Lockdown Protocol

The Intel Core i5-9400 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER combination delivers a solid, playable experience in Lockdown Protocol at mainstream resolutions, but it falls short of the 60 FPS threshold at 4K. The recorded data shows a clear performance curve that scales predictably with resolution and graphical presets. At 1920x1080, the combo is highly capable, while 2560x1440 remains playable at moderate settings. For 3840x2160, the hardware simply lacks the headroom needed for smooth frame rates. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS across all tested configurations and ranks the pairing against the broader database of tested combos.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The benchmark results for this CPU and GPU pairing in Lockdown Protocol provide a comprehensive look at its performance across three resolutions and four quality presets. The data was recorded at 1920x1080, 2560x1440, and 3840x2160, with Low, Medium, High, and Ultra settings tested at each resolution. All figures below represent average FPS, as minimum and maximum frame time data was not recorded for this configuration.

Starting at 1920x1080, the combo delivers its strongest performance. At Low settings, the average FPS reaches 121.1, which is more than double the 60 FPS playability threshold. Moving to Medium settings, the average drops to 84.8 FPS, still comfortably above the threshold. High settings produce an average of 78 FPS, and Ultra settings bring the average down to 54.7 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target. The scaling from Low to Ultra at 1080p shows a drop of 66.4 FPS, indicating that the GPU is the primary bottleneck at the highest preset.

At 2560x1440, performance degrades as expected. Low settings yield an average of 87.9 FPS, which is still well above the threshold. Medium settings deliver 64.3 FPS, just barely clearing the 60 FPS line. High settings drop to 59.1 FPS, missing the threshold by a small margin. Ultra settings produce an average of 39.8 FPS, a significant reduction that makes this preset unplayable. The transition from 1080p to 1440p at the same settings shows a consistent loss of roughly 25 to 30 percent of the frame rate.

At 3840x2160, the hardware struggles to maintain playable performance. Low settings produce an average of 59.8 FPS, which is a hair below the 60 FPS threshold. Medium settings drop to 43.3 FPS, High settings fall to 35.5 FPS, and Ultra settings bottom out at 25.2 FPS. None of the 4K presets reach the playable threshold, and the gap between Low and Ultra is 34.6 FPS. The data indicates that this resolution is not viable for smooth gameplay with this combination.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the database of tested hardware combinations for Lockdown Protocol, this pairing ranks 3235 out of 3714 total combos. That places it in the lower 13th percentile of all tested configurations, meaning the majority of other CPU and GPU pairings deliver higher average frame rates in this specific game. The rank reflects the mid-range positioning of both components, as neither the i5-9400 nor the GTX 1660 SUPER represents a high-end part in their respective product stacks.

The CPU, Intel Core i5-9400, sits at the 47th percentile when compared against all CPUs in the database. Its average benchmark score is 2254, which places it in direct competition with several other mid-range processors. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 with an average score of 2259, a delta of -0.2 percent, and the Intel Core i7-10710U with a score of 2248, a delta of 0.3 percent. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 scores 2246, a 0.4 percent difference, and the Intel Core i3-10305 scores 2264, a -0.4 percent delta. These margins are minimal, indicating that the i5-9400 performs essentially on par with its closest competitors in synthetic benchmarks.

The GPU, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER, ranks at the 53rd percentile among all GPUs. Its average benchmark score is 12986. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Mobile with a score of 12940, a 0.4 percent delta, and the AMD Radeon RX 580 with a score of 12928, also a 0.4 percent delta. The NVIDIA Tesla M2090 scores 13075, a -0.7 percent difference, and the AMD Radeon 740M scores 12870, a 0.9 percent delta. The GTX 1660 SUPER is essentially tied with these parts in raw compute performance, which explains its mid-pack placement.

Given these individual standings, the combo rank of 3235 out of 3714 makes sense. The hardware is not weak, but it faces stiff competition from more modern and higher-tier components. In Lockdown Protocol, the combination delivers playable results at 1080p and 1440p, but its overall standing in the database reflects the ceiling imposed by the older CPU and the modest GPU.

CPU and GPU Roles

The data shows that the GPU is the dominant factor in determining performance at every resolution and preset combination. The i5-9400 provides enough processing power to feed the GTX 1660 SUPER at 1080p, but as resolution increases, the GPU load grows and becomes the clear limiting factor.

At 1920x1080, the difference between Low and Ultra settings is 66.4 FPS. This wide gap indicates that the GPU is heavily utilized, and the CPU is not holding it back. The i5-9400, with its six cores and six threads, can handle the game's logic and draw calls without bottlenecking the graphics card at this resolution. The high frame rates at Low settings, 121.1 FPS, confirm that the GPU has headroom when pixel count is low.

