Lockdown Protocol

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is a 14-core, 14-thread desktop processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Its 24 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR5 memory support position it as a modern mid-range option. In Lockdown Protocol, this CPU’s role is to feed the GPU with game-world data, handle AI for enemy units, and process player actions. The measured frame rates show that even at 1080p with Low settings, the system reaches 175 FPS, indicating the CPU is not a bottleneck at lower resolutions. The processor’s Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 14,769 and single-core score of 2,085 suggest strong per-thread performance, which is critical for a fast-paced FPS where draw calls and physics calculations can spike. The CPU’s Passmark single-thread score of 4,516 places it in the 89th percentile among all CPUs, meaning it outperforms the vast majority of processors in single-threaded tasks, a key metric for gaming responsiveness.

The Core Ultra 5 235’s nearest rivals in aggregate benchmark scores include the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375, which scores 46,030 (a 0.1% delta), and the Intel Core i9-13900HX at 46,098 (a -0.1% delta). These deltas are negligible, meaning the Ultra 5 235 sits in a tightly contested performance band. For Lockdown Protocol specifically, the 14 threads are sufficient to handle the game’s multi-threaded workloads, though the absence of hyper-threading means the 14 threads are physical cores, which can be advantageous for latency-sensitive tasks. The CPU’s 65 W TDP indicates it runs cooler than high-end parts, but the data does not include thermal throttling metrics, so we cannot quantify any impact on sustained performance. The 3 nm process node from TSMC, with 17,800 million transistors, contributes to its efficiency, but again, the measured FPS data is the primary evidence of real-world behavior.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER is a Turing-architecture GPU with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. Its base clock is 1605 MHz, boosting to 1770 MHz, and it includes 2,560 shading units, 160 TMUs, and 64 ROPs. The GPU’s FP32 performance is 9.062 TFLOPS, and it supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, which is relevant for modern FPS titles. In Lockdown Protocol, the GPU is the primary driver of frame rates at higher resolutions and settings. The data shows that at 1080p Ultra, the average FPS drops to 82, while at 4K Ultra, it falls to 39 FPS, demonstrating the GPU’s limitations under heavy load. The 8 GB VRAM capacity is a critical factor; at 4K with Ultra settings, the game likely approaches or exceeds this limit, causing texture thrashing and the observed performance drop.

The RTX 2070 SUPER’s Passmark G3D score is 18,169, placing it in the 65th percentile among all GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA Quadro M4000M with a score of 20,480 (a -1% delta) and the Intel Arc B570 at 20,556 (a -1.3% delta). These deltas are small, suggesting the RTX 2070 SUPER is slightly behind these competitors in raw compute benchmarks, but its driver maturity and feature set, including 40 RT cores and 320 Tensor cores, may offer advantages in specific game workloads. The GPU’s 215 W TDP and dual-slot design indicate it requires a robust power supply, but the data does not include power consumption measurements during gameplay. The measured frame times show a clear pattern: at 1080p Medium, the average FPS is 125 with a minimum of 106 and maximum of 143, indicating good frame pacing. At 1440p Medium, the average drops to 91 FPS with a minimum of 78, showing the GPU’s scaling behavior as resolution increases.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data across resolutions reveals how the system’s bottleneck shifts. At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 175, which is high enough to suggest the CPU is the limiting factor, as the GPU has ample headroom. Moving to 1440p Low, the average drops to 129 FPS, a 26% reduction from 1080p Low, indicating the GPU is starting to take on more load. At 4K Low, the average is 83 FPS, a further 36% drop from 1440p Low, confirming that the GPU becomes the dominant constraint at higher resolutions. The scaling from 1080p to 4K at Low settings shows a total drop of 92 FPS (from 175 to 83), a 53% decrease, which is typical for a GPU-bound scenario at 4K.

For High settings, the progression is 109 FPS at 1080p, 80 FPS at 1440p, and 51 FPS at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 27%, and from 1440p to 4K is 36%, showing a similar pattern to Low settings but with lower absolute numbers. At Ultra settings, the frame rates are 82 FPS at 1080p, 60 FPS at 1440p, and 39 FPS at 4K. The 4K Ultra result of 39 FPS is below the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay, and even 1440p Ultra at 60 FPS is borderline. The data suggests that the RTX 2070 SUPER’s 8 GB VRAM is a limiting factor at 4K Ultra, where the high-resolution textures likely exceed the available memory, causing stutters and reduced frame rates. The gap between 1080p and 4K at Ultra is 43 FPS (from 82 to 39), a 52% reduction, consistent with the GPU being the primary bottleneck at high settings and resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations for Lockdown Protocol, this specific pairing of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER ranks 2,165 out of 3,714 total combos. This places it in the 58th percentile (calculated as 1 - 2165/3714), meaning it outperforms roughly 58% of all tested configurations. The rank reflects the balance between the CPU and GPU; the Core Ultra 5 235 is a strong modern processor, but the RTX 2070 SUPER is an older GPU from 2019, which limits the overall performance. The combo’s rank is likely dragged down by the GPU, as many newer mid-range GPUs outperform the RTX 2070 SUPER in raw compute, but the CPU’s high single-thread performance helps maintain competitive frame rates in CPU-light scenarios.

