Control

Control with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 presents a compelling case study in system balancing for a 2019 action-adventure title. The measured frame rates across resolutions and settings reveal a configuration that is clearly capable but exhibits distinct bottlenecks depending on the workload. The data indicates a system that prioritizes high refresh rates at 1080p, while 4K gaming requires significant compromises in visual fidelity to remain playable.

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

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer. It operates with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. This is a 7 nm part from TSMC, and its specifications are firmly in the mid-range desktop territory. The processor's 32 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR4 memory support (with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s) are typical for the platform. In synthetic benchmarks, the chip achieves a Passmark multi-thread score of 19,236 and a single-thread score of 2,872, placing it in the 85th percentile of all CPUs.

In the context of Control's measured results, the CPU's role appears to be that of a capable but not restrictive partner. At 1080p with Low settings, the average FPS is 140, which is the highest frame rate recorded for this combo. This suggests the CPU is feeding the GPU effectively at this resolution and settings level. However, it is crucial to note that Control is a game known for its physics and destruction, which can be CPU-intensive. The data shows a clear scaling pattern: as resolution increases, the frame rate drops, which is typical for GPU-bound scenarios. Yet, the CPU's performance headroom is evident when comparing the scaling from 1080p Low to 4K Low. The 1080p Low score of 140 FPS drops to 71 FPS at 4K Low, a reduction of roughly half. This indicates that the GPU is taking on the primary workload as pixel count increases.

When comparing the 5600F to its nearest rivals, the data shows it is virtually tied with the Intel Core Ultra 5 225, which has an average score of 36,938 (a deltaPct of 0). It is also almost identical to the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D, which scores 37,018 (a deltaPct of -0.2). This performance parity suggests that the 5600F is not a unique outlier but rather sits in a very competitive performance tier. For this specific game, the CPU's 6-core/12-thread configuration appears sufficient to avoid becoming the primary limiting factor, especially when the GPU is under heavy load at higher resolutions. The frame rate differences between settings at the same resolution are more likely attributable to GPU workload than CPU limitations.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is the engine driving the visual output. It is based on the Ada Lovelace architecture and the AD107 chip, manufactured on a 5 nm process from TSMC. The GPU operates with a base clock of 1830 MHz and a boost clock of 2460 MHz. It features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 272.0 GB/s. With 3,072 shading units and 24 RT cores, it is a modern mid-range graphics card. Its benchmark scores, including a Passmark G3D score of 19,545 and a Geekbench OpenCL score of 95,057, place it in the 61st percentile of all GPUs.

The GPU's role in Control is clearly the dominant factor in the measured frame rates. The average FPS scales directly with resolution and settings, which is the classic signature of a GPU-bound scenario. At 1080p with Ultra settings, the combo achieves 77 FPS, while at 4K with Ultra settings, it falls to 39 FPS. This steep decline highlights the RTX 4060's limitations when pushing a high pixel count with maximum visual fidelity. The 8 GB VRAM capacity is a key consideration. While the data does not show a specific VRAM-related failure, the performance drop at 4K Ultra (39 FPS) suggests the GPU is struggling with the computational load and potentially memory bandwidth constraints.

The GPU's nearest rivals in the benchmark database are significantly older and lower-performing parts, such as the AMD Radeon HD 7790 and the AMD Radeon 780M integrated graphics. The deltaPct values are minimal (ranging from -0.2 to 0.7), which is surprising given the generational gap. This suggests that these rival comparisons are based on average benchmark scores across all tests, not specifically gaming performance. In gaming, the RTX 4060's features like ray tracing and DLSS would set it apart, but the raw average score places it in this odd company. For Control, the data indicates that the RTX 4060 provides playable frame rates at 1080p and 1440p with adjusted settings, but 4K gaming requires Low or Medium settings to maintain a playable experience.

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

Analyzing the measured FPS rows, the optimal settings depend heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For a buttery-smooth 60+ FPS experience, the data points to specific presets. At 1920x1080, the High preset delivers an average of 88 FPS, which is an excellent balance of visual quality and performance. The Ultra preset at 1080p yields 77 FPS, which is still playable but sacrifices 11 FPS for marginal visual gains. The Medium preset at 1080p offers 99 FPS, but the High preset's 88 FPS is a better recommendation for a more visually rich experience without a significant performance hit.

At 2560x1440, the situation changes. The High preset drops to 67 FPS, which is still above 60 but closer to the threshold. The Medium preset at 1440p provides 75 FPS, making it a safer choice for maintaining a consistent frame rate. The Ultra preset at 1440p falls to 58 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target and may result in noticeable stuttering. For 4K resolution (3840x2160), the choices are more constrained. The Low preset is the only one that provides a comfortably playable experience, with an average of 71 FPS. The Medium preset at 4K offers 51 FPS, which might be acceptable for some, but the Low preset is the clear recommendation for smooth gameplay.

The data suggests a pattern: for the best experience, prioritize High settings at 1080p and Medium settings at 1440p. At 4K, Low settings are the only viable option for a high frame rate. The Medium preset at 4K (51 FPS) sits in a middle ground that is neither high-refresh nor fully visually rich. The measured minimum FPS for the Medium preset at 4K is 43, which indicates potential dips into less smooth territory. Therefore, the data strongly supports using High at 1080p, Medium at 1440p, and Low at 4K as the optimal presets for this combo.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution and settings for a 60 FPS experience?

