Lockdown Protocol

Best Settings per Resolution

At 3840x2160, the data shows only one playable configuration. Low settings deliver an average of 62 FPS, which clears the 60 FPS threshold with a small margin. High settings drop to 38 FPS average, Medium sits at 44 FPS, and Ultra falls to 29 FPS. For 4K gaming, Low is the only preset that keeps the game running smoothly.

Moving to 2560x1440, the situation improves notably. Medium settings produce an average of 68 FPS, making it the best playable option at this resolution. Low settings reach 96 FPS average, which is smoother but visually less demanding. High settings average 59 FPS, just below the 60 FPS threshold, while Ultra averages 45 FPS. The recommendation here is Medium, as it balances visual quality with a comfortable frame rate cushion.

At 1920x1080, every preset clears the 60 FPS line. Ultra averages 61 FPS, which is technically playable but leaves almost no headroom for demanding scenes. High averages 81 FPS, Medium averages 93 FPS, and Low reaches 131 FPS. The best settings at 1080p are Ultra, since the average stays at or above 60 FPS, though players seeking more consistent performance might prefer High for the additional margin.

CPU and GPU Roles

The scaling patterns across resolutions reveal how the workload shifts between the Intel Core i5-12600KF and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070. At 3840x2160, the GPU becomes the dominant constraint. The gap between Low and Ultra at 4K is substantial: 62 FPS versus 29 FPS average, a difference of 33 FPS. This wide spread indicates that pixel throughput and shading load are the limiting factors, and the GTX 1070's compute resources are what determine performance.

At 2560x1440, the balance starts to shift. Low settings average 96 FPS, while Ultra averages 45 FPS, a spread of 51 FPS. The larger delta compared to 4K suggests that the CPU has more room to feed frames at lower resolutions, but the GPU still governs the upper end of the preset range. The i5-12600KF's 10 cores and 16 threads are sufficient to keep up with the GTX 1070 at this resolution, as evidenced by the fact that Medium maintains 68 FPS without the CPU becoming a bottleneck.

At 1920x1080, the CPU's role becomes more apparent. Low settings hit 131 FPS average, and even Ultra stays at 61 FPS. The fact that all presets remain playable at 1080p indicates that the i5-12600KF can drive the GTX 1070 to its limits without holding it back. The single-thread performance, measured at 3302 in Cinebench R23 single-core, provides enough headroom for the game's logic and physics at lower resolution where the GPU is less stressed.

The resolution scaling data confirms the classic pattern: higher resolutions amplify GPU load, while lower resolutions expose CPU capability. At 4K, the GTX 1070 is the clear bottleneck; at 1080p, the i5-12600KF has enough margin that the GPU becomes the limiting factor again, but with more headroom overall.

Measured FPS Breakdown

3840x2160

At Ultra settings, the average frame rate is 29 FPS. No minimum or maximum values were recorded for this preset. High settings improve the average to 38 FPS, again without min/max data. Medium settings show an average of 44 FPS, with a minimum of 37 FPS and a maximum of 50 FPS. Low settings deliver an average of 62 FPS, with no min/max values recorded. The progression from Ultra to Low shows a steady climb, but only Low crosses the 60 FPS threshold.

2560x1440

Ultra settings average 45 FPS with no min/max data. High settings reach 59 FPS average, just under the playable line. Medium settings produce an average of 68 FPS, with a minimum of 58 FPS and a maximum of 78 FPS. The minimum of 58 FPS means that even at Medium, brief dips can occur below the 60 FPS target, though the average remains comfortably above it. Low settings average 96 FPS, with no min/max values recorded.

1920x1080

Ultra settings average 61 FPS, clearing the threshold with minimal margin. High settings reach 81 FPS average. Medium settings show 93 FPS average, with a minimum of 79 FPS and a maximum of 107 FPS, indicating stable performance throughout. Low settings hit 131 FPS average, the highest recorded value in the entire dataset. The 1080p results show that all presets are playable, with Medium and Low providing significant headroom over the 60 FPS target.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The Intel Core i5-12600KF sits in the 79th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 27799. Its nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i9-10900K, which scores 27872, a delta of -0.3 percent. The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE scores 27712, a delta of 0.3 percent. The AMD Ryzen 7 6800U scores 27887, a delta of -0.3 percent. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D scores 27896, a delta of -0.3 percent. All four rivals perform within a narrow band of the i5-12600KF, meaning any of them would deliver similar frame rates in Lockdown Protocol when paired with the GTX 1070.

