Lockdown Protocol

Lockdown Protocol presents an unusually demanding workload for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 paired with the Intel Arc B370. The benchmark data reveals a configuration that is severely limited by its graphics processor, resulting in a frame rate profile that struggles to maintain playability even at lower resolutions. This analysis breaks down the measured performance, contextualizes the ranking, and explains the role of each component in the observed outcomes.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate data shows a steep and consistent decline as resolution increases, which is a clear indicator that the Intel Arc B370 is the primary bottleneck in this system for Lockdown Protocol. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo averages 80 FPS. Moving to 1440p at the same settings drops the average to 58 FPS, a reduction of 27.5%. At 4K, the average falls further to 38 FPS, representing a 52.5% drop from the 1080p result. This scaling pattern is not typical of a CPU-bound scenario; it demonstrates that the graphics processor's rendering throughput is being exhausted as pixel count rises.

The trend is consistent across all settings presets. At Medium settings, the average frame rate falls from 57 FPS at 1080p to 42 FPS at 1440p, then to 27 FPS at 4K. The High preset shows a similar trajectory, with averages of 49, 36, and 23 FPS across the three resolutions. The Ultra preset, which is the most demanding, produces averages of 37, 27, and 18 FPS. The fact that the frame rate drops by roughly half between 1080p and 4K at every quality level confirms that the limiting component is the GPU, not the CPU. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235, with its 14 cores and 5.00 GHz boost clock, has ample headroom to feed the GPU at lower resolutions, but the Arc B370's processing power is simply insufficient for the higher pixel counts.

The data suggests that even at 1080p, the GPU is the primary constraint. The jump from Low to Ultra at 1080p costs 43 FPS (from 80 to 37), a 53.75% performance penalty. This is a substantial hit for a settings change, reinforcing that the graphics processor is working at its limit. In a more balanced system, the CPU would begin to show its limitations at lower resolutions and settings, but the Arc B370's performance ceiling is reached first, making it the definitive limiting factor in this configuration.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and the Intel Arc B370 ranks 2611 out of 2828 tested combos for Lockdown Protocol. This places it in the bottom 7.7% of all configurations, a position that indicates a severe performance deficit for this game. The ranking is a direct consequence of the GPU's low benchmark scores. The Arc B370 sits in the 5th percentile of all GPUs, and its average benchmark score of 1184 places it in the company of much older hardware. In contrast, the CPU is a much stronger performer, sitting in the 89th percentile of all CPUs.

This massive discrepancy between the two components' individual capabilities is the defining feature of this combo. The CPU is more than capable of handling the game's logic and physics, but the GPU cannot keep up with the rendering demands. The combo's rank is dragged down entirely by the graphics processor. The CPU's nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks include the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 and the Intel Core i9-13900HX, which are high-performance parts. The GPU's nearest rivals are the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 and the ATI Radeon HD 5770, which are legacy parts from a different era. The pairing of a modern, high-percentile CPU with a GPU that performs in the 5th percentile creates a starkly unbalanced system. For Lockdown Protocol, this means the CPU's potential is largely wasted, as it will spend most of its time waiting for the GPU to complete its tasks.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 brings substantial processing power to this pairing, but its role in determining Lockdown Protocol's frame rates is secondary. The CPU features 14 cores and 14 threads, a configuration that prioritizes multi-threaded throughput. Its base clock of 3.40 GHz can boost up to 5.00 GHz, ensuring strong single-thread performance when needed. In synthetic tests, the CPU scores 14,769 points in Cinebench R23 multicore and 2,085 points in the single-core test. These are robust figures that indicate a processor capable of handling complex simulations and high object counts.

However, the game's performance data suggests that the CPU is not the constraint. At 1080p Low, the average frame rate is 80 FPS, which is a modest result for a modern CPU in an FPS title. If the CPU were the limiting factor, we would expect to see this frame rate remain relatively constant regardless of resolution. Instead, the frame rate drops dramatically as resolution increases, which is the signature of a GPU bottleneck. The CPU is likely preparing frames faster than the GPU can render them, leading to a situation where the GPU is constantly saturated.

