Control

The Intel Core i3-12100F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 presents a compelling mid-range configuration for Control, a game from 2019-08-26. The benchmark data reveals a system that is exceptionally capable at mainstream resolutions, but which encounters a firm performance ceiling at 4K. Across the twelve measured configurations, the combo demonstrates a clear pattern: it delivers smooth, high-refresh-rate gameplay at 1920x1080 and 2560x1440, while requiring a significant settings reduction to maintain playability at 3840x2160. The data positions this as a 1080p and 1440p powerhouse, with 4K being a secondary consideration.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of performance scaling across three resolutions and four quality presets. At 1920x1080, the combo is overwhelmingly strong. The Low preset yields an average of 149 FPS, which is the highest frame rate recorded in the entire dataset. Moving up to Medium produces an average of 106 FPS, with a minimum of 90 and a maximum of 122 FPS. The High preset maintains a robust 94 FPS average, while the most demanding Ultra preset still achieves a very smooth 82 FPS average. The gap between Low and Ultra at this resolution is 67 FPS, indicating that the GPU has ample headroom to absorb the increased graphical load without compromising fluidity.

At 2560x1440, the performance remains highly playable, though the scaling is steeper. The Low preset averages 113 FPS, a 24% reduction from the 1080p Low result. Medium sees an average of 80 FPS, with a minimum of 68 and a maximum of 92 FPS. The High preset delivers 71 FPS, and Ultra still clears the 60 FPS threshold with an average of 62 FPS. The minimums at Medium (68 FPS) suggest that even in demanding scenes, the frame rate stays comfortably above the playability threshold. The delta between Low and Ultra at 1440p is 51 FPS, showing that the resolution increase tightens the performance envelope compared to 1080p.

The situation changes dramatically at 3840x2160. The Low preset is the only configuration that provides a smooth experience, averaging 76 FPS. The Medium preset drops to an average of 54 FPS, with a minimum of 46 and a maximum of 62 FPS, placing it below the 60 FPS target. High averages 48 FPS, and Ultra falls to 42 FPS. The data shows a steep cliff between Low and Medium at 4K, suggesting that the 8 GB frame buffer and the GPU's compute capacity are saturated by the higher fidelity settings. The difference between Low and Ultra at 4K is 34 FPS, but the absolute values are all below the ideal threshold except for Low.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the benchmark database, this specific CPU-GPU combination ranks 1665 out of 3720 tested combos for Control. This places it in the 55th percentile of all configurations, indicating a solidly above-average performance tier. The rank reflects the balance between the Core i3-12100F's processing power and the RTX 5060's graphical capabilities. Given that the combo can effortlessly handle 1080p Ultra and 1440p Ultra, the rank suggests that many other combinations in the database are either more powerful or configured with higher-end CPUs that unlock more GPU headroom. The CPU's 4-core, 8-thread configuration, while sufficient for this title, likely prevents the combo from climbing higher in the rankings, as other systems with 6 or 8-core processors may sustain higher minimum frame rates in CPU-bound scenarios. The data indicates that the combo is a strong mid-pack performer, clearly capable of running the game well, but not at the very top of the performance hierarchy.

Best Settings per Resolution

The "best setting" is defined as the most demanding preset that maintains an average FPS at or above the 60 FPS playability threshold. The measured data yields a distinct answer for each resolution.

At 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the best setting, achieving an average of 82 FPS. This is a definitive result; the system not only clears the threshold but does so with a significant 22 FPS margin, ensuring a fluid experience even during intense combat sequences with physics-heavy environments.

At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset again qualifies as the best setting, but with a much narrower margin. The average FPS is 62, which is just 2 FPS above the 60 FPS threshold. While this is technically playable, the data suggests that there is minimal headroom. Users who are sensitive to frame-time spikes may prefer the High preset, which averages 71 FPS, for a more consistent experience.

At 3840x2160, the situation is reversed. The Low preset is the only playable option, averaging 76 FPS. The Medium preset, at 54 FPS, falls below the threshold. Therefore, the best settings for 4K are firmly locked to Low. This represents a substantial visual downgrade from the higher presets, but it is the only way to maintain smooth gameplay at this resolution.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The nearestRivals data provides context for the individual components, indicating that other hardware would likely produce very similar frame rates in Control. For the CPU, the Intel Core i3-12100F has an average benchmark score of 13494. Its closest rivals are the Intel Core 3 N355 (score 13492, 0% delta), the Intel Core i5-9500 (score 13452, +0.3% delta), and the Intel Core i7-1250U (score 13351, +1.1% delta). The performance differences are negligible, all within 1.1%. In Control, the game's engine is not heavily multi-threaded, so a user swapping the i3-12100F for an Intel Core i5-9500 would likely see almost identical average FPS, as the CPU is not the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions.

