Control

The Intel Core i7-13700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 combination delivers a strong, versatile performance profile for Control, a 2019 Action Adventure title. The data shows this pairing is capable of high refresh rate gameplay at mainstream resolutions, with the primary limitation appearing at 4K Ultra settings. The measured results indicate a system that can comfortably handle the game's demands, though the specific settings and resolution chosen will significantly impact the final experience.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The nearest rivals for the Intel Core i7-13700K provide a clear picture of its processing power. The data shows the i7-13700K has an average benchmark score of 46881, placing it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. Its closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 9 5900, which scores 46971, a negligible delta of -0.2%. This means in CPU-bound scenarios, these two processors would deliver nearly identical frame rates. Similarly, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 scores 47022, a -0.3% delta, and the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX scores 46654, a +0.5% delta, indicating that all four chips are effectively in the same performance tier for gaming workloads. The Intel Xeon w3-2535 also matches closely with a score of 46653 and a +0.5% delta.

On the graphics side, the RTX 3070 holds an average benchmark score of 17208, which places it in the 61st percentile of all GPUs. The nearest rival is the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT with a score of 17083, a 0.7% delta, meaning the RTX 3070 is only slightly faster. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 scores 17037 (1% delta) and the AMD Radeon HD 7970M scores 17019 (1.1% delta), both older cards that still land within a couple of percent of the RTX 3070's average score. The NVIDIA Tesla K40c is the only rival that scores higher, at 17468, with a -1.5% delta. For practical purposes, a system with an RTX 3070 would behave nearly identically to one with an RX 7600 XT in Control, with the performance differences being well within the margin of measurement error.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark data for Control reveals a clear pattern where the GPU is the primary driver of performance, particularly at higher resolutions. At 4K (3840x2160), the average frame rate drops from 80.7 FPS on Low settings to 46.7 FPS on Ultra, a massive 42% performance swing driven entirely by the graphics card's workload. This is a classic sign of a GPU-bound scenario, where the RTX 3070 is the limiting factor. The CPU's role becomes more apparent at lower resolutions. At 1080p, the frame rate ranges from 157.9 FPS on Low to 88.2 FPS on Ultra, with the high average suggesting the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU well beyond the playable threshold.

When comparing resolution scaling, the data shows that the RTX 3070's limitations surface as resolution increases. At High settings, the average FPS drops from 99.9 at 1080p to 76.6 at 1440p, and then further to 50.6 at 4K. This consistent decline with each resolution step indicates that the GPU is the bottleneck. The CPU, with its high multi-threaded performance (scoring 30745 in Cinebench R23 multicore and 45887 in Passmark multithread), is unlikely to hold back the system even at 1080p. The i7-13700K's 16 cores and 24 threads provide ample headroom, meaning that for most settings and resolutions, the RTX 3070's raw graphics throughput will determine the final frame rate.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of this combo's capabilities across three resolutions and four presets. At 1920x1080, the system is exceptionally fast. With Low settings, the average frame rate reaches 157.9 FPS, which is ideal for high refresh rate monitors. Medium settings still deliver a very smooth 111.7 FPS average. High settings produce 99.9 FPS, and even Ultra settings maintain a strong 88.2 FPS average. Every 1080p preset clears the 60 FPS playable threshold by a wide margin, confirming this resolution is well within the system's comfort zone.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance remains strong but shows the expected drop. Low settings average 123.1 FPS, which is still exceptionally high. Medium settings deliver 84.2 FPS, while High settings produce 76.6 FPS. The Ultra preset averages 65.3 FPS, which just clears the 60 FPS threshold. This shows that at 1440p, the system can handle the highest visual quality while maintaining playable frame rates, though there is less headroom compared to 1080p. The gap between Low and Ultra at this resolution is 57.8 FPS, illustrating the significant impact of graphical settings on performance.

