Control

The Intel Core i7-14700KF paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 is an overwhelmingly capable combination for Control, delivering playable frame rates at every preset tested across all three resolutions. The data shows that this combo not only meets the 60 FPS threshold at the highest settings but does so with a substantial margin, making it a top-tier choice for this title. The most demanding preset, Ultra, remains comfortably above the playable threshold even at 4K, which is the key takeaway for any user considering this hardware.

Best Settings per Resolution

The benchmark results indicate that this hardware combination is so potent that the most demanding preset is always the best choice. At every resolution tested, the Ultra preset delivers an average frame rate that far exceeds the 60 FPS playable threshold, meaning there is no need to compromise on visual fidelity to achieve a smooth experience.

• 3840x2160 (4K): The best setting is Ultra, achieving an average of 73 FPS. While this is the lowest average FPS recorded in the entire dataset, it still provides a comfortable buffer above the 60 FPS threshold. This indicates that users can experience the game at its maximum visual quality without sacrificing playability at 4K.
• 2560x1440 (1440p): The best setting is Ultra, achieving an average of 107.1 FPS. This is a significant jump from the 4K result, showing that the resolution scaling is favorable for this combo. The frame rate here is well into high-refresh-rate territory, making this an ideal resolution for users with 144Hz or faster monitors.
• 1920x1080 (1080p): The best setting is Ultra, achieving an average of 145.8 FPS. This is the highest average FPS recorded for the Ultra preset and is more than double the 60 FPS threshold. This performance level is perfect for competitive or fast-paced play, fully utilizing high refresh rate displays.

The data is clear: there is no scenario in this game where this CPU and GPU combination requires a reduction in settings to maintain playability. The Ultra preset is the definitive recommendation at all three resolutions.

CPU and GPU Roles

The performance scaling across resolutions and settings reveals a clear picture of the workload distribution between the Intel Core i7-14700KF and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080. The data suggests that the GPU is the primary driver of frame rate in Control, especially at higher resolutions.

Evidence for this can be found in the frame rate drops when increasing resolution. At Ultra settings, the average FPS drops significantly as resolution increases: from 145.8 at 1080p, to 107.1 at 1440p, and further down to 73 at 4K. This steep decline with resolution is a classic sign of GPU-bound performance. The GPU is handling the increased pixel count, and its workload is directly reflected in the lower frame rates.

Conversely, the CPU's role becomes more prominent at lower resolutions where the GPU has an easier time. At 1080p, the frame rates are much higher, but the scaling between settings is also more pronounced. For instance, at 1080p, the jump from Low (259.7 FPS) to Ultra (145.8 FPS) represents a 43.9% decrease in performance. At 4K, the same setting change (from 132.9 FPS on Low to 73 FPS on Ultra) represents a 45.1% decrease. While the percentages are similar, the absolute frame rates are much higher at 1080p, which means the CPU is more likely to be a limiting factor in preventing even higher frame rates.

The data indicates that while the RTX 5080 is the dominant component for overall frame rate, the Core i7-14700KF is more than sufficient to keep up, even at 1080p where the GPU's frame output is at its peak. The lack of any data suggesting a CPU bottleneck, even at the highest frame rates, points to a well-balanced pairing where the GPU is the definitive limiting factor for performance. The sheer scale of the frame rates at 1080p and 1440p shows that this combo is far from being CPU-limited in this game.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following breakdown details the exact average frame rates recorded for each setting at each resolution. It is important to note that the dataset does not include minimum or maximum frame rate data, only the average.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Ultra: Average FPS of 73.
• High: Average FPS of 81.4.
• Medium: Average FPS of 95.6.
• Low: Average FPS of 132.9.

At 4K, the scaling from Low to Ultra shows a 45.1% reduction in average frame rate. The difference between High and Ultra is a relatively small 8.4 FPS, suggesting that the Ultra preset is not significantly more demanding than High at this resolution. The Low preset is the only one that breaks the 120 FPS barrier at 4K.

