Lockdown Protocol

Best Settings per Resolution

At 3840x2160, no preset in the database reaches the 60 FPS playable threshold. The highest average frame rate recorded is 42 FPS at Low settings, which still falls short. Medium produces 30 FPS, High drops to 26 FPS, and Ultra bottoms out at 19 FPS. The 4K data indicates this combination cannot sustain a playable experience at any quality level.

At 2560x1440, the situation improves but remains limited. Low settings deliver 65 FPS, which clears the 60 FPS threshold. Medium falls to 46 FPS, High to 40 FPS, and Ultra to 30 FPS. The database marks Low as the best playable preset at this resolution, with an average of 65 FPS. Any higher preset sacrifices too much frame rate to remain viable.

At 1920x1080, two presets achieve playable status. Medium settings produce 63 FPS, which is the highest quality setting that stays at or above 60 FPS. Low runs at 88 FPS, providing a comfortable margin, but Medium is the recommended ceiling for visual quality. High drops to 55 FPS, and Ultra falls to 41 FPS, both below the threshold. The verdict data confirms Medium as the best playable setting at 1080p, with an average of 63 FPS.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i7-14700K paired with the Intel Arc B390 holds rank 3302 out of 3714 tested combinations in Lockdown Protocol. This places the combo in the bottom 11% of all configurations in the database. The ranking reflects a severe imbalance: the CPU is a top-tier desktop processor, while the GPU is an integrated-class part with a 9th percentile standing among all GPUs.

The high combo rank number (with rank 1 being best) indicates that most other tested systems outperform this pairing in this specific game. The GPU's 9th percentile score of 1482 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 suggests it is the primary bottleneck. In contrast, the CPU's 94th percentile ranking across all processors shows it has abundant headroom that the GPU cannot utilize. The recorded data shows a system where the processor is capable of far more than the graphics solution can deliver.

Measured FPS Breakdown

3840x2160:

• Low: 42 FPS average
• Medium: 30 FPS average, 25 FPS minimum, 34 FPS maximum
• High: 26 FPS average
• Ultra: 19 FPS average

2560x1440:

• Low: 65 FPS average
• Medium: 46 FPS average, 39 FPS minimum, 53 FPS maximum
• High: 40 FPS average
• Ultra: 30 FPS average

1920x1080:

• Low: 88 FPS average
• Medium: 63 FPS average, 53 FPS minimum, 72 FPS maximum
• High: 55 FPS average
• Ultra: 41 FPS average

The frame rate scaling across resolutions follows a clear pattern. At Low settings, moving from 1080p to 1440p drops performance from 88 to 65 FPS, a 26% reduction. Moving from 1440p to 4K further drops to 42 FPS, another 35% reduction. At Medium settings, the progression is 63 to 46 to 30 FPS, with similar percentage losses. The min/max data for Medium shows variance of about 9 to 10 FPS at 1080p and 1440p, while 4K shows a tighter 9 FPS spread. This consistency suggests the GPU is the limiting factor across all resolutions, with frame pacing remaining stable even when overall performance is low.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The CPU's nearest rivals in the database show very small score deltas. The AMD EPYC 9115 sits 0.1% above the i7-14700K in average benchmark score, essentially identical. The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X is 0.2% lower, the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is 0.7% lower, and the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F is 0.9% lower. All four processors would behave nearly identically in this game when paired with the same GPU, since the graphics solution is the limiting factor. Swapping the CPU among these options would not meaningfully change frame rates.

The GPU's nearest rivals are all NVIDIA parts with similarly low scores. The GeForce GT 520MX is 1.3% above the Arc B390, the GeForce 800M is 1.5% above, the GeForce GT 625 OEM is 2.5% above, and the GeForce GT 710 is 2.7% above. These deltas are small in percentage terms, but the absolute scores are all in the same low range. Any of these GPUs would produce comparable frame rates in Lockdown Protocol, meaning the entire group sits well below the 60 FPS target at 4K and struggles at higher presets in lower resolutions. The database shows no nearby GPU alternative that would rescue the playability situation.

