Control

Control is a demanding action-adventure title that stresses both the CPU and GPU, and this particular pairing of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 produces a system that is overwhelmingly overpowered for the game’s requirements. The benchmark data shows that every single preset at every resolution tested clears the 60 FPS playability threshold, often by a massive margin. This combination is not about scraping by; it is about maximizing visual fidelity and frame rates simultaneously, with the only real question being how much headroom you want for future titles or higher refresh rate displays.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Control at 4K with maxed-out settings?

A: Yes. At 3840x2160 with the Ultra preset, the system achieves an average of 76 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS playability threshold. The data confirms that all settings presets at 4K are playable.

Q: What is the performance difference between the Low and Ultra presets at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Low preset averages 206 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 113 FPS. This represents a 93 FPS difference, showing that the Ultra preset demands significantly more from the hardware but still remains well above the 60 FPS target.

Q: Is the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 a bottleneck for the RTX 4090 in this game?

A: The data does not indicate a bottleneck. The combination achieves extremely high frame rates across all resolutions, and the CPU's benchmark scores (93rd percentile among all CPUs) suggest it has ample headroom to feed the GPU. The scaling from 1080p to 4K shows a performance drop consistent with GPU load increasing.

Q: How does the RTX 4090's performance compare to its nearest rivals in general benchmarks?

A: The RTX 4090's average benchmark score is 60347, which places it 0% ahead of the Intel Arc Pro A60, 0.3% ahead of the AMD Radeon Pro Vega 48, and 2.9% ahead of the AMD Radeon PRO V710. It trails the AMD Radeon Pro W6600M by 2.5%.

Q: What is the highest average FPS recorded for this system in Control?

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 272, which occurs at 1920x1080 with the Low preset. This is substantially higher than the 60 FPS target and indicates the system is far more capable than the game requires.

Q: Should I use the Medium preset at 4K for better frame pacing?

A: The Medium preset at 3840x2160 provides an average FPS of 99 with a minimum of 84 and a maximum of 114. This is a smoother experience than the Ultra preset's 76 FPS average, but both are above the playable threshold. The choice depends on whether you prioritize visual quality or higher frame rates.

Best Settings per Resolution

The benchmark data provides a clear picture of what this system can deliver at each resolution. The goal here is to identify the most demanding preset that still maintains an average of at least 60 FPS, and in this case, every single preset qualifies. This makes the decision purely about maximizing visual fidelity.

At 3840x2160 (4K), the Ultra preset is the best choice. It delivers an average of 76 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS threshold. There is no reason to drop below Ultra, as even this most demanding setting provides a comfortable margin. The High preset also works at 88 FPS, but Ultra offers the best image quality without sacrificing playability.

At 2560x1440 (1440p), the Ultra preset is again the clear winner. It averages 113 FPS, which is nearly double the playability threshold. This resolution provides a sweet spot for high refresh rate monitors, as the frame rates are high enough to take full advantage of a 120Hz or 144Hz display. The Medium preset at 146 FPS is an option for those seeking even higher frame rates, but it is unnecessary for a smooth experience.

At 1920x1080 (1080p), the Ultra preset averages 149 FPS. This is the most demanding setting, and it still provides a frame rate that is well above 60 FPS. In fact, all presets at 1080p exceed 149 FPS, with the Low preset reaching 272 FPS. For 1080p, the Ultra preset is the recommended choice, as it offers the best visual quality while still delivering a high frame rate that exceeds the refresh rate of most standard monitors.

CPU and GPU Roles

The data reveals a system where the GPU is the primary driver of performance, but the CPU is more than capable of keeping up. The scaling between resolutions shows a clear pattern of GPU-bound behavior. As resolution increases, the average FPS decreases across all settings, which is expected because higher resolutions place more load on the graphics card.

For example, at 1080p with the Ultra preset, the average FPS is 149. At 1440p, it drops to 113, and at 4K, it falls to 76. This is a reduction of 24% from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 33% from 1440p to 4K. This scaling is consistent with a GPU-bound scenario, where the graphics card is the limiting factor.

The CPU's role is to feed the GPU with enough data to keep it busy. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265, with its 20 cores and 20 threads, has a benchmark score that places it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 4464P, which is 0.3% slower, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F, which is 0.3% faster. This level of performance ensures that the CPU is not a bottleneck at any resolution.

