Downfall

Downfall is a 2016 horror title that remains demanding enough to separate high-end hardware, and the combination of the Intel Core i7-14700K with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 produces a wide spread of performance across resolutions and settings. The measured data indicates that this pairing is exceptionally strong, with frame rates ranging from a playable 74 FPS at 4K Ultra to a staggering 400 FPS at 1080p Low. The primary takeaway from the data is that the limiting factor shifts depending on the resolution: at 1080p, the CPU's capabilities are fully exposed, while at 4K, the GPU becomes the dominant constraint.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K reveals a classic scaling pattern that is heavily influenced by the graphics settings applied. At Low settings, the average frame rate falls from 400 FPS at 1920x1080 to 178 FPS at 3840x2160, representing a 55.5% reduction in throughput. This significant drop at the lowest quality preset indicates that even with minimal graphical load, the GPU is being pushed harder as pixel count increases, but the absolute numbers remain high enough to suggest the CPU is still contributing to the ceiling at lower resolutions.

When moving to Medium settings, the scaling is more moderate in relative terms but still substantial. The average FPS goes from 327 at 1080p to 233 at 1440p, and then down to 145 at 4K. The progression from 1080p to 1440p shows a 28.7% decrease, while the jump to 4K from 1440p shows a 37.8% decrease. This suggests that as the settings increase, the GPU workload grows, making the resolution scaling more pronounced and moving the bottleneck more firmly onto the graphics card.

High settings display a similar trend, with average FPS dropping from 268 at 1080p to 191 at 1440p (a 28.7% decline) and then to 119 at 4K (a 37.7% decline from 1440p). The pattern is consistent, showing that the RTX 4080 handles the 1440p to 4K transition with a predictable loss of performance. The most demanding scenario, Ultra settings, sees the average FPS fall from 168 at 1080p to 120 at 1440p and finally to 74 at 4K. The 4K Ultra result is the only data point that drops below the 100 FPS threshold, highlighting that this setting and resolution combination is the most taxing on the hardware.

The data indicates that at 1080p, the frame rates are so high that the GPU is likely not the sole limiting factor, especially at Low settings where the 400 FPS average suggests the CPU's single-thread performance is being tested. As resolution increases, the gap between settings widens, confirming that the GPU's fillrate and memory bandwidth become the primary constraints at 4K. The scaling from 1080p to 4K at Low settings is a 55.5% drop, whereas at Ultra settings it is a 56.0% drop, showing that the relative performance hit is similar across presets, but the absolute frame rates are vastly different.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the benchmark database for Downfall, this specific combination of the Intel Core i7-14700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 achieves a rank of 230 out of 3716 tested combos. This places it in the top 6.2% of all configurations tested, which is a strong showing for a pairing of this caliber. The rank reflects the measured performance across all settings and resolutions, and the high placement indicates that this system is well-balanced for this particular horror title.

The combo's rank is a result of both components being high performers in their respective categories. The CPU, with an average benchmark score of 69355, sits at the 94th percentile when compared to all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 9115, which scores 69288 (a 0.1% difference), and the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, which scores 69515 (a -0.2% difference). This shows that the i7-14700K is essentially tied with these top-tier processors in synthetic tests, which translates to a robust foundation for gaming.

Similarly, the GPU, with an average benchmark score of 54247, sits at the 86th percentile among all GPUs. Its closest competitor is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER, which scores 54209, a mere 0.1% difference. This near-tie indicates that the standard RTX 4080 is performing at the expected level for its class. The combination of a 94th percentile CPU and an 86th percentile GPU results in a system that is well above average for gaming, and the rank of 230 out of 3716 reflects this synergy, though it also shows that there are more powerful combinations available for those seeking absolute maximum frame rates.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-14700K is a 20-core, 28-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. This high boost clock is critical for gaming performance, as it ensures strong single-thread performance, which is often the deciding factor in frame rate generation, particularly at lower resolutions. The CPU's benchmark scores support this, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2160 and a multi-core score of 33440.5, indicating a balanced capability for both lightly-threaded and heavily-threaded workloads.

In Downfall, the CPU's role is most evident at 1080p resolution. At Low settings, the average frame rate of 400 FPS is exceptionally high, and it is likely that the CPU's single-thread performance is the primary limiter in this scenario. The boost clock of 5.60 GHz allows the processor to feed the GPU with enough data to reach these extreme frame rates. The data shows that at 1080p Medium, the FPS drops to 327, and at High it is 268, which still indicates a CPU-bound scenario where the graphics card is not fully saturated.

The CPU's 33 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel memory support for DDR4 and DDR5 also contribute to its gaming performance. The measured data suggests that as resolution increases to 1440p and 4K, the CPU's influence wanes, and the GPU takes over as the bottleneck. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS is 74, which is a clear indication that the graphics card is struggling with the pixel count and shader complexity, rather than the CPU being unable to keep up. The i7-14700K's performance is more than sufficient for this title, and the data shows that it will not be a limiting factor in most gaming scenarios, especially at higher resolutions.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed look at how this combination performs across all settings. At 1920x1080, the average FPS ranges from 400 at Low settings to 168 at Ultra settings. The Medium preset shows an average of 327 FPS with a minimum of 278 and a maximum of 376, indicating a stable experience. High settings at 1080p yield an average of 268 FPS. These numbers show that at 1080p, the system is capable of delivering extremely high refresh rates, making it ideal for competitive play or high refresh rate monitors.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance remains very strong. Low settings produce an average of 285 FPS, while Medium settings average 233 FPS, with a minimum of 198 and a maximum of 268. High settings average 191 FPS, and Ultra settings drop to 120 FPS. The 1440p results show that the RTX 4080 is still capable of delivering high frame rates at this resolution, with all presets except Ultra staying above 190 FPS. The Ultra preset at 1440p still provides a smooth 120 FPS average, which is excellent for most gaming scenarios.

