Downfall

Resolution Scaling

Downfall's measured frame rates reveal a system that is heavily constrained by the integrated graphics solution rather than the processor. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the Intel Core i7-14700KF paired with the Intel Arc B390 delivers 106 FPS average. Moving to 2560x1440 Low drops that figure to 76 FPS, a 28% reduction. At 3840x2160 Low, the average falls to 47 FPS, representing a 56% decline from the 1080p baseline. This scaling pattern is steep, indicating that pixel throughput is the primary bottleneck.

The gap between resolutions widens further at higher quality presets. With High settings, the system produces 71 FPS at 1080p, 51 FPS at 1440p, and 32 FPS at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 4K at High settings is a 55% reduction, nearly identical to the Low preset scaling. Medium settings follow the same trajectory: 87 FPS at 1080p, 62 FPS at 1440p, and 39 FPS at 4K. The consistency of these percentage drops across presets suggests that the limiting factor is raw fill rate and memory bandwidth, both of which are tied to the system-shared memory architecture of the Arc B390.

Ultra settings expose the most dramatic scaling. At 1080p Ultra, the average FPS is 44. At 1440p Ultra, it drops to 32 FPS, a 27% reduction. At 4K Ultra, the system manages just 20 FPS, a 55% reduction from 1080p Ultra. The 4K Ultra result is effectively unplayable for a horror title that relies on atmosphere and timing. The data shows that this configuration is only viable at 1080p for most presets, with 1440p becoming marginal at Medium and above. The 4K resolution is only usable at Low settings, and even then, the 47 FPS average sits below the 60 FPS threshold many players consider smooth.

The measured results indicate that the Arc B390's system-shared memory architecture struggles as resolution increases. Unlike discrete GPUs with dedicated VRAM, this integrated solution must share bandwidth with the CPU, and the 4K pixel workload overwhelms that shared pool. The consistent 55% scaling penalty from 1080p to 4K across presets points to a hard bandwidth ceiling rather than a shader or texture bottleneck.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-14700KF is a 20-core, 28-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process node. It operates with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. In synthetic benchmarks, this CPU achieves a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 44167 and a single-core score of 6235. Its Geekbench results are 21462 multi-core and 2578 single-core. The processor ranks in the 94th percentile of all CPUs, an exceptionally strong showing.

In Downfall, however, the CPU's role is secondary. The measured FPS at 1080p Low reaches 106 FPS, which suggests that the processor is capable of feeding frames well beyond what the integrated GPU can render at higher settings. The fact that 1080p Low produces more than double the FPS of 1080p Ultra (106 vs 44) is a clear indication that the GPU, not the CPU, is the limiting component. A CPU-bound scenario would show similar FPS across different quality presets, as the rendering workload would not change the CPU's contribution. That is not what the data shows.

The nearest rivals for the i7-14700KF in average benchmark score are the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F with a 0.2% higher score, the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX with a 0.4% higher score, and the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X with a 0.9% higher score. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K trails by 1%. These deltas are all within a 1.9% band, meaning the i7-14700KF is effectively at parity with its closest competitors in general compute. For Downfall specifically, this parity is irrelevant because the game's frame rates are not CPU-limited at any resolution or preset tested.

The CPU's 33 MB of shared L3 cache and 2 MB per-core L2 cache provide ample buffering for game logic and AI routines. The 125 W TDP and unlocked multiplier indicate a high-performance part designed for enthusiast workloads. Yet in Downfall, the benchmark results show that even at 4K Low (47 FPS), the CPU is not the constraint. If it were, we would expect to see similar FPS at 4K Ultra (20 FPS), which is not the case. The 4K Ultra result is 57% lower than 4K Low, confirming that the GPU's rendering pipeline is saturated long before the CPU's compute capacity is exhausted.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is an integrated graphics processor based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on Intel's 3 nm process node. It features 1536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 24 raster output units. The GPU operates at a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2500 MHz. Its memory configuration is "System Shared," meaning it uses the host system's RAM rather than dedicated VRAM, with bandwidth listed as "System Dependent." The GPU supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4.

