Lockdown Protocol

The Intel Core i3-12100F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 delivers a broad range of performance in Lockdown Protocol, with results that scale predictably across resolutions and presets. At 1920x1080, the combination is overwhelmingly capable, pushing frame rates well beyond the 60 FPS threshold at every quality setting. Moving to 2560x1440, the combo remains highly playable across the board, while 3840x2160 introduces the first real compromises, requiring a drop from the highest preset to maintain smooth gameplay. The data, derived from measured benchmarks, shows a system that is clearly GPU-bound at higher resolutions but still leverages the CPU's solid single-thread performance effectively.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the RTX 5060 and Core i3-12100F produce exceptional frame rates. With the Low preset, the average FPS hits 201, offering headroom for high-refresh-rate displays. The Medium preset averages 143 FPS, with a minimum of 121 FPS and a maximum of 164 FPS, indicating consistent frame pacing. High settings average 125 FPS, while the most demanding Ultra preset still maintains a strong 94 FPS average. No resolution or preset at 1080p dips below the 60 FPS playable threshold, making this the most forgiving environment for the hardware.

Stepping up to 2560x1440, performance remains robust. Low settings deliver an average of 148 FPS, while Medium averages 105 FPS with a minimum of 89 and maximum of 120 FPS. High settings produce a 91 FPS average, and Ultra settings still clear the playable bar with a 69 FPS average. The data shows a predictable performance drop from 1080p, roughly a 25-30% reduction in average FPS across comparable presets, but the experience stays fluid and responsive in all cases.

At 3840x2160, the demands of 4K rendering begin to strain the combination. Low settings yield a solid 95 FPS average, and Medium settings average 68 FPS with a minimum of 57 FPS and maximum of 78 FPS. High settings drop to an average of 59 FPS, sitting just below the 60 FPS target, while Ultra settings fall further to a 44 FPS average. The min FPS of 57 at Medium settings highlights that even in the playable range, brief dips can occur, but the overall average remains acceptable for most users.

How This Combo Ranks

In the broader database of tested combinations, this specific pairing ranks 1649 out of 3714 combos for Lockdown Protocol. That places it in the upper-middle tier of all tested systems, indicating that it outperforms a majority of configurations while not being at the very top end. The percentile standing for the CPU is 68, meaning the Core i3-12100F performs better than 68% of all CPUs in the database, and the GPU sits at the 72nd percentile, outperforming 72% of all GPUs. These figures suggest a balanced pairing where neither component is a severe bottleneck, though the GPU's higher percentile ranking hints that the CPU is the more limiting factor in certain scenarios.

The combo rank of 1649 out of 3714 is influenced by the fact that many tested configurations use higher-tier CPUs or GPUs. However, the measured FPS results show that this pairing delivers playable performance at all tested resolutions except for the most extreme 4K Ultra setting. The rank reflects a system that is capable but not elite, offering a strong price-to-performance profile without the absolute top-tier frame rates seen in flagship builds.

CPU and GPU Roles

The data reveals a clear shift in component responsibility as resolution changes. At 1920x1080, the CPU's role is more prominent, as the lower pixel count places less strain on the GPU. The Core i3-12100F's strong single-thread performance, evidenced by its 3.30 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost clocks, helps maintain high frame rates even at Low settings where the GPU is less taxed. The 201 FPS average at 1080p Low suggests the CPU can feed frames quickly enough to avoid limiting the RTX 5060.

At 2560x1440, the balance tilts toward the GPU. The frame rate drop from 1080p to 1440p is significant, averaging around 30% across presets, which indicates the GPU is becoming the primary constraint. The RTX 5060's 8 GB of GDDR7 memory and 128-bit bus width are sufficient for this resolution, but the increased pixel workload reduces the CPU's influence. The 69 FPS average at Ultra settings shows the GPU is working harder, while the CPU still keeps pace without becoming a bottleneck.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is unequivocally the dominant factor. The frame rate falls dramatically compared to lower resolutions, with the Ultra preset dropping to a 44 FPS average. This is a clear sign that the RTX 5060's compute resources, including its 3840 shading units and 19.18 TFLOPS of FP32 performance, are maxed out. The CPU's role diminishes further, as the GPU's rendering workload at 4K far outstrips the CPU's ability to influence performance. The scaling between Medium and Ultra at 4K, from 68 FPS to 44 FPS, underscores how sensitive the GPU is to increased graphical demands.

The Verdict

Yes, this PC can run Lockdown Protocol effectively, but the experience depends heavily on resolution and settings. At 1920x1080, all four presets—Low, Medium, High, and Ultra—clear the 60 FPS threshold, with averages ranging from 94 to 201 FPS. This makes 1080p the ideal resolution for this combo, allowing users to enable the highest settings for a smooth and visually rich experience.

At 2560x1440, the verdict is equally positive. All presets, including Ultra, maintain average FPS above 60, with Ultra averaging 69 FPS. This means users can enjoy high-fidelity gameplay at 1440p without sacrificing smoothness. The data confirms that 1440p is a sweet spot for this hardware, offering a balance between visual quality and performance.

At 3840x2160, the verdict is more nuanced. Low and Medium settings are playable, with averages of 95 and 68 FPS respectively, but High and Ultra fall below the 60 FPS target, averaging 59 and 44 FPS. For 4K gaming, users must stick to Medium settings or lower to maintain a playable frame rate. The best settings at 4K are Medium, which delivers a 68 FPS average, but the minimum of 57 FPS suggests occasional stutters during intense scenes.

Similar Performance Alternatives

Looking at the nearest rivals for the CPU, the Intel Core i3-12100F has an average benchmark score of 13494, with the Intel Core 3 N355 scoring 13492, a delta of 0%. This means the N355 would deliver nearly identical CPU-bound performance in Lockdown Protocol. The Intel Core i5-9500 scores 13452, just 0.3% lower, indicating it would also behave similarly, though it is an older architecture. The Intel Core 5 120UL scores 13594, which is 0.7% higher, and the Intel Core i7-1250U scores 13351, 1.1% lower. These CPUs would all provide comparable frame rates in CPU-limited scenarios, though the GPU would often be the limiting factor in this game.

For the GPU, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 has an average benchmark score of 26331. The AMD Radeon 860M scores 26401, a delta of -0.3%, meaning it would deliver nearly the same GPU-bound performance. The NVIDIA GeForce MX550 scores 26421, also -0.3%, while the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary scores 26553, -0.8% lower. The AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT scores 26011, which is 1.2% higher. These GPUs would produce very similar frame rates in Lockdown Protocol at the same settings and resolutions, making them viable alternatives for users seeking comparable performance.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 1920x1080, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is Ultra, which averages 94 FPS. This allows users to max out all graphical options for the best visual experience while maintaining a comfortable margin above the playable threshold.

At 2560x1440, the best settings are also Ultra, averaging 69 FPS. This preset provides the highest visual fidelity while still keeping the average frame rate above 60 FPS, though the margin is slimmer than at 1080p.

At 3840x2160, the best settings are Medium, which averages 68 FPS. This is the only preset above the 60 FPS threshold that offers a balance between visual quality and performance. High settings average 59 FPS, just below the target, so Medium is the recommended choice for 4K gaming with this hardware.