Lockdown Protocol

Lockdown Protocol is a fast-paced FPS that rewards high frame rates and consistent frame pacing. The pairing of the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 with the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT delivers a balanced 1080p and 1440p experience, though it requires settings adjustments to maintain smooth gameplay at 4K. The data shows this combo is capable of exceeding 200 FPS at lower settings, but it also reveals where the hardware's limits are under maximum load.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this CPU and GPU combo in Lockdown Protocol?

A: Based on the measured FPS data, 1920x1080 and 2560x1440 are the strong points. At 1080p, the average FPS ranges from 102 (Ultra) to 219 (Low). At 1440p, it ranges from 75 (Ultra) to 161 (Low). The 3840x2160 results are playable but much lower, with an average of 64 FPS on High and only 48 FPS on Ultra.

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 compare to its nearest rivals in general CPU benchmarks?

A: The CPU's average benchmark score is 36938, placing it at the 85th percentile. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, scores 36945, showing a 0% delta. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D is 0.2% slower, and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 is 0.4% slower, making the Ultra 5 225 effectively on par with these competing chips in synthetic tests.

Q: What is the GPU's performance class relative to other graphics cards?

A: The Radeon RX 7700 XT has an average benchmark score of 22549, putting it in the 67th percentile of all GPUs. Its closest rival is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Mobile, which scores 22435 (0.5% slower). The desktop NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 scores 22895, which is 1.5% faster than the RX 7700 XT.

Q: What is the difference between the Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: The jump is significant. At 1920x1080, the Low preset yields an average of 219 FPS, while the Ultra preset drops that to 102 FPS. This is a difference of 117 FPS, showing that the Ultra preset nearly halves the frame rate compared to Low.

Q: Does the combo rank high among all tested configurations?

A: The combo ranks 1023 out of 2828 total tested combinations. This places it in the top half of all tested systems, which is a solid result for a mid-range desktop pairing.

Q: Is the 12 GB of VRAM on the RX 7700 XT a limiting factor in this game?

A: The fact pack does not provide VRAM usage metrics for Lockdown Protocol. However, the 12 GB GDDR6 memory with a 192-bit bus and 432.0 GB/s bandwidth is a substantial allocation that generally supports high-resolution textures. The measured FPS drops at higher settings are more directly tied to the GPU's compute load rather than a reported VRAM limitation.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is a 10-core, 10-thread desktop processor based on the Arrow Lake-S architecture. It operates with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. This configuration is built for modern gaming workloads, where high single-thread performance is crucial for game logic and physics, while the multiple cores help with background tasks and streaming.

In Lockdown Protocol, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and process the game's simulation. The benchmark results for the CPU show strong single-thread performance, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3655 and a Passmark single-thread score of 4412. These numbers indicate that the processor can handle the game's main thread without becoming a bottleneck, especially at lower resolutions where the GPU can render frames faster.

The processor's 20 MB of shared L3 cache and 3 MB per-core L2 cache help keep frequently accessed data close to the cores, reducing latency. The data shows a Passmark multithread score of 30459, which is robust for a 10-core part. However, in a game like Lockdown Protocol, the high boost clock of 4.90 GHz is likely more relevant than the core count, as the game's frame pacing depends on the responsiveness of the primary threads.

Compared to its rivals, the Ultra 5 225 is effectively tied with the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F in average CPU benchmark scores (36938 vs 36945). This suggests that in CPU-bound scenarios, users should expect similar performance from either processor. The 85th percentile ranking indicates that this CPU outperforms the majority of processors in the database, ensuring it will not be the limiting factor in most gaming scenarios. The 65 W TDP also suggests it is an efficient part, requiring less cooling headroom than higher-wattage chips.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT is the primary driver of frame rates in Lockdown Protocol. It features the Navi 32 chip with 3456 shading units and 96 ROPs, running at a boost clock of 2544 MHz. The GPU's raw compute power is rated at 35.17 TFLOPS FP32, which is substantial for rasterized gaming workloads. The 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus provides 432.0 GB/s of bandwidth, which is sufficient for the texture and geometry data in this FPS.

The GPU's performance is heavily influenced by the settings preset. The data shows that the RX 7700 XT scales predictably with graphical load. At 1080p, the difference between Low and High settings is a drop from 219 FPS to 136 FPS, indicating that the GPU is capable of high refresh rates but is taxed by the more complex lighting and shadow effects in the High preset. The Ultra preset at 1080p brings the average down to 102 FPS, which is still playable on a 100 Hz monitor but starts to feel less fluid for competitive play.

The GPU's 67th percentile ranking and its proximity to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 (1.5% slower) and RTX 5060 Mobile (0.5% slower) place it in a familiar performance tier. It is a capable 1440p card, as evidenced by the High preset averaging 100 FPS at that resolution. The 245 W TDP and dual-slot design are typical for this performance class, and the 2x 8-pin power connectors indicate it requires a robust power supply, as suggested by the 550 W recommendation.

