Downfall

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i5-10400F paired with the AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT achieves a combo rank of #1242 out of 1741 tested combinations in Downfall. This places the pairing in the lower-mid tier of all tested configurations, indicating that while it can run the game, it is not among the high-end performers. The rank reflects a balance between the CPU's 73rd percentile standing among all processors and the GPU's 71st percentile among all graphics cards. In practical terms, this combo sits in a zone where it competes with older high-end parts and modern mid-range offerings, but it will not challenge top-tier systems for maximum frame rates at demanding settings.

The data shows that this combination is more capable at lower resolutions and settings, which aligns with its mid-pack ranking. At 1920x1080, the system delivers playable to very smooth performance across all settings, but at 3840x2160, the frame rates drop significantly, especially at Ultra settings where the average falls below 40 FPS. This suggests the combo is best suited for 1080p or 1440p gaming rather than 4K. The rank of 1242 out of 1741 means roughly 71% of tested combos perform better, but it also means this pairing outperforms about 29% of all configurations—a respectable showing for a mid-range 2020 CPU and 2021 GPU combination.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-10400F is a 10th Gen Comet Lake processor built on Intel's 14 nm process. It features 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The CPU has a 12 MB shared L3 cache, with 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. It supports DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, and it uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The 65 W TDP makes it a power-efficient option for desktop builds.

In Downfall, a horror game that does not appear to be heavily threaded, the CPU's single-thread performance is more relevant than its multi-thread capabilities. The benchmark data shows a single-thread score of 688 in 3DMark and a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1453, while multi-thread scores reach 4735 in 3DMark max threads and 10297 in Cinebench R23 multicore. The PassMark single-thread score of 2541 and multithread score of 12115 further illustrate that this CPU has moderate single-thread strength that can keep up with the GPU in most scenarios.

The CPU's performance relative to its nearest rivals shows it is closely matched with several other processors. It sits 0.4% above the AMD EPYC 7552, 0.8% below the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C, 1.1% below the Intel Core i5-8500, and 1.2% below the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2546. This tight clustering indicates that the i5-10400F is not a bottleneck in Downfall at most settings; the GPU is more likely to be the limiting factor, particularly at higher resolutions where frame rates drop substantially.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT is based on the RDNA 2.0 architecture with the Navi 23 chip, built on TSMC's 7 nm process. It has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering a bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s. The GPU operates at a base clock of 1968 MHz, a game clock of 2359 MHz, and a boost clock of 2589 MHz. Memory runs at 2000 MHz with 16 Gbps effective speed. The card features 2048 shading units, 128 texture mapping units, and 64 render output units, along with 32 ray tracing cores. Its compute capabilities include 10.60 TFLOPS of FP32 performance and a pixel rate of 165.7 GPixel/s.

In Downfall, the GPU's VRAM capacity and memory bandwidth are crucial. The 8 GB frame buffer is adequate for 1080p and 1440p gaming, which the measured FPS data confirms. At 1920x1080, the card delivers over 125 FPS on High settings and 193.6 FPS on Low, showing it is not memory-limited at this resolution. At 2560x1440, performance remains strong with 90.7 FPS on High and 135.2 FPS on Low. However, at 3840x2160, the card begins to struggle, particularly at Ultra settings where the average FPS drops to 37.5. This indicates that the 128-bit memory bus and 8 GB capacity become limiting factors at 4K resolution.

The GPU's benchmark scores place it in the 71st percentile among all graphics cards, with an average score of 27985. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti (0.1% ahead), the AMD Radeon R9 M395X (0.4% ahead), the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 (0.9% behind), and the AMD FirePro S7150 (1.5% behind). The close margins against these competitors show that the RX 6600 XT is well-positioned in its performance class, though it is not a top-tier card.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data for Downfall reveals a clear pattern across resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, performance is excellent across the board. Low settings produce an average of 193.6 FPS, Medium delivers 158.2 FPS, High reaches 125.5 FPS, and Ultra drops to 78.2 FPS. The jump from Low to Ultra represents a 59.6% decrease in frame rate, but even at Ultra, the game remains highly playable.

