Control

Control, Remedy’s 2019 action-adventure, presents a unique challenge for the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 and Intel Arc B580 combination. The data shows a pairing that is capable but requires careful settings management to deliver a smooth experience, particularly at higher resolutions. This analysis breaks down the measured performance, component roles, and practical recommendations based strictly on the provided benchmark data.

How This Combo Ranks

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 and Intel Arc B580 combination ranks at position 1258 out of 1636 tested combos for Control. This places the pairing in the lower-middle tier of the database, indicating that while it can run the game, it is not a top-tier performer for this specific title. The rank suggests that many other hardware configurations will deliver higher frame rates, but it does not imply the combo is inadequate; rather, it highlights the need to temper expectations regarding maximum settings and high refresh rates.

The CPU itself holds a 79th percentile ranking against all CPUs in the database, which is a strong showing for the processor. Its average benchmark score of 21765 is closely matched by its nearest rivals, with a mere 0.6% difference from the Intel Xeon D-1746TER and a -0.6% difference from the AMD EPYC 9554P. This indicates that the Ryzen 5 5600 is a solid, mid-range performer that should not be the primary bottleneck in most gaming scenarios. The GPU, however, holds a 66th percentile ranking against all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 23021. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, is only 0.7% faster on average, showing that the Arc B580 is competitive in its class, but the combined system rank suggests that Control is a demanding title for this level of hardware.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B580, built on the Xe2-HPG architecture, brings a substantial 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 456.0 GB/s. This memory configuration is a significant asset for Control, a game known for its dense environments and physics-heavy effects that can consume VRAM quickly. The 12 GB frame buffer provides a comfortable cushion, likely preventing texture pop-in or stuttering at higher settings, even at 4K resolution where memory pressure is highest.

Clock speeds are a point of interest, with both base and boost clocks sitting at 2670 MHz. The memory operates at a 2375 MHz base with a 19 Gbps effective data rate. With 2560 shading units and a peak FP32 throughput of 13.67 TFLOPS, the GPU has the raw compute power to handle the game's rendering. However, the measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern: the GPU is the limiting factor at higher resolutions and settings. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS drops to 32.4, which is below the 60 FPS target most gamers prefer. This indicates that while the GPU has the memory capacity, its raw rendering power is stretched thin by the game's demands at maximum quality presets.

Settings Recommendations

The benchmark data offers a clear gradient of performance across the four available presets: Low, Medium, High, and Ultra. For a target of 60 FPS, the settings must be adjusted based on resolution. At 1080p, the High preset averages 74.8 FPS, providing a comfortable margin above the target. The Medium preset at 1080p averages 83.2 FPS, which is also excellent. At 1440p, the High preset averages 57 FPS, just shy of the 60 FPS target, while the Medium preset averages 63.4 FPS, hitting the mark. For 4K, achieving 60 FPS is not possible with this hardware, as even the Low preset only averages 59.3 FPS.

The optimal experience for most users appears to be the Medium or High preset at 1440p. The Medium preset at 1440p delivers 63.4 FPS, which is a smooth and playable experience. The High preset at 1440p, at 57 FPS, is also viable, especially for those who prefer visual fidelity over a few extra frames. At 1080p, all settings are playable, but the High preset strikes the best balance, offering a significant visual upgrade over Medium with a still-excellent frame rate. Pushing to Ultra at any resolution results in a significant performance hit, with the average FPS falling to 64 at 1080p, 45.6 at 1440p, and 32.4 at 4K, making it a questionable choice for this hardware.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured data provides a comprehensive look at performance. At 1080p, the frame rates are strong across the board. The Low preset achieves an average of 115 FPS, which is ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors. The Medium preset averages 83.2 FPS, and the High preset averages 74.8 FPS. The Ultra preset, at 64 FPS, is the only one that dips below the 70 FPS mark, but it remains playable.

Moving to 1440p, there is a noticeable drop. The Low preset averages 83.9 FPS, which is still very smooth. The Medium preset averages 63.4 FPS, and the High preset averages 57 FPS. The Ultra preset falls to 45.6 FPS, which is a significant step down and may feel less fluid during fast-paced combat. At 4K, the performance drops are more severe. The Low preset averages 59.3 FPS, barely hitting the 60 FPS target. The Medium preset averages 42.9 FPS, and the High preset drops to 37.3 FPS. The Ultra preset is the most demanding, with an average of just 32.4 FPS, which is a challenging experience for a game that relies on precise aiming and reaction times.

Resolution Scaling

The data shows a clear and predictable scaling pattern as resolution increases from 1080p to 4K. At the High preset, the average FPS drops from 74.8 at 1080p to 57 at 1440p, a decrease of 17.8 FPS, and then further down to 37.3 at 4K, another 19.7 FPS drop. This indicates that the GPU is becoming increasingly saturated as the pixel count grows.

The 'Low' preset shows a similar trend, with a drop from 115 FPS at 1080p to 83.9 FPS at 1440p, and then to 59.3 FPS at 4K. The fact that the FPS scales so dramatically with resolution suggests that the Intel Arc B580 is the primary limiting component in this pairing. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see less variation between resolutions, especially at lower settings where the CPU load is relatively higher. The significant FPS penalties at 4K, where the CPU is often less stressed, confirm that the GPU's rendering capabilities are the determining factor for this game.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to achieve a stable 60 FPS experience?

A: Based on the data, 1440p with the Medium preset is the sweet spot, averaging 63.4 FPS. At 1080p, the High preset also comfortably exceeds 60 FPS with an average of 74.8 FPS.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Control?

A: Yes, it can, but not with high visual fidelity. At 4K, only the Low preset averages near 60 FPS (59.3). All other presets fall well below, with Ultra averaging only 32.4 FPS.

Q: How does the RTX 4060 compare to the Arc B580 in this context?

A: The data shows the Arc B580's average benchmark score is 23021, which is only 0.7% lower than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060's score of 23181. This suggests they are very close in overall compute performance.

Q: Is the Ryzen 5 5600 holding back the Arc B580 in Control?

A: The performance scaling from 1080p to 4K suggests the GPU is the limiting factor. The CPU's single-thread score of 882 in 3DMark and strong multi-thread results indicate it is capable of feeding the GPU, as frame rates drop consistently with increased resolution.

Q: What is the highest settings preset that is playable at 1080p?

A: The Ultra preset is playable at 1080p, with an average of 64 FPS. However, the High preset offers a better frame rate of 74.8 FPS, which provides more headroom for demanding scenes.

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

A: The jump from Low to Ultra at 1440p results in a significant performance cost. The Low preset averages 83.9 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 45.6 FPS, a difference of 38.3 FPS.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture. It has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. With a 65 W TDP, it is a power-efficient part that provides substantial computational capability. Its benchmark results are strong, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 18309 and a single-core score of 2584. These scores indicate a balanced processor that excels in both multi-threaded and single-threaded tasks, which is crucial for modern gaming.

In the context of Control, the CPU's role is to handle game logic, physics calculations, and draw calls. The measured FPS data suggests that the Ryzen 5 5600 is more than sufficient for this task. The fact that the frame rate scales so consistently with resolution implies that the CPU is not a bottleneck. If the CPU were struggling, we would see lower frame rates at 1080p that do not improve much when the resolution is increased. Instead, the data shows a clear GPU-bound scenario, allowing the Ryzen 5 5600 to operate without being a limiting factor. Its high single-thread performance, as evidenced by its 3DMark single-thread score of 882, ensures that it can keep up with the game's demands, allowing the Arc B580 to work to its full potential.