Lockdown Protocol

The Intel Core i5-12400F paired with the AMD Radeon RX 6600 delivers a solid 1080p and 1440p gaming experience in Lockdown Protocol, with the data showing that the combination is best suited for high-refresh-rate play at 1920x1080. The measured FPS results across three resolutions and four quality presets indicate that the system can comfortably exceed the 60 FPS playable threshold in most settings, though 4K gaming requires significant compromises. The combo ranks in the 2870th position out of 3714 tested combinations, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the database, but its actual gameplay performance reveals a capable setup for the game's fast-paced FPS action.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the resolution where this combo performs best, the frame rates are consistently high across all presets. The Low preset delivers the highest average of 145.6 FPS, providing a substantial headroom for competitive play. Medium settings reduce the average to 101.4 FPS, while High settings yield 93 FPS. The most demanding Ultra preset still maintains an average of 68.8 FPS, which clears the 60 FPS threshold with a narrow but usable margin. The data shows a clear progression: dropping from Ultra to Low produces a 76.8 FPS difference, or roughly 112% improvement in frame rate, indicating that the GPU is the dominant factor in this resolution range.

At 2560x1440, the performance scales down predictably but remains playable for most presets. The Low preset achieves 105.8 FPS average, which is a 39.8 FPS drop from the same preset at 1080p. Medium settings deliver 78.6 FPS, and High settings produce 67.2 FPS, both above the 60 FPS threshold. However, the Ultra preset falls below playability at 48.1 FPS, marking a clear boundary where the hardware cannot sustain smooth gameplay at this resolution with maximum quality. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p shows an average reduction of approximately 25-30% across all presets, which is typical for a mid-range GPU like the RX 6600.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain playable frame rates except at the lowest settings. The Low preset produces 72.1 FPS, which is the only 4K configuration that clears the 60 FPS threshold. Medium settings drop to 48.5 FPS, High settings fall to 41.9 FPS, and Ultra settings plummet to 33.6 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra at 4K is 38.5 FPS, showing that the GPU is heavily taxed at this resolution. The data reveals that 4K gaming with this combo requires sacrificing visual fidelity entirely, and even then, the frame rate margin is only 12.1 FPS above the playable threshold.

The absence of min and max FPS data in the measurements means the analysis relies solely on average frame rates. This limitation is notable because FPS games often exhibit frame time spikes that affect perceived smoothness, but the averages provided suggest consistent performance. The 1080p Low preset at 145.6 FPS is particularly strong, suggesting that the combination can drive high-refresh-rate monitors in less demanding scenarios.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo's in-game ranking places it at 2870 out of 3714 tested combinations, which puts it in the 77th percentile of tested systems for Lockdown Protocol. This percentile position indicates that roughly 23% of tested combos perform better in this specific game, while the majority of tested hardware configurations deliver lower frame rates. The ranking is based on the measured FPS data across all resolutions and presets, weighted toward the system's overall capability.

The CPU's standalone benchmarks show a 73rd percentile ranking among all tested CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 19039. The GPU's standalone benchmarks show a 63rd percentile ranking among all tested GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 19036. The combination of these two components, both hovering around the mid-to-upper tier of their respective categories, results in a system that performs slightly below the average of all tested combos in this game. The rank difference between the CPU's 73rd percentile and the GPU's 63rd percentile suggests that the GPU is the limiting factor in this pairing.

The nearest rival CPU, the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, has an average score of 19047, which is essentially identical to the i5-12400F's 19039 score, a delta of 0.04%. The Intel Core 3 201E scores 19056, just 0.1% higher, and the Intel Core i5-1335U scores 18982, which is 0.3% lower. These rivals demonstrate that the i5-12400F's processing power is well within the normal range for its class, and any performance differences in-game are more likely attributable to the GPU.

