Control

The Intel Core i5-12400F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 produces a highly playable Control experience at 1080p, with every preset from Low to Ultra clearing the 60 FPS threshold. The measured data shows an average of 124 FPS at Low settings, 88 FPS at Medium, 78 FPS at High, and 68 FPS at Ultra, making this combination a strong candidate for high-refresh-rate monitors at 1920x1080. At 2560x1440, the system remains capable but requires a preset adjustment, while 4K gaming demands the lowest settings to stay fluid. This analysis breaks down the exact frame rates, component roles, and optimal settings across all tested resolutions.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The benchmark data provides a clear picture of how this combo performs across three resolutions and four quality presets. At 1920x1080, the RTX 5050 delivers robust results: the Low preset averages 124 FPS, Medium averages 88 FPS with a minimum of 75 FPS and maximum of 101 FPS, High averages 78 FPS, and Ultra averages 68 FPS. The 1080p results show a smooth scaling curve, with each preset step down from Ultra to Low adding roughly 10-20 FPS on average, and even the most demanding Ultra preset maintains a comfortable margin above the 60 FPS playability threshold.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance drops are noticeable but not catastrophic. Low settings average 94 FPS, Medium averages 67 FPS with a minimum of 57 FPS and maximum of 77 FPS, High averages 59 FPS, and Ultra averages 52 FPS. The 1440p data reveals a critical inflection point: High and Ultra presets fall below the 60 FPS target, while Low and Medium remain playable. The frame time consistency at Medium, with a 57 FPS minimum, suggests occasional dips below the average, but the overall experience stays largely smooth.

At 3840x2160, the RTX 5050's 8 GB memory and 128-bit bus begin to show their limits. Low settings average 63 FPS, just clearing the playable threshold, while Medium drops to 45 FPS (minimum 38 FPS, maximum 52 FPS), High falls to 40 FPS, and Ultra bottoms out at 35 FPS. The 4K results illustrate a steep falloff as settings increase, with a 28 FPS gap between Low and Ultra presets. This resolution demands significant compromises, and only the lowest quality settings keep the frame rate above 60 FPS.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i5-12400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 combination holds a rank of 2296 out of 3720 tested combos in Control, placing it in the 38th percentile of all configurations evaluated. This mid-pack positioning reflects a system that is competent but not exceptional for this title, especially when considering the game's 2019 release date and its reliance on both CPU and GPU performance.

The CPU's individual benchmark scores help contextualize this ranking. The i5-12400F achieves a 73rd percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 19039. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS (score 19047, delta 0%), Intel Core 3 201E (score 19056, delta -0.1%), Intel Core i5-1335U (score 18982, delta 0.3%), and AMD EPYC 7773X (score 18979, delta 0.3%). This places the i5-12400F in a tight cluster of performers, suggesting that CPU-side limitations are unlikely to be the primary bottleneck in most scenarios.

The GPU, meanwhile, sits at the 66th percentile among all GPUs with an average score of 21035. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL (score 21153, delta -0.6%), AMD Radeon HD 8970M (score 21237, delta -1%), AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT (score 20713, delta 1.6%), and NVIDIA RTX A4000 Mobile (score 21379, delta -1.6%). The RTX 5050's position relative to these rivals indicates that its performance envelope is close to mid-range GPUs from previous generations, which aligns with the measured FPS data showing solid 1080p performance but struggles at higher resolutions.

CPU and GPU Roles

The scaling between resolutions and presets reveals which component drives performance in Control. At 1920x1080, the GPU is clearly the dominant factor, as evidenced by the wide spread between Low (124 FPS) and Ultra (68 FPS) — a 56 FPS difference that directly corresponds to GPU workload. The CPU, with its 6 cores and 12 threads, provides sufficient headroom at this resolution, as even the most demanding preset maintains 68 FPS without apparent CPU limitations.

At 2560x1440, the GPU's role intensifies. The gap between Low (94 FPS) and Ultra (52 FPS) narrows to 42 FPS compared to 1080p, but the absolute performance drops across all presets indicate that the GPU is increasingly taxed. The Medium preset's 67 FPS average with a 57 FPS minimum suggests the GPU is working near its capacity, while the CPU continues to keep pace with the game's physics and AI calculations.

The 3840x2160 results confirm a GPU-bound scenario. The RTX 5050's 8 GB memory capacity and 320.0 GB/s bandwidth become limiting factors, as the frame rates plummet to 35-63 FPS depending on preset. The CPU's role diminishes further at this resolution, with the i5-12400F's strong single-thread performance (3dmark single-thread score of 909) and multi-thread capabilities (cinebench r23 multicore score of 12380) proving more than adequate for Control's demands. The data suggests that upgrading the GPU would yield the most significant FPS gains at 1440p and 4K, while the CPU remains a capable partner throughout.

