Control

Control on this particular combination of hardware is a study in extremes: a modern 6-core 3D-VCache CPU paired with an end-of-life 4 GB GPU from 2017. The benchmark data shows a system where the graphics card is the overwhelming bottleneck at every resolution, while the processor has ample headroom to spare. The result is a title that is playable only at the lowest settings and resolution, with a steep performance cliff appearing the moment you raise either.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D is a 6-core, 12-thread processor from the 7000 series, based on the Zen 4 (Raphael) architecture on a 5 nm process. It runs with a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, and it packs a substantial 96 MB of shared L3 cache—a characteristic that typically benefits gaming workloads. The data shows its Passmark single-thread score is 3494, and its multithread score is 25047, placing it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. Its average benchmark score of 44573 is virtually identical to its nearest rivals, including the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H (deltaPct 0.2) and the Intel Core i9-13950HX (deltaPct 0.5).

In Control, this CPU is not the limiting factor. Across all settings and resolutions, the measured FPS is dictated by the GPU. For instance, at 1080p Low, the system achieves 57 FPS; at 4K Ultra, it drops to 16 FPS. The CPU's performance headroom is evident when comparing its robust benchmark scores to the actual game output. The 7500X3D’s 12 threads and high single-thread performance are more than sufficient for this action-adventure title. The data suggests that even if the GPU were upgraded, the CPU would not be the cause of any frame rate ceiling in this specific game. The processor’s 65 W TDP and DDR5 memory support with 83.2 GB/s of bandwidth are modern features that ensure it won’t starve the system for data, but the 4 GB frame buffer of the RX 570 is the primary constraint.

The closest performance comparisons for this CPU in the database are all within a 1% margin of its average score, indicating a tightly packed group of high-end processors. The 7500X3D’s 3D V-Cache (implied by its name and large L3 cache) is a distinct advantage, but the game’s performance metrics here do not showcase it because the GPU is so far behind. Essentially, the CPU is a high-performance component that is being held back by the GPU in every single measured configuration.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 570 is a 14 nm Polaris 20 chip from the RX 500 generation, featuring 2048 shading units, 128 TMUs, and 32 ROPs. It operates at a base clock of 1168 MHz and a boost clock of 1244 MHz, with 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus providing 224.0 GB/s of bandwidth. Its compute capability is rated at 5.095 TFLOPS. The GPU’s average benchmark score is 28766, placing it in the 74th percentile. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX 6800M (deltaPct -0.4) and the AMD Radeon RX 470 (deltaPct -0.8), showing it is competitive with those parts in synthetic tests.

In Control, the GPU is the definitive performance limiter. The most telling statistic is the VRAM and bandwidth constraint. At 1080p, the GPU manages an average of 57 FPS on Low settings, but this drops to 31 FPS on Ultra. This is a clear sign of the GPU hitting its limits with increased shading and texture demands. The 4 GB VRAM buffer is likely a significant bottleneck at higher settings, as the game attempts to load more assets into memory. The data shows a direct correlation between settings and frame rate, with the GPU’s pixel rate of 39.81 GPixel/s and texture rate of 159.2 GTexel/s struggling to keep up with the game’s demands at higher presets.

Comparing the GPU’s performance in Control to its synthetic benchmarks reveals a different picture. While the RX 570’s average score is close to the RX 6800M, the in-game FPS is low, indicating that the game is particularly demanding on the GPU’s specific architecture. The 4 GB VRAM is a critical weakness; modern games like Control require more memory for high-resolution textures. The GPU’s end-of-life status and 150 W TDP suggest it is older hardware, and the data confirms it is not suited for this game beyond the most basic settings.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is a clear indicator of where the bottleneck lies. At Low settings, the average FPS scales from 57 at 1920x1080, to 43 at 2560x1440, and finally to 29 at 3840x2160. This is a steep decline. From 1080p to 1440p, the frame rate drops by 14 FPS (24.5%). From 1440p to 4K, it drops by another 14 FPS (32.5%). This pattern shows that the GPU is being overwhelmed by the increasing pixel count.

At Medium settings, the trend continues: 40 FPS at 1080p, 30 FPS at 1440p, and 21 FPS at 4K. The 4K Medium result has a minimum FPS of 17 and a maximum of 24, indicating significant frame time inconsistency. At High settings, the numbers are 36 FPS, 27 FPS, and 18 FPS respectively. The scaling from 1080p to 4K at High settings is a 50% reduction in frame rate, which is a massive hit.

This data strongly suggests that the limiting component is the GPU. The CPU’s performance is constant across resolutions, so the FPS drop is entirely due to the GPU’s rendering load. The RX 570’s 4 GB VRAM and 224.0 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient for 4K textures, and the core clock speeds are too low to handle the increased pixel fill rate demands. The 4K Ultra preset, with an average of 16 FPS, is essentially unplayable. The conclusion is that the system is GPU-bound, and the CPU has no influence on the scaling behavior.

