Lockdown Protocol

Lockdown Protocol is a 2024 FPS that places significant demands on both processor and graphics card, and the pairing of the Intel Core i7-12700K with the AMD Radeon RX 9060 produces a well-balanced setup. The data shows this combo is capable of high refresh rate play at 1080p and solid 60+ FPS performance at 1440p, though 4K gaming requires careful settings management. The i7-12700K, with its 12 cores and 20 threads, provides a strong foundation that prevents the GPU from being held back, while the RX 9060’s 8 GB of VRAM and 288.0 GB/s bandwidth are sufficient for most scenarios but can become a limiting factor at higher resolutions and settings.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-12700K a good match for the AMD Radeon RX 9060 in Lockdown Protocol?

A: Yes, the benchmark data indicates a balanced pairing. The CPU’s high multi-threaded performance, evidenced by a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 19784, ensures it can feed the GPU effectively. This results in playable frame rates across all tested resolutions, with the combo achieving 109 FPS at 1080p High settings, showing the CPU is not a bottleneck in this title.

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

A: Based on the measured FPS, 2560x1440 offers the optimal balance. At Medium settings, the combo achieves 91 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. While 1920x1080 delivers higher frame rates (124 FPS at Medium), the visual fidelity at 1440p is superior without sacrificing playability.

Q: How does the RX 9060’s VRAM affect performance at 4K?

A: The 8 GB VRAM on the RX 9060 is a key constraint at 3840x2160. The data shows a significant performance drop at Ultra settings, where the average FPS falls to 39. This suggests that the VRAM capacity or memory bandwidth (288.0 GB/s) is insufficient for the highest texture and detail settings at 4K, causing a notable performance penalty compared to lower settings.

Q: Should I use the Ultra preset for the best experience?

A: No, the Ultra preset is not recommended for this combo. At 1080p, Ultra yields 81 FPS, while Medium provides 124 FPS—a 43 FPS advantage. At 1440p, the gap widens, with Ultra at 60 FPS and Medium at 91 FPS. The visual gains from Ultra do not justify the substantial loss in frame rate, making Medium or High the more practical choices.

Q: Can this combo handle high-refresh-rate monitors?

A: Yes, particularly at 1920x1080. The measured data shows 175 FPS at Low settings and 124 FPS at Medium, both of which can drive a 144Hz monitor effectively. At 2560x1440, the 128 FPS at Low settings also supports high refresh rates, though you will need to adjust settings for more demanding scenarios.

Q: How does the combo’s performance compare to other tested systems?

A: The combo is ranked 1647 out of 2828 tested combinations in Lockdown Protocol, placing it in the 42nd percentile. This indicates it performs better than most other tested combos, though it is not in the top tier. The ranking reflects a solid mid-to-high tier setup capable of running the game well at mainstream resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations for Lockdown Protocol, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i7-12700K and AMD Radeon RX 9060 holds a rank of 1647 out of 2828. This position places it in the upper-middle tier of all tested systems, meaning it outperforms a majority of other hardware pairings. The data suggests that while this combo is not at the very top echelon of performance, it is far from a budget or low-end setup. The ranking is a direct result of the balanced capabilities of the CPU and GPU, where neither component severely bottlenecks the other in this title.

The CPU’s performance percentile of 84, relative to all CPUs, is notably higher than the GPU’s percentile of 59. This indicates that the processor is a stronger component relative to its peers than the graphics card. Consequently, the combo’s overall rank is likely more constrained by the GPU’s capabilities. The i7-12700K’s strong synthetic scores, such as an average benchmark score of 35287, show it has ample headroom. In contrast, the RX 9060’s average benchmark score of 16014 is closer to its nearest rivals, suggesting that the GPU is the limiting factor in more demanding settings. This dynamic is visible in the FPS data, where the CPU can push high frame rates at lower settings, but the GPU struggles to maintain them at higher resolutions and presets.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 9060, based on the Navi 44 chip and RDNA 4.0 architecture, is the primary driver of graphical performance in Lockdown Protocol. Its 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus provides a bandwidth of 288.0 GB/s. In the measured data, this memory configuration proves adequate for 1080p and 1440p gaming, where the card delivers strong average frame rates. However, at 4K (3840x2160), the VRAM capacity and bandwidth become stressed. The performance drop from 59 FPS at Medium settings to 39 FPS at Ultra settings highlights this limitation, as the higher settings likely require more memory for textures and geometry.

