Lockdown Protocol

Lockdown Protocol presents an extremely demanding workload for this particular hardware pairing, with the AMD Ryzen 5 8400F and Intel Arc B370 combination ranking in the bottom 8% of all tested configurations. The benchmark data reveals a system that is fundamentally limited by its graphics solution, struggling to maintain playable frame rates at higher resolutions and settings, while the CPU demonstrates sufficient headroom to handle the game's logic and physics calculations.

Resolution Scaling

The performance trajectory from 1080p to 4K clearly identifies the Intel Arc B370 as the primary bottleneck in this system. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combination achieves 80 FPS, which drops to 58 FPS at 2560x1440 and further to 38 FPS at 3840x2160. This represents a 52.5% reduction in frame rate when moving from 1080p to 4K at the lowest settings, a scaling pattern that indicates the GPU is being overwhelmed by the increasing pixel count.

The scaling behavior becomes even more pronounced when examining the High preset. The system delivers 49 FPS at 1080p, 36 FPS at 1440p, and only 23 FPS at 4K. The percentage drop from 1080p to 1440p is 26.5%, while the drop from 1440p to 4K is 36.1%. This accelerating degradation with resolution suggests that the graphics processor is running out of raw throughput and memory bandwidth as the resolution increases, rather than being constrained by any CPU limitation.

The Medium settings row provides the only complete dataset with minimum and maximum frame rates, offering additional insight into the performance ceiling. At 1080p Medium, the system averages 57 FPS with a minimum of 48 FPS and maximum of 65 FPS. Moving to 1440p Medium drops the average to 42 FPS with a range of 35 to 48 FPS, and at 4K Medium the average falls to 27 FPS with a minimum of 23 and maximum of 31. The consistency of the frame pacing, as indicated by the relatively tight min-max ranges, suggests that the performance is stable but fundamentally capped by the GPU's capabilities.

Ultra settings prove to be nearly unplayable at any resolution. The system manages only 37 FPS at 1080p, 27 FPS at 1440p, and 18 FPS at 4K. The 4K Ultra result of 18 FPS represents a 77.5% reduction compared to the 1080p Low result of 80 FPS, demonstrating that the combination of high resolution and maximum graphical fidelity pushes this hardware far beyond its intended operating envelope. The data indicates that users seeking smooth gameplay should prioritize either lower resolutions or reduced settings, as the GPU cannot sustain acceptable performance when both are pushed simultaneously.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 8400F provides the computational foundation for this system, and the benchmark results suggest that it is not the limiting factor in Lockdown Protocol. This processor features 6 cores and 12 threads based on the Zen 4 architecture, with a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The 16 MB of shared L3 cache and 1 MB per-core L2 cache provide adequate data locality for game workloads, while the 4 nm process node from TSMC contributes to efficient power delivery.

Synthetic benchmarks position this CPU as a solid mid-range performer. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 20851 and single-core score of 2943 indicate strong all-around capability. The 3DMark results show scaling from 1874 in the 2-thread test to 6165 in the max-thread test, with 8-thread performance at 5275 representing 85.6% of the maximum score. This scaling pattern implies that the processor has sufficient multi-threading headroom for games that utilize multiple cores, though Lockdown Protocol's performance does not appear to demand extreme CPU throughput.

The CPU's percentile ranking of 77th among all tested processors places it above the majority of alternatives. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 7500F, scores nearly identically with a delta of only 0.2%, confirming that the 8400F sits in a well-populated performance tier. The Intel Core i7-13620H also matches closely with a 0.4% delta, further validating the CPU's competitive position. The fact that Lockdown Protocol's frame rates scale so dramatically with resolution changes, while the CPU remains constant, strongly suggests that the processor is delivering frames faster than the GPU can render them.

The CPU's 12 threads are likely sufficient for the game's simulation and AI calculations, as evidenced by the fact that reducing graphical settings at any given resolution produces substantial frame rate improvements. If the CPU were the bottleneck, lowering resolution would yield diminishing returns. Instead, the data shows that 1080p Low produces 80 FPS while 4K Low produces 38 FPS, a 52.5% difference that can only be attributed to GPU limitations. The Ryzen 5 8400F is performing its role adequately, providing a stable platform for the graphics card to operate.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is unequivocally the limiting component in this configuration, and its performance characteristics explain the frame rate patterns observed across the benchmark matrix. This graphics solution, based on the Xe3-LPG architecture with Panther Lake chip, operates with a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2400 MHz. The 1280 shading units, 40 texture mapping units, and 20 raster output units provide a relatively modest computational foundation, with the FP32 throughput rated at 6.144 TFLOPS.

The GPU's memory configuration is particularly noteworthy, as it utilizes system shared memory rather than dedicated VRAM. This means the graphics processor relies on the same DDR5 memory pool as the CPU, with bandwidth described as system dependent. In a game like Lockdown Protocol, which demands high texture throughput and memory bandwidth, this shared memory arrangement can create additional bottlenecks, especially at higher resolutions where texture data requirements increase substantially.

The GPU's benchmark results are sobering. The single 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1184 places it in the 5th percentile of all tested GPUs, indicating that it performs worse than 95% of alternatives. Its nearest rivals are all legacy ATI and AMD products from over a decade ago, including the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 with a delta of -0.2% and the ATI Radeon HD 5770 with a delta of -0.5%. This comparison highlights the Arc B370's position as an entry-level integrated graphics solution rather than a discrete gaming GPU.

