Control

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 pairing represents a classic mid-range build from different hardware generations, and in Control, the data reveals a combination that is clearly constrained by its graphics card. The combo ranks 1375th out of 1636 tested combinations, placing it in the lower 16th percentile of all tested systems for this specific title. This ranking is not a reflection of a weak CPU, but rather a clear indicator that the GPU is the definitive bottleneck across nearly all settings and resolutions tested.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer. It operates with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, and the benchmark data confirms it has strong single-thread and multi-thread capabilities. Its Cinebench R23 scores of 2584 for single-core and 18309 for multi-core place it in the 79th percentile of all CPUs, indicating it is a very capable processor. The 32 MB of shared L3 cache further helps with gaming performance by reducing memory latency.

In the context of Control, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and handle game logic. The data suggests the CPU is well up to this task. For example, at 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves 98.4 FPS. If the CPU were the limiting factor, we would expect to see performance plateau regardless of resolution or settings. Instead, the FPS scales significantly with resolution, indicating that the CPU is not the primary constraint at lower resolutions. The Ryzen 5 5600's single-thread performance, evidenced by its 3dmark single-thread score of 882, is more than sufficient to drive the GTX 1070 to its limits. The processor's performance relative to its nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core i7-11700F (which it trails by 0.9% in average benchmark score), shows it is in the same performance class, ensuring it does not hold back the system in this title.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 is a Pascal-architecture GPU with 8 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing 256.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth. Its base clock is 1506 MHz with a boost clock of 1683 MHz. While this was a formidable card at its launch, its age is evident in its 51st percentile ranking among all GPUs. The benchmark data shows it has a Passmark G3D score of 13498, which is only 0.7% higher than the NVIDIA Quadro K4200 and 1.4% lower than the GTX 1650 SUPER.

The 8 GB of VRAM is a critical asset in Control, a game known for its high-resolution textures and complex particle effects. However, the GPU's raw computational power is the limiting factor. The measured FPS data shows a consistent pattern: as resolution increases, frame rates drop significantly. At 1080p High, the system hits 61.1 FPS, but at 4K High, it falls to 33.9 FPS. This halving of performance from 1080p to 4K is a classic sign of a GPU that is being saturated. The GTX 1070 simply does not have the fillrate or shading power (6.463 TFLOPS FP32) to maintain high frame rates at higher resolutions in this demanding title. The card's 150W TDP and dual-slot design are consistent with its mid-range positioning, but the data shows it is the clear performance ceiling for this combo.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo's rank of 1375 out of 1636 is a decisive verdict: this is a low-performing combination for Control in the grand scheme of tested hardware. It places the system in the bottom 16% of all configurations, which is a significant finding. This is not a system that will deliver a high-refresh-rate experience at high resolutions. The data indicates that while the CPU is in the top 21% of processors, the GPU is merely average, and the combination of the two yields a result that is far less than the sum of its parts.

The ranking suggests that most other tested combos, which likely include newer GPUs, outperform this pairing by a wide margin. The deltaPct values for the CPU's rivals (ranging from 0.6% to -0.9%) show it is competitive, but the GPU's rivals show a similar tight grouping. This indicates that the system's low rank is not due to a single underperforming component, but rather the fundamental ceiling imposed by the older GTX 1070. For a game like Control, which features heavy real-time effects, this GPU simply cannot compete with more modern architectures. The rank serves as a warning that users should not expect high frame rates in demanding scenarios.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of the combo's capabilities across three resolutions and four settings presets.

