Lockdown Protocol

Lockdown Protocol, a 2024 FPS title, presents an interesting case study for the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER pairing. The measured data shows a combination that is highly capable across all resolution classes, with performance scaling that reveals distinct bottlenecks depending on the settings and resolution chosen. This analysis walks through the CPU and GPU roles, resolution scaling behavior, and provides a detailed breakdown of the measured frame rates.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D is a 6-core, 12-thread processor built on the Zen 3 architecture, specifically the Vermeer codename, using a 7 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The processor is not multiplier-unlocked, meaning its clock behavior is fixed by the silicon and motherboard. Its substantial 96 MB of shared L3 cache is the defining feature, a characteristic that often benefits games with large, repetitive data sets. The CPU holds an 85th percentile ranking among all tested CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 37018. This places it in a competitive tier, closely matching its nearest rivals: it is 0.2% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F and Intel Core Ultra 5 225, and 0.2% behind the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450.

In the context of Lockdown Protocol, the CPU's role is most visible at lower resolutions and higher settings, where the GPU has more headroom. At 1080p, the frame rates are exceptionally high, suggesting that the CPU is keeping pace with the GPU's output. However, the data does not show a scenario where the CPU becomes a severe limiting factor. The gap between the Low and Ultra settings at 1080p is 95 FPS (230 vs 135), which is a significant performance cost. This indicates that while the CPU can push high frame rates, the game's Ultra settings introduce a load that impacts the overall pipeline, likely through increased draw calls and physics calculations that stress the 6-core/12-thread configuration. The CPU's PassMark single-thread score of 2941 and multithread score of 20363 provide context for its ability to handle the game's logic, but the measured FPS data is the most direct evidence. The fact that the 5500X3D is 0.2% faster than the Ryzen 5 5600F in synthetic benchmarks suggests its cache advantage translates to real-world performance, which is reflected in the high minimum frame rates seen at 1440p Medium (128 FPS) and 1080p Medium (172 FPS). These minimums show that the CPU is providing stable frame pacing, preventing stutters that would otherwise be noticeable in a fast-paced FPS.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER is the primary driver of graphical performance in this pairing. It is built on the Ada Lovelace architecture using a 5 nm process and features 12 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 192-bit bus, delivering a bandwidth of 504.2 GB/s. The GPU's boost clock is listed at 2475 MHz, with a base clock of 1980 MHz. It holds an 83rd percentile ranking among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 43223. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA Quadro M6000 24 GB, which it trails by 0.1%, and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile, which it trails by 1%.

The GPU's influence is most pronounced at higher resolutions. At 4K, the performance difference between settings is stark. The RTX 4070 SUPER achieves an average of 137 FPS on Low settings, but this drops to 64 FPS on Ultra. This 73 FPS swing demonstrates that Lockdown Protocol's higher settings are extremely demanding on the GPU's shading units and memory subsystem. The 12 GB VRAM capacity is likely sufficient for the textures at 4K, as the GPU does not appear to be hitting a memory wall that would cause catastrophic frame drops. Instead, the limiting factor is the raw compute throughput. The GPU's FP32 performance of 35.48 TFLOPS is being taxed heavily by the Ultra preset's effects. The data shows that the RTX 4070 SUPER is best suited for High settings at 4K, where it maintains an average of 85 FPS, a smooth experience for a competitive FPS. The GPU's position relative to the RTX 4090 Mobile (only 1% slower in synthetic benchmarks) is noteworthy, as it suggests that this desktop card provides performance in a class above many mobile solutions, which is consistent with its 220 W TDP.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS across resolutions reveals a clear pattern of GPU scaling. At Low settings, the progression from 1080p to 1440p to 4K shows averages of 230, 207, and 137 FPS, respectively. The drop from 1440p to 4K is particularly steep (70 FPS), indicating that the GPU is becoming the primary bottleneck at 4K, as the pixel count nearly doubles, demanding more from the shading units and memory bandwidth. At Medium settings, the averages are 202 (1080p), 151 (1440p), and 97 (4K). The scaling here is more linear, with each resolution step costing roughly 50 FPS. This suggests a balanced load where both CPU and GPU are contributing, but the GPU's workload is increasing steadily.

The High settings preset shows a different scaling curve: 180 FPS at 1080p, 132 FPS at 1440p, and 85 FPS at 4K. The 1080p-to-1440p drop is 48 FPS, while the 1440p-to-4K drop is 47 FPS. This consistent scaling suggests that at High settings, the system is relatively well-balanced, with the CPU able to feed the GPU adequately at all resolutions. The Ultra preset, however, shows the most dramatic scaling: 135, 99, and 64 FPS. The 1440p-to-4K drop of 35 FPS is smaller in absolute terms but represents a 35% reduction in frame rate. This indicates that at Ultra, the game is heavily GPU-bound, and the RTX 4070 SUPER's limits are quickly reached. The data suggests that the CPU is not the limiting factor at 4K, as the FPS is high enough to indicate that the CPU is not stalling the pipeline. Instead, the GPU's compute and memory resources are saturated. The 1080p results, with a maximum of 230 FPS on Low, show that the CPU can handle high frame rates, but the GPU's performance is capped by the game's engine at lower resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

Within the comprehensive database of tested hardware combinations for Lockdown Protocol, this specific pairing of the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER holds a rank of 722 out of 3714 total combinations. This places it in the top 19.4% of all tested systems, which is a strong showing for a mid-to-high-range desktop setup. This rank is a holistic measure that considers performance across all settings and resolutions, providing a single metric to gauge its overall competitiveness.

