Lockdown Protocol

Lockdown Protocol is a fast-paced FPS that demands a careful balance between visual fidelity and frame rate, and the data for the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER combination reveals a system that is consistently capable but requires users to make deliberate choices about their graphical priorities. The measured results indicate that this pairing is best suited for high-refresh-rate 1080p gaming, with the ability to push into 1440p at the cost of some fluidity, while 4K remains a stretch goal that is only achievable on the lowest settings.

Settings Recommendations

The benchmark data provides a clear hierarchy of performance across the four tested presets. At 1920x1080, the Low preset delivers an average frame rate of 123 FPS, which is by far the highest score recorded for this configuration. This makes it the definitive choice for competitive play where maximum fluidity and minimal input lag are paramount. The jump from Low to Medium is significant, with the average dropping to 87 FPS, but this still represents a very playable experience for most users. The High preset settles at 76 FPS, offering a smoother visual experience than Medium while still maintaining frame rates that are well above the standard 60 FPS threshold for most monitors.

For users with a 1440p display, the recommendation shifts towards the Medium preset. The data shows an average of 64 FPS at this setting, with a minimum of 54 FPS and a maximum of 73 FPS. This is the sweet spot for this resolution, as it provides a noticeable improvement in image quality over Low while keeping the frame rate high enough to remain responsive. The High preset at 1440p drops to 56 FPS, which is still playable but begins to show the strain on the system, especially in intense firefights. The Ultra preset at this resolution falls to 42 FPS, making it a less desirable option for a game that relies on quick reactions.

At 3840x2160, the options are limited. The Low preset is the only setting that achieves a truly playable average frame rate of 58 FPS. The Medium preset drops to 41 FPS, and the High preset further declines to 36 FPS, while the Ultra preset is effectively unplayable at 27 FPS. The data strongly suggests that 4K gaming with this hardware should be reserved for the Low preset if a stable experience is the goal. Overall, the best experience is found at 1080p, where the High preset provides an excellent balance of visual quality and performance, and the Low preset offers a competitive edge for those who prioritize speed above all else.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D serves as the central processing unit for this configuration, featuring 6 cores and 12 threads based on the Zen 3 architecture. Its base clock is 3.00 GHz, which can boost up to 4.00 GHz. The processor is built on a 7 nm process node and has a substantial 96 MB of shared L3 cache, a key characteristic of the X3D series. While the benchmark data does not isolate the CPU's performance specifically within Lockdown Protocol, its overall capabilities are evident from its synthetic scores. The processor achieves a Passmark multithread score of 20363 and a single-thread score of 2941, placing it in the 85th percentile of all CPUs.

When analyzing the game's frame rates, the CPU's role becomes clearer as resolution decreases. At 1080p, where the GPU is less burdened, the system achieves its highest frame rates, such as 123 FPS on Low settings. This suggests that the Ryzen 5 5500X3D is more than capable of feeding the GTX 1660 SUPER with enough data to maintain high performance. The processor's strong single-thread performance, evidenced by its 2941 score, is crucial for FPS games, which often rely heavily on a few cores for game logic and physics. The 12 threads also provide ample headroom for background tasks and modern game engines that utilize multiple cores.

The CPU's performance relative to its direct competitors is tight. The data shows that the Ryzen 5 5500X3D has a negligible 0.2% performance delta compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F and the Intel Core Ultra 5 225, and it is a mere 0.2% faster than the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450. It trails the Intel Core i9-12900T by a marginal 0.3%. This indicates that in this specific performance tier, the 5500X3D is neither a bottleneck nor a standout; it delivers performance that is entirely on par with its peers. In the context of Lockdown Protocol, this means the CPU is a stable and reliable foundation, unlikely to be the limiting factor until the GPU is fully saturated at lower resolutions.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER is the graphics processing unit in this pairing, built on the Turing architecture and fabricated on a 12 nm process. It operates at a base clock of 1530 MHz with a boost clock of 1785 MHz. The card is equipped with 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 336.0 GB/s. This configuration is a classic 1080p performer, and the data for Lockdown Protocol reinforces that reputation. The GPU's overall standing is reflected in its Passmark G3D score of 12699, which places it in the 53rd percentile of all GPUs.

The GPU's performance is the primary driver of the frame rate differences seen across resolutions. As the resolution increases from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160, the number of pixels that need to be rendered quadruples, placing a significantly heavier load on the GTX 1660 SUPER. This is evident in the frame rate scaling. At 1080p with High settings, the system averages 76 FPS. Moving to 1440p on the same settings, the average drops to 56 FPS, a 26% decrease. At 4K, it further drops to 36 FPS, a substantial 53% decrease from the 1080p result. This pattern clearly shows that the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck as resolution increases.

