Downfall

The Intel Core i5-12400F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER delivers a dominant performance profile in Downfall, capable of high refresh rates at every resolution tested. The data shows a system that is overwhelmingly GPU-bound at higher settings, with the CPU providing ample headroom to avoid bottlenecks. This combination ranks in the top 17% of all tested configurations for this title, placing it at rank 631 out of 3716 combos, and the measured frame rates confirm a highly capable horror experience.

Resolution Scaling

The performance scaling from 1080p to 4K reveals a classic GPU-bound scenario. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo produces an average of 348 FPS. This drops to 248 FPS at 1440p and further to 155 FPS at 4K. The steep decline with resolution increase is a clear indicator that the GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER is the primary performance driver; as the pixel count rises, the GPU's workload expands significantly, while the CPU's role in frame generation becomes less prominent.

The pattern holds across all settings presets. For instance, at High settings, the average frame rate falls from 233 FPS at 1080p to 167 FPS at 1440p, and finally to 104 FPS at 4K. This represents a 55% reduction in average FPS from 1080p to 4K. Similarly, at Ultra settings, the frame rate drops from 146 FPS at 1080p to 104 FPS at 1440p and then to 65 FPS at 4K. The consistency of this scaling suggests that the Intel Core i5-12400F is not a limiting factor at any of these resolutions, as the frame rate deltas are directly proportional to the GPU's rendering load.

The limiting component is definitively the graphics card. The evidence for this is that the gap between Low and Ultra settings widens as resolution increases. At 1080p, the difference between Low (348 FPS) and Ultra (146 FPS) is 202 FPS. At 4K, the same comparison yields a difference of 90 FPS (155 FPS vs 65 FPS). This compression of the performance gap at higher resolutions is a hallmark of GPU saturation; the card is working at its maximum capacity, leaving less relative headroom for settings changes to impact the final frame rate. The data indicates that for 4K Ultra play, the RTX 4070 SUPER is the bottleneck, while at 1080p Low, it is still the main constraint, but the CPU's contribution is more significant relative to the GPU's quick work.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-12400F provides a solid foundation for this GPU. With 6 cores and 12 threads, it processes the game's logic and draw calls efficiently. Its boost clock of 4.40 GHz ensures responsive single-threaded performance, which is often critical in horror titles that rely on scripted events and AI-driven scares. The CPU's benchmark scores, such as a single-thread score of 1680 in Cinebench R23 and a multi-thread score of 12380 in the same test, indicate a balanced processor that will not hold back the graphics card in this title.

However, the CPU's role in Downfall is secondary to the GPU. The frame rates at 1080p Low (348 FPS) are exceptionally high, which suggests that the CPU can feed frames faster than the GPU can render them. If the CPU were a bottleneck, we would expect to see a plateau in frame rates at lower resolutions and settings where the GPU has less work to do. The absence of such a plateau, with the 1080p Low result being the highest in the entire dataset, confirms that the i5-12400F is more than capable of keeping up with the RTX 4070 SUPER.

The CPU's 18 MB of shared L3 cache and support for DDR4 and DDR5 memory provide a robust platform. In the context of this game, the results show that the processor is a facilitator, not a limiter. The performance difference between resolutions is almost entirely dictated by the GPU, which means that users with this combo can expect consistent, high-level CPU performance that scales predictably with the graphics card's workload. The processor's 73rd percentile ranking among all CPUs further underscores that it is a strong mid-range performer, well-matched to the GPU's capabilities.

FAQ

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1440p with Medium settings?

A: The average frame rate at 2560x1440 with Medium settings is 203 FPS, with a minimum of 173 FPS and a maximum of 234 FPS.

Q: How does the combo perform at 4K Ultra settings?

A: At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average frame rate is 65 FPS, which is suitable for smooth gameplay but is the most demanding configuration tested.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck at 1080p Low settings?

A: The data suggests the GPU is the primary limiter. The average frame rate of 348 FPS is very high, and the scaling to 248 FPS at 1440p and 155 FPS at 4K indicates the GPU's workload is the determining factor, not CPU processing power.

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

A: At 1080p, the High preset yields an average of 233 FPS, while the Ultra preset yields 146 FPS. This is a difference of 87 FPS, indicating Ultra settings place a significantly larger load on the GPU.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to all other tested configurations?

