Lockdown Protocol

Lockdown Protocol, a 2024 FPS title, presents a demanding workload that scales significantly with resolution. The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT produces a wide range of performance outcomes, from a smooth 4K experience at reduced settings to a fully maxed-out 1080p run. The measured data indicates that the CPU is rarely the limiting factor; instead, the GPU’s capabilities define the playable envelope at each resolution. The following analysis breaks down the exact frame rates, component roles, and comparative standing of this hardware pairing.

Best Settings per Resolution

The data shows a clear progression of playable presets across the three tested resolutions, with the 60 FPS threshold serving as the benchmark for a playable experience.

At 3840x2160 (4K), the most demanding preset that maintains an average of at least 60 FPS is Low, which achieves an average of 78 FPS. The step up to Medium drops the average to 56 FPS, which falls below the 60 FPS target. High and Ultra settings are not viable at this resolution, producing averages of 49 FPS and 36 FPS respectively.

Moving to 2560x1440 (1440p), the headroom increases substantially. The most demanding preset that clears the 60 FPS mark is High, with an average of 75 FPS. Medium is also playable at 86 FPS, and Low runs at 121 FPS. However, Ultra settings at 1440p produce an average of 56 FPS, making it unsuitable for consistent 60 FPS gameplay.

At 1920x1080 (1080p), the combination has enough performance to run the game at its highest settings. The most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is Ultra, which delivers an average of 77 FPS. This is the only resolution where the Ultra preset is fully playable. High, Medium, and Low settings all run at 103 FPS, 117 FPS, and 165 FPS respectively, providing ample headroom for high-refresh-rate displays.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark results indicate that the AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT is the primary performance bottleneck in this pairing. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus, with its high benchmark scores, provides ample processing power that does not constrain frame rates in Lockdown Protocol.

The scaling between resolutions confirms the GPU-bound nature of the workload. At 1080p, the Ultra preset yields 77 FPS. When the resolution is increased to 1440p, the same Ultra preset drops to 56 FPS, a reduction of 21 FPS. Moving further to 4K, the Ultra preset falls to 36 FPS, another 20 FPS reduction. This consistent and steep decline with each resolution increase is the signature of a GPU that is reaching its fill-rate and shading limits. The CPU’s role is to feed the GPU with data, and given its performance class, it does so without introducing a bottleneck at any of these settings.

The impact of graphical presets further illustrates the GPU’s dominance. At 1080p, transitioning from Low to Ultra reduces the average frame rate from 165 FPS to 77 FPS, a drop of more than half. This dramatic scaling with visual fidelity is a direct result of the GPU’s workload increasing with more complex shading, lighting, and geometry. The CPU is not significantly taxed by these changes, as its core count and clock speeds are more than sufficient for the game’s logic and draw calls. The data suggests that users should focus on GPU settings to achieve their target frame rate, as CPU-side adjustments will yield minimal gains.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following is a detailed breakdown of the measured average, minimum, and maximum frame rates for each resolution and preset combination. Minimum and maximum values were only recorded for the Medium preset at each resolution.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Ultra: Average 36 FPS. This is a demanding setting that is not suitable for smooth gameplay.
• High: Average 49 FPS. Still below the 60 FPS threshold.
• Medium: Average 56 FPS, with a minimum of 47 FPS and a maximum of 64 FPS. The minimum frame rate shows that even this preset can experience noticeable dips.
• Low: Average 78 FPS. This is the only 4K preset that provides a consistently playable experience.

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Ultra: Average 56 FPS. This preset sits just below the playable threshold.
• High: Average 75 FPS. A solid playable option with good visual quality.
• Medium: Average 86 FPS, with a minimum of 73 FPS and a maximum of 99 FPS. The frame time variance is well-controlled.
• Low: Average 121 FPS. Provides a very smooth experience, suitable for competitive play.

