Lockdown Protocol

Lockdown Protocol presents a demanding workload that scales predictably with resolution, and the combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 shows a clear transition from CPU-bound to GPU-bound behavior as pixel count increases. The data indicates a playable experience across all tested settings, but the performance ceiling is firmly dictated by the graphics card at higher resolutions.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate drop from 1080p to 4K is substantial and reveals the limiting component at each step. At 1920x1080 with High settings, the combo produces an average of 117 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 High drops that to 86 FPS, a reduction of 31 FPS (approximately 26.5%). Pushing further to 3840x2160 High yields 55 FPS, a steep 31 FPS decline from 1440p and a 62 FPS total drop from 1080p. This scaling pattern is characteristic of a GPU-bound scenario at higher resolutions; the gap between 1080p and 1440p is smaller than the gap between 1440p and 4K, suggesting that the CPU can still feed the GPU adequately at 1440p, but the RTX 4070's rendering throughput becomes the primary constraint at 4K.

The trend is consistent across all settings. For Low preset, the averages are 189 FPS at 1080p, 138 FPS at 1440p, and 89 FPS at 4K. The percentage drop from 1080p to 1440p is about 27%, while the drop from 1440p to 4K is about 35.5%. This widening delta indicates that the GPU's fill-rate and memory bandwidth limits are being approached as resolution increases. For Ultra settings, the numbers are 88 FPS at 1080p, 64 FPS at 1440p, and 41 FPS at 4K. The 4K Ultra result is particularly telling: a 41 FPS average shows that the highest fidelity settings at 4K are only marginal for smooth gameplay, and the hardware is clearly stretched to its limits.

The Medium preset provides the only complete min/max data in the pack. At 1080p Medium, the average is 134 FPS, with a minimum of 114 FPS and a maximum of 154 FPS. At 1440p Medium, the average drops to 98 FPS, with a minimum of 83 FPS and a maximum of 113 FPS. At 4K Medium, the average falls to 63 FPS, with a minimum of 54 FPS and a maximum of 73 FPS. The frame time consistency, as indicated by the min/max spread, degrades slightly at higher resolutions, with the 4K Medium showing a 19 FPS spread versus a 40 FPS spread at 1080p. This suggests that while average performance scales down, the variance in frame delivery becomes tighter at higher resolutions, which can feel smoother despite the lower average.

The data strongly suggests that the RTX 4070 is the limiting component at 4K, regardless of settings. The CPU's role becomes more prominent at 1080p, where the 189 FPS Low result indicates that the processor can push high frame rates, but the GPU still manages to keep pace. The overall picture is one of balanced performance at 1080p and 1440p, with the GPU becoming the clear bottleneck at 4K.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H is a 14-core, 18-thread mobile processor with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. It features a hybrid architecture (Meteor Lake) with an 18 MB shared L3 cache. In synthetic benchmarks, this chip scores 11875.5 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 1700 in single-core, placing it in the 81st percentile of all CPUs. Its average benchmark score of 29093 is nearly identical to the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, which scores 29123, a delta of -0.1%. This proximity in synthetic performance indicates that the 135H has solid multi-threaded capabilities for a mobile part.

In Lockdown Protocol, the CPU's influence is most visible at 1080p with lower settings. At 1080p Low, the combo achieves 189 FPS, which is a high frame rate that suggests the CPU can handle the game's logic and draw calls efficiently. However, the data does not show a CPU bottleneck even at this level, as the GPU is still able to output 189 FPS. The 14 cores and 18 threads are more than sufficient for a modern FPS title, which typically scales well up to 8-12 threads. The 18 MB L3 cache helps with data locality, reducing memory latency that can impact frame pacing.

The CPU's performance relative to its rivals is noteworthy. The nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-13500HX, has an average score of 29270, a delta of -0.6%, meaning the 135H is slightly slower overall. However, this difference is minimal and unlikely to produce a meaningful FPS difference in Lockdown Protocol. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT scores 28940, a delta of +0.5%, putting the 135H slightly ahead. This data shows that the 135H is competitive with desktop-class processors from the previous generation, which is impressive for a mobile chip.

The boost clock of 4.60 GHz is critical for single-threaded performance in games. Lockdown Protocol, like most FPS titles, has a primary game thread that benefits from high clock speeds. The 1700 single-core score in Cinebench R23 indicates strong single-thread throughput, which likely prevents the CPU from dragging down performance at 1080p. The data shows that at 1080p Ultra, the combo still manages 88 FPS, confirming that the CPU is not a limiting factor even when the GPU is under lighter load.

