Downfall

Downfall, a horror title released in 2016, exhibits distinct performance scaling characteristics on the Intel Core i5-14600K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER platform. The measured frame rates across the three primary resolutions reveal a system that is heavily influenced by both the graphics settings and the inherent capabilities of the components. The data indicates a configuration capable of delivering exceptionally high frame rates, even at demanding 4K resolutions, but the performance deltas between settings presets provide deeper insight into the workload balance between the CPU and GPU.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is substantial and directly tied to the graphics preset selected. At the Low preset, the average frame rate falls from 369 FPS at 1920x1080 to 164 FPS at 3840x2160, representing a 55.6% reduction. This significant drop at the lowest settings suggests that even with minimal graphical load, the GPU is still the primary scaling bottleneck as pixel count quadruples. The game’s engine, being from 2016, is not particularly demanding on modern hardware, allowing the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER to maintain high throughput even at lower resolutions, but the sheer volume of pixels at 4K inevitably impacts performance.

At the Medium preset, the scaling shows a similar pattern. The average frame rate drops from 302 FPS at 1080p to 216 FPS at 1440p, and further to 134 FPS at 4K. The reduction from 1440p to 4K is 38%, which is less steep than the 1080p to 1440p drop. This indicates that as resolution increases, the GPU's compute and memory bandwidth are being utilized more efficiently, though the absolute frame rates remain high. The High preset shows a less severe relative drop, with 248 FPS at 1080p, 177 FPS at 1440p, and 110 FPS at 4K. The scaling from 1080p to 4K here is a 55.6% reduction, aligning closely with the Low preset's relative drop.

The most telling data comes from the Ultra preset. At this maximum quality setting, the average frame rate is 155 FPS at 1080p, which drops to 111 FPS at 1440p, and finally to 69 FPS at 4K. The transition from 1440p to 4K at Ultra results in a 37.8% performance loss. This suggests that while the Ultra preset is the most computationally expensive, the GPU is still capable of delivering playable frame rates at all resolutions, with the 4K figure being the only one that might challenge high-refresh-rate displays. The data strongly indicates that the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER is the limiting component in most scenarios, but the Core i5-14600K provides sufficient headroom to prevent CPU-bound bottlenecks, especially at lower resolutions where frame rates are extremely high.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-14600K, with its 14 cores and 20 threads, is a formidable processor for gaming workloads. Its architecture, Raptor Lake-R, built on a 10 nm process, provides a strong foundation for handling game logic and physics. The processor’s boost clock of 5.30 GHz is particularly relevant for a horror game like Downfall, which likely has single-threaded engine components that benefit from high clock speeds. The benchmark results for the CPU, such as a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2064 and a Geekbench single-core score of 2491, corroborate its strength in lightly-threaded tasks.

In the context of Downfall, the CPU does not appear to be the primary performance limiter. At 1080p with the Low preset, where the GPU load is minimized, the average frame rate reaches 369 FPS. This exceptionally high number suggests that the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU with enough data to sustain such high output. If the CPU were a bottleneck, we would expect to see a plateau in frame rates at lower resolutions, which is not evident in the data. The processor’s 24 MB of shared L3 cache likely aids in keeping frequently accessed game data close to the cores, reducing latency.

Comparing the CPU to its nearest rivals, the data shows it is a highly competitive part. Its average benchmark score of 48618 places it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs. It sits within a narrow performance band relative to its nearest rivals, such as the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H and the AMD EPYC 4345P. The deltaPct values for these comparisons are minimal, ranging from -0.8% to 0.7%, indicating that the Core i5-14600K is effectively on par with these other high-end processors in general compute benchmarks. For Downfall specifically, the CPU’s high single-thread performance is likely more impactful than its multi-core capabilities, and the data shows it provides ample support for the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER is the dominant component in this configuration for determining frame rates in Downfall. Its architecture, Ada Lovelace, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC, is exceptionally efficient. The GPU is equipped with 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 672.3 GB/s. This is crucial for handling the high-resolution textures and effects that the Ultra preset demands. The GPU’s 8448 shading units and 66 RT cores are also instrumental, though the game’s age means ray tracing is not a factor.

The GPU’s benchmark scores, such as a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 5569 and a Passmark G3D score of 31811, place it in the 76th percentile of all GPUs. Its average benchmark score is 31087, and it is closely matched with rivals like the NVIDIA TITAN RTX and the NVIDIA RTX PRO 4500 Blackwell, with deltaPct values ranging from -0.4% to -1.9%. This indicates that while it is a high-end card, its performance is not at the absolute apex of the GPU hierarchy.