The rank is particularly impressive when considering the CPU's position relative to its rivals. The 5500X3D is only 0.2% slower than the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450, but the combo rank is influenced by the entire system. The RTX 4070 SUPER's performance is a major contributor, as it is only 0.1% slower than the Quadro M6000 24 GB in synthetic tests. This suggests that the combination is well-matched, with no single component dragging down the overall score. The rank of 722 indicates that while there are faster systems (likely featuring higher-end CPUs like the Core i9 or more powerful GPUs like the RTX 4090), this pairing offers a level of performance that is significantly above the median tested setup. The data implies that for a 1080p or 1440p gaming rig, this combo would be considered high-end, and for 4K gaming, it is capable of delivering playable frame rates on most presets, as evidenced by the 85 FPS average on High settings.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to achieve a consistent 144+ FPS experience?

A: The data shows that at 1440p with High settings, the average FPS is 132, which is below 144. To consistently hit 144+ FPS, the 1080p resolution with High settings (180 FPS) or 1440p with Medium settings (151 FPS) are the most suitable options.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its closest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F?

A: The Ryzen 5 5500X3D has an average benchmark score of 37018, which is 0.2% higher than the Ryzen 5 5600F's score of 36945. This indicates a very slight performance advantage for the 5500X3D.

Q: Is the GPU's 12 GB VRAM sufficient for 4K gaming in Lockdown Protocol?

A: The measured data suggests yes. At 4K Ultra settings, the average FPS is 64, and at 4K High, it is 85. The absence of a min FPS value for the High preset and the consistent scaling imply that the GPU is not hitting a hard VRAM limit that would cause severe performance degradation.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, the average FPS on Low settings is 230, while on Ultra settings it drops to 135. This represents a 95 FPS difference, or a 41% reduction in frame rate when switching to Ultra.

Q: Which component is the primary bottleneck at 4K resolution?

A: The benchmark results indicate the GPU is the limiting factor. The FPS drops significantly from 1080p to 4K (e.g., from 180 to 85 FPS on High settings), while the CPU's performance at lower resolutions (230 FPS on 1080p Low) shows it is capable of higher throughput.

Q: How does this combo's rank compare to the total number of tested systems?

A: This combination ranks 722nd out of 3714 tested combos, placing it in the top 19.4% of all systems tested for Lockdown Protocol.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Choosing the optimal settings depends on the user's target resolution and desired frame rate. For competitive play at high refresh rates (144Hz or higher), the 1080p High preset is the recommended choice, delivering an average of 180 FPS. This provides a significant margin above 144 FPS, offering smooth and responsive gameplay. While the Low preset at 1080p is faster (230 FPS), the High preset likely offers better visual quality with a minimal performance hit relative to the frame rate target.

For users with 1440p monitors, the Medium preset is the most balanced option. It achieves an average of 151 FPS, which is just above the 144 FPS threshold for high-refresh displays, while the High preset drops to 132 FPS, which might be noticeable in a fast-paced game. The Medium preset also has a recorded minimum FPS of 128, indicating stable performance. At 4K, the High preset is the clear winner, providing an average of 85 FPS. This is a playable frame rate for most users and is significantly better than the 64 FPS average on Ultra. The Low preset at 4K (137 FPS) is an option for those who prioritize frame rate above all else, but the visual compromise is substantial. The Ultra preset is not recommended for any resolution, as it incurs a large performance cost (e.g., 64 FPS at 4K, 99 FPS at 1440p) without a proportionate guarantee of a better experience, given the data shows no minimum FPS values for it, suggesting potential instability.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The following is the complete set of measured average frame rates for the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER combination in Lockdown Protocol.

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: Average 230 FPS.
• Medium: Average 202 FPS, with a minimum of 172 FPS and a maximum of 233 FPS.
• High: Average 180 FPS.
• Ultra: Average 135 FPS.

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: Average 207 FPS.
• Medium: Average 151 FPS, with a minimum of 128 FPS and a maximum of 173 FPS.
• High: Average 132 FPS.
• Ultra: Average 99 FPS.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: Average 137 FPS.
• Medium: Average 97 FPS, with a minimum of 83 FPS and a maximum of 112 FPS.
• High: Average 85 FPS.
• Ultra: Average 64 FPS.

This data shows a consistent pattern where the Medium preset provides the most stable frame pacing, as indicated by the recorded minimum and maximum values. The High preset offers a strong balance for higher resolutions, while the Low preset is the fallback for maximum frame rates. The Ultra preset consistently delivers the lowest performance, highlighting the high graphical demands of the game at its maximum settings.