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Ultra: Average 77 FPS. This is the highest playable setting at this resolution.
• High: Average 103 FPS. Offers a significant performance boost over Ultra.
• Medium: Average 117 FPS, with a minimum of 100 FPS and a maximum of 135 FPS. The minimum frame rate remains well above the 60 FPS target.
• Low: Average 165 FPS. The maximum performance available in this configuration.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The benchmark database provides context for this combination by listing comparable hardware based on average benchmark scores.

For the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus, the nearest rivals are all within a narrow performance band. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K is the closest, with a score that is only 0.2% different. The AMD EPYC 4584PX and AMD EPYC 9135 are also near matches, with scores 1.1% and 1.2% higher respectively. The AMD EPYC 7F72 is 1.3% lower in score. In practical terms, any of these CPUs would provide a nearly identical experience in Lockdown Protocol, as the game is not CPU-bound in this configuration.

For the AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT, the nearest rivals are a mix of professional and older workstation cards. The NVIDIA Tesla K40m and AMD FirePro W7000 have average scores that are 0.6% and 0.7% lower, respectively. The AMD FirePro D300 is 0.7% higher, and the NVIDIA Quadro K5200 is 0.8% higher. These scores suggest that while these cards may have different feature sets and driver optimizations, their raw compute performance in this benchmark is very similar to the RX 6650 XT. Users with these cards could expect comparable frame rates in Lockdown Protocol, though driver support for gaming may vary.

FAQ

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

A: Yes, but only at Low settings. The measured data shows an average of 78 FPS at 3840x2160 with the Low preset. Medium settings drop to 56 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: What is the best setting for 1440p gaming?

A: The High preset is the most demanding option that remains playable, with an average of 75 FPS. The Ultra preset at this resolution only achieves 56 FPS.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more important for this game?

A: The GPU is the limiting factor. The frame rates drop significantly as resolution increases, indicating a GPU bottleneck. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus provides sufficient processing power to avoid being a constraint.

Q: Can I play at 1080p with all settings maxed out?

A: Yes. The Ultra preset at 1920x1080 delivers an average of 77 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: How does the RX 6650 XT compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The RX 6650 XT’s performance is nearly identical to the NVIDIA Tesla K40m and AMD FirePro W7000, with score differences of less than 1%. The AMD FirePro D300 and NVIDIA Quadro K5200 are also within 1% of its average score.

Q: What is the lowest frame rate recorded for this combination?

A: The lowest average frame rate is 36 FPS, recorded at 3840x2160 with the Ultra preset. The lowest minimum frame rate recorded is 47 FPS, which occurred at 4K with the Medium preset.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations for Lockdown Protocol, this specific pairing of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT is ranked 2439 out of 3714 tested combos. This places it in the lower half of all configurations tested. The ranking reflects the GPU’s mid-range position in the overall performance spectrum; while the CPU is a top-tier part, the GPU’s capabilities limit the combo’s overall standing. The percentile data supports this, with the CPU scoring in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, while the GPU only reaches the 65th percentile of all GPUs. This discrepancy highlights that the GPU is the defining component for this combo’s rank in a game like Lockdown Protocol, which is heavily reliant on graphics processing.

The Verdict

This PC configuration can run Lockdown Protocol, but the playable experience is heavily dependent on the chosen resolution and settings. The data from the verdict confirms that 1080p is the only resolution where all settings are playable, with the Ultra preset delivering a comfortable 77 FPS average. At 1440p, users must compromise with the High preset to maintain 60 FPS, as Ultra falls just short at 56 FPS. 4K gaming is possible only at Low settings, which provides a 78 FPS average, but sacrifices most visual fidelity. The system is not capable of delivering a consistent 60 FPS experience at 4K with higher-quality presets. For a smooth, high-fidelity experience, 1080p is the target resolution; for 1440p, a reduction from Ultra to High is required. The Core Ultra 9 290K Plus ensures that the system will not be CPU-limited, but the RX 6650 XT’s performance ceiling is the determining factor for the overall experience.