The Verdict

This PC can run Control, but the experience varies significantly by resolution and settings. At 1920x1080, the verdict is unequivocal: all four presets — Low (124 FPS), Medium (88 FPS), High (78 FPS), and Ultra (68 FPS) — clear the 60 FPS playable threshold, making this combination ideal for smooth 1080p gaming with maximum visual quality.

At 2560x1440, the system remains playable but requires preset management. The Medium preset at 67 FPS is the best-performing option that stays above 60 FPS, while High (59 FPS) and Ultra (52 FPS) fall short of the target. Users with 1440p monitors should select Medium for a consistently fluid experience, though the 57 FPS minimum at this preset indicates occasional dips that may be noticeable in fast-paced scenes.

The 3840x2160 verdict is more restrictive. Only the Low preset at 63 FPS achieves playable performance, while Medium (45 FPS), High (40 FPS), and Ultra (35 FPS) all fall well below the threshold. This configuration is not recommended for 4K gaming unless users are willing to accept significant visual compromises to maintain playable frame rates.

Similar Performance Alternatives

For the Intel Core i5-12400F, benchmark data shows several CPUs with nearly identical average scores. The AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS (score 19047, delta 0%) is the closest match, followed by the Intel Core 3 201E (score 19056, delta -0.1%), Intel Core i5-1335U (score 18982, delta 0.3%), and AMD EPYC 7773X (score 18979, delta 0.3%). These alternatives would deliver essentially the same CPU-bound performance in Control, meaning users upgrading from or considering these chips should expect no meaningful difference in frame rates.

On the GPU side, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 has rivals that bracket its performance. The AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL (score 21153, delta -0.6%) and AMD Radeon HD 8970M (score 21237, delta -1%) are marginally slower, while the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT (score 20713, delta 1.6%) is slightly faster. The NVIDIA RTX A4000 Mobile (score 21379, delta -1.6%) also sits close. In practical terms, these GPUs would produce FPS numbers within a few points of the RTX 5050 in Control, meaning the same preset and resolution recommendations apply.

Best Settings per Resolution

For 1920x1080, the Ultra preset at 68 FPS is the most demanding setting that maintains playable performance. This allows users to experience Control with all visual features enabled while keeping frame rates comfortably above the 60 FPS threshold. The 68 FPS average provides a solid baseline, though users targeting 144 Hz displays might prefer High (78 FPS) or Medium (88 FPS) for higher refresh rates.

At 2560x1440, the Medium preset at 67 FPS is the optimal choice. This setting balances visual quality with performance, delivering an average that clears 60 FPS while the 57 FPS minimum indicates only occasional dips below the target. Users prioritizing smoothness over visuals should stick with Medium, as High (59 FPS) and Ultra (52 FPS) both fall short.

For 3840x2160, only the Low preset at 63 FPS meets the playable threshold. This is the least visually demanding option, but it's the only way to achieve 60+ FPS at 4K with this hardware. Users with 4K displays must accept significant graphical compromises, including reduced texture quality and effects, to maintain fluid gameplay.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Control at 60 FPS on a 1080p monitor?

A: Yes, at 1920x1080 all four presets clear 60 FPS, with Ultra averaging 68 FPS, High at 78 FPS, Medium at 88 FPS, and Low at 124 FPS.

Q: What is the best preset for 1440p gaming with this combo?

A: The Medium preset at 2560x1440 averages 67 FPS, making it the most demanding setting that stays above the 60 FPS playable threshold. High and Ultra average 59 FPS and 52 FPS, respectively.

Q: Is 4K gaming feasible with the RTX 5050 and i5-12400F in Control?

A: Only at Low settings, which average 63 FPS. Medium (45 FPS), High (40 FPS), and Ultra (35 FPS) all fall below playable frame rates.

Q: How does the i5-12400F compare to its closest CPU rivals?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS has a score of 19047 with a 0% delta, while the Intel Core 3 201E scores 19056 (-0.1%), and both the Intel Core i5-1335U and AMD EPYC 7773X score 18982 and 18979 respectively, each with a 0.3% delta.

Q: What GPU alternatives would perform similarly to the RTX 5050?

A: The AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT (score 20713, delta 1.6%) is slightly faster, while the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL (21153, -0.6%), AMD Radeon HD 8970M (21237, -1%), and NVIDIA RTX A4000 Mobile (21379, -1.6%) are marginally slower.

Q: Does the CPU or GPU limit performance more in Control?

A: The GPU is the primary bottleneck at all resolutions, as shown by the wide FPS spread between Low and Ultra presets. The i5-12400F's 73rd percentile CPU ranking and strong multi-thread scores provide ample headroom, particularly at 1440p and 4K.