At 3840x2160, the performance is more demanding. Low settings average 178 FPS, which is still very high for 4K. Medium settings average 145 FPS, with a minimum of 123 and a maximum of 167. High settings average 119 FPS, and Ultra settings drop to 74 FPS. The 4K results show a clear progression of decreasing performance as settings increase, with the Ultra preset being the only one that falls below the 100 FPS mark. This data suggests that for a 4K gaming experience, High settings would be the sweet spot for maintaining a high refresh rate, while Ultra is only suitable for 60 FPS displays.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is a powerful graphics card based on the Ada Lovelace architecture, featuring 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 716.8 GB/s. The GPU has a base clock of 2205 MHz and a boost clock of 2505 MHz, with 9728 shading units and 76 RT cores. This hardware configuration is designed to handle high-resolution gaming with ease, and the measured data confirms its capability in Downfall.

The GPU's role is most apparent at 4K resolution, where the frame rates are significantly lower than at 1080p. The drop from 178 FPS at 4K Low to 74 FPS at 4K Ultra illustrates the impact of the graphics settings on the GPU's workload. The 16 GB of VRAM is likely sufficient for this title even at 4K Ultra, as the data does not indicate any issues with memory capacity. The GPU's benchmark scores, such as a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 6567 and a Passmark G3D score of 34457, place it in the 86th percentile for all GPUs.

Comparing the RTX 4080 to its nearest rivals, it is nearly identical in performance to the RTX 4080 SUPER, with a delta of 0.1%. This means that in this game, the standard RTX 4080 is performing exactly as expected. The GPU's high boost clock and memory bandwidth are well-suited for the horror game's graphical demands, which likely include dynamic lighting and shadow effects. The data shows that the GPU is the primary bottleneck at 4K Ultra, as the frame rate drops to 74 FPS, but it still remains playable. The RTX 4080's performance reflects its capability, providing a playable experience even at the most demanding settings.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to achieve 144 FPS?

A: At 1440p with High settings, the average FPS is 191, and at 1440p Medium it is 233. To consistently stay above 144 FPS, 1440p High is a safe choice, while 1080p with any setting will also achieve this target.

Q: How does this combo perform at 4K Ultra settings?

A: At 4K Ultra, the average FPS is 74, which is below the 100 FPS threshold but still playable on a 60 Hz or 75 Hz monitor. For a smoother 4K experience, High settings average 119 FPS.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor at 1080p?

A: At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 400, which is extremely high. This suggests the CPU's single-thread performance is likely the limiting factor, as the GPU is not fully saturated at this low resolution and settings.

Q: What is the difference in performance between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 1440p, Low settings average 285 FPS, while Ultra settings average 120 FPS. This represents a 57.9% decrease in performance when moving from the lowest to the highest quality preset.

Q: How does the RTX 4080 compare to its closest rival in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The RTX 4080 has an average benchmark score of 54247, while its nearest rival, the RTX 4080 SUPER, scores 54209. This is a 0.1% difference, indicating they are virtually identical in performance.

Q: Is the 16 GB of VRAM sufficient for Downfall at 4K?

A: The data shows that the GPU is able to run 4K Ultra with an average FPS of 74, and there is no indication of performance issues related to VRAM capacity. The 16 GB of GDDR6X memory appears to be sufficient for this title.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the user's display and performance targets. For players with a 1080p monitor, all settings are viable, but the Medium preset offers a balanced experience with an average FPS of 327 and minimums of 278, ensuring smooth gameplay. High settings at 1080p provide an average of 268 FPS, which is still excellent, but it may be unnecessary if the monitor's refresh rate is 144 Hz.

For 1440p gaming, the High preset is the best choice for high refresh rate displays, as it delivers an average of 191 FPS. If aiming for a more demanding visual experience, Ultra settings still provide a solid 120 FPS average, which is suitable for 120 Hz monitors. The Medium preset at 1440p is also a good option, with an average of 233 FPS, but it sacrifices some visual quality.

At 4K resolution, the High settings are recommended for the best balance of visual fidelity and performance, with an average of 119 FPS. This allows for smooth gameplay on high refresh rate 4K monitors. The Ultra preset at 4K, with an average of 74 FPS, is only suitable for 60 Hz displays and may not provide a consistent experience for fast-paced action. The Medium preset at 4K, with an average of 145 FPS, is also a strong contender if visual quality can be slightly compromised for higher frame rates. Overall, the data suggests that High settings at 1440p or 4K provide the best experience for most users, balancing the high performance of this hardware with the game's graphical demands.