Lockdown Protocol

Lockdown Protocol is a demanding FPS, and the pairing of the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X with the Intel Arc B370 produces a specific performance profile that is heavily skewed by the graphics solution. The data shows a system with a formidable 16-core processor held back by an integrated GPU, resulting in frame rates that are generally below the playable threshold for competitive gaming. This analysis explores how the CPU and GPU roles define the experience, how resolution scaling impacts performance, and what settings offer the best path forward for this particular combination.

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

The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is a 16-core, 32-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer. It operates on the AMD Socket AM4 platform with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. This CPU is a high-end desktop part, as indicated by its launch MSRP of $799, and its benchmark scores place it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs tested. In synthetic tests like Cinebench R23, it scores 26,017 points in multi-core and 1,614 in single-core, while Geekbench shows 15,233 multi-core and 2,083 single-core scores. These are powerful numbers that suggest the CPU has ample headroom for gaming workloads.

However, in the context of Lockdown Protocol, the CPU's role is to feed frames to the GPU, and with a processor this capable, it is unlikely to be the primary bottleneck. The 3DMark 16-thread score of 10,810 and max-thread score of 11,597 demonstrate strong parallel processing capabilities, which are useful for game logic, physics, and AI in an FPS title. The single-thread score of 944 in 3DMark and 1,614 in Cinebench R23 are also respectable, indicating that even lightly-threaded tasks are handled efficiently. The data suggests that the Ryzen 9 5950X is more than sufficient to handle the CPU demands of Lockdown Protocol, and its performance is unlikely to be the limiting factor in this system.

The processor's cache hierarchy—64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a total of 64 MB of L3 cache—provides a large pool of fast memory for frequently accessed data. This is beneficial for maintaining smooth frame delivery. When compared to its nearest rivals, the Ryzen 9 5950X's average benchmark score of 51,947 is nearly identical to the Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX (52,073, -0.2%) and the AMD EPYC 8124P (52,121, -0.3%). It is also just 0.4% ahead of the Intel Core i9-13900F (51,730) and 0.7% behind the Intel Core i7-14700 (52,301). These deltas are negligible, meaning the CPU's performance is squarely in line with other top-tier processors of its generation, reinforcing that it is not a weak link in this specific gaming setup.

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

The Intel Arc B370 is the clear performance bottleneck in this configuration. It is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on Intel's 3 nm process node. Crucially, its memory is "System Shared," meaning it does not have dedicated VRAM; it borrows from the system's DDR4 memory, with bandwidth described as "System Dependent." This is a fundamental limitation for a modern FPS, as the GPU must compete with the CPU for memory access. The Arc B370 has a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2400 MHz, with 1,280 shading units, 40 texture mapping units, and 20 raster output units.

The GPU's performance metrics are stark. Its only benchmark score, 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, is 1,184, placing it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. This is a very low standing, and its nearest rivals are all legacy or low-end parts: the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 (1,186, -0.2%), ATI Radeon HD 5770 (1,190, -0.5%), AMD Radeon HD 7650M (1,192, -0.7%), and AMD FirePro M2000 (1,168, 1.4%). The deltas are tiny, indicating that the Arc B370's raw compute performance is on par with graphics cards from over a decade ago. Its FP32 compute of 6.144 TFLOPS and pixel rate of 48.00 GPixel/s offer theoretical capabilities, but the shared memory architecture and the lack of dedicated VRAM severely hamper real-world gaming performance.

In Lockdown Protocol, the GPU's limitations are directly visible in the frame rate data. At 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves 80 FPS, which is the only measured setting that approaches a smooth playable experience. As settings increase, the GPU struggles more, with High and Ultra settings dropping to 49 and 37 FPS respectively. This pattern is a classic sign of a GPU that is running out of fill rate and memory bandwidth. The Arc B370's 25 W TDP and "IGP" slot width also confirm its position as a low-power, integrated solution that is not designed for high-end gaming. The data shows that any attempt to run the game at higher graphical fidelity is met with a significant performance penalty, making the GPU the definitive limiting component.

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

Resolution scaling reveals the extent to which the Intel Arc B370 is overwhelmed by increasing pixel counts. The measured FPS data shows a clear and predictable decline as resolution rises from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160. At Low settings, the system produces 80 FPS at 1080p, 58 FPS at 1440p, and 38 FPS at 4K. This is a drop of 27.5% from 1080p to 1440p, and then a further 34.5% from 1440p to 4K. The pattern is similar for Medium settings, where the frame rate goes from 57 FPS at 1080p to 42 FPS at 1440p and 27 FPS at 4K. High settings show 49 FPS at 1080p, 36 FPS at 1440p, and 23 FPS at 4K. Ultra settings are the most punishing, starting at 37 FPS at 1080p and falling to 27 FPS at 1440p and 18 FPS at 4K.

These numbers indicate that the GPU is the primary scaling bottleneck. The performance drops are roughly proportional to the increase in pixel count, which is characteristic of a system where the graphics processor is working at its absolute limit. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the frame rate would remain relatively flat across resolutions, as the GPU would have spare capacity to render at higher resolutions. Instead, the steep declines show that every additional pixel is a significant burden for the Arc B370. The data suggests that the system is not resolution-limited in a way that would benefit from a faster CPU; rather, it is entirely GPU-limited, and the only way to improve performance is to either reduce the resolution or lower the graphical settings.

