Lockdown Protocol

Lockdown Protocol, a 2024 FPS title, shows a stark performance profile when paired with the Intel Core i5-10400F and the integrated Intel Arc B370. The benchmark data reveals a configuration that is heavily constrained by its graphics solution, with frame rates that scale predictably with resolution and settings. This analysis breaks down the measured results, placing them in context against the hardware’s known capabilities and its position among other tested combinations.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data for Lockdown Protocol shows a clear and consistent decline as resolution increases, which is the primary indicator of a GPU-bound scenario. At 1080p with Low settings, the combination achieves an average of 80 FPS. Moving to 1440p Low drops that average to 58 FPS, a reduction of 22 FPS (approximately 27.5%). At 4K Low, the average falls further to 38 FPS, which is a 20 FPS drop from 1440p and a 42 FPS drop from 1080p. This scaling pattern demonstrates that the rendering load is increasing faster than the graphics processor can handle, leading to a near-linear relationship between pixel count and frame time.

The same trend is visible at every settings preset. For High settings, the average frame rate goes from 49 FPS at 1080p to 36 FPS at 1440p, and then to 23 FPS at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 13 FPS, and the drop from 1440p to 4K is another 13 FPS. This consistent halving of performance with each resolution step-up suggests that the limiting component is the GPU’s fill rate and shading throughput, not the CPU. If the processor were the bottleneck, we would expect to see a plateau in frame rates at lower resolutions where the CPU’s thread scheduling and draw call processing would cap performance.

The data shows that the gap between Low and Ultra settings widens as resolution decreases. At 4K, the difference between Low (38 FPS) and Ultra (18 FPS) is 20 FPS. At 1440p, the gap is 31 FPS (58 vs 27). At 1080p, the gap expands to 43 FPS (80 vs 37). This is a classic sign of a GPU that is saturated at higher resolutions, where the additional pixel shading work from higher settings cannot be compensated for by any CPU headroom. At 1080p, the GPU has more relative capacity, so the settings change has a larger absolute impact on frame rate.

The 4K Medium result, with an average of 27 FPS and a minimum of 23 FPS, illustrates that even moderate settings at this resolution push the hardware to its limits. The fact that the frame rate at 4K Low (38 FPS) is only slightly higher than the 1440p Ultra result (27 FPS) suggests that the GPU’s memory bandwidth, which is system shared and system dependent, is a critical factor. The data indicates that for playable performance, users must target 1080p, where even Ultra settings maintain an average above 30 FPS.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-10400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor from the Comet Lake architecture, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. Its benchmark results place it in the 68th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 14185. In the context of Lockdown Protocol, the CPU’s role appears to be secondary to the GPU, as evidenced by the resolution scaling data. The processor’s multi-threaded capabilities, such as a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 10283, are more than sufficient to feed the Arc B370’s relatively modest frame output.

The CPU’s single-thread performance, measured at 1451 in Cinebench R23, is adequate for modern game logic and physics. The data shows that at 1080p Low, the frame rate reaches 80 FPS, which is a level where CPU overhead can sometimes become a factor. However, the fact that the frame rate scales down so predictably with resolution increases indicates that the CPU is not the primary limiter at any tested setting. If the i5-10400F were holding the system back, we would see a smaller delta between 1080p and 1440p results, as the GPU would have more time to render frames while waiting for CPU instructions.

The processor’s memory support for DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and 42.7 GB/s bandwidth is a relevant factor. In a game like Lockdown Protocol, which likely relies on streaming assets and physics calculations, the CPU’s memory bandwidth can influence performance. However, the GPU’s memory is also system shared, meaning it uses the same DDR4 pool. This creates a shared bandwidth constraint where the CPU and GPU compete for the same resource. The i5-10400F’s 12 MB of shared L3 cache helps mitigate some of this competition, but the overall system memory bandwidth is a potential bottleneck for both components.