A: Based on the measured data, either 1920x1080 with High settings (88 FPS average) or 2560x1440 with Medium settings (75 FPS average) will comfortably exceed the 60 FPS target. The 1440p Medium preset is a strong choice for a higher resolution without sacrificing smoothness.

Q: Can this combo handle 4K gaming?

A: Yes, but with significant compromises. At 3840x2160, only the Low preset (71 FPS) provides a frame rate above 60. The Medium preset (51 FPS) and High preset (45 FPS) are playable but will not offer a consistently smooth experience, and the Ultra preset (39 FPS) is not recommended.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its closest rivals?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F is effectively tied with the Intel Core Ultra 5 225, with a deltaPct of 0. It is also within a fraction of a percent of the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D (deltaPct of -0.2), indicating that these processors offer nearly identical average benchmark performance.

Q: What is the frame rate difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the Low preset averages 140 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 77 FPS. This is a difference of 63 FPS, showing a significant performance cost for maximum visual fidelity.

Q: Is the GPU more of a limiting factor than the CPU?

A: Yes, the data strongly indicates a GPU bottleneck. As resolution increases, frame rates drop proportionally across all settings, which is a classic sign of the GPU being the primary constraint. The CPU's performance appears sufficient to keep up with the GPU's output.

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

A: The lowest minimum FPS recorded in the data is 43, which occurs at 3840x2160 with Medium settings. This indicates that in demanding scenes at 4K, the frame rate can dip below the average, potentially causing noticeable hitches.

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

The frame rate scaling from 1080p to 4K is the most revealing metric for understanding this system's bottleneck. Looking at the High settings preset, the average FPS progresses from 88 at 1920x1080, to 67 at 2560x1440, and finally to 45 at 3840x2160. This is a clear, linear degradation in performance as pixel count increases. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is a 23.9% decrease, while the drop from 1440p to 4K is a 32.8% decrease. This non-linear scaling, where the penalty gets steeper at higher resolutions, is a strong indicator of the GPU becoming the limiting factor.

This trend is even more pronounced when examining the Low settings preset. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 140 FPS. This drops to 106 FPS at 1440p and then to 71 FPS at 4K. The absolute frame rates are higher because the GPU is under less computational strain, but the relative percentage drops are similar. The fact that the CPU is able to push 140 FPS at 1080p Low suggests it is not the primary bottleneck in this scenario. If the CPU were the limit, we would expect to see a plateau in frame rates at lower resolutions, which is not the case.

The data implies that the RTX 4060's performance envelope is best suited for 1080p and 1440p. At 4K, the GPU is overwhelmed by the sheer number of pixels it needs to render, regardless of the quality settings. The scaling behavior is a textbook example of a GPU-bound system. The CPU is a capable partner that does not hold the GPU back, but it is the GPU's raw compute and memory bandwidth that dictate the final frame rates. This analysis is crucial for users who might expect this combo to handle 4K, as the data clearly shows it is not a viable high-refresh 4K solution without significant graphical compromises.

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

The full set of measured frame rates provides a comprehensive view of the combo's performance. At 1920x1080, the results are as follows: Low settings average 140 FPS, Medium settings average 99 FPS (with a minimum of 84 and a maximum of 114), High settings average 88 FPS, and Ultra settings average 77 FPS. This shows a clear hierarchy, with Low being the fastest and Ultra being the slowest, as expected.

Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates decrease across the board. Low settings average 106 FPS, Medium settings average 75 FPS (with a minimum of 64 and a maximum of 86), High settings average 67 FPS, and Ultra settings average 58 FPS. The 1440p results show that the Medium preset is the last one to maintain an average above 60 FPS. The Ultra preset at 58 FPS is the first to dip below this threshold.

At 3840x2160, the performance drops significantly. Low settings average 71 FPS, Medium settings average 51 FPS (with a minimum of 43 and a maximum of 58), High settings average 45 FPS, and Ultra settings average 39 FPS. The 4K results highlight the GPU's struggle, with only the Low preset providing an average above 60 FPS. The minimum FPS of 43 at 4K Medium indicates that even this preset can experience noticeable stutters in demanding scenes. The data shows a consistent pattern: for every resolution, the frame rate scales inversely with the quality preset, and the absolute performance is heavily influenced by the resolution itself.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combination ranks 1515 out of 2888 tested combos for Control. This places it in the 47.5th percentile of all tested systems, meaning it performs better than roughly half of the configurations in the database. This is a mid-pack ranking, which is consistent with the hardware's mid-range positioning. The ranking suggests that while this combo is capable of playing Control, there are many other systems that achieve higher frame rates.

This rank of 1515 is a holistic measure that considers all tested resolutions and settings. Given the measured FPS data, this ranking makes sense. The combo is a solid 1080p performer and a decent 1440p option, but it falls behind at 4K. Many other combos in the database likely feature more powerful GPUs that can handle 4K more effectively, thus pushing this combo down in the rankings. The rank is a single number that summarizes the overall capability of the system across the board.

The data implies that this combo is not a top-tier performer for Control, but it is far from the bottom. It sits in the middle of the pack, offering a balanced experience. The ranking also contextualizes the CPU and GPU's individual benchmark percentiles (85th for CPU and 61st for GPU). The combo's overall rank being lower than the CPU's percentile suggests that the GPU's performance is the limiting factor in the overall gaming experience. This is a crucial takeaway for users: the system is well-balanced, but the GPU is the component that determines its final standing in the game's performance hierarchy.