Control

The Intel Core i5-12600KF paired with the Intel Arc B570 produces a clear performance profile in Control, but it is heavily dependent on resolution and preset selection. The measured data shows a system that handles 1080p comfortably but struggles to maintain smooth frame rates at higher resolutions, particularly with demanding settings. This analysis breaks down the exact measured FPS across all tested configurations.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 3840x2160, the combo delivers its lowest performance envelope. The High preset yields an average of 32 FPS, which falls well below the 60 FPS playable threshold. Dropping to Medium improves the average to 36 FPS with a minimum of 31 FPS and a maximum of 42 FPS, but this remains firmly in unplayable territory. The Low preset at this resolution reaches an average of 51 FPS, still shy of the target. The Ultra preset is the most demanding, producing only 28 FPS on average. No configuration at 4K clears the 60 FPS bar, and even the best-case scenario (Low) leaves a 9 FPS gap.

Stepping down to 2560x1440 shows meaningful gains. The Low preset achieves an average of 76 FPS, which is the only playable setting at this resolution. Medium averages 54 FPS with a range of 46 to 62 FPS, indicating occasional dips below the threshold. High produces 48 FPS on average, while Ultra drops to 42 FPS. The scaling from 4K to 1440p is substantial: Low improves from 51 to 76 FPS, a 49% increase, while Medium goes from 36 to 54 FPS. This suggests the GPU is the primary limiter at 4K, with the resolution reduction freeing up significant headroom.

At 1920x1080, the system finally shows its strengths. The Low preset delivers an impressive 101 FPS average, providing a large margin over the 60 FPS threshold. Medium averages 71 FPS with a minimum of 61 FPS and a maximum of 82 FPS, ensuring consistent playability. High averages 63 FPS, just above the target. Ultra remains problematic at 55 FPS average, missing the threshold by 5 FPS. The jump from 1440p to 1080p is notable: High improves from 48 to 63 FPS, and Low from 76 to 101 FPS. This 1080p data shows the CPU-GPU combination has enough headroom for smooth gameplay at most settings.

Best Settings per Resolution

For 3840x2160, no preset achieves the 60 FPS playable threshold. The verdict data confirms this with an empty list of playable settings. The best available option is Low at 51 FPS average, but this does not meet the minimum requirement for smooth gameplay.

At 2560x1440, the only playable setting is Low, which averages 76 FPS. This provides a 16 FPS buffer above the 60 FPS threshold, making it a viable option for players who prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity. Medium comes close at 54 FPS but falls short, and the minimum of 46 FPS indicates noticeable stutter during demanding scenes.

For 1920x1080, the best playable setting is High, averaging 63 FPS. This is the most visually demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS. Medium also qualifies at 71 FPS, but High offers better visual quality while still clearing the threshold. Low remains the fastest option at 101 FPS for players seeking maximum frame rates. Ultra misses the mark at 55 FPS, making it unsuitable for 60 FPS gameplay.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The CPU's nearest rivals provide context for its role in this system. The Intel Core i9-10900K scores 27872 in average benchmarks, a -0.3% delta from the i5-12600KF's 27799 average. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D scores 27896, also -0.3% relative. The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE scores 27712, a +0.3% delta. These four processors sit within a narrow 184-point band, suggesting the i5-12600KF's compute performance is well-matched to its peers. In gaming, this means swapping to any of these CPUs would produce nearly identical frame rates, assuming the GPU remains constant.

On the GPU side, the Intel Arc B570's average benchmark score of 20556 is closely matched by several rivals. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile scores 20534, a +0.1% delta. The Intel Arc A750 scores 20582, a -0.1% delta. The NVIDIA Quadro M4000M scores 20480, a +0.4% delta, while the AMD Radeon R9 M390X scores 20662, a -0.5% delta. The Arc B570 sits almost exactly in the middle of this group. For Control specifically, users with any of these GPUs paired with a similar CPU would expect near-identical performance at each resolution and preset combination. The Arc A750 is particularly relevant as a direct Intel alternative, with performance essentially indistinguishable from the B570 in this game.

The Verdict

The data clearly answers whether this PC can run Control. At 1920x1080, the system is playable across three presets: High at 63 FPS, Medium at 71 FPS, and Low at 101 FPS. The High preset is the recommended choice, as it provides the best visual quality while maintaining a 3 FPS margin above the 60 FPS threshold. Ultra at 55 FPS is not recommended for 60 FPS gameplay.