For the GPU, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 has an average benchmark score of 26331. Its nearest rivals are the AMD Radeon 860M (score 26401, -0.3% delta), the NVIDIA GeForce MX550 (score 26421, -0.3% delta), and the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary (score 26553, -0.8% delta). The AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT is also close, with a score of 26011 (+1.2% delta). Since these GPUs have nearly identical average scores, they would be expected to deliver frame rates within 1-2% of the RTX 5060 in Control. This means a system with an Intel Core i3-12100F and an AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT would likely produce very similar results to the tested combo, particularly at 1440p and 4K where the GPU is the primary bottleneck.

CPU and GPU Roles

The data reveals a clear shift in system bottleneck depending on the resolution. At 1920x1080, the performance delta between the Low and Ultra presets is 67 FPS (149 to 82). This large gap indicates that the GPU is doing significant work, but the CPU is also keeping pace. However, the fact that the FPS drops by 45% from Low to Ultra suggests that the GPU is the dominant factor, as the graphical load increases substantially. The CPU, with its high single-thread score (3dmark_single_thread score of 893), is sufficient to feed the GPU at this resolution.

At 2560x1440, the scaling is more moderate. The delta between Low and Ultra is 51 FPS (113 to 62). The absolute FPS values are lower than at 1080p across all presets, which is expected as the GPU is rendering more pixels. The fact that the Ultra preset still hits 62 FPS suggests that the GPU is still the primary limiter, but the CPU is starting to have a more pronounced effect on the maximum achievable frame rate.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is unambiguously the bottleneck. The Low preset yields 76 FPS, but the Medium preset drops to 54 FPS. This 22 FPS drop from Low to Medium is the most significant single-step reduction in the dataset. The GPU's memory bandwidth (448.0 GB/s) and 8 GB frame buffer are likely saturated at 4K with higher settings. The CPU's role is diminished here; even if it were faster, the GPU would still be unable to render more frames. The data implies that the Core i3-12100F is a capable partner for the RTX 5060 at 1080p and 1440p, but at 4K, the GPU's limits are the sole determining factor for performance.

FAQ

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

A: Yes. The benchmark data shows that at 1920x1080 with the Ultra preset, the system achieves an average of 82 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS playability threshold.

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

A: The Ultra preset is technically playable, averaging 62 FPS. However, the High preset provides a more comfortable margin at 71 FPS, which may offer a more consistent experience.

Q: Is 4K gaming viable on this system?

A: It is partially viable. At 3840x2160, only the Low preset maintains an average FPS above 60, with a score of 76. The Medium preset drops to 54 FPS, which is below the playability threshold.

Q: How does the performance at 1080p Low compare to 4K Low?

A: The game runs significantly faster at 1080p. The 1080p Low preset averages 149 FPS, while the 4K Low preset averages 76 FPS, a difference of 73 FPS.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded for the 1440p Medium preset?

A: The data records a minimum FPS of 68 for the 2560x1440 Medium preset, with an average of 80 FPS and a maximum of 92 FPS.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more important for this game at 4K?

A: The GPU is the clear bottleneck at 4K. The performance drops sharply as settings increase, indicating the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 is saturated, while the CPU has less influence on the final frame rate.

The Verdict

The data indicates that this system is a definitive "yes" for 1080p and 1440p gaming, and a conditional "yes" for 4K. At 1920x1080, the system excels, running the Ultra preset at an average of 82 FPS, providing a high-fidelity, high-refresh-rate experience. At 2560x1440, it remains highly capable, with the Ultra preset averaging 62 FPS, just above the 60 FPS threshold, and the High preset offering a more comfortable 71 FPS. The system can run Control at 4K, but only with the Low preset, which averages 76 FPS. The verdict is clear: for players targeting 1080p or 1440p, this combo offers excellent performance with no compromises. For 4K enthusiasts, the game is playable but requires significant visual sacrifices to maintain smooth frame rates. This configuration is a strong choice for high-refresh-rate 1440p monitors, but it is not a 4K-ready build for this title.