Downfall

# How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i5-14400F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D achieves a combo rank of 28 out of 2,928 tested combinations in Downfall. This places the pairing in the top 1% of all tested configurations, a position that reflects the extraordinary graphics horsepower of the RTX 5090 D rather than any CPU advantage. The data shows this combo outperforms the vast majority of alternatives, with only 27 combinations producing higher average frame rates across the tested resolution and settings matrix.

What makes this rank particularly telling is the nature of the game itself. Downfall, a horror title from 2016, is not a modern showcase that would naturally exploit the latest hardware. Yet the measured results demonstrate that this combination still lands near the very top of the database. The gap between this combo and the median tested configuration is substantial, driven almost entirely by the GPU's ability to push frame rates to extremes even at 4K resolution. The CPU, while competent, does not distinguish itself as a top-tier part in synthetic benchmarks, holding an 83rd percentile ranking among all CPUs. The GPU, by contrast, sits at the 92nd percentile among all GPUs, and its raw compute capabilities dwarf what the CPU brings to the table.

The ranking also suggests that the i5-14400F is not a bottleneck in this specific context. At 1080p Low settings, the combo produces 414 FPS average, and at 4K Ultra it still delivers 90 FPS average. These numbers indicate that the CPU can feed the GPU sufficiently across the entire resolution and settings range, even if the CPU's own benchmark scores are modest relative to the GPU's staggering output. In summary, this is a combination that ranks exceptionally high because one component is a generational outlier in performance, while the other provides adequate support without becoming a limiting factor in this horror title.

# CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-14400F is a 10-core, 16-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process node. It operates with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, with a 65 W TDP. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. This processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration and offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. It has no integrated graphics, which is expected for an F-series part.

In Downfall, the CPU's role is to maintain a consistent frame delivery pipeline, and the measured data confirms it does so effectively. The multi-threaded performance of the i5-14400F is captured in several synthetic benchmarks: Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21,645 and single-core score of 3,055; Geekbench multi-core of 11,268 and single-core of 2,058; and Passmark multi-thread of 25,470 with a single-thread score of 3,701. These scores place the processor at the 83rd percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 32,279. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U (0.1% higher score), Intel Core i9-11900 (0.2% higher), AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS (0.2% lower), and Intel Core i7-12800H (0.5% higher). The deltas are minimal, indicating the i5-14400F sits in a tightly contested performance band.

For Downfall specifically, the CPU's 10 cores and 16 threads are more than sufficient for a 2016 horror title, which is unlikely to scale beyond a handful of threads. The boost clock of 4.70 GHz provides strong single-threaded performance, which is often more relevant for older game engines. The data supports this interpretation: at 1080p Low, the combo achieves 414 FPS average, a figure that would be unattainable if the CPU were severely limiting. Even at 4K Low, the average FPS of 214 suggests the CPU maintains adequate throughput. The processor's 20 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel memory support further ensure that data delivery to the GPU is not starved.

However, the CPU's synthetic benchmark results reveal that it is not a top-tier part. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21,645 is respectable but far from flagship territory. The Passmark find prime numbers score of 86 and data encryption score of 16,949 indicate average integer and cryptographic performance. In the context of Downfall, these weaknesses are irrelevant because the game's demands are modest. The CPU's percentile rank of 83 means it outperforms most CPUs in the database, but it is the GPU that drives this combo's exceptional in-game rank. The i5-14400F is a capable partner, but it is not the reason this combination sits at rank 28.

# GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D is the dominant component in this pairing, and the measured FPS data makes that unmistakably clear. Built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture with a 5 nm process from TSMC, this GPU contains 92,200 million transistors on a 750 mm² die. It features 21,760 shading units, 680 texture mapping units, 176 ROPs, 170 RT cores, and 680 tensor cores. The base clock is 2017 MHz with a boost clock of 2407 MHz, and memory runs at 1750 MHz (28 Gbps effective). The 32 GB of GDDR7 memory is accessed via a 512-bit bus, providing 1.79 TB/s of bandwidth. The GPU's compute capabilities include 104.8 TFLOPS of FP32 performance and an identical 104.8 TFLOPS for FP16, with pixel rate of 423.6 GPixel/s and texture rate of 1,636.8 GTexel/s. The TDP is 575 W, requiring a 950 W suggested PSU and a single 16-pin power connector.

