Downfall

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D paired with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER produces a striking performance profile in Downfall, a horror title from 2016. The benchmark data reveals a system where the GPU is the primary bottleneck, yet the combination still delivers playable frame rates across most settings. With an average FPS ranging from 27 at 4K Ultra to 147 at 1080p Low, this pairing showcases how a high-end modern processor can anchor an older, mid-range graphics card without introducing a CPU-side limitation. The measured results place this combo at rank 2505 out of 2928 tested configurations, indicating that while not top-tier, the setup holds its own in this specific title.

FAQ

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1080p with High settings?

A: The measured average FPS at 1920x1080 with High settings is 99. This is a solid performance level, comfortably above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay, and it suggests that the GTX 1660 SUPER is well-suited for this resolution and setting combination in Downfall.

Q: Does the GTX 1660 SUPER's VRAM capacity limit performance at higher resolutions?

A: The GPU has 6 GB of GDDR6 memory. The data shows a significant performance drop at 4K Ultra, where the average FPS falls to 27. While the frame rate decline is substantial, the benchmark scores do not explicitly isolate VRAM exhaustion as the cause, but the 6 GB capacity is a likely constraint at 3840x2160 with higher texture settings.

*Q: How does the Ryzen 9 9900X3D's core count factor into Downfall's performance?*

A: The CPU features 12 cores and 24 threads. Given that the measured FPS numbers are likely GPU-limited in most scenarios, the processor's high core count appears to be more than sufficient for this game. The data suggests that the CPU is not a bottleneck, as frame rates scale consistently with resolution changes, which is a hallmark of GPU-bound performance.

Q: What is the best 4K setting for playable frame rates?

A: According to the measured data, the 4K Low preset yields an average FPS of 65, which is the highest at that resolution. Medium at 4K averages 54 FPS, and High drops to 44 FPS. For a target of 60 FPS, Low is the only viable option, while Medium offers a balanced experience if slight frame drops are acceptable.

Q: How does the combo rank compared to other tested systems?

A: This specific CPU and GPU combination is ranked 2505 out of 2928 tested combos in Downfall. This places it in the lower half of all configurations, which is expected given the GPU's mid-range standing, but the actual FPS figures remain competitive for many gaming scenarios.

Q: Is the CPU's high single-thread performance reflected in the game's results?

