Lockdown Protocol

Lockdown Protocol, a 2024 FPS title, presents a demanding workload that stresses both the CPU and GPU. This analysis examines the measured performance of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, using only the provided benchmark data. The objective is to interpret the numerical results, contextualize them against rival components, and provide actionable settings guidance based on the observed frame rates.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 secures the 1514th position out of 2828 tested combos for Lockdown Protocol. This placement, which sits in the lower half of the database, indicates a mid-range performance tier for this specific title. While the raw numbers are not top-tier, the ranking reflects a system that is capable of handling the game, though not at the highest competitive levels or with the most demanding visual settings at high resolutions.

The CPU's individual standing is notably strong. With a percentile score of 89 against all CPUs, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is positioned in the top tier of processors. Its average benchmark score of 46062 places it in close competition with several other high-end chips. The data shows it is a near-exact match for the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375, with a delta percentage of just 0.1%. It also trades blows with the Intel Core i9-13900HX, which is a mere 0.1% faster, and the AMD EPYC 4364P, which is 0.2% slower. This suggests that the processor is not the primary bottleneck in this configuration for most scenarios.

The GPU, however, presents a different picture. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 has a percentile rank of only 61 against all GPUs. Its average benchmark score of 17639 is closely matched with the AMD Radeon HD 7790, which is a 0.2% difference, and the AMD Radeon 780M, which is 0.3% slower. This indicates that the graphics card is a more mid-range component relative to the CPU. The overall combo rank of 1514 out of 2828 is likely dragged down by the GPU's performance ceiling, especially at higher resolutions where the graphics card is the limiting factor.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is built on the Ada Lovelace architecture and utilizes the AD107 chip. It comes with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 272.0 GB/s. The 8 GB frame buffer is a critical detail for Lockdown Protocol, as the game's performance at higher resolutions and settings will be heavily influenced by whether the requested assets fit within this capacity. The GPU's boost clock is rated at 2460 MHz, with a base clock of 1830 MHz, and it supports DirectX 12 Ultimate.

In Lockdown Protocol, the GPU's role becomes more dominant as the resolution increases. The benchmark results show a clear pattern of the graphics card becoming the limiting factor when moving from 1080p to 4K. The card's 15.11 TFLOPS of FP32 performance and 236.2 GTexel/s texture rate define its raw processing power. While these are respectable figures for a mid-range card, they are insufficient to maintain ultra-high frame rates at 4K in a demanding FPS title. The GPU's performance is directly reflected in the measured FPS, where the average frame rate at 4K Ultra drops to 42 FPS, a level that would be considered less than ideal for a competitive shooter.

The GPU's nearest rivals in the database are all significantly lower-tier components, such as the AMD Radeon 780M integrated graphics. This comparison underscores that while the RTX 4060's absolute performance is decent, it does not compete with high-end discrete GPUs. For Lockdown Protocol, this means users should expect a solid experience at 1080p and 1440p, but will need to make significant compromises in settings to achieve playable frame rates at 4K.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear scaling pattern for this combo across the three tested resolutions. At 1080p, the system is likely CPU-bound in many scenarios, allowing the GPU to push high frame rates. The average FPS at 1080p Low is 189, which drops to 117 at High and 88 at Ultra. This scaling is consistent with the GPU becoming more of a bottleneck as the preset increases in complexity.

Moving to 1440p, the frame rates drop, but the system remains capable. The average FPS at 1440p Low is 138, which is a 27% decrease from 1080p Low. This suggests that the GPU is now taking on more work, but the CPU is still providing enough headroom for high performance. At 1440p High, the average is 86 FPS, and at Ultra, it falls to 64 FPS. This resolution is a sweet spot for this combination, offering a balance between visual quality and performance.

At 4K, the GPU becomes the definitive limiting factor. The average FPS at 4K Low is 89, which is a significant drop from 1440p Low. This indicates that the GPU's pixel throughput and memory bandwidth are being maxed out. The frame rates continue to decline with higher settings, reaching 55 FPS at High, 63 FPS at Medium, and a low 42 FPS at Ultra. The performance delta between 1080p and 4K is substantial, showing that this combo is not designed for native 4K gaming at high presets. The limiting component at this resolution is clearly the RTX 4060, as the CPU's strong benchmark scores suggest it is waiting on the GPU to finish rendering frames.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The benchmark data provides a detailed look at the average FPS, with some entries also including minimum and maximum frame rates for the Medium preset. This data is crucial for understanding the consistency of the frame delivery.

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: The average FPS is 189. This is the highest performance point in the entire dataset.
• Medium: The average FPS is 134. The minimum FPS is 114, and the maximum is 154, indicating a stable frame delivery with a range of 40 FPS.
• High: The average FPS is 117.
• Ultra: The average FPS is 88.