At 2560x1440, the frame rates remain strong but show more variation. Low settings average 135.2 FPS, Medium delivers 114.2 FPS, High achieves 90.7 FPS, and Ultra falls to 58.3 FPS. The drop from Low to Ultra is 56.9%, which is slightly less severe than at 1080p, but the absolute numbers are lower due to the increased pixel count. The 58.3 FPS at Ultra is still acceptable for a horror game, though it approaches the threshold where smoothness may be compromised.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is clearly stressed. Low settings average 83.1 FPS, Medium delivers 71.5 FPS, High achieves 54.4 FPS, and Ultra drops to 37.5 FPS. The Ultra setting is the only one that falls below 40 FPS, which would likely be noticeable in a game that relies on atmosphere and tension. The progression from Low to Ultra at 4K shows a 54.9% decrease in performance, but the absolute numbers are significantly lower than at other resolutions.

The data shows that the sweet spot for this combo is 1440p with High settings, where 90.7 FPS provides a good balance between visual quality and smoothness. At 1080p, even Ultra settings offer 78.2 FPS, making it the most versatile resolution for this pairing. For 4K gaming, only Low or Medium settings are recommended, as the GPU cannot sustain high frame rates at higher presets.

FAQ

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

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 offers the highest frame rates, with 125.5 FPS on High and 78.2 FPS on Ultra. At 2560x1440, High settings still deliver 90.7 FPS, making it a viable option for better visual fidelity.

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

A: At 3840x2160, the combo achieves 83.1 FPS on Low and 71.5 FPS on Medium, but drops to 54.4 FPS on High and 37.5 FPS on Ultra. Only Low or Medium settings are playable at 4K.

Q: How does the CPU affect performance in this game?

A: The i5-10400F has a single-thread score of 688 in 3DMark and 2541 in PassMark, which is sufficient for Downfall. The CPU is not likely to be a bottleneck, as the GPU becomes the limiting factor at higher resolutions.

Q: Is the GPU's 8 GB VRAM enough for Downfall?

A: The 8 GB GDDR6 memory is adequate for 1080p and 1440p, as shown by the strong FPS numbers. At 4K, the 128-bit bus and 8 GB capacity contribute to the significant performance drops at higher settings.

Q: What settings should be avoided?

A: Ultra settings at 3840x2160 should be avoided, as the average FPS of 37.5 is below the playable threshold for most users. Ultra at 2560x1440 is borderline at 58.3 FPS.

Q: How does this combo compare to similar GPUs?

A: The RX 6600 XT is 0.1% behind the GTX 980 Ti and 0.4% behind the R9 M395X, but 0.9% ahead of the RTX 3070 and 1.5% ahead of the FirePro S7150 in average benchmark scores.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution. At 1920x1080, Ultra settings provide 78.2 FPS, which is smooth enough for most players, and this is the recommended preset for the best visual experience without sacrificing playability. For players who prioritize frame rate, High settings at 125.5 FPS offer a significant boost with minimal visual compromise.

At 2560x1440, High settings are the best choice, delivering 90.7 FPS with good visual quality. Medium settings at 114.2 FPS are also viable if smoother motion is preferred, while Ultra at 58.3 FPS is acceptable but may feel less responsive. Low settings at 135.2 FPS are only recommended for competitive play or if the user wants maximum frame rates.

At 3840x2160, the data suggests using Medium settings, which provide 71.5 FPS, or Low settings at 83.1 FPS if higher frame rates are desired. High settings at 54.4 FPS are borderline, and Ultra at 37.5 FPS should be avoided due to the risk of noticeable stuttering in a horror game where timing and atmosphere are important. Overall, the best balance of visual quality and performance is achieved at 2560x1440 with High settings, offering 90.7 FPS and a strong experience in Downfall.