Control

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti combination delivers a solid, playable experience in Control, ranking in the middle of the pack among all tested system configurations. This pairing demonstrates a clear balance, with the GPU acting as the primary performance limiter across most settings and resolutions, while the CPU provides ample headroom for the game's physics and logic.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested hardware combinations for Control, this specific pairing of the AMD Ryzen 5 7400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti achieves a rank of 1384 out of 2888 total combos. This places it in the 48th percentile, meaning it outperforms just under half of all systems that have been benchmarked in this game. This is a respectable mid-field position, indicating that while it is not a top-tier enthusiast setup, it is far from the bottom of the barrel.

The ranking is a direct result of the balance between the two components. The Ryzen 5 7400F is a modern 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 4 architecture, and its benchmark scores reflect a strong CPU. For instance, it scores 21,765 points in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test and 3,072 points in the single-core test. These scores place the CPU in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs, showing it is a high-performing processor. The GPU, however, is less dominant in its field. The RTX 3060 Ti scores 20,349 in the Passmark G3D test, which places it in the 59th percentile of all GPUs. This difference in relative standing explains the combo's overall mid-pack rank; the system is held back by its graphics card, not its processor.

Looking at the CPU's nearest rivals, the performance is remarkably tight. The Ryzen 5 7400F has an average benchmark score of 32,750. Its closest competitor, the Intel Core i5-14600T, scores 32,707, a difference of only 0.1%. Similarly, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850H scores 32,812, which is 0.2% higher. This indicates that in CPU-bound scenarios, this processor is on par with several other highly capable chips. However, in Control, the game's engine appears to lean heavily on the GPU, which prevents the system from climbing higher in the overall combo rankings.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the defining component for performance in Control. The GPU operates with a base clock of 1410 MHz and a boost clock of 1665 MHz. It is equipped with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. The GPU's architecture, Ampere, includes 38 RT cores and 152 Tensor cores, which are features relevant to the game's visual effects, though the benchmark data focuses on standard rasterization performance.

The 8 GB VRAM capacity is a critical factor at higher resolutions. The data shows that at 4K with Medium settings, the average frame rate is 53 FPS. When the settings are dropped to Low, the average frame rate jumps to 74 FPS, a significant increase of 21 FPS. This large performance delta when lowering settings suggests that the game is not solely limited by raw compute power but also by memory capacity and bandwidth. At 1080p, the difference between Low and Medium settings is smaller (145 FPS vs 103 FPS), indicating that the GPU has more headroom at lower resolutions and the CPU begins to play a larger role. The GPU's Passmark G3D score of 20,349 places it in the 59th percentile, and its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 9060, scores 16,014, a 0.7% difference. This shows the RTX 3060 Ti is a competent mid-range performer, but it is not without its limitations in demanding titles like Control at high resolutions.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS data reveals a clear pattern of scaling from 1080p to 4K, demonstrating the increasing load on the GPU as resolution rises. At High settings, the average frame rate drops from 92 FPS at 1920x1080, to 69 FPS at 2560x1440, and finally to 47 FPS at 3840x2160. This represents a 49% reduction in performance from 1080p to 4K. This steep decline is typical for a game with heavy graphical demands, and it confirms that the RTX 3060 Ti is the limiting factor at higher resolutions.

The scaling pattern at Low settings is similar. The average frame rate is 145 FPS at 1080p, 110 FPS at 1440p, and 74 FPS at 4K. While the absolute numbers are higher, the percentage drop from 1080p to 4K is even more pronounced, at 49%. This is a strong indicator of a GPU-bound scenario. As resolution increases, the number of pixels the GPU must process grows exponentially, and the performance of the RTX 3060 Ti is insufficient to maintain high frame rates at 4K.

The data also indicates that the CPU is not the bottleneck at 4K. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 145 FPS, which is a high frame rate that requires a capable CPU. However, the fact that the frame rate scales down so dramatically with resolution shows that the GPU's rendering capabilities are exhausted first. The Ryzen 5 7400F, with its strong single-core performance, is able to feed frames quickly enough at 1080p, but the GPU cannot keep up when the pixel count is quadrupled. This is a classic sign of a balanced system where the GPU is the primary bottleneck in graphically intensive scenarios.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed look at the system's performance across all tested configurations.

