Lockdown Protocol

Lockdown Protocol is a fast-paced FPS that leans heavily on frame rate, and the pairing of the Intel Core i3-12100F with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 delivers a compelling mix of high refresh rate capability and visual fidelity. The data shows a system that can push well past 100 FPS at mainstream resolutions, though the CPU's quad-core design does shape the experience at the highest settings. This analysis breaks down how each component contributes to the game's measured performance, what settings offer the best trade-off, and how this specific configuration stacks up against the broader field of tested hardware.

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

The Intel Core i3-12100F is a 4-core, 8-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process. Its base clock sits at 3.30 GHz, boosting up to 4.30 GHz under load. This is a modestly configured part by modern standards, and its benchmark profile reflects a dual personality: strong single-thread capability but limited multi-thread headroom. In synthetic tests, the chip scores 1,674 in Cinebench R23 single-core and 11,860 in multi-core, while Geekbench shows 1,932 single-core and 7,252 multi-core. The 3DMark results are telling—the 4-thread score of 2,859 jumps to 4,026 for 8-thread, but the max-thread score of 4,023 is essentially identical, confirming that the processor’s scaling tops out with its 8 threads.

For Lockdown Protocol, this means the CPU can handle the game’s logic and physics without becoming a bottleneck at lower graphical presets, where the GPU has less work to do. The single-thread performance is the key asset here; the 3DMark single-thread score of 893 and PassMark single-thread result of 3,444 indicate that the processor can feed the GPU efficiently in most scenarios. However, the multi-thread ceiling of 14,015 in PassMark is a limiting factor when the game’s engine tries to distribute work across more threads. The data suggests that at 1080p Low settings, where the GPU is barely taxed, the CPU’s 4-core design becomes the primary constraint, capping the average FPS at 260. This is still an excellent result, but it shows that the i3-12100F is not a limitless performer.

The processor’s 12 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel memory support (DDR4/DDR5) are adequate for gaming, but the lack of higher core counts means that frame pacing can suffer in scenes with heavy AI or complex simulation. The nearest rivals for this CPU include the Intel Core i5-9500, which scores 13,452 in the aggregate benchmark, a 0.3% delta, and the Intel Core 5 120UL at 13,594, which is 0.7% faster. These comparisons show that the i3-12100F is firmly in the mid-range tier for processing power. The benchmark results indicate that the CPU is capable of maintaining high average frame rates in Lockdown Protocol, but the minimum FPS data—where available—shows that drops can occur, particularly at higher resolutions where the GPU is doing more work and the CPU must keep up with both game logic and draw calls.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 is the dominant partner in this pairing, and its specifications make it a formidable piece of hardware. Built on the Ada Lovelace architecture using TSMC's 5 nm process, the GPU features 5,888 shading units, 184 texture mapping units, and 64 raster output pipelines. It operates at a base clock of 1920 MHz with a boost clock of 2475 MHz, and its memory runs at 1313 MHz, effectively delivering 21 Gbps across a 192-bit bus. This configuration yields a memory bandwidth of 504.2 GB/s, which is more than sufficient for the 12 GB of GDDR6X VRAM on board. The GPU’s compute capabilities are substantial, with an FP32 throughput of 29.15 TFLOPS and a pixel rate of 158.4 GPixel/s.

In synthetic benchmarks, the RTX 4070 posts a PassMark G3D score of 26,927 and a Geekbench Vulkan score of 174,152, placing it in the 81st percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are the NVIDIA Tesla P4 (0.1% faster) and the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 (0.4% slower), which underscores its position as a high-end performer. For Lockdown Protocol, the GPU’s role is to render the game’s environments and effects, and the measured FPS shows it excels at this task. At 1440p High, the average FPS is 118, and at 1080p High, it jumps to 161. The GPU’s VRAM capacity is a critical asset here; 12 GB is ample for the game’s textures and shaders, ensuring that the card does not run into memory limitations that would cause stuttering or texture pop-in.

The RTX 4070’s boost clock is the primary driver of its performance in this title. The data shows a clear scaling pattern: as resolution increases, the GPU’s workload grows, and the average FPS drops accordingly. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS falls to 57, while at 1080p Low, it reaches 260. This indicates that the GPU is well-balanced for 1440p gaming, where it can maintain high frame rates with room to spare. The lack of minimum FPS data for most settings suggests that the GPU maintains consistent performance, but the available data points—such as 74 FPS minimum at 4K Medium—show that the card can dip under load, though not to levels that would impair gameplay. The GPU’s 200 W TDP and dual-slot design make it a power-hungry but manageable component, and its PCIe 4.0 x16 interface ensures it can communicate with the CPU without bandwidth constraints.

FAQ

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

A: The highest recorded average FPS is 260, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. This indicates that the GPU is not the limiting factor at this preset, and the CPU’s single-thread performance is sufficient to drive very high frame rates.

Q: How does this combo perform at 1440p with High settings?

A: At 2560x1440 with High settings, the combo delivers an average FPS of 118. This is a strong result for a 1440p monitor with a 120 Hz refresh rate, as it means the system can fully utilize the display’s capabilities without dropping frames.

Q: Is the RTX 4070’s 12 GB VRAM sufficient for this game?

