Lockdown Protocol

Lockdown Protocol presents an interesting case study for the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070. The data reveals a configuration that is clearly capable of high refresh rate play at 1080p and solid 1440p performance, but which begins to show its limits when pushed to 4K. This analysis breaks down the measured results to understand the dynamic between the mobile CPU and the desktop GPU.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H is a 16-core, 16-thread mobile processor based on the Panther Lake architecture. It operates with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, which is a significant spread indicating the chip’s ability to scale up power for demanding tasks. The processor also features an 18 MB shared L3 cache. Its performance profile is strong, placing it in the 88th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 44466.

In the context of Lockdown Protocol, a fast-paced FPS, the single-thread performance is often critical for game logic and physics, while multi-core performance handles background tasks and modern game engines. The CPU's Cinebench R23 scores of 2200.5 (single-core) and 18911 (multi-core) suggest a balanced capability. The Passmark single-thread score of 4280 reinforces that this processor has solid per-core performance, which is essential for maintaining high frame rates when the GPU is not the bottleneck.

Comparing this CPU to its nearest rivals in the benchmark database shows a tightly contested field. The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D has an average score of 44573, which is only 0.2% higher than the Ultra X9 388H's 44466. This indicates that despite architectural differences, the overall CPU compute performance is nearly identical. Similarly, the Intel Core i9-13950HX scores 44342, putting it 0.3% behind, and the AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 is 0.4% behind with a score of 44309. The data suggests the Ultra X9 388H is positioned right in the middle of this performance cluster. The 16 threads, rather than 32, might seem unusual for a 16-core chip, but for gaming, the focus is on the efficiency of those cores and the high boost clock to deliver frames.

The measured FPS data across all resolutions and settings suggests that the CPU is providing a solid foundation. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 189 FPS, which is a very high frame rate that often taxes the CPU more than the GPU. The fact that it reaches this level indicates that the processor is capable of feeding the GPU with enough data to avoid severe bottlenecks. The jump from 1080p High (117 FPS) to 1440p High (86 FPS) and then to 4K High (55 FPS) shows a progressive decline that is more characteristic of a GPU limitation, but the CPU's role in enabling those high initial numbers at 1080p should not be underestimated. The data implies the CPU is a capable partner, holding its own against the top rivals in its class.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 is a desktop-class GPU based on the Ada Lovelace architecture, fabricated on a 5nm process at TSMC. It features 12 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 504.2 GB/s. The GPU has a substantial configuration of 5888 shading units and 184 texture mapping units. Its boost clock is 2475 MHz. The GPU's overall performance places it in the 81st percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 37648.

For a game like Lockdown Protocol, the GPU is the primary driver of resolution and visual fidelity. The 12 GB of VRAM is a significant factor. The measured data shows that at 4K Ultra, the system drops to 41 FPS, while at 4K High, it manages 55 FPS. The difference between these settings is likely due to the increased memory pressure and shader complexity at the Ultra preset. The 504.2 GB/s bandwidth is also crucial for high-resolution textures, and the data suggests it is sufficient for 1440p and 1080p gaming but becomes a limiting factor at 4K with higher settings.

The GPU's nearest rivals in the benchmark database show a mixed bag. The NVIDIA Tesla P4 has an average score of 37628, a mere 0.1% behind the RTX 4070, which is a negligible difference in synthetic benchmarks. More relevantly, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile scores 38135, which is 1.3% higher, indicating that the mobile variant of the higher-tier card has a slight edge. The AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 is 0.4% behind with a score of 37507. This data suggests that the RTX 4070 is a performance outlier in its class, being only slightly slower than a mobile 4080, which confirms its capability.

The measured FPS in Lockdown Protocol shows a clear pattern. At 1080p Low, the GPU is pushing 189 FPS, but this is a scenario where the CPU might be the primary limiter. As the resolution increases to 1440p and 4K, the GPU's workload scales, and the frame rates drop. The transition from 1080p High (117 FPS) to 1440p High (86 FPS) is a 26.5% drop, while the transition from 1440p High to 4K High (55 FPS) is a 36% drop. This scaling suggests that the GPU is becoming increasingly stressed at higher resolutions. The data indicates that the RTX 4070 is a strong performer for 1080p and 1440p, but the 4K Ultra setting at 41 FPS shows its limits in this specific title.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Analyzing the measured FPS data for this combo, the goal is to find the preset that balances visual quality with a smooth gameplay experience. For a competitive FPS, maintaining a high and stable frame rate is often prioritized over absolute visual fidelity.

At 1920x1080, the data shows a range of options. The Low preset achieves 189 FPS, which is exceptionally high and would be ideal for maximum responsiveness. However, the High preset still delivers a very respectable 117 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth play and offers significantly better visual quality. The Medium preset sits between them at 134 FPS. The Ultra preset drops to 88 FPS, which is still playable but begins to sacrifice the high refresh rate advantage. For 1080p, the High preset appears to be the sweet spot, providing a 117 FPS average with better visuals than Low or Medium.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance scales down as expected. The Low preset still provides a high 138 FPS, which is excellent for competitive play. The High preset delivers 86 FPS, which is just above the 60 FPS threshold and provides a good balance. The Ultra preset drops to 64 FPS, which is still playable but not ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors. The Medium preset at 98 FPS offers a good middle ground. For 1440p, the High preset at 86 FPS is recommended for a balance of quality and performance, though players with high refresh rate displays might prefer the Medium preset's 98 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is clearly under heavy load. The Low preset is the only one that breaks above the 60 FPS barrier, hitting 89 FPS. The High preset manages 55 FPS, which is below the ideal threshold for smooth gameplay. The Medium preset sits at 63 FPS, which is playable, and the Ultra preset drops to a demanding 41 FPS. For 4K, the data suggests that the Low preset is the only reliable option for a consistently smooth experience, while the Medium preset could be considered if a 60 FPS target is acceptable, as it averages 63 FPS. The High and Ultra presets are not recommended for 4K due to frame rates dipping below 60 FPS.

