Control

# Control Performance Analysis: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 delivers a decisive performance result for Control: every resolution and every preset tested clears the 60 FPS playability threshold, with the weakest combination (4K Ultra) still averaging 69 FPS. The combo ranks 241st out of 3,720 tested configurations for this game, placing it in the top 7% of all systems. This is a system built to dominate Control at maximum settings, and the measured data confirms it without exception.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the system produces frame rates that are essentially academic in their excess. Low settings average 246 FPS, making the 60 FPS threshold irrelevant by a factor of four. Medium settings drop to 175 FPS with a minimum of 149 FPS and a maximum of 201 FPS, showing that even the lowest frame dips remain far above playable. High settings average 156 FPS, while Ultra settings still deliver 135 FPS. The scaling from Low to Ultra at 1080p represents a 45% reduction in average frame rate, but the absolute numbers mean the user can select any preset without concern.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance profile remains similarly robust. Low settings average 186 FPS, Medium settings produce 132 FPS with a minimum of 113 FPS and a maximum of 152 FPS, High settings reach 118 FPS, and Ultra settings maintain 102 FPS. The step from Medium to High costs 14 FPS, while the step from High to Ultra costs another 16 FPS. Even at the most demanding 1440p preset, the system holds an average that is 70% above the playability threshold.

At 3840x2160, the picture changes in degree but not in kind. Low settings average 126 FPS, Medium settings deliver 89 FPS with a minimum of 76 FPS and a maximum of 103 FPS, High settings reach 79 FPS, and Ultra settings produce 69 FPS. The 4K Ultra result is the only configuration that approaches the 60 FPS threshold, but it still clears it by 15%. The minimum frame rate at 4K Medium (76 FPS) is notable — it is higher than the average at 4K Ultra, indicating that the Medium preset provides a more stable experience for users who prefer headroom over maximum visual fidelity.

Across all resolutions, the pattern is consistent: Control on this hardware is never constrained by the playability threshold. The largest performance gap between resolutions at the same settings occurs at Low, where 1080p (246 FPS) exceeds 4K (126 FPS) by 95%. At Ultra settings, the gap narrows to 49% (135 FPS versus 69 FPS), suggesting that the game's Ultra preset imposes a more uniform load across resolutions.

CPU and GPU Roles

The data reveals a system where the RTX 4080 is the dominant performance driver, but the Ryzen 9 9900X ensures the GPU never waits on the CPU. The 12-core, 24-thread processor with a boost clock of 5.60 GHz and 64 MB of L3 cache provides ample headroom for Control's physics-heavy combat sequences, which can spike CPU demand when debris and destructible environments are on screen.

At 1080p, the gap between Low (246 FPS) and Ultra (135 FPS) demonstrates that the GPU is the limiting factor even at lower resolutions. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the frame rate would remain relatively flat across presets as the GPU load decreases. Instead, the 45% drop from Low to Ultra at 1080p confirms that the RTX 4080's workload is what determines output.

The scaling from 1080p to 4K at each preset provides further evidence. At Low settings, 4K delivers 51% of the 1080p frame rate (126 versus 246 FPS). At Medium, the ratio is 51% (89 versus 175 FPS). At High, it is 51% (79 versus 156 FPS). At Ultra, the ratio is 51% (69 versus 135 FPS). This remarkably consistent 49% reduction across all presets indicates that the performance drop is purely a function of pixel count, not a shift in CPU-versus-GPU balance.

The Ryzen 9 9900X's role becomes more apparent when considering the minimum frame rates. At 4K Medium, the minimum of 76 FPS is 85% of the average of 89 FPS, showing tight frame pacing. At 1440p Medium, the minimum of 113 FPS is 86% of the 132 FPS average. This consistency suggests the CPU is comfortably feeding the GPU without stutter-inducing spikes. The processor's 3DMark single-thread score of 1286 and multi-thread score of 13929 place it in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs, reinforcing that it has the per-core strength that Control's engine requires.

In practical terms, users should expect the GPU to be the component that determines quality settings, while the CPU ensures that frame times remain stable even during the game's most chaotic moments. The system does not exhibit any resolution range where CPU limitations emerge, which is the expected outcome for a processor that ranks in the top 8% of all CPUs.

FAQ

Q: Can this system run Control at 4K Ultra settings above 60 FPS?

A: Yes. The measured average at 3840x2160 Ultra is 69 FPS, which clears the 60 FPS threshold by 15%. This is the lowest-performing configuration in the entire test suite, yet it remains comfortably playable.

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

A: Ultra settings at 2560x1440 produce an average of 102 FPS, which is the highest preset available and still well above the playability threshold. There is no reason to compromise on visual quality at this resolution.

Q: How does the RTX 4080 compare to its closest rival, the RTX 4080 SUPER?