The GTX 1660 SUPER's 6 GB of VRAM is a notable consideration. While it is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p gaming at most settings, the demands of 4K textures and effects can push it to its limit. The relatively low frame rates at 4K, even on Low settings (58 FPS), suggest that the memory capacity and bandwidth are being heavily taxed. The GPU's rival comparisons show it is closely matched with other mid-range options, having a 0.4% performance delta compared to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Mobile and the AMD Radeon RX 580. It is 0.7% faster than the NVIDIA Tesla M2090 and 0.9% slower than the AMD Radeon 740M. This places the GTX 1660 SUPER in a well-known performance bracket, and its behavior in Lockdown Protocol is consistent with expectations for a card of this class.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play Lockdown Protocol with this hardware?

A: Based on the measured data, 1920x1080 is the best resolution. It offers the highest frame rates across all settings, with the Low preset achieving an average of 123 FPS and the High preset hitting 76 FPS, ensuring a smooth and responsive experience.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Lockdown Protocol?

A: The system can run the game at 3840x2160, but only on the Low preset does it achieve a playable average frame rate of 58 FPS. Higher settings at 4K result in averages of 41 FPS on Medium, 36 FPS on High, and 27 FPS on Ultra, which are generally not smooth enough for a fast-paced FPS.

Q: How does the Ryzen 5 5500X3D compare to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The data shows the Ryzen 5 5500X3D is very closely matched with its competition. It has a 0.2% positive delta compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F and the Intel Core Ultra 5 225, and a 0.2% negative delta against the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450. It is 0.3% slower than the Intel Core i9-12900T.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Medium settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Low preset delivers an average of 90 FPS, while the Medium preset delivers an average of 64 FPS. This represents a 26 FPS difference, indicating that the Medium preset provides better visuals at a significant cost to frame rate.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more likely to be the limiting factor in this system?

A: The data suggests the GPU is the primary limiting factor. The frame rates scale inversely with resolution, dropping dramatically as pixel count increases. At 1080p, the system can reach 123 FPS, but at 4K, it struggles to maintain 60 FPS even on Low, indicating the graphics card is saturated.

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1080p with Ultra settings?

A: The measured average frame rate for the Ultra preset at 1920x1080 is 57 FPS. This is the lowest average among the tested settings at this resolution, but it remains above 60 FPS, making it a viable option for users who prioritize maximum visual quality.

Resolution Scaling

The data reveals a clear and predictable trend in performance scaling across the three tested resolutions. The system's frame rate is heavily dependent on resolution, which is a classic sign of a GPU-bound workload. At 1920x1080, the system is at its most capable, with an average of 76 FPS on High settings and 123 FPS on Low. These high scores indicate that the GTX 1660 SUPER is well-suited for this resolution, and the CPU is providing adequate support.

Stepping up to 2560x1440, there is a significant performance hit. The average frame rate on High settings falls to 56 FPS, a 26% reduction from the 1080p score. On Low settings, the average drops to 90 FPS, a 27% reduction. This scaling is expected, as the GPU must render 78% more pixels than at 1080p. The system remains capable at this resolution, but the margin for high refresh rates is reduced, and users will need to rely on lower presets to maintain high FPS.

The jump to 3840x2160 is the most punishing. The GPU is now rendering four times the number of pixels as 1080p, and the frame rates reflect this massive workload. The average on High settings plummets to 36 FPS, a 53% reduction from the 1080p result. Even on Low settings, the average is only 58 FPS, which is barely above the 60 FPS target. This dramatic drop-off clearly indicates that the GTX 1660 SUPER is not designed for 4K gaming in this title. The limiting component is undoubtedly the GPU, as the CPU's performance remains constant across resolutions. The data shows that this system is best utilized at 1080p, with 1440p being a viable option for those willing to compromise on settings, while 4K is only for those who accept a low-fidelity experience.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following is a detailed breakdown of the measured average frame rates for the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER combination in Lockdown Protocol.

1920x1080:

• Low: The average frame rate is 123 FPS.
• Medium: The average frame rate is 87 FPS, with a minimum of 74 FPS and a maximum of 100 FPS.
• High: The average frame rate is 76 FPS.
• Ultra: The average frame rate is 57 FPS.

2560x1440:

• Low: The average frame rate is 90 FPS.
• Medium: The average frame rate is 64 FPS, with a minimum of 54 FPS and a maximum of 73 FPS.
• High: The average frame rate is 56 FPS.
• Ultra: The average frame rate is 42 FPS.

3840x2160:

• Low: The average frame rate is 58 FPS.
• Medium: The average frame rate is 41 FPS, with a minimum of 35 FPS and a maximum of 47 FPS.
• High: The average frame rate is 36 FPS.
• Ultra: The average frame rate is 27 FPS.

This data confirms that the GTX 1660 SUPER is the primary determinant of performance, with the system's frame rates scaling inversely with resolution. The 1080p results are strong, the 1440p results are playable, and the 4K results are only viable on the lowest settings. The combination ranks 2425 out of 2828 total combinations for this game, indicating it is in the lower half of tested systems, but it still provides a very capable 1080p experience.