The CPU’s nearest rivals, such as the Intel Xeon 6756E (deltaPct 0.2%) and AMD EPYC 7552 (deltaPct 0.5%), have similar average benchmark scores, indicating that the i5-10400F is positioned in a competitive performance tier. For this game, the CPU’s 12 threads are likely utilized, but the data suggests that even a less capable processor would produce similar frame rates at higher resolutions due to the GPU limit. The boost clock of 4.30 GHz provides sufficient single-core speed for the game’s main thread, while the 6 physical cores handle background tasks and rendering submission.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is the clear bottleneck in this configuration. It is an integrated GPU based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on a 3 nm process, with a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2400 MHz. Its performance percentile is extremely low, ranking in the 5th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 1184 from the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test. This score places it in the same performance tier as legacy discrete cards like the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 (deltaPct -0.2%) and ATI Radeon HD 5770 (deltaPct -0.5%).

The GPU’s specifications reveal its limitations. It has 1280 shading units, 40 TMUs, and 20 ROPs, which are low numbers for a modern graphics processor. Its pixel rate is 48.00 GPixel/s and texture rate is 96.00 GTexel/s, with a FP32 throughput of 6.144 TFLOPS. These figures explain why the frame rates in Lockdown Protocol are so low. The GPU’s memory is system shared, meaning it relies on the CPU’s DDR4 memory, with bandwidth that is system dependent. This is a severe limitation for a game that requires high bandwidth for textures and frame buffers.

The measured FPS data directly reflects these specifications. At 1080p Low, the 80 FPS average is achievable because the low settings reduce the texture and shading demands. The GPU’s 20 ROPs are sufficient for 1920x1080 at this reduced load. However, as resolution increases to 1440p and 4K, the pixel fill rate requirement grows, and the 48.00 GPixel/s pixel rate is quickly overwhelmed. The 4K High average of 23 FPS shows that the GPU is unable to sustain even 24 FPS at this resolution with high-quality effects.

The GPU’s 25 W TDP and IGP slot width indicate it is designed for power efficiency, not raw performance. Its DirectX 12 Ultimate support (12_2) ensures feature compatibility, but the hardware lacks the compute resources to leverage those features heavily. The data shows that the Arc B370 behaves like a low-end mobile or entry-level desktop solution, making it unsuitable for high-resolution gaming in a demanding FPS title like Lockdown Protocol. The GPU’s nearest rivals, all of which are over a decade old, confirm its position at the bottom of the performance stack.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average frame rate achieved by this combination?

A: The highest average frame rate in the measured data is 80 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-10400F or the Intel Arc B370 the limiting factor in this game?

A: The Intel Arc B370 is the limiting factor. This is evident from the resolution scaling data, where frame rates drop proportionally with increasing resolution, indicating a GPU bottleneck. The CPU’s benchmark scores (68th percentile) are far stronger than the GPU’s (5th percentile).

Q: Can this system run Lockdown Protocol at 4K resolution?

A: The data shows it can run at 4K, but not at playable frame rates. The best 4K result is 38 FPS at Low settings, which drops to 23 FPS at High and 18 FPS at Ultra. All 4K results are below 40 FPS.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B370 compare to its nearest rivals in raw GPU benchmarks?

A: The Arc B370 has a 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1184. Its nearest rival, the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570, scores 1186, which is a deltaPct of -0.2% (meaning the Arc is 0.2% slower). The ATI Radeon HD 5770 scores 1190, a deltaPct of -0.5%.

Q: What is the difference in average FPS between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, Low settings produce an average of 80 FPS, while Ultra settings produce an average of 37 FPS. This is a difference of 43 FPS, showing a significant performance cost for higher visual quality.

Q: Does the CPU’s memory bandwidth affect the GPU’s performance?

A: Yes. The Arc B370 uses system shared memory, meaning its bandwidth is system dependent. The i5-10400F supports dual-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. This shared pool is a potential constraint, as both the CPU and GPU access the same memory.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-10400F and Intel Arc B370 ranks 2611 out of 2828 tested combos for Lockdown Protocol. This places it in the bottom 8% of all configurations, reflecting the GPU’s severe performance limitation. The rank is a direct consequence of the GPU’s 5th percentile standing among all GPUs, which drags down the overall system performance despite the CPU’s more respectable 68th percentile ranking.