In synthetic benchmarks, the RTX 5090 D achieves a Passmark G3D score of 44,065, a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 14,326, Geekbench OpenCL of 310,674, and Geekbench Vulkan of 376,915. Its average benchmark score is 77,712, placing it at the 92nd percentile among all GPUs. The nearest rivals in the database are the AMD Radeon RX 6650M XT (1.1% higher score), AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT (1.6% lower), NVIDIA Tesla P100 PCIe 12 GB (2.1% lower), and NVIDIA Tesla P100 PCIe 16 GB (2.4% lower). These deltas are small in percentage terms, but the absolute performance of the RTX 5090 D is what enables the frame rates seen in Downfall.

For Downfall, the GPU's role is to render frames at high resolutions and settings, and the data shows it does so exceptionally. At 4K Ultra, the combo averages 90 FPS, which is playable even for a horror title that benefits from smooth motion. At 4K High, the average rises to 144 FPS, and at 4K Medium it reaches 175 FPS with a minimum of 149 FPS and maximum of 202 FPS. The 32 GB of GDDR7 memory ensures that even at 4K with high-resolution textures, there is no VRAM limitation. The 512-bit memory bus and 1.79 TB/s bandwidth provide ample throughput for the game's data demands.

The GPU's 92nd percentile rank underscores its position as a top-tier part, but the measured FPS in Downfall also reveals that the game itself is not particularly demanding by modern standards. At 1080p Low, the combo hits 414 FPS average, which is far beyond any display's refresh rate. At 1440p Low, it achieves 345 FPS average. These numbers indicate that the GPU is not being stressed at lower resolutions and settings, and the limiting factor shifts to the CPU. However, at 4K Ultra, the GPU is clearly the bottleneck, with the average FPS dropping to 90, which still represents excellent performance for a horror game from 2016. The RTX 5090 D is the clear driver of this combo's rank, and its synthetic scores align with the in-game results.

# FAQ

Q: What is the combo's rank in Downfall compared to other tested combinations?

A: This combo ranks 28th out of 2,928 tested combinations in Downfall, placing it in the top 1% of all configurations in the database.

Q: How does the CPU's synthetic performance compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The i5-14400F has an average benchmark score of 32,279, which is 0.1% lower than the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U, 0.2% lower than the Intel Core i9-11900, 0.2% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS, and 0.5% lower than the Intel Core i7-12800H.

Q: What is the GPU's percentile ranking and how does it compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The RTX 5090 D is at the 92nd percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 77,712. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 6650M XT, scores 1.1% higher, while the AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT scores 1.6% lower.

Q: What are the measured FPS results at 4K Ultra and 1080p Low?

A: At 4K Ultra, the combo averages 90 FPS. At 1080p Low, it averages 414 FPS, demonstrating a wide performance range depending on resolution and settings.

Q: Does the CPU bottleneck the GPU at any tested setting?

A: The data suggests the CPU becomes more of a limiting factor at lower resolutions and settings. At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 414, which is likely CPU-bound, whereas at 4K Ultra, the average drops to 90 FPS, indicating GPU-bound behavior.

Q: What is the GPU's memory configuration and bandwidth?

A: The RTX 5090 D features 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus, providing 1.79 TB/s of bandwidth, which supports high-resolution textures without VRAM constraints.

# Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data across resolutions reveals a clear scaling pattern that highlights the interaction between CPU and GPU in Downfall. At High settings, the average FPS drops from 324 at 1080p to 231 at 1440p, and then to 144 at 4K. This represents a 28.7% reduction from 1080p to 1440p, and a 55.6% reduction from 1080p to 4K. The progression is not linear, but rather shows diminishing returns as resolution increases, which is typical for GPU-bound scenarios.

