Lockdown Protocol

The Intel Core i3-12100F paired with the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT delivers a robust 1080p and 1440p experience in Lockdown Protocol, with 4K remaining viable at reduced settings. Measured data shows this combination sits firmly in the upper-middle tier of tested hardware, ranking 1435th out of 3714 combos. The CPU, a 4-core/8-thread Alder Lake part, holds its own with an average benchmark score of 13494, while the GPU, based on the Navi 32 chip with RDNA 3.0 architecture, posts a Passmark G3D score of 22547. Together, they form a balanced pairing where the GPU dominates at higher resolutions, but the CPU’s single-thread strength (Geekbench single-core 1932) becomes increasingly relevant at lower settings where frame rates climb well past 200 FPS.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the combo delivers consistently high frame rates across all presets. The Low preset reaches an average of 216.1 FPS, while Medium drops to 156.7 FPS and High settles at 133.2 FPS. The most demanding Ultra preset still holds an average of 100.4 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS playability threshold. The scaling from Low to Ultra shows a predictable decline, with Ultra costing roughly 54% of the Low preset’s performance, yet even the heaviest load never threatens smooth gameplay.

Moving to 2560x1440, the pattern continues with strong results. Low averages 162.5 FPS, Medium 116.4 FPS, and High 101.7 FPS. Ultra at this resolution still clears 60 FPS comfortably, averaging 74.1 FPS. The drop from 1080p to 1440p at Ultra is notable—from 100.4 FPS to 74.1 FPS—a 26% reduction that highlights the GPU’s growing workload. However, every preset remains fully playable at this resolution, with even the most demanding settings keeping the frame rate above the 60 FPS line by a healthy margin.

At 3840x2160, the picture changes. Ultra drops to an average of 48.7 FPS, which falls below the playable threshold, making it unsuitable for smooth play. High manages 64 FPS, just clearing 60, while Medium averages 76.1 FPS and Low reaches 100.3 FPS. The gap between High and Ultra at 4K is stark—a 15.3 FPS difference—indicating that the Ultra preset’s extra effects tax the RX 7700 XT’s 12 GB GDDR6 memory and 432.0 GB/s bandwidth. For 4K users, the data suggests sticking to High or below to maintain consistent frame pacing.

Across all resolutions, the Low preset shows the least variance in relative performance, suggesting the CPU’s 3.30 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost clocks are sufficient to feed the GPU at lower graphical loads. The maximum FPS recorded at 1080p Low (216.1) approaches the 240 Hz range, which would satisfy high-refresh-rate monitors, though the lack of min/max data means stutter analysis is limited to averages.

FAQ

Q: Can this combo run Lockdown Protocol at 4K with playable frame rates?

A: Yes, but only at Low, Medium, or High settings. The data shows averages of 100.3 FPS, 76.1 FPS, and 64 FPS respectively at 3840x2160. The Ultra preset falls short at 48.7 FPS, below the 60 FPS threshold.

Q: What is the best preset at 2560x1440 for this hardware?

A: The Ultra preset is fully playable, averaging 74.1 FPS. This is the most demanding setting that stays above 60 FPS at this resolution, making it the optimal choice for visual quality without sacrificing smoothness.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals in raw benchmarks?

A: The Core i3-12100F scores 13494 on average. Its closest competitor, the Intel Core 3 N355, scores 13492 (0% difference). The Intel Core i5-9500 trails slightly at 13452 (0.3% slower), while the Intel Core i7-1250U scores 13351 (1.1% slower). The Intel Core 5 120UL leads at 13594 (0.7% faster).

Q: Is the RX 7700 XT significantly faster than its nearest GPU rivals?

A: The RX 7700 XT’s average benchmark score is 22549. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Mobile scores 22435 (0.5% slower), while the RTX 4060 Mobile scores 22729 (0.8% faster). The RTX 2080 scores 22895 (1.5% faster), and the AMD Radeon RX 5700 scores 22170 (1.7% slower). Differences are minimal.

Q: At which resolution does the Ultra preset fail to reach 60 FPS?

A: Only at 3840x2160, where Ultra averages 48.7 FPS. All other resolutions—1920x1080 and 2560x1440—clear the threshold with Ultra, averaging 100.4 FPS and 74.1 FPS respectively.

Q: What frame rate can users expect at 1920x1080 with High settings?

A: The measured average is 133.2 FPS. This leaves substantial headroom above the 60 FPS minimum, making it ideal for high-refresh-rate displays even with more demanding graphical options.

CPU and GPU Roles

The data reveals a clear division of labor between the two components. At 1920x1080, the Low preset yields 216.1 FPS, which is more than double the 100.4 FPS seen at Ultra. This 115.7 FPS spread indicates the GPU is the primary bottleneck when graphical settings are lowered—the CPU, with its 4 cores and 8 threads, can push frame rates far beyond what the RX 7700 XT can render at higher fidelity. The CPU’s single-thread performance (3dmark single-thread score of 893) and 8-thread score of 4026 suggest it has ample headroom for this game’s FPS workload.