CPU and GPU Roles

The data indicates the GPU is the dominant constraint at every resolution. At 1080p Low, the system reaches 88 FPS, but the CPU is capable of far more based on its benchmark scores. The i7-14700K's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 33440.5 and single-core score of 2160 place it in the 94th percentile of all CPUs. The Arc B390's 9th percentile GPU ranking and its 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1482 show a part designed for basic rendering, not high-refresh gaming.

Resolution scaling confirms the GPU bottleneck. At Low settings, frame rate drops by 26% from 1080p to 1440p and another 35% from 1440p to 4K. If the CPU were the constraint, resolution changes would have a smaller impact because the CPU workload stays roughly constant regardless of pixel count. Instead, the steep drops correlate with the GPU's need to fill more pixels, which it cannot handle.

Preset scaling also points to the GPU. At 1080p, moving from Low to Medium costs 25 FPS, from Medium to High costs 8 FPS, and from High to Ultra costs 14 FPS. The GPU struggles more with added effects and geometry than with resolution changes, which is typical for a weak graphics part. The CPU's role is minimal here: even at 4K Ultra with 19 FPS, the CPU is not the limiting factor. The recorded data shows a system where the GPU determines playability, and the CPU simply waits for work.

The Verdict

This PC can run Lockdown Protocol, but only under specific conditions. At 3840x2160, no preset reaches 60 FPS, so 4K is not playable. The best recorded result is 42 FPS at Low, which falls well short of the playable threshold.

At 2560x1440, Low settings produce 65 FPS, clearing the threshold with a small margin. Medium, High, and Ultra all fail to reach 60 FPS. The verdict data lists Low as the only playable setting at this resolution, with an average of 65 FPS. This is a viable option for users who prioritize frame rate over visual quality.

At 1920x1080, Low and Medium both exceed 60 FPS. Medium delivers 63 FPS, which is the best playable preset. Low runs at 88 FPS, offering a smoother experience if needed. High and Ultra fall below the threshold at 55 and 41 FPS respectively. The verdict confirms Medium as the recommended setting at 1080p, with an average of 63 FPS.

For users seeking a locked 60 FPS experience, 1080p Medium is the only combination that clears the threshold with a reasonable preset. The 1440p Low option works but requires a significant visual compromise. The system is not suitable for 4K gaming in this title, and even 1080p Ultra is out of reach. The hardware pairing is fundamentally mismatched for this game's demands.

FAQ

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

A: No. At 3840x2160, the highest recorded average is 42 FPS at Low settings. Medium, High, and Ultra produce 30, 26, and 19 FPS respectively, all below the 60 FPS playable threshold.

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

A: Low settings at 2560x1440 deliver 65 FPS on average, which is the only preset that clears the 60 FPS threshold at this resolution. Medium, High, and Ultra all fall short.

Q: How does the Arc B390 compare to its nearest GPU rivals?

A: The Arc B390's average benchmark score of 1482 is 1.3% below the GeForce GT 520MX, 1.5% below the GeForce 800M, 2.5% below the GT 625 OEM, and 2.7% below the GT 710. All of these GPUs would produce similar frame rates in this game.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor for this game?

A: The GPU is the limiting factor at all resolutions. The i7-14700K ranks in the 94th percentile among CPUs, while the Arc B390 ranks in the 9th percentile among GPUs. Frame rates drop sharply with resolution and preset changes, which is consistent with a GPU bottleneck.

Q: What frame rates does this system achieve at 1080p Medium?

A: At 1920x1080 with Medium settings, the system records an average of 63 FPS, with a minimum of 53 FPS and a maximum of 72 FPS. This is the best playable preset at this resolution.

Q: How does this combo rank among all tested systems in Lockdown Protocol?

A: The combo ranks 3302 out of 3714 tested combinations, placing it in the bottom portion of the database. The low GPU performance relative to the CPU explains this ranking.