Lockdown Protocol

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is the computational anchor of this test rig, and its specifications align closely with the frame rates observed in Lockdown Protocol. This processor is a 24-core, 24-thread desktop part from the Core Ultra Series 2 family, built on Intel's Arrow Lake Refresh architecture using a 3 nm process from TSMC. It operates with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and can boost up to 5.80 GHz. In the broader hardware landscape, this CPU sits in the 96th percentile, indicating it outperforms the vast majority of tested processors. Its average benchmark score of 84003 places it in a tight cluster of high-end rivals: it is 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, 1.1% ahead of the AMD EPYC 4584PX, and 1.2% ahead of the AMD EPYC 9135, while trailing the AMD EPYC 7F72 by 1.3%.

For Lockdown Protocol, a fast-paced FPS, the processor's high single-thread performance is critical. The data shows a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 7303, which directly supports the high frame rates seen at lower resolutions where the CPU often dictates the ceiling. The 24 cores and 36 MB of shared L3 cache provide substantial multi-threaded headroom, evidenced by a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 51731. In this game, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and handle game logic; the benchmark results suggest that at 1080p, the CPU is more than capable of pushing well beyond 200 frames per second, as seen in the Low preset's 214 FPS average. The processor's memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s via dual-channel DDR5 also helps prevent bottlenecks in data-heavy scenes. The 290K Plus's performance in this rig is effectively a non-issue; it provides a stable platform that allows the GPU to be the primary variable in frame rate scaling.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 is the graphics workhorse in this configuration, and its characteristics directly explain the performance envelope in Lockdown Protocol. This Ampere-architecture GPU, built on Samsung's 8 nm process, features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. With a base clock of 1500 MHz and a boost clock of 1725 MHz, the card is positioned in the 61st percentile of all GPUs. Its average benchmark score of 17208 places it in close competition with the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT, which it leads by 0.7%, and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690, which it beats by 1.0%. It also holds a 1.1% advantage over the AMD Radeon HD 7970M, while trailing the NVIDIA Tesla K40c by 1.5%.

The 8 GB VRAM capacity is a defining factor. The measured FPS data reveals that the RTX 3070 can handle Lockdown Protocol at 4K with a 63 FPS average on High settings, but this is likely near the limit of its memory capacity and compute power. The GPU's 5888 shading units and 184 texture mapping units deliver a texture rate of 317.4 GTexel/s, which is sufficient for the game's visual demands at 1440p. The card's DirectX 12 Ultimate support (12_2) ensures compatibility with modern rendering features. However, the data suggests that the RTX 3070's performance is the main constraint at higher resolutions. While the CPU can push 214 FPS at 1080p Low, the GPU's output at 4K Ultra drops to 47 FPS, showing that the graphics card's raw processing power becomes the limiting factor as resolution increases.

Resolution Scaling

The resolution scaling data for this combination reveals a classic shift in bottleneck from the CPU to the GPU as pixel count increases. At 1080p, the system is heavily CPU-bound. The average FPS on Low settings is 214, which is a very high frame rate that the RTX 3070 can produce when the CPU is feeding it data quickly. Moving to 2560x1440, the same Low preset yields a 157 FPS average, a 26.6% drop from 1080p. This indicates that the GPU is starting to become more involved, but the CPU still has headroom to spare.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is unequivocally the limiting component. The Low preset average drops to 101 FPS, which is a 52.8% reduction from the 1080p Low score. This steep decline shows that the RTX 3070's compute and memory bandwidth are being saturated by the 4K resolution. The trend is consistent across all settings. For example, on High settings, the FPS drops from 133 at 1080p to 97 at 1440p (a 27.1% decrease) and then to 63 at 4K (a 52.6% decrease from 1080p). The data clearly shows that the 290K Plus is not the bottleneck at higher resolutions; the RTX 3070's performance scaling is the dominant factor in determining the final frame rate. The 24-core CPU is simply waiting for the GPU to finish its work.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured frame rates for Lockdown Protocol with this hardware are detailed below. The data indicates that the system is capable of high refresh rate gaming at 1080p, solid performance at 1440p, and playable but less demanding frame rates at 4K.