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Ultra: Average FPS of 107.1.
• High: Average FPS of 122.4.
• Medium: Average FPS of 143.1.
• Low: Average FPS of 199.2.

At 1440p, the frame rates are significantly higher than at 4K. The Ultra preset provides an average of 107.1 FPS, which is a 46.7% increase over the 4K Ultra result. The Low preset nearly doubles the 4K Ultra performance, hitting an average of 199.2 FPS. This resolution offers a fantastic balance between visual quality and high refresh rate performance.

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Ultra: Average FPS of 145.8.
• High: Average FPS of 163.7.
• Medium: Average FPS of 187.4.
• Low: Average FPS of 259.7.

At 1080p, the RTX 5080 is fully unleashed, with all presets delivering over 145 FPS on average. The Low preset achieves an exceptional average of 259.7 FPS, which is more than four times the playable threshold. The scaling from Low to Ultra results in a 43.9% performance decrease, which is consistent with the pattern seen at other resolutions. This resolution is clearly where the combo shines for maximum frame rates.

FAQ

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

A: Yes. The benchmark data shows that the Ultra preset at 3840x2160 achieves an average of 73 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: What is the best setting to use for 1440p gaming?

A: The Ultra preset is the best setting, as it delivers an average of 107.1 FPS. This is comfortably above the playable threshold and provides the highest visual quality.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more important for this game?

A: The data indicates the GPU is the primary factor. This is evident from the significant frame rate decrease as resolution increases, which is a classic indicator of GPU-bound performance. The CPU is sufficient to avoid bottlenecking, even at high frame rates.

Q: How much faster is the Low preset compared to Ultra at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the Low preset achieves an average of 259.7 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 145.8 FPS. This means the Low preset is 113.9 FPS faster, or approximately 78% higher.

Q: Is the frame rate stable enough for high refresh rate monitors at 1440p?

A: Yes. The average FPS at 1440p on Ultra is 107.1, which is well-suited for a 120Hz or 144Hz monitor. The higher presets, like Low, reach average FPS of 199.2, which can support even faster refresh rate displays.

Q: Does the game become more demanding at 4K compared to 1080p?

A: Yes. The performance data shows a clear drop in average FPS when moving from 1080p to 4K. For example, at Ultra settings, the average frame rate falls from 145.8 FPS at 1080p to 73 FPS at 4K, demonstrating the increased graphical load.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The benchmark data for this CPU and GPU provides a list of hardware that performs within a very close margin. This information is useful for understanding what other components would yield similar results in this game.

For the Intel Core i7-14700KF, the nearest rivals are all within a 1% performance delta. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F is a direct competitor, with a negligible 0.2% performance difference. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is also very close at 0.4% faster, followed by the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X at 0.9% faster. On the other side, the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K is 1% slower. This suggests that any of these CPUs would provide virtually identical frame rates in a system with the RTX 5080.

For the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080, the nearest rivals also show a tight performance band. The AMD Radeon 8060S is the closest, being a mere 0.6% slower, while the AMD Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB is 0.7% slower. The AMD Radeon Pro W5700X is a bit further behind at 2.3% slower. Interestingly, the AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE is 2.2% faster than the RTX 5080 according to the average benchmark scores. Users with these alternative GPUs should expect similar in-game performance, with the RX 9070 GRE potentially offering a slight edge.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the benchmark database, this specific combination of the Intel Core i7-14700KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 is placed at rank 182 out of 3720 tested combos for Control. This places the pairing in the top 4.9% of all tested systems. This high ranking reflects the raw performance of both components and their effectiveness in this game. The data confirms that users of this combo are getting a top-tier experience, with performance that is significantly better than the vast majority of other hardware configurations tested. The combination of a very fast CPU and a high-end GPU ensures that it will be a dominant performer for this title and likely many others.