Lockdown Protocol

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X paired with the Intel Arc B570 occupies the 2987th spot out of 3714 tested combinations for Lockdown Protocol, placing it in the lower third of all possible pairings. This rank reflects a system that is fully capable of delivering playable frame rates, but it is not a top-tier performer for this title. The combo’s standing is largely dictated by the GPU, which sits at the 65th percentile among all graphics cards, while the CPU is a much stronger component, ranking in the 92nd percentile. This disparity in component strength is a recurring theme in the benchmark data, as the Arc B570 consistently acts as the limiting factor at higher resolutions and presets.

How This Combo Ranks

The 2987th rank out of 3714 combos means that approximately 80% of tested CPU-GPU pairings deliver higher average frame rates in Lockdown Protocol. This is not a criticism of the CPU, which is a high-end desktop processor, but rather a reflection of the GPU's mid-range positioning. The Arc B570’s average benchmark score of 20556 places it at the 65th percentile of all GPUs, indicating that it is a solid mainstream performer but not a high-end contender. In practical terms, this combo will handle the game well at 1080p and 1440p with adjusted settings, but it will struggle to maintain high frame rates at 4K with maximum detail. The data suggests that users seeking top-tier performance in this game should consider a more powerful GPU, as the CPU has ample headroom for a faster graphics card without becoming a bottleneck.

The combo’s rank is also influenced by the fact that Lockdown Protocol appears to be a GPU-bound title at higher settings. At 4K Ultra, the average frame rate drops to 30 FPS, which is exactly half of the 60 FPS playable threshold. In contrast, the CPU’s single-threaded performance, which is crucial for game logic, is excellent, with a Geekbench single-core score of 3010 and a Passmark single-thread score of 4672. This suggests that the CPU is not the limiting factor in this pairing, and the rank would likely improve significantly with a stronger GPU. The overall impression is that this combo is a balanced mid-range option, but it is not optimized for maximum performance in this specific game.

Similar Performance Alternatives

For the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X, the nearest rivals in terms of average benchmark score are a mix of server and desktop processors. The AMD EPYC 9015 scores 57555, which is 0.1% lower than the 9900X’s 57498 average, making them virtually identical in performance. The Intel Core i9-14900 scores 58115, which is 1.1% higher, and the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M scores 58323, which is 1.4% higher. These deltas are negligible in real-world gaming, meaning that swapping the 9900X for any of these CPUs would yield no noticeable difference in Lockdown Protocol frame rates. The 9900X also outperforms the AMD EPYC 7313 by 0.2%, further cementing its position as a top-tier consumer processor. For gamers, the i9-14900 is the most relevant alternative, but the performance gap is so small that it would not affect the playability verdict at any resolution.

On the GPU side, the Intel Arc B570’s nearest rivals tell a similar story of near-identical performance. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile scores 20534, which is 0.1% higher than the Arc B570’s 20556, while the Intel Arc A750 scores 20582, which is 0.1% lower. The AMD Radeon R9 M390X scores 20662, which is 0.5% higher, and the NVIDIA Quadro M4000M scores 20480, which is 0.4% lower. These differences are within the margin of error for benchmarking, so users can expect essentially the same frame rates from any of these GPUs. The Arc A750 is particularly notable as a direct competitor from the same manufacturer, but the B570 holds a slight edge in this comparison. None of these alternatives would change the playability thresholds for Lockdown Protocol, as they all fall within the same performance envelope.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark data reveals a clear shift in component influence as resolution increases. At 1920x1080, the combo achieves an average of 136 FPS on Low settings, which drops to 84 FPS on High and 63 FPS on Ultra. This 73 FPS spread between Low and Ultra indicates that the GPU is heavily taxed by graphical settings, but the CPU is keeping pace without becoming a bottleneck. At 2560x1440, the same pattern holds, with Low averaging 100 FPS, High averaging 62 FPS, and Ultra dropping to 46 FPS. The CPU’s role becomes less prominent as resolution increases, because the GPU is working harder to fill more pixels, but the 9900X’s strong single-thread performance ensures that frame pacing remains consistent.

At 3840x2160, the GPU becomes the definitive bottleneck. The average frame rate on Low is just 64 FPS, which is barely above the 60 FPS threshold, and High drops to 40 FPS, with Ultra falling to 30 FPS. The scaling between resolutions is stark: going from 1080p Low (136 FPS) to 4K Low (64 FPS) represents a 53% performance loss, which is entirely attributable to the GPU’s 380.0 GB/s memory bandwidth and 10 GB GDDR6 buffer being saturated. The CPU’s 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth and 64 MB L3 cache are more than sufficient for the game’s logic, but the Arc B570’s 160-bit memory bus is a limiting factor at 4K. The data clearly shows that for this game, the GPU dictates performance at 1440p and above, while the CPU is only relevant at 1080p where the GPU is less stressed.

