Downfall

The AMD Radeon RX 7700 paired with the Intel Core i5-12600KF delivers a performance profile in Downfall that is heavily dictated by resolution and graphics presets. The measured data reveals a system capable of high refresh rates at 1080p, but one that encounters a steep performance cliff when pushed to 4K Ultra settings, highlighting a clear GPU bottleneck in the most demanding scenarios. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS, contextualizes the combo's ranking, and answers key questions about component roles and optimal settings.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The data shows a dramatic and predictable scaling pattern as resolution increases, pointing directly at the GPU as the primary performance limiter. At 1080p Low settings, the system produces an average of 240 FPS. Moving to 1440p Low drops this to 171 FPS, a reduction of 69 FPS (roughly 29% lower). At 4K Low, the average falls to 107 FPS, which is 133 FPS below the 1080p figure. This steep decline in performance as pixel count increases is the classic signature of a graphics card working progressively harder, with the CPU’s role diminishing at higher resolutions.

The scaling from 1080p to 1440p is consistent across all settings. For High settings, the drop is from 161 FPS to 115 FPS (a 46 FPS decrease). For Medium, it goes from 196 FPS to 140 FPS (a 56 FPS decrease). For Ultra, it falls from 101 FPS to 72 FPS (a 29 FPS decrease). The absolute FPS loss is larger at lower settings, but the percentage drop is relatively uniform, indicating that the GPU is still the dominant constraint at these resolutions.

The most telling data point is the transition from 1440p to 4K. At High settings, performance falls from 115 FPS to 72 FPS, a 37% reduction. At Medium settings, it drops from 140 FPS to 87 FPS, a 38% reduction. This consistent proportional loss suggests that the GPU is fully saturated at 4K, with its compute and memory resources being the sole factor in determining frame rates. The CPU, with its 10 cores and 16 threads, has ample headroom to feed the GPU in this scenario.

The Ultra preset provides the clearest evidence of the bottleneck. At 1080p Ultra, the system achieves 101 FPS. At 1440p Ultra, it drops to 72 FPS, and at 4K Ultra, it plummets to 45 FPS. This final figure of 45 FPS is a dramatic 56% reduction from the 1080p Ultra score. This severe drop at 4K Ultra indicates that the RX 7700, with its 16 GB of GDDR6 memory and 624.1 GB/s bandwidth, is simply overwhelmed by the combination of high resolution and maximum graphical fidelity. The data implies that for a smooth experience at 4K, users must significantly reduce settings, while at 1080p, the system is capable of very high frame rates.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

Within the benchmark database, this specific configuration of the Intel Core i5-12600KF and AMD Radeon RX 7700 is ranked 1308 out of 2928 tested combos for Downfall. This places it in the 45th percentile of all tested systems, meaning it performs better than 45% of the combinations in the database. This mid-pack ranking is a direct result of the GPU's performance tier, which is below the top-tier cards that would dominate the upper echelons of the ranking.

The CPU's own benchmark percentile is 79, indicating it is a strong processor relative to all tested CPUs. However, the combo's rank is dragged down by the GPU, which sits at the 58th percentile for all GPUs. This discrepancy highlights a slight imbalance where the CPU's potential is not fully realized by the GPU's capabilities in this specific game. The data suggests that while the i5-12600KF is a high-performing chip, the RX 7700 is the component that determines the overall standing in this combination.

The average benchmark score for the RX 7700 is 15,852, which is very close to its nearest rivals. The data shows it is 1.7% slower than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, 1% slower than the AMD Radeon RX 9060, and 1.1% faster than the AMD Radeon Pro W5500. This tight grouping of scores confirms that the RX 7700 is a solidly mid-range performer. In Downfall, this translates to a system that can handle the game well at 1080p and 1440p but will not compete with higher-tier GPUs in the rankings, especially at 4K.

The CPU's nearest rivals also show a very tight performance cluster. The i5-12600KF's average score of 27,799 is only 0.3% lower than the Intel Core i9-10900K and the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D, and 0.3% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE. This indicates that the CPU is not a differentiator in this combo's rank; any of these processors would yield a similar result. The combo rank of 1308 is therefore almost entirely a function of the GPU's performance tier in this title.

FAQ

*Q: What is the highest average frame rate this combo can achieve in Downfall?*

A: The highest measured average FPS is 240, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. This suggests the system is capable of extremely high refresh rates at the lowest graphical fidelity.

Q: At what resolution and settings does this combo fail to maintain a 60 FPS average?

A: The only measured configuration that falls below a 60 FPS average is 3840x2160 (4K) with Ultra settings, which produces an average of 45 FPS. All other tested settings at 4K, and all settings at 1440p and 1080p, maintain an average above 60 FPS.

Q: How does the RX 7700 compare to its direct rival, the RTX 3060 Ti?

A: According to average benchmark scores, the RX 7700 is 1.7% slower than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti. This small delta indicates that the two GPUs are very closely matched in overall performance, and in-game results are likely to be similar.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-12600KF a bottleneck for the RX 7700 in this game?

A: The performance scaling data suggests it is not a significant bottleneck. At lower resolutions like 1080p, the FPS is very high, indicating the CPU can feed the GPU effectively. The large FPS drops at 4K are characteristic of a GPU limitation, not a CPU one.

Q: What is the best preset for a 1440p gaming experience?

A: For a balance of visual quality and performance, High settings at 2560x1440 provide an average of 115 FPS. This is a significant step up from the 72 FPS average of the Ultra preset while still delivering a smooth experience.

Q: How much of a performance hit does the Ultra preset take compared to High at 4K?