The data clearly indicates that the High preset is the most balanced choice for 1080p and 1440p, offering a solid frame rate while retaining visual detail. For 4K, the Low preset is the only way to achieve high frame rates, highlighting the GPU's limitations at that resolution.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combined performance of the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 in Lockdown Protocol is quantified by its combo rank. The data shows this combination ranks 2043 out of 3714 tested combos. This places it in the 55th percentile of all tested systems, indicating that it is a mid-to-upper-tier performer but not at the very top of the charts.

This ranking is interesting given the individual component strengths. The CPU is in the 88th percentile, and the GPU is in the 81st percentile, yet their combined performance in this specific game is more modest. This could be due to the game's engine, which might not scale perfectly with the high-end components, or it could be a result of the specific optimization for this title. The rank of 2043 suggests that there are many other combinations that achieve higher average frame rates across the tested settings and resolutions.

The fact that this combo is in the middle of the pack rather than near the top suggests that Lockdown Protocol might be more sensitive to certain aspects of performance that this combination doesn't excel at. It could be a game that favors very high single-thread CPU performance or a specific GPU feature set. The data from the measured FPS shows that while the combo can hit high frame rates at 1080p, it struggles to maintain them at 4K, which is a common trait for many mid-range systems. The ranking reflects a balanced but not exceptional overall performance, with the system being able to handle 1080p and 1440p gaming with ease but falling behind in the 4K ultra-high-end segment. This position in the rankings serves as a warning that for maxed-out 4K gaming, users might need to look at higher-tier GPU combinations.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

Q: What is the average frame rate for the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 combo in Lockdown Protocol at 1080p with High settings?

A: At 1920x1080 with High settings, the measured average FPS is 117.

Q: How does the CPU performance of the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H compare to the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H has an average benchmark score of 44466, which is 0.2% lower than the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D's average score of 44573.

Q: What is the only settings preset at 4K resolution that achieves an average frame rate above 60 FPS?

A: At 3840x2160, the Low preset is the only one that achieves an average FPS above 60, with a measured 89 FPS.

Q: What is the GPU's average benchmark score and its percentile ranking among all GPUs?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 has an average benchmark score of 37648 and ranks in the 81st percentile of all GPUs.

Q: How much VRAM does the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 have, and what is its memory bandwidth?

A: The GPU has 12 GB of GDDR6X memory with a bandwidth of 504.2 GB/s.

Q: What is the combo's overall ranking in Lockdown Protocol compared to other tested combinations?

A: The combo ranks 2043 out of 3714 tested combinations.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The measured data provides a comprehensive view of the system's performance across three resolutions and four quality presets.

1920x1080: At this resolution, the system performs best. With Low settings, the average FPS is 189. Medium settings yield an average of 134 FPS, with a minimum recorded of 114 and a maximum of 154. High settings produce an average of 117 FPS. The most demanding Ultra preset still delivers an average of 88 FPS.

2560x1440: Stepping up to 1440p, the frame rates decrease. Low settings achieve an average of 138 FPS. Medium settings show an average of 98 FPS, with a minimum of 83 and a maximum of 113. High settings result in an average of 86 FPS. The Ultra preset averages 64 FPS.

3840x2160: At 4K, the GPU is heavily taxed. Low settings manage an average of 89 FPS. Medium settings average 63 FPS, with a minimum of 54 and a maximum of 73. High settings drop to an average of 55 FPS. The Ultra preset is the most demanding, with an average of only 41 FPS.

The data shows a clear and consistent scaling pattern. For each resolution, the frame rate decreases as the settings increase from Low to Ultra. The delta between Low and Ultra is substantial. At 1080p, the difference is 101 FPS (from 189 to 88). At 1440p, the difference is 74 FPS (from 138 to 64). At 4K, the difference is 48 FPS (from 89 to 41). This indicates that the performance cost of higher settings is absolute, but the relative impact is more pronounced at lower resolutions.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

Analyzing the performance scaling from 1080p to 4K reveals critical insights into the system's bottleneck. Looking at the High preset, the frame rate drops from 117 FPS at 1080p to 86 FPS at 1440p, a 26.5% decrease. Moving from 1440p to 4K, the frame rate drops to 55 FPS, a 36% decrease. This pattern of scaling is a classic indicator of a GPU-bound scenario.

If the CPU were the primary bottleneck, we would expect the frame rates at 1080p and 1440p to be much closer, with a sharp drop only at 4K. However, the data shows a steady decline from 1080p to 1440p, which suggests the GPU is already becoming a limiting factor at 1440p. The further drop to 4K reinforces this, as the GPU's workload increases exponentially with the number of pixels.

The Low preset scaling tells a similar story. The system achieves 189 FPS at 1080p, which is likely near the CPU's limit. At 1440p, this drops to 138 FPS, a 27% decrease, and at 4K, it drops to 89 FPS, a 35.5% decrease from 1440p. The fact that the frame rate at 1080p Low is very high suggests that the CPU is capable, but the scaling shows that the GPU is still the dominant factor in determining frame rates at higher resolutions.

The data implies that for this combination, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 is the limiting component when pushing for higher resolutions and settings. The CPU has enough headroom to drive high frame rates at 1080p, but as the pixel count increases, the GPU's rendering capability becomes the ceiling. The 4K Ultra setting at 41 FPS is a clear demonstration of this, as the GPU simply doesn't have enough power to maintain high frame rates with maximum visual fidelity. This analysis indicates that the system is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, where the GPU can provide high frame rates, but it is not optimized for 4K gaming, especially at higher quality presets.