Lockdown Protocol

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER presents a formidable combination for Lockdown Protocol, an FPS title released on 2024-03-11. Benchmark data shows this system delivers exceptionally high frame rates across all tested resolutions and presets, with every configuration exceeding the 60 FPS playable threshold. The analysis below details how this hardware stack performs, where it stands relative to comparable components, and what settings yield the best experience.

Similar Performance Alternatives

For the CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D sits at the 95th percentile among all tested processors, with an average benchmark score of 75779. Its nearest rivals cluster tightly around this figure. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755 trails by only 0.1% with an average score of 75738, making it effectively indistinguishable in raw compute performance for gaming workloads. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755X3D posts a nearly identical 75716 average score, also within 0.1% of the 9950X3D. Moving slightly further out, the AMD EPYC 8224P achieves 75582 (0.3% slower) and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 reaches 75488 (0.4% slower). These four alternatives would deliver nearly identical frame pacing in Lockdown Protocol, as the game's demands on the CPU are unlikely to expose such marginal performance gaps.

On the graphics side, the RTX 4080 SUPER holds the 86th percentile among all GPUs with an average benchmark score of 54209. Its closest competitor is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, which scores 54247 — a negligible 0.1% advantage that falls well within run-to-run variance. The AMD Radeon Pro W5700X is 1.1% behind at 54828, while the AMD Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB and AMD Radeon 8060S sit 2.7% and 2.8% behind respectively, with scores of 55698 and 55757. In practical terms, swapping the RTX 4080 SUPER for a standard RTX 4080 would produce nearly identical FPS in Lockdown Protocol, while the AMD alternatives would show a modest but measurable performance deficit at higher resolutions where GPU throughput becomes the bottleneck.

CPU and GPU Roles

Lockdown Protocol demonstrates a clear shift in bottleneck behavior as resolution scales. At 1920x1080, the system produces an average of 331 FPS on Low settings, which drops to 154 FPS on Ultra — a 53.5% reduction. This substantial gap indicates the CPU and memory subsystem are keeping the GPU well-fed at lower settings, allowing the RTX 4080 SUPER to stretch its legs. The Ryzen 9 9950X3D's strong single-thread performance (1292 in 3dmark_single_thread and 2259 in cinebench_r23_singlecore) supports this behavior, as lower resolutions reduce GPU load and expose the CPU's frame generation ceiling.

Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rate deltas compress. Low settings yield 243 FPS while Ultra produces 113 FPS, a 53.5% reduction that mirrors the 1080p pattern but at lower absolute values. At 3840x2160, the spread narrows further: Low delivers 157 FPS and Ultra drops to 73 FPS — a 53.5% reduction again, but the absolute numbers suggest the GPU is now the primary constraint. The consistent percentage drop across resolutions indicates that the GPU's rendering cost scales predictably with pixel count, while the CPU overhead remains relatively constant.

The data shows the GPU becomes increasingly dominant at 4K. At 3840x2160 Ultra, the 73 FPS average suggests the RTX 4080 SUPER is nearing its practical limit for this title, whereas at 1080p Ultra the 154 FPS figure leaves ample headroom, pointing to the CPU's 16 cores and 32 threads as sufficient to avoid any meaningful bottleneck. For players targeting high refresh rate monitors at 1440p, the balance between CPU and GPU is well matched, with neither component appearing to hold the other back significantly.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the system delivers its highest frame rates. Low settings produce an average of 331 FPS, with no minimum or maximum recorded. Medium settings yield 235 FPS average, with a minimum of 200 and maximum of 270 FPS — the only preset at this resolution with variance data. High settings achieve 205 FPS average, while Ultra settings drop to 154 FPS average. All four presets clear the 60 FPS threshold by a wide margin, with even the most demanding Ultra setting delivering more than double the playable threshold.

The 2560x1440 results show a predictable step down. Low settings average 243 FPS, Medium averages 172 FPS with a minimum of 147 and maximum of 198, High averages 151 FPS, and Ultra averages 113 FPS. The Medium preset's minimum of 147 FPS indicates excellent frame pacing, with no dips approaching the playable threshold. The gap between Low and Ultra at this resolution is 130 FPS, demonstrating that the GPU scaling across settings remains substantial even at higher pixel counts.

At 3840x2160, the performance remains strong but the headroom narrows. Low settings produce 157 FPS average, Medium averages 111 FPS with a minimum of 95 and maximum of 128, High averages 97 FPS, and Ultra averages 73 FPS. The Medium preset's minimum of 95 FPS shows that even in demanding scenes, the system stays well above the 60 FPS threshold. The Ultra preset at 73 FPS average is the closest any configuration comes to the playable threshold, yet it still maintains a comfortable 13 FPS margin.

