Control

Can Intel Core Ultra 5 245 + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 run Control?

The data recorded for this pairing of an Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 shows a clear pattern: the system is fully capable of running Control at 1080p and 1440p with the right settings, but it falls short at 4K. The measured frame rates across all resolutions and presets show a system that handles the game well at mainstream resolutions, with performance scaling predictably as load increases. The benchmark results indicate that this combination sits in the 2950th position out of 3720 tested combinations in the database, placing it in the lower-middle tier of all recorded configurations for this specific title.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain playable frame rates. The High preset produces an average of 35 FPS, which is well below the 60 FPS threshold. Dropping to Medium yields an average of 39 FPS, with a minimum of 33 FPS and a maximum of 45 FPS. The Low preset improves the average to 55 FPS, but this still does not reach the playable threshold. The Ultra preset is the most demanding, with an average of just 30 FPS. None of the 4K presets achieve the 60 FPS target, making this resolution unsuitable for smooth gameplay.

At 2560x1440, the situation improves significantly. The Low preset delivers an average of 81 FPS, which clears the 60 FPS threshold with room to spare. The Medium preset records an average of 58 FPS, with a minimum of 49 FPS and a maximum of 66 FPS, placing it just below the target. The High preset averages 51 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 45 FPS. This resolution offers a usable experience only at the Low settings, where the frame rate is consistently above the playable mark.

At 1920x1080, the system performs at its best. The Low preset reaches an average of 107 FPS, providing a very smooth experience. The Medium preset averages 76 FPS, with a minimum of 65 FPS and a maximum of 88 FPS, which comfortably exceeds the 60 FPS target. The High preset averages 68 FPS, also clearing the threshold. The Ultra preset falls just short, with an average of 59 FPS. This resolution offers three playable presets, with High being the most demanding option that still maintains an average above 60 FPS.

CPU and GPU Roles

The data shows that the GPU is the limiting factor in this configuration, particularly at higher resolutions. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p and then to 4K demonstrates a consistent drop in frame rates that aligns with the increasing pixel count, which taxes the graphics card more heavily. At 1080p, the CPU has ample headroom, as evidenced by the high frame rates at Low settings (107 FPS). The drop to 76 FPS at Medium and 68 FPS at High indicates that the GPU is taking on more work as settings increase, but the CPU is not bottlenecking the system at this resolution.

At 1440p, the GPU load increases further, and the frame rates drop accordingly. The Low preset still achieves 81 FPS, showing that the CPU can feed the GPU enough data, but the Medium preset falls to 58 FPS, indicating that the GPU is now struggling to keep up with the increased resolution and settings. The gap between Low and Medium at 1440p is 23 FPS, which is larger than the 31 FPS gap between Low and Medium at 1080p, suggesting the GPU is becoming the primary constraint.

At 4K, the GPU is clearly overwhelmed. The difference between Low (55 FPS) and Medium (39 FPS) is 16 FPS, and the Ultra preset drops to 30 FPS. The CPU's role diminishes further at this resolution, as the frame rates are dictated almost entirely by the GPU's ability to render the higher pixel count. The benchmark results indicate that this system is GPU-bound at 1440p and 4K, while at 1080p, the balance between CPU and GPU is more even, though the GPU still limits maximum settings.

FAQ

Q: Can this system run Control at 1080p with High settings?

A: Yes. The measured average frame rate at 1920x1080 with the High preset is 68 FPS, which exceeds the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: What is the best playable preset at 1440p?

A: The Low preset is the only playable option at 2560x1440, delivering an average of 81 FPS. The Medium preset averages 58 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target.

Q: Is 4K playable with this hardware?

A: No. All four presets at 3840x2160 fall below 60 FPS. The highest average is 55 FPS at Low settings, which is still short of the playable threshold.

Q: How does the GPU compare to similar hardware in the database?

A: The RTX 2060 has an average benchmark score of 15290, which places it at the 58th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580, has a nearly identical score of 15283, a difference of 0 percent.

Q: How does the CPU perform relative to other processors?

A: The Core Ultra 5 245 has an average benchmark score of 48995, placing it at the 90th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G is a close rival with a score of 49196, which is 0.4 percent higher.

Q: What is the most demanding preset that maintains 60 FPS at 1080p?

A: The High preset is the most demanding playable option at 1920x1080, with an average of 68 FPS. The Ultra preset falls to 59 FPS, just missing the threshold.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The CPU's nearest rivals in the database are all within a narrow performance band. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G has an average score of 49196, which is 0.4 percent higher than the Core Ultra 5 245. The AMD Ryzen 9 7900 scores 49228, a 0.5 percent advantage. On the other side, the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H scores 48698, which is 0.6 percent lower, and the Intel Core i5-14600K scores 48618, a 0.8 percent deficit. These processors would deliver nearly identical frame rates in Control, as the differences are minimal and within the margin of measurement error.

The GPU's nearest rivals show a similar pattern. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 has an average score of 15283, essentially matching the RTX 2060's 15290, a 0 percent difference. The AMD Radeon 680M scores 15270, which is 0.1 percent lower. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM scores 15199, a 0.6 percent difference, and the AMD Radeon RX 7600 scores 15171, a 0.8 percent difference. In practice, these graphics cards would produce nearly identical performance in Control, with frame rates varying by only a few FPS across all presets and resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 ranks 2950th out of 3720 tested configurations in the database for Control. This places the system in the lower 21 percent of all recorded combinations, indicating that while it can run the game, many other hardware pairings deliver higher frame rates. The ranking reflects the GPU's age and performance tier, as the CPU is a strong performer in its own right, sitting at the 90th percentile of all processors. The GPU's 58th percentile ranking drags the overall combo down, as Control is a graphics-intensive title that relies heavily on the GPU at higher resolutions.

The rank suggests that this system is adequate for 1080p gaming but will struggle at higher resolutions. The measured data confirms this, as the system only achieves playable frame rates at 1080p and 1440p Low. The combo's position in the database indicates that users with this hardware should target 1080p for the best experience, with 1440p available only at reduced settings.

The Verdict

This PC can run Control, but the playable range depends heavily on the resolution. At 1920x1080, the system clears the 60 FPS threshold at High, Low, and Medium presets, with the High preset being the most demanding playable option at 68 FPS. The Ultra preset falls just short at 59 FPS. At 2560x1440, only the Low preset is playable, with an average of 81 FPS, while Medium drops to 58 FPS and High falls to 51 FPS. At 3840x2160, no preset reaches the 60 FPS target, with the best result being 55 FPS at Low settings.

The verdict by resolution is clear: 4K is not viable, 1440p is viable only at Low settings, and 1080p offers a solid experience with three playable presets. Users looking to play Control with this hardware should prioritize 1080p for the best balance of visual quality and frame rate.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 3840x2160, there is no playable preset, as all settings fall below the 60 FPS threshold. The highest average is 55 FPS at Low, but this does not meet the playable target, so no recommendation can be made for this resolution.

At 2560x1440, the best playable setting is Low, which delivers an average of 81 FPS. This is the only preset that clears the 60 FPS threshold at this resolution, making it the recommended choice for smooth gameplay.

At 1920x1080, the best playable setting is High, with an average of 68 FPS. This preset provides a good balance of visual fidelity and performance, and it is the most demanding option that still maintains a frame rate above 60 FPS. The Medium preset also performs well at 76 FPS, but High offers better visuals while remaining playable. The Ultra preset at 59 FPS is just below the target, so High is the optimal choice.