Control

The Intel Core i5-12400 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combination delivers a robust experience in Control, with average frame rates ranging from a playable 60.2 FPS at 2560x1440 on Ultra settings to an excellent 137.8 FPS at 1920x1080 on Low. The data indicates that this pairing is well-suited for high-refresh-rate 1080p gaming and solid 1440p performance, while 4K remains a challenge outside of the Low preset.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest setting that maintains 60 FPS at 1920x1080?

A: The Ultra preset at 1920x1080 achieves an average of 76.4 FPS, which is above the playable threshold of 60 FPS, making it the most demanding playable setting at that resolution.

*Q: Can this PC run Control at 2560x1440?*

A: Yes, all four tested presets (Low, Medium, High, Ultra) at 2560x1440 average above the 60 FPS threshold. The Ultra preset yields an average of 60.2 FPS, while the Low preset reaches 103.8 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU's single-thread performance compare to its multi-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-12400 scores 2257 in Cinebench R23 single-core and 15989 in multi-core. This delta shows strong single-thread efficiency, which is relevant for gaming, while the 6-core/12-thread configuration provides substantial multi-threaded headroom.

Q: What is the performance delta between the CPU and its closest rivals?

A: The i5-12400 has an average benchmark score of 18683. Its nearest rival, the AMD EPYC 7643, scores 18697, a difference of -0.1%. Another competitor, the Intel Core i3-14100F, scores 18519, placing the i5-12400 0.9% ahead.

Q: What is the GPU's standing relative to other components?

A: The RTX 4060 is in the 61st percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 17639. Its closest rival is the AMD Radeon HD 7790, which scores 17666, a -0.2% difference.

Q: What is the most significant performance gap between settings at a single resolution?

A: At 3840x2160, the difference between the Low preset (71.3 FPS) and the Ultra preset (42 FPS) is 29.3 FPS. This is the largest absolute delta between two presets across all resolutions, indicating the GPU is the primary limiting factor at 4K.

CPU and GPU Roles

The data across resolutions reveals a classic pattern: the CPU is more than sufficient to feed the GPU, making the graphics card the primary determinant of performance. At 1920x1080, the GPU is the bottleneck, as evidenced by the significant scaling between presets. The Low preset yields 137.8 FPS, but the Ultra preset drops to 76.4 FPS, a difference of 61.4 FPS. This scaling shows the RTX 4060's workload dominates at this resolution, and the CPU's 6 cores and 12 threads are not the limiting factor.

Moving to 2560x1440, the GPU's workload increases, but the CPU remains capable. The performance deltas between presets are slightly compressed than at 1080p: Low at 103.8 FPS, Medium at 74.6 FPS, High at 67.1 FPS, and Ultra at 60.2 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra is 43.6 FPS, a smaller absolute gap than at 1080p, but the visual intensity of the game has a greater impact on the GPU as more pixels are rendered. The CPU is not a limiting factor, as it can maintain frame rates well above the 60 FPS playable threshold even when the GPU is stressed.

At 3840x2160, the GPU's performance dominates the scene. The frame rates drop precipitously: Low is 71.3 FPS, but Medium drops to 54.1 FPS, High to 47.9 FPS, and Ultra to 42 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra is 29.3 FPS, which is the smallest absolute delta between two presets across all resolutions, but it represents a significant relative cost (a 41% drop in FPS from Low to Ultra). This indicates that the RTX 4060's 8 GB GDDR6 memory and 128-bit memory bus are heavily taxed at this resolution, and the CPU's performance becomes less relevant. The escalating load from the higher resolution and preset settings clearly shifts the bottleneck to the GPU, as the CPU has plenty of headroom to keep up with the demanding graphics workload.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific combination of the Intel Core i5-12400 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is ranked 1962 out of 3720 tested combos for Control. This places the combo in the 53rd percentile of tested systems. The median rank suggests that while this is a capable mid-range system, it is not a top-tier performer for this game, which aligns with the measured FPS results, especially at 4K where the GPU is unable to maintain 60 FPS on the more demanding presets. The combination is clearly more suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, where the FPS data shows it can handle all presets. The 1962nd rank indicates that a significant number of tested configurations are able to outperform or match this setup, likely those with more powerful GPUs or CPUs that can push higher frame rates at higher resolutions. This rank is a direct result of the balance between the i5-12400 and the RTX 4060, which is not a flagship-level combination but rather a well-rounded one that prioritizes smooth gameplay at mainstream resolutions.

