Control

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D and AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT combination delivers a solid, high-refresh-rate experience in Control, with the data showing a clear progression of performance scaling across resolutions and settings. The 6-core, 12-thread processor, based on the Zen 3 architecture, provides a robust foundation for the game's physics and logic, while the Radeon RX 6800 XT's substantial 16 GB frame buffer and RDNA 2.0 architecture handle the graphical load. Benchmark results indicate that this pairing is well-balanced, with the GPU becoming the primary limiting factor at higher resolutions, while the CPU keeps pace at 1080p.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D is a 6-core, 12-thread processor from the 5000 series, built on the Zen 3 architecture and codenamed Vermeer. It operates on a base clock of 3.00 GHz and boosts up to 4.00 GHz. For a game like Control, which is an Action Adventure title, the CPU's role is to manage game logic, physics, and draw calls, delegating the heavy visual lifting to the GPU. The processor's specifications show a balanced profile for this task; its 96 MB of shared L3 cache is a standout feature, likely aiding in keeping frequently accessed data close to the cores.

In the context of the measured frame rates, the CPU's performance appears sufficient to feed the GPU at 1080p. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 179 FPS. This high frame rate suggests the CPU is not a bottleneck at this resolution and settings combination, allowing the GPU to work at its full potential. The processor's PassMark single-thread score of 2941 and multithread score of 20363 are indicative of its capability, placing it in the 85th percentile of all CPUs. This places it in close competition with other processors, such as the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, which has an average score of 36945, a mere 0.2% difference from the 5500X3D's average score of 37018.

As resolution increases, the CPU's relative workload typically decreases, shifting the bottleneck to the GPU. The data reflects this, as frame rates drop significantly when moving from 1080p to 4K. However, the 5500X3D's architecture ensures that it does not hold back the RX 6800 XT, even in more demanding scenarios. The processor's 105 W TDP and dual-channel DDR4 memory support are standard for its class, providing no unusual constraints. The benchmark results suggest that for Control, the Ryzen 5 5500X3D offers more than enough computational power to avoid becoming the performance ceiling, with the GPU dictating the final output at higher resolutions.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

Q: What is the best average frame rate this combination achieves at 1080p?

A: The highest average FPS recorded for this combo at 1920x1080 is 179 FPS, which is achieved with the Low preset. This suggests the CPU and GPU combination is highly capable of delivering very high refresh rates in Control when graphical settings are reduced.

Q: How does the CPU's performance compare to its nearest rival in terms of average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D has an average benchmark score of 37018. Its closest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, scores 36945, which represents a performance delta of only 0.2%. This indicates that the two processors are effectively neck-and-neck in general compute performance.

Q: What is the frame rate drop from 1440p to 4K on High settings?

A: At 2560x1440 with High settings, the average FPS is 86. When moving up to 3840x2160 with High settings, the average FPS drops to 58. This is a decrease of 28 FPS, or roughly a 33% reduction in performance, highlighting the significant load increase at 4K resolution.

Q: What is the combo's rank among all tested combinations in this game?

A: The comboRankInGame data places this CPU and GPU pairing at rank 852 out of 2888 total tested combos. This puts it in the upper echelon of performance, suggesting it outperforms the majority of other systems tested in Control.

Q: Does the GPU have enough VRAM for this game?

A: The AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT is equipped with 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus. This is a substantial amount of video memory, and benchmark results indicate it is more than sufficient for Control, as the game runs smoothly even at 4K resolution without performance degradation suggesting a VRAM limitation.

Q: What is the difference in average FPS between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Low preset yields an average of 136 FPS, while the Ultra preset yields an average of 74 FPS. This represents a performance gap of 62 FPS, showing a significant cost to visual fidelity at this resolution.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS data shows a clear and consistent trend of performance scaling across the three tested resolutions. Analyzing the High preset, the average frame rate at 1920x1080 is 113 FPS. Moving down the resolution scale to 2560x1440, the average drops to 86 FPS, and at 3840x2160, it falls to 58 FPS. This pattern is typical for a system where the GPU is the primary performance limiter. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p is a reduction of 27 FPS, and from 1440p to 4K is a further reduction of 28 FPS. The consistent incremental drops suggest that the GPU is handling an exponentially larger pixel workload as resolution increases.

This behavior is characteristic of a GPU-bound scenario. The Ryzen 5 5500X3D provides enough processing power to maintain high frame rates at lower resolutions, but the RX 6800 XT cannot maintain the same output as pixel count increases. For instance, at 1080p Low, the combo achieves 179 FPS, which is exceptionally high and indicates the CPU is not a limiting factor there. However, at 4K Ultra, the average drops to 50 FPS, a 72% decrease from the 1080p Low figure. This drastic reduction is due to the immense computational demand placed on the GPU's shading units, TMUs, and ROPs at higher resolutions.

Further evidence of GPU limitation can be seen in the scaling between different settings at the same resolution. At 3840x2160, the difference between Low and Ultra settings is 42 FPS (92 FPS vs. 50 FPS). This is a more significant drop than the one seen between resolutions, which is expected since higher settings increase the per-pixel workload. The data suggests that to achieve a locked 60 FPS experience at 4K, users would need to dial back from Ultra to High settings, which averages 58 FPS, or potentially use Medium settings, which average 65 FPS. The scaling pattern firmly establishes that the Radeon RX 6800 XT is the component dictating performance at 1440p and above.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

In the database of tested hardware combinations for Control, this specific pairing of the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D and AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT holds a rank of 852 out of 2888 total combinations. This percentile placement indicates that the system performs better than roughly 70% of all other tested combos, placing it in the upper-middle to high tier of performance.

