Lockdown Protocol

The Intel Core i9-14900K and AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT combination delivers strong performance in Lockdown Protocol, with benchmark data showing that the system can maintain fluid frame rates across all tested resolutions and settings. The pairing ranks 1277 out of 3714 tested combos, placing it in the upper third of all configurations. The measured FPS data reveals that the system excels at 1080p and 1440p, while 4K performance remains playable at most quality presets, with the Ultra preset being the only configuration that dips below the 60 FPS threshold.

FAQ

Q: What is the best settings preset for 4K (3840x2160) resolution?

A: The High preset is the most demanding configuration that stays at or above 60 FPS at 4K, delivering an average of 68.5 FPS. The Ultra preset falls below the playable threshold at 54.7 FPS average.

Q: Can this system run the game at 1440p with maximum settings?

A: Yes, the Ultra preset at 2560x1440 achieves an average of 77.8 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS playable threshold. All four quality presets (Low, Medium, High, Ultra) are playable at this resolution.

Q: How much faster is the Low preset compared to Ultra at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the Low preset delivers 233.1 FPS average, which is 113.5% higher than the Ultra preset's 109.2 FPS average. This represents the largest performance gap between presets at any resolution.

Q: What is the CPU's benchmark percentile compared to other processors?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900K ranks in the 95th percentile among all tested CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 79097. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i9-14900KF, scores 79371, which is 0.3% higher.

Q: What is the GPU's benchmark percentile compared to other graphics cards?

A: The AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT sits in the 51st percentile among all tested GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 11627. Its closest competitor, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660, scores 11680, which is 0.5% higher.

Q: Which resolution shows the smallest performance difference between Low and Ultra settings?

A: At 3840x2160, the difference between Low (111 FPS) and Ultra (54.7 FPS) is 56.3 FPS, which is proportionally the smallest gap. The 4K resolution is more GPU-bound, reducing the impact of quality settings compared to lower resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i9-14900K and AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT ranks 1277 out of 3714 tested combos in Lockdown Protocol, placing it in the 65.6th percentile of all configurations. This position indicates that the pairing sits comfortably above the median performance level, though it is not among the top-tier combinations. The CPU's strong showing in synthetic benchmarks—particularly its 95th percentile ranking and 39399.5 Cinebench R23 multi-core score—suggests that the processor provides ample headroom for this FPS title. The GPU's more modest 51st percentile ranking, however, anchors the overall combo position, as the RX 7800 XT's average benchmark score of 11627 places it in the middle of the pack.

The ranking data shows that this combination outperforms a significant majority of tested systems, but the GPU represents the limiting factor in the pairing. The CPU's nearest rivals, including the Intel Core i9-14900KF at 79371 and AMD EPYC 7413 at 80041, show that the processor is competitive with high-end alternatives. The GPU's nearest rivals, such as the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 at 11680 and AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT at 11842, reveal that the RX 7800 XT is positioned in a crowded mid-range segment. This combination of a top-tier CPU with a mid-range GPU produces a balanced system that handles Lockdown Protocol well across most settings, but the 1277 rank reflects the GPU's relative position in the broader hardware landscape.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 3840x2160, the most demanding preset that maintains at least 60 FPS is High, which averages 68.5 FPS. The Medium preset delivers 76.9 FPS, and Low reaches 111 FPS, but Ultra drops to 54.7 FPS, making it the only unplayable configuration at this resolution. The verdict data confirms that High is the optimal choice for 4K, balancing visual quality with a comfortable margin above the 60 FPS threshold.

For 2560x1440, all four presets remain playable, with Ultra being the best setting at 77.8 FPS. The High preset achieves 107.9 FPS, Medium reaches 121.8 FPS, and Low peaks at 170.1 FPS. The verdict identifies Ultra as the best setting at 1440p, providing a significant performance buffer while maximizing visual fidelity.

At 1920x1080, the system delivers outstanding performance across every preset. The Ultra setting averages 109.2 FPS, making it the recommended choice for this resolution. High reaches 143.5 FPS, Medium hits 167.7 FPS, and Low produces 233.1 FPS. The verdict confirms Ultra as the best setting at 1080p, with all presets well above the playable threshold and the system capable of driving high-refresh-rate displays at this resolution.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The Intel Core i9-14900K's nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks provide insight into CPU alternatives that would behave similarly in Lockdown Protocol. The Intel Core i9-14900KF scores 79371, just 0.3% higher, making it a near-identical substitute. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus achieves 79574, 0.6% higher, while the AMD EPYC 7413 scores 80041, 1.2% higher. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 trails at 77740, which is 1.7% lower. These processors would all deliver comparable CPU-bound performance in the game, with the i9-14900KF being the most direct equivalent.