A: At 3840x2160, the Ultra preset averages 45 FPS, which is 27 FPS lower than the 72 FPS average of the High preset. This represents a 37.5% reduction in frame rate for the increased visual fidelity.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: The average frame rate is 240 FPS.
• Medium: The average frame rate is 196 FPS. The minimum measured is 167 FPS and the maximum is 226 FPS.
• High: The average frame rate is 161 FPS.
• Ultra: The average frame rate is 101 FPS.

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: The average frame rate is 171 FPS.
• Medium: The average frame rate is 140 FPS. The minimum measured is 119 FPS and the maximum is 161 FPS.
• High: The average frame rate is 115 FPS.
• Ultra: The average frame rate is 72 FPS.

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: The average frame rate is 107 FPS.
• Medium: The average frame rate is 87 FPS. The minimum measured is 74 FPS and the maximum is 100 FPS.
• High: The average frame rate is 72 FPS.
• Ultra: The average frame rate is 45 FPS.

The data shows a clear and consistent hierarchy across all resolutions. The Low preset always yields the highest FPS, followed by Medium, then High, and finally Ultra. The gap between presets is substantial, particularly at higher resolutions. For instance, at 4K, the difference between Low and Ultra is a massive 62 FPS. The Medium preset is the only one for which min and max FPS data is available, showing a stable frame time window at every resolution, from a 167-226 FPS range at 1080p to a 74-100 FPS range at 4K.

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

The AMD Radeon RX 7700 is the central component in this combo's performance story. Its specifications, including 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, provide a substantial bandwidth of 624.1 GB/s. This memory configuration is sufficient for the demands of Downfall at all tested resolutions and settings, as evidenced by the stable minimum frame rates recorded for the Medium preset. The fact that the game does not appear to be memory-starved allows the GPU's compute capabilities to be the primary performance factor.

The GPU's clock speeds, with a base of 1900 MHz, a game clock of 2041 MHz, and a boost clock of 2459 MHz, are relatively high. These clocks, combined with the 2560 shading units and 96 ROPs, dictate the raw processing power available. The benchmark results show this power is ample for high frame rates at 1080p, where the GPU is not fully taxed. However, the data indicates that at 4K Ultra, the GPU's compute throughput becomes the limiting factor, as the pixel rate of 236.1 GPixel/s is insufficient to maintain high frame rates.

The GPU's performance tier is confirmed by its average benchmark score of 15,852, which places it in the 58th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rival, the RTX 3060 Ti, is only 1.7% faster, and the RX 9060 is 1% faster. This close competition is reflected in the Downfall results, where the combo's rank of 1308 out of 2928 is a direct consequence of the GPU's mid-range standing. The GPU's 200W TDP and dual-slot design are typical for this class of card, but the data does not suggest any thermal throttling issues, as the frame rates scale predictably with resolution and settings.

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

The Intel Core i5-12600KF's role in this combo is to provide a stable platform that does not hinder the GPU. Its 10 cores and 16 threads, based on the Alder Lake architecture, offer strong multi-threaded performance. The benchmark data supports this, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23,391 and a Geekbench multi-core score of 12,137. This processing power is more than sufficient for Downfall, a game that does not appear to require extreme CPU resources based on the FPS scaling.

The CPU's clock speeds, with a base of 3.70 GHz and a boost of 4.90 GHz, are high and contribute to strong single-threaded performance, as seen in its 3DMark single-thread score of 1,016. This is crucial for gaming, as it ensures the CPU can process game logic and draw calls quickly. The evidence for this is the high frame rates achieved at 1080p, where the CPU's performance is often more critical. At 1080p Low, the system hits 240 FPS, indicating that the CPU is not a limiting factor at this resolution.

The i5-12600KF's overall performance is competitive, with its average benchmark score of 27,799 placing it in the 79th percentile of all CPUs. It is virtually tied with its nearest rivals, including the Ryzen 7 5800X3D and Core i9-10900K, with a delta of only 0.3%. This indicates that the CPU is a high-quality component, but its performance is not the differentiator in this combo. The data implies that the CPU has significant headroom in Downfall; the GPU is the component that determines the final frame rates, especially at higher resolutions where the CPU's workload remains relatively constant while the GPU's workload increases exponentially.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

For players targeting the highest possible frame rates, particularly for competitive play or high-refresh-rate monitors, the Low preset at 1920x1080 delivers an average of 240 FPS. This is the only configuration that hits this ceiling, and it ensures the system is never constrained by the GPU. However, this comes at the cost of visual fidelity.

The Medium preset offers the most balanced experience across all resolutions. At 1080p, it provides an average of 196 FPS with a minimum of 167 FPS, ensuring a very smooth experience. At 1440p, it maintains a high average of 140 FPS with a minimum of 119 FPS, which is ideal for 144Hz monitors. Even at 4K, the Medium preset achieves a playable average of 87 FPS. This preset is the only one with measured min and max FPS data, showing consistent frame pacing that avoids significant stutters.

For a more visually rich experience, the High preset is the recommended choice for 1440p gaming. It delivers an average of 115 FPS, which is a significant improvement over the 72 FPS of the Ultra preset, while still providing a substantial visual upgrade over Medium. At 1080p, High also performs admirably with 161 FPS. However, at 4K, High drops to 72 FPS, which is the same as the 1440p Ultra score, indicating a high graphical load.

The Ultra preset is only recommended for players who prioritize visual quality above all else and have a display that supports adaptive sync, as the 4K score of 45 FPS is the only measured result below the 60 FPS threshold. At 1080p and 1440p, Ultra scores of 101 FPS and 72 FPS are playable, but the performance cost is steep. The data suggests that the best overall experience for most users would be the High preset at 1440p, which offers a strong balance of high frame rates and graphical detail, or the Medium preset for those seeking higher frame rates at any resolution.