Lockdown Protocol

Lockdown Protocol is a fast-paced FPS that rewards high frame rates, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 combo delivers them in spades. The data shows a pairing that is well-balanced for this title, with the GPU handling the visual load and the CPU providing enough headroom to keep frame pacing smooth across all tested resolutions. This analysis breaks down the measured performance, the role of each component, and the optimal settings for the best experience.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 combination is placed at rank 874 out of 3714 tested combos for Lockdown Protocol. This places it in the top 24% of all tested systems, which indicates a strong performer for this specific game. The ranking suggests that while there are faster combinations available, this pairing is far from the bottom, offering a level of performance that will satisfy the majority of players looking for a high-refresh-rate experience.

The percentile standing is even more telling when you isolate the components. The CPU sits in the 89th percentile among all tested processors, while the GPU is in the 81st percentile among all graphics cards. The combo's overall rank being slightly lower than both component percentiles suggests that Lockdown Protocol is a title where neither part becomes a severe bottleneck, but the system's overall performance is a product of their combined output. The data indicates a synergistic pairing where the CPU is slightly stronger relative to its peers than the GPU, allowing it to keep up with the graphics card's demands effectively.

When compared to its nearest rivals, the CPU's average benchmark score is virtually identical to the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375, Intel Core i9-13900HX, and AMD EPYC 4364P, with delta percentages of just 0.1% to 0.2%. This means the Core Ultra 5 235 is in a performance class of its own, trading blows with mobile and server parts that consume vastly different power. For the GPU, the RTX 4070's closest rival is the NVIDIA Tesla P4, with a delta of 0.1%, and it is 1.3% behind the RTX 4080 Mobile. This indicates that the desktop RTX 4070 is performing at the top of its class, outpacing most comparable cards and even edging out some higher-tier mobile solutions.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 is the primary driver of frame rate in Lockdown Protocol. Its 12 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 192-bit bus provides 504.2 GB/s of bandwidth, which is sufficient for the textures and geometry at the resolutions tested. The core clock speed of 1920 MHz with a boost clock of 2475 MHz allows the 5888 shading units to process the game's rendering workload effectively. The data shows that the GPU is the main scaling factor when moving between settings presets.

The measured FPS numbers clearly show the GPU's influence. At 1920x1080, dropping from Ultra to Low settings increases the average frame rate from 121 FPS to 260 FPS, a massive 139 FPS jump. This scaling is a direct result of the GPU having more or less work to do as the quality settings change. The same pattern is visible at 2560x1440, where the average goes from 89 FPS on Ultra to 191 FPS on Low. This indicates a powerful GPU that is not being held back by the CPU at these settings, as it can fully flex its muscles when the load is reduced.

The RTX 4070's position in the 81st percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 37648, reinforces its strength. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA Tesla P4, scores nearly identically, but the RTX 4070 is 1.3% ahead of the RTX 4080 Mobile, showing that it competes well against even higher-tier mobile parts. This benchmark data aligns with the in-game results, where the GPU consistently delivers high frame rates across all settings, making it the centerpiece of this combo's performance in Lockdown Protocol.

FAQ

Q: Can this combo handle Lockdown Protocol at 4K?

A: Yes, but with a caveat. The data shows an average of 57 FPS at 3840x2160 on Ultra settings, which is playable. However, for a smoother experience, the Medium preset provides an average of 87 FPS with a minimum of 74 FPS, which is more comfortable for a fast-paced FPS.

Q: What is the best resolution for high refresh rate monitors?

A: For 144Hz or higher monitors, 1920x1080 is the ideal choice. The data shows an average of 260 FPS on Low settings and 185 FPS on Medium settings, ensuring the display is fully utilized without the GPU becoming a limiting factor.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its direct competitors?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235's average benchmark score is 46062, which is within 0.2% of the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 and the AMD EPYC 4364P, and within 0.1% of the Intel Core i9-13900HX. This places it in a performance tie with these parts, indicating it is not a bottleneck in this game.

Q: Is the RTX 4070 a strong performer for this game?

A: Yes. Its average benchmark score is 37648, putting it in the 81st percentile of all GPUs. It is 1.3% ahead of the RTX 4080 Mobile, and its in-game results show it can deliver over 120 FPS at 1080p on Ultra settings, confirming its capability.

