Lockdown Protocol

The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X paired with the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT is a formidable combination for Lockdown Protocol, delivering playable frame rates across all tested resolutions and presets. The data shows a system that scales predictably with resolution, offering headroom for high-refresh-rate gaming at 1440p and 1080p while maintaining smooth performance at 4K.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the system produces exceptional frame rates that leverage high-refresh-rate monitors. The Low preset delivers an average of 272.7 FPS, which is the highest recorded figure across the entire test matrix. Moving to Medium drops the average to 197.8 FPS, still far above the 60 FPS playable threshold. The High preset averages 172.3 FPS, while the demanding Ultra preset maintains a robust 133.8 FPS average. These numbers indicate that at 1080p, the GPU is rarely the limiting factor, and the CPU's strong single-thread performance keeps the frame pipeline fed.

At 2560x1440, the frame rates remain very high but show the expected impact of increased pixel count. The Low preset averages 205.3 FPS, a 24.7% reduction from the 1080p result. Medium follows at 145.4 FPS, and High at 126.5 FPS. The Ultra preset still clears the playable threshold with ease, averaging 95.9 FPS. This resolution appears to be the sweet spot for this combination, balancing visual fidelity with frame rates that comfortably exceed 120 FPS on High settings.

At 3840x2160, the system still delivers playable performance across all settings. The Low preset averages 133 FPS, which is notably faster than many systems achieve at 1080p. Medium drops to 95.1 FPS, and High to 79.8 FPS. The Ultra preset averages 64.6 FPS, which sits just above the 60 FPS playable threshold. The scaling from 1440p to 4K shows a significant load increase on the GPU, with the High preset dropping from 126.5 FPS to 79.8 FPS, a 37% reduction.

The data includes only average FPS figures, with no minimum or maximum frame time data available. This means the analysis focuses on sustained average performance rather than frame pacing consistency. The lack of min/max data is notable for a fast-paced FPS, where frame spikes can affect gameplay feel.

CPU and GPU Roles

The Ryzen 9 5950X, with its 16 cores and 32 threads, provides substantial headroom for Lockdown Protocol. The CPU's benchmark results show a strong multi-threaded score of 11597 in 3dmark_max_threads and a single-thread score of 944 in 3dmark_single_thread. These results indicate the CPU is not likely to bottleneck the GPU in most scenarios, particularly at higher resolutions where the GPU workload dominates.

At 1080p, the frame rates are so high that CPU performance becomes more relevant. The jump from Low (272.7 FPS) to Ultra (133.8 FPS) shows a 51% reduction in frame rate, which is primarily driven by increased GPU workload. The CPU's strong single-thread performance, evidenced by a PassMark single-thread score of 3470, ensures that even at these high frame rates, the CPU can keep up with draw calls and game logic.

At 1440p, the GPU begins to take a more dominant role. The difference between Low and Ultra presets is 109.4 FPS, compared to 138.9 FPS at 1080p. This narrowing gap indicates that the GPU is becoming the primary bottleneck as resolution increases. The RX 7900 XT's 20 GB of GDDR6 memory and 800.0 GB/s bandwidth provide ample resources for higher-resolution textures and effects.

At 4K, the GPU is clearly the limiting factor. The frame rates across presets range from 64.6 FPS (Ultra) to 133 FPS (Low), showing a 51.4% variation. The CPU's role diminishes further, as the GPU's pixel throughput becomes the deciding factor. The RX 7900 XT's 51.48 TFLOPS FP32 performance handles the 4K workload, but the Ultra preset pushes it close to the 60 FPS threshold.

The scaling between resolutions indicates a well-balanced system. The 5950X's 64 MB of L3 cache and dual-channel DDR4 memory support provide sufficient bandwidth for the GPU to operate at its full potential. The system's combo rank of 716 out of 3714 tested combinations places it in the top 19.3% of all CPU-GPU pairings for this game.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The CPU's nearest rivals, based on average benchmark scores, offer insight into how other processors would behave with this GPU. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX scores 52073, which is 0.2% higher than the 5950X's average score of 51947. This negligible difference means gaming performance would be virtually identical. The AMD EPYC 8124P scores 52121, 0.3% higher, but its server-oriented design makes it an impractical choice for gaming.