A: The Ryzen 9 9900X3D scores 6739 in Cinebench R23 single-core and 1269 in 3DMark single-thread tests. These are strong numbers, but the game's performance is more heavily influenced by the GPU. The data implies that Downfall does not require extreme single-core performance, as even the lower FPS at 4K Ultra is not presenting a CPU-related frame cap.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo of the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER lands at position 2505 out of 2928 tested combinations in Downfall. This percentile placement, which is in the lower 15% of all systems, might seem disappointing at first glance, but it is crucial to interpret this ranking in context. The ranking is a composite measure of the entire system's capability, and it is heavily weighted by the GPU's performance, which is the GTX 1660 SUPER's primary contribution. The GPU itself holds a 53rd percentile ranking among all GPUs, indicating it is a mid-pack performer. The CPU, conversely, is a top-tier part, ranking in the 91st percentile among all CPUs. The disparity between these two components—a high-end CPU paired with a mid-range GPU—creates a system that is inherently unbalanced for modern gaming, yet the measured FPS in Downfall are still respectable. The rank of 2505 reflects the GPU's inability to push high frame rates at demanding settings, particularly at 4K, but it does not negate the fact that the system can achieve excellent results at 1080p. When compared to other combos, this pairing is not optimized for maximum FPS; instead, it represents a configuration where the CPU has significant headroom, and the GPU is the definitive limiting factor.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER is the workhorse in this pairing, and its specifications dictate the frame rate ceiling in Downfall. The GPU features 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 336.0 GB/s. Its base clock is 1530 MHz, with a boost clock of 1785 MHz. These figures are modest by modern standards, and the GPU's 5.027 TFLOPS of FP32 performance places it firmly in the mid-range category. The benchmark results show a clear correlation between the GPU's workload and the FPS output. For instance, the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 1278, and the Passmark G3D score is 12699, both reflecting a mid-tier performance level. In Downfall, the GPU's role is pivotal. At 1080p, the GTX 1660 SUPER is able to deliver high frame rates, with an average of 147 FPS at Low settings and 99 FPS at High. This indicates that at this resolution, the GPU has enough pixel throughput and memory bandwidth to handle the game's demands. However, as the resolution increases to 1440p and then 4K, the GPU's limitations become apparent. The average FPS at 4K High drops to 44, and at 4K Ultra, it plummets to 27. This steep decline is a direct result of the GPU being overwhelmed by the increased pixel count and texture detail, particularly with only 6 GB of VRAM, which can become a constraint at higher resolutions and settings. The data shows that the GTX 1660 SUPER is capable of providing a smooth experience at 1080p, but it struggles to maintain playable frame rates at 4K with higher presets, making it the definitive bottleneck in this system.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the system's performance across resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the results are strong. The Low preset achieves an average of 147 FPS, which is exceptionally high and indicates the game is not taxing the GPU heavily. Medium settings yield an average of 120 FPS, with a minimum of 102 and a maximum of 138 FPS, showing a consistent frame delivery. High settings drop to an average of 99 FPS, still excellent for a smooth experience. Ultra at 1080p averages 62 FPS, which is playable but shows a significant performance hit from High to Ultra, representing a 37% decrease. Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates scale down as expected. Low settings average 105 FPS, which is still very smooth. Medium averages 86 FPS, with a range of 73 to 99 FPS. High settings average 71 FPS, and Ultra falls to 44 FPS. The transition from 1080p to 1440p at High settings results in a 28% drop in average FPS, from 99 to 71. At 3840x2160, the GPU is clearly overburdened. Low settings average 65 FPS, which is the only preset to exceed 60 FPS at this resolution. Medium averages 54 FPS, with a minimum of 45 and a maximum of 62. High settings average 44 FPS, and Ultra drops to a sub-30 FPS average of 27. The data reveals a consistent pattern: the GTX 1660 SUPER is capable of high refresh rate gaming at 1080p, but its performance degrades sharply as resolution increases, with the most dramatic decline occurring between 1440p and 4K.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For a 1080p display, the High preset is the best recommendation. It delivers an average of 99 FPS, which provides a comfortable margin above 60 FPS for smooth gameplay, and it offers a significant visual upgrade over Medium's 120 FPS without a severe performance penalty. The Ultra preset at 1080p, averaging 62 FPS, is also viable for those prioritizing visual fidelity, but the 37% frame rate drop from High makes it a less attractive option for a consistently smooth experience. At 1440p, the High preset is again a strong choice, averaging 71 FPS. This is a good balance, as it remains above 60 FPS and provides better image quality than Medium's 86 FPS. The Ultra preset at 1440p, with an average of 44 FPS, is not recommended for fast-paced gameplay but could be used for a slower, more atmospheric horror experience. At 4K, the options are limited. The Low preset is the only one to achieve a 60 FPS average, at 65 FPS, but it sacrifices significant visual detail. The Medium preset, averaging 54 FPS, is a reasonable compromise for those who want better graphics and can tolerate occasional dips below 60 FPS. The High and Ultra presets at 4K, with averages of 44 and 27 FPS respectively, are not ideal for a horror game where smooth movement is crucial. In summary, the best experience is at 1080p with High settings, offering a high frame rate and good visual quality. For 1440p, High is the most balanced choice, while at 4K, Medium or Low are the only practical options for maintaining playable frame rates.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is a formidable processor, but its role in Downfall is largely to avoid being a bottleneck. With 12 cores and 24 threads based on the Zen 5 architecture, it offers immense multi-threaded capability, as evidenced by its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 47737 and Geekbench multi-core score of 22884. Its single-thread performance is also excellent, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 6739 and a 3DMark single-thread score of 1269. These scores place the CPU in the 91st percentile among all CPUs, indicating it is a top-tier performer. However, the game's performance data suggests that Downfall does not heavily tax the CPU. The measured FPS are consistently GPU-limited, as indicated by the significant frame rate drops when moving from 1080p to 4K. If the CPU were the limiting factor, we would expect to see similar FPS across different resolutions, but that is not the case. For example, the average FPS at High settings drops from 99 at 1080p to 44 at 4K, a 55% decrease, which is a classic sign of GPU saturation. The CPU's high core count and clock speeds (base 4.40 GHz, boost 5.50 GHz) ensure that it can feed the GPU with data without stuttering or introducing frame pacing issues. The 128 MB of L3 cache also helps in reducing memory latency, which is beneficial for game data access. In this specific title, the CPU's role is to provide a stable foundation, and the data indicates it does so perfectly, allowing the GTX 1660 SUPER to operate at its full potential without any CPU-induced constraints.

Resolution Scaling

The resolution scaling behavior in Downfall provides clear evidence of the GPU being the limiting component. When comparing the average FPS across resolutions at the same settings, the pattern is consistent. At High settings, the average FPS is 99 at 1080p, 71 at 1440p, and 44 at 4K. This represents a 28% drop from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 38% drop from 1440p to 4K. The scaling is not linear, which is typical for a GPU-bound scenario. At Low settings, the average FPS is 147 at 1080p, 105 at 1440p, and 65 at 4K. The percentage drops are 29% and 38% respectively, showing a similar trend. This consistent decline in FPS with increasing resolution strongly indicates that the GTX 1660 SUPER's rendering capabilities are the primary constraint. The CPU, being a high-performance part, is not causing a bottleneck, as it can easily handle the workload at all resolutions. If the CPU were the limiting factor, we would expect to see the FPS plateau or remain relatively constant as resolution increases, since the CPU's workload doesn't change significantly with resolution. Instead, the FPS drops proportionally with the increase in pixel count, which is a hallmark of a GPU-limited system. The data from the Medium preset further confirms this, with average FPS of 120 at 1080p, 86 at 1440p, and 54 at 4K. The resolution scaling analysis shows that the system's performance is almost entirely dictated by the GPU's ability to process pixels, and the powerful Ryzen 9 9900X3D is effectively waiting for the GPU at every step. This is a valuable insight for users, indicating that upgrading the GPU would yield significant frame rate improvements across all resolutions, while upgrading the CPU would have minimal impact in this game.