Downfall

Downfall, a 2016 horror title, presents an interesting challenge for the Intel Core i5-9400 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 pairing. The component data reveals a system that is capable of high refresh rates at lower resolutions but begins to show its limitations as graphical demands increase. The benchmark results for this combo indicate a strong performance at 1080p, a solid experience at 1440p, and a playable, though more constrained, outcome at 4K. The data suggests a system where the balance between the six-core processor and the modern graphics card shifts depending on the resolution and settings selected.

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

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a six-core, six-thread processor based on the Coffee Lake architecture. It operates with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and can boost up to 4.10 GHz, which are the figures recorded in our data. This processor has a 9 MB shared L3 cache and supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus. In the context of Downfall, the processor's role appears to be a stable foundation that does not bottleneck the GPU at lower resolutions, but its influence becomes more apparent at the highest settings and resolutions.

The CPU’s benchmark scores provide context for its standing. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 6629, and its single-core score is 935. In Geekbench, it scores 5141 multi-core and 1389 single-core. These figures place the i5-9400 at the 47th percentile when compared to all CPUs in our database. Its average benchmark score is 2254, which puts it in a tight cluster with its nearest rivals. The data shows it performs nearly identically to the Intel Core i7-1068NG7, which has a deltaPct of -0.2, and the Intel Core i7-10710U, with a deltaPct of 0.3. It is also a close match for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 and the Intel Core i3-10305.

For a game like Downfall, which is not known for being heavily threaded, the six physical cores are likely sufficient. The single-core performance, indicated by the Cinebench R23 score of 935, is adequate to handle the game logic and physics calculations. At 1080p, the high average FPS numbers suggest that the CPU is keeping up with the GPU's output. However, the jump in performance between Low and Ultra settings is significant, indicating that the CPU's workload does increase with settings, even if the GPU is the primary bottleneck. The processor’s 65-watt TDP and end-of-life production status suggest it is a mid-range part from its generation, which aligns with its performance tier.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 is a modern graphics card built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture, using a 5 nm process. It features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 320.0 GB/s. The GPU's base clock is 2317 MHz, with a boost clock of 2572 MHz, and its memory runs at an effective 20 Gbps. These specs make it a capable performer, and its average benchmark score of 21035 puts it at the 66th percentile of all GPUs.

The GPU's benchmark results show a significant performance spread. Its Passmark G3D score is 17326, while its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 2502. In compute tasks, it scores 9184 in Passmark GPU Compute and 90334 in Geekbench OpenCL. Its nearest rivals in performance are the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL (deltaPct of -0.6), the AMD Radeon HD 8970M (deltaPct of -1), and the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT (deltaPct of 1.6). This places the RTX 5050 in a competitive position, though the data shows it is not a top-tier performer.

In Downfall, the 8 GB VRAM is sufficient for the game's requirements, even at 4K with High settings, where it achieves 60 FPS. The significant factor is the rendering load. The FPS drop from 1080p to 4K is substantial, which points to the GPU being the primary limiting component at higher resolutions. The card's raw throughput allows for very high frame rates at 1080p, but the pixel count at 4K reduces its performance. The data indicates that the RTX 5050 is a strong 1080p and 1440p card, but it is not designed for maximum settings at 4K in this title.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core i5-9400 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 achieves a rank of 1755 out of 2928 tested combos in Downfall. This places it in the 60th percentile of all tested system configurations, meaning it outperforms a majority of systems but is not near the top. This ranking is a holistic view of the system's performance across all resolutions and settings.

This rank suggests that while the system is capable, it is not a high-end enthusiast setup. The position in the middle of the pack is consistent with the component data: the CPU is at the 47th percentile, and the GPU is at the 66th percentile. The combination's performance is therefore anchored by the CPU's mid-range standing, while the GPU provides a more substantial boost. The rank indicates that many other configurations, likely with newer or more powerful CPUs, can achieve higher frame rates in this game. However, the system is far from the bottom, demonstrating that it is a competent pairing for a 2016 title. The data implies that the system is well-suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, with 4K being a secondary consideration.