Similar Performance Alternatives

Based on the nearest rivals of the CPU and GPU, several similar-performing hardware options exist. The Intel Core i5-12400 has an average score of 18683, with the AMD EPYC 7643 (avg 18697) being -0.1% slower and the Intel Core i7-1355U (avg 18730) -0.3% slower. These are so close in score that they would yield no perceptible difference in Control. A more practical alternative is the Intel Core i3-14100F (avg 18519), which is 0.9% slower; this could be a viable option for a cheaper build without a noticeable FPS drop.

For the GPU, the RTX 4060's score of 17639 is nearly identical to the AMD Radeon HD 7790 (avg 17666), which is 0.2% slower. The AMD Radeon 780M (avg 17588) is 0.3% faster, and the AMD Radeon Pro 560 (avg 17551) is 0.5% slower. These GPUs would deliver comparable performance in Control at the same settings, given their near-identical average scores. Any of these rival GPUs would provide essentially the same FPS in Control as the RTX 4060, making them interchangeable for this game. The high similarity in average scores suggests that the game’s engine is not sensitive to any specific NVIDIA feature that would differentiate these cards.

Best Settings per Resolution

• 1920x1080: The Ultra preset is the most demanding and achieves an average of 76.4 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS threshold. This is the best setting for 1080p.
• 2560x1440: The Ultra preset averages 60.2 FPS, which is just above the playable threshold. This is the best setting for 1440p, as it delivers the highest visual quality while still maintaining a playable frame rate.
• 3840x2160: The Low preset is the only one that clears the 60 FPS threshold, with an average of 71.3 FPS. The Medium preset drops to 54.1 FPS. Therefore, the Low preset is the best setting for 4K.

The Verdict

Yes, this system can run Control effectively, but the results vary significantly by resolution. At 1920x1080, the combo runs the game flawlessly, with Ultra settings delivering 76.4 FPS. At 2560x1440, it remains playable on all presets, with Ultra achieving a 60.2 FPS average. The 4K situation is more limited: only the Low preset (71.3 FPS) is above the 60 FPS playable threshold. The Medium (54.1 FPS), High (47.9 FPS), and Ultra (42 FPS) presets fail to reach 60 FPS. For the best visual experience at 1440p, the Ultra preset is recommended, but for 4K, users must accept Low settings to maintain playable FPS.

Measured FPS Breakdown

3840x2160

• Low: Average 71.3 FPS
• Medium: Average 54.1 FPS
• High: Average 47.9 FPS
• Ultra: Average 42 FPS

2560x1440

• Low: Average 103.8 FPS
• Medium: Average 74.6 FPS
• High: Average 67.1 FPS
• Ultra: Average 60.2 FPS

1920x1080

• Low: Average 137.8 FPS
• Medium: Average 102.4 FPS
• High: Average 89 FPS
• Ultra: Average 76.4 FPS

The frame rate data shows a consistent and predictable scaling pattern. At 1080p, the CPU has enough headroom to feed the GPU, and the difference between Low and Ultra is 61.4 FPS. At 1440p, the gap narrows to 43.6 FPS, and at 4K it narrows to 29.3 FPS, showing that the GPU becomes the most significant factor as resolution increases. The average FPS at 1440p Ultra is very close to the 60 FPS threshold, showing that this is the limit of this combo's capabilities without compromising on visual fidelity. There are no min or max FPS data points in the pack, so the analysis is based purely on average frame rates.