A: The combo ranks 631st out of 3716 tested combinations, placing it in the top 17% of all systems for performance in Downfall.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded at 4K Medium settings?

A: At 3840x2160 with Medium settings, the minimum FPS is 107, with an average of 126 FPS and a maximum of 145 FPS.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i5-12400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER combination holds a rank of 631 out of 3716 tested combos in Downfall. This places it in the 83rd percentile of all systems, a strong result that indicates this pairing is well above average for this title. The rank reflects the synergy between the two components; the CPU provides sufficient throughput to enable the GPU to operate at its full potential, resulting in a high overall system performance.

When examining the individual component rankings, the GPU is a top-tier performer, sitting in the 83rd percentile among all GPUs. Its average benchmark score of 43223 is only slightly below the NVIDIA Quadro M6000 24 GB, which has a delta of -0.1%. The CPU, while less dominant, is still a solid performer at the 73rd percentile, with an average benchmark score of 19039. This score is nearly identical to the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, which shows a delta of 0%, and slightly better than the Intel Core 3 201E, which has a delta of -0.1%.

The combination of a high-percentile GPU with a capable mid-range CPU yields a system that excels in GPU-intensive scenarios, which is exactly what Downfall presents. The rank of 631 suggests that there are many more powerful (and likely more expensive) combos ahead of it, but for the components involved, this represents an excellent match. The data shows that the RTX 4070 SUPER is not being held back, as its performance in this game aligns with its general benchmark standing.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the combo's performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. The following is a detailed breakdown of the exact numbers.

At 1920x1080, the combo delivers exceptional performance. With Low settings, the average FPS is 348. Moving to Medium settings, the average drops to 284 FPS, with a minimum of 242 and a maximum of 327 FPS. The High preset yields an average of 233 FPS. The most demanding Ultra preset still produces a high average of 146 FPS. This shows that at 1080p, the system is capable of driving high-refresh-rate monitors even at maximum settings.

At 2560x1440, performance remains very strong. The Low preset produces an average of 248 FPS. Medium settings average 203 FPS, with a minimum of 173 and a maximum of 234 FPS. High settings average 167 FPS. The Ultra preset brings the average down to 104 FPS. These numbers indicate that 1440p gaming at high refresh rates is easily achievable, and even Ultra settings remain playable with an average above 100 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the GPU begins to show its limits. Low settings average 155 FPS. Medium settings see a notable drop to a 126 FPS average, with a minimum of 107 and a maximum of 145 FPS. High settings average 104 FPS. At Ultra settings, the average falls to 65 FPS. While 4K High is still smooth, the Ultra preset is the only configuration where the system dips below the 100 FPS mark, indicating that 4K Ultra is the most taxing scenario for this hardware.

The data shows a clear progression: the system is overkill for 1080p, excellent for 1440p, and good for 4K at most settings. The only sub-100 FPS result is at 4K Ultra, which is an expected outcome for a mid-range to high-end GPU pairing.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal experience balances visual fidelity with high frame rates. For users with a 1080p display, the Ultra preset is the clear choice, as it delivers an average of 146 FPS, which is well above the threshold for smooth, responsive gameplay. The visual upgrade from High to Ultra is substantial, and the performance cost is manageable at this resolution.

For 1440p users, the High preset is recommended. The average of 167 FPS provides a great balance of visual quality and performance, ensuring that the game remains fluid and responsive. While Ultra settings at 1440p are playable at an average of 104 FPS, High settings offer a significant FPS headroom and are less likely to experience dips during intense scenes.

For 4K users, the High preset is the best choice. The average of 104 FPS is smooth and consistent, providing an excellent 4K gaming experience. The Medium preset also works, with an average of 126 FPS, but High offers a better visual experience for only a modest FPS reduction. The Ultra preset at 4K, with an average of 65 FPS, is best avoided for competitive or action-heavy play, as it approaches the lower bounds of acceptable smoothness for many users.

The Medium preset serves as a good fallback at any resolution if higher settings cause performance issues. For example, at 4K, Medium yields a 126 FPS average, which is only 22 FPS less than High but offers a significant visual downgrade. Therefore, the data strongly suggests that High is the sweet spot for this combo, providing the best overall experience across all resolutions without sacrificing the frame rate stability that horror games often need.