Control

The Intel Core i5-12600KF paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 delivers an exceptionally high-performance experience in Control, with benchmark results showing the combination comfortably exceeding the 60 FPS playability threshold at every tested resolution and preset. The measured data indicates that this system is not merely capable of running the game, but rather that it dominates it, providing frame rates that are typically associated with high-refresh-rate displays even at 4K Ultra settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The performance envelope of this combination is defined by a clear scaling pattern across resolutions and graphical presets. At 1920x1080, the frame rates are extraordinarily high, positioning the system well beyond the needs of standard 60 Hz monitors. The data shows an average of 264.3 FPS at Low settings, which decreases to 192.3 FPS at Medium, 171 FPS at High, and 149.2 FPS at the Ultra preset. This progression indicates that even the most demanding settings at 1080p leave significant performance headroom, with the Ultra preset still nearly 2.5 times higher than the playable threshold.

Moving to 2560x1440, the resolution scaling is evident, but the system remains overwhelmingly powerful. The average FPS at Low settings is recorded at 207.1, which is a substantial drop from the 1080p figure but still massively exceeds the 60 FPS target. At Medium settings, the average is 146.1 FPS, while High settings yield 133.4 FPS. The Ultra preset at 1440p produces an average of 116.7 FPS, which is a decrease of 32.5 FPS compared to the same preset at 1080p, yet it remains more than 56 FPS above the playable threshold.

At the demanding 3840x2160 resolution, the performance scaling continues to show a robust system. The Low preset achieves an average of 137.8 FPS, demonstrating that even at 4K, the combination is far from being bottlenecked by the resolution. The Medium preset averages 100.8 FPS, and High settings produce 90.7 FPS. The most demanding configuration, Ultra at 4K, still maintains an average of 77.4 FPS. This final figure is critical, as it shows the system can handle the maximum visual fidelity at the highest resolution while still keeping the frame rate well clear of the 60 FPS playability threshold, with a 17.4 FPS margin of safety.

Similar Performance Alternatives

Based on aggregate benchmark scores, the Intel Core i5-12600KF is surrounded by a cluster of CPUs with very similar overall performance. The data indicates it is effectively a statistical tie with the Intel Core i9-10900K, which shows a negligible -0.3% deltaPct. Similarly, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D and AMD Ryzen 7 6800U are also within a -0.3% deltaPct of the i5-12600KF, placing all four processors in a performance band where differences would be imperceptible in real-world gaming. The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE is a slight outlier but still close, with a +0.3% deltaPct. In terms of CPU-driven performance in Control, any of these processors would yield nearly identical results.

For the graphics card, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090's benchmark score places it alongside several professional workstation GPUs. The Intel Arc Pro A60 shows a 0% deltaPct, indicating a near-identical average score. The AMD Radeon Pro Vega 48 is also very close, with a 0.3% deltaPct. The AMD Radeon PRO V710 and AMD Radeon Pro W6600M are slightly further apart, with deltaPct values of 2.9% and -2.5% respectively. While these GPUs are not gaming-focused products, the benchmark data suggests they would provide a similar level of raw graphical throughput in this title, although driver optimizations and specific feature support would likely vary.

Best Settings per Resolution

The optimal settings for maintaining the highest visual fidelity while ensuring a smooth experience are determined by the highest preset that stays at or above 60 FPS. The data shows that at every resolution, the system can handle the Ultra preset, making it the definitive best setting for all scenarios.

At 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the best choice, delivering an average of 149.2 FPS. This provides a massive buffer above the 60 FPS target, ensuring that even in the most intense combat sequences with numerous particle effects, the frame rate is unlikely to dip to a noticeable level. For 2560x1440, the Ultra preset again stands as the best setting, with an average of 116.7 FPS. This still offers a 56.7 FPS buffer over the playable threshold, making it an ideal configuration for high-refresh-rate 1440p monitors.

At 3840x2160, the decision is slightly more nuanced but still clear. The Ultra preset is the best setting, achieving an average of 77.4 FPS. While this is the lowest average FPS recorded across all tests, it remains 17.4 FPS above the 60 FPS playability threshold. The data suggests that for a standard 60 Hz 4K display, this is the optimal configuration, as it provides the full visual experience of Control without compromising on frame rate. There is no need to step down to High settings, which average 90.7 FPS, unless a user has a higher refresh rate 4K display and desires an even larger frame rate cushion.

The Verdict

The benchmark data unequivocally answers the question of whether this PC can run Control: it can, with exceptional proficiency. The verdict by resolution confirms that all four presets—Low, Medium, High, and Ultra—are playable at every resolution tested. The system clears the 60 FPS threshold with substantial margin in all cases.

