Lockdown Protocol

Lockdown Protocol, a 2024 FPS, presents a demanding workload that scales dramatically with both resolution and visual fidelity. The measured data for the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB reveals a system where the GPU is the primary bottleneck, a conclusion strongly supported by the performance deltas across the tested configurations. The combination of a high-end 24-core processor and a mid-range 8 GB graphics card creates a fascinating tension that is fully exposed by the benchmark results.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS drops from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160 are substantial and clearly indicate a system that is heavily reliant on the graphics processor. At High settings, the average frame rate falls from 136 FPS at 1080p to 99 FPS at 1440p, a reduction of 27.2%, and then further to 64 FPS at 4K, representing a 52.9% drop from the 1080p baseline. This steep decline is a classic sign of GPU limitation, as the rendering load on the graphics card increases exponentially with pixel count.

The pattern holds across all settings presets. At Low settings, the system achieves 219 FPS at 1080p, which drops to 160 FPS at 1440p (-26.9%) and then to 104 FPS at 4K (-52.5%). This consistent halving of performance from 1080p to 4K, regardless of the quality preset, is a strong indicator that the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB is the limiting component. The processor has ample headroom to feed frames, but the GPU cannot maintain the same level of output as the resolution climbs.

The scaling between 1080p and 1440p is also telling. The percentage drop in FPS is similar in magnitude to the drop from 1440p to 4K, though the absolute frame rate difference is smaller. This suggests that the GPU's memory bandwidth and compute resources are being saturated progressively. The data implies that at 1080p, the system is likely still somewhat CPU-bound in certain scenarios, but by 1440p, the GPU is unequivocally the primary constraint, a trend that only intensifies at 4K. The data shows a clear and predictable relationship between resolution and performance, with the GPU's capabilities being the deciding factor.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB plays the central role in this system's gaming performance, and its specifications directly explain the observed results. With 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, the card has a bandwidth of 288.0 GB/s. The card's boost clock is listed at 2535 MHz, and it features 4352 shading units. These specifications are modest for 4K gaming, and the benchmark data confirms this limitation.

The GPU's performance percentile of 19, relative to all other tested GPUs, places it in the lower tier of modern graphics cards. Its benchmark score in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 is 2913, which is nearly identical to its nearest rivals, including the NVIDIA RTX PRO 4000 Blackwell SFF (deltaPct 0.1) and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16 GB (deltaPct 0.2). This closeness in score suggests that the 8 GB memory capacity is not the sole differentiator; the underlying chip's compute power is a significant factor.

The data suggests that the 8 GB VRAM capacity is a critical constraint at higher resolutions and settings. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS falls to 48, which is the lowest recorded in the dataset. While the 128-bit memory bus is a known limitation, the data is clear: the GPU struggles to maintain fluid frame rates at 4K, particularly when texture quality and other memory-intensive settings are elevated. The card's End-of-life production status and its original launch MSRP of 399 USD position it as a 1080p-oriented part, and the measured results align perfectly with that assessment.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS rows, the optimal experience is found at 1920x1080 with High settings. This configuration yields an average of 136 FPS, which provides a smooth and responsive experience for a fast-paced FPS like Lockdown Protocol. This is a 33.3% improvement over Ultra settings at the same resolution, which only manages 102 FPS. The jump from Medium to High at 1080p is also efficient, with High delivering 136 FPS compared to Medium's 155 FPS.

For users with 1440p monitors, the data suggests that High settings are the most balanced choice. The system achieves 99 FPS at 2560x1440 with High, which is a playable frame rate. Dropping to Medium only yields a 15 FPS increase to 114 FPS, while the visual quality reduction may not be worth the modest performance gain. Ultra at 1440p should be avoided, as the 75 FPS average is significantly lower and may introduce more noticeable frame pacing issues.

The 4K resolution is not recommended for this combination, as even Low settings only produce 104 FPS, and the more visually appealing High preset drops to 64 FPS. The data indicates that this combo is not designed for 4K gaming. The best experience per the measured rows is unequivocally at 1080p, where the system can leverage its high-end CPU to push the GPU to its limits and maintain high frame rates. The Medium preset at 1080p, with a 155 FPS average and a minimum of 132 FPS, also represents a strong choice for competitive play where maximum frame rates are prioritized.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The complete dataset provides a detailed look at the system's performance across all tested configurations.