For the GPU side, the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT's nearest rivals show that several alternatives would produce similar frame rates. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 scores 11680, 0.5% higher, while the AMD Radeon Pro 5500M scores 11528, 0.9% lower. The NVIDIA Tesla K20c achieves 11479, 1.3% lower, and the AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT scores 11842, 1.8% higher. These GPUs would likely produce frame rates within a few percentage points of the RX 7800 XT in Lockdown Protocol, though the architectural differences between generations may affect specific game workloads.

CPU and GPU Roles

The performance scaling between resolutions and presets reveals how the CPU and GPU each contribute to Lockdown Protocol's frame rates. At 1920x1080, the system achieves 233.1 FPS on Low settings, showing extreme CPU-driven performance headroom. The drop to 109.2 FPS at Ultra represents a 53.1% reduction, indicating that GPU load increases significantly with quality settings at this resolution. The CPU's 95th percentile ranking and strong single-core performance (2262.5 in Cinebench R23 single-core) suggest that it is not the bottleneck at 1080p.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance scaling becomes more pronounced. Low settings deliver 170.1 FPS, while Ultra produces 77.8 FPS, a 54.3% decrease. The High preset at 107.9 FPS shows that GPU load continues to dominate as resolution increases. At 3840x2160, the system's performance drops further, with Low at 111 FPS and Ultra at 54.7 FPS, a 50.7% reduction. The 4K results demonstrate that the GPU becomes the primary limiting factor, as even the High preset at 68.5 FPS leaves little margin above the 60 FPS threshold.

The data indicates that the GPU matters more at higher resolutions, while the CPU's strong performance provides a foundation that never becomes a limiting factor. Between 1080p and 1440p, the average FPS across all settings drops by roughly 30-40%, and between 1440p and 4K, the drop is another 40-50%. This scaling pattern is consistent with a GPU-bound workload at higher resolutions, supported by a CPU that maintains consistent frame delivery without introducing stutter or bottlenecking.

The Verdict

The benchmark data confirms that this PC can run Lockdown Protocol effectively across all tested resolutions. At 3840x2160, the system achieves playable frame rates on High (68.5 FPS), Medium (76.9 FPS), and Low (111 FPS) presets, with only Ultra falling below the 60 FPS threshold at 54.7 FPS. The verdict identifies High as the best setting for 4K, providing a 8.5 FPS margin above the playable threshold.

For 2560x1440, the system is playable at every preset, with Ultra delivering 77.8 FPS and providing a 17.8 FPS buffer. The 1920x1080 results show the system's full capability, with Ultra at 109.2 FPS and all other presets exceeding 140 FPS. The verdict confirms that Ultra is the best setting at both 1440p and 1080p, making this combination suitable for high-refresh-rate gaming at 1080p and smooth performance at 1440p with maximum settings. At 4K, users should stick to High settings to maintain a consistent 60+ FPS experience.

Measured FPS Breakdown

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: 111 FPS average
• Medium: 76.9 FPS average
• High: 68.5 FPS average
• Ultra: 54.7 FPS average

At 4K, the system shows a clear progression from Low to Ultra, with the Ultra preset being the only configuration that fails to reach 60 FPS. The 56.3 FPS gap between Low and Ultra demonstrates the significant GPU load at this resolution.

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: 170.1 FPS average
• Medium: 121.8 FPS average
• High: 107.9 FPS average
• Ultra: 77.8 FPS average

The 1440p results show all presets comfortably above 60 FPS, with even the Ultra setting providing a 17.8 FPS margin. The 92.3 FPS difference between Low and Ultra indicates that quality settings have a substantial impact at this resolution.

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: 233.1 FPS average
• Medium: 167.7 FPS average
• High: 143.5 FPS average
• Ultra: 109.2 FPS average

At 1080p, the system delivers exceptional performance, with the lowest preset producing 233.1 FPS and the most demanding preset still exceeding 100 FPS. The 123.9 FPS gap between Low and Ultra highlights the GPU's capacity to handle high-quality settings at this resolution while maintaining high frame rates.