Downfall

Downfall, a 2016 horror title, presents an interesting case study for the Intel Core i5-12400F and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti combination. The data shows a system that is capable of delivering playable frame rates across most settings, but which struggles to maintain high performance at the most demanding presets and resolutions. This analysis will break down the measured performance metrics to understand the balance between the CPU and GPU, and what the numbers imply for a player's experience.

FAQ

Q: What is the overall performance ranking of this CPU and GPU combo in Downfall?

A: The combination of the Intel Core i5-12400F and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti ranks 1495th out of 1741 tested combinations in this game, placing it in the lower half of all systems benchmarked.

Q: How significant is the performance difference between the Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: The difference is substantial. At 1920x1080, the system achieves an average of 152.1 FPS on Low settings, which drops to 64.4 FPS on Ultra settings. This represents a performance decrease of roughly 58% when moving from the lowest to the highest visual preset.

Q: What is the best resolution for maintaining a high frame rate above 100 FPS?

A: At 2560x1440, the combination achieves an average of 107.2 FPS on Low settings and 85.5 FPS on Medium settings. To consistently stay above 100 FPS, players would need to use Low settings at 1440p or stick to 1080p with Low or Medium settings, which yield 152.1 and 119.8 FPS respectively.

Q: How does the CPU's multi-threaded performance compare to its direct rivals?

A: The i5-12400F's average benchmark score of 19221 is nearly identical to its closest rival, the Intel Core i7-8700K, which scores 19210 and is only 0.1% behind. It is slightly ahead of the Intel Core i5-1335U by 0.3% and the AMD EPYC 7773X by 1.3%, but trails the AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS by 0.7%.

Q: What is the GPU's standing relative to other graphics cards based on its average benchmark score?

A: The GTX 1660 Ti has an average benchmark score of 13925, placing it in the 55th percentile of all GPUs. Its closest rival is the AMD Radeon RX 570X, which is only 0.4% behind, while it is 0.8% ahead of both the NVIDIA RTX A2000 Mobile and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680.

Q: What is the most demanding setting tested for this hardware?

A: The data indicates that the Ultra preset at 4K resolution is the most demanding configuration tested, yielding the lowest average frame rate of 29.3 FPS. This is the only test result that falls below the 30 FPS threshold, which is often considered the minimum for playable performance.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti is built on the Turing architecture and utilizes the TU116 chip. It operates with a base clock of 1500 MHz and a boost clock of 1770 MHz, paired with 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus. This configuration provides a memory bandwidth of 288.0 GB/s. The data shows that this GPU is a significant factor in the system's performance, particularly at higher resolutions. The shift in frame rates when moving between 1080p and 4K suggests that the GPU's rendering capabilities are the primary constraint in this pairing.

The GPU's benchmark scores provide context for its performance. With a Passmark G3D score of 12871 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1061, it demonstrates moderate DirectX 12 capabilities, which is relevant for a game like Downfall. The GPU sits in the 55th percentile of all GPUs, indicating it is a mid-range performer. When compared to its nearest rivals, its average score of 13925 is nearly identical to the AMD Radeon RX 570X, which is 0.4% behind, and the NVIDIA RTX A2000 Mobile, which is 0.8% behind. This suggests that in this performance tier, the GTX 1660 Ti is a competitive, though not dominant, option.

The memory configuration is also a key part of the puzzle. With 6 GB of VRAM, the card has enough memory for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but the data suggests it may be insufficient for the most demanding 4K Ultra settings, where the average FPS drops to 29.3. The 288.0 GB/s of bandwidth is a critical resource, and the significant drop in frame rates from 1080p to 4K indicates that the GPU's memory subsystem and processing power are being heavily taxed at higher resolutions, making it the limiting component in this system.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear trend: performance degrades significantly as resolution increases. At 1080p with High settings, the system averages 99.1 FPS. Moving to 1440p at the same settings drops the average to 73.1 FPS, a decrease of roughly 26%. At 4K, the average falls to 42 FPS, which is a 58% drop from the 1080p result. This scaling pattern strongly indicates that the system is GPU-limited, as the workload on the graphics card increases dramatically with the number of pixels rendered.

This conclusion is further supported by examining the Low settings. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 152.1 FPS. At 1440p Low, it drops to 107.2 FPS, and at 4K Low, it falls to 66.5 FPS. The consistent and large percentage drops across all settings presets as resolution increases point directly to the GPU being the bottleneck. The CPU, an Intel Core i5-12400F, has the processing power to feed the GPU at lower resolutions, but the GPU's rendering throughput becomes the limiting factor as the pixel count grows.

