Downfall

The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER delivers a playable experience in Downfall, but the data reveals a system that is heavily constrained by its GPU at higher resolutions. This combination ranks near the bottom of the tested pool, making it a pairing best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming rather than 4K.

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

The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is a desktop processor from the 7000 series, built on the Zen 4 architecture with the Raphael codename. It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The CPU has a TDP of 120 watts and fits the AMD Socket AM5. Its cache configuration is substantial: 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a large 96 MB of shared L3 cache. This cache-heavy design is particularly relevant for gaming workloads, as it reduces latency when accessing frequently used data.

In synthetic benchmarks, the 7800X3D posts strong numbers. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score is 29149, while the single-core score reaches 4115. The Geekbench multicore result is 15101, with a single-core score of 2725. The Passmark multithread score is 34293. These figures place the CPU in the 87th percentile of all CPUs tested, with an average benchmark score of 31580. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-12700F, which scores 31543 (a delta of 0.1%), and the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX at 31495 (0.3% delta). The Ryzen 7 8700G and 7745HX are also close, at 31407 and 31402 respectively, both with a 0.6% delta. This indicates the 7800X3D is a top-tier processor, but its performance headroom is not fully utilized in this specific game pairing.

For Downfall, a horror title released in 2016, the CPU's 8-core/16-thread configuration is more than sufficient. The game is not likely to stress all threads heavily, and the high L3 cache helps maintain consistent frame pacing. However, the benchmark results show that the CPU is not the bottleneck in this system. The measured FPS drops significantly as resolution increases, which points directly to the GPU as the limiting factor. The 7800X3D provides ample processing power, but it cannot compensate for the graphics card's limitations at 4K.

How This Combo Ranks

The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER combination ranks 1310 out of 1741 tested combos in Downfall. This places it in the bottom quartile of the database, indicating that while the CPU is strong, the overall pairing scores poorly relative to other tested systems. The data shows this rank is heavily influenced by the GPU, which is an older, end-of-life product from the GeForce 20-series.

The RTX 2060 SUPER has an average benchmark score of 19774 and sits in the 63rd percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are the NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN (avg score 19706, delta 0.3%), the RTX 2070 (19680, delta 0.5%), and the Quadro K5200 (19623, delta 0.8%). These small deltas suggest the 2060 SUPER is a mid-range card that is outperformed by many newer options. The CPU, by contrast, is in the 87th percentile, creating a significant imbalance. This mismatch explains the combo's low rank: the processor is wasted potential when paired with a GPU that cannot keep up at higher settings.

The rank of 1310 out of 1741 means that roughly 75% of tested combos perform better in this game. This is a critical takeaway for builders: the 7800X3D is a future-proof investment, but the RTX 2060 SUPER drags down the overall experience. If the goal is high-refresh gaming, this pairing will struggle at 4K, though it remains viable at lower resolutions.

FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 1920x1080 with High settings?

A: The measured average FPS at 1920x1080 with High settings is 127.4. This is a smooth experience for most players, well above the 60 FPS threshold.

Q: How does the RTX 2060 SUPER compare to its nearest rival, the RTX 2070?

A: The RTX 2060 SUPER has an average benchmark score of 19774, while the RTX 2070 scores 19680. The 2060 SUPER is actually 0.5% ahead of the RTX 2070 in this dataset, despite being the lower-tier card in the lineup.

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo if the goal is 60+ FPS?

A: At 2560x1440 with High settings, the combo achieves 90.5 FPS. At 3840x2160 with High settings, it drops to 55.6 FPS. Therefore, 1440p is the highest resolution that reliably exceeds 60 FPS.

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

A: The data indicates the GPU is the bottleneck. The CPU scores in the 87th percentile, while the GPU is in the 63rd percentile. At 4K Ultra, the FPS drops to 35.2, showing the GPU cannot handle the load.

Q: Does the 7800X3D support DDR5 memory?

A: Yes, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the RTX 2060 SUPER?