A: The RTX 4080 SUPER scores 54,209 in the average benchmark, which is 0.1% higher than the RTX 4080's 54,247 average. The performance difference is negligible, meaning users of either card should expect virtually identical frame rates in Control.

Q: Is the Ryzen 9 9900X a bottleneck for the RTX 4080 in this game?

A: The data shows no evidence of CPU bottlenecking. Frame rates scale consistently with resolution and preset changes, and minimum frame rates remain close to averages, indicating the CPU delivers frames to the GPU without interruption.

Q: What frame rate can I expect at 1080p with Medium settings?

A: The measured average is 175 FPS with a minimum of 149 FPS and a maximum of 201 FPS. This makes 1080p Medium suitable for high-refresh-rate displays up to 144 Hz without any risk of dropping below the display's refresh rate.

Q: How does this system rank among all tested configurations for Control?

A: The combo ranks 241st out of 3,720 tested combinations, placing it in the top 6.5% of all systems tested for this game. This top-tier ranking aligns with the measured frame rates that never approach the 60 FPS floor.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The RTX 4080's nearest rivals in the GPU benchmark database provide insight into what else could deliver similar Control performance. The RTX 4080 SUPER scores 54,209 (0.1% higher), making it a direct equivalent in practical terms — users should expect the same frame rates within margin of error. The AMD Radeon Pro W5700X scores 54,828 (1.1% higher), which would place it marginally ahead in Control. More surprisingly, the AMD Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB scores 55,698 (2.6% higher) and the AMD Radeon 8060S scores 55,757 (2.7% higher), both of which technically outperform the RTX 4080 in the aggregate benchmark. However, these AMD cards achieve their scores through different architectural strengths, and Control's specific engine behavior may not translate the benchmark delta directly into frame rate advantages.

On the CPU side, the Ryzen 9 9900X's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 9015 (57,555 average score, 0.1% lower), the AMD EPYC 7313 (57,399, 0.2% higher), the Intel Core i9-14900 (58,115, 1.1% higher), and the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M (58,323, 1.4% higher). The i9-14900 is the most relevant consumer alternative; its 1.1% higher average score would translate to a negligible frame rate difference in Control. The EPYC and Xeon parts are server processors that would not be appropriate for a gaming system, but their inclusion in the benchmark data shows that the Ryzen 9 9900X sits at the top of the consumer performance tier.

For users considering a complete system change, pairing the Ryzen 9 9900X with an RTX 4080 SUPER instead of the base 4080 would yield statistically identical results. The 0.1% GPU score difference and the 1.1% CPU score difference between the i9-14900 and the Ryzen 9 9900X both fall well within the range of run-to-run variation, meaning no user would perceive a difference in Control.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 1920x1080, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is Ultra, which delivers an average of 135 FPS. This is the maximum visual quality available in the game, and it clears the threshold by 125%.

At 2560x1440, the best settings are also Ultra, producing an average of 102 FPS. The 70% margin above the 60 FPS threshold means users can enable every visual feature without concern for performance degradation.

At 3840x2160, Ultra remains the best preset with an average of 69 FPS. This is the only resolution where the margin shrinks below 50%, but the 15% headroom above 60 FPS is still sufficient for a smooth experience. For users who prioritize frame rate stability over absolute visual fidelity, Medium at 4K offers 89 FPS with a minimum of 76 FPS, providing a more consistent experience at the cost of some graphical detail.

In all cases, the system's measured data shows that there is no resolution or preset combination in this test suite that falls below the playability threshold. The only consideration is whether the user prefers maximum quality or maximum frame rate headroom.

The Verdict

This system can absolutely run Control, and it can run it at maximum settings across every resolution tested. The verdict by resolution is unambiguous: at 1920x1080, Ultra settings average 135 FPS; at 2560x1440, Ultra settings average 102 FPS; at 3840x2160, Ultra settings average 69 FPS. Every configuration clears the 60 FPS playability threshold, and the lowest measured minimum frame rate across all tested settings is 76 FPS (4K Medium), which is still 27% above the threshold.

The 4K Ultra result of 69 FPS is the only data point that requires any consideration for users with 60 Hz displays — it clears the threshold, but with less margin than other configurations. For users with 120 Hz or 144 Hz displays, the 1440p Ultra result of 102 FPS is the sweet spot, providing high visual quality while staying within the refresh rate capabilities of most high-end monitors. The 1080p results, ranging from 135 FPS at Ultra to 246 FPS at Low, are suitable for even the fastest gaming displays available.

Control's demanding physics and destructible environments do not pose a challenge to this hardware combination. The Ryzen 9 9900X's strong single-thread performance and the RTX 4080's raw throughput combine to deliver a definitive, no-compromise experience. Users can select Ultra settings at any resolution and play without adjusting expectations. This is the kind of performance that makes Control feel effortless, with frame rates that leave substantial headroom for streaming, recording, or background applications.