The nearest rival GPU, the NVIDIA Quadro K6000, has an average score of 19030, nearly identical to the RX 6600's 19036. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Mobile scores 19049, which is 0.1% higher, and the NVIDIA Tesla K20m scores 19089, 0.3% higher. These rival GPUs bracket the RX 6600's performance, confirming that it sits in a well-populated performance tier. The in-game ranking reflects this mid-tier positioning, with the combo landing in the lower end of the middle third of all tested configurations.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark data reveals distinct scaling patterns that help isolate the CPU and GPU contributions at each resolution. At 1920x1080, the frame rate differences between presets are substantial, with a 76.8 FPS gap between Low and Ultra. This large delta indicates that the GPU is the primary bottleneck, as the CPU has more than enough headroom to feed the GPU at lower resolutions. The CPU's 12 threads and 6 cores, combined with its boost clock of 4.40 GHz, are sufficient to handle the game's logic at these frame rates.

At 2560x1440, the scaling between presets narrows slightly, with a 57.7 FPS difference between Low and Ultra. This reduction in delta suggests that the GPU is becoming more heavily loaded, but the CPU still contributes meaningfully. The 105.8 FPS at Low settings indicates that the CPU can push beyond 100 FPS at this resolution, while the 48.1 FPS at Ultra shows the GPU struggling with the increased pixel count and quality effects.

At 3840x2160, the scaling pattern becomes more compressed, with a 38.5 FPS difference between Low and Ultra. The Low preset at 72.1 FPS and the Ultra preset at 33.6 FPS both demonstrate that the GPU is the overwhelming bottleneck at 4K. The CPU's role diminishes at this resolution because the GPU cannot generate frames fast enough to challenge the CPU's processing capacity. The data shows that the GPU's 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and 224.0 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient for high-quality 4K rendering in this title.

The scaling between resolutions at the same preset reveals a consistent pattern. Moving from 1080p to 1440p at Low settings reduces the frame rate by 39.8 FPS (from 145.6 to 105.8), and moving from 1440p to 4K at Low settings reduces it by another 33.7 FPS (from 105.8 to 72.1). This progressive reduction aligns with the GPU's pixel throughput capabilities, as the RX 6600's 159.4 GPixel/s pixel rate and 279.0 GTexel/s texture rate become saturated at higher resolutions. The CPU's performance, as measured by its 3DMark scores, remains constant regardless of resolution, confirming that the GPU is the dominant factor in determining frame rates.

The Verdict

This PC can run Lockdown Protocol at playable frame rates in most configurations, with the data showing clear boundaries for each resolution. At 1920x1080, all four presets clear the 60 FPS threshold, including Ultra at 68.8 FPS. This makes 1080p the most versatile resolution for this combo, allowing players to choose between maximum quality and maximum frame rate. The 1080p Low preset at 145.6 FPS is particularly suited for competitive play, while 1080p Ultra at 68.8 FPS offers a balanced experience for those prioritizing visual fidelity.

At 2560x1440, three presets clear the 60 FPS threshold: Low at 105.8 FPS, Medium at 78.6 FPS, and High at 67.2 FPS. The Ultra preset falls short at 48.1 FPS, making it unplayable by the 60 FPS standard. Players at 1440p should stick to High or lower settings for smooth gameplay, with High providing the best visual quality at a playable frame rate. The 67.2 FPS average at 1440p High is close enough to the threshold that players with variable refresh rate monitors may experience occasional dips below 60, but the average remains playable.

At 3840x2160, only the Low preset clears the 60 FPS threshold, achieving 72.1 FPS. Medium settings at 48.5 FPS, High at 41.9 FPS, and Ultra at 33.6 FPS all fall below the playable threshold. 4K gaming with this combo requires sacrificing all visual quality settings, and even then, the frame rate margin is modest. The verdict data confirms that 4K is not a viable resolution for this system unless players are willing to accept the lowest possible quality settings.

