Lockdown Protocol

The Intel Core i7-13700K paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 delivers a strong performance profile in Lockdown Protocol, a fast-paced FPS released in March 2024. The combination ranks 295th out of 1,637 tested combos, placing it comfortably within the top 20% of all configurations. This ranking reflects a balanced pairing where the CPU’s high multithreaded throughput and the GPU’s modern architecture work together to produce high frame rates across most resolutions and settings. The data indicates a system that is well-suited for high-refresh-rate gaming at 1440p, while still capable of smooth 4K experiences when settings are adjusted appropriately.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo’s rank of 295 out of 1,637 tested configurations places it in the 82nd percentile of all pairings. This is a strong result, especially considering the game’s recent release and the mix of older and newer hardware in the database. The position suggests that this pairing outperforms the majority of systems tested, likely due to the synergy between the CPU’s 16 cores and the GPU’s 12 GB of GDDR7 memory.

In context, the CPU alone sits in the 93rd percentile of all processors, while the GPU is in the 83rd percentile of all graphics cards. The combo rank being slightly lower than the CPU percentile but higher than the GPU percentile indicates that the RTX 5070 is the more limiting factor in this pairing, which is typical for a modern gaming workload. The overall ranking also implies that the system is not bottlenecked by either component to a significant degree; instead, it delivers near-linear scaling of performance as settings are adjusted.

When compared to other combos in the database, this rank places the system in a position where it will easily handle competitive FPS play at 1080p and 1440p, and remains viable for 4K at reduced settings. The data shows that the combo’s performance is consistent, with no anomalous drops between settings, suggesting stable driver and hardware behavior.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 is built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture with a 5 nm process. It features 6,144 shading units, 192 texture mapping units, and 80 raster output pipelines. The GPU operates at a base clock of 2325 MHz and a boost clock of 2512 MHz, with memory running at an effective speed of 28 Gbps across a 192-bit bus. This configuration yields a memory bandwidth of 672.0 GB/s, which is substantial for the 12 GB of GDDR7 memory.

In Lockdown Protocol, the GPU’s role is critical at higher resolutions. The measured FPS data shows a clear pattern: at 4K, the difference between Low and Ultra settings is dramatic, with the average frame rate dropping from 132.6 to 63.8. This indicates that the GPU is the primary driver of performance at 3840x2160, as the CPU is less likely to be a bottleneck at such high pixel counts. The 12 GB VRAM is sufficient for the game at these settings, as no texture-related stutters would be expected based on the data.

The GPU’s FP32 performance of 30.87 TFLOPS and pixel rate of 201.0 GPixel/s are reflected in the frame rates observed. At 1440p, the GPU scales well, with Low settings hitting 206.2 FPS and Ultra maintaining 96.4 FPS. The RTX 5070’s nearest rivals in the database include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090, which has a deltaPct of 0.6, meaning the RTX 5070 scores about 0.6% higher on average. This places the RTX 5070 in a competitive position against the previous generation’s flagship, making it highly capable for this game.

FAQ

*Q: What is the best resolution for this combo in Lockdown Protocol?*

A: Based on the measured data, 2560x1440 provides the best balance of performance and visual quality. At High settings, the combo achieves 128.4 FPS, which is above the 120 FPS threshold for smooth competitive play, while 4K High drops to 83.6 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU affect performance at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the CPU plays a larger role. The data shows that even at Ultra settings, the combo maintains 130.6 FPS, indicating that the i7-13700K’s 16 cores and 24 threads are sufficient to keep the GPU fed. The 3DMark max threads score of 12,412 supports this, showing high multithreaded capability.

Q: Is 12 GB of VRAM enough for this game?

A: Yes, the 12 GB GDDR7 memory is sufficient for all tested settings. The data shows no performance anomalies that would indicate VRAM limitations, even at 4K Ultra, which achieved 63.8 FPS.

Q: How does this GPU compare to the RTX 3090?

A: The RTX 5070 has an average benchmark score of 41,687, while the RTX 3090 scores 41,441, giving the RTX 5070 a deltaPct of 0.6% higher. In Lockdown Protocol, this translates to similar performance, though the newer architecture may offer better efficiency.

Q: What frame rate can be expected at 4K with Medium settings?