The CPU's TDP of 28 W is low, which is typical for a mobile processor. This power envelope means that sustained performance may be limited by thermal and power constraints in a laptop chassis. However, the benchmark data reflects the measured FPS, so any throttling is already accounted for in the results. The 18-thread count ensures that background tasks (e.g., anti-cheat, voice chat) do not starve the game of CPU resources.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 is a desktop-class GPU with 12 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 192-bit bus, providing 504.2 GB/s of bandwidth. Its boost clock is 2475 MHz, and it has 5888 shading units, 184 texture mapping units, and 64 ROPs. The GPU scores 26927 in Passmark G3D and 14720 in Passmark GPU Compute, placing it in the 81st percentile of all GPUs. Its average benchmark score of 37648 is very close to the NVIDIA Tesla P4 (37628, delta +0.1%) and the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 (37507, delta +0.4%).

The GPU's memory configuration is a key factor in Lockdown Protocol's performance at high resolutions. The 12 GB VRAM is sufficient for 4K textures, and the 504.2 GB/s bandwidth helps sustain frame rates when the game's assets are fully loaded. The data shows that at 4K Ultra, the combo averages 41 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS threshold for smooth play. This is likely due to the GPU's raw compute and fill-rate limits, not memory capacity, as Lockdown Protocol is not known for extreme VRAM usage.

The RTX 4070's performance in this game is strong at 1440p. At 1440p High, the combo hits 86 FPS, and at 1440p Medium, it averages 98 FPS. These are good results for a competitive FPS, where high refresh rates are desirable. The GPU's 29.15 TFLOPS of FP32 compute provides ample headroom for the game's visual effects, including lighting and shadows, at these settings.

At 1080p, the GPU is not the primary bottleneck, but it still has to work to maintain high frame rates. The 189 FPS Low result shows that the GPU can output very high frame rates when the graphical load is light. However, the 88 FPS Ultra result at 1080p indicates that even at this resolution, the RTX 4070's performance is constrained by the game's demanding Ultra preset, which likely includes heavy post-processing and anti-aliasing.

The GPU's nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile, scores 38135, a delta of -1.3%, meaning the 4070 is slightly slower. This is expected, as the 4080 Mobile is a higher-tier part. The AMD Radeon PRO W6400 scores 37157, a delta of +1.3%, putting the 4070 ahead. This data shows that the RTX 4070 is a solid mid-to-high-range GPU that competes well with its peers.

The GPU's 200 W TDP and dual-slot design indicate it is a power-hungry part, but the measured FPS shows it delivers performance commensurate with its power draw. The 12 GB of VRAM is a forward-looking amount, and the data suggests that it will not be a limiting factor in Lockdown Protocol at any tested setting.

FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 1080p with High settings?

A: The combo achieves an average of 117 FPS at 1920x1080 with High settings, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay.

Q: Can this hardware run the game at 4K with Ultra settings?

A: No, the data shows an average of 41 FPS at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, which is below the typically desired 60 FPS for a smooth experience. Lower settings are required for 4K play.

Q: How does the CPU compare to the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H has an average benchmark score of 29093, which is nearly identical to the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X's score of 29123, a delta of -0.1%. This indicates very similar overall performance.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded at 1440p Medium?

A: The minimum FPS at 2560x1440 with Medium settings is 83 FPS, with an average of 98 FPS and a maximum of 113 FPS. This shows good frame pacing.

Q: Is the GPU or CPU the limiting factor at 4K?

A: The data indicates the GPU is the limiting factor at 4K. The average FPS drops significantly from 1440p to 4K across all settings, and the CPU's performance is sufficient to feed the GPU at lower resolutions, making the RTX 4070 the primary constraint.

Q: What is the performance ranking of this combo among all tested combos?

A: This combination ranks 2043 out of 3714 tested combos in Lockdown Protocol, placing it in the 55th percentile of all tested systems.

How This Combo Ranks

In Lockdown Protocol, this specific combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 ranks 2043 out of 3714 tested combos. This places it in the upper-middle tier of all tested systems, indicating that it is more capable than a majority of setups but not at the absolute top end. The rank reflects the balance between the mobile CPU and desktop GPU, with the GPU providing most of the graphical horsepower.