At 1920x1080, the system is at its most capable. With Low settings, the average frame rate is a very high 145 FPS. Moving up to Medium settings, the average drops to 103 FPS, with a minimum of 88 FPS and a maximum of 119 FPS, ensuring a smooth experience. High settings yield an average of 92 FPS, which is still excellent for fast-paced action. Finally, Ultra settings produce an average of 80 FPS, which remains well within the range of playability.

At 2560x1440, the demands on the GPU become more apparent. Low settings average 110 FPS, still a very playable number. Medium settings average 78 FPS, with a minimum of 66 FPS and a maximum of 90 FPS, which offers a good balance of visual quality and performance. High settings drop to an average of 69 FPS, which is acceptable but begins to show the GPU's strain. Ultra settings average exactly 60 FPS, which is a smooth frame rate for many players, but it is the minimum acceptable threshold for competitive play.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain high frame rates. Low settings average 74 FPS, which is the only configuration that provides a clearly comfortable experience at this resolution. Medium settings average 53 FPS, with a minimum of 45 FPS, which can lead to noticeable stutters in intense scenes. High settings average 47 FPS, and Ultra settings average just 41 FPS. These results clearly show that 4K gaming is not a strength of this combo, and users will need to make significant sacrifices in visual quality to achieve a stable frame rate.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate.

For 1920x1080 users, the High preset is the clear recommendation. It provides an average of 92 FPS, which is a significant improvement over the 80 FPS of Ultra, while still delivering a high level of visual fidelity. The step from Medium to High costs only 11 FPS (103 to 92), making it a worthwhile trade for the improved graphics. Players seeking the absolute highest frame rates for competitive play can drop to Low for 145 FPS, but the visual downgrade is considerable.

At 2560x1440, the Medium preset offers the best balance. It delivers an average of 78 FPS with a minimum of 66 FPS, ensuring a consistently smooth experience. The High preset at 69 FPS is also viable, but the drop below 70 FPS can be noticeable. The Ultra preset at exactly 60 FPS is technically playable, but it offers no headroom for dips in performance. Therefore, Medium is the sweet spot for 1440p, providing a stable and fluid experience without compromising too much on detail.

For 3840x2160, the data suggests that only the Low preset is recommended for a generally smooth experience, with an average of 74 FPS. The Medium preset at 53 FPS is borderline, and the minimum of 45 FPS will result in visible stuttering. High and Ultra are not recommended for 4K due to their low average frame rates. For a better 4K experience, users would need to consider lowering the resolution or upgrading the GPU.

FAQ

*Q: What is the overall performance ranking of this CPU and GPU combo in Control?*

A: This combination ranks 1384 out of 2888 tested combos, placing it in the 48th percentile of all systems benchmarked for this game.

Q: How much faster is the system at 1080p compared to 4K on High settings?

A: At 1080p High, the average frame rate is 92 FPS. At 4K High, it drops to 47 FPS. This represents a 49% reduction in performance when moving from 1080p to 4K.

*Q: Is the CPU or GPU the main bottleneck in this system for Control?*

A: The benchmark data indicates the GPU is the primary limiting factor. The frame rate scales down significantly as resolution increases, which is a characteristic of a GPU-bound scenario. The CPU's high benchmark scores suggest it is not the limiting component.

Q: What are the average frame rates for the Medium preset at each resolution?

A: The Medium preset yields an average of 103 FPS at 1920x1080, 78 FPS at 2560x1440, and 53 FPS at 3840x2160.

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

A: It can, but with significant compromises. Only the Low preset provides a consistently smooth average frame rate of 74 FPS at 4K. The Medium preset averages 53 FPS and the High preset averages 47 FPS, which are not ideal for smooth gameplay.

Q: How does the CPU's performance compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F has an average benchmark score of 32,750. This is virtually identical to its closest rivals, with a 0.1% difference from the Intel Core i5-14600T and a 0.2% difference from the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850H.