At 3840x2160, the RTX 3070 begins to struggle with the most demanding presets. Low settings average 80.7 FPS, which is playable. Medium settings average 60.2 FPS, just barely exceeding the 60 FPS target. High settings drop to 50.6 FPS, and Ultra falls to 46.7 FPS. Both High and Ultra presets fall below the playable threshold, meaning that for a consistently smooth experience at 4K, users would need to stick with Medium settings or lower.

How This Combo Ranks

In the overall database of tested system combinations for Control, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i7-13700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 achieves a rank of 1581 out of 3720 tested combos. This places it in the top half of all systems tested, though not at the very top tier. The percentile position is roughly in the 57th to 58th range (calculated from the rank and total). This ranking reflects the fact that while the CPU is a high-end part (89th percentile), the GPU is only mid-range in the broader context (61st percentile), which holds the overall combo back from the top rankings.

The rank of 1581 indicates that there are many systems with more powerful GPUs that outperform this combo in Control, particularly at higher resolutions where the GPU is the bottleneck. However, the data also shows that this combo outperforms a significant number of configurations. For a system with a 10th-generation or older CPU paired with a mid-range GPU, this combo would be a substantial upgrade. The combination of a top-tier CPU and a capable mid-range GPU makes it a balanced pairing that avoids significant CPU bottlenecks, which is reflected in its solid mid-pack ranking.

The Verdict

The verdict on whether this PC can run Control is a definitive yes, but the experience depends heavily on the resolution and settings chosen. The data shows that at 1920x1080, all four presets (Low, Medium, High, Ultra) are playable, with the best experience at Ultra settings delivering an average of 88.2 FPS. This is far above the 60 FPS playable threshold, making 1080p the ideal resolution for this combo if maximum visual quality is desired.

At 2560x1440, the system also manages to run every preset above the 60 FPS threshold. Ultra settings average 65.3 FPS, which is playable but leaves less headroom for demanding scenes. For a more consistent experience at 1440p, High settings at 76.6 FPS would be a safer choice. The data indicates that 1440p is a viable resolution for this combo, with the only caveat being that Ultra settings may occasionally dip below 60 FPS in intense moments.

At 3840x2160, the situation changes. Only Low and Medium settings are playable, with Medium averaging 60.2 FPS, which is exactly at the threshold. High (50.6 FPS) and Ultra (46.7 FPS) settings are not playable, as they fall below the 60 FPS target. For 4K gaming, users would need to compromise on visual fidelity, settling for Medium settings to maintain a smooth frame rate. The best playable setting at 4K is Medium, with an average FPS of 60.2.

FAQ

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

A: No. The data shows that at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average frame rate is 46.7 FPS, which falls below the 60 FPS playable threshold. High settings also miss the mark at 50.6 FPS. Only Low (80.7 FPS) and Medium (60.2 FPS) presets are playable at 4K.

Q: What is the best settings preset for 1440p gaming?

A: At 2560x1440, all four presets are playable. The best visual quality is achieved at Ultra settings, which delivers an average of 65.3 FPS. For those who prefer a higher frame rate buffer, High settings offer 76.6 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its closest rival?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700K has an average benchmark score of 46881, which is nearly identical to the AMD Ryzen 9 5900's score of 46971, a delta of only -0.2%. In practical terms, these two CPUs would perform the same in gaming workloads.

Q: What is the average FPS at 1080p with High settings?

A: At 1920x1080 with High settings, the system delivers an average frame rate of 99.9 FPS. This is well above the 60 FPS threshold and provides a smooth experience for high refresh rate displays.

Q: Is the RTX 3070 a bottleneck for this CPU?

A: The benchmark results indicate that the GPU is the primary limiting factor at higher resolutions. At 4K, the frame rate drops from 80.7 FPS on Low to 46.7 FPS on Ultra, showing that the RTX 3070's performance is the constraint. The CPU is capable of supporting higher frame rates, as evidenced by the 157.9 FPS average at 1080p Low.

Q: What is the overall ranking of this combo for Control?

A: This combination of the Intel Core i7-13700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 ranks 1581 out of 3720 tested combos for Control. This places it in the top half of all systems tested, though it is not among the top performers due to the GPU's mid-range positioning.