Lockdown Protocol

Lockdown Protocol is a fast-paced FPS where frame pacing and raw throughput determine how smoothly the action unfolds. The combination of the Intel Core i7-14700KF and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 produces a compelling dataset, revealing a system that is heavily balanced toward high refresh rates but with distinct scaling characteristics across resolutions and settings. The measured results show a clear hierarchy where the CPU's substantial core count and the GPU's massive memory bandwidth interact in ways that shift the bottleneck depending on the workload.

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

The Intel Core i7-14700KF is a 20-core processor with 28 threads, built on the Raptor Lake architecture. It operates with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and can boost up to 5.60 GHz, which is crucial for a game like Lockdown Protocol where single-thread performance often dictates the upper frame rate ceiling. The processor's L3 cache is 33 MB shared, and it has 2 MB of L2 cache per core, providing a substantial buffer for game data that needs to be accessed rapidly during intense firefights.

In terms of synthetic benchmarks, this CPU sits in the 96th percentile when compared to all other processors, indicating that its raw processing power is in the top tier. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 44557 points and single-core score of 6290 points demonstrate a strong balance between multi-threaded rendering and responsive single-core execution. When looking at the nearest rivals, the data shows that the Core i7-14700KF scores an average of 70104, which places it in a virtual tie with the Intel Core i7-14700K at 70074 (a delta of 0%) and just 0.3% ahead of the AMD EPYC 9115. It is also 0.4% behind the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X, suggesting that for CPU-bound tasks, this processor is operating at the very edge of the performance envelope.

For Lockdown Protocol, the high boost clock is likely the most significant factor. The measured FPS at 1080p with Low settings reaches 350.7, which is a scenario where the CPU is often the primary limiter. The processor's ability to maintain high clock speeds across its 20 cores ensures that the game's logic and physics calculations are processed with minimal latency, allowing the GPU to render frames as fast as possible. The Passmark multithread score of 52425 further reinforces that this CPU can handle the background tasks and streaming requirements of a modern FPS without creating a bottleneck.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 is built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture and features 16 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 256-bit bus. This provides a memory bandwidth of 960.0 GB/s, a figure that is critical for high-resolution textures and complex shader workloads. The GPU has a base clock of 2295 MHz and a boost clock of 2617 MHz, with 10752 shading units and 84 RT cores. Its pixel rate is 293.1 GPixel/s, and it can deliver 56.28 TFLOPS of FP32 performance.

The GPU's benchmark scores place it in the 89th percentile of all graphics cards, with an average benchmark score of 59188. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Arc A570M, which is 1.6% behind, and the Intel Arc Pro A60, which is 1.9% ahead. This indicates that while the RTX 5080 is a high-tier performer, the margins between it and the next closest competitors are relatively slim in synthetic tests. However, in actual gaming scenarios, the 16 GB of VRAM and the high bandwidth are what allow the system to maintain high average FPS without stuttering, especially at 4K where memory pressure is highest.

The data shows that at 4K Ultra settings, the average FPS drops to 78. This is a scenario where the GPU is under maximum load, and the high memory bandwidth becomes essential to feed the rendering pipeline. The 960.0 GB/s bandwidth ensures that texture data can be moved quickly, preventing the GPU from idling while waiting for data. The RTX 5080's performance in the Passmark G3D test, scoring 36565, confirms its strong rasterization capabilities, which are the primary driver of frame rates in a game like Lockdown Protocol that may not heavily utilize ray tracing.

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

The measured FPS data reveals a clear scaling pattern as resolution increases. At 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves 350.7 FPS. Moving to 1440p Low drops this to 260.2 FPS, and at 4K Low, it further falls to 166.8 FPS. This represents a significant 52% reduction in FPS from 1080p to 4K at the lowest settings. This steep decline suggests that even at Low settings, the GPU is becoming the limiting factor as the pixel count increases, despite the CPU's high performance.

Looking at the High preset, the scaling is similar but with lower absolute numbers. At 1080p High, the system hits 218.7 FPS, which drops to 161.5 FPS at 1440p and 102.4 FPS at 4K. The percentage drop from 1080p to 4K is about 53%, which is consistent with the Low preset. This consistency across presets indicates that the resolution is the primary driver of performance changes, and the GPU is the dominant constraint in these scenarios.

The data implies that at 1080p, the system is capable of pushing frame rates high enough to be considered CPU-bound on the upper end, especially at Low settings where 350.7 FPS is achieved. However, as resolution scales to 1440p and 4K, the GPU's workload increases exponentially, and the bottleneck shifts entirely to the RTX 5080. The fact that the FPS at 4K Ultra is 78, while at 4K Low it is 166.8, shows that the GPU has a wide performance range, but the CPU is not the limiting factor at higher resolutions. The system's performance is robust, but the scaling curve suggests that users seeking maximum frame rates should prioritize lower resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

In the database of tested combinations, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i7-14700KF and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 holds a rank of 40 out of 1637 total combos. This places it in the top 2.4% of all systems tested for Lockdown Protocol, indicating that it is an exceptionally high-performing configuration. The rank is a holistic measure that takes into account performance across all tested resolutions and settings, and it shows that this combo consistently delivers high frame rates.