The fact that the frame rates are so high at 1080p, even with the Low preset reaching 272 FPS, indicates that the CPU can handle the game's logic and draw calls without issue. At 4K, the GPU is clearly the dominant factor, as the frame rates are lower, but they are still far above the playability threshold. The data suggests that the CPU matters less as resolution increases, but it does not become a limiting factor at any point.

The Verdict

This system is unequivocally capable of running Control at maximum settings across all tested resolutions. The verdict by resolution is clear: at 3840x2160, the Ultra preset is playable with an average of 76 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS threshold. At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset averages 113 FPS, and at 1920x1080, it averages 149 FPS. In every case, the most demanding preset clears the 60 FPS target with substantial headroom.

The data shows that this is not a borderline case. The system is so powerful that even the lowest preset at 4K (139 FPS) is more than double the playability threshold. The only consideration is whether you want to prioritize the highest possible frame rates or the best visual quality. If you have a high refresh rate monitor (144Hz or above), you may prefer the Medium or Low presets at 1440p or 1080p to push frame rates even higher. However, for a standard 60Hz or 120Hz display, the Ultra preset is the obvious choice at every resolution.

The RTX 4090, with its 24 GB of GDDR6X memory and 82.58 TFLOPS of FP32 performance, is more than capable of handling this game's demands. The CPU, while not the star of the show, provides the necessary support without any signs of struggling. In short, this PC does not just run Control; it dominates it.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed look at performance across all settings and resolutions. The following breakdown uses the exact numbers from the benchmark results.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: Average FPS of 139. This is the lowest recorded average at 4K, but it is still more than double the 60 FPS target.
• Medium: Average FPS of 99, with a minimum of 84 and a maximum of 114. This preset offers a smoother experience than Ultra, with a higher minimum frame rate.
• High: Average FPS of 88. This is a solid choice for those who want a balance between quality and performance.
• Ultra: Average FPS of 76. This is the most demanding setting, and it still stays above the 60 FPS threshold, making it the best visual option.

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: Average FPS of 206. This is a very high frame rate, suitable for competitive play or high refresh rate displays.
• Medium: Average FPS of 146, with a minimum of 124 and a maximum of 168. The minimum frame rate is well above the 60 FPS target, ensuring smooth gameplay.
• High: Average FPS of 130. This preset offers a good balance, with frame rates that are more than sufficient for any display.
• Ultra: Average FPS of 113. This is the best visual choice at 1440p, and it still provides a frame rate that is nearly double the playability threshold.

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: Average FPS of 272. This is the highest average FPS recorded for this system, indicating that the CPU and GPU are both extremely capable at this resolution.
• Medium: Average FPS of 194, with a minimum of 165 and a maximum of 223. The minimum frame rate is nearly three times the 60 FPS target.
• High: Average FPS of 172. This is a high frame rate that will easily saturate a 144Hz monitor.
• Ultra: Average FPS of 149. This is the most demanding setting at 1080p, and it still provides a frame rate that is well above 60 FPS.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 ranks 121st out of 3720 tested combinations in Control. This puts it in the top 3.3% of all tested systems, which is a very strong showing. The ranking reflects the overall performance of the combo, and the data shows that it is well above average.

The RTX 4090's individual performance is notable, with an average benchmark score of 60347, placing it in the 88th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals in the benchmark database include the Intel Arc Pro A60, which has a score of 60326 and is 0% different, and the AMD Radeon Pro Vega 48, which scores 60140 and is 0.3% slower. The AMD Radeon Pro W6600M is 2.5% faster, while the AMD Radeon PRO V710 is 2.9% slower. This indicates that the RTX 4090 is a top-tier GPU, even when compared to professional workstation cards.

The CPU also performs well, with a percentile ranking of 93 among all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 4464P, which is 0.3% slower, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F, which is 0.3% faster. The AMD EPYC 7343 is 0.7% slower, and the AMD EPYC 9124 is 0.7% slower. This places the Core Ultra 7 265 in a strong position, comfortably ahead of many server-grade processors.

In the context of Control specifically, this combo's rank of 121 out of 3720 suggests that while there are a handful of systems that perform better, this is an exceptionally powerful configuration. The data shows that it is more than capable of delivering a top-tier experience in this game, with frame rates that are so high that they are unlikely to be a limiting factor in any scenario. This is a system that is built for the future, and it handles Control with ease.