Control

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D and Intel Arc B570 combination delivers a decidedly mixed experience in Control, one that hinges entirely on resolution and graphical presets. The data shows a system capable of smooth 60+ FPS gameplay at 1080p and 1440p, but one that falls short of that threshold at 4K across all tested settings. This pairing of a 6-core Zen 3 processor with Intel’s Battlemage GPU offers a clear performance ceiling that buyers should understand before committing.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data reveals a predictable scaling pattern as resolution and settings increase, but with some notable gaps. At 1920x1080, the combo is at its strongest. With Low settings, the average frame rate hits 101 FPS, which is more than enough for high-refresh-rate displays. Moving to Medium settings, the average drops to 71 FPS, with a minimum of 61 FPS and a maximum of 82 FPS, indicating a stable experience that stays well above the 60 FPS playable threshold. High settings at 1080p produce an average of 63 FPS, which just clears the playable mark. However, the most demanding preset, Ultra, pulls the average down to 55 FPS, making it the only 1080p setting that fails to maintain 60 FPS on average.

At 2560x1440, the performance picture becomes more constrained. Low settings deliver a solid 76 FPS average, which is comfortably playable. Medium settings, however, drop to a 54 FPS average, with a minimum of 46 FPS and a maximum of 62 FPS, meaning the experience will have noticeable dips below the playable threshold. High settings average 48 FPS, and Ultra settings fall further to 42 FPS. Neither High nor Ultra at 1440p is suitable for smooth gameplay, as both averages sit well below 60 FPS.

The 3840x2160 results are decisively below playable standards across the board. The best-case scenario is Low settings, which averages 51 FPS, still short of the 60 FPS target. Medium settings average 36 FPS, with a minimum of 31 FPS and a maximum of 42 FPS, indicating a stutter-prone experience. High settings average 32 FPS, while Ultra settings bottom out at 28 FPS. The data clearly shows that this hardware combination cannot deliver a consistent 60 FPS experience at 4K, regardless of how far the graphical settings are reduced.

How This Combo Ranks

In the broader context of all tested hardware combinations for Control, this pairing sits at rank 2995 out of 3720 combos. That places it in the lower third of the tested pool, meaning roughly 80 percent of other system configurations deliver better performance in this game. While the absolute frame rates at 1080p are respectable, the combo’s overall standing is dragged down by its inability to handle higher resolutions and settings, particularly at 4K where it fails to reach playable frame rates.

The ranking reflects a fundamental balance issue. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D is a strong processor, sitting in the 85th percentile against all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 37018. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, which scores 36945 (a 0.2 percent delta), and the Intel Core Ultra 5 225, scoring 36938 (also a 0.2 percent delta). The processor is clearly capable of feeding the GPU effectively. The Intel Arc B570, however, is less impressive in relative terms, ranking in the 65th percentile against all GPUs with an average score of 20556. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (20534, 0.1 percent delta) and the Intel Arc A750 (20582, -0.1 percent delta). This GPU is positioned as a mid-range part, and its performance ceiling in Control at high settings is the limiting factor for the entire system.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Control at 1080p with Ultra settings?

A: No. At 1920x1080 with Ultra settings, the average FPS is 55, which falls below the 60 FPS playable threshold. The highest playable preset at this resolution is High, which averages 63 FPS.

Q: What is the best settings preset for 1440p gameplay?

A: At 2560x1440, only Low settings achieve a playable average FPS of 76. Medium settings drop to 54 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS threshold, so Low is the only viable option for smooth gameplay.

Q: Is 4K gaming possible with this hardware?

A: No. At 3840x2160, the highest average FPS is 51 on Low settings, which is still below the 60 FPS target. All other presets—Medium (36 FPS), High (32 FPS), and Ultra (28 FPS)—are significantly below playable levels.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B570 compare to its closest rivals?

A: The Arc B570 has an average benchmark score of 20556, placing it in the 65th percentile. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile, scores 20534, a 0.1 percent difference. The Intel Arc A750 scores 20582, a -0.1 percent difference, indicating near-identical performance.

Q: What is the combo’s overall rank among tested systems?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D and Intel Arc B570 combination ranks 2995 out of 3720 tested combos for Control, placing it in the lower portion of the performance distribution.

Q: Does the CPU hold back the GPU in this configuration?

A: The data does not suggest a CPU bottleneck. The Ryzen 5 5500X3D scores in the 85th percentile for CPUs, while the GPU sits in the 65th percentile. The GPU’s lower relative standing indicates it is the primary constraint on frame rates.

Similar Performance Alternatives

For the CPU side, the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D’s nearest rivals in benchmark performance are the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, which scores 36945 (a 0.2 percent delta), and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450, scoring 37093 (a -0.2 percent delta). Both processors would deliver nearly identical frame rates in Control when paired with the same GPU, as their compute performance is statistically indistinguishable from the 5500X3D’s 37018 average score. The Intel Core i9-12900T is also close, scoring 37112 with a -0.3 percent delta, meaning it would behave similarly in this game.

On the GPU side, the Intel Arc B570’s nearest rivals are the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (20534, 0.1 percent delta) and the Intel Arc A750 (20582, -0.1 percent delta). These cards would produce essentially the same frame rates in Control at the same settings and resolutions. The NVIDIA Quadro M4000M (20480, 0.4 percent delta) and AMD Radeon R9 M390X (20662, -0.5 percent delta) are also within a half-percent of the Arc B570’s performance, making them viable alternatives for users seeking similar gameplay experiences, though they may lack the same feature set.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 1920x1080, the most demanding preset that maintains an average of at least 60 FPS is High, which delivers 63 FPS. Medium also clears the threshold with 71 FPS, and Low runs at 101 FPS, but High offers the best visual quality while remaining playable. Ultra is not recommended, as it averages 55 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the only preset that achieves a playable average is Low, hitting 76 FPS. Medium falls short at 54 FPS, and High (48 FPS) and Ultra (42 FPS) are both well below the target. For 1440p users, Low settings are the sole option for smooth gameplay.

At 3840x2160, no preset achieves a 60 FPS average. The best result is 51 FPS on Low settings, followed by 36 FPS on Medium, 32 FPS on High, and 28 FPS on Ultra. 4K gaming is not viable with this hardware combination for Control.

The Verdict

This PC can run Control, but the playable experience is strictly limited to lower resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the system clears the 60 FPS threshold on High, Medium, and Low presets, with High being the best visual option at 63 FPS average. At 2560x1440, the only playable setting is Low, which delivers 76 FPS. At 3840x2160, the system fails to reach 60 FPS on any preset, with the best average being 51 FPS on Low.

The verdict is clear: for users targeting 1080p, this combination is a competent performer that handles the game with headroom on medium presets. For 1440p, it is marginal, requiring a significant visual downgrade to Low for smooth play. For 4K, it is not a viable option, as all settings fall below the playable threshold. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D provides ample processing power, but the Intel Arc B570’s mid-range standing ultimately caps the system’s ability to push high frame rates at demanding resolutions. Users should set expectations accordingly, prioritizing 1080p or accepting reduced settings at 1440p.