For the GPU side, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 holds the 47th percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 9780. Its nearest rivals are the AMD FirePro W5000 at 9803 score and -0.2 percent delta, the NVIDIA Quadro M2000M at 9832 score and -0.5 percent delta, the NVIDIA Tesla M10 at 9724 score and 0.6 percent delta, and the NVIDIA Tesla C2070 at 9716 score and 0.7 percent delta. These alternatives would produce nearly identical frame rates in Lockdown Protocol, though the Tesla and FirePro cards are workstation-oriented parts with different driver optimizations.

The practical takeaway is that swapping the i5-12600KF for any of its nearest CPU rivals would not change the gaming experience meaningfully. Likewise, the GTX 1070's closest GPU competitors would land within a fraction of a percent of its performance, keeping the same resolution and preset limitations intact.

FAQ

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

A: Yes, but only at Low settings. The measured average at 3840x2160 with Low settings is 62 FPS, which clears the 60 FPS threshold. High, Medium, and Ultra all fall below 60 FPS at this resolution.

Q: What is the best preset at 1440p for this system?

A: Medium settings provide the best balance, with an average of 68 FPS. Low settings reach 96 FPS but reduce visual quality, while High sits just under the threshold at 59 FPS average and Ultra drops to 45 FPS.

Q: Is the Ultra preset viable at 1080p?

A: Yes, Ultra at 1920x1080 averages 61 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS playable threshold. However, the margin is slim, so players may prefer High at 81 FPS average for more consistent performance.

Q: Which component limits performance more in this game?

A: The GPU is the primary constraint at higher resolutions. At 3840x2160, the GTX 1070 cannot maintain 60 FPS beyond Low settings. At 1920x1080, all presets are playable, indicating the i5-12600KF has sufficient headroom to feed the GPU.

Q: How does the i5-12600KF compare to its nearest CPU rivals?

A: The i5-12600KF has an average benchmark score of 27799. The Intel Core i9-10900K scores 27872, the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE scores 27712, the AMD Ryzen 7 6800U scores 27887, and the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D scores 27896. All are within 0.3 percent of each other, so gaming performance would be nearly identical.

Q: What frame rates can I expect at 1080p with Medium settings?

A: The measured average is 93 FPS, with a minimum of 79 FPS and a maximum of 107 FPS. This provides a solid margin above the 60 FPS threshold and is one of the most consistent results in the dataset.

The Verdict

This PC configuration can run Lockdown Protocol, but the experience depends heavily on resolution and preset choices. At 3840x2160, the system is limited to Low settings with an average of 62 FPS, which barely clears the 60 FPS threshold. Any higher preset at 4K falls short: High at 38 FPS, Medium at 44 FPS, and Ultra at 29 FPS are all below playable levels.

At 2560x1440, the system offers more options. Medium settings average 68 FPS, making it the recommended preset for this resolution. Low settings reach 96 FPS for players who prioritize frame rate over visuals. High at 59 FPS and Ultra at 45 FPS are not recommended, as they fall below or too close to the 60 FPS line.

At 1920x1080, the system is fully capable. All four presets clear 60 FPS: Ultra at 61 FPS, High at 81 FPS, Medium at 93 FPS, and Low at 131 FPS. This is the resolution where the i5-12600KF and GTX 1070 combination shines, offering playable performance across the entire settings range.

The verdict by resolution is clear: 4K is playable only on Low, 1440p is best on Medium, and 1080p supports Ultra with a modest frame rate cushion. The data indicates that this hardware pairing is well suited for 1080p gaming with high visual quality, acceptable for 1440p with medium settings, and only marginally viable for 4K on the lowest preset. Players targeting higher resolutions should consider adjusting expectations or upgrading the GPU, as the GTX 1070 remains the primary limiting factor above 1080p.