In the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 benchmark, the Arc B390 scores 1482. This places it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs, a very low ranking. Its nearest rivals are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1.3% higher score), NVIDIA GeForce 800M (1.5% higher), NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM (2.5% higher), and NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 (2.7% higher). These are all entry-level or legacy GPUs from more than a decade ago, which contextualizes the Arc B390's performance tier. It is not a gaming GPU in any traditional sense; it is an integrated solution designed for basic display output and light compute tasks.

Downfall's measured FPS reflects this GPU's limitations. At 1080p Low, the Arc B390 manages 106 FPS, which is respectable for a horror game with modest visual demands. However, the integrated GPU's lack of dedicated VRAM becomes apparent as settings increase. At 1080p Ultra, the average FPS drops to 44, a 58% reduction from Low. At 4K Ultra, the GPU produces just 20 FPS, which is below the threshold for playable frame rates in most genres. The memory bandwidth being "System Dependent" means the GPU competes with the CPU for memory access, and at higher resolutions and settings, the increased texture and buffer sizes exacerbate this contention.

The GPU's 12 RT cores are present in hardware, but the 9th percentile overall ranking suggests that ray tracing performance would be minimal. The fp32 compute of 7.680 TFLOPS and pixel rate of 60.00 GPixel/s are modest figures that align with the measured gaming results. The 80 W TDP and IGP slot width confirm this is a low-power integrated solution. For Downfall, a 2016 horror game, the Arc B390 can deliver playable frame rates only at 1080p with Low or Medium settings, and even Medium at 1080p (87 FPS) is acceptable. At 1440p, only Low settings (76 FPS) remain playable, while Medium (62 FPS) is borderline. At 4K, all presets fall below 50 FPS, making the resolution impractical for this GPU.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this CPU/GPU combination in Downfall?

A: The measured data shows that 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the system consistently exceeds 60 FPS across Low, Medium, and High settings. At 2560x1440, only Low settings achieve 76 FPS, while Medium falls to 62 FPS. At 3840x2160, the maximum average FPS is 47 at Low settings.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B390 compare to its nearest GPU rivals?

A: The Arc B390 scores 1482 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, which is 1.3% lower than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, 1.5% lower than the NVIDIA GeForce 800M, 2.5% lower than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM, and 2.7% lower than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710. It ranks in the 9th percentile of all GPUs.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-14700KF the bottleneck in Downfall?

A: No. The measured FPS varies significantly between presets at the same resolution. For example, at 1080p, Low settings produce 106 FPS while Ultra produces 44 FPS. This indicates the GPU is the limiting component, as a CPU bottleneck would show similar FPS regardless of graphics settings.

Q: What is the CPU's benchmark performance relative to its nearest rivals?

A: The i7-14700KF has an average benchmark score of 70163. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F scores 0.2% higher, the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX scores 0.4% higher, and the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X scores 0.9% higher. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K scores 1% lower.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Downfall?

A: At 4K, the highest average FPS measured is 47 at Low settings. Medium settings yield 39 FPS, High yields 32 FPS, and Ultra yields 20 FPS. These results are below the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay, so 4K is not recommended for this configuration.

Q: What is the GPU's memory configuration and how does it affect performance?

A: The Arc B390 uses "System Shared" memory with "System Dependent" bandwidth. This means it relies on the host system's RAM rather than dedicated VRAM. The measured FPS drops sharply with resolution increases, from 106 FPS at 1080p Low to 47 FPS at 4K Low, indicating that shared memory bandwidth is a significant constraint.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this configuration depend on the target frame rate and resolution. At 1920x1080, all four presets are technically playable, but the experience varies widely. Low settings produce 106 FPS average, Medium produces 87 FPS, High produces 71 FPS, and Ultra produces 44 FPS. For a horror game where smoothness matters for immersion, Medium or High at 1080p offers the best balance. Medium provides 87 FPS with a minimum of 74 FPS and maximum of 100 FPS, which is comfortably above the 60 FPS threshold. High at 71 FPS is also acceptable, though the lack of min/max data makes it harder to assess frame time consistency. Ultra at 44 FPS is below the 60 FPS target and should be avoided.

