Lockdown Protocol

Lockdown Protocol presents a demanding workload for the Intel Core i5-10400F and AMD Radeon RX 570 combination. The measured frame rates reveal a system that is heavily constrained by the graphics card at higher resolutions, while the CPU provides a solid foundation for 1080p gaming. This analysis breaks down the performance data to show exactly where this pairing excels and where it falls short.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is steep and clearly indicates a GPU-bound scenario. At 1080p with High settings, the combo produces an average of 47 FPS. Moving to 1440p High drops that to 35 FPS, and at 4K High, the average falls to 22 FPS. This trajectory shows a consistent and significant penalty as pixel count increases, with the RX 570’s 4 GB frame buffer and 224.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth becoming the primary limiting factor.

The scaling pattern is typical for a mid-range GPU from the Polaris generation. The jump from 1080p to 1440p costs roughly 25% of the average FPS, while the jump from 1440p to 4K costs another 37%. This non-linear drop is characteristic of a card that is running out of both raw compute power and memory bandwidth at higher resolutions. The 4K Ultra result of 17 FPS is essentially unplayable, reinforcing that this resolution is well outside the intended operating range for this hardware.

Comparing the Low settings across resolutions provides a clearer picture of the GPU’s headroom. At 1080p Low, the system hits 77 FPS, which is a very playable number. At 1440p Low, it drops to 56 FPS, and at 4K Low, it falls to 36 FPS. The fact that even at Low settings the 4K result is below 60 FPS confirms that the RX 570 simply does not have the fill rate or memory throughput to handle 4K output for this title, regardless of graphical complexity. The limiting component at 4K is unequivocally the GPU.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-10400F provides six cores and twelve threads, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. In the context of Lockdown Protocol, an FPS title, this configuration is more than sufficient to feed the GPU at most settings. The CPU’s 3DMark scores, such as 1350 for 2 threads and 4748 for 16 threads, indicate a balanced multi-threaded performance that is well-suited for modern game engines that utilize multiple cores.

The data suggests that the CPU is not the primary bottleneck until the GPU load is drastically reduced. At 1080p Low, where the GPU has the least work to do, the system achieves 77 FPS. This is the highest frame rate in the entire dataset, and it is likely approaching the point where the CPU’s single-thread performance (a 3DMark single-thread score of 688) begins to limit the frame rate. However, at all other settings and resolutions, the frame rates are low enough that the CPU has ample headroom.

The CPU’s 68th percentile ranking against all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 14185, places it as a competent mid-range processor. Its nearest rivals, such as the Intel Xeon 6756E and AMD Ryzen 3 7320C, have nearly identical average scores, with deltas of 0.2% and -0.6% respectively. This shows that the i5-10400F is right in the middle of a performance cluster, and its gaming capabilities are typical for its class. For Lockdown Protocol, the CPU’s job is to keep up, and it does so without issue, except perhaps at the very lowest graphical settings where the GPU can no longer mask CPU latency.

How This Combo Ranks

In the grand scheme of tested configurations, this specific combination of the Core i5-10400F and Radeon RX 570 ranks 3544 out of 3714 combos. This places it in the bottom 5% of all tested pairings for Lockdown Protocol. This low ranking is a direct consequence of the GPU’s age and performance class, not the CPU. The i5-10400F is a capable processor, but the RX 570, with its 4 GB of VRAM and 5.095 TFLOPS of FP32 performance, is a legacy part that is holding the system back in a modern title.

The ranking reflects the overall experience. While the combo can produce playable frame rates at 1080p, it cannot compete with modern hardware that offers higher raw performance and more memory. The GPU’s percentile ranking of 74th against all GPUs might seem high, but this is based on its average benchmark score of 28766, which includes synthetic tests. In a demanding game like Lockdown Protocol, the card’s limitations are more exposed than in older or less demanding benchmarks. The combo rank is a clear signal that this is not a high-performance gaming rig for this title.

The delta between this combo and better-performing ones is implied by the rank. Being 170 places from the bottom means there are many configurations that deliver significantly higher frame rates. This is not a system for competitive or high-refresh-rate play, but rather a baseline setup that can handle the game at lower settings. The data shows that the CPU is not the weak link; the GPU is the component that drags the combo ranking down.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play Lockdown Protocol with this hardware?

A: The measured data shows that 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the combo consistently achieves playable frame rates. At 1080p, the average FPS ranges from 36 on Ultra to 77 on Low, with Medium and High landing at 54 and 47 FPS respectively. 1440p and 4K results are significantly lower.

Q: Can this combo handle 1440p gaming in Lockdown Protocol?

A: Yes, but with significant compromises. At 1440p, the highest average FPS is 56 on Low settings. Medium settings drop to 40 FPS, and High falls to 35 FPS. While 1440p Low might be acceptable for some, the experience is not smooth at higher presets. The 4K results, ranging from 17 to 36 FPS, are generally not suitable for a fast-paced FPS.