At Low settings, the scaling is even more pronounced. The average FPS goes from 414 at 1080p to 345 at 1440p, and then to 214 at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 16.7%, while the drop from 1080p to 4K is 48.3%. The smaller relative drop at lower resolutions suggests that the CPU is playing a larger role, as the GPU has more headroom to render frames quickly. At 1080p Low, the 414 FPS average is likely near the CPU's maximum frame delivery capability, and the GPU is not the limiting factor.

Medium settings show a similar pattern, with averages of 386 FPS at 1080p, 282 FPS at 1440p, and 175 FPS at 4K. The minimum FPS values at Medium settings are 328 at 1080p, 240 at 1440p, and 149 at 4K, while maximum values are 444, 324, and 202, respectively. These ranges indicate consistent frame delivery without severe stuttering, which is important for a horror game where smooth motion enhances atmosphere.

Ultra settings produce the steepest scaling curve, with averages of 202 FPS at 1080p, 144 FPS at 1440p, and 90 FPS at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 4K is 55.4%, which is the largest percentage decrease among all settings. This confirms that at Ultra settings, the GPU is heavily taxed, and the resolution increase has a significant impact on frame rates. The 4K Ultra result of 90 FPS average is still highly playable, but it demonstrates the GPU's limits when pushed to maximum quality.

The data indicates that Downfall is primarily GPU-bound at higher resolutions and settings, while the CPU becomes more relevant at 1080p with lower settings. The i5-14400F's 10 cores and 16 threads, along with its 4.70 GHz boost clock, are sufficient to avoid major bottlenecks, but the 414 FPS ceiling at 1080p Low suggests the CPU is reaching its practical limit. For users targeting high refresh rates at 1080p, this combo delivers exceptional performance, but the GPU's dominance becomes evident as resolution increases.

# Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data provides clear guidance on which settings preset delivers the best experience in Downfall for this combo. Across all three tested resolutions, the Medium preset offers the most balanced performance, with average FPS of 386 at 1080p, 282 at 1440p, and 175 at 4K. The Medium preset also includes minimum FPS data, which is absent for most other presets, allowing for a more complete assessment of frame consistency. At 1080p Medium, the minimum of 328 FPS and maximum of 444 FPS indicate tight frame pacing, which is ideal for a horror game where sudden frame drops could break immersion. At 1440p Medium, the minimum of 240 FPS and maximum of 324 FPS maintain this consistency, and at 4K Medium, the minimum of 149 FPS and maximum of 202 FPS still ensure smooth gameplay.

The High preset is a viable alternative, producing average FPS of 324 at 1080p, 231 at 1440p, and 144 at 4K. These numbers are slightly lower than Medium but still well above playable thresholds. However, the absence of minimum FPS data for High settings means there is less certainty about frame consistency. The Low preset delivers the highest frame rates, with averages of 414 at 1080p, 345 at 1440p, and 214 at 4K, but it likely sacrifices visual quality in a game where atmosphere is critical. The Ultra preset produces the lowest averages, with 202 at 1080p, 144 at 1440p, and 90 at 4K, and the 4K result is the only one that dips below 100 FPS.

Given that Downfall is a horror game released in 2016, the visual differences between Medium and Ultra may not be substantial enough to justify the performance cost. The Medium preset provides the best overall experience because it maintains high frame rates while presumably preserving enough visual fidelity for the game's intended atmosphere. At 4K, the Medium preset's 175 FPS average and 149 FPS minimum are particularly compelling, as they ensure no noticeable frame drops during tense moments. For users with 144 Hz or 165 Hz displays, the Medium preset at 1440p (282 FPS average) and even at 4K (175 FPS average) exceeds refresh rate requirements, allowing for V-sync or frame capping without sacrificing responsiveness.

The data suggests that Ultra settings should be avoided for this combo, especially at 4K, where the 90 FPS average may cause noticeable stuttering in a game that benefits from smooth motion. The Low preset, while delivering the highest frame rates, may compromise the visual presentation that horror games rely on for immersion. The High preset offers a middle ground, but the Medium preset's inclusion of minimum FPS data makes it the most reliable choice for consistent performance. In summary, the Medium preset at any resolution provides the best measured balance of frame rate and stability for this combination in Downfall.