At 2560x1440, the choices narrow. Low settings deliver 76 FPS, which is playable. Medium drops to 62 FPS with a minimum of 53 FPS and maximum of 71 FPS, meaning some scenes will dip below 60 FPS. High falls to 51 FPS, and Ultra to 32 FPS. For 1440p, Low is the safest choice for consistent performance, while Medium is acceptable if minor dips below 60 FPS are tolerable. High and Ultra are not recommended due to sub-60 FPS averages.

At 3840x2160, no preset achieves 60 FPS. Low produces 47 FPS, Medium 39 FPS, High 32 FPS, and Ultra 20 FPS. Given the horror genre's reliance on tension and timing, 4K is not a viable resolution for this hardware in Downfall. Players seeking the highest visual fidelity should stick to 1080p Ultra (44 FPS) if they prioritize image quality over frame rate, but the data suggests that 1080p Medium or High provides a superior gameplay experience.

The overall recommendation is to run Downfall at 1920x1080 with Medium settings. This preset delivers 87 FPS average with a 74 FPS minimum, ensuring smooth gameplay throughout. If visual quality is a higher priority, High at 1080p (71 FPS) is a reasonable alternative. For players with 1440p monitors, Low settings (76 FPS) are the only preset that maintains a comfortable margin above 60 FPS.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table details the exact measured average FPS, minimum FPS, and maximum FPS for each resolution and settings combination:

| Resolution | Settings | Avg FPS | Min FPS | Max FPS |

|------------|----------|---------|---------|---------|

| 3840x2160 | High | 32 | — | — |

| 3840x2160 | Low | 47 | — | — |

| 3840x2160 | Medium | 39 | 33 | 44 |

| 3840x2160 | Ultra | 20 | — | — |

| 2560x1440 | High | 51 | — | — |

| 2560x1440 | Low | 76 | — | — |

| 2560x1440 | Medium | 62 | 53 | 71 |

| 2560x1440 | Ultra | 32 | — | — |

| 1920x1080 | High | 71 | — | — |

| 1920x1080 | Low | 106 | — | — |

| 1920x1080 | Medium | 87 | 74 | 100 |

| 1920x1080 | Ultra | 44 | — | — |

At 1080p, the system's best performance is 106 FPS at Low settings. The Medium preset shows strong consistency with a 74 FPS minimum, indicating that the frame pacing is stable even during demanding scenes. The Ultra preset at 1080p produces 44 FPS, which is the same average as the 4K Low preset, highlighting how much the Ultra preset taxes the integrated GPU.

At 1440p, the Low preset (76 FPS) is the only one that provides a clear margin above 60 FPS. The Medium preset's 53 FPS minimum suggests occasional stutters, while High and Ultra presets fall well below playable thresholds. The 1440p Ultra result of 32 FPS is identical to the 4K High result, demonstrating that the resolution and settings trade-offs are nearly linear for this GPU.

At 4K, all results are below 50 FPS. The Low preset (47 FPS) is the only one that approaches playability, but the Medium preset's 33 FPS minimum indicates that even moderate scenes can cause significant frame drops. The Ultra preset at 20 FPS is effectively a slideshow for a horror game that requires responsive controls.

The combo rank for this CPU/GPU pair in Downfall is 2589 out of 2928 total combinations, placing it in the bottom 12% of tested configurations. This ranking aligns with the GPU's 9th percentile performance among all GPUs, reinforcing that the Arc B390 is the primary constraint in this pairing. The CPU's 94th percentile ranking confirms that the i7-14700KF is far more capable than the GPU allows it to demonstrate in this game.