At 2560x1440, the system is playable only at Low settings, averaging 76 FPS. This is a viable option for users who accept reduced visual fidelity for higher resolution. Medium nearly makes it at 54 FPS, but the average falls short, and the 46 FPS minimum confirms inconsistency.

At 3840x2160, the system cannot achieve 60 FPS at any preset. The best average is 51 FPS at Low, which is 9 FPS below the threshold. This resolution is not suitable for smooth gameplay with this hardware combination, regardless of settings.

The overall verdict is that this PC runs Control at 1080p with high settings and at 1440p with low settings, but it cannot handle 4K at playable frame rates.

FAQ

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

A: High settings average 63 FPS, making it the most demanding preset that clears the threshold. Medium averages 71 FPS, and Low averages 101 FPS.

Q: Can this system achieve 60 FPS at 2560x1440?

A: Only with Low settings, which average 76 FPS. Medium averages 54 FPS and misses the threshold.

Q: Is 4K playable with this combination in Control?

A: No. The best 4K result is 51 FPS at Low settings, which is below the 60 FPS threshold. Ultra averages 28 FPS, High 32 FPS, and Medium 36 FPS.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B570 compare to the Intel Arc A750 in this game?

A: Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical: the B570 scores 20556 while the A750 scores 20582, a -0.1% delta. In practice, Control would run at essentially the same frame rates with either GPU.

Q: What CPU alternatives would perform similarly to the i5-12600KF?

A: The Intel Core i9-10900K and AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D both score within 0.3% of the i5-12600KF's average benchmark score, so they would produce very similar results in this game.

Q: What is the minimum FPS at 1920x1080 Medium settings?

A: The minimum FPS is 61, with an average of 71 and a maximum of 82, ensuring stable gameplay without drops below the threshold.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i5-12600KF + Intel Arc B570 combination ranks 2995 out of 3720 tested combos in Control. This places it in the lower portion of the database, at roughly the 19th percentile of all tested systems. The rank reflects the GPU's limitations at higher resolutions more than the CPU's capability. The i5-12600KF's strong compute scores (27799 average, 79th percentile among CPUs) are not the bottleneck here. Instead, the Arc B570's 65th percentile GPU ranking and its 10 GB memory capacity constrain performance in this title. The rank is consistent with the measured FPS data: the system performs adequately at 1080p but falls behind many other combos at 1440p and 4K. For context, combos ranked higher typically feature more powerful GPUs that can maintain 60 FPS at higher resolutions or with Ultra presets. The 3720 total combos tested means this system sits in the lower 20% of the field, making it a mid-to-low tier performer for Control specifically.

CPU and GPU Roles

The data reveals a clear division of labor between the CPU and GPU across resolutions. At 3840x2160, the GPU is overwhelmingly the limiting factor. The frame rate scales dramatically with preset quality: 28 FPS at Ultra, 32 FPS at High, 36 FPS at Medium, and 51 FPS at Low. This 23 FPS spread between Ultra and Low is almost entirely GPU-driven, as the CPU has ample headroom at this resolution. The i5-12600KF's 16 threads and high single-core performance (3302 in Cinebench R23 single-core) are more than sufficient for Control's demands at 4K.

At 2560x1440, the GPU remains the primary constraint, but the CPU begins to contribute. The gap between Low (76 FPS) and Medium (54 FPS) is 22 FPS, similar to 4K, indicating the GPU is still the bottleneck. However, the fact that Low exceeds 60 FPS while Medium does not suggests that the GPU's pixel throughput and memory bandwidth (380.0 GB/s) are the deciding factors. The CPU's role is largely unchanged from 4K, as the resolution reduction primarily relieves GPU pressure.

At 1920x1080, the balance shifts. The CPU's capability becomes more relevant, as the GPU has enough headroom to deliver 101 FPS at Low. The scaling from Low to Medium (101 to 71 FPS, a 30 FPS drop) and from Medium to High (71 to 63 FPS) shows that the GPU is still the primary limiter, but the CPU's ability to feed frames at high rates is now a factor. The i5-12600KF's 10 cores and 16 threads provide sufficient processing power to avoid bottlenecking the Arc B570 at 1080p. The CPU's 79th percentile ranking versus the GPU's 65th percentile confirms that the processor is the stronger component in this pairing. Across all resolutions, the GPU dictates performance, but the CPU's headroom ensures it never becomes a limiting factor, particularly at 1080p where the Arc B570 can stretch its legs.