Lockdown Protocol

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER pairing delivers a playable but ultimately GPU-limited experience in Lockdown Protocol across most settings. The data shows a clear pattern: as resolution increases, the average frame rate drops steeply, indicating that the graphics card is the primary bottleneck in this combination. While the CPU provides ample headroom, the RTX 2070 SUPER’s performance ceiling is reached quickly at higher resolutions, making it the defining component of this system for this title.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a consistent and predictable scaling curve from 1080p to 4K. At the High preset, the average frame rate drops from 109 FPS at 1920x1080 to 80 FPS at 2560x1440, and finally to 51 FPS at 3840x2160. This represents a 53% reduction in performance when moving from 1080p to 4K, which is a substantial hit that strongly suggests the GPU is the limiting factor. The frame rate does not scale linearly with pixel count, as the reduction in FPS (109 to 51) is proportionally larger than the increase in pixel count would suggest if the CPU were the bottleneck.

Examining the Low preset reinforces this analysis. At 1920x1080, the system achieves 175 FPS, which drops to 129 FPS at 2560x1440 and 83 FPS at 3840x2160. The absolute drop of 92 FPS from 1080p to 4K indicates that even when graphical load is minimized, the GPU cannot sustain high frame rates at higher resolutions. If the CPU were the limiting component, we would expect to see a much smaller delta between resolutions, as the CPU's workload would remain relatively constant. Instead, the significant scaling penalty points directly to the RTX 2070 SUPER being saturated.

The Medium preset provides additional context with minimum and maximum frame rate data. At 1920x1080, the average is 125 FPS with a minimum of 106 FPS and a maximum of 143 FPS. At 2560x1440, this drops to an average of 91 FPS (78 min, 105 max), and at 3840x2160, it falls to 59 FPS (50 min, 68 max). The spread between minimum and maximum FPS narrows as resolution increases, which is typical of a GPU-bound scenario where the frame time becomes more consistent under sustained load. The data shows that at 4K Medium, the minimum FPS of 50 is still above the 30 FPS threshold for basic playability but may feel inconsistent.

The Ultra preset shows the most severe impact. The average frame rate falls from 82 FPS at 1080p to 60 FPS at 1440p and 39 FPS at 4K. This 43 FPS drop between 1080p and 4K represents a 52% reduction in performance, further confirming that the GPU is heavily taxed by the highest settings. The data indicates that the RTX 2070 SUPER, with its 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and 448.0 GB/s bandwidth, cannot keep pace with the demands of Lockdown Protocol at Ultra settings when the resolution increases. The limiting component is unequivocally the graphics card, as the CPU's 24 cores and 5.50 GHz boost clock provide far more processing power than this game can utilize at these frame rates.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER achieves a rank of 1634 out of 2828 tested combos in Lockdown Protocol. This places the system in the bottom half of all tested configurations, which is a surprising result given the individual component specifications. The percentile data for the CPU shows it outperforms 96% of all tested CPUs, while the GPU outperforms only 65% of tested GPUs. This disparity directly explains the overall ranking: the system is held back by the graphics card, which is a mid-range performer relative to the CPU's high-end positioning.

The combo rank of 1634 out of 2828 means that approximately 58% of tested combinations perform better in this specific game. This is a significant underperformance for a CPU that ranks in the 96th percentile. The data suggests that Lockdown Protocol is heavily GPU-dependent, and the RTX 2070 SUPER's relative weakness prevents the powerful CPU from contributing to higher frame rates. In games that are more CPU-intensive, this pairing would likely rank much higher, but the benchmark results show that this title does not benefit from the CPU's strengths.

Comparing the GPU to its nearest rivals provides context for its performance tier. The RTX 2070 SUPER has an average benchmark score of 20282, which is nearly identical to the NVIDIA Quadro M4000M (20480, deltaPct -1). This places it in the same performance class as older professional-grade hardware. The GPU is also within 1.5% of the Intel Arc B570 (20556) and 1.5% of the Intel Arc A750 (20582). These rival comparisons indicate that the RTX 2070 SUPER is a competent but not exceptional performer, and its age is showing in modern titles like Lockdown Protocol.

The CPU, on the other hand, is a powerhouse. Its average benchmark score of 93785 places it in the 96th percentile, and it is statistically tied with the Intel Xeon 6520P (93786, deltaPct 0). It trails the AMD EPYC 4564P by only 1.5% and the AMD EPYC 9175F by 1.9%. These are server-class processors, highlighting the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus's substantial compute capabilities. However, these capabilities are largely irrelevant for Lockdown Protocol, as the game's performance is gated by the GPU, resulting in the modest 1634th overall ranking.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to use with this CPU and GPU combination?