At 3840x2160, the system is fully playable across all settings, with the Ultra preset averaging 77.4 FPS. This is a clear pass for 4K gaming. At 2560x1440, the performance is even stronger, with the Ultra preset averaging 116.7 FPS, which is more than sufficient for high-refresh-rate displays. At 1920x1080, the system is overwhelmingly powerful, with the Ultra preset averaging 149.2 FPS. This combination of hardware is overqualified for 1080p gaming, offering performance that is several times the playable threshold.

The data shows that the primary constraint is not the hardware's ability to run the game, but rather the display's refresh rate and the user's preference for visual fidelity versus raw frame rate. For users with a 60 Hz display, the Ultra preset at 4K is the recommended path. For those with 144 Hz or higher refresh rate monitors at 1440p, the Ultra preset will still allow the system to hit frame rates that fully utilize the display's capabilities.

CPU and GPU Roles

The performance data reveals a classic pattern of scaling that helps delineate the respective roles of the CPU and GPU in Control. The frame rates decrease consistently as resolution increases, which is a strong indicator of GPU-bound behavior. For instance, at Low settings, the average FPS drops from 264.3 at 1080p to 207.1 at 1440p, and further to 137.8 at 4K. This is a 47.9% decrease from 1080p to 4K, illustrating the significant load placed on the graphics card at higher pixel counts.

The scaling across presets at a fixed resolution also points to the GPU's dominance. At 4K, the difference between Low and Ultra settings is 60.4 FPS (from 137.8 to 77.4), demonstrating that the graphics card's processing power is the primary determinant of performance when graphical complexity increases. The CPU's role becomes more apparent at lower resolutions where the GPU is less saturated. At 1080p, the frame rates are exceptionally high, suggesting that the i5-12600KF is capable of feeding the RTX 4090 with enough data to keep it busy. However, the data does not show a scenario where the CPU becomes a limiting factor, as even at 1080p Ultra, the frame rate is nearly 150 FPS.

In summary, Control is primarily a GPU-bound title for this combination. The RTX 4090 is the component that dictates the performance ceiling at all resolutions and settings. The CPU, while powerful, does not appear to be a bottleneck, as the system's performance scales predictably with GPU load. At 4K, the GPU's workload is immense, and the frame rates are entirely determined by its capability. At 1080p, the CPU's strong single-threaded performance, as evidenced by its benchmark scores, ensures that the GPU is not starved of work, allowing for the exceptionally high frame rates observed.

FAQ

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

A: Yes. The benchmark data shows an average of 77.4 FPS at 3840x2160 with the Ultra preset, which is above the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: What is the highest playable preset at 2560x1440?

A: The Ultra preset is playable, achieving an average of 116.7 FPS. All lower presets (High, Medium, Low) are also playable.

*Q: Which component has a greater impact on performance in Control?*

A: The graphics card (GPU) has the greater impact. This is evident from the significant frame rate scaling between resolutions and presets, such as the 47.9% decrease in FPS from 1080p Low to 4K Low.

Q: Is the frame rate at 1080p sufficient for a 144 Hz monitor?

A: Yes, for the most part. At 1080p Ultra, the average FPS is 149.2, which exceeds 144 Hz. At lower presets, the frame rate is much higher, reaching 264.3 FPS at Low settings.

Q: Does the system maintain over 60 FPS at all times?

A: The average FPS data indicates that at all tested resolutions and presets, the average frame rate is above 60 FPS. The lowest average recorded is 77.4 FPS at 4K Ultra. No minimum FPS data was provided.

Q: How does this hardware combination rank among other tested systems for this game?

A: This combination ranks at 118 out of 3720 total tested combos, placing it in the top 3.2% of all tested systems for Control.

How This Combo Ranks

The benchmark data places this specific configuration of the Intel Core i5-12600KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 in a highly elite tier for Control. With a rank of 118 out of 3,720 tested combinations, this system is in the top 3.2% of all configurations tested. This high ranking is a direct result of the RTX 4090's immense graphical horsepower, which allows the system to achieve the exceptionally high frame rates observed in the measured data.

The combination's performance is so strong that it is not merely at the edge of playability, but rather it is positioned in a performance class that can handle the game's maximum settings at any resolution. While the CPU is a capable component, its rank is less extraordinary; the i5-12600KF is in the 79th percentile of all CPUs, and its nearest rivals are a mix of previous-generation high-end and current-generation mid-range processors. The GPU, however, is in the 88th percentile of all GPUs. This suggests that for Control, the system's ranking is overwhelmingly driven by the GPU's performance, which is the primary factor in achieving the high frame rates that place this combo in the top echelon of the benchmark database.