The measured frame rates corroborate this assessment. Even at the lowest settings and resolution, the GPU can only manage 80 FPS, and this drops to 58 FPS at 1440p and 38 FPS at 4K. The step from High to Ultra at 1080p reduces performance from 49 FPS to 37 FPS, a 24.5% penalty, while the same settings change at 4K drops from 23 FPS to 18 FPS, a 21.7% reduction. These consistent penalties across resolution tiers indicate that the GPU's shading and texturing capabilities are being saturated by the game's visual demands.

The GPU's 10 ray tracing cores and support for DirectX 12 Ultimate suggest that it has modern feature support, but the raw computational power is insufficient for contemporary gaming workloads. The 48.00 GPixel/s pixel rate and 96.00 GTexel/s texture rate provide theoretical limits that translate into the observed frame rates. The 25 W TDP and IGP form factor confirm that this is designed for power efficiency rather than gaming performance, and Lockdown Protocol's requirements simply exceed what this hardware can deliver.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 8400F and Intel Arc B370 ranks 2611th out of 2828 tested combos in Lockdown Protocol, placing it in the bottom 7.7% of all configurations. This ranking reflects the GPU's severe performance limitations, as the CPU component is competitive with other mid-range processors. The data suggests that users with this pairing will experience performance far below what most other tested systems achieve.

The CPU's individual performance provides a stark contrast to the overall combo ranking. With a 77th percentile ranking and an average benchmark score of 25005, the Ryzen 5 8400F is a capable processor. Its rivals include the Ryzen 5 7500F with a delta of 0.2%, the Core i7-11850H with a delta of 0.3%, and the Core i7-13620H with a delta of 0.4%, all scoring within a fraction of a percent. This indicates that the CPU is performing exactly as expected for its class, with no anomalies or throttling issues affecting the results.

The GPU's 5th percentile ranking, however, drags the entire system down. The Arc B370's average benchmark score of 1184 is barely half of what a modern entry-level discrete GPU would achieve, and its nearest rivals are all legacy products from the HD 5000 and HD 7000 series. The delta values of -0.2% to -0.7% against these older cards show that the Arc B370 is essentially performing at a decade-old performance level, which explains why the combo ranks so poorly in a demanding FPS title.

The discrepancy between the CPU's strong showing and the GPU's weak showing creates a significant imbalance. In Lockdown Protocol, where graphical fidelity and rendering speed are paramount, the GPU's limitations dominate the overall experience. The combo ranking accurately reflects this reality, placing the system in the bottom tier despite having a respectable processor. Users considering this combination should understand that the graphics solution will cap their gaming experience regardless of the CPU's capabilities.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data provides clear guidance for optimizing the Lockdown Protocol experience with this hardware. The 1080p Low preset, delivering 80 FPS, is the only configuration that achieves frame rates comfortably above the 60 FPS threshold commonly associated with smooth gameplay. This represents the best balance of visual quality and performance for users prioritizing playability.

For those who prefer higher visual fidelity, the 1080p Medium preset offers 57 FPS with a minimum of 48 FPS and maximum of 65 FPS. This remains playable, though the minimum frame rate dips below 60 FPS, which may be noticeable in fast-paced FPS scenarios. The 1440p Low preset at 58 FPS is another viable option, providing the same frame rate range as 1080p Medium but at a higher resolution, which can improve image clarity even with reduced graphical effects.

The High presets at any resolution are not recommended for competitive play. The 1080p High result of 49 FPS and 1440p High result of 36 FPS fall below the smoothness threshold, while 4K High at 23 FPS is unplayable. Ultra settings should be avoided entirely, as even 1080p Ultra at 37 FPS provides an inconsistent experience, and the 4K Ultra result of 18 FPS is below acceptable standards for an FPS game.

Based on the data, the optimal configuration is either 1080p Low for maximum frame rate or 1080p Medium for a balance of quality and performance. The Medium preset's minimum of 48 FPS indicates that while there may be occasional drops, the overall experience remains largely stable. Users with displays that support variable refresh rates may find the 57 FPS average acceptable, while those with strict 60 Hz displays should stick to the Low preset. The 1440p Low option is a reasonable alternative for users with higher-resolution monitors who prioritize resolution over graphical effects.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution and settings combo for smooth gameplay?

A: The 1080p Low preset delivers the highest average frame rate at 80 FPS, making it the best option for smooth performance. The 1080p Medium preset offers 57 FPS average with a minimum of 48 FPS, which remains playable for most users.

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

A: No. The max 4K average frame rate is 38 FPS on Low settings, with Ultra settings dropping to 18 FPS. None of the 4K configurations achieve playable frame rates for an FPS title.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B370 compare to its closest rivals?

A: The Arc B370 scores 1184 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, which is 0.2% below the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 and 0.5% below the ATI Radeon HD 5770. It outperforms the AMD FirePro M2000 by 1.4%.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 8400F a bottleneck for this game?

A: No. The CPU scores 20851 in Cinebench R23 multicore and ranks in the 77th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival, the Ryzen 5 7500F, scores within 0.2%, indicating the CPU is performing at expected levels.

Q: What frame rate can I expect at 1440p Medium settings?

A: The system averages 42 FPS at 1440p Medium, with a minimum of 35 FPS and maximum of 48 FPS. This is below the 60 FPS threshold for ideal smoothness.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to other tested systems?

A: It ranks 2611th out of 2828 tested combos, placing it in the bottom 7.7% of all configurations tested in Lockdown Protocol.