Control

The Intel Core i7-14700KF paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 delivers a commanding performance profile in Control, with measured frame rates that consistently exceed the 60 FPS playability threshold across every resolution and preset combination tested. The data set reveals a system that not only handles the game's demanding physics and particle effects but does so with substantial headroom, positioning this combo in the top percentile of tested configurations. This analysis breaks down the raw numbers, examines the balance between CPU and GPU workload, and contextualizes the results against comparable hardware.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the combo produces exceptional frame rates that prioritize high-refresh-rate displays. The Low preset yields an average of 246 FPS, while Medium drops to 175 FPS with a minimum of 149 FPS and a maximum of 201 FPS. High settings average 156 FPS, and the most demanding Ultra preset still maintains a robust 135 FPS average. Even at its lowest point, this resolution never approaches the 60 FPS threshold, making it ideal for competitive or fast-paced play.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance remains remarkably fluid. The Low preset averages 186 FPS, while Medium delivers 132 FPS with a minimum of 113 FPS and a maximum of 152 FPS. High settings produce an average of 118 FPS, and Ultra sustains 102 FPS. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p shows a predictable reduction in frame rates, but the percentage drop is moderate—roughly 24-25% across presets—indicating that the GPU is still well within its comfort zone.

At 3840x2160, the system demonstrates true 4K capability. Low settings average 126 FPS, Medium averages 89 FPS with a minimum of 76 FPS and a maximum of 103 FPS, High averages 79 FPS, and Ultra averages 69 FPS. The Ultra preset at 4K is the only configuration that approaches the 60 FPS line, yet it still clears it by 15%. The minimum frame rate recorded at 4K Medium (76 FPS) confirms that the system avoids significant dips even under load, suggesting consistent frame pacing.

The data pattern indicates that the RTX 4080 handles Control's graphical load with ease. The gap between Low and Ultra presets narrows as resolution increases: at 1080p, Ultra is 45% slower than Low; at 1440p, the difference is 45%; and at 4K, it narrows to 45% as well. This consistent ratio implies that the GPU is the primary scaling factor, with the CPU providing ample support.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark results clarify the division of labor between the i7-14700KF and the RTX 4080. The CPU, with its 20 cores and 28 threads, is clearly not a bottleneck in this title. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 44167 and single-core score of 6235 place it in the 94th percentile of all CPUs, indicating substantial headroom for game logic, physics, and AI calculations. The PassMark multi-thread score of 52425 further confirms its capability to feed the GPU without stalling.

The GPU, however, is the dominant factor in frame rate scaling. The RTX 4080's 9728 shading units and 48.74 TFLOPS FP32 performance drive the visual output, and its 16 GB of GDDR6X memory with 716.8 GB/s bandwidth handles high-resolution textures without issue. As resolution increases from 1080p to 4K, the average FPS drops by approximately 44-49% across presets, which aligns with the GPU's pixel throughput limits rather than CPU constraints.

The scaling between presets reinforces this interpretation. At 1080p, the difference between Low and Ultra is 111 FPS (246 to 135), while at 4K, the difference is 57 FPS (126 to 69). This diminishing absolute gap with resolution suggests that the CPU can still deliver high frame rates at lower resolutions, but the GPU's workload becomes increasingly binding at higher pixel counts. The fact that the system achieves 246 FPS at 1080p Low indicates that the CPU can push well beyond typical display refresh rates, meaning the RTX 4080 is the limiting factor in all tested scenarios.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i7-14700KF + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 combination ranks 241st out of 3720 tested combos for Control, placing it in the top 6.5% of all configurations. This percentile position is notably higher than the GPU's standalone percentile of 86, suggesting that the pairing synergizes well with the game's engine. The CPU's 94th percentile rank contributes to this strong showing, as the 20-core, 28-thread design ensures that no CPU-bound stutters occur even during intense combat sequences.

The rank also indicates that this combo outperforms a significant majority of alternatives, including many with newer or more expensive components. The data shows that the system sits comfortably ahead of the median combo, with the measured FPS figures at 4K Ultra (69 FPS) exceeding what many lower-ranked configurations would achieve at 1440p. This positioning makes the combo a top-tier choice for Control specifically, even if it is not the absolute best available.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The CPU's nearest rivals provide context for its performance. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F scores 0.2% lower, making it virtually identical in synthetic benchmarks. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX trails by 0.4%, while the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X is 0.9% behind. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K is 1% faster. These deltas are negligible in real-world gaming, meaning any of these CPUs would yield nearly identical frame rates when paired with the RTX 4080.

