Lockdown Protocol

The Intel Core i5-13400F paired with the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT delivers a robust performance profile in Lockdown Protocol, with measured data showing that the combination is capable of exceeding the 60 FPS playability threshold across almost every tested setting and resolution. The only exception is the most demanding configuration at 4K, where Ultra settings dip to an average of 58.5 FPS. This pairing demonstrates a strong balance, with the GPU being the primary driver of performance at higher resolutions, while the CPU's capabilities become more apparent at lower resolutions where frame rates scale dramatically.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data for this combo reveals a clear and consistent scaling pattern across the three resolutions and four quality presets. At 3840x2160 (4K), the average frame rates are 76 FPS on High, 86.7 FPS on Medium, and 124.5 FPS on Low. The Ultra preset at 4K is the only configuration in the entire dataset that falls below the 60 FPS playable threshold, averaging 58.5 FPS. This indicates that while the combo is powerful, the most graphically intensive settings at 4K will stress the system.

Moving down to 2560x1440 (1440p), the performance headroom expands substantially. The average FPS figures are 118.6 for High, 136.3 for Medium, and 192.7 for Low. The Ultra preset at this resolution comfortably exceeds the threshold with an average of 86.4 FPS. The jump from 4K to 1440p yields significant gains, with High settings improving by 42.6 FPS and Medium settings by 49.6 FPS, showcasing the GPU's ability to handle the reduced pixel count with ease.

At 1920x1080 (1080p), the combo reaches its peak performance. The average frame rates are 158.5 FPS on High, 183 FPS on Medium, and 258.8 FPS on Low. The Ultra preset averages 118.7 FPS, which is nearly double the 4K Ultra figure. The scaling from 1440p to 1080p is again substantial, with High settings gaining 39.9 FPS and Ultra gaining 32.3 FPS. This pattern suggests that at 1080p, the CPU and GPU are working in a very efficient envelope, delivering frame rates that are well beyond the needs of most displays.

How This Combo Ranks

In the comprehensive database of tested combinations, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i5-13400F and AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT holds a combo rank of 931 out of 3714 tested combos for Lockdown Protocol. This places it in the top 25% of all systems, indicating that it is a high-performing configuration relative to the broader field. The data suggests that while it is not a top-tier enthusiast setup, it sits comfortably above the median, providing a strong foundation for smooth gameplay.

The rank is a holistic measure that accounts for performance across various metrics and settings. Given that this combo achieves playable frame rates in 11 out of 12 tested configurations, the ranking reflects a system that is well-suited for the game's demands. The percentile data for the individual components reinforces this position: the CPU is in the 77th percentile among all CPUs, while the GPU is in the 55th percentile among all GPUs. This indicates that the CPU is a stronger relative performer than the GPU, which is an interesting dynamic when analyzing the bottleneck characteristics of the system.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark results indicate a clear shift in component dominance depending on the resolution. At 4K, the GPU is undoubtedly the limiting factor. The performance difference between Low and Ultra settings is 66 FPS (124.5 vs 58.5), which is a massive swing that underscores the GPU's workload. The CPU, while capable, has enough headroom to feed the GPU at this resolution, but the RX 9070 XT's raw throughput is the primary constraint. The data shows that reducing the preset from High to Low at 4K yields a 48.5 FPS improvement, a 63.8% increase, highlighting how sensitive this resolution is to GPU load.

At 1440p, a more balanced dynamic emerges. The scaling between Low and Ultra is still significant, with a 106.3 FPS difference (192.7 vs 86.4). However, the fact that even Ultra settings maintain an average above 60 FPS suggests that the GPU is no longer as heavily taxed as at 4K. The CPU begins to play a more substantial role here, as the frame rates are high enough that the processor's ability to handle game logic and draw calls becomes more relevant. The performance gap between Medium and High is 17.7 FPS, which is smaller than the gap between Low and Medium (56.4 FPS), indicating a diminishing return as settings increase, a classic sign of the GPU becoming less of a bottleneck.

At 1080p, the CPU's role is magnified. The frame rates are exceptionally high, with Low settings reaching 258.8 FPS. At this point, the GPU is likely not being fully utilized, and the Intel Core i5-13400F's single-thread and multi-thread capabilities are critical for achieving these numbers. The difference between Low and Ultra is 140.1 FPS, but the absolute performance levels suggest that the CPU is setting the ceiling. The scaling from 1440p to 1080p at Low settings is 66.1 FPS, which is the largest jump across any resolution change, further indicating that the system is becoming CPU-limited as the pixel count drops.