The rank is influenced by the CPU's position in the 81st percentile of all CPUs and the GPU's position in the 81st percentile of all GPUs. This parity suggests a well-matched pairing, where neither component is drastically over- or under-powered for the other. However, the overall combo rank is lower than the individual percentiles might suggest, which could be due to the mobile CPU's thermal constraints limiting sustained performance in a laptop chassis.

In practical terms, this rank means that the combo will outperform many older or lower-tier systems in Lockdown Protocol, but it will be beaten by systems with higher-end GPUs like the RTX 4080 or 4090, or desktop CPUs with higher boost clocks. The data shows that the combo is capable of high frame rates at 1080p and 1440p, but it will struggle at 4K with high settings.

The rank is a useful metric for comparison, but the measured FPS data provides more actionable insights. The 2043rd rank out of 3714 combos means that roughly 45% of tested systems are faster, which is a reasonable expectation for a mid-to-high-range mobile CPU paired with a mid-high-range desktop GPU.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the combo delivers an average of 189 FPS on Low, 134 FPS on Medium, 117 FPS on High, and 88 FPS on Ultra. The Medium preset has a recorded minimum of 114 FPS and a maximum of 154 FPS, showing a stable frame delivery. The Low and High presets do not have min/max data, but the averages are consistently high.

At 2560x1440, the averages are 138 FPS on Low, 98 FPS on Medium, 86 FPS on High, and 64 FPS on Ultra. The Medium preset again has the only min/max data, with a minimum of 83 FPS and a maximum of 113 FPS. This indicates that the frame rate remains above 60 FPS even in the worst case, which is good for a competitive shooter.

At 3840x2160, the averages drop significantly: 89 FPS on Low, 63 FPS on Medium, 55 FPS on High, and 41 FPS on Ultra. The Medium preset has a minimum of 54 FPS and a maximum of 73 FPS, which means that the frame rate can dip below 60 FPS. The High and Ultra presets are not suitable for smooth 4K gameplay, as they hover around or below the 60 FPS mark.

The data shows a clear pattern: the combo is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, where it can achieve high frame rates even on Ultra settings. At 4K, the user must compromise on settings to maintain playable frame rates. The Low preset at 4K (89 FPS) is the only way to get a smooth experience at that resolution, while the Medium preset (63 FPS) is borderline.

The FPS scaling from Low to Ultra is consistent across resolutions. At 1080p, the drop from Low to Ultra is 101 FPS (189 to 88). At 1440p, the drop is 74 FPS (138 to 64). At 4K, the drop is 48 FPS (89 to 41). This narrowing delta at higher resolutions confirms that the GPU becomes the bottleneck, as the settings have less impact on the absolute FPS when the GPU is already saturated.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For 1080p, the High preset (117 FPS) offers a good balance between visual fidelity and performance, providing a smooth experience well above 60 FPS. The Ultra preset (88 FPS) is also playable, but the 29 FPS drop from High may not justify the visual gains for competitive play. For the best competitive experience, the Medium preset (134 FPS) provides a high refresh rate with good visuals.

At 1440p, the High preset (86 FPS) is the recommended choice for a balance of quality and speed. The Medium preset (98 FPS) is also excellent, especially for gamers with 144Hz monitors, as it stays above 83 FPS even in the minimum frame time. The Ultra preset (64 FPS) is playable but may not be ideal for fast-paced action, as it is closer to the 60 FPS threshold. The Low preset (138 FPS) is unnecessary unless the user prioritizes maximum frame rate above all else.

At 4K, the settings must be carefully chosen. The Medium preset (63 FPS) is the highest quality option that provides an average above 60 FPS, but the minimum of 54 FPS means there may be occasional dips below the target. The High preset (55 FPS) and Ultra preset (41 FPS) are not recommended for smooth gameplay, as they fail to maintain 60 FPS. The Low preset (89 FPS) is the best option for a consistent 4K experience, but it sacrifices visual quality significantly.

The data suggests that the "sweet spot" for this combo is 1440p with High settings, which delivers an 86 FPS average. This provides a high level of visual detail while maintaining a frame rate that is responsive enough for an FPS title. For users with 4K displays, the Medium preset is the highest quality that remains mostly playable, but the Low preset is the safest choice for consistent performance. Ultimately, the user should prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity in this game, as the FPS data shows that the GPU is the limiting factor at higher resolutions.