 2070 SUPER to perform adequately at 1080p and 1440p, but the GPU's age shows at 4K with Ultra settings.

The combo's rank is consistent with its measured FPS data. At 1080p, the system achieves high frame rates across all settings, with even Ultra averaging 88 FPS. At 1440p, the system remains playable with High settings averaging 101 FPS and Ultra averaging 63 FPS. At 4K, only Medium settings provide a playable experience, with an average of 77 FPS. This performance profile suggests the combo is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, with 4K limited to lower presets.

The rank of 1653 out of 2928 means there are 1275 combinations that perform worse and 1652 combinations that perform better. This places the combo slightly above the median, which is expected given the GPU's 65th percentile ranking. The CPU's high percentile does not significantly boost the rank because the GPU is the bottleneck in most gaming scenarios. In CPU-bound games, the Ryzen 5 7500X3D's 89th percentile ranking would shine, but Downfall is clearly GPU-bound based on the resolution scaling data.

Settings Recommendations

For the best experience with this combo in Downfall, the Medium preset is the recommended choice across all resolutions. At 1080p Medium, the system achieves an average of 172 FPS with a minimum of 146 FPS, providing a smooth and responsive experience with no frame drops below 144 FPS. At 1440p Medium, the average drops to 123 FPS with a minimum of 105 FPS, which is still well above the 60 FPS threshold and suitable for high-refresh-rate monitors. At 4K Medium, the average is 77 FPS with a minimum of 65 FPS, making it the only 4K preset that maintains playable frame rates.

The Low preset is only recommended for competitive play where maximum frame rates are prioritized over visual quality. At 1080p Low, the system reaches 210 FPS, which is excellent for high-refresh-rate displays. At 1440p Low, the average is 150 FPS, and at 4K Low, it is 94 FPS. However, Low settings significantly reduce visual fidelity, which may detract from the horror atmosphere of the game.

The High preset is a viable alternative for users with 1080p or 1440p monitors who prioritize visual quality. At 1080p High, the average is 141 FPS, which is still smooth. At 1440p High, the average is 101 FPS, which is acceptable. However, at 4K High, the average drops to 63 FPS, which is borderline for playability. The frame pacing may be inconsistent at 63 FPS, so Medium is preferred at 4K.

The Ultra preset is not recommended for this combo. At 1080p Ultra, the average is 88 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors. At 1440p Ultra, the average drops to 63 FPS, which is marginal. At 4K Ultra, the average falls to 39 FPS, which is below the standard playable threshold of 60 FPS. The visual improvements from High to Ultra do not justify the significant frame rate cost, especially at higher resolutions.

The measured minimum FPS data for the Medium preset provides additional confidence in this recommendation. The minimum FPS at 1080p Medium is 146, at 1440p Medium is 105, and at 4K Medium is 65. These minimums indicate that the Medium preset maintains consistent frame delivery without severe stutters or hitches. This consistency is critical in a horror game like Downfall, where sudden frame drops can break immersion and affect gameplay.

In summary, the optimal configuration for this combo is to use Medium settings at whatever resolution the user's monitor supports. For 1080p and 1440p monitors, Medium provides high frame rates with good visual quality. For 4K monitors, Medium is the only preset that delivers a consistently playable experience. Users with high-refresh-rate 1080p monitors may prefer Low settings for the 210 FPS maximum, but Medium at 172 FPS is a better balance of performance and visual fidelity.