Q: What is the minimum FPS I can expect at 1440p?

A: The data only provides minimum FPS for the Medium preset. At 2560x1440 on Medium, the minimum FPS is 115, with an average of 135. For other presets, only averages are given, but based on the scaling, you can expect the minimums to be lower on Ultra and higher on Low.

Q: Should I use the Low preset for competitive play?

A: If maximum frame rate is your goal, yes. The data shows 260 FPS at 1080p on Low, which is the highest average recorded. This will provide the lowest input latency and most responsive feel, though it will sacrifice visual fidelity.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data offers a clear picture of what each settings preset delivers. For a balanced experience that prioritizes high frame rates without sacrificing too much visual quality, the Medium preset is the clear winner. At 1920x1080, it produces an average of 185 FPS with a minimum of 157 FPS, ensuring smooth gameplay even in intense firefights. Moving to 2560x1440, the Medium preset still delivers a strong 135 FPS average with a 115 FPS minimum, which is excellent for most gamers.

For those with high-refresh-rate 1440p monitors, the High preset is a viable alternative, providing an average of 118 FPS. This is still well above the 60 FPS threshold and offers better visual details than Medium. At 4K, the Medium preset is the only sensible choice for a playable experience, as it hits an average of 87 FPS, whereas Ultra drops to 57 FPS, which may feel less fluid in a fast-paced shooter.

The Ultra preset is not recommended for competitive play, as it significantly reduces frame rates. While it provides the best visuals, the drop to 121 FPS at 1080p, 89 FPS at 1440p, and 57 FPS at 4K is a substantial cost. For most players, the Medium preset offers the best trade-off between visual quality and performance, ensuring the game remains fluid and responsive.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The data provides a comprehensive look at performance across three resolutions and four settings presets.

At 1920x1080, the combo performs exceptionally well. The Low preset produces an average of 260 FPS, which is the highest recorded in the entire dataset. The Medium preset follows with an average of 185 FPS, with a minimum of 157 FPS and a maximum of 213 FPS. The High preset delivers an average of 161 FPS, while the Ultra preset still manages a solid 121 FPS. This resolution demonstrates the GPU's full potential, with no noticeable CPU bottleneck.

At 2560x1440, performance remains strong. The Low preset yields an average of 191 FPS, which is still excellent. The Medium preset provides an average of 135 FPS, with a minimum of 115 FPS and a maximum of 156 FPS. The High preset drops to an average of 118 FPS, and the Ultra preset rounds out the options with an average of 89 FPS. This resolution is the sweet spot for high refresh rate gaming with this combo.

At 3840x2160, the GPU begins to show its limits. The Low preset still delivers a playable average of 123 FPS. The Medium preset is the best for a balanced experience, with an average of 87 FPS and a minimum of 74 FPS. The High preset drops to an average of 76 FPS, and the Ultra preset falls to 57 FPS. This resolution requires a compromise on settings to maintain smooth gameplay.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 plays a supporting but crucial role in this combo's performance. With 14 cores and 14 threads, it provides ample processing power for game logic, physics, and AI in Lockdown Protocol. The base clock of 3.40 GHz and boost clock of 5.00 GHz ensure that single-threaded workloads are handled swiftly, which is often a key factor in FPS titles. The 24 MB of shared L3 cache helps keep frequently accessed data close to the cores, reducing latency.

The CPU's benchmark scores confirm its capability. Its average benchmark score is 46062, placing it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. It is a direct match for the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 and the Intel Core i9-13900HX, with a delta of just 0.1%. This means that in terms of raw processing power, the Core Ultra 5 235 is on par with some of the best mobile and desktop processors available, making it more than sufficient for this game.

The data suggests that the CPU is not a limiting factor at any tested resolution or settings preset. The frame rate scaling from Low to Ultra is consistent, indicating that the GPU is the bottleneck at higher settings and the CPU can feed it enough frames at lower settings. The ability to hit 260 FPS at 1080p Low shows that the CPU has the headroom to keep up with the RTX 4070 even when the graphics load is minimal. For Lockdown Protocol, this CPU provides a stable foundation, ensuring that the GPU is the primary driver of performance.