Lockdown Protocol

The Intel Core i7-12700KF and AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT combination delivers a playable experience in Lockdown Protocol at 1080p and 1440p across all tested presets, while 4K is limited to Low settings. The measured data shows average frame rates ranging from 39 FPS at 4K Ultra to 164.6 FPS at 1080p Low. The CPU launched at $384 and the GPU at $399 USD, but this analysis focuses solely on performance metrics. The combo ranks 2399th out of 3714 tested configurations, placing it in the upper half of the database.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The Intel Core i7-12700KF posts an average benchmark score of 35365, placing it in the 85th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals are all within a fraction of a percent: the Intel Core i7-13700T scores 35403 (delta -0.1%), the Intel Core i5-13600T scores 35305 (delta 0.2%), the Intel Core 5 213PE scores 35428 (delta -0.2%), and the Intel Core i7-12700K scores 35287 (delta 0.2%). These processors would deliver nearly identical CPU-bound performance in Lockdown Protocol, though the i7-12700KF's unlocked multiplier allows overclocking that could push it slightly ahead.

On the GPU side, the AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT achieves an average benchmark score of 19765, sitting in the 65th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are older workstation cards: the NVIDIA Tesla K40m scores 19885 (delta -0.6%), the AMD FirePro D300 scores 19637 (delta 0.7%), the AMD FirePro W7000 scores 19905 (delta -0.7%), and the NVIDIA Quadro K5200 scores 19602 (delta 0.8%). While these cards have similar aggregate scores, their driver support and feature sets differ significantly from the RDNA 2 architecture, so real-world game performance may diverge. For Lockdown Protocol specifically, the RX 6650 XT's 8 GB GDDR6 memory and 280.3 GB/s bandwidth are more relevant than the raw benchmark score.

FAQ

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

A: Yes, but only at Low settings. The measured average FPS at 3840x2160 Low is 75.8, which clears the 60 FPS threshold. Medium, High, and Ultra all fall below 60 FPS (55.6, 47.6, and 39 respectively).

Q: What is the best playable preset at 1440p?

A: Ultra settings are playable at 2560x1440, with an average of 60.1 FPS. This is the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS, so it is the recommended choice for maximum visual quality.

Q: How does the i7-12700KF compare to its closest CPU rival?

A: The i7-12700KF's average benchmark score is 35365, while the nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-13700T, scores 35403—a delta of -0.1%. This means the two are effectively identical in synthetic tests, though the i7-12700KF has a higher boost clock (5.00 GHz vs. the 13700T's unspecified clock) and an unlocked multiplier.

Q: What is the combo's rank among all tested systems?

A: The i7-12700KF + RX 6650 XT combination ranks 2399th out of 3714 tested combos in Lockdown Protocol. This places it in the 65th percentile, meaning it outperforms roughly two-thirds of all configurations tested.

Q: Does the GPU or CPU limit performance at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080 Low, the system reaches 164.6 FPS, which is well above typical refresh rates. This suggests the CPU is not a bottleneck at this resolution; the GPU becomes the limiting factor as settings increase, with Ultra dropping to 80 FPS.

Q: Are there any settings that produce exactly 60 FPS?

A: At 2560x1440 Ultra, the average FPS is 60.1, which is just above the 60 FPS threshold. No other preset lands exactly at 60; all other playable settings exceed it.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table lists the average FPS for each resolution and preset combination. Minimum and maximum frame rates were not recorded in the dataset.

| Resolution | Settings | Average FPS |

|------------|----------|-------------|

| 3840x2160 | High | 47.6 |

| 3840x2160 | Low | 75.8 |

| 3840x2160 | Medium | 55.6 |

| 3840x2160 | Ultra | 39.0 |

| 2560x1440 | High | 76.2 |

| 2560x1440 | Low | 119.8 |

| 2560x1440 | Medium | 88.5 |

| 2560x1440 | Ultra | 60.1 |

| 1920x1080 | High | 105.0 |

| 1920x1080 | Low | 164.6 |

| 1920x1080 | Medium | 116.4 |

| 1920x1080 | Ultra | 80.0 |

The data shows a clear scaling pattern: at each resolution, moving from Low to Ultra reduces average FPS by roughly 50%. At 1080p, the drop is from 164.6 to 80 (a 51% reduction); at 1440p, from 119.8 to 60.1 (50%); at 4K, from 75.8 to 39 (48%). The absolute FPS at 4K is much lower, indicating that the GPU becomes the primary constraint at higher pixel counts.

