Downfall

The Intel Core i5-9400 paired with the Intel Arc B370 produces a highly constrained experience in Downfall, with performance that is heavily dependent on resolution and settings. The data shows a system that can manage playable frame rates at 1080p with moderate settings, but quickly falls behind as demands increase. This combination ranks in the bottom tier of tested configurations, indicating a fundamental hardware ceiling that settings adjustments can only partially overcome.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate drop from 1080p to 4K is steep and reveals a system that is severely GPU-limited at higher resolutions. At High settings, the average frame rate falls from 64 FPS at 1920x1080 to 46 FPS at 2560x1440, a reduction of 28.1%. Moving to 3840x2160, the average drops further to 29 FPS, which is 54.7% lower than the 1080p result. This scaling pattern shows that the GPU is the primary bottleneck as pixel count increases, with each step up in resolution exacting a heavy toll on performance.

The Low settings preset shows an even more dramatic scaling curve. The average frame rate at 1080p Low is 96 FPS, which drops to 68 FPS at 1440p (a 29.2% decrease) and then to 43 FPS at 4K (a 55.2% decrease from 1080p). The consistency of these percentage drops across different settings presets indicates that resolution scaling is primarily a function of the GPU's rendering throughput, not the CPU or memory subsystem. The Arc B370 simply does not have enough raw pixel-pushing capability to maintain frame rates as the render target grows.

The Medium preset provides the only complete frame rate data with min and max values, offering insight into frame time consistency. At 1080p Medium, the average is 78 FPS with a minimum of 67 FPS and maximum of 90 FPS, showing a 23 FPS spread. At 1440p Medium, the average drops to 56 FPS with a 48-64 FPS range, and at 4K Medium, the average falls to 35 FPS with a 30-40 FPS range. The frame rate variance remains relatively stable across resolutions, suggesting that while the average performance degrades, the frame pacing does not become erratic — the system simply runs out of headroom rather than stuttering unpredictably.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is the dominant limiting factor in this configuration. Its benchmark performance is exceptionally low, sitting at the 5th percentile among all GPUs in the database. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1184 places it in direct competition with legacy integrated and entry-level discrete parts from over a decade ago, with the nearest rivals being the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 (1186, 0.2% faster), ATI Radeon HD 5770 (1190, 0.5% faster), and AMD Radeon HD 7650M (1192, 0.7% faster). This is not a GPU designed for modern gaming at high resolutions.

The GPU's memory configuration is "System Shared" with "System Dependent" bandwidth, meaning it relies on the system's DDR4 memory rather than dedicated VRAM. This shared memory arrangement is a significant disadvantage in a game like Downfall, which benefits from fast, dedicated video memory. The memory clock is also listed as "System Shared," reinforcing that the GPU has no independent memory resources. The 1280 shading units and 20 ROPs provide a theoretical pixel rate of 48.00 GPixel/s and texture rate of 96.00 GTexel/s, but these figures translate to poor real-world performance given the low overall benchmark scores.

The GPU's boost clock of 2400 MHz is relatively high, but it cannot compensate for the limited hardware resources. The FP32 performance of 6.144 TFLOPS sounds adequate on paper, yet the measured results tell a different story — the 4K Ultra average of 18 FPS is essentially unplayable, and even 1080p Ultra at 40 FPS is a poor experience. The GPU's thermal design power of 25 W and lack of dedicated power connectors indicate this is an integrated-class solution, and the benchmark results confirm that expectation. The 10 ray tracing cores are present, but with the overall performance level this low, ray tracing features would be impractical in actual gameplay.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-9400 provides the processing foundation for this combo, and while it is not the primary bottleneck in most scenarios, its limitations become apparent at lower resolutions. The CPU has 6 cores and 6 threads with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and boost clock of 4.10 GHz. Its benchmark scores show a mid-range processor: the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6629 and single-core score of 935 place it in the 47th percentile among all CPUs. This is a competent processor for its generation, but it is not a high-end part.

The CPU's nearest rivals in the benchmark database are closely matched. The Intel Core i7-1068NG7 scores 2259 in the average benchmark (0.2% faster), the Intel Core i7-10710U scores 2248 (0.3% slower), and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 scores 2246 (0.4% slower). The Intel Core i3-10305 scores 2264 (0.4% faster). This clustering shows that the i5-9400 is firmly in the middle of the pack for its era, offering no significant advantage or disadvantage over similarly positioned processors.