Compared to other combos in the database, this system’s performance is middle-of-the-pack. The CPU’s 89th percentile ranking among all CPUs suggests it is not the limiting factor, while the GPU’s 65th percentile ranking indicates it is below average for current hardware. The measured FPS data supports this: at 1080p Medium, the system achieves 125 FPS, which is playable but not exceptional for a modern FPS. At 4K Ultra, the 39 FPS result is below the playable threshold for competitive gaming, making this combo better suited for 1080p or 1440p gaming. The rank of 2,165 out of 3,714 indicates that while this combo is not at the bottom, there are many faster configurations, primarily those with newer GPUs. The data shows that the CPU has headroom to support a more powerful GPU, as evidenced by the 175 FPS result at 1080p Low, which is not GPU-limited.

FAQ

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1080p with Medium settings in Lockdown Protocol?

A: The average FPS is 125, with a minimum of 106 and a maximum of 143. This indicates the system can maintain smooth gameplay at this setting, with frame times staying within a reasonable range.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck at 4K Ultra settings?

A: The data shows the GPU is the limiting factor. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS is 39, which is well below the 60 FPS target. The RTX 2070 SUPER’s 8 GB VRAM and 9.062 TFLOPS of FP32 performance are insufficient for the high-resolution and high-detail workload.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to other tested systems for Lockdown Protocol?

A: This combo ranks 2,165 out of 3,714 tested configurations. This places it in the 58th percentile, meaning it outperforms about 58% of all tested combos, but it is not a top-tier performer.

Q: What is the frame rate difference between 1080p Low and 4K Low?

A: At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 175, while at 4K Low, it is 83. This represents a 92 FPS drop (a 53% decrease), showing how resolution scaling heavily impacts the GPU load.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 have sufficient single-thread performance for this game?

A: Yes. The CPU’s Passmark single-thread score is 4,516, and its Cinebench R23 single-core score is 2,085. These scores place it in the 89th percentile among all CPUs, indicating strong per-thread performance that supports high frame rates in CPU-bound scenarios.

Q: What are the nearest rivals to the RTX 2070 SUPER in benchmark scores?

A: The nearest rivals are the NVIDIA Quadro M4000M with a score of 20,480 (a -1% delta), the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile at 20,534 (a -1.2% delta), and the Intel Arc B570 at 20,556 (a -1.3% delta). These deltas show the RTX 2070 SUPER is slightly behind these GPUs in aggregate benchmarks.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For 1080p gaming, the Medium preset provides an average of 125 FPS with a minimum of 106, which is ideal for competitive play where smoothness and responsiveness are paramount. The Low preset at 1080p reaches 175 FPS, which is excessive for most monitors and may be unnecessary, while Ultra at 82 FPS is playable but leaves less headroom for demanding scenes. For 1440p, the Medium preset delivers an average of 91 FPS with a minimum of 78, which is still smooth for most players, making it the best balance between visual quality and performance. The High preset at 1440p averages 80 FPS, which is acceptable, but Ultra drops to 60 FPS, which is borderline for fast-paced action.

At 4K, the situation is more constrained. The Medium preset averages 59 FPS with a minimum of 50, which is below the 60 FPS target but playable for slower-paced games; however, for Lockdown Protocol, a competitive FPS, this may feel sluggish. The Low preset at 4K averages 83 FPS, which is the only 4K option that consistently exceeds 60 FPS, but it sacrifices visual fidelity. The Ultra preset at 4K averages 39 FPS, which is not recommended for this genre. The data suggests that for the best experience, players should use 1080p Medium for competitive play, or 1440p Medium for a balance of quality and performance. At 4K, the Low preset is the only viable option, but the visual downgrade may not be worth the resolution increase. The measured results show that the RTX 2070 SUPER’s 8 GB VRAM is a limiting factor at higher settings, so users should avoid Ultra presets at 1440p and above to maintain stable frame rates.