Lockdown Protocol

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X and AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT combination delivers a solid, if not spectacular, showing in Lockdown Protocol. The pairing exhibits a classic balance between CPU and GPU capabilities, with performance scaling predictably across resolutions and settings. The data indicates this is a well-matched duo for high-refresh-rate 1080p gaming, while 4K Ultra presents a significant challenge that shifts the bottleneck firmly to the graphics card.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear and consistent pattern as resolution increases, directly reflecting where the performance limit lies. At 1920x1080 with High settings, the combo produces an average of 118 FPS. Moving up to 2560x1440 at the same High preset, the average drops to 87 FPS, a reduction of 31 FPS. Pushing further to 3840x2160, the average falls to 56 FPS, another 31 FPS decrease. This linear progression indicates a scaling factor where doubling the pixel count from 1440p to 4K results in a roughly 36% performance hit, which is a typical signature of a GPU-bound scenario at these higher resolutions.

The frame rate deltas between settings at each resolution reinforce this analysis. At 1080p, the jump from Low to Ultra is substantial: 191 FPS versus 89 FPS. This wide 102 FPS gap at 1080p suggests that while the CPU can feed the GPU at lower settings, the GPU's workload becomes the defining factor as visual fidelity rises. However, the 1080p Low result of 191 FPS also serves as a benchmark for the CPU's ceiling in this game, indicating it is capable of high frame delivery when the graphical load is light.

At 4K, the scaling is more compressed but still significant. The RX 6700 XT manages 90 FPS on Low, 64 FPS on Medium, 56 FPS on High, and 42 FPS on Ultra. The step from Low to Medium is a 26 FPS drop, while the step from High to Ultra is a 14 FPS drop. This behavior shows that at 4K, the GPU is the primary limiting component across all settings. The 1080p to 4K scaling on Low settings (191 FPS down to 90 FPS) is a 53% reduction, which is a massive performance swing that highlights the immense pixel fill-rate demand placed on the GPU at 4K, independent of the CPU's capability.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X is an 8-core, 16-thread processor based on the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Matisse. With a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, its specifications are those of a capable mid-range processor from its generation. In Lockdown Protocol, an FPS title, the CPU's role is to handle game logic, physics, and draw calls, feeding the GPU with instructions. The data suggests it performs this task adequately, as evidenced by the high frame rates achievable at lower graphical settings.

The 1080p Low average of 191 FPS is a strong indicator that the CPU is not a bottleneck in this specific scenario. If the CPU were severely limiting, we would expect to see this number plateau regardless of resolution or settings. Instead, we see it drop dramatically as resolution increases, which shifts the workload to the GPU. The CPU's passmark_multithread score of 22458 and its 84th percentile ranking among all tested CPUs place it in a solid position for gaming. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-13450HX, has an average benchmark score just 0.2% higher, indicating the 3700X is performing at a competitive level for its class.

However, the CPU's influence is still visible. The gap between 1080p and 1440p at Low settings (191 FPS vs 140 FPS) is 51 FPS. This is a larger relative drop than seen at High settings, suggesting that at lower graphical loads, the CPU still has to work hard to maintain such high frame rates, but it is not the final arbiter of performance. The Ryzen 7 3700X provides a stable foundation, but the ultimate frame rate is dictated by the GPU's ability to render the scene, particularly as resolution and settings scale up.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average frame rate this combo achieves in Lockdown Protocol?

A: The highest measured average frame rate is 191 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

Q: How does the combo perform at 1440p with Medium settings?

A: At 2560x1440 with Medium settings, the combo produces an average of 99 FPS, with a minimum of 84 FPS and a maximum of 114 FPS.

Q: Is this combination capable of 4K gaming in Lockdown Protocol?

A: Yes, but with compromises. At 3840x2160 with High settings, it averages 56 FPS, but this drops to 42 FPS on Ultra. On Low settings, it can reach 90 FPS.

Q: What is the most demanding setting tested for this hardware?

A: The most demanding configuration tested is 3840x2160 resolution with Ultra settings, which yields an average of 42 FPS.