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the system consistently exceeds 100 FPS across most settings. At this resolution, the High preset achieves 109 FPS, Medium achieves 125 FPS, and Low achieves 175 FPS. At 2560x1440, only the Low preset breaks the 100 FPS barrier with 129 FPS, while High and Medium fall to 80 FPS and 91 FPS respectively.

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

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has an average benchmark score of 93785, which places it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs. It is statistically tied with the Intel Xeon 6520P (93786, deltaPct 0) and trails the AMD EPYC 4564P by just 1.5% (95183). This indicates the CPU is not the limiting factor in this game.

Q: Is the RTX 2070 SUPER a bottleneck for Lockdown Protocol?

A: Yes, the data clearly indicates the GPU is the limiting component. The GPU ranks in the 65th percentile (average score 20282), while the CPU ranks in the 96th percentile. The steep FPS drops as resolution increases, from 175 FPS at 1080p Low to 83 FPS at 4K Low, confirm that the graphics card cannot keep up with the CPU's capabilities.

Q: What is the overall ranking of this combo among all tested systems?

A: This combination ranks 1634th out of 2828 tested combos in Lockdown Protocol. This places it in the bottom 42% of systems, which is directly attributable to the GPU's mid-range performance relative to the CPU's high-end positioning.

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

A: The RTX 2070 SUPER has an average benchmark score of 20282. It is 1% slower than the NVIDIA Quadro M4000M (20480) and 1.2% slower than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (20534). It also trails the Intel Arc B570 by 1.3% (20556) and the Intel Arc A750 by 1.5% (20582).

Q: Can the system achieve 60 FPS at 4K resolution?

A: The data shows that 60 FPS at 3840x2160 is only achievable at the Medium preset, where the average is 59 FPS (with a minimum of 50 FPS and maximum of 68 FPS). The High preset falls to 51 FPS, and Ultra drops to 39 FPS, so 60 FPS at 4K is only marginally possible on Medium settings.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data provides clear guidance for optimal settings at each resolution. For players targeting 1920x1080, the Medium preset offers the best balance of performance and visual quality, with an average of 125 FPS and a minimum of 106 FPS. This provides a smooth experience that exceeds the 60 FPS threshold with significant headroom. The High preset is also viable at 109 FPS average, but the Medium preset's higher minimum frame rate (106 FPS vs. no min data for High) suggests more consistent frame pacing. The Low preset at 175 FPS is excessive for most displays and sacrifices too much visual fidelity.

At 2560x1440, the Medium preset again emerges as the recommended choice, delivering an average of 91 FPS with a minimum of 78 FPS. This is comfortably above 60 FPS and provides a good experience for competitive play. The High preset at 80 FPS average is also acceptable, but the Medium preset's minimum of 78 FPS versus the unknown minimum for High suggests better frame consistency. The Low preset at 129 FPS is suitable for high-refresh-rate monitors, but the visual trade-offs may not be worth it for most players. The Ultra preset at 60 FPS is borderline, and the lack of minimum FPS data makes it a riskier choice.

At 3840x2160, the options are limited. The Medium preset is the only viable choice for a playable experience, with an average of 59 FPS and a minimum of 50 FPS. This will be playable but may experience occasional dips below 60 FPS. The High preset at 51 FPS is playable but not ideal, while the Ultra preset at 39 FPS is too low for a smooth experience. The Low preset at 83 FPS is surprisingly strong, suggesting that if visual quality is not a priority, it offers the best 4K performance. For most users, the Medium preset at 4K provides the best compromise between visual quality and playability.