At 2560x1440, the spread narrows slightly: Low averages 162.5 FPS versus Ultra’s 74.1 FPS, an 88.4 FPS difference. The GPU’s role grows as pixel count increases, but the CPU still provides enough throughput to keep Low well above 144 FPS. The transition to 3840x2160 compresses the range further—Low at 100.3 FPS and Ultra at 48.7 FPS—a 51.6 FPS spread. Here, the GPU becomes the dominant constraint, as the 4K resolution demands more from the 3456 shading units and 96 ROPs, leaving the CPU less challenged.

The scaling between presets at the same resolution tells the same story. At 1080p, moving from Medium to High costs 23.5 FPS, and High to Ultra costs another 32.8 FPS. These larger drops at higher presets point to GPU-bound rendering, particularly in pixel-heavy effects. Conversely, the relatively small difference between Low and Medium (59.4 FPS at 1080p) suggests the CPU’s 12 MB L3 cache and 4.30 GHz boost clock are adequate for handling the game’s logic and draw calls, with the GPU catching up as settings rise.

How This Combo Ranks

This pairing ranks 1435th out of 3714 tested combos in Lockdown Protocol, placing it in the 61st percentile overall. The rank reflects a combination that is neither entry-level nor top-tier—it sits comfortably in the upper-middle range, capable of high-refresh 1080p and solid 1440p play. The GPU’s percentile vs all GPUs is 67, meaning it outperforms roughly two-thirds of tested graphics cards, while the CPU’s percentile vs all CPUs is 68, a nearly identical standing. This alignment suggests the two are well-matched for this title, with neither component drastically outclassing the other.

The GPU’s nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080, scores 1.5% higher in average benchmarks, yet the RX 7700 XT still delivers playable 4K High settings in this game, indicating that raw benchmark scores do not always translate directly to game performance. The CPU’s nearest rival, the Intel Core 3 N355, matches it nearly exactly (0% delta), which means users upgrading from that chip would see no meaningful change in CPU-bound scenarios. The combo’s rank of 1435, combined with the 60 FPS threshold, confirms that this system is built for smooth 1080p and 1440p gaming, with 4K requiring preset compromises.

The Verdict

Yes, this PC can run Lockdown Protocol at playable frame rates across all tested resolutions, with caveats at 4K. At 1920x1080, all four presets—Low (216.1 FPS), Medium (156.7 FPS), High (133.2 FPS), and Ultra (100.4 FPS)—clear the 60 FPS threshold by a wide margin, making this resolution ideal for competitive play on high-refresh monitors. At 2560x1440, the same holds true: Low (162.5 FPS), Medium (116.4 FPS), High (101.7 FPS), and Ultra (74.1 FPS) all remain comfortably above 60 FPS, with Ultra offering the best visual experience without dropping below the threshold.

At 3840x2160, the Ultra preset fails to meet the 60 FPS requirement, averaging 48.7 FPS. However, High (64 FPS), Medium (76.1 FPS), and Low (100.3 FPS) all stay playable. For 4K users, the data recommends High as the best balance of visual fidelity and performance, since it just clears 60 FPS while offering significantly better image quality than Medium. Overall, this combo is a strong choice for 1080p and 1440p gaming, with 4K viable for gamers willing to dial back from Ultra.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 3840x2160, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is High, with an average of 64 FPS. This setting provides a 4 FPS margin above the threshold, which is tight but functional. Medium offers more headroom at 76.1 FPS, but High delivers superior visuals while still meeting the minimum requirement.

At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset is fully playable at 74.1 FPS, making it the best choice for this resolution. It provides a 14.1 FPS buffer over the 60 FPS line, ensuring smooth gameplay even in demanding scenes. Lower presets offer diminishing returns—Medium at 116.4 FPS and High at 101.7 FPS are faster but sacrifice visual quality without meaningful gameplay benefits.

At 1920x1080, the Ultra preset averages 100.4 FPS, which is the recommended setting. This delivers a 40.4 FPS margin over the threshold, allowing for consistent frame delivery on 144 Hz displays. For users with higher refresh rates (240 Hz), the Low preset at 216.1 FPS would be necessary to fully utilize the display, but Ultra remains the optimal balance of performance and visuals.

Similar Performance Alternatives

For the CPU, the Intel Core 3 N355 offers identical performance (0% delta) with an average score of 13492, making it a direct alternative for users who prioritize lower power consumption. The Intel Core i5-9500 is 0.3% slower (13452), while the Intel Core i7-1250U is 1.1% slower (13351). The Intel Core 5 120UL is 0.7% faster (13594), providing a marginal upgrade in CPU-bound scenarios. These processors would yield nearly indistinguishable results in Lockdown Protocol, as the game’s frame rates at 1080p and 1440p are largely GPU-limited.

On the GPU side, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Mobile performs within 0.5% of the RX 7700 XT (22435 vs 22549), making it a viable alternative for laptop users. The RTX 4060 Mobile is 0.8% faster (22729), while the RTX 2080 is 1.5% faster (22895) and the RX 5700 is 1.7% slower (22170). In practice, these GPUs would deliver nearly identical frame rates in Lockdown Protocol, with differences of roughly 1-2 FPS at any given preset. The RTX 2080’s slight edge might push 4K High from 64 FPS to approximately 65 FPS, while the RX 5700 could drop it to around 63 FPS—all still within the playable range. For users seeking a drop-in comparable experience, any of these alternatives would maintain the same general performance profile as the tested combo.