This ranking is a holistic measure of the system's overall capability in the game, reflecting the synergy between the CPU and GPU. The RX 6800 XT's strong performance is a major contributor, as its PassMark G3D score of 24980 places it in the 85th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals, such as the NVIDIA RTX A1000 Mobile, score 47743 on average, a 1.5% difference, showing that the RX 6800 XT is closely matched with other high-end graphics cards. The CPU also performs well, being in the 85th percentile of all CPUs.

The rank of 852 suggests that while this is a very capable system, there are still 851 other combinations that deliver higher performance in Control. These are likely to include newer, more powerful GPUs or CPUs that can push even higher frame rates. However, for the vast majority of users, a rank in the top 30% of all tested combos represents an excellent gaming experience, especially considering the high frame rates measured at 1080p and 1440p. The ranking reflects the balance of this particular CPU-GPU duo, showing that they work well together without one severely bottlenecking the other in this specific game.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings preset depends heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For a smooth, high-refresh-rate experience at 1080p, the High preset is an excellent choice, delivering an average of 113 FPS. This provides a significant visual upgrade over Low without sacrificing much performance, as the jump from Low to High only costs 66 FPS, while the visual fidelity gains are substantial. For those with 144Hz or higher monitors, the Low preset at 179 FPS is an option, but the High preset offers a better balance of quality and speed.

At 1440p, the High preset again provides a compelling experience with an average of 86 FPS. This is generally considered the sweet spot for competitive and immersive gaming, as it offers high visual detail while maintaining frame rates well above 60 FPS. The Medium preset at 96 FPS could be considered for those who prioritize frame rate, but the drop to High is only 10 FPS, making High the more sensible choice for the visual improvement. The Ultra preset at 74 FPS is still playable, but it begins to approach the lower limit for fast-paced action.

At 4K resolution, the situation changes. The Ultra preset drops to an average of 50 FPS, which may be below the threshold for a smooth experience for many users. The High preset, at 58 FPS, is closer to a playable 60 FPS target but still shows some dips. The Medium preset, with an average of 65 FPS and a minimum of 55 FPS, offers the best combination of visual quality and performance for a locked 60 FPS experience at 3840x2160. The data suggests that for a consistent 60+ FPS at 4K, the Medium preset is the recommended choice, as it provides the highest average frame rate above the 60 FPS threshold while maintaining a minimum that is close to it.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The following is a detailed breakdown of the measured average FPS for each resolution and settings combination.

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: 179 FPS average.
• Medium: 127 FPS average, with a minimum of 108 FPS and a maximum of 146 FPS.
• High: 113 FPS average.
• Ultra: 98 FPS average.

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: 136 FPS average.
• Medium: 96 FPS average, with a minimum of 82 FPS and a maximum of 111 FPS.
• High: 86 FPS average.
• Ultra: 74 FPS average.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: 92 FPS average.
• Medium: 65 FPS average, with a minimum of 55 FPS and a maximum of 75 FPS.
• High: 58 FPS average.
• Ultra: 50 FPS average.

These numbers illustrate a clear performance hierarchy. At 1080p, the system is fully capable of driving high-refresh-rate monitors, with all presets exceeding 90 FPS. At 1440p, the performance is still excellent, with all presets remaining above 70 FPS. The 4K results show a more significant impact, with only the Low and Medium presets maintaining averages above 60 FPS. The data also shows that the Medium preset is the only one at 4K that provides both an average above 60 FPS and a recorded minimum (55 FPS) that is close to that target, suggesting it is the most stable option for that resolution.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT is the primary driver of visual performance in this combination. It is based on the RDNA 2.0 architecture and the Navi 21 chip, built on a 7 nm process. The GPU is equipped with 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 512.0 GB/s. This large frame buffer is a critical asset for Control at high resolutions, as the game's detailed environments and effects can consume significant video memory, and the data suggests no VRAM-related stuttering or performance caps.

The GPU's clock speeds are a key indicator of its processing power. It has a base clock of 1825 MHz, a game clock of 2015 MHz, and a boost clock of 2250 MHz. This high boost clock allows the 4608 shading units to operate at a rapid pace, delivering the raw compute throughput necessary for the game's DirectX 12 rendering. The 72 ray accelerators (RT Cores) also contribute to the game's visual effects, though the measured FPS data likely reflects a mix of rasterized and ray-traced workloads. The GPU's PassMark G3D score of 24980 places it in the 85th percentile, and its nearest rival, the Intel Arc A550M, has an average score of 49737, a 2.5% difference, indicating the RX 6800 XT is a high-tier performer.

The GPU's role becomes increasingly dominant as resolution scales up. The measured FPS data shows that at 1080p, the CPU is able to feed the GPU enough data to achieve very high frame rates. However, at 4K, the GPU's computational limits become apparent, with the frame rate dropping to an average of 50 FPS on Ultra settings. This is a direct consequence of the GPU having to render four times as many pixels as 1080p, placing a massive load on its 288 texture mapping units and 128 render output units. The 16 GB of VRAM ensures that memory capacity is never a limiting factor, allowing the GPU to focus entirely on processing the visual data. The GPU's performance is the determining factor for the overall experience at 1440p and 4K, making it the component to adjust settings for in order to achieve target frame rates.