Lockdown Protocol

The Intel Core i5-12400 paired with the AMD Radeon RX 6600 delivers a playable experience in Lockdown Protocol, but the margin for error is tight at higher resolutions. The data shows a system that scales predictably with settings, offering a clear path to 60 FPS at 1080p and 1440p, while 4K requires significant compromises. The measured results indicate that this combination is best suited for 1080p gaming, where it can handle the most demanding preset, with 1440p being a viable alternative if visual fidelity is dialed back slightly.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 1920x1080, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is Ultra, achieving an average of 66.1 FPS. This is the clear sweet spot for this combination, allowing for maximum visual quality without dropping below the playability threshold. The step down to High yields a substantial performance increase to 92.3 FPS, but the data confirms that Ultra is not only playable but also the best choice for those prioritizing image quality.

Moving to 2560x1440, the most demanding playable preset is High, with an average of 64.6 FPS. This is a narrower margin above the 60 FPS threshold than at 1080p, indicating that the GPU is beginning to feel the pressure of increased pixel count. Choosing Medium at this resolution provides a more comfortable buffer at 77 FPS, but High remains the optimal setting for those who want the best balance of visuals and performance.

At 3840x2160, the situation changes dramatically. The only preset that clears 60 FPS is Low, which delivers an average of 69.3 FPS. High, Medium, and Ultra all fall short, with averages of 44.4 FPS, 49.4 FPS, and 34.3 FPS respectively. This makes Low the definitive best setting for 4K, as it is the sole option that meets the playability standard. The data suggests that 4K is a stretch goal for this hardware, only achievable with significant graphical compromises.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark results reveal a clear shift in system bottleneck as resolution increases. At 1920x1080, the combination of the i5-12400 and RX 6600 produces a wide range of FPS across presets, from 147.6 FPS on Low to 66.1 FPS on Ultra. This significant spread indicates that the GPU is the primary driver of performance, as reducing graphical load yields large FPS gains. The CPU, with its 12 threads and strong single-thread performance, appears to be keeping pace adequately at this resolution.

When resolution increases to 2560x1440, the FPS across presets compresses. Low yields 110 FPS, Medium 77 FPS, and High 64.6 FPS. The relative drop from Low to High is less pronounced than at 1080p, suggesting that the GPU is becoming more of a limiting factor. However, the CPU still has enough headroom to allow for a playable High preset, indicating a balanced partnership at this resolution.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is unequivocally the bottleneck. The FPS drops to 69.3 FPS on Low and falls below 50 FPS on Medium and High. The scaling between presets is far less dramatic than at lower resolutions, which is characteristic of a system where the GPU is saturated with pixel work. The i5-12400's role diminishes here, as the RX 6600's 8 GB of memory and 128-bit bus are overwhelmed by the 4K workload. The data implies that the CPU is not the constraining factor in this scenario.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the measured average FPS is 147.6 on Low, 103.8 on Medium, 92.3 on High, and 66.1 on Ultra. The jump from Low to Medium is a 43.8 FPS reduction, while the step from Medium to High is a smaller 11.5 FPS drop. The transition from High to Ultra is the most costly, with a 26.2 FPS loss, indicating that the Ultra preset introduces a significant graphical load.

At 2560x1440, the averages are 110 FPS on Low, 77 FPS on Medium, 64.6 FPS on High, and 53.1 FPS on Ultra. The scaling here is more linear, with each preset step costing roughly 12-13 FPS. Notably, Ultra falls below the 60 FPS threshold, making it unplayable at this resolution. The difference between Low and Medium is 33 FPS, which is a substantial gain for a single preset reduction.

