Control

The Intel Core i5-14600KF paired with the Intel Arc B580 presents a specific performance profile for Control. The data shows a combination where the GPU is the primary constraint at higher resolutions, while the CPU’s strong multi-threaded capabilities ensure the system scales well at lower settings. This analysis interprets the measured FPS, relative rankings, and system behavior to determine the best way to configure the game.

Similar Performance Alternatives

For the Intel Core i5-14600KF, the benchmark data places it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals, based on average benchmark scores, are the AMD Ryzen 9 7900, which is a mere 0.3% ahead, and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G, which trails by 0.4%. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is also a close match, scoring 0.8% lower, while the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 leads by 0.8%. In practical terms for gaming, these processors would deliver nearly identical frame rates in Control at the tested resolutions, as the differences in their average scores are within a single percentage point. The 14 cores and 20 threads of the i5-14600KF, with a boost clock of 5.30, ensure that CPU-bound scenarios are unlikely to be a bottleneck.

On the GPU side, the Intel Arc B580 sits in the 68th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest competitor is the AMD Radeon RX 580 2048SP, which scores 0.2% higher. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 is 0.6% behind, and the RTX 3080 is 0.7% ahead. The NVIDIA P106-100 leads by 1%. This is a tight grouping, meaning that for Control, the Arc B580’s performance is effectively equivalent to these cards. When selecting a GPU for this game, the data suggests that any of these alternatives would produce very similar average FPS at the same settings and resolution. The Arc B580’s 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus provides a bandwidth of 456.0 GB/s, which is a factor in its performance, but the key takeaway from the rival data is that it trades blows with these other graphics cards.

CPU and GPU Roles

The measured FPS data for this combination reveals a clear division of labor. At 3840x2160, the GPU is the dominant factor. Dropping from Ultra to Low settings at this resolution increases the average FPS from 32 to 58, a gain of 26 frames. This substantial improvement from lowering graphical load indicates the Arc B580's rendering capabilities are being maxed out. The CPU’s role is to feed the GPU with data, but it is not the limiting factor here.

At 2560x1440, the balance shifts. The average FPS at High is 54, but lowering to Medium yields 61 FPS, and Low produces 86 FPS. The scaling is less dramatic than at 4K, but still shows that the GPU is the primary bottleneck. The CPU has enough headroom to handle the reduced draw calls and physics calculations at this resolution, as evidenced by the fact that the frame rate still improves when settings are lowered.

The situation changes at 1920x1080. Here, the CPU and GPU work in better balance. At Ultra settings, the average FPS is 62, and at High it is 72. The scaling from Ultra to Low (114 FPS) is significant, but the fact that Ultra remains playable shows the CPU can keep up with the GPU’s output. The data indicates that at 1080p, the i5-14600KF is no longer a passive observer; its high single-core performance, reflected in a Geekbench single-core score of 2445, ensures that the GPU is not starved for data. The 14-core processor provides ample headroom for the game’s logic, while the Arc B580’s performance dictates the final frame rate.

Best Settings per Resolution

The playable threshold for this analysis is 60 FPS. The measured data shows that the system cannot maintain this at 3840x2160 with any preset, as the highest average FPS recorded is 58 at Low settings. Therefore, no settings are recommended for 4K.

At 2560x1440, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is Medium, which achieves an average of 61 FPS. Low settings also clear the threshold with an average of 86 FPS, but Medium is the best possible choice for visual quality while maintaining smooth gameplay. The minimum FPS at Medium is 52, so there may be brief dips below 60, but the average is acceptable.

For 1920x1080, all presets clear the 60 FPS threshold. The data shows that Ultra is playable with an average of 62 FPS. This is the best settings recommendation. High achieves 72 FPS, Medium 81 FPS, and Low 114 FPS. Since Ultra remains above the 60 FPS line, it is the recommended preset for the best visual experience. The minimum FPS is not listed for Ultra, but the average suggests it is a viable option for most of the gameplay.

The Verdict

This PC configuration can run Control effectively, but its capability is heavily dependent on the target resolution. The verdict by resolution is clear: at 3840x2160, the system fails to meet the 60 FPS standard at any preset, with the best average being 58 FPS at Low. This makes 4K gaming unplayable by the defined threshold.

At 2560x1440, the system is playable. The data shows that both Low and Medium presets maintain an average FPS at or above 60. The best playable setting is Medium, with an average of 61 FPS. While this is a passable experience, it requires a compromise on graphical fidelity.

The system’s true strength appears at 1920x1080. Here, the combination of the i5-14600KF and Arc B580 delivers a fully playable experience across all presets. The data indicates that even Ultra settings achieve an average of 62 FPS, making it the recommended configuration. This means the PC can run the game with maximum visual quality at 1080p, which is the standard resolution for many players. The system is a capable 1080p machine for Control, a decent 1440p machine with some settings adjustments, and not a 4K machine for this title.

FAQ

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

A: No. At 3840x2160, the highest average FPS recorded is 58 at Low settings, which is below the 60 FPS playable threshold. The Ultra preset averages only 32 FPS.

Q: What is the best preset for 2560x1440 that maintains 60 FPS?

A: The Medium preset is the most demanding option that stays at or above 60 FPS, with an average of 61 FPS. The Low preset also achieves 86 FPS, but Medium provides better visual quality.

Q: Is the Ultra preset playable at 1920x1080?

A: Yes. The data shows an average of 62 FPS at Ultra settings for 1920x1080, which clears the 60 FPS threshold. This is the recommended setting for this resolution.

Q: How does the Intel Core i5-14600KF compare to its closest rivals?

A: The CPU is in the 90th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 9 7900, is only 0.3% faster in average benchmark score. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G is 0.4% slower, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is 0.8% slower.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B580's performance compare to a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080?

A: The Arc B580's average benchmark score is 0.6% higher than the RTX 2080, indicating they perform nearly identically in synthetic tests. In Control, the frame rates would be very similar.

Q: What is the average FPS on High settings at 2560x1440?

A: The average FPS at 2560x1440 with High settings is 54, which is below the 60 FPS playable threshold. You would need to drop to Medium for a playable experience.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i5-14600KF and Intel Arc B580 combination ranks 2816 out of 3720 tested combos for Control. This places it in the lower half of all tested systems. While the individual components have respectable percentiles (90th for the CPU and 68th for the GPU), their combined performance in this specific game is not particularly strong. The ranking indicates that many other CPU-GPU pairings can achieve better frame rates in Control. This is likely because the GPU, despite being a modern architecture, is positioned in the mid-range tier, and the game’s demands at higher resolutions push it to its limits. The rank of 2816 suggests that while the system is fully capable of running the game at 1080p and 1440p with adjustments, it is not an optimal or high-performing combination for this title compared to the broader spectrum of hardware tested. The data shows a system that is capable, but not outstanding, for Control.