Lockdown Protocol

Lockdown Protocol is a fast-paced FPS that stresses both the CPU and GPU, and the combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER produces a specific performance profile. The data shows a system that is clearly capable of delivering playable frame rates at 1080p, but the performance ceiling and the relationship between resolution and settings reveal a classic pairing of a modern, strong processor with an older, mid-range graphics card. The results provide a clear picture of where this combo excels and where it hits its limits.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a steep and predictable drop in performance as resolution increases from 1080p to 4K. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 123 FPS, which is a very high frame rate that suggests a significant amount of headroom. Moving to 1440p at the same Low settings, the average FPS drops to 90, a reduction of roughly 27%. At 4K with Low settings, the average falls further to 58 FPS, which is a 53% decrease from the 1080p result. This scaling pattern indicates that the GTX 1660 SUPER is the primary bottleneck as resolution climbs, as the workload on the GPU increases substantially with each pixel count jump.

The gap between resolutions becomes even more pronounced when considering the High preset. At 1080p High, the system averages 76 FPS. At 1440p High, it drops to 56 FPS, and at 4K High, it falls to 36 FPS. The consistent and significant frame rate loss at each step confirms that the limiting component is the graphics card. The CPU, a 14-core Arrow Lake part, is far less likely to be the constraint at higher resolutions, as the increased pixel count puts more strain on the GPU's shading units and memory bandwidth. The data suggests that 1080p is the sweet spot for this pairing, with 1440p being a viable option for 60 FPS gameplay only on the lower presets, and 4K being generally too demanding for smooth play.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER is the defining component in this combo's performance, and its specifications explain the resolution scaling observed. The card features 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 336.0 GB/s. This memory configuration is a significant factor; at 4K, the higher resolution textures and larger frame buffers can put pressure on the memory capacity and bandwidth. The 6 GB capacity is a potential limitation in modern titles at high resolutions, and the benchmark results reflect this, with the card struggling to maintain high frame rates at 4K.

Clock speeds also play a role. The GPU has a base clock of 1530 MHz and a boost clock of 1785 MHz. These are decent figures for the card's class, but they are not high enough to overcome the raw compute demands of 4K rendering. The card's 1408 shading units and 48 ROPs are responsible for pixel processing, and at 4K, the sheer number of pixels to process overwhelms these units. The 5.027 TFLOPS of FP32 compute performance is a measure of the card's raw math throughput, and it is insufficient for demanding 4K workloads. The benchmark results indicate that the GTX 1660 SUPER is best utilized at 1080p, where its performance is strong, and that it can manage 1440p with reduced settings. The card sits at the 53rd percentile for all GPUs, and it is closely matched with rivals like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Mobile and AMD Radeon RX 580, which have similar average benchmark scores.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested system combinations for Lockdown Protocol, this specific pairing of the Core Ultra 5 245 and GTX 1660 SUPER ranks at 2425 out of 2828 combos. This places it in the lower percentile of all tested configurations, indicating that while it is a functional system, it is not among the top performers for this game. This ranking is heavily influenced by the GPU's age and performance tier, as the GTX 1660 SUPER is a previous-generation part that is now end-of-life.

The CPU, on the other hand, is a modern, high-performance part. It ranks in the 90th percentile for all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 48995. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G and the AMD Ryzen 9 7900, with which it is nearly identical in overall score (delta of -0.4% and -0.5% respectively). This shows that the processor is a top-tier component that is not holding back the system. The low combo rank is therefore almost entirely due to the GPU's limitations. The data suggests that a system builder with this CPU would see a massive performance uplift in Lockdown Protocol by pairing it with a more powerful graphics card, as the processor has the headroom to drive much higher frame rates.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive look at the combo's performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the combo shows its best performance. With Low settings, it averages 123 FPS, offering a very smooth experience. Medium settings reduce the average to 87 FPS, with a minimum of 74 FPS and a maximum of 100 FPS, which is still excellent for fast-paced gameplay. High settings average 76 FPS, a further step down but still comfortably playable. Ultra settings are the most demanding, yielding an average of 57 FPS. This shows that at 1080p, the system can handle even the highest settings, though the jump from High to Ultra costs a significant 19 FPS on average.