This ranking means that the vast majority of other CPU-GPU pairings will deliver higher frame rates in this game. The data suggests that the i5-10400F has ample headroom, and pairing it with even a modest discrete GPU would yield significantly better results. The combo’s position is primarily determined by the Arc B370’s inability to handle the demands of a modern FPS title at standard resolutions. The rank of 2611 out of 2828 indicates that only 217 other combinations are predicted to perform worse, which aligns with the GPU’s status as an integrated solution.

The performance delta between this combo and the top performers is likely substantial, given the GPU’s low benchmark scores. For context, the GPU’s average benchmark score of 1184 is in the same range as GPUs from 2010, while the game itself was released in 2024. This generational gap explains the poor ranking. The CPU, while not top-tier, is not the cause of the low rank; the data clearly shows that the GPU is the limiting component, as evidenced by the resolution scaling tests where CPU load would diminish at higher resolutions, yet frame rates still collapse.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the only viable settings for a consistently playable experience are at 1920x1080 resolution. At 1080p, Low settings provide the best frame rate at 80 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay. Medium settings at 1080p yield an average of 57 FPS, with a minimum of 48 FPS, which is also acceptable for most players, offering a balance between visual fidelity and performance. High settings at 1080p drop to 49 FPS average, which is still playable but may exhibit stutter in intense scenes.

The data shows that Ultra settings at 1080p average 37 FPS, which is below the ideal threshold for a fast-paced FPS. For players prioritizing smoothness, Low or Medium settings at 1080p are the recommended choices. The Medium preset provides a 57 FPS average and a 48 FPS minimum, ensuring that frame times remain consistent, which is crucial for aiming and reaction times in a competitive shooter.

At 1440p, the frame rates become marginal. Low settings average 58 FPS, which is acceptable, but Medium drops to 42 FPS, and High falls to 36 FPS. The 4K resolution should be avoided for any serious gameplay, as even Low settings only achieve 38 FPS. The data indicates that the best experience is achieved by locking the resolution to 1080p and selecting Medium or Low settings. The Medium setting offers the best compromise, providing a 57 FPS average while maintaining a minimum of 48 FPS, which should prevent major hitches. For maximum frame rate, Low at 1080p is the clear winner, delivering 80 FPS and reducing input latency.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the results are as follows: Low settings average 80 FPS, Medium settings average 57 FPS (with a minimum of 48 FPS and maximum of 65 FPS), High settings average 49 FPS, and Ultra settings average 37 FPS. This shows a steady decline as graphical complexity increases, with the largest single drop occurring between Medium and High (8 FPS) and between High and Ultra (12 FPS).

At 2560x1440, the frame rates decrease significantly. Low settings average 58 FPS, Medium settings average 42 FPS (with a minimum of 35 FPS and maximum of 48 FPS), High settings average 36 FPS, and Ultra settings average 27 FPS. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is consistent across all settings, averaging around 20 FPS. The Medium setting at 1440p shows a minimum of 35 FPS, which is close to the threshold for playable, but the average of 42 FPS is still below the 60 FPS target.

At 3840x2160, the performance is severely limited. Low settings average 38 FPS, Medium settings average 27 FPS (with a minimum of 23 FPS and maximum of 31 FPS), High settings average 23 FPS, and Ultra settings average 18 FPS. All 4K results are below 40 FPS, with the Ultra setting producing a frame rate that is nearly unplayable. The Medium setting at 4K, which has the only recorded minimum and maximum values, shows a tight range of 23 to 31 FPS, indicating that the GPU is completely saturated and cannot maintain a stable frame pacing.

The data reveals that the sweet spot for this hardware is 1080p Low, offering a 80 FPS average. The next best option is 1080p Medium at 57 FPS, which provides more visual detail while maintaining a playable frame rate. The 1440p Low setting at 58 FPS is also viable, but the lower resolution of 1080p provides better frame time consistency, as evidenced by the minimum FPS values. The 4K resolution should be avoided entirely, as the highest average achievable is 38 FPS at Low settings, which is below the minimum acceptable for an FPS title. The performance scaling across all data points confirms that the Intel Arc B370 is the definitive bottleneck, and users should prioritize lower resolutions and settings to achieve a responsive experience.