A: The launch MSRP of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER is 399 USD. This is a historical figure and does not reflect current market pricing.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern: performance scales inversely with resolution and settings. At 1920x1080, the combo delivers strong results across all presets. With Low settings, the average FPS is 189.6, which is excellent for competitive play. Medium settings yield 156.8 FPS, while High settings produce 127.4 FPS. At Ultra settings, the average drops to 78.1 FPS, still playable but with diminishing returns.

Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates remain respectable but show the GPU's strain. Low settings produce 136.2 FPS, which is still very smooth. Medium settings hit 110.2 FPS, and High settings deliver 90.5 FPS. Ultra settings, however, drop significantly to 55.7 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target for many gamers.

At 3840x2160, the RTX 2060 SUPER clearly struggles. Low settings produce 82.8 FPS, which is the only 4K preset above 60 FPS. Medium settings drop to 68 FPS, and High settings fall to 55.6 FPS. Ultra settings are nearly unplayable at 35.2 FPS. This data confirms that 4K is not a viable option for this pairing, except at the lowest settings.

The gap between Low and Ultra settings is substantial. At 1080p, the difference is 111.5 FPS (from 189.6 to 78.1). At 1440p, the gap is 80.5 FPS (from 136.2 to 55.7). At 4K, the gap narrows to 47.6 FPS (from 82.8 to 35.2), indicating that the GPU is maxed out regardless of the preset.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER is built on the Turing architecture with the TU106 chip, manufactured on a 12 nm process at TSMC. It has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing 448.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The base clock is 1470 MHz, with a boost clock of 1650 MHz. The memory clock is 1750 MHz, which translates to 14 Gbps effective. The card features 2176 shading units, 136 TMUs, and 64 ROPs. It also includes 34 RT cores and 272 tensor cores, though these are less relevant for a 2016 horror game that does not support ray tracing.

The GPU's TDP is 175 W, requiring a 450 W suggested PSU and a single 8-pin power connector. It uses a PCIe 3.0 x16 interface and has a dual-slot design. The card is 229 mm long, which fits most mid-tower cases. Its benchmark scores show a Passmark G3D score of 16462 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2011. The Geekbench OpenCL score is 87670, with a Vulkan score of 83503.

The 8 GB of VRAM is adequate for Downfall at 1080p and 1440p, but the 4K Ultra preset likely exceeds the card's memory capacity and computational power. The data shows that at 4K Ultra, the average FPS is 35.2, which is a clear sign of GPU saturation. The card's 448.0 GB/s bandwidth is not enough to feed the high-resolution textures and effects at Ultra settings. The GPU's performance in the 63rd percentile, with an average benchmark score of 19774, confirms it is a mid-range part that is now several generations old.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the best experience for this combo is at 1920x1080 with High settings, which delivers 127.4 FPS. This provides a balance between visual quality and performance, well above the 60 FPS target. If a higher refresh rate is desired, dropping to Medium yields 156.8 FPS, a 23% increase, with minimal visual impact in a dark horror game.

For 2560x1440, High settings at 90.5 FPS is the sweet spot. It stays above the 60 FPS threshold and offers good visual fidelity. Medium settings at 110.2 FPS are also viable for those who prefer smoother motion. Ultra settings should be avoided at this resolution, as the 55.7 FPS result is borderline and may cause noticeable stuttering in fast-paced scenes.

At 3840x2160, the data suggests using Low settings, which produce 82.8 FPS. This is the only 4K preset that maintains a playable frame rate. Medium settings at 68 FPS are also acceptable, but High and Ultra should be avoided due to the risk of frame drops. Given that Downfall is a horror game with atmospheric tension, consistent frame pacing is more important than graphical fidelity, so prioritizing FPS over Ultra settings is advisable.

In summary, this pairing is best utilized at 1080p or 1440p. The CPU has ample headroom for future upgrades, but the GPU is the limiting factor. For the best measured experience, stick to High settings at 1440p or below, and reserve 4K for Low or Medium presets.