Lockdown Protocol

Can Intel Core i7-14700K + NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER run Lockdown Protocol? The recorded data indicates this combination is capable of delivering smooth gameplay at standard resolutions, though 4K remains out of reach. The pairing of a top-tier 20-core processor with a mid-range Turing-based GPU creates a system where the graphics card is the primary constraint in this FPS title. Benchmark results show that 1080p and 1440p gaming are both viable, provided the right settings are selected.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 1920x1080, the most demanding preset that maintains an average of 60 FPS or higher is High, which delivers an average of 76 FPS. This leaves substantial headroom above the 60 FPS threshold, making it the optimal choice for visual fidelity without sacrificing fluidity. The Ultra preset at this resolution drops to an average of 57 FPS, falling just short of the playable threshold, so High is the recommended ceiling for a consistent experience.

At 2560x1440, the best playable setting is Medium, producing an average of 64 FPS. This crosses the 60 FPS line, though with less margin than at 1080p. The High preset at this resolution averages 56 FPS, which is below the playable threshold, so Medium represents the balance point between image quality and frame rate for 1440p gaming.

At 3840x2160, no preset achieves an average of 60 FPS. The closest option is Low, which averages 58 FPS, narrowly missing the playable mark. Medium averages 41 FPS, High averages 36 FPS, and Ultra averages 27 FPS. The data shows that 4K resolution is not viable for this combination in Lockdown Protocol, regardless of settings.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Lockdown Protocol at 1080p?

A: Yes. The database records average frame rates of 123 FPS on Low, 87 FPS on Medium, and 76 FPS on High at 1920x1080. All three presets clear the 60 FPS playable threshold. The Ultra preset averages 57 FPS, which is below the threshold.

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

A: Medium is the best playable option at 2560x1440, averaging 64 FPS. Low averages 90 FPS, but Medium provides higher visual quality while still remaining above the 60 FPS line. High and Ultra fall short at 56 FPS and 42 FPS respectively.

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

A: No. At 3840x2160, the highest recorded average is 58 FPS on Low settings, which is below the 60 FPS playable threshold. Medium averages 41 FPS, High averages 36 FPS, and Ultra averages 27 FPS. The verdict data lists no playable settings for 4K.

Q: How does the GTX 1660 SUPER compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The GPU sits at the 53rd percentile of all GPUs in the database. Its average benchmark score of 12986 is nearly identical to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Mobile, which scores 12940 and is 0.4% faster. The AMD Radeon RX 580 scores 12928, also 0.4% ahead, while the AMD Radeon 740M scores 12870, 0.9% behind.

Q: Does the CPU hold back the GPU in this game?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700K ranks in the 94th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 69355. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, scores 69515, which is 0.2% higher. The CPU's performance is far above what the GTX 1660 SUPER requires, so the GPU is the limiting factor in Lockdown Protocol.

Q: What frame rates can I expect on Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: The Ultra preset at 1920x1080 averages 57 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS playable threshold. This makes Ultra unsuitable for consistent 60 FPS gameplay, though it may be acceptable for users who prioritize visual quality over frame rate stability.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the full range of settings shows a clear progression. The Low preset delivers the highest average at 123 FPS. Medium averages 87 FPS, with a minimum of 74 FPS and a maximum of 100 FPS. High averages 76 FPS. Ultra falls to an average of 57 FPS. All presets except Ultra remain above the 60 FPS playable threshold, and even the minimum recorded value on Medium stays above 60 FPS.

At 2560x1440, performance drops noticeably. Low averages 90 FPS, still comfortably above the threshold. Medium averages 64 FPS, with a minimum of 54 FPS and a maximum of 73 FPS. This minimum dips below 60 FPS, indicating some frame pacing variability. High averages 56 FPS, just under the playable line. Ultra averages 42 FPS, making it unsuitable for smooth play.

At 3840x2160, the results show a steep decline. Low averages 58 FPS, barely missing the 60 FPS target. Medium averages 41 FPS, with a minimum of 35 FPS and a maximum of 47 FPS. High averages 36 FPS. Ultra averages 27 FPS. The data confirms that 4K resolution is beyond the capabilities of this GPU for this title, as even the lowest settings fail to reach the playable threshold.

Similar Performance Alternatives

For the CPU, the Intel Core i7-14700K performs within a narrow band of several AMD processors. The AMD EPYC 9115 has an average score of 69288, which is 0.1% lower than the i7-14700K's 69355. The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X scores 69515, 0.2% higher. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX scores 69875, 0.7% higher. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F scores 69996, 0.9% higher. In practical terms, all four alternatives would deliver nearly identical CPU-bound performance in Lockdown Protocol, meaning the choice between them would not change frame rates in any meaningful way.

For the GPU, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER's average score of 12986 places it close to several other graphics cards. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Mobile scores 12940, which is 0.4% lower, making it essentially a peer in performance. The AMD Radeon RX 580 scores 12928, also 0.4% lower. The NVIDIA Tesla M2090 scores 13075, which is 0.7% higher. The AMD Radeon 740M scores 12870, 0.9% lower. Each of these alternatives would produce frame rates within a few percent of the GTX 1660 SUPER, so users with any of these GPUs can expect similar results at the same settings and resolutions.

The Verdict

The verdict data is clear: this system can run Lockdown Protocol at 60 FPS, but only at certain resolutions. At 1920x1080, the playable settings are High, Low, and Medium, with High being the best choice at 76 FPS average. At 2560x1440, Low and Medium are playable, with Medium the best option at 64 FPS average. At 3840x2160, there are no playable settings; even Low falls short at 58 FPS average.

For users targeting standard 1080p gaming, the High preset delivers a comfortable margin above the 60 FPS threshold, and the minimum frame rates recorded on Medium suggest the system handles dips reasonably well. For 1440p, Medium is the sweet spot, though the 54 FPS minimum indicates occasional drops below 60 FPS that may be noticeable in fast-paced scenes. For 4K, the recommendation is to lower the resolution or upgrade the GPU, as no settings combination reaches the playable threshold.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific combination of Intel Core i7-14700K and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER ranks 3166th out of 3714 tested combos in the database for Lockdown Protocol. This places it in the lower portion of the overall rankings, which reflects the GPU's position as the limiting factor. The CPU's 94th percentile standing among all processors shows it is not the bottleneck, but the GTX 1660 SUPER's 53rd percentile ranking among GPUs drags the combined score down.

The ranking indicates that while this system is capable of playable frame rates at 1080p and 1440p, it is far from the top of the performance curve. Many other combinations in the database achieve higher scores, primarily through more powerful GPUs. The data suggests that users with this combo should focus on the GPU as the next upgrade path, as the i7-14700K provides ample headroom for a faster graphics card without becoming a bottleneck. The 1080p results, where High settings average 76 FPS, demonstrate that the system is well balanced for mainstream gaming, but the 4K results, where no preset reaches 60 FPS, highlight the GPU's limitations.