Downfall

# Downfall with Intel Core Ultra 5 135H + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile

The measured frame rates for this combination in Downfall reveal a system that is overwhelmingly GPU-bound at higher resolutions, yet transitions to a more balanced workload as resolution drops. With a 14-core, 18-thread Intel Core Ultra 5 135H paired with the flagship NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile, the data shows a predictable pattern: 4K Ultra drops to 59 FPS, while 1080p Low reaches 314 FPS. The benchmark results indicate a wide playable envelope, but the shape of the performance curve tells a story about where each component's headroom begins and ends.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS drop from 1080p to 4K is steep but not uniform across settings, which reveals the limiting component at each step. At Low settings, the average frame rate falls from 314 FPS at 1920x1080 to 224 FPS at 2560x1440, then to 140 FPS at 3840x2160. That is a 55.4% reduction from 1080p to 4K. At High settings, the drop is from 211 FPS down to 150 FPS at 1440p, and finally to 94 FPS at 4K — a 55.5% reduction overall. The consistency of these percentage drops across Low and High presets suggests the scaling is driven primarily by pixel count rather than by settings-induced bottlenecks.

Medium settings show a slightly different pattern. The average FPS goes from 257 at 1080p to 184 at 1440p, then to 114 at 4K. This represents a 55.6% total drop, nearly identical to the other presets. Ultra settings, however, exhibit a more dramatic decline: 132 FPS at 1080p, 94 FPS at 1440p, and just 59 FPS at 4K — a 55.3% reduction. The uniformity of these percentages — all hovering near 55% — indicates that resolution scaling in Downfall is remarkably linear for this hardware combination.

What does this linearity imply about the limiting component? If the CPU were the primary constraint at 1080p, we would expect the FPS gap between 1080p and 4K to widen as settings increase, because higher resolutions would offload work from the CPU to the GPU. Instead, the near-constant scaling suggests the RTX 4090 Mobile remains the dominant factor even at 1080p, where the Core Ultra 5 135H's 18 threads are sufficient to keep feeding the GPU. The data does not show a sudden flattening of FPS at lower resolutions, which would indicate a CPU ceiling. Therefore, the limiting component across all tested resolutions is the GPU, with the CPU providing adequate headroom throughout.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile is built on the AD103 chip with Ada Lovelace architecture, fabricated on a 5 nm process by TSMC. It carries 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 576.0 GB/s. The memory clock is 2250 MHz, with 18 Gbps effective data rate. The GPU's base clock is 1335 MHz, boosting to 1695 MHz. These specifications place it in the 84th percentile of all GPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 43667.

In the context of Downfall's measured results, the GPU's 16 GB frame buffer is more than sufficient even at 4K Ultra, where the average FPS bottoms out at 59. The benchmark results show no signs of memory capacity throttling — the FPS drops are consistent with compute or fill-rate limits rather than memory exhaustion. The 576.0 GB/s bandwidth is ample for the horror game's texture streaming and lighting demands, as evidenced by the smooth scaling from Low to Medium to High at each resolution.

The boost clock of 1695 MHz, while modest for a flagship mobile part, delivers strong results in this title. At 4K High, the system averages 94 FPS, which is well above playable thresholds for a horror game where atmosphere matters more than twitch response. The GPU's 32.98 TFLOPS of FP32 compute and 515.3 GTexel/s texture rate are reflected in the 314 FPS average at 1080p Low — a frame rate that indicates the GPU is nowhere near fully utilized at that resolution and settings combination.

The nearest rivals in the GPU benchmark database include the NVIDIA Quadro M6000 (avg score 43301, deltaPct 0.8), the RTX 5050 Mobile (43268, deltaPct 0.9), and the RTX A6000 (44075, deltaPct -0.9). The 4090 Mobile's average score of 43667 places it between these workstation and newer mobile parts, with less than 1% separating it from each. In Downfall specifically, the GPU's performance is strong enough that at 1440p High, the average FPS of 150 exceeds what most displays can refresh, indicating the GPU is not the bottleneck at that resolution for most users.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H is a Meteor Lake mobile processor with 14 cores and 18 threads. Its base clock is 3.60 GHz, boosting to 4.60 GHz. The L3 cache is 18 MB shared, with L1 at 112 KB per core and L2 at 2 MB per core. The CPU has a TDP of 28 W and supports DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, providing 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth. It integrates Arc Xe-LPG 96EU graphics, though in this configuration the discrete RTX 4090 Mobile handles all rendering.

