Lockdown Protocol

Lockdown Protocol is a 2024 FPS title, and this analysis examines the measured performance of the Intel Core i7-14700KF paired with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti. The data presents a clear picture of a system where the graphics card is the primary constraint, with the processor’s substantial headroom going largely unused at higher resolutions and settings. The benchmark results indicate a playable experience at 1080p and 1440p, but the combination struggles to maintain smooth frame rates at 4K, ultimately ranking in the lower percentile of all tested configurations.

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

The Intel Core i7-14700KF is a desktop processor from the Core 14th Gen series, built on Intel's Raptor Lake architecture. This chip is a high-core-count part, featuring 20 cores and 28 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. It communicates with the rest of the system over an Intel Socket 1700 interface, supporting both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The processor’s substantial L3 cache totals 33 MB shared, which is often beneficial for gaming workloads that rely on data locality.

In synthetic benchmarks, the i7-14700KF demonstrates its strength. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 44167, and its single-core score reaches 6235. This places the CPU in the 94th percentile against all tested processors. The data shows it sits just ahead of the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F, with a 0.2% advantage in average score, and it is 0.9% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X. Conversely, the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K is 1% ahead of this chip, showing that the 14700KF is competitive with modern high-end parts.

Given this massive computational power, one might expect the CPU to be the dominant factor in Lockdown Protocol. However, the measured frame rates tell a different story. At 1080p with Low settings, the average FPS is 122. The fact that this is the highest frame rate recorded in the entire dataset suggests that the CPU is capable of driving well over 120 frames per second. It is only at this low-resolution, low-settings configuration that the CPU's potential can be partially realized, as the GPU has less work to do. The CPU’s role here is to feed the GPU with draw calls and game logic, and its high single-threaded performance (a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 6235) ensures that it is not the bottleneck in this scenario.

The data implies the i7-14700KF is not the limiting factor in this pairing for Lockdown Protocol. When the settings are increased to High or Ultra, the frame rate drops significantly at every resolution, which is a classic sign of the GPU reaching its limits. The CPU’s multi-core score of 44167 in Cinebench R23 and its 28 threads are far beyond what this game appears to require, given that even the most demanding 4K Ultra settings only produce an average of 27 FPS. The processor is effectively waiting on the graphics card, meaning its powerful 20-core configuration is underutilized in this specific title.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti is an older Turing-architecture GPU, manufactured on a 12 nm process at TSMC. It ships with 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 288.0 GB/s. The card’s base clock is 1500 MHz, boosting to 1770 MHz. Its compute capabilities include 1536 shading units and a floating-point performance of 5.437 TFLOPS. This GPU was launched with a predecessor of the GeForce 20 series, but its production status is now end-of-life.

In the context of Lockdown Protocol, the GTX 1660 Ti is clearly the performance ceiling. The GPU's average benchmark score is 7723, placing it in the 41st percentile of all GPUs. This places it in a lower-tier bracket, with the AMD Radeon 540 trailing by 0.7%, and the AMD Radeon Pro WX 3100 behind by 1.9%. The Intel Arc A310 is 2.3% slower in average score. These are not rival cards known for high-end gaming, which sets expectations for the GTX 1660 Ti’s performance.

The measured FPS data confirms this GPU bottleneck. At 1080p, the difference between Low and Ultra settings is stark: 122 FPS versus 57 FPS. This 65 FPS drop demonstrates that the GPU is heavily taxed by the higher graphical demands. The 6 GB VRAM capacity is also a factor. While the data does not explicitly show VRAM usage, the significant FPS drops at higher settings suggest that the card’s memory bandwidth and capacity are being saturated, especially at higher resolutions. The 288.0 GB/s bandwidth is a limiting factor when processing higher resolution textures and effects.

The GPU’s role as the limiting component is most evident in the 4K results. At 3840x2160, even the Low preset only achieves 58 FPS, and the Ultra preset drops to just 27 FPS. This shows a clear scaling pattern where the GPU's compute power (5.437 TFLOPS) cannot keep up with the pixel count. The GTX 1660 Ti is a capable card for 1080p gaming, but the data indicates it is not designed for the demands of 4K in a modern FPS title. The 1770 MHz boost clock does not compensate for the low shading unit count and limited memory bandwidth.

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

The performance scaling across resolutions is the definitive evidence of a GPU-bound system. Moving from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160 quadruples the pixel count, and the measured data shows a correspondingly severe impact on frame rates. On the Medium preset, the average FPS drops from 87 at 1080p to 64 at 1440p, and then to 41 at 4K. This continuous decline illustrates a consistent scaling trend.

When examining the High preset, the pattern is similar. The average FPS at 1080p is 76, falling to 56 at 1440p, and then to 36 at 4K. The percentage drop from 1080p to 4K is roughly 53%. For the Low preset, the numbers are 122 FPS at 1080p, 90 FPS at 1440p, and 58 FPS at 4K. The relative drop here is less steep, but still significant, indicating that the GPU is also the primary constraint even at the lowest settings.

