Control

The Intel Core i5-10400F paired with the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT delivers a broad range of performance in Control, depending on resolution and quality preset. The recorded data shows that this combination can handle the game comfortably at 1080p and 1440p, while 4K requires some preset adjustments to stay above the 60 FPS playability threshold. This analysis examines the measured frame rates, compares the combo to nearby alternatives, and identifies which component drives performance at each setting.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the combo produces high frame rates across all presets. Low settings average 167.4 FPS, Medium reaches 146.4 FPS, High delivers 130.8 FPS, and Ultra still holds at 115.4 FPS. Every preset clears the 60 FPS threshold by a wide margin, with even the most demanding Ultra setting remaining nearly double the playability mark. The scaling from Low to Ultra shows a 31% reduction in average frame rate, indicating that the GPU has ample headroom at this resolution.

Moving to 2560x1440, the averages remain strong but begin to show the increased pixel load. Low settings record 155.6 FPS, Medium drops to 114.6 FPS, High manages 100.8 FPS, and Ultra settles at 89 FPS. The transition from 1080p to 1440p costs roughly 7% to 23% of performance depending on the preset, with Ultra suffering the largest relative loss. Still, all four settings stay well above 60 FPS, leaving room for future driver optimizations or more demanding scenes.

At 3840x2160, the picture changes notably. Low settings average 108.6 FPS, Medium falls to 73.3 FPS, High reaches 64.8 FPS, and Ultra drops to 57.6 FPS. The 4K Ultra result is the only measured configuration that falls below the 60 FPS threshold, missing it by 2.4 FPS. The gap between High and Ultra at 4K is 7.2 FPS, while the jump from Medium to High costs 8.5 FPS. Interestingly, Low to Medium at 4K shows a 48% performance reduction, highlighting the steep cost of quality improvements at this resolution.

The data across resolutions shows a consistent pattern: the RX 7900 XT scales predictably with pixel count, while the i5-10400F appears sufficient to feed the GPU at lower resolutions. The lack of min and max FPS values in the database means only average frame rates are available for comparison, but the averages alone provide a clear picture of playability.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The database places the RX 7900 XT near several other GPUs based on average benchmark scores. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT scores 1.5% higher, making it a slightly faster alternative that would likely produce marginally higher frame rates in Control. The AMD Radeon RX 570X scores 0.9% lower, while the NVIDIA RTX A2000 Mobile and AMD Radeon 660M each sit 0.5% below the RX 7900 XT. These delta values are small enough that in-game performance differences would be minor, possibly within a few frames per second depending on the preset.

For the CPU, the nearest rivals to the i5-10400F include the Intel Xeon 6756E at 0.2% higher average score, the AMD EPYC 7552 at 0.5% higher, the Intel Core 7 160UL at 0.3% lower, and the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C at 0.6% lower. These processors all fall within a narrow performance band, meaning the i5-10400F’s role in Control is unlikely to differ meaningfully from these alternatives. The CPU’s 68th percentile ranking among all processors suggests it is mid-pack, but for a game like Control, the GPU typically dominates the workload.

If a user were to swap the RX 7900 XT for an RX 9070 XT, the expected frame rate increase would be small, perhaps 1-3 FPS based on the score delta. Choosing an RX 570X would likely reduce performance slightly, but the difference would not alter the playability verdict at any resolution. Similarly, swapping the i5-10400F for a Ryzen 3 7320C would not change the fundamental balance, as the CPU is not the limiting factor in most measured scenarios.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark results reveal a clear division of labor between the two components. At 1080p, the GPU has significant headroom, as evidenced by the high averages even at Ultra. The CPU’s single-thread score of 688 in 3DMark and 1451 in Cinebench R23 suggests it can keep up with the frame pacing required for 115+ FPS output. The low preset at 1080p reaches 167.4 FPS, which tests the CPU’s ability to feed the GPU efficiently, and the fact that this average is achievable indicates the i5-10400F is adequate for this task.

At 1440p, the GPU begins to take on more responsibility. The frame rates drop by 7% to 23% compared to 1080p, but the CPU still appears capable of maintaining high output. The 89 FPS Ultra result at 1440p implies that the GPU is doing most of the heavy lifting, as the CPU would need to process fewer frames per second than at 1080p. This pattern continues at 4K, where the GPU’s workload increases substantially. The 57.6 FPS Ultra result at 4K is likely GPU-limited, as the CPU has even fewer frames to process.

The scaling between presets reinforces this interpretation. At 1080p, the difference between Low and Ultra is 52 FPS, while at 1440p it is 66.6 FPS, and at 4K it is 51 FPS. The larger spread at 1440p suggests the GPU is more stressed at that resolution, while the 4K spread shows the GPU hitting its limits on Ultra. The CPU’s role diminishes as resolution increases, which is typical for this type of shooter where pixel fill rate becomes the bottleneck.

