Control

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X and Intel Arc B580 combination presents a compelling mid-range pairing for Control, a game known for its demanding physics and visual effects. The data indicates a system that is highly capable at 1080p, comfortably playable at 1440p with settings adjustments, but ultimately outmatched at 4K. This analysis breaks down the measured performance, comparing it to similar hardware and detailing exactly what to expect at each resolution and preset.

Similar Performance Alternatives

When looking for hardware that would behave similarly to this CPU-GPU pairing, the benchmark data from the FACT PACK provides clear comparisons. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X sits at the 81st percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 29123. Its nearest rivals are incredibly close in performance, with deltas of less than one percent. The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H is essentially a statistical tie, scoring 29093 with a delta of just 0.1%. Similarly, the Intel Core i5-13500HX (score 29270, delta -0.5%) and the Intel Xeon Phi 7210 (score 29245, delta -0.4%) are also within a hair's breadth. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT (score 28940, delta 0.6%) is the only rival that is slightly ahead, but by a negligible margin. In practical terms, swapping the 5800X for any of these processors would yield virtually identical frame rates in Control, as the CPU is not the primary bottleneck in most scenarios.

On the graphics side, the Intel Arc B580, which ranks at the 68th percentile of all GPUs with an average score of 23021, has a more diverse set of rivals. Interestingly, it is flanked by both older and newer NVIDIA cards. The AMD Radeon RX 580 2048SP (score 23061, delta -0.2%) and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 (score 22895, delta 0.6%) are essentially performance peers. The most notable comparison is with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 (score 23172, delta -0.7%), a card from a higher tier, yet the data shows the Arc B580 is only 0.7% behind its average score. This suggests that while the B580 may lack some of the RTX 3080's features or raw power in other titles, its average performance in this benchmark suite is remarkably close. A user coming from any of these GPUs would see a similar level of performance in Control, though driver-specific optimizations could cause variances in specific scenes.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark results for Control reveal a classic shift in system bottleneck as resolution increases. At 1920x1080, the GPU is the primary limiting factor, but the CPU is still working hard to feed it frames. The data shows a significant drop in average FPS when moving from Low to Ultra settings: 114.3 FPS at Low, 79 FPS at Medium, 71 FPS at High, and 63.1 FPS at Ultra. This steep scaling with graphical settings indicates that the Intel Arc B580's workload is increasing substantially, and its performance ceiling is what determines the frame rate. The Ryzen 7 5800X, with its strong multi-threaded score of 15476 in Cinebench R23, has enough headroom to keep up with the GPU's demands at this resolution.

Moving to 2560x1440, the GPU's role becomes even more dominant. The frame rates drop across the board, with the gap between Low (86.2 FPS) and Medium (63.2 FPS) being particularly pronounced. The CPU's influence wanes further as the GPU takes longer to render each frame, making the 5800X's processing speed less critical. At 3840x2160, the trend concludes decisively. The GPU is the sole bottleneck. The average FPS at Low is just 57.8, and it falls to 30.5 at Ultra. The CPU is no longer a factor; the Arc B580 is completely overwhelmed by the pixel count and graphical demands at 4K. The data implies that for this game, the Intel Arc B580 dictates the overall experience, while the Ryzen 7 5800X ensures it never becomes a limiting factor until the resolution and settings are lowered enough to give it more breathing room.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the system's performance across all settings and resolutions.

At 1920x1080, the system delivers a fluid experience. At Low settings, the average frame rate is a very high 114.3 FPS. Moving to Medium settings, the average drops to 79 FPS. The High preset yields an average of 71 FPS, while the most demanding Ultra preset still manages to stay above the 60 FPS threshold with an average of 63.1 FPS.

At 2560x1440, performance is more variable. The Low preset remains highly playable with an average of 86.2 FPS. The Medium preset is also playable, averaging 63.2 FPS. However, the High preset average drops to 54 FPS, and the Ultra preset falls further to 45.8 FPS, both falling below the 60 FPS playability threshold.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain playable frame rates. The Low preset reaches an average of 57.8 FPS, which is just shy of the 60 FPS target. The Medium preset drops to 38.5 FPS, High to 35.5 FPS, and Ultra to a low 30.5 FPS. None of the 4K presets achieve an average of 60 FPS or higher.

The Verdict

Based on the measured data, this PC can run Control, but the playability is heavily dependent on the chosen resolution and settings. The verdict by resolution is clear: 1920x1080 is fully playable, with all four presets—Low, Medium, High, and Ultra—achieving an average FPS above the 60 FPS threshold. The 2560x1440 resolution is conditionally playable, with only the Low and Medium presets clearing 60 FPS. The High and Ultra presets fall short, averaging 54 FPS and 45.8 FPS respectively. Finally, 3840x2160 is not playable at any preset, as the highest average frame rate, achieved at Low settings, is only 57.8 FPS, which is below the playable threshold. The system is best suited for 1080p gaming with all settings maxed out, or 1440p gaming with a compromise on visual fidelity.

How This Combo Ranks

Out of a database of 3720 tested hardware combinations for Control, this pairing of the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X and Intel Arc B580 ranks at 2851. This places it in the lower quartile of tested systems. This ranking, while seemingly low, makes sense when considering that the database likely includes many high-end and enthusiast-grade components with much more powerful GPUs. The rank reflects the combination's overall performance ceiling, which is limited by the Arc B580. While the CPU is a strong performer, ranking in the 81st percentile, the GPU's 68th percentile ranking pulls the overall combo down. This suggests that while this system is very capable for 1080p and decent for 1440p gaming, it is not a top-tier performer when compared to the most powerful rigs in the benchmark database.

FAQ

Q: Can this system run Control at 1080p with maximum graphical settings?

A: Yes. The benchmark data shows an average of 63.1 FPS at 1920x1080 with the Ultra preset, which is above the 60 FPS playable threshold.

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

A: The Medium preset is the best option for a smooth experience. It achieves an average of 63.2 FPS at 2560x1440, while the High preset drops to 54 FPS and is not recommended.

Q: Is this PC capable of 4K gaming in Control?

A: No. At 3840x2160, even the Low preset averages only 57.8 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target. All other presets are significantly lower.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B580's performance compare to an NVIDIA RTX 3080?

A: In the average benchmark score, the Arc B580 is only 0.7% behind the RTX 3080. This suggests a similar level of overall performance in this specific benchmark suite.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more important for performance in Control?

A: The GPU is the primary bottleneck at all resolutions. The impact of the CPU decreases as resolution increases, with the GPU almost entirely determining frame rates at 1440p and 4K.

Q: What is the average FPS at 1080p with High settings?

A: The average frame rate at 1920x1080 with the High preset is 71 FPS, which provides a very smooth and responsive experience.

Best Settings per Resolution

For the best experience that maintains an average of 60 FPS or higher, the following settings are recommended:

• 1920x1080: The Ultra preset is the most demanding option that stays above the threshold, with an average of 63.1 FPS. This delivers the highest visual quality while remaining smooth.
• 2560x1440: The Medium preset is the best choice, achieving an average of 63.2 FPS. This balances visual fidelity with performance, allowing for a fluid experience at a higher resolution.
• 3840x2160: There are no recommended settings, as no preset at this resolution achieves the 60 FPS target. The highest average is 57.8 FPS on the Low preset, which is below the playable threshold.