For the GPU, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER is the closest match, scoring 0.1% higher, which is within measurement noise. The AMD Radeon Pro W5700X is 1.1% faster, while the AMD Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB and AMD Radeon 8060S are 2.6% and 2.7% slower, respectively. These differences are small enough that users would not notice a practical difference in Control, though the RTX 4080 SUPER would offer a marginal edge in other titles.

The practical implication is that a system with an RTX 4080 SUPER or a Ryzen 9 7950X would perform nearly identically to this combo, with frame rate variations of less than 3%. Conversely, swapping to an RX 6750 GRE would result in a measurable but modest performance drop, likely pushing 4K Ultra below the 60 FPS threshold.

FAQ

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

A: Yes. At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the combo achieves an average of 69 FPS, which exceeds the 60 FPS playable threshold. All four presets (Low, Medium, High, Ultra) are listed as playable at this resolution.

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

A: At 2560x1440, Ultra settings produce an average of 102 FPS, making it the recommended choice. This is the most demanding preset that stays well above 60 FPS, with High at 118 FPS and Medium at 132 FPS also viable.

Q: How does the RTX 4080 compare to the RTX 4080 SUPER for this game?

A: The RTX 4080 SUPER scores 0.1% higher in average benchmarks, which is a negligible difference. In Control, this would translate to a frame rate difference of less than 1 FPS, making the two GPUs effectively interchangeable for this title.

Q: Is the i7-14700KF a bottleneck for the RTX 4080?

A: The data indicates no. The CPU's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 44167 and single-core score of 6235 place it in the 94th percentile, and the system achieves 246 FPS at 1080p Low, suggesting the CPU is not limiting performance.

Q: What frame rates can I expect at 1080p with High settings?

A: At 1920x1080 with High settings, the average FPS is 156. This is well above the 60 FPS threshold and suitable for high-refresh-rate monitors, though the Low preset reaches 246 FPS for maximum responsiveness.

Q: Does the system maintain stable frame times at 4K Medium?

A: At 3840x2160 with Medium settings, the average FPS is 89, with a minimum of 76 FPS and a maximum of 103 FPS. The 13 FPS gap between average and minimum suggests consistent performance without severe dips.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-14700KF + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is unequivocally capable of running Control at all tested resolutions and presets. At 3840x2160, every settings level—Low (126 FPS), Medium (89 FPS), High (79 FPS), and Ultra (69 FPS)—clears the 60 FPS threshold, meaning 4K gaming is fully viable. At 2560x1440, the system averages between 102 FPS (Ultra) and 186 FPS (Low), offering substantial headroom for future patches or additional background tasks. At 1920x1080, the combo delivers between 135 FPS (Ultra) and 246 FPS (Low), making it ideal for 240Hz displays.

The verdict is straightforward: this PC runs Control flawlessly. The lowest recorded average FPS across all twelve configurations is 69 FPS at 4K Ultra, which is still 15% above the playable threshold. There is no scenario in the data where the system drops below 60 FPS, and even the minimum frame rate at 4K Medium (76 FPS) exceeds the target.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 3840x2160, the most demanding preset that maintains 60+ FPS is Ultra, with an average of 69 FPS. This is the optimal choice for visual fidelity, as it delivers the highest image quality while still exceeding the playability threshold. Users prioritizing frame rate stability over maximum detail could opt for High (79 FPS) or Medium (89 FPS), but Ultra is confirmed as playable.

At 2560x1440, the best settings preset is Ultra, averaging 102 FPS. This resolution offers the best balance of visual quality and performance, with a 42 FPS margin above the 60 FPS minimum. The high average frame rate ensures smooth gameplay even during particle-heavy sequences.

At 1920x1080, the recommended preset is Ultra, with an average of 135 FPS. This configuration maximizes visual detail while maintaining a frame rate that is more than double the playable threshold, making it suitable for both high-refresh-rate monitors and demanding post-processing effects. The 135 FPS average provides ample headroom for any potential in-game spikes in complexity.