A: Yes, the 12 GB of GDDR6X VRAM is more than enough for Lockdown Protocol. The measured FPS at 4K Ultra, which is the most demanding setting tested, shows an average of 57 FPS, indicating that the GPU has adequate memory for textures and effects without causing performance degradation.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-12100F bottleneck the RTX 4070 in this game?

A: The data suggests a partial bottleneck at lower settings. At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 260, but the CPU’s 4-core, 8-thread design may limit frame rates in scenes with heavy CPU load. At higher resolutions like 4K Ultra, the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck, and the CPU’s impact is less pronounced.

Q: What is the combo’s ranking among all tested configurations?

A: This specific pairing of the Intel Core i3-12100F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 ranks 874th out of 3,714 tested combos in Lockdown Protocol. This places it in the top 24% of all configurations, indicating strong overall performance.

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

A: The RTX 4070’s average benchmark score of 37,648 is nearly identical to the NVIDIA Tesla P4, which scores 37,628 (0.1% delta). It is also 0.4% faster than the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56, which scores 37,507, and 1.3% slower than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile, which scores 38,135.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS across different settings and resolutions provides a clear picture of which preset offers the best experience. For players prioritizing smoothness and responsiveness, the Low preset at 1080p is the clear winner, delivering an average FPS of 260. However, this comes at the cost of visual quality, which may not be ideal for a game that relies on seeing enemies clearly. The Medium preset at 1080p offers a better balance, with an average FPS of 185 and minimum FPS of 157, ensuring that the game remains fluid even in intense firefights.

At 1440p, the High preset is the sweet spot. It delivers an average FPS of 118, which is sufficient for most high-refresh-rate monitors, and the visual fidelity is significantly better than Low or Medium. The Ultra preset at 1440p drops to 89 FPS, which is still playable, but the marginal visual gains may not justify the 29 FPS loss. For 4K users, the Medium preset is recommended, as it provides an average FPS of 87 with a minimum of 74, which is the floor for a smooth experience. The Ultra preset at 4K, with an average of 57 FPS, is only suitable for users who prioritize visuals over frame rate and are willing to accept occasional dips.

The data shows that the Medium preset is the most versatile option across all resolutions, offering a consistent balance of performance and quality. At 1080p Medium, the combo achieves 185 FPS, at 1440p Medium it hits 135 FPS, and at 4K Medium it maintains 87 FPS. This makes Medium the recommended default for users who want a stable experience without tweaking individual settings. For competitive play, dropping to Low at 1080p or 1440p will maximize frame rate, with 260 FPS and 191 FPS respectively, but the visual trade-off is significant.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i3-12100F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 combination ranks 874th out of 3,714 tested combos in Lockdown Protocol. This places it in the upper quartile of all configurations, which is a strong showing given the CPU’s budget-oriented positioning. The ranking indicates that the GPU carries most of the performance weight, as the RTX 4070 is a high-end part that sits in the 81st percentile of all GPUs. The CPU, in contrast, is in the 68th percentile, which is respectable but not elite.

The combo’s rank of 874 suggests that there are many configurations with faster CPUs that can extract more performance from similar GPUs, particularly at lower resolutions where the CPU becomes a limiting factor. However, the data shows that the RTX 4070 is powerful enough to compensate for the CPU’s limitations at higher resolutions. At 4K, the GPU’s workload is so heavy that the CPU’s 4-core design is less likely to bottleneck, allowing the combo to perform closer to its theoretical maximum. The rank also reflects the fact that Lockdown Protocol is not a CPU-intensive title, as evidenced by the high frame rates achieved even with a modest processor.

Compared to other combos, this pairing is likely to outperform systems with weaker GPUs but stronger CPUs, as the RTX 4070’s raw compute power is essential for maintaining high FPS at 1440p and above. The 874th rank out of 3,714 reflects the GPU’s capabilities, but it also highlights that the CPU is a potential upgrade path for users who want to push frame rates even higher. For now, the combo is well-suited for 1440p gaming, where it ranks among the top performers in the database.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed look at how this combo performs across resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the frame rates are consistently high, starting with 260 FPS on Low, 185 FPS on Medium (with a minimum of 157 and maximum of 213), 161 FPS on High, and 121 FPS on Ultra. The scaling from Low to Ultra shows a 139 FPS drop, which is a significant reduction but still leaves the system well above the 60 FPS threshold. The Medium preset’s minimum FPS of 157 is particularly notable, as it indicates that the system can maintain high frame rates even during demanding scenes.

At 2560x1440, the performance remains strong, with 191 FPS on Low, 135 FPS on Medium (minimum 115, maximum 156), 118 FPS on High, and 89 FPS on Ultra. The drop from Low to Ultra is 102 FPS, which is less severe than at 1080p, suggesting that the GPU is becoming more of a limiting factor as resolution increases. The Medium preset at 1440p is a standout, offering a minimum FPS of 115, which ensures smooth gameplay on most monitors.

At 3840x2160, the frame rates become more modest, with 123 FPS on Low, 87 FPS on Medium (minimum 74, maximum 101), 76 FPS on High, and 57 FPS on Ultra. The 4K results show that the GPU is fully utilized, with the Ultra preset dropping below 60 FPS. The Medium preset at 4K is the best option for maintaining a playable frame rate, as it stays above 74 FPS at all times. The data clearly shows that the combo is best suited for 1440p gaming, where it can achieve high frame rates with the Medium or High presets, while 4K gaming requires a compromise in settings to maintain fluidity.