Downfall

# Downfall with Intel Core Ultra 5 245 + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti delivers a potent combination for Downfall, a horror title from 2016. Benchmark data shows this combo achieving triple-digit frame rates at 1440p and 4K on most presets, with the CPU's strong single-thread performance and the GPU's ample VRAM working together effectively. This analysis breaks down the measured results, component roles, and optimal settings based strictly on the recorded data.

FAQ

Q: What is the overall ranking of this CPU+GPU combo in Downfall?

A: The combo ranks 970th out of 3716 tested combinations, placing it in the top 26% of all systems tested for this game.

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 compare to its nearest CPU rivals?

A: The CPU's average benchmark score of 48995 is 0.4% lower than the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G (49196) and 0.5% lower than the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 (49228). It is 0.6% higher than the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H (48698) and 0.8% higher than the Intel Core i5-14600K (48618).

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

A: The RTX 3080 Ti sits at the 83rd percentile among all GPUs, meaning it outperforms roughly 83% of all tested graphics cards in general benchmark performance.

Q: What are the key memory specifications of the RTX 3080 Ti?

A: The GPU features 12 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 384-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 912.4 GB/s. The memory operates at 1188 MHz with 19 Gbps effective speed.

Q: What is the best resolution for maintaining 60+ FPS on Ultra settings?

A: At 2560x1440 with Ultra settings, the combo achieves an average of 93 FPS. At 3840x2160 Ultra, the average drops to 58 FPS, just below the 60 FPS threshold.

Q: How does the CPU's single-thread performance compare to its multi-thread performance?

A: The CPU scores 4648 in Cinebench R23 single-core and 32924 in multi-core, showing strong per-core capability. Its PassMark single-thread score of 4394 indicates solid responsiveness for game logic and physics.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is the primary driver of frame rates in Downfall, and its specifications explain the performance ceilings observed. Built on the GA102 chip with the Ampere architecture, this GPU packs 10240 shading units, 320 texture mapping units, and 112 raster output units. The 80 RT cores and 320 tensor cores provide hardware-accelerated ray tracing and DLSS capabilities, though Downfall's age means these features may not be fully utilized.

The 12 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 384-bit bus delivers 912.4 GB/s of bandwidth. This is particularly relevant for a horror game with potentially large texture loads and dark environments that rely on high-resolution assets. The 384-bit bus width ensures that memory bandwidth is rarely a bottleneck, even at 4K resolution. The GPU's boost clock of 1665 MHz (base 1365 MHz) allows sustained performance during extended gaming sessions.

In measured results, the GPU's capability is evident across all resolutions. At 1920x1080, the RTX 3080 Ti pushes an average of 311 FPS on Low settings, demonstrating massive headroom for high-refresh-rate monitors. Even at 3840x2160, the card maintains an average of 93 FPS on High settings, showing that 4K gaming is viable with this GPU. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 5077 and PassMark G3D score of 26896 confirm strong raw graphics performance.

The GPU's 83rd percentile ranking among all GPUs places it above the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 (which scores 40377 in average benchmark, 2% lower) and the AMD Radeon Pro 5300 (40870, 0.8% lower). It trails the NVIDIA Tesla M40 24 GB (41707, 1.2% higher) and Tesla M40 (41897, 1.7% higher). The RTX 3080 Ti's 34.10 TFLOPS FP32 performance and 186.5 GPixel/s pixel rate are substantial, though the 350 W TDP requires robust cooling and a 750 W suggested PSU.

The PCIe 4.0 x16 interface provides ample bandwidth for data transfer, while the dual-slot design and 285 mm length (11.2 inches) should fit in most mid-tower cases. The display outputs include 1x HDMI 2.1 and 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, supporting modern monitors with high refresh rates and adaptive sync.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 serves as the central processing unit, and its specifications reveal how it supports the GPU without becoming a bottleneck. This Arrow Lake-S architecture chip features 14 cores and 14 threads, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The 65 W TDP is efficient for a desktop processor, and the 3 nm process node from TSMC (with 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die) contributes to this efficiency.

The cache hierarchy includes 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. This generous cache allocation helps keep frequently accessed data close to the cores, reducing latency in game logic and physics calculations. The CPU supports DDR5 memory with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, which pairs well with the GPU's high-bandwidth memory.

Benchmark results show the CPU's balanced performance profile. In Cinebench R23, it scores 4648 single-core and 32924 multi-core. The PassMark multithread score of 38706 and single-thread score of 4394 indicate that both lightly-threaded and heavily-threaded workloads are handled competently. For a horror game like Downfall, which likely relies on single-thread performance for game logic and AI, the strong single-core scores are particularly valuable.

The CPU's 90th percentile ranking among all CPUs places it well above average. Its average benchmark score of 48995 is nearly identical to the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G (49196, 0.4% higher) and AMD Ryzen 9 7900 (49228, 0.5% higher), while slightly ahead of the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H (48698, 0.6% lower) and Intel Core i5-14600K (48618, 0.8% lower). This puts the Ultra 5 245 in competitive territory with mainstream and enthusiast processors.