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

The measured FPS data provides a detailed picture of the system's performance. At 1920x1080, the system excels. With Low settings, it achieves an average of 201 FPS. This drops to 165 FPS on Medium, 135 FPS on High, and 84 FPS on Ultra. The Medium settings row shows a minimum of 140 FPS and a maximum of 189 FPS, indicating a smooth experience. This resolution shows the RTX 5050's strength, with even the most demanding Ultra preset delivering a very playable frame rate.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance remains strong but the scaling is evident. The average FPS at Low is 144, which drops to 118 on Medium, 96 on High, and 60 on Ultra. The Medium preset at this resolution has a minimum of 100 FPS and a maximum of 135 FPS. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is significant, with the Low preset seeing a 28% decrease in average FPS (from 201 to 144). The Ultra preset sees a 29% decrease (from 84 to 60), highlighting the increased load on the GPU.

At 3840x2160, the system is pushed to its limits. The average FPS at Low is 89, which falls to 73 on Medium, 60 on High, and 37 on Ultra. The Medium preset at this resolution has a minimum of 62 FPS and a maximum of 84 FPS. The 4K data shows a clear trend: the system can handle 4K at Low and Medium settings, but High and Ultra presets become more demanding. The 60 FPS at High is technically playable, but the 37 FPS at Ultra is not ideal for a smooth experience. The scaling from 1080p to 4K is steep, with the Low preset dropping from 201 FPS to 89 FPS, a 56% reduction.

FAQ

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

A: The highest recorded average FPS is 201, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

*Q: Can this system run Downfall at 4K resolution?*

A: Yes, it can. The data shows it achieves 60 FPS on High settings and 89 FPS on Low settings at 3840x2160 resolution. However, it only manages 37 FPS on Ultra, which may not be a smooth experience.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its closest rivals?

A: The Intel Core i5-9400 has an average benchmark score of 2254. Its closest rival, the Intel Core i7-1068NG7, has an average score of 2259, which is a -0.2% difference. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 is a 0.4% difference with a score of 2246.

Q: What is the performance difference between 1080p and 1440p on High settings?

A: At 1920x1080 with High settings, the average FPS is 135. At 2560x1440 with High settings, the average FPS is 96. This represents a significant drop in performance as resolution increases.

Q: What is the GPU's percentile ranking among all GPUs?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 ranks in the 66th percentile of all GPUs in our database, indicating it performs better than most but is not a top-tier part.

Q: What are the minimum and maximum FPS recorded at 1440p Medium settings?

A: At 2560x1440 with Medium settings, the system recorded a minimum FPS of 100 and a maximum FPS of 135, with an average of 118 FPS.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal experience is found on the High preset at 1080p and 1440p. At 1920x1080, the High preset yields an average of 135 FPS, which is well above the threshold for smooth gameplay. The Ultra preset at this resolution still provides 84 FPS, which is also very playable, but High offers a better balance for potentially more consistent frame times. At 2560x1440, the High preset achieves 96 FPS, which is excellent, while the Ultra preset drops to 60 FPS. For a high-refresh-rate monitor, the Medium preset at 1440p, with an average of 118 FPS, is also a strong choice.

For 4K gaming, the High preset is the most demanding setting that remains playable, hitting an average of 60 FPS. The Ultra preset at 37 FPS is not recommended for a comfortable experience. The Low and Medium presets at 4K offer higher frame rates (89 and 73 FPS, respectively) but with a significant visual quality reduction. The data suggests that for the best balance of visual fidelity and performance, the High preset at 1440p is the sweet spot for this hardware combination. If a player prioritizes maximum frame rates, the Low preset at 1080p offers the highest possible performance.

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

The FPS scaling from 1080p to 4K provides clear evidence of the system's bottleneck. At Low settings, the average FPS drops from 201 at 1080p to 144 at 1440p and then to 89 at 4K. This is a 56% reduction in performance from 1080p to 4K. On the High preset, the average FPS drops from 135 at 1080p to 96 at 1440p and then to 60 at 4K, a 56% reduction as well. The consistent percentage drop across settings strongly indicates that the GPU is the limiting factor.

The GPU must render an increasing number of pixels as resolution increases, and its workload scales almost linearly with the pixel count. The CPU's workload, however, does not scale in the same way, as it is more dependent on game logic and draw calls. Since the FPS drop is consistent and significant, it shows that the RTX 5050 is being pushed to its limit at higher resolutions, while the i5-9400 is still able to keep up. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the FPS drop would be less severe at higher resolutions, as the GPU would be waiting on the processor. The data shows the opposite, confirming the GPU as the primary constraint for this pairing in Downfall. The system is clearly optimized for 1080p and 1440p gaming, where the GPU has enough headroom to deliver high frame rates, but 4K gaming is only viable at lower settings.