The data shows a clear pattern: the Medium preset consistently offers the best performance-to-quality ratio across all resolutions. It provides the highest minimum frame rates in the measured data, which is crucial for avoiding stutter and maintaining smooth gameplay in a fast-paced FPS. The High and Ultra presets show diminishing returns, with significant FPS drops that are not justified by the graphical improvements. Players should prioritize the Medium preset unless they have a high-refresh-rate monitor at 1080p, in which case the High preset or Low preset may be more appropriate.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the system's performance is strong across all settings. The Low preset achieves an average of 175 FPS, which is the highest measured frame rate for this combination. The Medium preset delivers 125 FPS average, with a minimum of 106 FPS and a maximum of 143 FPS, providing a wide but stable range. The High preset achieves 109 FPS average, while the Ultra preset drops to 82 FPS average. This represents a 53% reduction in performance from Low to Ultra at 1080p, showing that the GPU is still somewhat taxed even at the lowest resolution.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance degrades noticeably. The Low preset averages 129 FPS, which remains above 120 FPS but represents a 26% drop from the 1080p equivalent. The Medium preset averages 91 FPS, with a minimum of 78 FPS and a maximum of 105 FPS, showing a tighter range than at 1080p. The High preset achieves 80 FPS average, and the Ultra preset falls to 60 FPS average. The drop from Low to Ultra at 1440p is 53%, consistent with the scaling at 1080p, indicating the GPU's relative performance ceiling.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain high frame rates. The Low preset is the only one to exceed 60 FPS, with an average of 83 FPS. The Medium preset averages 59 FPS, with a minimum of 50 FPS and a maximum of 68 FPS, which is a narrow range that suggests sustained GPU load. The High preset drops to 51 FPS average, and the Ultra preset falls to 39 FPS average. The scaling from 1440p to 4K shows a 36% reduction for the Low preset (129 to 83), a 35% reduction for Medium (91 to 59), a 36% reduction for High (80 to 51), and a 35% reduction for Ultra (60 to 39). This consistent reduction across all settings confirms that the GPU is the limiting factor, as the performance penalty is uniform regardless of graphical complexity.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is a formidable processor with 24 cores and 24 threads, a base clock of 3.70 GHz, and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. Its benchmark scores are exceptional, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 44253 and a single-core score of 2439. The PassMark multi-thread score of 68574 and single-thread score of 5068 further demonstrate its capabilities. The CPU has 36 MB of shared L3 cache and 3 MB of L2 cache per core, providing ample fast memory for game logic and physics calculations.

However, in Lockdown Protocol, the CPU's role is secondary. The data shows that the system ranks 1634th out of 2828 combos, which is far below what the CPU's 96th percentile ranking would suggest. This indicates that the game is not CPU-bound, and the processor's 24 cores are largely underutilized. The CPU's 5.50 GHz boost clock provides excellent single-threaded performance for game engine tasks, but the frame rates are limited by the GPU's ability to render frames, not the CPU's ability to calculate game state.

The CPU's memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s and support for DDR5 memory ensure that data can be fed to the GPU quickly, but this is not the bottleneck. The Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 24461 and single-core score of 3453 show that the CPU can handle even the most demanding computational workloads, but Lockdown Protocol does not present such a challenge. The CPU's 3 nm process node and 17,800 million transistors make it a highly efficient processor, but this efficiency does not translate to higher frame rates when the GPU is the limiting factor. The nearestRivals data shows the CPU is on par with server-class Xeon and EPYC processors, yet the combo's rank of 1634 indicates that the CPU's power is wasted without a stronger GPU.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER is the primary determinant of performance in Lockdown Protocol for this combination. It features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing 448.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The GPU has 2560 shading units, 160 texture mapping units, and 64 raster output units, along with 40 ray tracing cores and 320 tensor cores. Its base clock is 1605 MHz with a boost clock of 1770 MHz, and the memory runs at 14 Gbps effective. The GPU's 9.062 TFLOPS of FP32 performance places it in the mid-range tier of graphics cards.

The benchmark data shows the RTX 2070 SUPER in the 65th percentile of all GPUs, with an average score of 20282. This is a modest position, and its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA Quadro M4000M (20480, deltaPct -1) and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (20534, deltaPct -1.2). The Intel Arc B570 (20556, deltaPct -1.3) and Intel Arc A750 (20582, deltaPct -1.5) are also close competitors. This places the RTX 2070 SUPER in a competitive but not leading position, and its age is evident in modern game titles.

In Lockdown Protocol, the GPU's 8 GB of VRAM is a critical factor. At 4K resolution, the Ultra preset drops to 39 FPS average, which suggests that the VRAM capacity or bandwidth is being saturated. The 448.0 GB/s memory bandwidth is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but at 4K, the increased texture and geometry data taxes the memory subsystem. The GPU's boost clock of 1770 MHz provides reasonable performance, but it cannot overcome the inherent limitations of the 12 nm Turing architecture. The PassMark G3D score of 18169 and DirectX 12 score of 67 indicate that the GPU is capable but not exceptional, and the measured FPS data confirms that it is the bottleneck in this system.