In Downfall, the GPU’s role is most evident in the scaling from Medium to Ultra settings at each resolution. At 4K, the average frame rate drops from 134 FPS at Medium to 69 FPS at Ultra, a 48.5% reduction. This significant performance hit is due to the increased shader complexity and memory pressure at the Ultra preset. The GPU’s boost clock of 2610 MHz allows it to process these effects quickly, but the workload is still substantial. The data shows that the GPU is the definitive bottleneck at 4K Ultra, where it is fully saturated, whereas at 1080p Low, the CPU’s performance is the limiting factor, as the GPU can render frames faster than the game’s logic can be processed.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings preset depends heavily on the target resolution and refresh rate. For 4K gaming, the High preset offers the best balance between visual fidelity and performance, with an average frame rate of 110 FPS. This is significantly smoother than the 69 FPS average at Ultra, which may fall below the threshold for a consistent 60 FPS experience in more demanding scenes. The Medium preset at 4K provides an alternative, with a higher 134 FPS average, but the visual downgrade from High may be noticeable.

At 1440p, the High preset is the clear recommendation for high-refresh-rate displays, delivering an average of 177 FPS. This is well above the 144 Hz threshold and provides a fluid experience. The Ultra preset at 1440p, at 111 FPS, is also viable for 120 Hz displays, but the performance cost is steep. For 1080p gaming, the Ultra preset can be enabled without concern, as the average frame rate remains at a very high 155 FPS. This allows users to max out the game’s settings for the best visual experience without sacrificing smoothness.

The data suggests that the High preset is the most versatile option across all resolutions. It offers a substantial visual improvement over Medium while maintaining frame rates that are more than adequate for competitive or immersive play. The Ultra preset is reserved for users with monitors that support high refresh rates at 1440p or for those who prioritize visuals over raw frame rate at 1080p. The Low preset, while yielding the highest frame rates, is not recommended for a 2016 horror game where atmosphere and visual detail are paramount to the experience.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-14600K and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER achieves a rank of 425 out of 3716 tested combos in the database for Downfall. This places the configuration in the top 11.4% of all tested systems, indicating a very strong performance tier. This high ranking is consistent with the individual component strengths; the CPU is in the 90th percentile of all CPUs, and the GPU is in the 76th percentile of all GPUs.

The rank reflects the excellent synergy between these two components. While the GPU is not the absolute fastest available, its high memory bandwidth and compute capabilities are well-suited for the demands of modern gaming. The CPU’s strong single-thread performance ensures that it does not hold the GPU back, even at high frame rates. This combination avoids the common pitfall of a CPU bottleneck, which would otherwise limit the system's overall performance in a game like Downfall.

The percentile ranking of the GPU, while lower than the CPU, is still high. The fact that this combo ranks in the top 11.4% of all tested systems confirms the balance of the platform. Many other combos may have a faster GPU or CPU, but few can match the overall consistency of this pairing. The data confirms that this is a high-end setup capable of delivering an excellent gaming experience across various titles, with its performance in Downfall being a prime example of its capability.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following breakdown provides the exact measured average frame rates for all tested configurations.

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: 369 FPS average
• Medium: 302 FPS average, with a minimum of 257 FPS and a maximum of 347 FPS
• High: 248 FPS average
• Ultra: 155 FPS average

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: 264 FPS average
• Medium: 216 FPS average, with a minimum of 183 FPS and a maximum of 248 FPS
• High: 177 FPS average
• Ultra: 111 FPS average

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: 164 FPS average
• Medium: 134 FPS average, with a minimum of 114 FPS and a maximum of 154 FPS
• High: 110 FPS average
• Ultra: 69 FPS average

The data shows that the Medium preset is the only one with recorded minimum and maximum frame rate values, which provides insight into frame time consistency. At 4K Medium, the minimum of 114 FPS and maximum of 154 FPS indicate a variance of 40 FPS, which is a notable range but still results in a smooth experience. The lack of min/max data for other presets limits the analysis of frame pacing, but the average scores alone provide a clear picture of the performance hierarchy.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average frame rate achievable with this combo in Downfall?

A: The highest average frame rate is 369 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck at 4K resolution with Ultra settings?

A: The GPU is the limiting component at 4K Ultra. The average frame rate drops to 69 FPS, which is significantly lower than the 155 FPS seen at 1080p Ultra, indicating the GPU is saturated by the increased pixel and shading workload.

Q: How does the average frame rate at 1440p High compare to 4K High?

A: At 1440p with High settings, the average frame rate is 177 FPS. At 4K with High settings, the average frame rate is 110 FPS. This represents a 37.8% reduction in performance when moving from 1440p to 4K at the same preset.

Q: What is the performance difference between the Low and Ultra presets at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, the Low preset delivers an average of 369 FPS, while the Ultra preset delivers an average of 155 FPS. The Ultra preset is 58% slower than Low at this resolution.

Q: Does this system rank in the top 10% of all tested combos for Downfall?

A: Yes, this combo ranks 425th out of 3716 tested combos, placing it in the top 11.4% of all systems in the database.

Q: Which settings preset provides the best balance of visual quality and frame rate at 4K?

A: The High preset is the most balanced at 4K, providing an average of 110 FPS. This is a substantial improvement over the 69 FPS at Ultra, while still offering high visual fidelity compared to Medium’s 134 FPS.