The CPU's integrated graphics (Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU) are present but irrelevant when a discrete GPU is installed. The PCIe Gen 5 support with 20 CPU lanes ensures future-proofing for high-bandwidth devices, and the Intel Socket 1851 compatibility means this processor requires a newer motherboard platform. The 14 threads (matching core count, no Hyper-Threading) are sufficient for modern games, and the 5.10 GHz boost clock provides responsive performance in latency-sensitive scenarios.

How This Combo Ranks

In Downfall specifically, the combined system ranks 970th out of 3716 tested combos, which places it in the 74th percentile of all systems tested. This ranking reflects the balance between the CPU's 90th percentile performance and the GPU's 83rd percentile performance. The system sits in the upper quartile but not the top tier, suggesting that higher-end configurations with newer GPUs or faster CPUs achieve better results.

The combination's position is notable because the RTX 3080 Ti, while powerful, is from the GeForce 30-series and has been succeeded by the GeForce 40-series. The CPU, however, is from the newer Core Ultra Series 2, released in January 2025. This pairing of a current-generation CPU with a previous-generation high-end GPU creates a system that is well-balanced for 1440p and 4K gaming but may not reach the absolute highest frame rates achievable with newer hardware.

The measured FPS data shows that the combo performs best at 2560x1440, where it achieves 149 FPS on High settings and 222 FPS on Low settings. At 1920x1080, the system exceeds 200 FPS on all presets except Ultra (130 FPS). At 3840x2160, the system maintains 93 FPS on High and 113 FPS on Medium, but drops to 58 FPS on Ultra. These results indicate that the combo is capable of high-refresh-rate gaming at 1080p and 1440p, and smooth 60+ FPS gaming at 4K with High settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

1920x1080

At Full HD resolution, the system delivers exceptional performance across all settings:

• Low: 311 FPS average
• Medium: 254 FPS average (216 min, 292 max)
• High: 208 FPS average
• Ultra: 130 FPS average

The gap between Low and Ultra is substantial (181 FPS difference), indicating that the GPU is heavily utilized at this resolution and settings have a significant impact. The 311 FPS at Low suggests the CPU is not a limiting factor, as the frame rate is far above typical monitor refresh rates.

2560x1440

At Quad HD resolution, performance remains strong:

• Low: 222 FPS average
• Medium: 182 FPS average (154 min, 209 max)
• High: 149 FPS average
• Ultra: 93 FPS average

The 1440p results show a more moderate scaling from Low to Ultra (129 FPS difference) compared to 1080p. The 93 FPS at Ultra settings is still well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay, making this resolution the sweet spot for high-quality visuals with this combo.

3840x2160

At 4K resolution, the system demonstrates its limits:

• Low: 138 FPS average
• Medium: 113 FPS average (96 min, 130 max)
• High: 93 FPS average
• Ultra: 58 FPS average

The 4K results show a clear performance hierarchy. High settings provide a playable 93 FPS, while Ultra dips to 58 FPS, just below the 60 FPS mark. The 80 FPS difference between Low and Ultra (138 vs 58) indicates that 4K gaming is viable but requires settings management to maintain high frame rates.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate.

For 1920x1080, the system has enormous headroom. High settings at 208 FPS provide a great balance of visual quality and performance, and even Ultra at 130 FPS is more than sufficient for most displays. Players with 144Hz monitors can comfortably use High or Ultra settings without dropping below the refresh rate. For competitive play, Low at 311 FPS maximizes frame rates, though the visual compromise may not be necessary given the high performance at higher presets.

For 2560x1440, High settings at 149 FPS offer the best experience for most users. This setting provides a 60 FPS advantage over Ultra (93 FPS) while maintaining strong visual fidelity. Medium at 182 FPS is also viable for those prioritizing higher frame rates, but the jump from Medium to High (33 FPS difference) is a worthwhile trade for improved visuals. Ultra at 93 FPS is acceptable for 60Hz displays and provides the best image quality, but for 144Hz monitors, High is the recommended choice.

For 3840x2160, High settings at 93 FPS deliver the best combination of visual quality and smooth performance. Medium at 113 FPS offers even higher frame rates with modest visual reductions. Ultra at 58 FPS is borderline for 60Hz displays, as it hovers just below the refresh rate threshold and may result in occasional stutter. Low at 138 FPS is unnecessary unless maximum frame rates are prioritized over visual quality. For most 4K users, High is the recommended preset, as it maintains 60+ FPS with excellent visual fidelity and provides a cushion for demanding scenes.

In summary, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 + RTX 3080 Ti combo excels at 1440p, where it achieves high frame rates across all settings. At 4K, High settings are the sweet spot, and at 1080p, the system is overkill for most displays, allowing users to max out settings without concern. The measured data consistently shows that High settings offer the best balance of performance and visual quality across all three resolutions.