Q: Is this system more limited by the CPU or the GPU?

A: The data indicates that the AMD Radeon RX 570 is the primary limiting factor. The frame rate drops significantly as resolution increases, which is a classic sign of a GPU bottleneck. The Intel Core i5-10400F, with its six cores and 4.30 GHz boost clock, is capable enough to keep up with the GPU at most settings, as evidenced by the 77 FPS result at 1080p Low.

Q: How does the RX 570's 4 GB of VRAM affect performance?

A: While the data does not explicitly measure VRAM usage, the large frame rate drops at higher resolutions are consistent with a GPU that is running out of memory and bandwidth. The 4 GB frame buffer is likely insufficient for 4K textures and detail levels, forcing the system to use slower memory paging, which results in the observed low average FPS figures.

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

A: The difference is substantial. At 1080p, the average FPS on Low settings is 77, while on Ultra settings it drops to 36. This represents a significant performance hit of over half the frame rate. Medium settings provide a middle ground at 54 FPS, and High settings offer 47 FPS.

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

A: This specific combo ranks 3544 out of 3714 tested combinations for Lockdown Protocol. This places it in the lower percentile of all tested systems, indicating that it is a lower-performance configuration for this specific game due to the age and capabilities of the graphics card.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 570 is the decisive factor in this system's performance. With a base clock of 1168 MHz and a boost clock of 1244 MHz, it is a modestly clocked card. Its 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus provides 224.0 GB/s of bandwidth. These specifications, while respectable for its launch era, are now dated and struggle with the demands of Lockdown Protocol.

The GPU’s performance is directly reflected in the measured FPS. The card is unable to maintain a 60 FPS average at any setting except for 1080p Low. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 880 is a low number, further quantifying its limited DirectX 12 capabilities. Its benchmark rivals, such as the AMD Radeon RX 6800M and NVIDIA Quadro RTX 8000, have average scores that are within 1.2% of the RX 570, which is surprising given their different market positions, but the game performance data shows the RX 570's true limitations.

The GPU's role in this pairing is to be the bottleneck. Every frame rate cap in the data is a function of the GPU's rendering speed. The 47 FPS at 1080p High is not due to the CPU, but because the GPU cannot process the scene fast enough. The data points to a system where the GPU is working at its maximum capacity while the CPU idles, waiting for the next frame to be rendered. This is a classic case of a graphics card that is no longer sufficient for modern high-fidelity gaming.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS, the optimal experience for this combo is at 1920x1080 with Medium settings. This preset yields an average of 54 FPS, with a minimum of 46 FPS and a maximum of 63 FPS. This is the sweet spot where visual quality is improved over Low settings while maintaining a frame rate that is consistently above 45 FPS, which is generally considered the threshold for playable, smooth motion in a fast-paced FPS.

High settings at 1080p are also viable, offering an average of 47 FPS. The trade-off is a 7 FPS reduction compared to Medium, but with better visual fidelity. For players who prefer smoother motion over slightly better visuals, Medium is the better choice. Low settings at 1080p provide the highest average FPS at 77, but this comes at the cost of significant visual detail, which can be a disadvantage in a game where spotting enemies is crucial.

For 1440p, the only acceptable preset is Low, which offers an average of 56 FPS. However, the lower visual quality at this resolution may not be worth the performance gain over 1080p Medium. The 4K resolution should be avoided entirely, as even Low settings only manage 36 FPS, which is too low for a competitive FPS. The data strongly suggests that 1080p Medium is the most balanced and enjoyable configuration for this hardware.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following is a detailed breakdown of the average FPS for each resolution and settings combination.

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Ultra: Average FPS is 36. This is the most demanding preset and the least playable at this resolution.
• High: Average FPS is 47. A playable option, but with a noticeable dip from Medium.
• Medium: Average FPS is 54, with a minimum of 46 and maximum of 63. This is the recommended setting for a balanced experience.
• Low: Average FPS is 77. The highest performance setting, providing the smoothest gameplay but with the lowest visual detail.

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Ultra: Average FPS is 26. Not a suitable setting for this resolution.
• High: Average FPS is 35. Frame rates are too inconsistent for a good experience.
• Medium: Average FPS is 40, with a minimum of 34 and maximum of 46. This is borderline playable, but not ideal.
• Low: Average FPS is 56. The only 1440p setting that approaches a smooth experience.

3840x2160 (4K):

• Ultra: Average FPS is 17. This is not a playable configuration.
• High: Average FPS is 22. The game is effectively a slideshow at this setting.
• Medium: Average FPS is 26, with a minimum of 22 and maximum of 30. Still far below the threshold for smooth gameplay.
• Low: Average FPS is 36. Even at the lowest settings, 4K is not a viable option for this hardware.

The data shows a clear and consistent pattern: performance is directly tied to resolution and settings, with 1080p Medium being the only configuration that offers both acceptable visual quality and a playable frame rate. All other combinations either sacrifice too much performance or too much visual fidelity.