The Verdict

The verdict is unambiguous: this PC can run Lockdown Protocol at every resolution and preset combination tested, with all twelve configurations exceeding the 60 FPS playable threshold. At 3840x2160, all four settings — High, Low, Medium, and Ultra — are playable, with Ultra achieving a 73 FPS average. This means 4K gaming at maximum settings is viable, though the 73 FPS figure leaves limited headroom for sudden frame drops in intense firefights.

At 2560x1440, the system performs even better. Ultra settings average 113 FPS, providing a substantial buffer above the 60 FPS threshold and making this resolution the sweet spot for high-refresh-rate displays. The 1080p results are exceptional, with Ultra averaging 154 FPS and Low reaching 331 FPS, making this combination ideal for competitive play on 240Hz or faster monitors. The data confirms that the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and RTX 4080 SUPER combination delivers a consistently smooth experience with no configuration falling below the playability standard.

How This Combo Ranks

Among the 3714 tested CPU and GPU combinations in the Lockdown Protocol database, this pairing holds the 241st position. This places it in the top 6.5% of all tested systems, indicating that while there are faster configurations, this combo outperforms the overwhelming majority of hardware pairings. The rank reflects both the CPU's 95th percentile standing and the GPU's 86th percentile, with the combination benefiting from the Ryzen 9 9950X3D's strong single-thread performance that helps maintain high frame rates even when the GPU is not fully saturated.

The gap between this combo and the very top of the rankings likely stems from GPUs with higher raw throughput than the RTX 4080 SUPER, which sits at the 86th percentile. However, the 241st rank out of 3714 represents a strong result, particularly considering the balanced performance across all three resolutions. The system's ability to maintain above-60 FPS at 4K Ultra is a significant achievement, and the 1440p and 1080p results place it well within enthusiast-tier territory.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 3840x2160, the most demanding preset that maintains at least 60 FPS is Ultra, which achieves an average of 73 FPS. This is the recommended configuration for 4K displays, as it provides the maximum visual fidelity while still clearing the playable threshold with a reasonable margin. Players prioritizing frame rate over visual quality could opt for High at 97 FPS or Medium at 111 FPS, but Ultra remains the optimal balance.

For 2560x1440, Ultra settings are again the best choice, delivering a 113 FPS average. This provides both high visual quality and smooth gameplay, making it suitable for 144Hz monitors. The 113 FPS figure ensures that even during complex scenes with multiple enemies, the frame rate is unlikely to drop below the refresh rate of most 1440p displays.

At 1920x1080, Ultra settings produce a 154 FPS average, making it the clear recommendation for 1080p gaming. This configuration supports high-refresh-rate monitors up to 144Hz comfortably, and the 154 FPS figure leaves enough headroom for streaming or background applications without significant frame drops. Players with 240Hz monitors could consider High settings at 205 FPS or Medium at 235 FPS for even higher frame rates, but Ultra provides the best combination of fidelity and speed.

FAQ

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

A: Yes. At 3840x2160, all four presets — Low, Medium, High, and Ultra — exceed the 60 FPS threshold. Ultra settings average 73 FPS, while Low delivers 157 FPS.

Q: What is the highest preset that maintains 60 FPS at 1440p?

A: Ultra settings at 2560x1440 achieve an average of 113 FPS, making it the most demanding preset that clears the 60 FPS threshold with significant headroom.

Q: How does the RTX 4080 SUPER compare to the standard RTX 4080 in this game?

A: The RTX 4080 SUPER has an average benchmark score of 54209, while the RTX 4080 scores 54247, a 0.1% difference. In Lockdown Protocol, this translates to negligible performance differences.

Q: Is the Ryzen 9 9950X3D a bottleneck at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080 Low settings, the system averages 331 FPS, indicating the CPU is not limiting frame rates. Even at Ultra settings, the 154 FPS average suggests the GPU remains the primary constraint.

Q: What frame rates can be expected at 1080p Medium settings?

A: The system delivers an average of 235 FPS at 1920x1080 Medium settings, with a minimum of 200 FPS and maximum of 270 FPS recorded.

Q: How does this combo rank among all tested systems for Lockdown Protocol?

A: It holds the 241st position out of 3714 tested combinations, placing it in the top 6.5% of all configurations benchmarked for this game.