Lockdown Protocol

The Intel Core i5-14400F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is a mainstream desktop combination aimed squarely at 1080p and 1440p gaming. In Lockdown Protocol, this pairing delivers a strong experience, though the data reveals a clear performance ceiling at higher resolutions. The benchmark results indicate that this combo is best suited for high-refresh-rate play at 1080p, with diminishing returns as you move up to 4K. The measured FPS across all settings and resolutions provides a clear picture of what this hardware can achieve in this specific FPS title, and the following analysis breaks down the CPU and GPU contributions, ranking, and optimal configurations.

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

The Intel Core i5-14400F is a 10-core, 16-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture. It has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, with a 20 MB shared L3 cache. This configuration places it in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs, indicating it is a well-above-average performer for gaming workloads. Its multi-threaded prowess is evident in benchmarks like Cinebench R23, where it scores 21645 points, and its single-core performance of 3055 points ensures it can handle the primary game logic thread without becoming a bottleneck in most scenarios.

Looking at the measured results in Lockdown Protocol, the CPU's role is primarily to feed the GPU. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves 189 FPS, a figure that is likely near the CPU's practical limit for this game's engine. This is supported by the fact that moving from Low to High settings at 1080p only drops the average to 117 FPS, a 38% decrease that is more attributable to the GPU's workload than a CPU limitation. The CPU's strength is further highlighted by its Passmark multithread score of 25470, which shows it can handle the background tasks and game simulation without stutter. In comparison to its nearest rivals, the i5-14400F holds its own, with a 0.1% higher average benchmark score than the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U and a 0.2% lead over the Intel Core i9-11900, though it trails the AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS by 0.2%.

For Lockdown Protocol, the CPU is not the limiting factor at 1080p. The data shows that even at the highest settings, the framerate remains high, suggesting the 10 cores and 4.70 GHz boost clock are sufficient to keep pace with the RTX 4060. The 65W TDP and support for DDR4 and DDR5 memory also make it a flexible platform choice. The processor's performance is consistent, and the benchmark results indicate that it will not hold back the GPU until you push into 4K resolution, where the GPU's workload becomes the dominant constraint. The single-thread score of 3055 in Cinebench R23 is particularly relevant for an FPS title, as it directly influences the engine's ability to process input and game physics quickly.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is an Ada Lovelace architecture GPU with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 272.0 GB/s. It has a boost clock of 2460 MHz and a base clock of 1830 MHz, with 3072 shading units. The GPU's performance percentile is 61st among all GPUs, and its Passmark G3D score is 19545, placing it as a solid mid-range option. In Lockdown Protocol, the GPU's role is critical, as the framerate scales significantly with resolution and settings, indicating that this is a GPU-bound scenario at higher loads.

The measured FPS data shows a clear pattern: the RTX 4060 dominates the performance profile. At 1080p High, the combo averages 117 FPS, and at Ultra, it drops to 88 FPS. Moving to 1440p High, the average falls to 86 FPS, and at 4K High, it is just 55 FPS. This scaling demonstrates that the GPU's 8 GB VRAM and 128-bit memory bus are being taxed at higher resolutions. The 4K Ultra result of 42 FPS is particularly telling, as it suggests the GPU is running out of memory bandwidth or capacity to maintain smooth performance. The GPU's raw compute power, measured at 15.11 TFLOPS FP32, is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p, but the memory subsystem is the primary bottleneck at 4K.

Compared to its nearest rivals, the RTX 4060's average benchmark score of 17639 is slightly below the AMD Radeon HD 7790 by 0.2%, but it is 0.3% ahead of the AMD Radeon 780M and 0.5% ahead of the AMD Radeon Pro 560. This places it in a competitive position for its class. In Lockdown Protocol, the GPU is the component that determines the playable settings at each resolution. The data shows that for a smooth 60+ FPS experience, the user must stay within 1080p or 1440p with medium-to-high settings. The 4K results are below the 60 FPS threshold for most settings, indicating that the GPU is not designed for native 4K gaming in this title without significant compromises.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core i5-14400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 ranks 2009 out of 3714 tested combos in Lockdown Protocol. This places it in the 54th percentile of all combos, meaning it outperforms slightly more than half of the tested systems. This rank is a reflection of the balance between the CPU and GPU, where the i5-14400F's strong single-thread performance complements the RTX 4060's mid-range capabilities. The rank suggests that while this is not a top-tier setup, it is a competent pairing that offers a consistent experience.

The ranking indicates that there are 1705 combos that perform better, likely featuring higher-end GPUs or CPUs with more cores. However, the data also shows that this combo is far from the bottom, with 1705 combos performing worse. The practical implication is that for Lockdown Protocol, this setup is a reliable middle-ground choice. The measured FPS at 1080p High (117 FPS) and 1440p High (86 FPS) are both respectable, and the combo's performance is more than adequate for competitive play. The rank of 2009 is a direct result of the GPU's limitations at higher resolutions, which pulls the overall score down compared to combos with more powerful graphics cards.