At 2560x1440, the strain on the GPU becomes more apparent. The Low preset averages 90 FPS, which is still very good. Medium settings bring the average down to 64 FPS, with a minimum of 54 FPS and a maximum of 73 FPS. This is a playable experience, but the frame rate is no longer as high as at 1080p. High settings average 56 FPS, which is close to the 60 FPS target but may dip in busy scenes. Ultra settings average just 42 FPS, which is not ideal for a competitive FPS. The data shows that at 1440p, the user must sacrifice settings to achieve a high refresh rate experience.

At 3840x2160, the combo is severely GPU-bound. Low settings are the only viable option for a somewhat smooth experience, averaging 58 FPS. Medium settings drop to an average of 41 FPS, with a minimum of 35 FPS and a maximum of 47 FPS, which is a noticeable stutter. High settings average 36 FPS, and Ultra settings drop to just 27 FPS. The performance at 4K is not suitable for serious play, as the frame rates are too low for a fast-paced shooter. The data clearly indicates that 4K is not a realistic target for this GPU.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 plays a supporting role in this combo, but it is a very capable one. The processor has 14 cores and 14 threads, running at a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. This is a significant amount of processing power for a desktop CPU, and its benchmark scores reflect this. In Cinebench R23, it scores 32924 points in the multicore test and 4648 points in the single-core test. This strong single-core performance is crucial for gaming, as most games, including FPS titles like Lockdown Protocol, do not scale perfectly with an unlimited number of cores but rely heavily on fast single-threaded performance.

The CPU's high boost clock of 5.10 GHz ensures that it can handle the game's logic and physics calculations quickly, preventing it from becoming a bottleneck. The data shows that at 1080p Low, the system achieves 123 FPS, which is a high frame rate that demonstrates the CPU's ability to feed the GPU with enough data to keep it busy. However, at higher resolutions, the CPU's role diminishes as the GPU becomes the primary constraint. The processor's 24 MB of shared L3 cache and support for DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s provide a solid foundation for system performance. The CPU's 90th percentile ranking confirms that it is not the weak link in this pairing; the GPU is clearly the component that limits the overall gaming experience in Lockdown Protocol.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend entirely on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For players with a 1080p monitor, the High preset at an average of 76 FPS offers the best balance of visual quality and performance. It provides a significant visual upgrade over Medium (87 FPS) without a massive performance hit, and it is much smoother than Ultra (57 FPS). For those with a high refresh rate 1080p monitor (144Hz or higher), the Medium preset, averaging 87 FPS, is a strong choice to get closer to that refresh rate, while Low settings at 123 FPS are the only way to get the absolute maximum frame rate.

For 1440p gaming, the data suggests that the Medium preset is the best option for a playable experience, averaging 64 FPS. This provides a good frame rate that is close to the 60 FPS target, with a minimum of 54 FPS that should be mostly smooth. The High preset at 56 FPS is also an option for those who prioritize visual fidelity, but it may feel less consistent. The Low preset at 90 FPS is the best choice for competitive play where frame rate is more important than graphics, and it offers a very smooth experience. Ultra settings at 42 FPS are not recommended, as the frame rate is too low for a fast-paced FPS.

At 4K, the data is clear: this combo is not suited for high-quality gameplay. The Low preset at 58 FPS is the only playable option, and even it is not ideal. The Medium preset at 41 FPS and High at 36 FPS are not smooth enough for a shooter. The recommendation is to avoid 4K with this GPU unless you are playing a slower-paced game. For Lockdown Protocol, the best experience is achieved at 1080p or 1440p with Medium or High settings, with the Low preset reserved for maximum performance. The data consistently shows that the GTX 1660 SUPER is best utilized at lower resolutions, where it can deliver the frame rates needed for a competitive edge.