The CPU's 24 MB of shared L3 cache and support for DDR5 memory at 102.4 GB/s bandwidth provide a solid foundation for game data. The architecture, built on a 3 nm process, offers high efficiency. Yet, none of these features can compensate for the GPU's inability to render frames quickly enough. The data indicates that the CPU is performing its role adequately; the bottleneck lies elsewhere. In a system with a more powerful GPU, the Core Ultra 5 235 would likely allow for much higher frame rates, but in this configuration, its potential is unrealized.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of the system's performance across different resolutions and settings. The highest average frame rate achieved is 80 FPS, which occurs at 1920x1080 with Low settings. This is the only configuration that approaches a smooth 60+ FPS experience. At 1080p Medium, the average drops to 57 FPS, which is still playable but not as fluid. The High preset at 1080p yields an average of 49 FPS, while the Ultra preset produces an average of 37 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the performance becomes more constrained. The Low preset averages 58 FPS, which is a playable result. Medium settings average 42 FPS, with a minimum of 35 FPS and a maximum of 48 FPS. High settings average 36 FPS, and Ultra settings drop to an average of 27 FPS. The 1440p results show that even at Low settings, the system is on the edge of comfortable playability.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles significantly. The Low preset averages 38 FPS, which is below the threshold for smooth gameplay. Medium settings average 27 FPS, with a minimum of 23 FPS and a maximum of 31 FPS. High settings average 23 FPS, and the Ultra preset produces an average of just 18 FPS. These results are not suitable for a competitive or fast-paced FPS experience. The data shows a clear pattern: the system is only really viable at 1080p with lower settings, and even then, it cannot consistently maintain high frame rates.

The minimum and maximum FPS data for Medium settings shows the variation at each resolution. At 1080p, the range is 48 to 65 FPS. At 1440p, it is 35 to 48 FPS. At 4K, it is 23 to 31 FPS. This variation indicates that the frame pacing is not perfectly stable, which could lead to noticeable hitches during intense gameplay moments. The overall trend is one of diminishing returns as resolution increases, with the system failing to deliver a consistent 60 FPS experience at any resolution and settings combination.

FAQ

Q: Can this system run Lockdown Protocol at a stable 60 FPS?

A: No. The only measured configuration that reaches an average of 80 FPS is 1080p with Low settings. All other settings at 1080p produce averages below 60 FPS, and no 1440p or 4K configuration exceeds an average of 58 FPS.

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo?

A: The data indicates that 1920x1080 is the only viable resolution for acceptable performance. At 1440p, even the Low preset averages only 58 FPS, which is not ideal for a smooth experience. 4K is not a practical option, with all presets averaging below 40 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU's performance compare to its potential in this game?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is a high-performing processor that ranks in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. However, in this game, its performance is severely limited by the GPU. The frame rate scaling suggests the CPU is not the bottleneck, meaning its potential is largely untapped.

Q: Is the Intel Arc B370 a strong GPU for this game?

A: No. The data shows that the GPU is the limiting factor. It ranks in the 5th percentile of all GPUs, and its benchmark scores are comparable to much older parts. This results in low frame rates across all resolutions and settings.

Q: What settings should I use at 1440p for the best experience?

A: Based on the data, the Low preset is the only option that provides an average frame rate above 55 FPS (58 FPS). The Medium preset drops to 42 FPS, which may be less desirable for a fast-paced game.

Q: Is the average frame rate the only metric to consider?

A: No. The data for Medium settings shows a range between minimum and maximum FPS. At 1080p, this range is 48 to 65 FPS, indicating potential frame drops. This variation can affect the smoothness of gameplay more than the average alone.

Settings Recommendations

Given the performance data, the only settings that provide a playable experience are at 1920x1080 with the Low preset, which yields an average of 80 FPS. This is the recommended configuration for any gameplay that requires responsive controls and smooth motion. The 1080p Medium preset, averaging 57 FPS, is a secondary option for those who prioritize visual quality over a higher frame rate, but it falls short of the 60 FPS target. The High and Ultra presets at 1080p, with averages of 49 and 37 FPS respectively, are not recommended for a competitive FPS, as the lower frame rates will hinder performance.

At 2560x1440, the Low preset is the only viable choice, with an average of 58 FPS. This can offer a sharper image than 1080p, but the frame rate is marginal. The Medium preset at 42 FPS is likely too inconsistent for a game of this genre. All settings at 3840x2160 are effectively unplayable, with averages ranging from 18 to 38 FPS, and should be avoided.

The data strongly suggests that users should prioritize frame rate over graphical fidelity. The Intel Arc B370 is not capable of handling high or ultra settings at any resolution while maintaining acceptable performance. The best experience, according to the measured rows, is achieved by setting the resolution to 1920x1080 and the quality preset to Low. This maximizes the frame rate and provides the smoothest gameplay possible for this hardware combination. For users with a 1440p monitor, dropping to the Low preset is the only way to get close to 60 FPS, but they should be prepared for a less consistent experience than at 1080p.