Control

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 delivers a robust experience in Control, with the data showing that every resolution from 1080p up to 4K has at least one playable preset. The RTX 3080, which sits in the 68th percentile of all GPUs, is clearly the driving force here, while the Ryzen 9 9900X3D’s 91st percentile ranking ensures the CPU is never a bottleneck. The measured FPS data reveals a clear scaling pattern, and the verdict is straightforward: this combination is more than capable of handling the game’s demands, though the highest settings at 4K will require a compromise.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the RTX 3080 shows its strength with very high frame rates across all settings. The Low preset produces an average of 185 FPS, which is exceptionally smooth for fast-paced action. Moving up to Medium drops the average to 131 FPS, with a minimum of 111 FPS and a maximum of 151 FPS. The High preset delivers an average of 117 FPS, still far above the 60 FPS playable threshold. Even the most demanding Ultra preset holds an average of 101 FPS, meaning that at 1080p, there is no setting that will cause the frame rate to dip below playable levels. The data shows that this resolution is essentially a showcase for the GPU’s raw power.

At 2560x1440, the performance remains exceptionally strong. The Low preset averages 140 FPS, providing a high-refresh-rate experience. The Medium preset averages 99 FPS, with a minimum of 84 FPS and a maximum of 114 FPS, showing consistent frame times. The High preset is still very smooth at 88 FPS on average. The Ultra preset, which is the most visually demanding, still manages an average of 77 FPS. This is a critical finding: the data shows that at 1440p, the Ultra preset stays above the 60 FPS threshold, making it the best choice for visual fidelity without sacrificing playability.

At 3840x2160, the scaling becomes more pronounced, and the GPU’s limits start to appear. The Low preset is the fastest, with an average of 94 FPS. The Medium preset averages 67 FPS, with a minimum of 57 FPS and a maximum of 77 FPS, which is playable but shows some dips below 60 FPS. The High preset averages exactly 60 FPS, which is on the edge of the playable threshold. The Ultra preset falls to an average of 52 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target. The data indicates that 4K requires a step down from Ultra settings to maintain a smooth experience. Notably, the min/max data is only provided for the Medium preset at each resolution, suggesting that this is where the frame pacing is most variable.

Similar Performance Alternatives

Looking at the nearest rivals for the CPU, the Ryzen 9 9900X3D’s average benchmark score of 54762 is very closely matched by the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF, which scores 55093, a delta of just -0.6%. This means that in CPU-bound scenarios, these two processors would deliver nearly identical performance. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is also close, with an average score of 54053, a 1.3% delta. Slightly further behind are the Intel Xeon 6505P and the Intel Core i7-14700F, with scores of 53701 and 53620 respectively, representing 2% and 2.1% deltas. For gaming, any of these CPUs would provide a similar foundation, though the Ryzen’s 3D V-Cache and 128 MB of L3 cache may give it an edge in specific titles.

For the GPU, the RTX 3080’s average benchmark score of 23172 is nearly identical to that of the NVIDIA P106-100 and the AMD Radeon Pro Vega 16, which score 23249 and 23250 respectively, both with a -0.3% delta. The AMD Radeon RX 6600M is also a close match at 23273, a -0.4% delta. The AMD Radeon R9 M290X rounds out the list with a score of 23276, also a -0.4% delta. While these are the closest benchmark matches, it is important to note that the RTX 3080’s specific feature set, including its 10 GB of GDDR6X memory and 68 RT cores, will affect real-world performance in Control differently than these rivals. The data suggests that in pure compute terms, these alternatives would behave similarly, but the RTX 3080’s architecture is better suited to modern game features.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Control at 4K with the Ultra preset?

A: No, the data shows that at 3840x2160 with the Ultra preset, the average FPS is 52, which is below the 60 FPS playable threshold. The High preset is the best option at this resolution, averaging exactly 60 FPS.

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

A: The Ultra preset at 2560x1440 is the most demanding that stays at or above 60 FPS, with an average of 77 FPS. This allows for maximum visual quality without compromising smoothness.

Q: How does the performance at 1080p compare to 1440p?

A: At 1080p, the Ultra preset averages 101 FPS, while at 1440p, the same preset averages 77 FPS. This represents a 24 FPS drop, but both are well above the 60 FPS target, showing that the GPU has significant headroom at lower resolutions.

Q: Is the Ryzen 9 9900X3D a bottleneck for the RTX 3080?

A: The CPU’s average benchmark score of 54762 places it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, and its nearest rivals are within a 2% delta. The data indicates that the CPU is not a limiting factor in this combination, as the GPU’s performance is the primary driver of the FPS results.

Q: What is the lowest FPS recorded for the Medium preset at 1080p?

A: The data shows that at 1920x1080 with the Medium preset, the minimum FPS is 111, the maximum is 151, and the average is 131. This indicates consistent frame pacing with no significant dips.

Q: Does the RTX 3080’s 10 GB of memory limit performance in Control?

A: The measured FPS data does not indicate any memory-related stuttering or performance caps. The game runs above 60 FPS at all tested resolutions except for 4K Ultra, suggesting that the 10 GB VRAM is sufficient for this title’s settings.

The Verdict

The data from the verdictByResolution field is clear: this PC can run Control at all three tested resolutions. At 1920x1080, all four settings presets—Low, Medium, High, and Ultra—are playable, with the Ultra preset averaging 101 FPS, far exceeding the 60 FPS threshold. At 2560x1440, the same is true, with all presets clearing the threshold, and the Ultra preset averaging 77 FPS. The situation changes at 3840x2160, where the Ultra preset drops to an average of 52 FPS, which is not playable. However, the High, Medium, and Low presets are all playable, with High averaging exactly 60 FPS. The verdict is that the system is fully capable of a high-refresh-rate experience at 1080p and 1440p, and a solid 60 FPS experience at 4K, provided the user selects the High preset or lower.

Best Settings per Resolution

For the best visual quality that maintains a playable frame rate, the data suggests the following choices. At 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the most demanding that stays at or above 60 FPS, delivering an average of 101 FPS. At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset is again the best choice, with an average of 77 FPS. At 3840x2160, the High preset is the most demanding that stays at or above 60 FPS, averaging exactly 60 FPS. These settings provide the highest level of visual fidelity while ensuring the frame rate never dips below the playable threshold. The Medium preset at 4K averages 67 FPS but has a minimum of 57 FPS, which may cause noticeable stutters, making High the safer recommendation for a locked 60 FPS experience.

How This Combo Ranks

In the global database of tested combinations for Control, this pairing of the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 ranks 1071st out of 3720 tested combos. This places it in the top 29% of all systems tested, which is a strong showing. The rank reflects the balance between the high-end CPU and the previous-generation but still capable GPU. The RTX 3080’s 68th percentile ranking among all GPUs is the limiting factor, while the CPU’s 91st percentile ranking is a significant asset. The data shows that this combo is well above average for running Control, with the 4K High preset being the only setting that requires the GPU to work at its limit to maintain 60 FPS. For most users, this system will provide an excellent experience, particularly at 1440p, where it can max out the game with ease.