Settings Recommendations

Given the measured data, the only playable configuration is at 1080p with Low settings, which delivers an average of 57 FPS. This is the only preset that breaks the 60 FPS barrier, and it is the most sensible choice for a smooth experience. The Medium preset at 1080p yields 40 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for fast-paced action sequences. The High preset drops to 36 FPS, and Ultra to 31 FPS, both of which are on the edge of playability and will likely feel sluggish.

At 1440p, the best option is Low settings at 43 FPS. This is a compromise that maintains decent frame rates while providing a higher resolution. However, the visual quality will be noticeably lower. The Medium preset at 1440p offers 30 FPS, which is marginal, and High and Ultra are below 30 FPS, making them poor choices.

At 4K, no settings are recommended. The Low preset at 29 FPS is the only one that approaches playability, but it is still below the 30 FPS threshold that most consider the minimum for a playable game. The Medium preset at 21 FPS, High at 18 FPS, and Ultra at 16 FPS are all unplayable.

The data indicates that the best experience is achieved by prioritizing frame rate over resolution and visual fidelity. The RX 570 cannot handle the demands of Control at higher settings. Therefore, the recommendation is to use 1080p with Low settings for a consistent 57 FPS average. If you insist on a higher resolution, 1440p Low at 43 FPS is the only alternative that remains above 40 FPS. The measured rows show that Medium settings provide a 30% to 50% drop in performance compared to Low, which is a poor trade-off for the marginal visual improvement. The combo rank of 2768 out of 2888 combos confirms this is a low-performing pairing for this title.

FAQ

Q: What is the best settings preset for this CPU and GPU combo in Control?

A: The data shows 1920x1080 with Low settings is the only playable configuration, delivering an average of 57 FPS. Other presets at this resolution fall below 40 FPS, and higher resolutions are not recommended.

Q: Can I play Control at 1440p with this hardware?

A: Yes, but only at Low settings, which achieves an average of 43 FPS. Medium settings drop to 30 FPS, and High and Ultra are below 27 FPS, which is unlikely to provide a smooth experience.

Q: Why is the performance so poor at 4K resolution?

A: The AMD Radeon RX 570 has only 4 GB of GDDR5 memory and a 224.0 GB/s bandwidth. The data shows 4K Low settings produce only 29 FPS, and the Ultra preset drops to 16 FPS, indicating the GPU cannot handle the pixel load and memory demands of 4K.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D the bottleneck in this system?

A: No. The CPU’s benchmark scores are high, and the FPS scaling across resolutions is consistent with a GPU bottleneck. The 7500X3D has a single-thread score of 3494 and a multithread score of 25047, which are more than adequate for this game.

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

A: At 1920x1080, the Low preset averages 57 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 31 FPS. This is a 26 FPS difference, or a 45% reduction in performance, showing the GPU struggles with the highest visual settings.

Q: How does this GPU compare to its nearest rivals in terms of benchmark score?

A: The RX 570 has an average benchmark score of 28766. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 6800M, has a score of 28874, a deltaPct of -0.4, meaning the RX 570 is slightly slower in synthetic tests, but the in-game data shows it is inadequate for Control at high settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of the system's performance across all settings and resolutions.

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: Average FPS 57. This is the highest measured frame rate in the entire dataset and the only configuration that approaches a smooth 60 FPS experience.
• Medium: Average FPS 40, with a minimum of 34 and a maximum of 46. This is a significant step down from Low, representing a 30% drop.
• High: Average FPS 36. The performance continues to degrade, with a 37% reduction compared to Low settings.
• Ultra: Average FPS 31. This is the lowest setting at 1080p, showing a 46% drop from Low, indicating the GPU is at its absolute limit.

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: Average FPS 43. The resolution increase from 1080p causes a 14 FPS drop, or 24.5% reduction.
• Medium: Average FPS 30, with a minimum of 26 and a maximum of 35. This is a playable threshold, but just barely.
• High: Average FPS 27. The frame rate dips below 30 FPS, making the game feel stuttery.
• Ultra: Average FPS 24. This is a 44% drop from the Low preset at the same resolution.

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: Average FPS 29. This is the only 4K preset that comes close to playability, but it still falls below the 30 FPS standard.
• Medium: Average FPS 21, with a minimum of 17 and a maximum of 24. The frame time variance is high, leading to inconsistent gameplay.
• High: Average FPS 18. This is an unplayable frame rate for any action game.
• Ultra: Average FPS 16. This is the worst result in the dataset, confirming that 4K is not viable with this hardware.

The data shows a clear pattern: the RX 570 is only capable of delivering a consistent experience at 1080p Low. Every other setting combination results in a frame rate that is either below 30 FPS or suffers from significant dips, as seen in the Medium preset minimums. The 4K results are universally poor, with the GPU’s 4 GB VRAM and 224.0 GB/s bandwidth proving insufficient for the game’s demands at that resolution. The CPU's performance remains constant, highlighting the GPU as the sole performance bottleneck.