Lockdown Protocol

Lockdown Protocol presents an unusual challenge for the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 + Intel Arc B370 pairing. The data indicates a configuration where the GPU is the overwhelming performance limiter, to a degree rarely seen. The Arc B370, operating as an integrated graphics solution on a 25 W TDP, struggles to maintain playable frame rates at most settings, making this combo a poor fit for a fast-paced FPS title. The benchmark results show a clear and consistent pattern: resolution and settings have a massive impact on the already-low performance ceiling.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows that resolution is the single most significant factor affecting performance, more so than in most typical gaming scenarios. The difference between 1080p and 4K is not just incremental; it represents a chasm of playability. At the lowest settings, the average frame rate drops from 80 FPS at 1920x1080 to 38 FPS at 3840x2160. This represents a 52.5% decrease in average FPS when moving from 1080p to 4K at Low settings. This dramatic drop indicates that the rendering pipeline is entirely bound by the GPU's fill rate and processing power.

The scaling pattern suggests the GPU is overwhelmed. At 1080p Low, the system can muster 80 FPS, which is a playable, if not ideal, experience for a competitive FPS. Moving to 1440p Low drops the average to 58 FPS, a 27.5% decrease. The jump to 4K Low then pushes the average down to 38 FPS, another 34.5% decrease from the 1440p figure. This non-linear scaling is a classic sign of a GPU that is running out of pixel processing capability. The 4K resolution demands four times the pixel work of 1080p, and the Arc B370's 20 ROPs and 6.144 TFLOPS of FP32 compute are simply not sufficient to handle that workload.

At higher settings, the resolution scaling becomes even more punishing. At High settings, the average FPS goes from 49 at 1080p to 36 at 1440p, and finally to 23 at 4K. The 4K High result is, for all practical purposes, unplayable. The data indicates that the limiting component is unequivocally the GPU. The CPU, with its 6 cores and 12 threads, is not the bottleneck here; the GPU's fixed-function hardware and shading units are saturated long before the CPU's processing capacity is tested. This is a case where reducing resolution is the only viable lever to pull for better performance, but even then, the ceiling is low.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370's role in this benchmark is defined by its specifications and its resulting percentile ranking. It sits at the 5th percentile of all GPUs in the database, which places it in the bottom tier of performance. Its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1184 is nearly identical to rivals like the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 (1186) and the ATI Radeon HD 5770 (1190). This context is crucial: the Arc B370 is performing in the same league as graphics cards from over a decade ago. Its 1280 shading units and 20 ROPs are simply not designed for modern gaming workloads at high resolutions.

The GPU's clock speeds, while nominally present, do little to help. A base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2400 MHz cannot compensate for the lack of raw hardware resources. The memory configuration is "System Shared," meaning it uses the system's DDR4 memory, with bandwidth that is "System Dependent." This is a major disadvantage for a game like Lockdown Protocol, as the GPU must share memory bandwidth with the CPU, creating a potential bottleneck for texture and geometry data. The 6.144 TFLOPS FP32 performance is a theoretical number; the real-world results in this game show that it translates to 80 FPS at absolute best-case settings.

The data suggests that the GPU is the sole determinant of frame rate in this pairing. The 3DMark score and the in-game FPS both paint a picture of a component that is fundamentally outclassed by the demands of the game. The 25 W TDP further confirms its purpose as a low-power, integrated solution, not a discrete gaming GPU. The benchmark results confirm that its performance is more in line with an entry-level iGPU from a past generation than a modern gaming solution.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured rows, the only setting that provides a consistently playable experience is the Low preset at 1920x1080. The data shows an average of 80 FPS at this configuration. This is the only measured point that clears the 60 FPS threshold, which is generally considered the baseline for a smooth experience in an FPS. While 80 FPS is not a high refresh rate experience, it is a functional one. All other settings and resolution combinations fall below this mark.

Moving to Medium settings at 1080p drops the average to 57 FPS. This is a 28.75% performance hit for a visual improvement that may not be worth it, given the already delicate balance. This is a borderline case; some players might find 57 FPS acceptable, but the data suggests it is a compromise. The High preset at 1080p yields 49 FPS, and Ultra drops to 37 FPS. Neither of these is smooth enough for a game where quick reflexes are paramount.

