Lockdown Protocol

Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti is a pairing of a modern, high-core-count desktop processor with a legacy high-end graphics card from the Pascal era. The data indicates a system that is heavily constrained by the GPU at higher resolutions, while the CPU demonstrates ample headroom at 1080p. The benchmark results for Lockdown Protocol show a combination that can deliver playable frame rates across most settings, but with clear limitations at 4K Ultra.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process by TSMC. It operates at a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, with a 65 W TDP. This is a desktop part designed for the Intel Socket 1851 platform, featuring 24 MB of shared L3 cache and 3 MB of L2 cache per core. Its memory bandwidth is rated at 102.4 GB/s over a dual-channel DDR5 interface.

In synthetic workloads, the processor demonstrates strong multi-threaded performance, scoring 32,924 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 4,648 in single-core. The PassMark multithread score is 38,706, with a single-thread score of 4,394. These results place the CPU in the 90th percentile compared to all CPUs, indicating it is a high-performing part. Its nearest rivals, based on average benchmark scores, include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G with a delta of -0.4%, the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 with a delta of -0.5%, and the Intel Core i5-14600K with a delta of +0.8%. The performance difference between these parts is minimal, all within roughly one percent of each other.

For a game like Lockdown Protocol, an FPS title, the CPU's role is to handle game logic, physics, and draw calls. Given the high core count and strong single-thread performance, the Ultra 5 245 is unlikely to be the bottleneck in most scenarios. The data supports this notion. At 1080p Low settings, the system achieves 180 FPS average. When the resolution is increased to 1440p and 4K at the same Low settings, the frame rate drops to 132 FPS and 85 FPS, respectively. This significant drop with increasing resolution is a classic symptom of a GPU limitation, not a CPU one. If the CPU were the limiting factor, the frame rates would remain relatively flat as resolution scales, since the CPU workload per frame would be similar.

The benchmark scores show that the Ultra 5 245 outpaces its direct rivals in the database by a small margin, but the practical takeaway is that it provides a robust foundation. The processor's capability is more than sufficient to feed the GTX 1080 Ti in this game, particularly at lower resolutions where the GPU is under less stress. The data suggests that any frame rate ceiling observed in this combination is due to the graphics card's processing limits, not the CPU's ability to issue draw commands or process game state.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti is a Pascal architecture GPU built on a 16 nm process, featuring 11 GB of GDDR5X memory on a 352-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 484.4 GB/s. Its base clock is 1481 MHz, with a boost clock of 1582 MHz. The GPU has 3584 shading units, 224 texture mapping units, and 88 ROPs. This hardware configuration results in a pixel rate of 139.2 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 354.4 GTexel/s, with a peak FP32 performance of 11.34 TFLOPS. The card uses a dual-slot cooler and requires a 600 W power supply.

In synthetic benchmarks, the GTX 1080 Ti scores 18,600 in PassMark G3D, placing it in the 58th percentile among all GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon R9 M380 (delta +0.2%), the AMD Radeon Pro W5500 (delta -0.8%), the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (delta +1.7%), and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 (delta +1.7%). The performance deltas are small, indicating that the GTX 1080 Ti sits in a competitive tier with these cards, though it is a much older design.

In Lockdown Protocol, the GPU's role is dominant. The measured FPS data shows a clear pattern where the frame rate scales inversely with resolution. At 1080p Low, the game runs at 180 FPS. At 1440p Low, it drops to 132 FPS, and at 4K Low, it falls to 85 FPS. This linear drop-off with pixel count strongly indicates that the GPU is the primary performance limiter. The VRAM capacity of 11 GB is substantial for a card of its era, and it is unlikely to be a limiting factor at the tested settings, as the frame rates drop uniformly across settings, not just at high resolutions where VRAM usage would spike.

The GTX 1080 Ti's age is reflected in its feature set. It lacks dedicated ray tracing cores and tensor cores, which are not required for the measured performance in this title. The data shows that its raw rasterization power is what determines the outcome. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS is 40, which is below the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay. The card's performance at 1440p is more respectable, with High settings yielding 82 FPS and Ultra yielding 61 FPS. This indicates that the GTX 1080 Ti remains a capable 1440p card for this game, but struggles to maintain high frame rates at 4K with maximum settings.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of how the system scales across 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions. At Low settings, the average frame rates are 180 FPS at 1080p, 132 FPS at 1440p, and 85 FPS at 4K. This represents a 26.7% drop from 1080p to 1440p, and a 52.8% drop from 1080p to 4K. This scaling pattern is consistent with a GPU-bound scenario, where the number of pixels rendered has a direct impact on performance.

At High settings, the frame rates are 111 FPS at 1080p, 82 FPS at 1440p, and 53 FPS at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 26.1%, and from 1080p to 4K is 52.3%. The similar percentage drops across different settings suggest that the GPU is the limiting factor in all cases, regardless of the graphical preset. If the CPU were a bottleneck, we would expect to see a smaller percentage difference between resolutions, as the CPU workload would cap the frame rate.

