Control

The Intel Core i5-10400F paired with the AMD Radeon RX 9070 delivers a robust performance profile for Control, with the data showing a clear path to high frame rates across all common resolutions. The CPU, a 6-core, 12-thread Comet Lake part, provides solid throughput with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 10,283 and a single-core score of 1,451, while the GPU, based on the RDNA 4.0 architecture, demonstrates significant rasterization power with a Passmark G3D score of 25,381. The measured frame rates confirm that this combination is well-suited for high-refresh-rate gaming at 1080p and 1440p, and remains viable at 4K with adjusted settings.

Best Settings per Resolution

The database records a playable threshold of 60 FPS, and the best settings are defined as the most demanding preset that maintains an average at or above this mark.

At 1920x1080, the system can handle the Ultra preset without issue. The recorded average frame rate is 99.6 FPS, which is far above the 60 FPS threshold and provides a substantial cushion for demanding scenes. This makes Ultra the clear choice for 1080p gaming, as it maximizes visual fidelity while still delivering a high-performance experience.

Moving to 2560x1440, the RX 9070 continues to show its strength. The Ultra preset remains fully playable, with the measured average frame rate at 74.8 FPS. This is still comfortably above the 60 FPS target, meaning users can enjoy the highest settings without needing to compromise on visual quality or smoothness.

At 3840x2160, the demands of 4K resolution begin to limit the maximum settings. The Ultra preset drops to an average of 53.2 FPS, which falls short of the 60 FPS playability threshold. The most demanding preset that maintains playable performance is Medium, which records an average of 64 FPS. This setting provides a smooth experience at 4K, though users must sacrifice some of the higher-end visual effects found in the High and Ultra presets.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The database provides a list of closely matched rivals for both the CPU and GPU, based on aggregate benchmark scores. These alternatives would likely produce a very similar gameplay experience in Control.

For the Intel Core i5-10400F, the nearest rivals in terms of average benchmark score are a mix of server and mobile-class processors. The Intel Xeon 6756E scores nearly identically, with a delta of just 0.2% from the i5-10400F. Similarly, the AMD EPYC 7552 is a close match, at a 0.5% difference. On the other side of the spectrum, the Intel Core 7 160UL and AMD Ryzen 3 7320C are also within a fraction of a percent, at -0.3% and -0.6% respectively. This indicates that despite their different market segments, these processors provide a comparable level of computational power, which should translate to similar CPU-bound performance in the game.

On the GPU side, the AMD Radeon RX 9070 is bracketed by several notable NVIDIA and AMD cards. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN Z is a near-exact match with a delta of 0.6%, while the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Mobile is 1.1% behind. The AMD Radeon RX 6800S performs at a similar level, sitting 0.8% ahead, and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER is 1.2% ahead. These cards should all offer a nearly identical frame rate profile in Control, making them viable alternatives if the RX 9070 is not available.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The recorded data provides a detailed look at how this combination performs across all three resolutions and four quality presets. The pattern shows a predictable scaling of performance as resolution and settings are adjusted.

At 1920x1080, the system is clearly GPU-bound at the highest settings. The Low preset delivers the highest frame rate at 171.1 FPS average. The Medium preset drops to 131.4 FPS, and High further reduces to 112.3 FPS. The Ultra preset, while still very fast, brings the average down to 99.6 FPS. All settings at this resolution provide a highly responsive experience, well above the 60 FPS threshold.

Stepping up to 2560x1440, the frame rates remain high but show the expected decrease. The Low preset averages 137.6 FPS, which is still exceptionally smooth. Medium is recorded at 98.1 FPS and High at 84.3 FPS. The Ultra preset maintains a strong 74.8 FPS average, proving that the RX 9070 has ample headroom for high-refresh-rate 1440p gaming.

At 3840x2160, the performance curve becomes steeper. The Low preset yields a playable 94.5 FPS average. The Medium preset manages a respectable 64 FPS average, which just clears the playability threshold. The High preset, however, drops to 59 FPS, a marginal miss of the 60 FPS target, and the Ultra preset falls further to 53.2 FPS. This data clearly illustrates that 4K gaming requires a careful selection of settings to maintain smooth performance, with Medium being the highest playable option.

The Verdict

Based on the recorded measurements, the Intel Core i5-10400F and AMD Radeon RX 9070 combination is an excellent choice for playing Control.

At 1920x1080, the system is unequivocally a high-performance machine. All four presets, from Low to Ultra, clear the 60 FPS threshold with significant margin. The Ultra preset, with its 99.6 FPS average, is the recommended setting for the best experience.

At 2560x1440, the verdict is equally positive. The database confirms that all presets, including Ultra at 74.8 FPS, are fully playable. This makes 1440p an ideal resolution for this setup, as it balances high visual quality with excellent performance.

At 3840x2160, the system is capable but requires compromise. The Ultra and High presets are not playable, with averages of 53.2 FPS and 59 FPS respectively. The Medium preset, at 64 FPS, is the highest quality setting that maintains a smooth frame rate. This makes 4K gaming possible, but only with reduced graphical fidelity.

FAQ

*Q: Can this PC run Control at 4K resolution?*

A: Yes, but with limitations. The system can maintain a playable frame rate at 4K using the Medium preset, which records an average of 64 FPS. The High and Ultra presets fall below the 60 FPS threshold, with averages of 59 FPS and 53.2 FPS respectively.

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

A: The Ultra preset is the best choice for 2560x1440. The database shows it maintains an average frame rate of 74.8 FPS, which is comfortably above the 60 FPS playability threshold, allowing for maximum visual quality.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Core i5-10400F performs almost identically to several other processors in the database. Its average benchmark score is within 0.2% of the Intel Xeon 6756E, 0.5% of the AMD EPYC 7552, and within a fraction of a percent of the Intel Core 7 160UL and AMD Ryzen 3 7320C.

Q: What is the highest frame rate achievable at 1080p?

A: The highest recorded average frame rate at 1920x1080 comes from the Low preset, which achieves 171.1 FPS. Even at the Ultra preset, the system maintains a very high average of 99.6 FPS.

Q: Is the RX 9070 significantly faster than its closest rivals?

A: The benchmark data shows that the RX 9070 is very closely matched with its nearest rivals. It is just 0.6% ahead of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN Z and 1.1% ahead of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Mobile, while being slightly behind the AMD Radeon RX 6800S and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER by 0.8% and 1.2% respectively.

Q: What settings should be used for a 60 FPS experience at 4K?

A: For a consistent 60 FPS experience at 3840x2160, the Medium preset is recommended. It is the most demanding preset that maintains an average frame rate above the playability threshold, recording 64 FPS. The High preset, at 59 FPS, is just below the target.

How This Combo Ranks

The database currently ranks this specific combination of the Intel Core i5-10400F and AMD Radeon RX 9070 at 1174 out of 3720 tested combos for Control. This places the system in the upper third of all tested hardware configurations, indicating that it offers a strong performance level relative to the broader database.

This ranking is consistent with the measured FPS data, which shows excellent performance at 1080p and 1440p, and solid playable performance at 4K with adjusted settings. The position suggests that while this is not the absolute top-tier configuration, it is a highly capable setup that will deliver a smooth and enjoyable experience for most players, especially those targeting high refresh rates at mainstream resolutions. The combination of a competent 10th-gen Core i5 processor and a modern, high-end RDNA 4 GPU proves to be a well-balanced pairing for this title.