At 1920x1080, the system performs admirably. Low settings produce an average of 219 FPS. Medium settings yield 155 FPS, with a minimum of 132 and a maximum of 179 FPS. High settings deliver 136 FPS, and Ultra settings drop to 102 FPS. This shows a clear linear relationship between settings and performance, with a 117 FPS difference between Low and Ultra.

At 2560x1440, the performance scales down as expected. Low settings achieve 160 FPS. Medium settings average 114 FPS, with a minimum of 97 and a maximum of 131 FPS. High settings reduce the average to 99 FPS, while Ultra settings fall to 75 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra narrows to 85 FPS, reflecting the increased GPU load at this resolution.

At 3840x2160, the system's limitations are most apparent. Low settings produce 104 FPS. Medium settings average 74 FPS, with a minimum of 62 and a maximum of 85 FPS. High settings drop to 64 FPS, and Ultra settings bottom out at 48 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra is now just 56 FPS, confirming that the GPU is heavily saturated at this resolution, and the settings have a smaller relative impact on performance.

How This Combo Ranks

In the grand scheme of tested hardware combinations for Lockdown Protocol, this pairing of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB holds a rank of 1054 out of 2828 total combos. This places it in the upper half of tested systems, which is a respectable position, but it is not a top-tier performer. The rank of 1054 is a direct result of the GPU's mid-range capabilities, which hold back the otherwise powerful processor.

The CPU itself is a performance powerhouse. Its average benchmark score is 84003, which places it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs. It is marginally faster than its nearest rival, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, with a deltaPct of 0.2. This indicates that the CPU is not the limiting factor in this combination. The combo's rank is therefore a reflection of the GPU's standing, which is in the 19th percentile of all GPUs.

The data suggests that this combo is a classic case of a CPU/GPU imbalance. The processor has the potential to drive much more powerful graphics cards, but the RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB caps the overall system performance. The combo rank of 1054 out of 2828 reflects this, showing that while it outperforms many systems, it is not in the same league as those with high-end graphics cards.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this CPU/GPU combination in Lockdown Protocol?

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 is the optimal resolution, where the system achieves its highest frame rates. For example, at High settings, it delivers 136 FPS, compared to 99 FPS at 2560x1440 and 64 FPS at 3840x2160.

Q: How much performance is lost when moving from 1080p to 4K?

A: The performance loss is significant and consistent across settings. At High settings, the average FPS drops from 136 to 64, a 52.9% reduction. At Low settings, it drops from 219 to 104, a 52.5% reduction.

Q: Is the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus a bottleneck for the RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB?

A: No, the benchmark results indicate the opposite. The processor is highly capable, scoring in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, while the GPU is in the 19th percentile. The FPS drops with resolution are characteristic of a GPU bottleneck.

Q: Which graphics card is most similar in performance to the RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB?

A: Based on the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 benchmark, the NVIDIA RTX PRO 4000 Blackwell SFF is the closest rival, with a score of 2910 versus the RTX 4060 Ti's 2913, a deltaPct of 0.1.

Q: Should I play on Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: The data suggests caution. Ultra at 2560x1440 yields an average of 75 FPS, which is noticeably lower than the 99 FPS at High settings. For a smoother experience, High settings are recommended.

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1080p with Medium settings?

A: The measured average is 155 FPS, with a minimum of 132 FPS and a maximum of 179 FPS. This makes it a strong option for high-refresh-rate displays.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is a formidable processor that provides the foundation for this system. It features 24 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.80 GHz. This is a high-core-count CPU built on a 3 nm process, and its benchmark scores reflect its power. In Cinebench R23, it scores 51731 in multi-core and 7303 in single-core tests. These scores place it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, making it a top-tier part.

The processor's role in Lockdown Protocol appears to be one of an enabler rather than a limiter. Given that the FPS drops so consistently with resolution, the CPU is clearly capable of feeding the GPU with enough data. The Passmark multithread score of 60860 and the passmark single-thread score of 4823 indicate strong performance in both heavily threaded and lightly threaded workloads. This suggests that the CPU can handle the game's simulation and draw call overhead without becoming a bottleneck.

However, the data also shows that the CPU's potential is not fully utilized in this combination. Its avgBenchmarkScore of 84003 is only 0.2% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, showing that it is at the top of its class. Yet, the system's combo rank is 1054 out of 2828, which is dragged down by the GPU. The processor is a supercar engine in a car with standard tires; it has immense headroom, but the graphics card cannot translate that raw power into higher frame rates at higher resolutions. The CPU's role is to ensure that the GPU is never starved of data, and it performs this task admirably, allowing the system to hit 219 FPS at 1080p Low settings.