The Medium settings data includes minimum and maximum frame rates, which offer additional insight. At 4K Medium, the average FPS is 60, with a minimum of 51 and a maximum of 69. At 1440p Medium, the average is 94 FPS, with a minimum of 80 and a maximum of 108. At 1080p Medium, the average is 128 FPS, with a minimum of 108 and a maximum of 147. The frame time variance, as indicated by the gap between minimum and maximum, is relatively consistent across resolutions, showing that the GPU maintains a steady output even when it is heavily loaded.

The resolution scaling data demonstrates that this combo is well-suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming. At 1080p, it can push beyond 100 FPS on High settings and reach 180 FPS on Low, which is excellent for competitive play. At 1440p, it still delivers over 60 FPS on Ultra and 82 FPS on High, making it a solid choice for a high-refresh-rate 1440p monitor. However, at 4K, the system falls short of a consistent 60 FPS experience on High settings, and only achieves 60 FPS on Medium. The limiting component is clearly the GTX 1080 Ti, as the CPU's performance headroom is evident from the large frame rate increases at lower resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database for Lockdown Protocol, this specific combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti ranks 1585 out of 2828 tested combos. This places it in the 56th percentile of all tested systems, meaning it outperforms a majority of configurations but is not near the top of the charts. The rank of 1585 suggests that while this system is capable, it is outclassed by many modern combinations featuring newer GPUs.

Given the GPU's performance percentile of 58, the combo rank is consistent with the graphics card being the primary determinant of game performance. The CPU's high percentile (90th) does not boost the combo rank significantly because the GPU is the limiting factor in this game. This means that a system with a weaker CPU but a stronger GPU would likely rank higher in this specific title.

The ranking indicates that the combo is a mid-pack performer. It is neither a low-end system nor a high-end one for this game. The data suggests that users with this combination should focus on settings optimization to achieve their desired frame rates, particularly at higher resolutions. The combo's rank is a reflection of the GPU's age and its inability to handle 4K Ultra settings, but it also shows that the system is far from obsolete, as it still delivers playable performance at 1080p and 1440p.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following is a detailed breakdown of the average frame rates measured for each resolution and settings preset.

At 1920x1080, the system achieves the highest frame rates. On Low settings, the average FPS is 180. On Medium settings, the average FPS is 128, with a minimum of 108 and a maximum of 147. On High settings, the average FPS is 111. On Ultra settings, the average FPS is 84. This shows a clear progression where higher settings reduce performance, but even at Ultra, the frame rate remains well above 60 FPS, providing a smooth experience.

At 2560x1440, the frame rates drop but remain playable. On Low settings, the average FPS is 132. On Medium settings, the average FPS is 94, with a minimum of 80 and a maximum of 108. On High settings, the average FPS is 82. On Ultra settings, the average FPS is 61. The Ultra setting is just above the 60 FPS threshold, which is a key metric for many gamers.

At 3840x2160, the system begins to struggle. On Low settings, the average FPS is 85. On Medium settings, the average FPS is 60, with a minimum of 51 and a maximum of 69. On High settings, the average FPS is 53. On Ultra settings, the average FPS is 40. The frame rates at 4K are below the ideal 60 FPS mark for all settings except Low, and even the Medium setting's average is exactly 60, which may have dips below that threshold based on the minimum of 51.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this system depend on the user's resolution and frame rate preferences.

For 1080p gaming, the system excels. Users can comfortably run the game on Ultra settings, achieving an average of 84 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS standard and suitable for a high refresh rate monitor. If a competitive edge is desired, dropping to High settings yields 111 FPS, or Low settings for 180 FPS. The data indicates that this resolution is where the combo is most powerful, with no settings preset presenting a challenge to the hardware.

For 1440p gaming, the system remains strong. High settings provide an average of 82 FPS, which is ideal for a 1440p 144Hz monitor. Ultra settings are also viable with an average of 61 FPS, though users sensitive to frame drops might prefer High for a more consistent experience. The Medium preset offers 94 FPS, and Low offers 132 FPS. The sweet spot for a balance between visual quality and performance is High, as it delivers a comfortable margin above 60 FPS while maintaining a high level of graphical fidelity.

For 4K gaming, the system is limited. The Low preset is the only one that provides a comfortable frame rate, averaging 85 FPS. The Medium preset averages 60 FPS, but the minimum of 51 FPS indicates that it may not hold a consistent 60 FPS at all times. High settings average 53 FPS, which is below the standard for smooth play, and Ultra averages 40 FPS, which is not recommended for a fluid experience. For a 4K display, the data suggests that users should stick to Low or Medium settings to maintain playable performance, accepting a reduction in visual quality to achieve acceptable frame rates.

In summary, the best experience at 1080p is found on Ultra settings, while at 1440p, High settings offer the best balance. At 4K, users must compromise and select Low or Medium settings to achieve a playable frame rate. The system's performance is consistently GPU-bound, so adjusting settings that affect resolution and pixel load will have the most significant impact on frame rate.