In the CPU benchmark database, the 135H sits in the 81st percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 29093. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X (avg score 29123, deltaPct -0.1), the Intel Xeon Phi 7210 (29245, deltaPct -0.5), and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT (28940, deltaPct 0.5). The 135H also trails the Intel Core i5-13500HX by a mere 0.6% (avg score 29270). These delta values are all within 1%, indicating the 135H is competitively positioned in general compute workloads.

For Downfall, the CPU's role is secondary but not negligible. At 1080p Low, the 314 FPS average suggests the CPU can sustain frame generation well beyond typical display refresh rates. However, the data does not show a CPU-limited plateau. If the 135H were the bottleneck, we would expect the FPS at 1080p Low and 1080p High to converge, since higher GPU load would mask CPU limitations. They do not: 314 FPS at Low versus 211 FPS at High is a 32.8% difference, confirming the GPU is still the primary constraint even at the lowest settings.

The 18 threads of the 135H are more than adequate for Downfall's horror gameplay, which typically involves limited on-screen agents and scripted events rather than massive simulation workloads. The CPU's 4.60 GHz boost clock provides solid single-thread performance for game logic, while the 14 cores handle background tasks without stealing frames from the render thread. The 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth is sufficient to feed the GPU's 576.0 GB/s via the PCIe 4.0 x16 interface, as evidenced by the smooth FPS scaling across resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations for Downfall, this pairing of Intel Core Ultra 5 135H with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile ranks 826th out of 3716 total combos. This places it in the top 22.2% of all tested configurations. The rank reflects the GPU's high percentile (84th) combined with the CPU's slightly lower percentile (81st), resulting in a system that is well above average but not at the very top of the leaderboard.

The rank of 826 out of 3716 is notable because the RTX 4090 Mobile is a top-tier GPU, yet the combo does not crack the top 500. This suggests that in Downfall, the CPU choice has a measurable impact on overall ranking, even if the GPU dominates individual frame rates. The 135H's 81st percentile CPU score, while respectable, likely drags the combo down relative to configurations pairing the 4090 Mobile with higher-percentile desktop or HX-series mobile processors.

However, the measured FPS data tells a more nuanced story. At 1440p High, the system averages 150 FPS, which is beyond the refresh rate of most 1440p monitors. At 1080p Medium, it hits 257 FPS. These are not merely playable — they are exceptional. The rank of 826 may understate the real-world experience because Downfall is a horror title where consistent frame pacing matters more than peak FPS, and the data shows no min FPS anomalies at any resolution except 4K Ultra (59 FPS average, which is still acceptable).

The delta between this combo's CPU and GPU percentiles (81 vs 84) is small, indicating a balanced pairing. Many higher-ranked combos likely feature CPUs in the 90th percentile or above, but the 135H's performance in Downfall — as measured directly — does not show CPU-induced stutter or frame drops. The rank is therefore a statistical artifact of the broader database rather than a reflection of poor in-game performance.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS rows, the optimal settings depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate floor. At 3840x2160, the High preset delivers 94 FPS average, which is smooth for a horror game. Medium at 4K yields 114 FPS, a 21.3% improvement over High, with a min FPS of 97 and max of 131. Ultra at 4K drops to 59 FPS, which is borderline for a genre that benefits from fluid camera movement. Low at 4K reaches 140 FPS but sacrifices visual fidelity in a game where atmosphere is paramount.

For 4K, the data suggests Medium is the sweet spot. The 114 FPS average with a 97 FPS minimum ensures no noticeable hitches, while the visual upgrade from Low to Medium is typically significant in horror titles that rely on lighting and shadows. High at 4K is acceptable at 94 FPS, but the 20 FPS cost over Medium may not justify the visual gains, especially since the min FPS data is not recorded for High, leaving uncertainty about frame consistency.

At 2560x1440, the High preset delivers 150 FPS, which exceeds most 1440p monitors' refresh rates. Ultra at 1440p averages 94 FPS, matching the 4K High result, and would be the recommended choice for users with 144 Hz displays who prioritize visual quality. Medium at 1440p hits 184 FPS, with a min of 156 and max of 211, making it ideal for high-refresh displays. Low at 1440p reaches 224 FPS, but the visual compromise is rarely worth it at this resolution.