The data also shows that the CPU’s memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s and dual-channel DDR4 support do not appear to hinder performance. The RX 7900 XT’s 800 GB/s memory bandwidth far exceeds what the CPU can provide, but the game’s engine seems to handle this asymmetry well. At no point do the measured averages suggest a CPU bottleneck severe enough to drop below 60 FPS, even at 1080p Ultra.

The Verdict

This PC can run Control at all three tested resolutions, but the playable settings vary. At 1920x1080, every preset from Low to Ultra clears 60 FPS, with Ultra averaging 115.4 FPS. The database marks all four 1080p presets as playable, and the best setting is Ultra. At 2560x1440, the same holds true: all presets remain above 60 FPS, with Ultra at 89 FPS as the best option. This resolution offers a comfortable margin, leaving roughly 29 FPS of headroom above the threshold.

At 3840x2160, the situation is more nuanced. The database lists High, Low, and Medium as playable, but Ultra falls short at 57.6 FPS. The best playable setting at 4K is High, which averages 64.8 FPS. This means 4K users should avoid Ultra unless they accept a frame rate slightly below the 60 FPS target. The 4K Medium preset at 73.3 FPS provides more headroom, while Low at 108.6 FPS offers the smoothest experience but sacrifices visual quality.

For users targeting a locked 60 FPS, the recommendation is clear: use Ultra at 1080p or 1440p, and High at 4K. The 4K High result of 64.8 FPS gives a small buffer, but demanding scenes could potentially dip lower, so Medium at 4K might be a safer choice for those who prioritize consistency over maximum quality. The data does not include min or max FPS, so stutter risk cannot be fully assessed, but the averages suggest a stable experience.

FAQ

Q: Can this combo run Control at 4K Ultra without dropping below 60 FPS?

A: No. The measured average at 3840x2160 Ultra is 57.6 FPS, which falls below the 60 FPS playability threshold. The database lists only High, Low, and Medium as playable at 4K.

Q: What is the best setting at 2560x1440?

A: Ultra provides the highest quality at 89 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold. All four presets at 1440p are playable, but Ultra offers the best visual experience without sacrificing smoothness.

Q: How does the RX 7900 XT compare to the RX 9070 XT in this game?

A: Based on average benchmark scores, the RX 9070 XT is 1.5% faster than the RX 7900 XT. This would translate to roughly 1-2 FPS difference in Control at most settings, likely not enough to change the playability verdict at any resolution.

Q: Is the i5-10400F a bottleneck at 1080p?

A: The data suggests not. At 1080p Low, the combo averages 167.4 FPS, indicating the CPU can feed the GPU adequately. The CPU’s single-thread benchmark scores are modest, but they are sufficient for this game’s frame rates.

Q: What happens if I lower the preset from Ultra to High at 4K?

A: The average frame rate rises from 57.6 FPS to 64.8 FPS, a gain of 7.2 FPS. This brings the game above the 60 FPS threshold, making High the recommended 4K preset.

Q: Does the combo rank high among tested configurations for Control?

A: The combo ranks 825th out of 3720 tested combinations, placing it in the top 22% of all tested setups. This indicates solid performance relative to the broader database.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 1920x1080, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is Ultra, with an average of 115.4 FPS. This provides the maximum visual quality while maintaining a substantial margin above the threshold. Users could also choose High at 130.8 FPS for even smoother motion, but Ultra is the best quality option.

At 2560x1440, Ultra again is the best setting, averaging 89 FPS. This is 29 FPS above the playability threshold, offering both high quality and comfortable headroom. No preset at 1440p falls below 60 FPS, so users can freely select Ultra.

At 3840x2160, the best setting is High, which averages 64.8 FPS. This is the only 4K preset that clears 60 FPS while offering reasonable visual fidelity. Medium at 73.3 FPS is also acceptable and provides more margin, but High represents the best balance of quality and performance. Ultra at 57.6 FPS should be avoided for those who demand a locked 60 FPS experience.

How This Combo Ranks

The i5-10400F and RX 7900 XT combination ranks 825th out of 3720 tested combos in Control, placing it in the 78th percentile of all tested configurations. This is a strong result, indicating that the pair performs well relative to the broader database. The high ranking is driven primarily by the GPU, which sits in the 55th percentile among all GPUs but still delivers excellent frame rates in this game. The CPU’s 68th percentile ranking is respectable, and the two components work together effectively.

The ranking suggests that this combo outperforms roughly 78% of all tested systems for Control, which is notable given the game’s demanding nature at higher resolutions. The 4K High result of 64.8 FPS is particularly impressive, as many systems would struggle to maintain 60 FPS at that resolution. The data does not show how the combo ranks specifically against systems with similar CPUs or GPUs, but the overall position indicates a well-balanced setup.

The narrow gaps to rival GPUs, such as the 0.5% difference to the RTX A2000 Mobile, mean that small changes in hardware would not drastically alter the ranking. The 1.5% advantage of the RX 9070 XT could push the combo slightly higher, but the improvement would be marginal. For users with this exact configuration, the recorded measurements provide a reliable guide to expected performance, and the verdict is clear: this system runs Control well at 1080p and 1440p, and remains playable at 4K with High settings.