Q: How does the Ryzen 7 3700X compare to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The Ryzen 7 3700X has an average benchmark score of 34260. Its closest competitor, the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350, scores 34222, a negligible 0.1% difference. The Intel Core i5-13450HX is a hair faster, with a score 0.2% higher.

Q: What is the frame rate consistency like at 1080p with Medium settings?

A: At 1920x1080 with Medium settings, the combo averages 135 FPS, with the frame rate ranging from a minimum of 115 FPS to a maximum of 156 FPS, showing a fairly tight and consistent band.

How This Combo Ranks

In the comprehensive database of tested combinations, the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X and AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT pairing holds a rank of 1950 out of 3714 possible combinations in Lockdown Protocol. This places it in the 53rd percentile of all tested systems, meaning it outperforms slightly more than half of the other hardware pairings. This mid-pack ranking is a strong indicator of a balanced system that offers competent performance but is not at the extreme high-end of the spectrum.

The ranking suggests that while this combo will handle the game well at popular resolutions like 1080p and 1440p, it will not dominate at 4K Ultra settings where more powerful GPUs will pull ahead. The performance metrics align with this position; it is not a top-tier contender, but it is far from a low performer. The measured FPS data demonstrates it is a viable setup for competitive play at 1080p, where its high frame rates on Low and Medium settings are highly advantageous, and it remains playable at 1440p on higher settings. The rank of 1950 out of 3714 effectively categorizes this as a solid, mainstream gaming configuration.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT, based on the RDNA 2.0 architecture with the Navi 22 chip, is the primary driver of graphical performance in this pairing. Its role becomes increasingly dominant as resolution and settings are cranked up. The card features 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 384.0 GB/s. This memory configuration is a vital asset for handling high-resolution textures and complex scenes, which is directly reflected in the game's frame rate scaling.

The GPU's clock speeds are notably high, with a base clock of 2321 MHz and a boost clock of 2581 MHz. This high-frequency design helps to maintain strong performance even when the pixel workload is intense. The data shows the GPU's influence clearly: at 1080p, the difference between Low and Ultra settings is a massive 102 FPS, demonstrating the GPU's workload scaling. At 4K, the GPU is unequivocally the limiting factor, as the average FPS at Ultra settings (42 FPS) is less than a quarter of the 1080p Low result (191 FPS).

With a percentile rank of 72 among all GPUs and an average benchmark score of 27425, the RX 6700 XT is a strong performer. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Mobile, has a nearly identical average score, with a delta of 0%. Interestingly, it also sits close to the desktop NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090, which has an average score just 0.5% higher. This places the RX 6700 XT in a performance tier where it competes with high-end mobile parts and upper-mid-range desktop cards, making it well-suited for 1440p gaming and capable of entry-level 4K at reduced settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following is the complete measured FPS data for this hardware combination in Lockdown Protocol:

1920x1080:

• Low: Average 191 FPS
• Medium: Average 135 FPS, Minimum 115 FPS, Maximum 156 FPS
• High: Average 118 FPS
• Ultra: Average 89 FPS

2560x1440:

• Low: Average 140 FPS
• Medium: Average 99 FPS, Minimum 84 FPS, Maximum 114 FPS
• High: Average 87 FPS
• Ultra: Average 65 FPS

3840x2160:

• Low: Average 90 FPS
• Medium: Average 64 FPS, Minimum 54 FPS, Maximum 74 FPS
• High: Average 56 FPS
• Ultra: Average 42 FPS

The data reveals a definitive performance hierarchy. For gamers seeking maximum refresh rates, 1080p Low provides the best possible experience, while 1440p Medium offers a strong balance of visual quality and performance, maintaining an average above 60 FPS. 4K gaming is possible, but users will need to accept Low or Medium settings to achieve a consistently playable frame rate. The only configuration with measured minimum frame rate data is the Medium preset, which shows solid frame pacing across all three resolutions, with the 1080p Medium setting proving to be a particularly smooth experience with a minimum of 115 FPS.