The GPU’s clock speeds are also a factor. The boost clock is listed at 2990 MHz, with a game clock of 2400 MHz. These high frequencies allow the card to process frames quickly at lower resolutions, which is evident in the 175 FPS result at 1080p Low settings. The core configuration includes 1792 shading units and 64 ROPs, with a pixel rate of 191.4 GPixel/s. This hardware is sufficient for the demands of Lockdown Protocol at 1080p and 1440p, but the data indicates that the card’s overall performance is comparable to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, which has an average benchmark score of 16129, just 0.7% higher. This puts the RX 9060 in a competitive but not top-tier performance class.

Settings Recommendations

For the optimal balance between visual quality and frame rate, the Medium preset is the clear winner across all resolutions. At 1920x1080, Medium delivers 124 FPS, which is 45 FPS higher than High and 43 FPS higher than Ultra. The minimum FPS of 106 at this setting ensures consistent gameplay without significant stutters. Moving to 2560x1440, Medium provides 91 FPS with a minimum of 77 FPS, which remains smooth and responsive. Even at 3840x2160, Medium is the highest playable setting, achieving 59 FPS, which is close to the 60 FPS target for a good experience.

The High preset is a viable alternative for those who prioritize visual fidelity over maximum frame rates. At 1440p, High yields 80 FPS, which is still very playable. At 1080p, High produces 109 FPS, which is excellent for most monitors. However, at 4K, High drops to 51 FPS, which may feel less smooth. The Ultra preset is generally not recommended, as it only achieves 60 FPS at 1440p and 81 FPS at 1080p, while dropping to 39 FPS at 4K. The performance cost of Ultra does not provide a proportional visual benefit in this game, making Medium the best overall choice for a consistent and smooth experience.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured performance data provides a clear picture of how the combo scales with resolution and settings. At 1920x1080, the lowest resolution tested, the combo excels. At Low settings, it achieves an average of 175 FPS, making it ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors. Medium settings still deliver a strong 124 FPS, with a minimum of 106 and maximum of 143, ensuring a stable experience. High settings produce 109 FPS, and Ultra settings yield 81 FPS. These numbers show that at 1080p, the CPU and GPU have ample headroom, and even the most demanding preset remains highly playable.

At 2560x1440, the performance remains strong but starts to level off. Low settings achieve 128 FPS, which is excellent for a 1440p panel. Medium settings deliver 91 FPS, with a minimum of 77 and maximum of 105, providing a smooth and consistent frame rate. High settings produce 80 FPS, which is still above the 60 FPS threshold for comfortable gaming. Ultra settings drop to 60 FPS, which is exactly at the threshold, but the lack of headroom means any complex scene could cause dips below this level. The data suggests that 1440p Medium is the sweet spot, offering high detail without compromising on smoothness.

At 3840x2160, the GPU becomes the clear limiting factor. Low settings achieve 83 FPS, which is playable but requires a significant reduction in visual quality. Medium settings produce 59 FPS, with a minimum of 50 and maximum of 68, which is borderline playable. High settings drop to 51 FPS, and Ultra settings fall to 39 FPS. The performance degradation from Low to Ultra is steep, indicating that the 8 GB VRAM and 288.0 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient for the highest texture and detail settings at 4K. For this resolution, players must accept Medium settings to maintain a near-60 FPS experience, or drop to Low for higher frame rates.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-12700K serves as the central processing unit in this combo, and its specifications are crucial for understanding its role in Lockdown Protocol. With 12 cores and 20 threads, this Alder Lake processor offers substantial multi-threading capability. The base clock is 3.60 GHz, which can boost up to 5.00 GHz, providing strong single-thread performance. This is evidenced by a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1850.5, which is critical for the game’s main thread and overall responsiveness.

The CPU’s benchmark scores indicate it is a high-performing processor. Its average benchmark score is 35287, and it ranks in the 84th percentile of all CPUs. This means it outperforms the vast majority of processors available. In comparison to its nearest rivals, the i7-12700K is very closely matched, with the Intel Core i5-13600T scoring 35305, a delta of -0.1%, and the Intel Core i7-12700KF scoring 35365, a delta of -0.2%. This shows that the i7-12700K is right at the top of its performance class. In Lockdown Protocol, this translates to a CPU that can easily keep up with the GPU at 1080p and 1440p, as evidenced by the high frame rates at those resolutions. The CPU is not the bottleneck; the GPU is. The 25 MB of shared L3 cache and support for DDR4 and DDR5 memory further enhance its ability to handle the game’s data streaming and physics calculations efficiently.