Downfall

Downfall is a horror title that demands a delicate balance between CPU and GPU resources, and the combination of the Intel Core i5-9400 with the Intel Arc B390 produces a specific, measurable performance profile. The data reveals a system that is heavily constrained by its graphics solution, yet capable of delivering playable frame rates at lower settings, making it a peculiar but functional pairing for this particular game. The benchmark results indicate that users should prioritize graphical settings over resolution to achieve a smooth experience.

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

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a 6-core, 6-thread processor based on the Coffee Lake architecture. It operates at a base clock of 2.90 GHz and can boost up to 4.10 GHz, with a 65W TDP. This represents a traditional desktop CPU layout with a moderate core count, which is generally sufficient for gaming workloads. In synthetic benchmarks, the i5-9400 scores 6629 points in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 935 points in the single-core test. Its Geekbench scores are 5141 multi-core and 1389 single-core, placing it in the 47th percentile of all CPUs tested, indicating a mid-pack performer that is neither a bottleneck nor a standout in modern titles.

When examining its nearest rivals, the i5-9400’s performance is tightly clustered. It sits just 0.2% behind the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 and 0.4% behind the Intel Core i3-10305. Conversely, it is 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i7-10710U and 0.4% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500. This sub-0.5% variance across four different processors demonstrates that the i5-9400 is in a very competitive performance band. For Downfall, a game that is not typically CPU-bound at lower resolutions, this processor has ample headroom. The data shows that at 1080p Low, the system achieves 106 FPS, which is the highest score recorded in the measured dataset.

The CPU's role becomes more apparent when analyzing the scaling of frame rates. At 1440p High, the system produces 51 FPS, while at 1080p High it produces 71 FPS. This 20 FPS drop when moving from 1080p to 1440p is substantial, but it is more likely a function of the GPU struggling to fill more pixels rather than the CPU reaching its limits. The i5-9400’s 6 threads are enough to feed the Arc B390 at these settings. The fact that the processor has a 9 MB shared L3 cache and supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s suggests it can keep data flowing to the graphics card without major stalls. The processor’s 47th percentile ranking reinforces the idea that it is an average component which, in this specific pairing, is not the primary factor limiting performance.

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

The Intel Arc B390 is a radically different component. It is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on a 3 nm process. Crucially, it features "System Shared" memory, meaning it has no dedicated VRAM and relies on the system's main memory for graphics data. Its boost clock is rated at 2500 MHz, and it contains 1536 shading units, 48 TMUs, and 24 ROPs. The GPU’s raw compute is listed at 7.680 TFLOPS for FP32 operations, which is a respectable figure, but its performance in the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test is only 1482 points, placing it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs.

This low percentile ranking is the single most important piece of data for this build. The Arc B390’s nearest rivals are all ancient, low-end NVIDIA parts. It is 1.3% ahead of the GeForce GT 520MX, 1.5% ahead of the GeForce 800M, 2.5% ahead of the GeForce GT 625 OEM, and 2.7% ahead of the GeForce GT 710. These are not modern gaming GPUs; they are legacy entry-level cards. The data clearly shows that the Arc B390, despite its modern architecture and high clock speeds, performs at a level comparable to hardware from over a decade ago. This makes it the definitive bottleneck in the system.

In Downfall, the GPU’s limitations are stark. At 1080p Low, the system manages 106 FPS, but this drops to 87 FPS at Medium and 71 FPS at High. The frame rate falls off a cliff at Ultra, hitting just 44 FPS. The lack of dedicated VRAM is likely the culprit. The "System Shared" memory bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent," and with the i5-9400’s 42.7 GB/s memory bandwidth, the GPU is competing with the CPU for the same memory resources. This creates a scenario where higher texture quality and detail settings swamp the memory bus, causing severe performance degradation. The GPU’s 80W TDP and IGP slot width further confirm that this is not designed for heavy, sustained gaming workloads.

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

The resolution scaling data paints a clear picture of a GPU-bound system. From 1080p to 1440p, the average FPS drops by approximately 28% when comparing the same settings. For example, at High settings, the system goes from 71 FPS at 1080p to 51 FPS at 1440p. At Low settings, it goes from 106 FPS to 76 FPS. This is a significant drop, but it is not linear. The jump from 1440p to 4K (3840x2160) is even more punishing. At High settings, the frame rate falls from 51 FPS to 32 FPS, a 37% reduction. At Low settings, it drops from 76 FPS to 47 FPS, a 38% reduction.

This scaling pattern is a classic signature of a GPU that is severely limited by its memory bandwidth and fill rate. The Arc B390 has only 24 ROPs and its pixel rate is rated at 60.00 GPixel/s. When the resolution increases, the GPU must process exponentially more pixels. The data shows that the system cannot maintain playable frame rates at 4K, with even the Low preset only achieving 47 FPS. The Medium preset at 4K yields 39 FPS with a minimum of 33 FPS, which is below the threshold for smooth gameplay in a horror title where responsiveness matters.