This scaling behavior is a textbook sign of a GPU bottleneck. If the CPU were the limiting factor, we would expect the frame rates to be much closer together across resolutions, as the CPU's workload (game logic and draw calls) does not change with resolution. However, because the frame rates drop consistently as resolution increases, the data points to the GTX 1660 Ti's rendering capabilities being the limiting factor. The CPU, with its high single-core score of 6235 in Cinebench R23, is not the cause of these drops.

The most telling comparison is the 4K Ultra result, which achieves only 27 FPS. This is a massive drop from the 122 FPS seen at 1080p Low. The difference of 95 FPS is almost entirely attributable to the increased GPU load. The data strongly suggests that the i7-14700KF has ample performance headroom, as it can produce high frame rates when the GPU is less stressed, but the GTX 1660 Ti cannot maintain those rates as the pixel workload increases.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

In the database of tested hardware combinations for Lockdown Protocol, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i7-14700KF and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti ranks 3199 out of 3714 total combos. This places it in the bottom 14% of all systems tested, a low position that reflects the GPU's limitations. This ranking is a stark contrast to the CPU’s individual performance, which is in the 94th percentile of all processors.

The low combo rank is driven entirely by the GPU's average benchmark score of 7723, which is in the 41st percentile. The nearest rivals to the GTX 1660 Ti in terms of average score are the AMD Radeon 540, Radeon Pro WX 3100, Radeon R7 250, and Intel Arc A310. All of these are entry-level or older cards, and none of them are associated with high-end gaming performance. This indicates that the GTX 1660 Ti is holding back the entire system in this game.

The data shows that the CPU is not the reason for this low rank. The i7-14700KF’s average benchmark score of 70163 places it ahead of the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F and AMD Ryzen 9 7950X. If this CPU were paired with a more powerful GPU, the combo rank would likely be much higher. However, as measured, the system's overall performance is capped by the graphics card. The 3199th rank out of 3714 combos serves as a clear indicator that this is not a balanced configuration for achieving high frame rates in Lockdown Protocol.

The deltaPct values for the CPU rivals are minimal — 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.9% ahead of its nearest competitors. This suggests that swapping the CPU for a similar-tier part would have almost no impact on the game’s performance, as the GPU is the bottleneck. Conversely, changing the GPU would likely produce a dramatic shift in the combo ranking, confirming that the GTX 1660 Ti is the performance anchor in this pairing.

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

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combination depend on the user's target resolution and frame rate preference. The data provides clear guidance for each resolution tier.

At 1920x1080, the Low preset delivers an average of 122 FPS, which is ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors. The Medium preset still provides a smooth 87 FPS, offering a better visual experience without sacrificing playability. The High preset at 76 FPS remains playable, but the Ultra preset drops to 57 FPS, which is the minimum threshold for a decent experience. For competitive play, Low or Medium is recommended to maximize frame rate.

At 2560x1440, the Low preset yields a solid 90 FPS, which is the best choice for maintaining high performance. The Medium preset averages 64 FPS, which is still acceptable for most players. The High preset drops to 56 FPS, and the Ultra preset falls to 42 FPS. For 1440p, the data suggests that Low or Medium settings are the most viable options to keep the frame rate above 60 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the situation is more challenging. The Low preset is the only one that approaches playability, averaging 58 FPS. The Medium preset drops to 41 FPS, and the High preset to 36 FPS. The Ultra preset is effectively unplayable at 27 FPS. For 4K, the only recommendation is the Low preset, and even then, performance is borderline. The system is clearly not suited for 4K gaming in this title.

The medium preset offers a balanced compromise, providing 87 FPS at 1080p and 64 FPS at 1440p. This is likely the best experience for most users seeking a balance between visual quality and performance. However, for those prioritizing frame rate, the Low preset is the safest choice. The Ultra preset is not recommended at any resolution, as it produces the lowest frame rates and likely stresses the 6 GB VRAM.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The following breakdown uses the exact measured values from the dataset.

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: Average FPS 122.
• Medium: Average FPS 87, with a minimum of 74 and a maximum of 100.
• High: Average FPS 76.
• Ultra: Average FPS 57.

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: Average FPS 90.
• Medium: Average FPS 64, with a minimum of 54 and a maximum of 73.
• High: Average FPS 56.
• Ultra: Average FPS 42.

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: Average FPS 58.
• Medium: Average FPS 41, with a minimum of 35 and a maximum of 47.
• High: Average FPS 36.
• Ultra: Average FPS 27.

The data shows a clear hierarchy. At 1080p, the system can handle all presets, but only Low and Medium provide high refresh rate performance. At 1440p, Medium is the highest preset that stays above 60 FPS on average. At 4K, only the Low preset manages to stay above 30 FPS, and it barely does so. This breakdown confirms that the GTX 1660 Ti is the limiting component, as the FPS scales down predictably with both resolution and graphical fidelity. The CPU’s 20 cores and 28 threads are more than sufficient for this load, but the GPU’s 6 GB of VRAM and 288.0 GB/s bandwidth cannot handle the demands of Lockdown Protocol at higher settings.