The preset scaling also highlights the GPU’s dominance. At 4K, moving from Low to Medium increases the average frame rate by 6 FPS (from 40 to 46), but this is still below the 60 FPS threshold. The CPU’s contribution is negligible in this scenario, as the 9900X’s benchmarks, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32172, indicate it can handle far more demanding workloads than this game presents. In summary, the CPU is a non-issue for Lockdown Protocol, while the GPU is the sole determinant of whether the game runs smoothly.

The Verdict

Can this PC run Lockdown Protocol? The answer is yes, but with caveats depending on the resolution. At 1920x1080, the combo is fully playable at all presets, including Ultra, which averages 63 FPS. At 2560x1440, the system clears the 60 FPS threshold on High, Low, and Medium settings, with High averaging 62 FPS. At 3840x2160, only Low settings are playable, with an average of 64 FPS. The verdict by resolution is clear: 1080p is a smooth experience with no compromises, 1440p requires dropping to High or below to stay above 60 FPS, and 4K demands Low settings to avoid dipping below the playable threshold. The minimum frame rates recorded are 82 FPS at 1080p Medium, 60 FPS at 1440p Medium, and 39 FPS at 4K Medium, which means that 4K Medium is not viable since it drops well below 60 FPS.

For users prioritizing a stable 60 FPS experience, the sweet spot is 1440p High, which averages 62 FPS and does not have a recorded minimum below 60. At 1080p, Ultra is the best choice, averaging 63 FPS, but the lack of a minimum frame rate value means users should expect occasional dips, though the average suggests it is safe. The data indicates that this combo is not suited for 4K gaming beyond Low settings, and users with 4K displays should either reduce resolution or accept lower visual fidelity. Overall, this is a capable system for Lockdown Protocol at mainstream resolutions, but it is not a high-refresh-rate or 4K powerhouse.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the frame rates are as follows: Low averages 136 FPS, Medium averages 96 FPS with a minimum of 82 and a maximum of 111, High averages 84 FPS, and Ultra averages 63 FPS. The spread from Low to Ultra is 73 FPS, which is the largest of any resolution, indicating that the GPU has significant headroom at 1080p. The Medium settings provide a good balance, with a minimum of 82 FPS ensuring a smooth experience even in demanding scenes. Ultra is the only preset that dips below 60 FPS on average, but at 63 FPS, it remains playable.

At 2560x1440, the frame rates drop predictably: Low averages 100 FPS, Medium averages 71 FPS with a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 81, High averages 62 FPS, and Ultra averages 46 FPS. The Medium preset is the safest option for a locked 60 FPS, as its minimum frame rate is exactly 60. High is also playable, but the lack of a recorded minimum means users might experience occasional stutters, though the average is above 60. Ultra is not recommended, as it falls 14 FPS below the threshold.

At 3840x2160, the performance is severely constrained: Low averages 64 FPS, Medium averages 46 FPS with a minimum of 39 and a maximum of 52, High averages 40 FPS, and Ultra averages 30 FPS. Only Low meets the 60 FPS requirement, and even then, it is a close call. The Medium preset’s minimum of 39 FPS shows how quickly the GPU is overwhelmed at 4K. The data confirms that this combo is not intended for 4K gaming, as even Low settings leave little margin for error.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 1920x1080, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is Ultra, which averages 63 FPS. This is the optimal choice for maximum visual quality without sacrificing playability. While Medium offers a higher average of 96 FPS, Ultra provides a more immersive experience, and the 63 FPS average is sufficient for a smooth game.

At 2560x1440, the best setting is High, which averages 62 FPS. This is the highest preset that clears the 60 FPS threshold, and it offers a good balance between visual fidelity and performance. Medium is also viable with a higher average of 71 FPS, but High is the recommended choice for users who prefer more detail. Ultra is not an option, as it drops to 46 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the only playable setting is Low, which averages 64 FPS. This is the most demanding preset that stays above 60 FPS, but it requires significant visual compromises. Users with 4K displays should be aware that even Low settings are barely above the threshold, and any demanding scene could push the frame rate down. For a consistent experience, 1440p is the practical ceiling for this combo, with 1080p offering the most headroom for high settings and smooth gameplay.