Conversely, the CPU’s role in this scaling is minimal. If the i5-9400 were the bottleneck, we would expect to see similar FPS numbers across different resolutions at the same settings, because the CPU’s workload (draw calls, physics, AI) does not change with resolution. However, the data shows a steep decline as resolution increases, confirming that the Arc B390 is the limiting component. The difference between 1080p Low (106 FPS) and 4K Low (47 FPS) is a 56% reduction in performance, which is entirely attributable to the GPU struggling to handle the increased pixel count.

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

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend heavily on the target resolution. At 1080p, the Medium preset offers the best balance of visual fidelity and performance. It delivers an average of 87 FPS with a minimum of 74 FPS and a maximum of 100 FPS. This is a smooth, responsive experience for a horror game. The High preset at 1080p drops to 71 FPS, which is still playable, but the Medium preset provides a more comfortable margin above the 60 FPS threshold. The Low preset at 1080p achieves 106 FPS, but the visual quality is likely too compromised for a game that relies on atmosphere and lighting.

At 1440p, the situation changes. The Medium preset yields 62 FPS with a minimum of 53 FPS, which is acceptable but not ideal. The High preset drops to 51 FPS, which is on the edge of playability. For a smoother experience, the Low preset at 76 FPS is the better choice, but it sacrifices significant visual detail. The data suggests that 1440p is the practical ceiling for this hardware, and users should stick to Medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate.

At 4K, the results are poor across the board. The Low preset achieves 47 FPS, which is the only setting that approaches playability. The Medium preset at 39 FPS (with a 33 FPS minimum) is a stuttery experience, and the High preset at 32 FPS is unplayable. The Ultra preset at 4K is a slideshow at 20 FPS. The recommendation is clear: do not attempt 4K with this combo unless you are willing to accept Low settings and occasional frame drops. For the best experience overall, the 1080p Medium preset is the sweet spot, providing high frame rates without completely abandoning graphical quality.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core i5-9400 and the Intel Arc B390 ranks 2589 out of 2928 tested combos in Downfall. This places it in the bottom 12% of all systems tested, confirming that it is a low-end configuration for this game. The rank is primarily driven by the GPU’s abysmal 9th percentile standing among all GPUs. The CPU’s 47th percentile ranking is comparatively decent, but it cannot compensate for the graphics card’s severe limitations.

The data indicates that this combo is outperformed by a vast majority of other pairings. The 2589th rank out of 2928 means that 339 other configurations are slower, but over 2500 are faster. This is a clear signal that the Arc B390 is the weak link. In practical terms, this rank means that users should expect significant compromises in settings and resolution to achieve playable frame rates. The system is not suitable for high-refresh-rate monitors or high-resolution displays. It is a functional entry-level setup that can run the game at lower presets, but it will not provide a premium experience. The benchmark results indicate that this combo is best suited for 1080p gaming at Medium settings, where it can maintain frame rates above 80 FPS.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play Downfall with this CPU and GPU combo?

A: The data shows that 1080p is the only resolution where the system consistently delivers high frame rates. At 1080p Medium, it achieves an average of 87 FPS. At 1440p, the average FPS drops to 62 FPS on Medium, and at 4K, it falls to 39 FPS on Medium. Therefore, 1080p is the recommended resolution for a smooth experience.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B390 compare to its nearest rivals in the benchmark database?

A: The Arc B390 scores 1482 points in the 3DMark Steel Nomad test. This puts it 1.3% ahead of the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, 1.5% ahead of the GeForce 800M, 2.5% ahead of the GeForce GT 625 OEM, and 2.7% ahead of the GeForce GT 710. All of these are legacy, low-end graphics solutions.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-9400 the bottleneck in this system?

A: No. The CPU is a mid-pack performer in the 47th percentile of all CPUs. The frame rate scaling from 1080p to 4K shows a massive drop (e.g., from 106 FPS to 47 FPS on Low settings), which indicates the GPU is the limiting factor. The CPU has enough headroom to feed the Arc B390.

Q: What are the FPS results for the Ultra preset at 1440p?

A: At 1440p with Ultra settings, the combo achieves an average of 32 FPS. This is a significant drop from the High preset at 51 FPS, indicating that the Ultra preset is too demanding for this hardware at this resolution.

Q: Does the Arc B390 have its own dedicated video memory?

A: No, the GPU memory size and type are listed as "System Shared." This means it relies on the system's main memory, which can cause performance issues when textures and geometry exceed available bandwidth, particularly at higher settings and resolutions.

Q: How does this combo rank among all tested systems in Downfall?

A: This combo ranks 2589th out of 2928 tested combos. This places it in the lower 12% of all configurations, confirming that it is a low-performance pairing for this game, primarily due to the GPU.