Lockdown Protocol

Lockdown Protocol is a fast-paced FPS that scales aggressively with both resolution and graphics presets. On the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090, the measured frame rates show a system that is overwhelmingly GPU-limited at higher resolutions, but which transitions into a more balanced state at 1080p where the CPU's capabilities become more relevant. The data indicates a wide performance envelope, from a highly playable 60 FPS at 4K Ultra to a blistering 274 FPS at 1080p Low, making this combo adaptable to both competitive and cinematic play styles.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate progression from 1080p to 4K reveals a classic pattern of GPU-bound scaling. At 1920x1080 with High settings, the combo delivers 170 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 drops that figure to 124 FPS, a 27% reduction, and then to 80 FPS at 3840x2160, a further 35% reduction from the 1440p result. This steep decline as pixel count increases is the signature of a system where the graphics card is the primary bottleneck; the RTX 5090 is being pushed harder with each resolution step, while the CPU's workload remains relatively constant.

The scaling under Low settings is even more telling. At 1080p Low, the system hits 274 FPS. At 1440p Low, it still manages 201 FPS, and at 4K Low, it drops to 129 FPS. The fact that 4K Low (129 FPS) is still faster than 1080p Ultra (127 FPS) underscores that the preset, which drives shading, texture, and lighting complexity, has a massive impact on the GPU's workload. The delta between 1080p Low and 1440p Low is 73 FPS, while the delta between 1440p Low and 4K Low is 72 FPS, showing a nearly linear cost for the additional pixels.

The most significant jump occurs when moving from 1440p to 4K, where the pixel count increases by 2.25 times. For High settings, this results in a 44 FPS drop (124 to 80). This is a larger absolute drop than the 46 FPS drop seen when going from 1080p to 1440p (170 to 124), despite the latter being a smaller pixel increase. This confirms that at 4K, the RTX 5090 is operating at its limits, especially with higher presets. The data suggests that for 4K gaming, users should expect a significant performance tax, with Medium settings (92 FPS) offering a much smoother experience than Ultra (60 FPS).

The scaling pattern also indicates that the CPU is not the limiting factor until very high frame rates are achieved. At 1080p Low, the 274 FPS result likely approaches the ceiling of what the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H can feed to the GPU, but the fact that it still achieves this high number shows that the 16-core processor is not holding the system back in most practical scenarios. The data shows a clear hierarchy: the GPU is the dominant constraint at 4K and 1440p, while the CPU becomes a more visible partner only at 1080p with lower settings.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra X7 368H is a 16-core, 16-thread mobile processor based on the Panther Lake architecture, with a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. In Lockdown Protocol, which is an FPS title, the CPU's role is to handle game logic, physics, and draw calls, while the GPU handles rendering. The benchmark results suggest that this CPU provides ample headroom for the RTX 5090 at most settings, as evidenced by the frame rates scaling primarily with resolution and preset rather than CPU-related bottlenecks.

At 4K, the CPU is clearly not a constraint. The difference between Low (129 FPS) and Ultra (60 FPS) at this resolution is entirely attributable to the GPU's rendering load. The CPU is capable of feeding the GPU with enough data to maintain these frame rates, but the GPU's pixel throughput is the limiting factor. This is typical for high-resolution gaming, where the GPU's fill rate and shader performance dominate.

The CPU's influence becomes more apparent at 1080p. The jump from 1080p High (170 FPS) to 1080p Low (274 FPS) is a 61% increase, which is larger than the corresponding jump at 1440p (124 to 201, a 62% increase) but similar in proportion. However, the absolute frame rates at 1080p are high enough that the CPU's single-thread performance, as indicated by a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3984, is sufficient to keep up. The data does not show any signs of a CPU-imposed frame rate cap, as the 274 FPS result is well above typical 144Hz or 240Hz display refresh rates.

Comparing the CPU to its nearest rivals, the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H has an average benchmark score of 40518, which is within 0.2% of the AMD Ryzen 9 7940H (40431) and the Intel Xeon 6507P (40426). It is slightly behind the Intel Core 7 253PE (40557) by 0.1%. This indicates that in multi-threaded workloads, the chip is competitive with these alternatives. In a game like Lockdown Protocol, which may not use all 16 cores, the strong single-thread performance (Cinebench R23 score of 3984) is likely more relevant, and the data suggests it is not a weak point.

The processor's 18 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel LPDDR5X memory support with 153.6 GB/s bandwidth are sufficient to avoid memory-related stutters in the measured results. The FPS data, particularly the min FPS values recorded for Medium settings (78 FPS at 4K, 121 FPS at 1440p, 165 FPS at 1080p), show consistent frame delivery without severe dips that would indicate a CPU bottleneck. Overall, the CPU role in this combo is to provide a stable, high-throughput platform that allows the RTX 5090 to perform at its full potential, particularly at lower resolutions where the GPU is less saturated.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data provides clear guidance on which preset offers the best experience based on the target resolution. For users with a 4K display, the choice is between visual fidelity and smoothness. Ultra settings produce an average of 60 FPS, which is often considered the minimum for a playable experience in a fast-paced FPS, but it leaves no headroom for drops. High settings at 4K improve this to 80 FPS, offering a better balance, but Medium settings at 92 FPS with a minimum of 78 FPS is the most compelling option. The Medium preset at 4K provides a 53% performance increase over Ultra while likely retaining most of the visual impact, making it the recommended choice for 4K displays.