The Verdict

Based on the measured data, this PC can run Lockdown Protocol at 60 FPS or higher in the following scenarios:

• 3840x2160: Only Low settings are playable, with an average of 75.8 FPS. Medium (55.6), High (47.6), and Ultra (39) all fall short of the 60 FPS threshold.
• 2560x1440: All four presets are playable. Ultra averages 60.1 FPS, which is just above the threshold, while High (76.2), Medium (88.5), and Low (119.8) provide comfortable margins.
• 1920x1080: All presets are playable, with Ultra averaging 80 FPS and Low reaching 164.6 FPS.

The verdict is clear: for 4K gaming, users must accept Low settings to maintain smooth frame rates. At 1440p and 1080p, the system offers full preset flexibility, with Ultra settings delivering playable performance at both resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

The i7-12700KF + RX 6650 XT combination ranks 2399th out of 3714 tested combos in Lockdown Protocol. This places it in the 65th percentile of all configurations, meaning it outperforms approximately 64.6% of the systems tested. The rank reflects the combined CPU and GPU performance in this specific game. Given that the GPU alone sits in the 65th percentile and the CPU in the 85th percentile, the overall combo rank is pulled down by the GPU, which is the more limiting component at higher resolutions. At 1080p, the CPU's strength allows the system to reach very high frame rates, but at 4K, the GPU's 8 GB memory and 128-bit bus become bottlenecks.

Best Settings per Resolution

For each resolution, the most demanding preset that maintains an average of at least 60 FPS is:

• 3840x2160: Low settings, averaging 75.8 FPS. This is the only preset that clears the threshold; Medium, High, and Ultra all fall below 60.
• 2560x1440: Ultra settings, averaging 60.1 FPS. This is the highest quality preset that remains playable, though the margin is slim.
• 1920x1080: Ultra settings, averaging 80 FPS. This provides a comfortable buffer above 60 FPS while delivering maximum visual fidelity.

These recommendations prioritize visual quality while ensuring smooth gameplay. At 4K, the low preset is the only viable option; at 1440p and 1080p, users can enjoy Ultra without sacrificing frame rate.

CPU and GPU Roles

The data reveals how the CPU and GPU contribute to performance across resolutions. At 1920x1080 Low, the system achieves 164.6 FPS, which is far above the 60 FPS threshold. This high frame rate indicates that the CPU is not a limiting factor at this resolution; the i7-12700KF's 12 cores and 20 threads, along with its 5.00 GHz boost clock, provide ample headroom. As settings increase to Ultra at 1080p, the average FPS drops to 80, a 51% reduction. This drop is primarily due to the GPU's workload, as the RX 6650 XT's 2048 shading units and 10.79 TFLOPS are pushed harder by higher-quality textures and effects.

At 2560x1440, the pattern continues. Low settings yield 119.8 FPS, while Ultra drops to 60.1. The percentage reduction is similar to 1080p, but the absolute FPS is lower, indicating that the GPU is becoming more stressed. The CPU's performance remains sufficient, as evidenced by the fact that even at 1440p Low, the system exceeds 100 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is clearly the dominant constraint. Low settings produce 75.8 FPS, but Ultra falls to 39 FPS—a 48% reduction. The CPU's role diminishes further because the GPU is saturated with pixel work. The RX 6650 XT's 8 GB GDDR6 memory and 280.3 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient for high-quality 4K rendering, leading to sub-60 FPS at all presets except Low.

In summary, the i7-12700KF provides more than enough processing power for Lockdown Protocol at all tested resolutions. The RX 6650 XT is the limiting factor at 4K and becomes increasingly important as resolution and settings rise. At 1080p and 1440p, the GPU can handle Ultra presets, but at 4K, only Low settings are viable. The scaling between resolutions and presets confirms that this is a GPU-bound system for this game, with the CPU rarely becoming a bottleneck.