The high rank is supported by the individual component scores. The CPU's 96th percentile ranking and the GPU's 89th percentile ranking combine to create a system that has no weak link. In comparison to other combos, the data suggests that this pairing is not just about having a fast GPU or a fast CPU, but about the synergy between the two. The CPU's strong single-thread performance ensures that it can feed the GPU at 1080p, while the GPU's high bandwidth ensures that it can handle the demands of 4K without being starved of data.

The rank of 40 is particularly notable given the vast number of possible combinations. It suggests that while there are 39 other combos that score higher, this system is within striking distance of the top. The deltaPct values against the CPU's nearest rivals are minimal, with a 0% difference from the i7-14700K and only a 0.4% difference from the Ryzen 9 9950X. This indicates that the choice of CPU is not the primary differentiator in the ranking, and the GPU's performance is what pushes this combo into the upper echelon.

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

Analyzing the measured FPS rows, the optimal settings depend on the user's display resolution and refresh rate. For 1080p users, the data shows that the Ultra preset delivers 166.9 FPS, which is sufficient for most high-refresh-rate monitors. However, the High preset at 218.7 FPS offers a 31% improvement in frame rate with likely minimal visual degradation in a fast-paced FPS. The Low preset at 350.7 FPS is the highest possible, but it may impact visibility of distant objects, which is critical in Lockdown Protocol. For competitive play where frame rate is paramount, High provides the best balance, as it maintains high FPS without sacrificing too much visual clarity.

For 1440p, the High preset achieves 161.5 FPS, which is excellent for smooth gameplay. The Medium preset at 182.6 FPS is also viable and offers a 13% boost over High, but the visual difference between Medium and High is often noticeable in texture quality and shadow detail. The Ultra preset at 122.2 FPS still provides a playable experience, but the drop from High is significant. Given that most 1440p monitors cap at 144Hz or 165Hz, the High preset at 161.5 FPS is the recommended choice, as it nearly maxes out the refresh rate while maintaining high visual fidelity.

At 4K, the options are more constrained. The High preset delivers 102.4 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth play and is suitable for 4K displays with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Medium preset at 117.6 FPS offers a slight improvement and is also a good option. The Ultra preset at 78 FPS is the most demanding and provides the best visual quality, but the frame rate is lower. For 4K users, the High preset is recommended as it strikes the best balance between visual quality and performance, ensuring that the game remains responsive without the need for upscaling technologies.

FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 1440p with High settings?

A: The average FPS at 2560x1440 with High settings is 161.5 FPS, which provides a smooth experience for high-refresh-rate monitors.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its closest rival, the Intel Core i7-14700K?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700KF has an average benchmark score of 70104, which is exactly the same (0% delta) as the Intel Core i7-14700K's score of 70074, indicating that they perform identically in synthetic tests.

Q: What is the lowest average FPS recorded for this combo?

A: The lowest average FPS recorded is 78, which occurs at 3840x2160 resolution with Ultra settings.

Q: Is the GPU or CPU the limiting factor at 1080p Low settings?

A: At 1080p Low, the system achieves 350.7 FPS, which is a very high frame rate. This suggests that the CPU's strong single-thread performance is sufficient to feed the GPU, and the system is likely balanced or slightly GPU-bound at this point.

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

A: This combination of the Intel Core i7-14700KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 ranks 40th out of 1637 tested combos for Lockdown Protocol, placing it in the top 2.4% of all systems.

Q: What memory bandwidth does the RTX 5080 have?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 has a memory bandwidth of 960.0 GB/s, which is achieved through its 16 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 256-bit bus.

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

The measured FPS data for Lockdown Protocol is presented below, showing the average frame rates for each resolution and settings preset.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: 166.8 FPS
• Medium: 117.6 FPS
• High: 102.4 FPS
• Ultra: 78 FPS

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: 260.2 FPS
• Medium: 182.6 FPS
• High: 161.5 FPS
• Ultra: 122.2 FPS

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: 350.7 FPS
• Medium: 250.9 FPS
• High: 218.7 FPS
• Ultra: 166.9 FPS

The data shows a consistent pattern where the Low preset provides the highest frame rates, followed by Medium, High, and then Ultra. At 1080p, the system is capable of exceeding 350 FPS on Low, which reflects the CPU's ability to drive high frame rates. At 4K, the frame rates drop significantly, with the Ultra preset barely maintaining a playable 78 FPS. The scaling from 1080p to 4K is roughly a 50% reduction in FPS across all settings, indicating that the GPU's rendering workload is the primary constraint at higher resolutions. The 1440p results offer a middle ground, with the High preset providing 161.5 FPS, which is ideal for most gaming displays. This comprehensive breakdown allows users to identify the optimal balance between visual quality and performance for their specific hardware setup.