At 2560x1440, the situation is more comfortable. High settings deliver 124 FPS, which is excellent for high-refresh-rate monitors. Medium settings push this to 142 FPS, and Low reaches 201 FPS. For competitive play, Low settings at 1440p provide a significant advantage with frame rates above 200 FPS. However, for a balance of visual quality and performance, High settings at 1440p are recommended, as they offer a substantial visual upgrade over Low while still maintaining a very high frame rate that exceeds most 120Hz and 144Hz displays.

For 1080p users, the CPU and GPU combo is powerful enough to maximize frame rates. Ultra settings yield 127 FPS, which is playable but not optimal for high-refresh-rate displays. High settings increase this to 170 FPS, which is a sweet spot for 144Hz monitors. Low settings achieve 274 FPS, which is beneficial for 240Hz or 360Hz competitive panels, but the visual compromise is significant. The data suggests that High settings at 1080p offer the best overall experience, providing a smooth, high-frame-rate experience without sacrificing the graphical details that make the game more immersive.

The Medium preset at 1080p offers 194 FPS with a minimum of 165 FPS, which is also a strong choice for high-refresh gaming. However, given that the step from Medium to High only costs 24 FPS (194 to 170) while likely providing a noticeable visual uplift, High is the better value for most players. The recommendation is clear: prioritize Medium or High settings for a consistent, smooth experience, and reserve Low settings for scenarios where maximum frame rates are the sole objective, such as esports-level competitive play.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested hardware combinations for Lockdown Protocol, the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 pairing ranks 541st out of 2828 total combos. This places it in the top 19.1% of all tested configurations, indicating a very strong performer. The rank is a composite measure that likely accounts for performance across various resolutions and settings, and this combo's ability to deliver high frame rates at 4K and exceptionally high frame rates at 1080p contributes to its high placement.

The rank of 541 out of 2828 means that the combo outperforms the vast majority of other systems. This is expected given the high-end nature of the RTX 5090, which is in the 92nd percentile of all GPUs. The CPU, while not top-tier in its own right (87th percentile), is sufficient to support the GPU's capabilities. The data suggests that this is a well-balanced high-end combo that would not be a bottleneck for most gaming scenarios.

While the combo ranks high, it is not at the absolute top, which suggests that there are other combinations that can achieve even higher frame rates in this title. This could be due to CPUs with higher single-thread performance or platforms with faster memory. However, the measured results show that this combo is capable of exceeding 200 FPS at 1080p and maintaining over 60 FPS at 4K Ultra, which are excellent results by any standard. The rank confirms that buyers of this hardware are getting a top-tier gaming experience.

The deltaPct values from the nearest rivals show that the CPU's performance is very close to its competitors, with all deltas within 0.2%. This implies that the CPU is not a differentiator in this combo's ranking; the GPU is the primary driver of the high rank. The RTX 5090's nearest rivals, such as the AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT, have a 1.1% lower average score, which supports the conclusion that the GPU's raw power is the key factor in achieving this high combo rank.

FAQ

Q: What is the maximum average FPS this combo can achieve in Lockdown Protocol?

A: The highest measured average frame rate is 274 FPS, which is achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming smoothly?

A: Yes, it can. At 4K with Medium settings, it averages 92 FPS with a minimum of 78 FPS. At High settings, it averages 80 FPS, and at Ultra, it averages 60 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its direct competitors?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X7 368H has an average benchmark score of 40518. This is 0.1% lower than the Intel Core 7 253PE (40557) and 0.2% lower than the Intel Core 5 223PE (40585), but 0.2% higher than the AMD Ryzen 9 7940H (40431).

Q: Is the RTX 5090 a high-performing GPU relative to others?

A: Yes, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 is in the 92nd percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 79842, showing it outperforms the vast majority of graphics cards.

Q: What is the frame rate difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, Low settings average 201 FPS, while Ultra settings average 93 FPS. This represents a 108 FPS difference, with Low settings being nearly 2.2 times faster.

Q: Does the system maintain good minimum frame rates?

A: The data shows solid minimum frame rates. At 4K Medium, the minimum is 78 FPS, at 1440p Medium, it is 121 FPS, and at 1080p Medium, it is 165 FPS, indicating consistent performance without major stutters.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table details the exact average frame rates measured for each resolution and settings combination.

| Resolution | Settings | Average FPS | Min FPS | Max FPS |

|------------|----------|-------------|---------|---------|

| 3840x2160 | High | 80 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Low | 129 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Medium | 92 | 78 | 106 |

| 3840x2160 | Ultra | 60 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | High | 124 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Low | 201 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Medium | 142 | 121 | 164 |

| 2560x1440 | Ultra | 93 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | High | 170 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Low | 274 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Medium | 194 | 165 | 223 |

| 1920x1080 | Ultra | 127 | - | - |

At 4K, the spread from Ultra to Low is 69 FPS, showing a massive performance range. At 1440p, the spread is 108 FPS, and at 1080p, it is 147 FPS. This increasing spread at lower resolutions indicates that the CPU is capable of pushing much higher frame rates when the GPU load is reduced. The data shows that the Medium preset consistently provides a balanced experience, with the minimum FPS figures for this preset being the only ones recorded, suggesting it is a stable choice across all resolutions.