At 3840x2160, the numbers are 69.3 FPS on Low, 49.4 FPS on Medium, 44.4 FPS on High, and 34.3 FPS on Ultra. The drop from Low to Medium is 19.9 FPS, which is larger than the 5 FPS difference between Medium and High. This suggests that the Medium preset introduces a particularly heavy rendering load at 4K. Ultra is the least playable, with an average FPS nearly half that of the playable Low preset.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations for Lockdown Protocol, this specific Intel Core i5-12400 and AMD Radeon RX 6600 pairing ranks 2852 out of 3714 total combos. This places it in the lower portion of the rankings, indicating that while it is capable of running the game, there are many other configurations that deliver higher performance. The percentile data for the individual components supports this: the CPU sits at the 72nd percentile among all CPUs, while the GPU is at the 63rd percentile among all GPUs. The GPU's lower relative standing suggests it is the weaker link in this pairing.

The ranking implies that this combo is not a top-tier performer, but it is far from the bottom. The 3714 total combos include a wide range of hardware, and being in the bottom quarter shows that this system is adequate for the game's requirements but not exceptional. The measured FPS data confirms this, as it can play the game at 1080p Ultra and 1440p High, but struggles at 4K.

Similar Performance Alternatives

Looking at the nearest rivals for the CPU, the Intel Core i5-12400 has an average benchmark score of 18683. The AMD EPYC 7643 scores 18697, a delta of -0.1%, making it functionally equivalent in performance. The Intel Core i7-1355U scores 18730, a -0.3% delta, and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 scores 18811, a -0.7% delta. On the other side, the Intel Core i3-14100F scores 18519, a +0.9% delta, meaning it is slightly slower. Any of these CPUs would produce nearly identical frame rates in Lockdown Protocol, as the 0.9% difference is negligible in real-world gaming.

For the GPU, the AMD Radeon RX 6600 has an average score of 19036. The NVIDIA Quadro K6000 scores 19030, a 0% delta, making it a direct equivalent. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Mobile scores 19049, a -0.1% delta, and the NVIDIA Tesla K20m scores 19089, a -0.3% delta. The NVIDIA RTX 2000 Ada Generation scores 18954, a +0.4% delta. These GPUs would all deliver essentially the same performance in this game, with the RTX 4050 Mobile being the closest match among modern gaming hardware.

The Verdict

The data indicates that this PC can run Lockdown Protocol at 1920x1080 with Ultra settings, achieving an average of 66.1 FPS. This is the only resolution where the most demanding preset clears the 60 FPS threshold. At 2560x1440, the system can run High settings at 64.6 FPS, which is playable but leaves little headroom. The 4K resolution is only playable on Low settings, with an average of 69.3 FPS, meaning all higher presets are unplayable.

For a player targeting 1080p, this is a solid setup that can max out the game. For 1440p, it is a capable performer as long as Ultra is avoided. For 4K, it is not recommended unless the player is willing to use Low settings. The verdict is that this combo is well-suited for 1080p and acceptable for 1440p, but it is not a 4K gaming solution.

FAQ

Q: Can this system run the game at 4K with High settings?

A: No. The measured average FPS at 3840x2160 with High settings is 44.4 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: What is the best resolution and preset combination for this PC?

A: The best combination is 1920x1080 with Ultra settings, where the average FPS is 66.1. This provides the highest visual quality while remaining playable.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rival in performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-12400 has an average benchmark score of 18683, while the closest rival, the AMD EPYC 7643, scores 18697, a difference of -0.1%. This means they perform nearly identically.

Q: Is the GPU or CPU the limiting factor at 2560x1440?

A: The data suggests the GPU is becoming the main constraint at this resolution. The FPS drops from 110 on Low to 64.6 on High, and Ultra falls below 60 FPS at 53.1, indicating the GPU struggles with higher presets.

Q: What settings are playable at 3840x2160?

A: Only Low settings are playable at 4K, with an average FPS of 69.3. Medium, High, and Ultra all fail to reach 60 FPS, with averages of 49.4, 44.4, and 34.3 respectively.

Q: How does this combo rank among all tested configurations?

A: This combo ranks 2852 out of 3714 total tested combos for Lockdown Protocol, placing it in the lower quarter of all systems. The CPU is at the 72nd percentile and the GPU is at the 63rd percentile among their respective categories.