Lockdown Protocol

How This Combo Ranks

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D paired with the Intel Arc B390 ranks 3302 out of 3714 tested combos in the database for Lockdown Protocol. This places the configuration in the lower percentile of tested systems, indicating that while the CPU is exceptionally strong, the graphics solution severely limits overall gaming performance. The combo sits below the 50th percentile mark, meaning the majority of tested hardware combinations deliver higher frame rates in this title. The database shows this pairing is heavily bottlenecked by the GPU, as the Arc B390 ranks in the 9th percentile among all GPUs, while the Ryzen 9 9900X3D ranks in the 91st percentile among all CPUs. This stark contrast explains why the combo rank is so low despite having a top-tier processor.

CPU and GPU Roles

The recorded data reveals a clear division of labor between the CPU and GPU across resolutions. At 3840x2160, the GPU is the dominant constraint. The average frame rates at 4K range from 19 FPS on Ultra to 42 FPS on Low, showing that even at the lowest settings, the system barely approaches playable territory. The scaling from Low to Ultra at 4K shows a 23 FPS drop, which is entirely attributable to GPU workload. At 2560x1440, the pattern continues but with slightly better headroom. The Low preset reaches 65 FPS, while Ultra drops to 30 FPS. The 35 FPS spread between presets at 1440p indicates the GPU remains the primary limiter, though the CPU's strong single-thread performance helps maintain higher minimums at lower settings. At 1920x1080, the CPU begins to matter more relative to the GPU. The Low preset hits 88 FPS, and Medium reaches 63 FPS, suggesting that at lower resolutions, the CPU can push the GPU to its limits, but the Arc B390's raw throughput caps performance well below what the Ryzen 9 9900X3D could theoretically support. The scaling between resolutions at the same preset shows a consistent pattern: 4K Low delivers 42 FPS, 1440p Low delivers 65 FPS, and 1080p Low delivers 88 FPS. This linear progression indicates that the GPU is saturated at every resolution, with the CPU only becoming a factor at the lowest resolution where frame rates are highest.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 3840x2160, no tested preset achieves 60 FPS. The database records no playable settings for this resolution, meaning even Low preset falls short at 42 FPS. At 2560x1440, the Low preset is the only playable option, delivering 65 FPS on average. This is the most demanding preset that stays at or above the 60 FPS threshold at this resolution. Medium at 1440p drops to 46 FPS, which does not meet the playable threshold. At 1920x1080, the Medium preset is the best playable option, achieving 63 FPS on average. Low at 1080p reaches 88 FPS, but Medium is the highest setting that clears 60 FPS. High at 1080p falls to 55 FPS, just below the threshold. The data shows that users seeking the best visual quality while maintaining smooth gameplay should select Low at 1440p or Medium at 1080p.

FAQ

Q: Can this system run Lockdown Protocol at 4K resolution?

A: No. The database records no playable settings at 3840x2160. The highest average frame rate at 4K is 42 FPS on Low preset, which falls below the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: What is the maximum playable preset at 1440p?

A: Low preset is the only playable option at 2560x1440, delivering 65 FPS on average. Medium drops to 46 FPS and is not playable.

Q: How does the CPU compare to nearby alternatives?

A: The Ryzen 9 9900X3D has an average benchmark score of 54762, ranking in the 91st percentile. It performs within 2.1% of the Intel Core i7-14700F, which scores 53620, and within 0.6% of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF, which scores 55093.

Q: What is the GPU's relative performance in the database?

A: The Intel Arc B390 ranks in the 9th percentile among all GPUs with an average benchmark score of 1482. It performs within 2.7% of the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710, which scores 1443.

Q: What is the best playable setting at 1080p?

A: Medium preset at 1920x1080 achieves 63 FPS on average, making it the highest playable setting. High preset drops to 55 FPS, which is below the threshold.

Q: Is the GPU or CPU the limiting factor for this game?

A: The GPU is the clear bottleneck across all resolutions. The Arc B390's 9th percentile ranking versus the CPU's 91st percentile ranking demonstrates the graphics card limits performance, especially at higher resolutions where frame rates drop sharply with increasing settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 3840x2160, the recorded data shows a clear hierarchy across presets. Ultra averages 19 FPS, High averages 26 FPS, Medium averages 30 FPS with a minimum of 25 FPS and maximum of 34 FPS, and Low averages 42 FPS. No preset at this resolution approaches the 60 FPS threshold. At 2560x1440, performance improves noticeably. Low averages 65 FPS, High averages 40 FPS, Medium averages 46 FPS with a range of 39 to 53 FPS, and Ultra averages 30 FPS. The gap between Low and Medium is 19 FPS, indicating a steep drop in GPU performance when increasing settings. At 1920x1080, the system shows its best results. Low averages 88 FPS, Medium averages 63 FPS with a minimum of 53 FPS and maximum of 72 FPS, High averages 55 FPS, and Ultra averages 41 FPS. The data reveals a consistent pattern: each step up in preset costs roughly 20 to 25 percent of the frame rate, and the GPU's limited compute resources (7.680 TFLOPS FP32) constrain performance at every resolution.

The Verdict

This system can run Lockdown Protocol, but only under specific conditions. At 3840x2160, the verdict is clear: the game is not playable at any setting, as the highest average frame rate is 42 FPS on Low. At 2560x1440, the system is playable only on Low preset, which delivers 65 FPS on average. This clears the 60 FPS threshold but offers minimal visual fidelity. At 1920x1080, the system is playable on both Low and Medium presets, with Medium achieving 63 FPS on average. The verdict by resolution confirms that 1080p Medium is the best balance of visual quality and performance this combo can achieve. For users targeting 1440p or 4K, the GPU must be upgraded to unlock higher presets, as the CPU has ample headroom to support faster graphics cards.

Similar Performance Alternatives

For the CPU, the nearest rivals in the database provide insight into comparable processor performance. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF scores 55093 on average, which is 0.6% higher than the Ryzen 9 9900X3D's 54762. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K scores 54053, 1.3% lower. The Intel Xeon 6505P scores 53701, 2% lower, and the Intel Core i7-14700F scores 53620, 2.1% lower. Any of these CPUs would deliver nearly identical frame rates when paired with the same GPU, as the Arc B390 is the limiting factor. For the GPU, the nearest rivals show how low the Arc B390 sits in the performance hierarchy. The NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX scores 1463, 1.3% lower than the Arc B390's 1482. The NVIDIA GeForce 800M scores 1460, 1.5% lower. The NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM scores 1446, 2.5% lower, and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 scores 1443, 2.7% lower. These GPUs would produce nearly identical frame rates in Lockdown Protocol, meaning the entire group is unsuitable for high-refresh gaming. The data suggests that users with this CPU should prioritize a GPU upgrade, as the processor can handle far more demanding graphics cards without becoming a bottleneck.