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: The average FPS is 138.
• Medium: The average FPS is 98. The minimum FPS is 83, and the maximum is 113, showing a tighter range of 30 FPS compared to 1080p, which suggests a more GPU-limited scenario.
• High: The average FPS is 86.
• Ultra: The average FPS is 64.

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: The average FPS is 89.
• Medium: The average FPS is 63. The minimum FPS is 54, and the maximum is 73. This is the most variable result, with a range of 19 FPS, indicating the GPU is under heavy load.
• High: The average FPS is 55.
• Ultra: The average FPS is 42.

The data shows that the Medium preset at 1440p offers a good balance, with an average of 98 FPS and a minimum of 83 FPS, ensuring a smooth experience. The 1080p Medium preset is even faster, with an average of 134 FPS and a minimum of 114 FPS. The 4K Medium preset is the only 4K option with min/max data, and its average of 63 FPS with a minimum of 54 FPS is on the edge of playability for a fast-paced FPS.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture. It has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, with a TDP of 65 W. The processor supports DDR5 memory and has a large 24 MB L3 cache. These specifications, combined with its high benchmark scores, indicate that it is a very capable gaming CPU.

In the context of Lockdown Protocol, the CPU's role is most prominent at lower resolutions and settings. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 189 FPS, a frame rate that is likely limited by the CPU's ability to process game logic and draw calls. The CPU's strong single-thread score of 4516 in Passmark and its multi-thread score of 37816 provide the necessary headroom to feed the GPU at these frame rates. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 14769 and single-core score of 2085 further confirm its strength.

The CPU's percentile of 89 and its close rivalry with the Intel Core i9-13900HX and AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 suggest that it will not be a bottleneck for most gaming scenarios. As the resolution increases to 1440p and 4K, the CPU's load decreases as the GPU becomes the limiting factor. The data supports this, as the frame rate drop from 1080p to 4K is much more significant than the drop from Low to Ultra settings at a given resolution. This indicates that the Core Ultra 5 235 is more than sufficient for this GPU, allowing the RTX 4060 to reach its full potential without being held back by the processor.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS, the best experience for this combo in Lockdown Protocol depends on the user's target resolution and preference for frame rate versus visual fidelity.

For a competitive or high-refresh-rate experience, the 1080p Low preset is the clear choice. With an average FPS of 189, this setting maximizes frame rate, providing the smoothest possible gameplay, which is crucial for a fast-paced FPS. The 1080p Medium preset is a strong alternative, offering an average of 134 FPS with a minimum of 114 FPS, which still provides a very smooth experience while improving visual quality.

For a balanced experience, the 1440p Medium preset is the recommended choice. It delivers an average FPS of 98 and a minimum of 83 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. This provides a significant visual upgrade over 1080p while maintaining high frame rates. The 1440p High preset, with an average of 86 FPS, is also viable for those who prioritize visuals, but the Medium preset offers a more consistent performance floor.

For visual fidelity over frame rate, the 1440p Ultra preset, with an average of 64 FPS, is the highest quality setting that remains playable. At 4K, the system struggles. The 4K Medium preset is the only option that approaches playability, with an average of 63 FPS, but its minimum of 54 FPS means it will experience noticeable stutters. The 4K High and Ultra presets, with averages of 55 and 42 FPS respectively, are not recommended for a game where quick reactions are important. Users seeking 4K should consider lowering the resolution or accepting significant compromises in settings.

FAQ

Q: Is this combo better suited for 1080p or 4K gaming in Lockdown Protocol?

A: The data clearly shows this combo is better suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming. The average FPS at 1080p Low is 189, and at 1440p Medium it is 98. At 4K, the average FPS drops significantly, with the Ultra preset averaging only 42 FPS, indicating the GPU is the limiting factor.

Q: Which is the limiting component at 4K resolution?

A: At 4K, the GPU is the definitive limiting component. The RTX 4060's performance, indicated by its 61st percentile rank, is insufficient to maintain high frame rates. The CPU, with its 89th percentile rank, has more than enough headroom to support the GPU.

Q: What is the highest average FPS this combo can achieve?

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 189, which is achieved at the 1080p Low settings preset.

Q: How does the CPU's performance compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is nearly identical in performance to its closest rivals. It is only 0.1% faster than the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375, 0.1% slower than the Intel Core i9-13900HX, and 0.2% faster than the AMD EPYC 4364P.

Q: Is the 4K Ultra preset playable with this hardware?

A: No, the 4K Ultra preset is not recommended for playable frame rates. The average FPS is 42, which is below the standard 60 FPS target and would feel sluggish in a competitive FPS.

Q: Which settings provide the most consistent frame delivery at 1440p?

A: The 1440p Medium preset provides the most consistent frame delivery, with a minimum FPS of 83 and a maximum of 113, as opposed to the High or Ultra presets which have no min/max data but lower averages.