The frame time consistency, where measured, also supports this. At Medium settings, the difference between average and max FPS is 8 frames at 1080p (57 vs 65), 6 frames at 1440p (42 vs 48), and 8 frames at 4K (27 vs 31). The min FPS values are also notably lower than the averages, suggesting occasional stutters as the GPU struggles to keep up. This is a sign of a component that is not just slow but also inconsistent under load, which can be more detrimental to the feel of a game than a lower but stable frame rate.

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

Given the measured data, the only viable settings for a playable experience are at 1080p with Low settings, which yields an average of 80 FPS. This is the sole configuration that approaches the 60 FPS target that most gamers consider acceptable. The next best option is 1080p Medium at 57 FPS, but this is still below the ideal threshold and may feel less fluid. The data shows a clear trade-off: moving from Low to Medium at 1080p costs 23 FPS (from 80 to 57), which is a 28.75% drop. This is a substantial penalty for what is likely a modest visual improvement, given the GPU's limited capabilities.

At 1440p, the best option is Low settings at 58 FPS, which is just barely playable but shows that the GPU is already struggling with a higher pixel count. At 4K, even Low settings only produce 38 FPS, which is not suitable for a fast-paced FPS. The Ultra preset is effectively unusable at any resolution, with the best case being 37 FPS at 1080p, which is far too low for competitive play. The recommendation from the data is clear: users should prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity. The system is not capable of running the game at high or ultra settings with any degree of smoothness, so the best experience is achieved by sticking to 1080p and Low settings.

The Medium preset at 1080p might be considered a compromise, but the 57 FPS average is still below the 60 FPS target, and the min FPS of 48 suggests there will be noticeable dips during intense action sequences. Therefore, for the most consistent and responsive experience, the measured data points to 1080p Low as the only recommended setting. This configuration leverages the CPU's strength in feeding frames while minimizing the GPU's workload, resulting in the highest average frame rate available in this test matrix.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X and Intel Arc B370 ranks 2,611 out of 2,828 tested combos in Lockdown Protocol. This places it in the bottom 7.7% of all configurations, which is a very poor standing. This low rank is almost entirely attributable to the GPU, as the CPU is a high-performing part. The data shows that the system is severely imbalanced, with a top-tier processor paired with a bottom-tier graphics solution. This ranking underscores the fact that while the CPU can handle the game, the GPU cannot, resulting in an overall experience that is far below what the processor alone would suggest.

The rank of 2,611 indicates that nearly all other tested combinations, including those with much weaker CPUs, will outperform this setup in Lockdown Protocol, as long as they have a more capable discrete GPU. The only combos that would rank lower are those with even slower integrated graphics or potentially very old dedicated GPUs. This pairing is a clear example of how a system's gaming performance is dictated by its weakest link. The Ryzen 9 5950X's high percentile ranking (91st) is meaningless in this context because the Arc B370's 5th percentile ranking drags the entire system down. The data suggests that this combo is not optimized for gaming and would be better suited for tasks that rely heavily on CPU compute power, such as rendering or productivity workloads, rather than FPS gaming.

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

The following is a complete breakdown of the measured FPS data for Lockdown Protocol with the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X and Intel Arc B370.

1920x1080

• Low: 80 FPS average
• Medium: 57 FPS average, 48 FPS minimum, 65 FPS maximum
• High: 49 FPS average
• Ultra: 37 FPS average

2560x1440

• Low: 58 FPS average
• Medium: 42 FPS average, 35 FPS minimum, 48 FPS maximum
• High: 36 FPS average
• Ultra: 27 FPS average

3840x2160

• Low: 38 FPS average
• Medium: 27 FPS average, 23 FPS minimum, 31 FPS maximum
• High: 23 FPS average
• Ultra: 18 FPS average

The data reveals a consistent pattern. At every resolution, the frame rate decreases as settings increase, with the largest drop occurring between Low and Medium settings. The difference between Low and Ultra at 1080p is 43 FPS (80 to 37), which highlights how much headroom is available at the lowest settings. The system is only capable of producing a smooth experience at 1080p Low, and even then, the margin for error is thin. The data shows that the Arc B370 is a significant limiting factor, and the overall experience is poor.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo?

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the system can achieve a playable frame rate, with an average of 80 FPS at Low settings.

Q: Can this system run Lockdown Protocol at Ultra settings?

A: While it is technically possible, the performance is not acceptable. The best Ultra result is 37 FPS at 1080p, which is below the standard for smooth gameplay.

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

A: The Intel Arc B370 is the definitive bottleneck. The CPU's benchmark scores are in the 91st percentile, while the GPU is in the 5th percentile.

Q: How does the GPU compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Arc B370's 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1,184 is nearly identical to the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 (1,186, -0.2%) and ATI Radeon HD 5770 (1,190, -0.5%).

Q: What settings are recommended for a smooth experience?

A: The only configuration that provides a consistently smooth experience is 1920x1080 with Low settings, which achieves an 80 FPS average.

Q: What is the overall ranking of this combo in the game?

A: The combination ranks 2,611 out of 2,828 tested combos, placing it in the bottom 7.7% of all systems tested for Lockdown Protocol.