At 1440p and 4K, the situation is grim. Even at Low settings, the average FPS is 58 and 38, respectively. The 1440p Low result is playable but not ideal, while the 4K Low result is not. For a competitive advantage, the recommendation is clear: use the Low preset at 1080p. This is the only setting combination that allows the hardware to perform without being completely overwhelmed. The data indicates that chasing higher visual fidelity at this resolution will result in a sub-60 FPS experience, which is detrimental in a fast-paced FPS environment.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The complete measured FPS data provides a stark look at the performance envelope of this combo. At 1920x1080, the results are as follows:

• Low: 80 FPS average.
• Medium: 57 FPS average, with a min of 48 FPS and a max of 65 FPS.
• High: 49 FPS average.
• Ultra: 37 FPS average.

The 1080p Medium data is notable as it is the only set with min/max values. The 48 FPS minimum shows that even in this mode, there are significant frame dips, which can cause stuttering in gameplay. The 65 FPS maximum shows the potential ceiling, but the average of 57 FPS is the more realistic indicator.

At 2560x1440, the performance drops considerably:

• Low: 58 FPS average.
• Medium: 42 FPS average, with a min of 35 FPS and a max of 48 FPS.
• High: 36 FPS average.
• Ultra: 27 FPS average.

The 1440p Medium data shows a minimum FPS of 35, which is a very poor experience for an FPS. The sub-40 FPS averages at High and Ultra make these settings unusable for competitive play.

At 3840x2160, the performance is the worst:

• Low: 38 FPS average.
• Medium: 27 FPS average, with a min of 23 FPS and a max of 31 FPS.
• High: 23 FPS average.
• Ultra: 18 FPS average.

The 4K results are largely unplayable. The 18 FPS average at Ultra is a slideshow. The data confirms that this combo is not suited for 4K gaming in Lockdown Protocol. The only viable option across all resolutions is the 1080p Low preset.

How This Combo Ranks

The comboRankInGame data positions this pairing at rank 2611 out of 2828 tested combinations. This places it in the bottom 7.7% of all tested systems. This is a very poor ranking, and it aligns with the individual component data. The GPU's 5th percentile ranking is the primary driver of this low overall position. The CPU, while not a top-tier performer, is not the source of the problem.

The CPU's nearest rivals provide context for its potential. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has an average benchmark score of 19593, which is nearly identical to the AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 (19617, -0.1% delta) and the Intel Core i5-12500 (19668, -0.4% delta). It is also slightly ahead of the Intel Core i7-10700F (19499, +0.5% delta). This indicates that the CPU is a competent mid-range part. However, its performance is completely overshadowed by the GPU's limitations in this specific game test.

The GPU's nearest rivals, however, tell the real story. The Arc B370's average score of 1184 is within 1% of the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 and the ATI Radeon HD 5770. This means that in terms of raw compute, this modern integrated GPU is performing on par with early-2010s discrete graphics cards. This explains the combo's low rank. The data shows that no amount of CPU headroom can compensate for a GPU that is this far behind the curve. The overall rank is a direct consequence of the GPU's position in the performance hierarchy.

FAQ

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

A: Yes, but only at the Low preset. The measured data shows an average of 80 FPS at 1920x1080 with Low settings. At Medium settings, the average drops to 57 FPS, and at High and Ultra, it falls to 49 FPS and 37 FPS, respectively.

Q: What is the best setting for this hardware in Lockdown Protocol?

A: The 1080p Low preset is the only configuration that provides a consistently smooth experience, with an average FPS of 80. This is the only measured point above 60 FPS.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck in this system?

A: The benchmark data indicates the GPU is the definitive bottleneck. The Intel Arc B370's performance is at the 5th percentile of all GPUs, and its in-game results are decisively low. The CPU, while not top-tier, is a 73rd percentile part and is not the limiting factor here.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to others?

A: This pairing ranks 2611 out of 2828 tested combinations for Lockdown Protocol. This puts it in the bottom 7.7% of all tested systems, making it a very poor performer for this game.

Q: Is the Intel Arc B370 a good GPU for this game?

A: No. The data shows its performance is comparable to much older cards like the ATI Radeon HD 5770, based on their average benchmark scores. Its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is only 1184, and it struggles to maintain playable frame rates in this game at any resolution above 1080p Low.

Q: What kind of FPS can I expect at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, only the Low preset is somewhat playable, with an average of 58 FPS. The Medium preset averages 42 FPS, while High and Ultra drop to 36 FPS and 27 FPS, respectively. The 4K results are even lower, with all presets averaging below 38 FPS.