The data implies that for a smooth experience at 4K, the user would need to significantly lower the graphics settings. The difference between Low and Ultra at 4K is stark: 66.5 FPS versus 29.3 FPS. This indicates that the GTX 1660 Ti's compute and memory resources are the primary barrier to high-resolution performance. The system is well-balanced for 1080p and can handle 1440p, but it is not suited for high-fidelity 4K gaming in Downfall, as the GPU cannot maintain high frame rates under that load.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The data provides a comprehensive look at the average frame rates across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the system performs admirably. Low settings yield an average of 152.1 FPS, Medium settings achieve 119.8 FPS, and High settings reach 99.1 FPS. The most demanding preset, Ultra, still manages a respectable 64.4 FPS. These results indicate that 1080p is the sweet spot for this combination, offering high frame rates across all settings.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance impact is noticeable. The Low preset drops to 107.2 FPS, while Medium and High settings deliver 85.5 FPS and 73.1 FPS, respectively. Ultra settings fall to 45.8 FPS. While still playable, the frame rates at 1440p are significantly lower than at 1080p, showing the increased load on the GPU. The 1440p Ultra result is the first sign of strain, as it drops below the 60 FPS mark.

At 3840x2160, the limitations of the GTX 1660 Ti become apparent. Low settings produce an average of 66.5 FPS, which is still smooth, but Medium and High settings drop to 53.2 FPS and 42 FPS. The Ultra preset yields a problematic 29.3 FPS, which is below the threshold for smooth gameplay. This breakdown shows a clear hierarchy: the system is excellent for 1080p, good for 1440p, and only suitable for 4K if the user is willing to compromise heavily on visual quality by choosing the Low preset.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i5-12400F and GTX 1660 Ti combination is ranked 1495th out of 1741 tested combos in Downfall, placing it in the 14th percentile of systems. This low ranking is somewhat surprising given the individual components' performance. The CPU is a strong performer, ranking in the 77th percentile of all CPUs, and the GPU is in the 55th percentile. However, the game's performance metrics show that the combination as a whole does not scale well to the higher resolutions and settings that would push it up the ranks.

This ranking suggests that while the components are competent individually, they may not be well-matched for the demands of Downfall at high settings. The GPU appears to be the primary bottleneck, holding back the system's overall ranking. The fact that the system can achieve 152.1 FPS at 1080p Low, but only 29.3 FPS at 4K Ultra, shows that the combination's ranking is heavily influenced by its performance at the most demanding settings, where it struggles.

The data implies that this combo is best suited for 1080p gaming, where it can compete with higher-ranked systems. At 1440p, it is a mid-range performer, and at 4K, it falls to the bottom tier. The rank of 1495 out of 1741 reflects this overall trend, showing that while the system has its strengths, its performance is not consistent across the board, and it is not a top-tier option for this particular title at high resolutions.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-12400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture. It has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. Its benchmark scores are robust, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 16518 and a single-core score of 2332. The CPU's average benchmark score of 19221 puts it in the 77th percentile of all CPUs, indicating it is a strong performer for general and multi-threaded tasks.

In the context of Downfall, the CPU's role appears to be supportive rather than the primary performance driver. The data shows that the system is heavily GPU-limited, as evidenced by the significant frame rate drops when resolution increases. The CPU has enough headroom to handle the game's logic and physics at 1080p and 1440p, as the frame rates are high, but it is not the component that limits performance. The CPU's 18 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel memory support provide a solid foundation for feeding the GPU.

The CPU's performance relative to its rivals is noteworthy. Its average score of 19221 is nearly identical to the Intel Core i7-8700K (19210), showing that it offers comparable multi-threaded performance to an older, higher-end chip. It is also slightly ahead of the Intel Core i5-1335U (19167) and the AMD EPYC 7773X (18979). This suggests that the CPU is more than capable of keeping up with the GTX 1660 Ti, and that the GPU is the definitive bottleneck in this system, especially at 4K resolutions.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combination depend on the user's target resolution and preference for visual fidelity versus frame rate. For a consistently smooth and responsive experience, the 1920x1080 Medium preset is an excellent choice, delivering an average of 119.8 FPS. This setting offers a good balance between visual quality and performance, ensuring the game runs far above the 60 FPS threshold. For those seeking the highest frame rates, the 1920x1080 Low preset, at 152.1 FPS, is the best option.

For users with a 1440p monitor, the 2560x1440 Medium preset is the recommended starting point, as it provides an average of 85.5 FPS. This is a playable frame rate, though it is lower than what is achievable at 1080p. If a higher frame rate is desired, dropping to Low settings at 1440p yields 107.2 FPS. The data suggests that High and Ultra settings at 1440p, with averages of 73.1 and 45.8 FPS, are less ideal for fast-paced gameplay, though High may be acceptable for players who prioritize visuals.

At 4K, the options are more limited. The 3840x2160 Low preset is the only one that provides a consistently smooth experience, with an average of 66.5 FPS. The Medium preset, at 53.2 FPS, is borderline playable, but the High and Ultra presets, with averages of 42 and 29.3 FPS, are not recommended for a good experience. Overall, the data implies that the best experience is achieved at 1080p with Medium or Low settings, offering the highest frame rates and best responsiveness from this hardware combination.