At 1920x1080, the system performs best:

• Low: 98.4 FPS (playable, high refresh rate)
• Medium: 71.1 FPS (smooth)
• High: 61.1 FPS (playable)
• Ultra: 55.9 FPS (just below 60 FPS target)

At 2560x1440, performance drops notably:

• Low: 73.1 FPS (playable)
• Medium: 50.5 FPS (borderline)
• High: 46.1 FPS (noticeable stutter)
• Ultra: 38.1 FPS (not smooth)

At 3840x2160, the GPU is overwhelmed:

• Low: 46.8 FPS (playable, but not ideal)
• Medium: 37.1 FPS (not smooth)
• High: 33.9 FPS (slideshow territory)
• Ultra: 29.7 FPS (not recommended)

The data shows a clear trend: the GTX 1070 can handle 1080p with ease, providing a good experience on High settings. However, moving to 1440p requires dropping to Low settings for a consistently smooth experience, and 4K is generally not viable for action gameplay.

Resolution Scaling

The resolution scaling behavior is the most telling aspect of this combo's performance profile. From 1080p to 1440p (a 1.78x increase in pixel count), the average FPS across all settings drops by roughly 25-30%. For example, at High settings, performance goes from 61.1 FPS to 46.1 FPS, a 24.6% drop. From 1440p to 4K (a 2.25x increase in pixel count), the drop is even more severe, with High settings falling from 46.1 FPS to 33.9 FPS, a 26.5% drop.

This consistent, proportional scaling with resolution is the definitive signature of a GPU-bound system. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would see FPS remain relatively flat as resolution increases, because the CPU would be doing the same amount of work. Instead, the frame rate drops in near-perfect correlation with the pixel count increase. This indicates that the GTX 1070's pixel fillrate and memory bandwidth are the limiting factors. The 256.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth is simply insufficient to feed the GPU at 4K resolutions in a game as visually complex as Control. The data conclusively shows that to improve performance, the GPU must be upgraded; the CPU has ample headroom.

FAQ

*Q: Can this combo run Control at 60 FPS?*

A: Yes, but only at 1080p. The measured data shows 61.1 FPS on High settings and 71.1 FPS on Medium at 1920x1080. At 1440p, you would need to use Low settings to get 73.1 FPS, and at 4K, no setting preset reaches 60 FPS.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 or the GTX 1070 the bottleneck?

A: The data clearly shows the GPU is the bottleneck. The FPS scales proportionally with resolution, which is the classic sign of a GPU limitation. The CPU is in the 79th percentile of all CPUs and does not show signs of being a constraint.

Q: What is the best settings preset for a 1080p monitor?

A: High settings at 1920x1080 provides the best balance, with an average of 61.1 FPS. This gives a smooth experience while maintaining visual quality. Ultra settings are not worth the 5.2 FPS drop from High.

Q: How does this combo compare to others in the database?

A: It ranks 1375th out of 1636 tested combos for Control, placing it in the bottom 16% of all systems. This is a low ranking, indicating that most other configurations will provide a better experience.

Q: Is 4K gaming possible with this setup?

A: Technically yes, but the experience is poor. Even at Low settings, the average FPS is only 46.8, which is not smooth for a fast-paced action game. On Ultra settings, the average FPS drops to 29.7, which is unplayable.

Q: Does the 8 GB of VRAM help in this game?

A: The 8 GB of VRAM is sufficient for the game's needs at all tested resolutions, but it does not compensate for the GPU's limited computational power. The bottleneck is the GPU's shading units and memory bandwidth, not the VRAM capacity.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal experience for this combo is at 1080p. For a smooth, high-quality experience, the High preset at 1920x1080 is the clear winner, delivering an average of 61.1 FPS. This provides a solid 60 FPS experience without the steep performance cost of Ultra settings.

For users with a 1440p monitor, the Low preset is the only viable option for smooth gameplay, yielding 73.1 FPS. The Medium preset drops to 50.5 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS threshold and will feel less fluid. The High and Ultra presets at 1440p are not recommended for a playable experience.

At 4K, there is no ideal setting. The Low preset (46.8 FPS) is the only one that approaches playability, but it will still feel inconsistent. Users prioritizing visual fidelity over frame rate can try Medium at 37.1 FPS, but this is a suboptimal way to play the game. The data is clear: this combo is best utilized at 1080p, where it can provide a satisfying gaming session.