In Downfall, the CPU's role appears to be secondary at higher resolutions. The 4K frame rates are so low that the CPU is unlikely to be the limiting factor — the GPU is clearly saturated. However, at 1080p Low, the 96 FPS average suggests the CPU can keep up with the GPU's output, though this is near the practical ceiling for this combination. The CPU's shared L3 cache of 9 MB and dual-channel DDR4 memory support with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth provide adequate bandwidth for the GPU's shared memory architecture, but they do not boost the overall performance. The CPU is not the star here, but it is also not the reason this combo ranks so low — it is simply that the GPU holds everything back.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the best results come from the Low preset, which delivers an average of 96 FPS. This is the only settings level that approaches high-refresh-rate territory, though it lacks the visual fidelity most players would want. The Medium preset averages 78 FPS with a range of 67 to 90 FPS, providing a smoother visual experience while still maintaining playable frame rates. High settings drop the average to 64 FPS, which is acceptable for a horror game where atmosphere matters more than competitive responsiveness. Ultra settings at 1080p are the weakest option, averaging just 40 FPS — a significant 58.3% drop from Low settings.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance picture deteriorates noticeably. Low settings average 68 FPS, which is playable but no longer smooth by modern standards. Medium settings average 56 FPS with a range of 48 to 64 FPS, and the minimum of 48 FPS approaches the threshold where frame drops become noticeable. High settings average 46 FPS, which is borderline for a game that may require quick reactions during horror sequences. Ultra settings at 1440p average just 29 FPS, making them impractical for actual gameplay.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles across all settings. Low settings average 43 FPS, which is technically playable but far from ideal. Medium settings average 35 FPS with a range of 30 to 40 FPS, meaning the minimum frame rate dips below 30 FPS at times. High settings average 29 FPS, which is below the standard for smooth gameplay. Ultra settings at 4K average just 18 FPS, rendering this preset essentially unusable. The data shows a clear progression: 1080p is viable with Medium or High settings, 1440p is only comfortable on Low, and 4K should be avoided entirely.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-9400 and Intel Arc B370 ranks 2688 out of 2928 tested combos in Downfall, placing it in the bottom 8.2% of all configurations. This is a poor result, but not surprising given the individual component benchmarks. The GPU is in the 5th percentile of all GPUs, which is the primary driver of this low ranking. The CPU is in the 47th percentile, but it cannot compensate for the GPU's severe limitations.

This ranking means that nearly all other tested combinations deliver better performance in Downfall. The combo sits in the bottom tier alongside other configurations that pair weak integrated-class graphics with mid-range processors. The data suggests that this system would be suitable only for players who are willing to accept significant compromises in resolution and visual quality. For a game like Downfall, where atmosphere and visual detail contribute to the horror experience, this ranking is particularly problematic because players will have to sacrifice the very elements that make the game engaging.

The ranking also highlights the imbalance between the two components. The CPU is a reasonable mid-range part from its generation, but the GPU is a low-end integrated solution. This creates a situation where the GPU is the clear bottleneck at every resolution and settings level tested. Upgrading either component would help, but replacing the GPU would have a far greater impact on Downfall performance than upgrading the CPU.

Settings Recommendations

For players using this combination, the data supports a clear hierarchy of playable configurations. At 1920x1080, the Medium preset offers the best balance between visual quality and performance, with an average of 78 FPS and a minimum of 67 FPS that stays comfortably above the 60 FPS threshold. The High preset at 1080p, averaging 64 FPS, is also viable and would be the choice for players who prioritize visual fidelity over frame rate headroom. The Low preset at 1080p, averaging 96 FPS, is the only option that provides a truly smooth experience, but it sacrifices the graphical detail that makes Downfall atmospheric.

At 2560x1440, the Low preset is the only reasonable choice, averaging 68 FPS. The Medium preset at 1440p averages 56 FPS with a minimum of 48 FPS, which may cause noticeable frame drops during intense scenes. Players with 1440p monitors should stick to Low settings to maintain playable performance. The High and Ultra presets at 1440p, averaging 46 and 29 FPS respectively, are not recommended for actual gameplay.

At 3840x2160, none of the settings provide a satisfactory experience. The Low preset, averaging 43 FPS, is marginally playable but will feel sluggish. The Medium preset, averaging 35 FPS with a minimum of 30 FPS, is on the edge of playability. Players with 4K displays should either lower the resolution to 1440p or avoid this combination entirely for Downfall. The Ultra preset at any resolution is not recommended — the 18 FPS average at 4K and 29 FPS at 1440p make it an exercise in frustration rather than an enjoyable gaming experience.

The overall recommendation is to run Downfall at 1080p with Medium settings, which provides the best measured experience for this hardware combination. Players who can tolerate lower visual fidelity can use the Low preset at 1440p, but any attempt to push higher resolutions or settings will result in frame rates that undermine the game's tense, horror-driven gameplay.