Similar Performance Alternatives

Looking at the nearest rivals for the CPU and GPU provides insight into what other hardware would deliver similar results. For the CPU, the Intel Core i5-13400F's average benchmark score of 25292 is closely matched by the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS (score 25284, delta 0%), the Intel Core 5 120 (score 25362, delta -0.3%), the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D (score 25365, delta -0.3%), and the AMD Ryzen 7 6800H (score 25201, delta 0.4%). This means that a system using any of these processors, when paired with the same GPU, would likely produce very similar frame rates in Lockdown Protocol, as the performance deltas are negligible.

For the GPU, the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT has an average benchmark score of 13543. Its nearest rivals are the AMD Radeon HD 7770M (score 13536, delta 0.1%), the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570 (score 13515, delta 0.2%), the NVIDIA P106-090 (score 13470, delta 0.5%), and the AMD Radeon Pro 555 (score 13407, delta 1%). While these rivals score nearly identically in synthetic benchmarks, it is important to note that they are from different eras and architectures. The data implies that their raw compute performance is similar, but real-world gaming performance in a modern title like Lockdown Protocol could vary due to feature support and driver optimization, which are not captured in the average benchmark score.

Best Settings per Resolution

The data provides a clear recommendation for the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS at each resolution. At 3840x2160, the best setting is High, which achieves an average of 76 FPS. This is the highest quality preset that maintains playability, as the Ultra setting falls to 58.5 FPS, just below the threshold.

At 2560x1440, the system can handle the most demanding preset, Ultra, with an average of 86.4 FPS. This provides a significant visual uplift over High settings while still offering a comfortable margin above the 60 FPS target. The performance headroom here suggests that players have room to spare for any potential in-game fluctuations.

At 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is also the best choice, averaging 118.7 FPS. This is a highly playable frame rate that should provide a very smooth experience on standard refresh rate monitors and is even sufficient for higher refresh rate displays. The system is clearly not strained at this resolution, offering substantial headroom for future game updates or more demanding scenes.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Lockdown Protocol at 4K resolution?

A: Yes, it can run the game at 4K, but not at the highest settings. The measured data shows that the High preset averages 76 FPS, Medium averages 86.7 FPS, and Low averages 124.5 FPS. The Ultra preset is not playable, averaging only 58.5 FPS.

Q: What is the best settings preset for 1440p gaming?

A: The Ultra preset is the best option at 2560x1440, as it delivers an average of 86.4 FPS. This is the most demanding setting that still maintains a frame rate well above the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more important for this game?

A: The GPU is the primary performance driver at 4K, as evidenced by the large frame rate differences between presets. At 1080p, the CPU becomes more significant, as the very high frame rates (up to 258.8 FPS on Low) suggest that the processor is the limiting factor.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to other tested systems?

A: This combination of the Intel Core i5-13400F and AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT ranks 931st out of 3714 tested combos for Lockdown Protocol, placing it in the top 25% of all tested systems.

Q: What frame rate can I expect at 1080p with High settings?

A: At 1920x1080 with High settings, the average frame rate is 158.5 FPS. This provides a very smooth experience and is well above the 60 FPS playability threshold.

Q: Are there alternative components that would perform similarly?

A: Yes. The CPU's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS and the Intel Core 5 120, while the GPU's nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon HD 7770M and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570. These components have nearly identical average benchmark scores, suggesting similar overall performance.

The Verdict

The data unequivocally shows that this PC can run Lockdown Protocol with excellent performance. The verdict by resolution is clear: at 1920x1080, all presets are playable, with the Ultra preset achieving a stellar 118.7 FPS. At 2560x1440, all presets are also playable, with Ultra delivering 86.4 FPS, offering a great balance of visuals and speed. At 3840x2160, the system remains playable on High, Medium, and Low settings, with the High preset providing the best visual quality at 76 FPS. The only configuration that fails to clear the 60 FPS threshold is 4K Ultra, which averages 58.5 FPS. For the vast majority of gaming scenarios, this combo provides a powerful, smooth, and capable experience that will easily handle Lockdown Protocol.