The memory configuration is worth noting. While 12 GB is generous for 1080p and 1440p, the 4K results suggest that the GPU's compute capability, rather than memory capacity, is the limiting factor. The 64 FPS average at 4K High is respectable but indicates that the card is nearing its limits with the pixel throughput required at that resolution.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of how this combo performs across different resolutions and settings.

At 1920x1080, the system excels. The Low preset achieves an average of 219 FPS, which is ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors. The Medium preset drops to 156 FPS (with a minimum of 132 and maximum of 179), still excellent for competitive play. The High preset yields 136 FPS, and the Ultra preset brings the average down to 102 FPS. All 1080p presets are playable, but the Low preset offers a significant competitive advantage in terms of frame rate.

At 2560x1440, the performance remains strong. The Low preset averages 161 FPS, keeping the experience fluid. The Medium preset averages 114 FPS (minimum 97, maximum 131), which is still very smooth. The High preset drops to 100 FPS, and the Ultra preset falls to 75 FPS. For 1440p gaming, the Medium and High presets offer the best balance of visual quality and responsiveness, as the Ultra preset's 75 FPS average may feel less consistent during intense firefights.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain high frame rates. The Low preset averages 104 FPS, which is surprisingly playable for 4K. The Medium preset averages 74 FPS (minimum 63, maximum 85), which is borderline for a smooth experience. The High preset drops to 64 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages only 48 FPS. For 4K gaming, the Low preset is the only option that keeps the frame rate above 100 FPS, while the Medium preset is the highest setting that stays above 60 FPS.

The frame time data available for the Medium presets shows consistency. At 1080p Medium, the minimum of 132 FPS is close to the average, indicating stable frame pacing. At 1440p Medium, the minimum of 97 FPS is also respectable. At 4K Medium, the minimum of 63 FPS shows that the system can hold near 60 FPS, but the 85 FPS maximum indicates some variance in demanding scenes.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT ranks 1023 out of 2828 tested combos in Lockdown Protocol. This places it in the 64th percentile of all tested systems, meaning it outperforms roughly two-thirds of the configurations in the database. This is a strong result for a mid-range desktop setup.

The ranking reflects the balance between the CPU and GPU. The CPU's 85th percentile performance ensures that it does not hold back the GPU, which itself is in the 67th percentile. This synergy means that the system performs close to the sum of its parts. In contrast, a weaker CPU might drag the GPU down, or a weaker GPU might fail to utilize the CPU's full potential.

The rank of 1023 suggests that while this combo is not at the top tier, it is firmly in the upper-middle class of gaming systems. Systems ranked above it likely feature higher-end GPUs like the RTX 4080 or RX 7900 XTX, which would provide significantly higher frame rates at 4K. However, for 1080p and 1440p gaming, this combo's ranking is indicative of a smooth, high-FPS experience that many users would find satisfactory.

The delta between this combo and the top-ranked systems is not specified, but the measured FPS data gives a practical sense of the performance ceiling. The 1023 rank is a data point that, when combined with the FPS metrics, allows users to set realistic expectations for their own gaming sessions.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the user's resolution and refresh rate priorities.

For 1920x1080 users with a 144 Hz or higher monitor, the Low preset is the best choice. The 219 FPS average ensures the frame rate stays well above the monitor's refresh rate, providing the smoothest possible experience and maximizing input responsiveness. If visual fidelity is a priority, the Medium preset at 156 FPS is still excellent and offers a better-looking image. The High preset at 136 FPS is a good compromise, but the Ultra preset at 102 FPS should be avoided if competitive performance is the goal.

For 2560x1440 users, the Medium preset is the recommended starting point. The 114 FPS average is smooth and the minimum of 97 FPS shows good frame pacing. The High preset at 100 FPS is also viable for users who prefer better visuals over a slight FPS advantage. The Low preset at 161 FPS is the choice for esports-style play, while the Ultra preset at 75 FPS is best suited for slower-paced modes or users with a 75 Hz monitor.

For 3840x2160 users, the options are more constrained. The Low preset at 104 FPS is the only setting that provides a high-refresh-rate experience. The Medium preset at 74 FPS is the highest quality setting that maintains a frame rate above 60 FPS, making it acceptable for users with a 60 Hz display. The High preset at 64 FPS is borderline, and the Ultra preset at 48 FPS is not recommended for a playable experience.

The overall recommendation is to prioritize the Low or Medium presets, as they provide the best balance of frame rate and visual quality. The Ultra preset is only viable at 1080p, and even then, it sacrifices 117 FPS compared to Low. For most users, the Medium preset is the "sweet spot" that offers a significant visual upgrade over Low while retaining a frame rate that is competitive.