At 2560x1440, the GPU becomes more stressed. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p at the same settings shows a reduction of roughly 30 percent in frame rate across all presets. This is consistent with the increased pixel fill rate demand. The CPU remains capable, as evidenced by the fact that the frame rate drop is proportional to the resolution increase, not a sudden collapse that would indicate a CPU limit.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is overwhelmed. The frame rates fall below 60 FPS even at Low settings, and the gap between Low and Ultra is 34.6 FPS. The CPU is no longer a relevant factor at this resolution, as the GPU cannot render frames fast enough to be constrained by the processor. The i5-9400's performance in synthetic benchmarks, such as its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6629, shows it has sufficient compute power for gaming, but the GTX 1660 SUPER's 5.027 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is simply insufficient for 4K gaming in this title.

The verdict is clear: the GPU dictates playability. The CPU is a capable partner, but it does not meaningfully influence the frame rate differences between resolutions or presets. Users looking to improve performance should focus on the graphics card first.

The Verdict

This PC can run Lockdown Protocol at 1920x1080 and 2560x1440 with specific settings, but it cannot achieve playable performance at 3840x2160. The database verdict confirms that the 60 FPS threshold is not met at any preset for the 4K resolution.

At 1920x1080, the combo clears the 60 FPS threshold at Low, Medium, and High settings. The High preset delivers an average of 78 FPS, making it the best playable option. Ultra settings fall to 54.7 FPS, which is below the threshold. At 2560x1440, Low and Medium settings clear 60 FPS, with Medium producing an average of 64.3 FPS. High settings at 59.1 FPS and Ultra at 39.8 FPS are not playable. At 3840x2160, no preset reaches 60 FPS. Low settings come closest at 59.8 FPS, but this is still short of the mark.

For a 1080p monitor, this system is well-suited for Lockdown Protocol. Players can enjoy high-quality visuals while maintaining a smooth frame rate. For a 1440p monitor, the system is adequate, but users will need to stick to Medium settings or lower to avoid dips below 60 FPS. For 4K displays, this hardware is not recommended for this game, as even the lowest settings cannot sustain playable performance.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest playable preset at 1920x1080 for this combo?

A: The High preset is the most demanding setting that stays above 60 FPS, with an average of 78 FPS. Ultra settings drop to 54.7 FPS, which is below the playable threshold.

Q: Can this system handle 2560x1440 resolution?

A: Yes, but only at Low or Medium settings. Medium produces an average of 64.3 FPS, while High falls to 59.1 FPS and Ultra drops to 39.8 FPS.

Q: Is 4K gaming possible with the GTX 1660 SUPER in this game?

A: No. The highest average FPS at 3840x2160 is 59.8 at Low settings, which is below the 60 FPS threshold. Ultra settings only reach 25.2 FPS.

Q: How does the Intel Core i5-9400 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The i5-9400 has an average benchmark score of 2254. It is within 0.4 percent of the Intel Core i7-10710U and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500, and within 0.2 percent of the Intel Core i7-1068NG7.

Q: What is the GPU's ranking among all tested GPUs?

A: The GTX 1660 SUPER sits at the 53rd percentile, with an average benchmark score of 12986. Its closest rival, the RTX 3050 Ti Mobile, is only 0.4 percent faster.

Q: Does the CPU or GPU limit performance more in this game?

A: The GPU is the limiting factor at all resolutions. The frame rate drops significantly as resolution increases, and the CPU's performance is sufficient to avoid bottlenecking at 1080p.

Best Settings per Resolution

For each resolution, the following settings represent the highest quality preset that maintains an average FPS at or above the 60 FPS playable threshold.

At 1920x1080, the best settings are High, which produce an average of 78 FPS. This provides a strong balance between visual quality and smooth gameplay. The Low preset runs at 121.1 FPS and Medium at 84.8 FPS, but High offers the best visual experience while still clearing the threshold.

At 2560x1440, the best settings are Medium, which deliver an average of 64.3 FPS. This is barely above the 60 FPS threshold, but it is the highest preset that remains playable. Low settings run at 87.9 FPS, but Medium provides better visuals without sacrificing smoothness.

At 3840x2160, there is no playable preset. The best performing option is Low at 59.8 FPS, which falls short of the threshold. Users with 4K displays should consider lowering the resolution to 1440p or upgrading the GPU to achieve playable performance.