Control

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 delivers a clear performance profile in Control, with results that scale predictably across resolutions and presets. The data indicates a system that is capable at 1080p and 1440p, but constrained at 4K, where only the lowest settings maintain a playable frame rate. This analysis breaks down the measured frames per second, optimal settings, and the hardware's relative standing.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data for this combination shows a steady decline in performance as resolution and graphical demands increase. At 1920x1080, the system demonstrates its strongest results. On Low settings, the average FPS is 124, which is the highest recorded average across all configurations. Medium settings at this resolution yield an average of 88 FPS, with a minimum of 75 and a maximum of 101. High settings produce an average of 78 FPS, while Ultra settings still manage a solid 68 FPS average. The 1080p results show no dips below the 60 FPS threshold even at the most demanding preset.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance drops noticeably but remains mostly playable. Low settings average 94 FPS, while Medium settings average 67 FPS with a minimum of 57 and a maximum of 77. High settings at 1440p average 59 FPS, which is just one frame short of the 60 FPS playable threshold. Ultra settings at this resolution fall further to an average of 52 FPS, indicating a clear step down in capability.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain high frame rates. Low settings average 63 FPS, which is the only configuration at 4K that clears the 60 FPS mark. Medium settings drop to an average of 45 FPS, with a minimum of 38 and a maximum of 52. High settings average 40 FPS, and Ultra settings are the most demanding, averaging only 35 FPS. The data shows that 4K gaming with this combo requires significant compromises in visual quality to remain playable.

Best Settings per Resolution

For each resolution, the most demanding preset that maintains an average of 60 FPS or higher is identified as the best setting. At 1920x1080, all four presets—Low, Medium, High, and Ultra—meet the playable threshold. The best setting is Ultra, which achieves an average FPS of 68, allowing for the highest visual fidelity without sacrificing smooth gameplay.

At 2560x1440, the playable options are limited to Low and Medium. The best setting is Medium, which delivers an average of 67 FPS. While High settings at 1440p come close with an average of 59 FPS, they do not meet the 60 FPS criterion, so Medium is the recommended choice for this resolution.

For 3840x2160, the only playable preset is Low, with an average of 63 FPS. This is the sole 4K configuration that stays above the 60 FPS threshold. Medium, High, and Ultra all fall below playable levels, so Low is the definitive best setting at this resolution.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested hardware combinations for Control, this specific pairing of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 ranks at position 2296 out of 3720 tested combos. This places it in the lower half of all tested systems, indicating that while it can run the game, it does not stand out as a high-performance configuration. The combo rank reflects the overall balance of CPU and GPU capabilities for this title, with the GPU likely being the limiting factor at higher resolutions given the FPS data.

The rank suggests that a significant number of other hardware combinations deliver better performance in Control. However, the data also shows that this combo is far from the bottom, as it still manages to provide playable experiences at 1080p and 1440p with the right settings. The percentile data for the individual components reinforces this: the CPU ranks in the 96th percentile against all CPUs, while the GPU ranks in the 66th percentile against all GPUs, highlighting a mismatch where the processor is far more capable than the graphics card.

FAQ

*Q: Can this PC run Control at 4K resolution?*

A: Yes, but only on Low settings, which produce an average of 63 FPS. Medium, High, and Ultra settings at 3840x2160 all fall below 60 FPS, with averages of 45, 40, and 35 FPS respectively.

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

A: The best setting at 2560x1440 is Medium, which achieves an average of 67 FPS. High settings average 59 FPS, just missing the 60 FPS playable threshold, and Ultra averages 52 FPS.

Q: How does the system perform at 1080p with Ultra settings?

A: At 1920x1080 with Ultra settings, the system averages 68 FPS. This is the most demanding preset at that resolution and still maintains a comfortable margin above the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded for this combo?

A: The lowest recorded minimum FPS is 38, which occurs at 3840x2160 with Medium settings. At 2560x1440 with Medium settings, the minimum is 57 FPS, and at 1920x1080 with Medium settings, the minimum is 75 FPS.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more likely to be the bottleneck?

A: The GPU is the likely bottleneck. The CPU ranks in the 96th percentile against all CPUs, while the GPU ranks in the 66th percentile against all GPUs. The FPS data also shows significant drops at higher resolutions, which is typical of GPU-limited scenarios.

Q: How many total configurations does this combo rank above?

A: This combo ranks 2296th out of 3720 tested configurations, meaning it performs better than 1424 other tested combos in Control.

CPU and GPU Roles

The data from the measured FPS values clearly illustrates the distinct roles of the CPU and GPU in this system. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is a high-end processor, as evidenced by its 96th percentile ranking and a single-core score of 736 in Cinebench R15. This CPU provides ample processing power for game logic and physics, which is reflected in the strong performance at lower resolutions where the GPU is less stressed.

At 1920x1080, the system shows impressive FPS numbers across all presets, from 124 FPS on Low to 68 FPS on Ultra. This indicates that the CPU is not a limiting factor at this resolution. However, as the resolution increases to 2560x1440 and then 3840x2160, the FPS drops significantly. For example, Ultra settings drop from 68 FPS at 1080p to 52 FPS at 1440p, and then to 35 FPS at 4K. This pattern is classic GPU-bound behavior: the rendering load increases with resolution, and the RTX 5050's capabilities are exceeded.

The GPU, with a 66th percentile ranking, is the component that determines playability at higher resolutions. The scaling between presets at each resolution also supports this. At 4K, the difference between Low and Ultra is 28 FPS (63 vs 35), while at 1080p, the difference is 56 FPS (124 vs 68). The larger absolute gap at 1080p shows that the GPU has headroom at lower resolutions, but the dramatic drop at 4K highlights its limitations. In summary, the CPU ensures smooth performance at 1080p and 1440p, but the GPU is the decisive factor for whether the game remains playable at 4K.

The Verdict

The question of whether this PC can run Control has a nuanced answer based on the verdict by resolution. At 1920x1080, the system is fully capable, with all four presets—High, Low, Medium, and Ultra—achieving average FPS above 60. The best setting is Ultra at 68 FPS, allowing players to experience the game with maximum graphical detail without performance issues.

At 2560x1440, the system remains playable but requires a step down in visual quality. The playable settings are Low and Medium, with Medium being the best option at an average of 67 FPS. High settings at 59 FPS are borderline, and Ultra at 52 FPS is not recommended for a smooth experience.

At 3840x2160, the system is only playable on Low settings, which average 63 FPS. All other presets fall below the 60 FPS playable threshold, making 4K gaming a compromised experience. Overall, this combo is a solid choice for 1080p and a good option for 1440p, but it is not suited for 4K gaming beyond the lowest settings.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The nearest rivals to the CPU and GPU provide context for what other hardware would behave similarly. For the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus, the closest match is the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, with a delta of 0.2 percent in average benchmark score. This indicates virtually identical performance. The AMD EPYC 4584PX is 1.1 percent behind, and the AMD EPYC 9135 is 1.2 percent behind. The AMD EPYC 7F72 is 1.3 percent ahead. These alternatives would deliver nearly the same CPU-driven performance in Control.

For the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050, the nearest rivals show a tighter grouping. The AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL is 0.6 percent behind, and the AMD Radeon HD 8970M is 1 percent behind. The AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT is 1.6 percent ahead, and the NVIDIA RTX A4000 Mobile is 1.6 percent behind. These GPUs would produce very similar frame rates in Control across all resolutions and presets. A system with any of these alternative components would likely see results within a few FPS of the measured data, making them viable substitutes for users seeking similar performance.