Lockdown Protocol

Lockdown Protocol, a 2024 FPS, shows a clear reliance on both processor and graphics muscle. The tested configuration, pairing an Intel Core i7-13700K with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB, delivers a playable experience across most settings, but the data reveals distinct bottlenecks and optimal tuning points that depend heavily on resolution.

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

The Intel Core i7-13700K is a 16-core, 24-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process. It features a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, with a 125 W TDP. This high boost clock is crucial for a fast-paced FPS like Lockdown Protocol, where single-thread performance often dictates frame pacing. The processor's benchmark scores reflect its strength: a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 5505 and a multi-core score of 39000 indicate it can handle both the primary game logic and background tasks without causing framerate dips.

The CPU's 30 MB of shared L3 cache and 2 MB per-core L2 cache contribute to low-latency data access, which is beneficial for the rapid-fire decision-making in an FPS. The data shows that at 1080p, the CPU is likely the limiting factor at lower settings. For instance, at 1920x1080 with Low settings, the average FPS reaches 220.3, but at High settings, it drops to 136. This significant gap suggests that while the GPU is capable, the CPU's ability to feed it frames at very high rates is the ceiling for maximum FPS. The processor sits in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, and its average benchmark score of 47282 places it within 0.5% of rivals like the AMD EPYC 4364P and Intel Core i9-12900F, confirming it as a top-tier performer that won't be a weak link in most gaming scenarios.

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

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of how the settings presets scale across resolutions. For a smooth 60 FPS experience, the data indicates that High settings at 3840x2160 are the best choice, yielding an average of 61.4 FPS. Pushing to Ultra at this resolution drops the average to 49.7 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS threshold for many players. The optimal balance of visual fidelity and performance at 4K is High.

At 2560x1440, the options expand. The High preset delivers a strong 103 FPS, while Medium offers 117.6 FPS. For players with high-refresh-rate monitors, the Low preset at 159 FPS is the only way to approach 160+ FPS, but it sacrifices visual quality. The Ultra preset at 75 FPS is also viable for a premium visual experience. The data suggests that Medium is the sweet spot for 1440p, as it provides a significant jump in FPS over High (117.6 vs 103) while likely maintaining a good level of graphical detail.

At 1920x1080, the processor becomes the primary driver of performance. The Low preset averages 220.3 FPS, which will satisfy even the most demanding competitive players. However, the High preset at 136 FPS is a more balanced choice for most, as it offers a substantial visual upgrade while still providing frame rates well above the 120 FPS mark. The Medium preset at 153.6 FPS also presents a compelling middle ground. The Ultra preset at 101.4 FPS is the least attractive option here, as the performance hit from High to Ultra is significant, and the visual difference is often minimal in fast-paced action.

FAQ

Q: Can this combo run Lockdown Protocol at 4K with high settings?

A: Yes. The measured data shows an average FPS of 61.4 at 3840x2160 with High settings, which is playable. However, Ultra settings at this resolution drop the average to 49.7 FPS.

Q: What is the best settings preset for a 144Hz monitor at 1440p?

A: The Medium preset is the most suitable, as it delivers an average of 117.6 FPS. The High preset provides 103 FPS, and the Low preset reaches 159 FPS, but Medium offers the best balance between visual quality and frame rate for a 144Hz display.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more of a bottleneck at 1080p?

A: The data indicates the CPU is the primary limiter at 1080p. The jump from Low (220.3 FPS) to High (136 FPS) settings is dramatic, suggesting that the GPU can render frames faster than the CPU can process them at lower settings.

Q: How does the RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB compare to its closest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: In the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test, this GPU scored 2913. This is exactly equal to the NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M (0% delta) and only 0.2% higher than the RTX 4060 Ti 16 GB, which scored 2907. It is 0.7% faster than the GT 650M and 1.5% slower than the GTX 860M.

Q: What is the expected performance at 1440p with Ultra settings?

A: The data shows an average FPS of 75 at 2560x1440 with Ultra settings. This is a playable frame rate, but lower than the 117.6 FPS average seen with Medium settings.

Q: What is the CPU's single-threaded performance like?

A: The i7-13700K scores 5505 in Cinebench R23 single-core and 1136 in 3DMark single-thread tests. Its strong single-core performance is critical for maintaining high frame rates in an FPS.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

Within the database of tested hardware combinations for Lockdown Protocol, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i7-13700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB is positioned at rank 699 out of 1637 total combos. This places it in the top 42.7% of all tested systems. While not a top-tier enthusiast build, this ranking is respectable and indicates a balanced mid-to-high-end configuration that will handle the game well.

The ranking shows that while the CPU is a high performer, the GPU holds the combo back from reaching the upper echelons of the leaderboard. The RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB, with its 8 GB of VRAM and 128-bit memory bus, is a capable card but is not positioned at the absolute top of the performance stack. The combo's rank reflects this balance, showing that it will provide a solid experience but will be outclassed by systems with more powerful graphics cards. The i7-13700K's high performance is not fully utilized at lower resolutions, but at higher resolutions like 1440p and 4K, the pair works in concert to deliver the frame rates seen in the measured data.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB is built on the Ada Lovelace architecture and features a base clock of 2310 MHz with a boost clock of 2535 MHz. It has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 288.0 GB/s. This memory configuration is a key factor in the game's performance, especially at higher resolutions. The data shows a significant drop in average FPS when moving from 1440p to 4K, particularly at higher settings. For example, at High settings, the average FPS falls from 103 at 2560x1440 to 61.4 at 3840x2160. This indicates that the 8 GB VRAM buffer is likely being saturated at 4K, limiting the card's ability to maintain higher frame rates.

The GPU's 4352 shading units and 136 tensor cores help process the game's visuals, but its 17th percentile ranking among all GPUs, based on its 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 2913, shows it is a lower-tier performer in the current market. Despite this, the card's performance in Lockdown Protocol is adequate for 1080p and 1440p gaming. The GPU's 160 W TDP and 450 W suggested PSU are modest, making it an efficient option. The data suggests that the RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB is well-suited for 1080p and 1440p play, where it can deliver high frame rates, but its 8 GB VRAM and bandwidth become a limiting factor at 4K, where users must compromise on settings to maintain playable performance.