The Intel Core i9-13900F scores 51730, which is 0.4% lower than the 5950X. This small delta means users with this Intel chip would see nearly identical frame rates. The Intel Core i7-14700 scores 52301, 0.7% higher, representing the closest rival in terms of performance. All four rivals sit within a 0.7% window of the 5950X, meaning any of them would deliver the same playable experience in Lockdown Protocol.

For the GPU, the nearest rivals show a broader performance gap. The AMD Radeon 660M scores 13812, just 0.5% higher than the RX 7900 XT's average score of 13745. However, this is misleading, as the 660M is an integrated GPU with vastly different characteristics. The NVIDIA RTX A2000 Mobile scores 13821, 0.5% higher, but is a mobile workstation part. The AMD Radeon RX 570X scores 13871, 0.9% higher, representing an older desktop GPU.

The most relevant rival is the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT, which scores 13543, 1.5% lower than the RX 7900 XT. This newer GPU would deliver slightly lower frame rates in Lockdown Protocol, but the difference is small enough that the playable settings at each resolution would remain unchanged. Users considering an upgrade to the RX 9070 XT should expect similar performance, with a slight reduction in average FPS.

FAQ

Q: Can this system run Lockdown Protocol at 4K with Ultra settings?

A: Yes, the data shows an average of 64.6 FPS at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, which clears the 60 FPS playable threshold by a small margin.

Q: What is the best resolution for high-refresh-rate gaming with this setup?

A: At 2560x1440 with High settings, the system averages 126.5 FPS, making it suitable for 120Hz displays. For 144Hz or higher, 1080p with High settings at 172.3 FPS is the better choice.

Q: How does the RX 7900 XT compare to the newer RX 9070 XT in this game?

A: The RX 9070 XT has an average benchmark score 1.5% lower than the RX 7900 XT, suggesting slightly lower frame rates in Lockdown Protocol, though the practical difference is minimal.

Q: Is the Ryzen 9 5950X a bottleneck at 1080p?

A: The CPU's single-thread score of 3470 in PassMark and the high frame rates at 1080p (up to 272.7 FPS on Low) indicate the CPU is not a significant bottleneck at this resolution.

Q: Does lowering settings from High to Low provide a meaningful FPS boost at 4K?

A: Yes, the jump from High (79.8 FPS) to Low (133 FPS) at 3840x2160 represents a 66.7% increase in average frame rate, which is substantial.

Q: What is the playable threshold for this game, and does this system exceed it everywhere?

A: The playable threshold is 60 FPS. This system exceeds it at all tested resolutions and presets, with the lowest recorded average being 64.6 FPS at 4K Ultra.

The Verdict

This system can run Lockdown Protocol at all tested resolutions and presets, with every combination clearing the 60 FPS playable threshold. At 1920x1080, the system delivers excellent performance, with even the Ultra preset averaging 133.8 FPS. This makes it suitable for high-refresh-rate gaming at 1080p, with the Low preset reaching 272.7 FPS for competitive play.

At 2560x1440, the system remains highly capable. The Ultra preset averages 95.9 FPS, providing a smooth experience with maximum visual quality. The High preset at 126.5 FPS offers a good balance for 120Hz displays. This resolution is where the system's performance is most versatile, offering high frame rates without sacrificing visual fidelity.

At 3840x2160, the system still delivers playable performance, but with less headroom. The Ultra preset averages 64.6 FPS, which is playable but leaves little margin for demanding scenes. The High preset at 79.8 FPS provides more comfortable headroom, while the Low preset at 133 FPS offers a high-refresh-rate 4K experience at reduced visual quality.

The verdict by resolution confirms that all three resolutions have playable settings, with Ultra being the best setting at each resolution. The system's combo rank of 716 out of 3714 places it in the top percentile of tested configurations for this game.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 1920x1080, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is Ultra, with an average of 133.8 FPS. This provides the maximum visual quality while maintaining frame rates well above the playable threshold, making it the recommended setting for 1080p gaming.

At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset also remains the best choice, averaging 95.9 FPS. This delivers excellent visual fidelity with frame rates that comfortably exceed 60 FPS, suitable for most gaming monitors. The High preset at 126.5 FPS offers additional headroom for 120Hz displays.

At 3840x2160, the Ultra preset averages 64.6 FPS, which is the most demanding setting that stays at or above 60 FPS. This is the recommended setting for 4K gaming, though users seeking more headroom may prefer High at 79.8 FPS. The Ultra preset at 4K provides the full visual experience at the cost of a smaller FPS margin.