When interpreting this rank, it is important to consider the context. The combo is not designed to be a 4K powerhouse, and its rank reflects that. For users targeting 1080p or 1440p, this ranking is quite positive, as it shows the hardware is well-suited for those resolutions. The data does not include specific rival combo names or scores, but the overall rank provides a benchmark for comparison. The 54th percentile placement means that a user with this setup will have a playable experience in the vast majority of scenarios, and the performance is consistent with the hardware's market positioning.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

Q: What is the average FPS for this combo at 1080p with High settings?

A: The measured average FPS is 117 frames per second at 1920x1080 with High settings. This is a smooth experience for a fast-paced FPS title, providing a good balance between visual quality and performance.

Q: Can this combo handle 4K gaming in Lockdown Protocol?

A: The data shows that at 3840x2160, the average FPS is 55 with High settings and 42 with Ultra settings. These figures are below the commonly preferred 60 FPS threshold, so 4K gaming is possible but requires dropping to Low settings, where the average rises to 89 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU's performance compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Core i5-14400F has an average benchmark score of 32279. This is 0.1% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U and 0.2% higher than the Intel Core i9-11900, but it is 0.2% lower than the AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS. These are very small differences, indicating near-identical performance.

Q: What is the GPU's memory bandwidth and how does it affect high-resolution performance?

A: The RTX 4060 has a memory bandwidth of 272.0 GB/s from its 8 GB GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus. The measured FPS drop from 117 at 1080p High to 55 at 4K High suggests that this bandwidth is a limiting factor at higher resolutions.

Q: What is the combo's overall ranking among all tested systems?

A: The combo ranks 2009 out of 3714 total combinations tested in Lockdown Protocol. This places it in the 54th percentile, indicating that it performs better than a majority of tested systems, but there are many higher-performing combos available.

Q: What are the minimum and maximum FPS at 1440p Medium settings?

A: At 2560x1440 with Medium settings, the measured minimum FPS is 83 and the maximum FPS is 113, with an average of 98 FPS. This shows a stable frame pacing with a reasonable variance.

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

The resolution scaling in Lockdown Protocol for this combo is dramatic and reveals a clear GPU bottleneck. At 1080p High, the average FPS is 117. Moving to 1440p High, the average drops to 86 FPS, a 26.5% decrease. Pushing further to 4K High, the average falls to 55 FPS, a 53% decrease from the 1080p figure. This steep decline is a classic sign of a GPU that is being overwhelmed by the increasing pixel count. The CPU, which is capable of delivering over 180 FPS at 1080p Low, is not the limiting factor here; the GPU's 8 GB VRAM and 272.0 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient for the load at 4K.

The data shows that the most significant drop occurs between 1440p and 4K. At 1440p High, the system is still playable at 86 FPS, but at 4K High, it falls below the 60 FPS threshold to 55 FPS. This suggests that the RTX 4060 is at the edge of its capabilities at 1440p, and 4K is simply too demanding for it to maintain high framerates. The pattern is consistent across all settings: at 1080p Low, the average is 189 FPS, at 1440p Low it is 138 FPS, and at 4K Low it is 89 FPS. The scaling from 1080p to 4K at Low settings shows a 52.9% drop, confirming the GPU is the primary constraint.

This analysis is further supported by the fact that the CPU's performance is relatively constant across resolutions. The i5-14400F's single-core score of 3055 and multi-core score of 21645 in Cinebench R23 indicate it has ample headroom. The framerate drops are directly proportional to the increase in resolution, which is a signature of a GPU-bound scenario. For users wanting to play at 4K, the data suggests that Low settings are necessary to achieve a playable 89 FPS, but this sacrifices visual fidelity. The sweet spot for this combo is clearly 1080p or 1440p, where the GPU can maintain high framerates without being overburdened.

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

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for Lockdown Protocol depend on the user's target resolution and performance preference. For 1080p, the High preset offers the best experience, with an average of 117 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold and provides excellent visual quality. The Ultra preset at 1080p drops to 88 FPS, which is still playable, but the 29 FPS difference between High and Ultra suggests diminishing returns for the graphical improvements. The Medium preset at 1080p yields 134 FPS, but the High preset provides a better balance of visuals and speed.

At 1440p, the High preset is again the recommended choice, with an average of 86 FPS. This is a smooth experience for most gamers, and the Medium preset at 98 FPS is also viable for those who prefer higher framerates. The Ultra preset at 1440p drops to 64 FPS, which is just above the 60 FPS minimum, but the framerate is less stable, and the visual gains over High are minimal. For 4K, the data shows that High settings are not recommended, as the 55 FPS average is below the 60 FPS threshold. The Low preset at 4K achieves 89 FPS, making it the only playable option for a smooth experience, but it requires significant visual compromises.

The best overall experience, considering the measured rows, is 1080p High. With 117 FPS average, this setting provides a high refresh rate experience that is ideal for an FPS game. The Medium preset at 1440p is a close second, offering 98 FPS with a higher resolution, and it is recommended for users with 1440p monitors who want a balance between quality and speed. For those who prioritize maximum framerates, 1080p Low at 189 FPS is available, but it sacrifices visual detail. Ultimately, the data suggests that the High preset is the sweet spot for this combo at 1080p and 1440p, as it delivers a high frame rate without the significant performance penalty seen at Ultra settings.