The system's overall ranking of 2870 out of 3714 combos suggests that while it is not a top-tier performer, it is far from the bottom of the pack. The playable settings breakdown indicates that the combo is well-suited for 1080p and capable at 1440p, with 4K being a stretch goal that requires significant compromises.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The CPU's nearest rivals provide context for what other processors would behave similarly in this system. The AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, with an average score of 19047, is the closest match, differing by only 0.04% from the i5-12400F's 19039. This laptop-oriented chip would deliver nearly identical CPU-bound performance in Lockdown Protocol. The Intel Core 3 201E at 19056 is 0.1% higher, and the Intel Core i5-1335U at 18982 is 0.3% lower. These alternatives demonstrate that the i5-12400F's processing power is well within the normal range for its class, and any performance differences in-game are more likely attributable to the GPU.

The GPU's nearest rivals include the NVIDIA Quadro K6000, which matches the RX 6600's average score of 19036 with a 19030 score, a delta of 0.03%. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Mobile scores 19049, which is 0.1% higher, and the NVIDIA Tesla K20m scores 19089, 0.3% higher. These rival GPUs would produce nearly identical frame rates in Lockdown Protocol, meaning players with these alternatives would experience similar performance characteristics. The RTX 4050 Mobile, despite being a mobile part, offers comparable performance to the desktop RX 6600 in this game.

The combination of these CPU and GPU rivals suggests that any system built around a mid-range processor from the same era paired with a mid-range GPU from the RX 6000 or RTX 3000 series would deliver similar results. The data shows that the i5-12400F and RX 6600 sit in a dense performance cluster, with many alternatives within a few percent of their scores. Players upgrading from any of these rival components would not see a meaningful difference in Lockdown Protocol frame rates.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 1920x1080, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is Ultra, which achieves an average of 68.8 FPS. This preset provides the highest visual quality while maintaining playability, making it the recommended choice for players with 1080p displays. The 145.6 FPS Low preset remains the best option for competitive play, but Ultra offers the best balance of quality and performance.

At 2560x1440, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is High, which achieves an average of 67.2 FPS. Medium at 78.6 FPS also clears the threshold, but High provides better visual quality while still maintaining a playable frame rate. The Ultra preset at 48.1 FPS is not recommended for 1440p play, as it falls 11.9 FPS short of the 60 FPS standard.

At 3840x2160, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is Low, which achieves an average of 72.1 FPS. This is the only 4K preset that clears the threshold, and it requires sacrificing all quality enhancements. Medium at 48.5 FPS, High at 41.9 FPS, and Ultra at 33.6 FPS are all unplayable at 4K. For 4K gaming, players must accept the lowest settings to achieve smooth performance.

FAQ

*Q: Can this PC run Lockdown Protocol at 1080p with maximum settings?*

A: Yes, at 1920x1080 with Ultra settings, the combo achieves an average of 68.8 FPS, which clears the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: What is the best resolution for this system if I want high frame rates?

A: The data shows 1920x1080 with Low settings delivers the highest average at 145.6 FPS, while 2560x1440 with Low settings achieves 105.8 FPS. For 4K, only Low settings at 72.1 FPS is playable.

Q: Is 4K gaming viable with the i5-12400F and RX 6600?

A: Only at the lowest settings. The 3840x2160 Low preset averages 72.1 FPS, but all higher presets fall below 60 FPS, with Medium at 48.5 FPS, High at 41.9 FPS, and Ultra at 33.6 FPS.

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

A: The combo ranks 2870 out of 3714 tested combinations, placing it in the 77th percentile of tested systems for Lockdown Protocol.

Q: Which component is the bottleneck at 4K resolution?

A: The GPU is the primary bottleneck at 3840x2160. The frame rate scaling from 1080p to 4K shows a consistent drop that aligns with the RX 6600's pixel throughput limits, while the CPU's processing capacity remains sufficient.

Q: What GPU alternatives would perform similarly to the RX 6600?

A: The NVIDIA Quadro K6000 (average score 19030), NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Mobile (19049), and NVIDIA Tesla K20m (19089) all have scores within 0.3% of the RX 6600's 19036 average, indicating nearly identical in-game performance.