1920x1080:

• Low: The average FPS is 214. This is the highest score in the entire dataset, indicating a very CPU-limited scenario where the RTX 3070 has ample headroom.
• Medium: The average FPS is 152, with a minimum of 129 and a maximum of 175. This represents a 29.0% drop from Low, showing the impact of increased graphical fidelity.
• High: The average FPS is 133. This is a solid score for competitive play, though it is 37.9% lower than the Low preset.
• Ultra: The average FPS is 99. This is the lowest score at 1080p, but still comfortably above 60 FPS, showing the GPU is beginning to work harder.

2560x1440:

• Low: The average FPS is 157. This is a significant drop from the 1080p Low score, showing the GPU is becoming more of a factor.
• Medium: The average FPS is 111, with a minimum of 95 and a maximum of 128. This is a 26.6% reduction from the Low preset at this resolution.
• High: The average FPS is 97. This is a playable frame rate for most users, but it is 27.1% lower than the 1080p High score.
• Ultra: The average FPS is 73. This is still a smooth experience, but it shows the GPU is being pushed harder at this resolution.

3840x2160:

• Low: The average FPS is 101. This is a surprisingly high score for 4K, but it still represents a 52.8% drop from the 1080p Low preset.
• Medium: The average FPS is 72, with a minimum of 61 and a maximum of 83. The minimum FPS of 61 indicates that the system can occasionally dip close to 60 FPS, making it a borderline experience for a 60 Hz display.
• High: The average FPS is 63. This is the first preset where the average FPS drops below the 60 FPS threshold, indicating a clear GPU bottleneck.
• Ultra: The average FPS is 47. This is the most demanding configuration, and the frame rate is not ideal for fast-paced gameplay.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for competitive play with this hardware?

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 with the Low preset yields a 214 FPS average, which is ideal for high refresh rate monitors. Even on High at 1080p, the 133 FPS average is sufficient for most competitive scenarios.

*Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Lockdown Protocol?*

A: Yes, but with compromises. At 4K with High settings, the average FPS is 63, which is playable. However, the Ultra preset drops to 47 FPS, and the Medium preset has a minimum FPS of 61, suggesting that the 8 GB VRAM and GPU compute are limiting factors at this resolution.

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

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus has an average benchmark score of 84003. It is 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and 1.1% ahead of the AMD EPYC 4584PX, while being 1.3% behind the AMD EPYC 7F72.

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

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 has an average benchmark score of 17208. It leads the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT by 0.7% and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 by 1.0%, while trailing the NVIDIA Tesla K40c by 1.5%.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the primary bottleneck at 1440p?

A: At 1440p, the GPU is becoming the primary bottleneck. The Low preset yields 157 FPS, which is high, but the scaling from 1080p (214 FPS) shows a 26.6% drop, indicating the GPU's performance is starting to limit the frame rate. The CPU is still capable of higher output.

Q: What is the lowest FPS recorded in the entire dataset?

A: The lowest recorded average FPS is 47, which occurs at 3840x2160 resolution with the Ultra settings preset. This is the only configuration that drops below 60 FPS.

Settings Recommendations

The measured data suggests that the optimal experience depends heavily on the user's display and performance goals. For users with a 144 Hz or higher refresh rate monitor, the 1920x1080 resolution with the Low preset is the clear winner, providing a 214 FPS average that will fully utilize high refresh rate displays. The High preset at 1080p, with a 133 FPS average, is a strong alternative for those who want better visuals without sacrificing too much competitive edge. The Medium preset at 1080p, with a 152 FPS average, also offers a good balance.

For users on a 1440p monitor, the Low preset provides a 157 FPS average, which is excellent for fast-paced play. The Medium preset, with a 111 FPS average, is a solid choice for a mix of visual quality and performance, and its minimum FPS of 95 ensures a smooth experience. The High preset at 1440p, with a 97 FPS average, is still very playable and provides a better visual experience than the Low preset. The Ultra preset at 1440p, at 73 FPS, is best reserved for immersive, slower-paced sections of the game.

At 4K, the options are more limited. The Low preset, with a 101 FPS average, is surprisingly playable and is the recommended choice for high frame rates at this resolution. The Medium preset, with a 72 FPS average and a minimum of 61, is acceptable for a 60 Hz display but shows signs of strain. The High preset, at 63 FPS, is right at the edge of playability for a 60 Hz display, while the Ultra preset, at 47 FPS, should be avoided for competitive play. Overall, the data indicates that the best experience for most users will be at 1440p with the High or Medium preset, providing a strong balance of visual fidelity and frame rate, or at 1080p with High settings for maximum responsiveness.