A: At 3840x2160 with Medium settings, the combo averages 95.7 FPS. This is a playable frame rate for most users, though not as high as what is achievable at 1440p.

Q: Does the combo rank improve when overclocking the CPU?

A: The i7-13700K has an unlocked multiplier, but the data provided does not include overclocked results. The base performance rank of 295 out of 1,637 is based on stock clocks, so overclocking could potentially improve the standing.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 3840x2160, the combo delivers an average of 63.8 FPS on Ultra, 83.6 FPS on High, 95.7 FPS on Medium, and 132.6 FPS on Low. This represents a performance range of 68.8 FPS between the lowest and highest settings, emphasizing the GPU’s workload at 4K. The jump from Medium to Low is particularly large, with a gain of 36.9 FPS, suggesting that certain effects at Medium are significantly more demanding.

At 2560x1440, the frame rates increase substantially. Ultra averages 96.4 FPS, High reaches 128.4 FPS, Medium hits 148.9 FPS, and Low achieves 206.2 FPS. The scaling from Ultra to Low is more linear here, with each step providing a noticeable improvement. The 1440p results show that the combo can easily drive high refresh rate monitors, as even Ultra settings stay above 90 FPS.

At 1920x1080, the CPU and GPU work in concert to deliver high frame rates. Low settings produce 283.2 FPS, Medium 198.9 FPS, High 174.1 FPS, and Ultra 130.6 FPS. The gap between Low and Medium is 84.3 FPS, which is the largest relative difference across all resolutions, indicating that the game’s lowest preset removes significant CPU or GPU load. The 1080p results show that the combo is capable of exceeding 240 FPS on Low, making it ideal for esports play.

The data reveals a consistent pattern: as resolution increases, the performance gap between settings narrows, confirming that the GPU becomes the bottleneck at higher pixel counts. Conversely, at 1080p, the CPU’s performance is more influential, though it still does not limit the system from reaching high frame rates.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-13700K is a 16-core, 24-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, manufactured on a 10 nm process. It has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, with a TDP of 125 W. The CPU features 30 MB of shared L3 cache and supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. Its benchmark scores are strong, with a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 39,000 and a single-core score of 5,505, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs.

In Lockdown Protocol, the CPU’s role is most apparent at 1080p, where the frame rates are highest. The data shows that at 1920x1080 Low, the combo achieves 283.2 FPS, which requires significant CPU throughput to feed the GPU. The i7-13700K’s high single-thread performance, as evidenced by its 3DMark single-thread score of 1,136, ensures that the game’s main thread does not become a bottleneck. The 24 threads also provide headroom for background tasks and streaming, which is common in FPS titles.

The CPU’s nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-13700KF, has an average benchmark score of 47,334, which is 0.1% higher than the i7-13700K’s 47,282. This negligible difference means that the KF variant would perform almost identically in this game. The CPU’s high multithreaded scores, such as the PassMark multithread score of 45,887, indicate that it can handle the game’s physics and AI calculations without issue.

Settings Recommendations

For the best balance of visual fidelity and performance, the High preset at 2560x1440 is the recommended configuration for this combo. It delivers 128.4 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS minimum for smooth gameplay and comfortably within the range for high refresh rate monitors. The visual quality at High is typically indistinguishable from Ultra in most games, and the 32 FPS gain over Ultra (96.4 FPS) is substantial.

If the user prioritizes frame rate over visuals, the Medium preset at 2560x1440 offers 148.9 FPS, a 20.5 FPS improvement over High. This is a sensible choice for competitive play where reaction time matters more than shadow quality or texture detail. For 4K gaming, the High preset at 83.6 FPS is the best option, as it maintains playability while offering good detail. The Ultra preset at 4K drops to 63.8 FPS, which may be acceptable for slower-paced modes but is not ideal for fast action.

At 1080p, the Low preset at 283.2 FPS is the clear choice for esports or high-refresh-rate displays, as it maximizes performance. The Medium preset at 198.9 FPS is also viable for users who want a bit more visual polish without sacrificing too much speed. The data suggests avoiding Ultra at 1080p if the goal is to exceed 144 FPS, as it only reaches 130.6 FPS. Overall, the combo is versatile, but the sweet spot is clearly 1440p High, where the hardware is neither CPU nor GPU bound, and the frame rate is high enough for a responsive experience.