For 1920x1080, the High preset at 211 FPS is the recommended balance. It provides a 60% improvement over Ultra (132 FPS) while maintaining visual fidelity. Medium at 1080p reaches 257 FPS, which is overkill for most displays, but the min FPS of 218 ensures no drops even in intense scenes. Low at 1080p at 314 FPS is only useful for competitive play, which is not a consideration in a single-player horror game. Therefore, the recommendation across all resolutions is High, with Medium as a fallback if frame times are a concern.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 3840x2160, the measured average FPS values are as follows: Low at 140 FPS, Medium at 114 FPS (min 97, max 131), High at 94 FPS, and Ultra at 59 FPS. The spread from Low to Ultra is 81 FPS, representing a 57.9% performance penalty for maximum settings. The Medium preset's min FPS of 97 is notable because it stays above 60, ensuring smooth gameplay even in demanding scenes. Ultra at 59 FPS is technically playable but leaves no headroom for frame drops.

At 2560x1440, the averages are: Low at 224 FPS, Medium at 184 FPS (min 156, max 211), High at 150 FPS, and Ultra at 94 FPS. The delta between Low and Ultra is 130 FPS, a 58.0% reduction. The Medium preset's min FPS of 156 is well above any reasonable target, while Ultra at 94 FPS matches the 4K High result, suggesting that the GPU's load at 1440p Ultra is similar to 4K High.

At 1920x1080, the averages are: Low at 314 FPS, Medium at 257 FPS (min 218, max 295), High at 211 FPS, and Ultra at 132 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra is 182 FPS, a 58.0% reduction. The Medium preset's min FPS of 218 is exceptionally high, and even Ultra's 132 FPS exceeds the refresh rate of standard 60 Hz displays. The data shows that at 1080p, every preset is playable, with only the lowest-end displays unable to take advantage of the frame rates.

Cross-referencing the presets, the Medium setting at 4K (114 FPS) outperforms the High setting at 4K (94 FPS) by 21.3%, while the Ultra setting at 1440p (94 FPS) matches the 4K High result. This indicates that the GPU's performance scales predictably with both resolution and settings, with no anomalous bottlenecks. The min FPS data, available only for Medium presets, shows a consistent pattern: 97 at 4K, 156 at 1440p, and 218 at 1080p, each representing approximately 85% of the average FPS.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play Downfall with this hardware?

A: The data shows that 2560x1440 at High settings delivers 150 FPS average, which exceeds most 1440p monitors' refresh rates. At 4K, the High preset averages 94 FPS, which is playable, but the Medium preset at 114 FPS with a 97 FPS minimum offers a safer margin. For maximum visual quality, 1440p Ultra at 94 FPS matches 4K High performance.

Q: Is the RTX 4090 Mobile the bottleneck in this system?

A: Yes. The resolution scaling is nearly linear across all presets, with approximately 55% FPS reduction from 1080p to 4K. This consistency indicates the GPU is the limiting factor at all tested resolutions and settings. The CPU's 18 threads and 4.60 GHz boost clock provide sufficient headroom, as evidenced by the lack of a CPU-induced plateau at 1080p Low (314 FPS).

Q: How does the Core Ultra 5 135H compare to its nearest CPU rivals?

A: The 135H's average benchmark score of 29093 is within 0.6% of the Intel Core i5-13500HX (29270), with a deltaPct of -0.6. It is also statistically tied with the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X (29123, deltaPct -0.1) and Ryzen 5 5600XT (28940, deltaPct 0.5). The differences are all under 1%, indicating near-identical general compute performance.

Q: Can this system handle 4K Ultra settings in Downfall?

A: The measured 4K Ultra average is 59 FPS, which is technically playable but leaves no margin for frame drops. The min FPS is not recorded for Ultra settings, so frame consistency is uncertain. Given that 4K Medium delivers 114 FPS with a 97 FPS minimum, it is the safer choice for 4K gameplay.

Q: What is the significance of the combo rank of 826 out of 3716?

A: This places the configuration in the top 22.2% of all tested combos for Downfall. The rank reflects the GPU's 84th percentile and CPU's 81st percentile scores. While not in the top 500, the measured FPS data shows excellent real-world performance, with 1440p High at 150 FPS and 1080p High at 211 FPS.

Q: How much memory bandwidth does the GPU have and does it matter for this game?

A: The RTX 4090 Mobile has 576.0 GB/s of bandwidth from its 16 GB GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus. The measured FPS scaling shows no signs of memory bandwidth throttling, as the performance drops are consistent with compute limits rather than memory stalls. The 16 GB capacity is more than sufficient for Downfall at all tested settings.