Control

The AMD Ryzen 5 8400F and Intel Arc B390 pairing produces a combination that is heavily constrained by its graphics component in Control. The data indicates a 6-core, 12-thread CPU with a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, built on the Zen 4 architecture using the Phoenix codename on a 4 nm process. The Arc B390, conversely, is an integrated graphics solution based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, with a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2500 MHz. This asymmetry in capability is the defining characteristic of the benchmark results, which show a combo ranking of 2551 out of 2888 tested combinations.

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

The Ryzen 5 8400F provides a solid computational foundation that does not appear to be the primary bottleneck in Control. With 6 cores and 12 threads, the processor leverages a 16 MB shared L3 cache and a dual-channel DDR5 memory bus with a bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. Its benchmark scores indicate strong multi-threaded performance; for instance, it achieves 20,851 points in Cinebench R23 multicore and 6,165 points in 3DMark max threads. Single-thread performance is also respectable, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2,943 and a 3DMark single-thread score of 951. The CPU’s percentile ranking of 77 among all CPUs suggests it is a capable part for gaming workloads, providing sufficient headroom for the graphics card to operate.

In the context of Control, a game that relies on physics and particle effects, the CPU’s role is to manage game logic and draw calls. The data shows that at 1080p Low settings, the combo achieves 65 FPS, which is the highest average frame rate recorded across all tested configurations. This result indicates that the CPU can feed the GPU adequately at lower resolutions and graphical loads. However, the performance scaling from Low to Ultra settings at the same resolution reveals a drop to 36 FPS, a 29 FPS decrease, which is primarily attributable to the GPU’s inability to handle increased graphical demands rather than a CPU limitation. The CPU’s 4.70 GHz boost clock ensures that single-threaded tasks are processed efficiently, but the evidence suggests that this processor is not the limiting factor in this pairing.

Nearest rival comparisons for the CPU reinforce its strong standing. The Ryzen 5 8400F has an average benchmark score of 25,005, which is only 0.2% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 7500F (24,964) and 0.3% higher than the Intel Core i7-11850H (24,935). It also leads the Intel Core i7-13620H (24,911) by 0.4%, while trailing the AMD EPYC 9474F (25,103) by 0.4%. These marginal deltas indicate that the 8400F is performance-competitive with its immediate peers, and its capabilities are more than sufficient for the frame rates observed in this benchmark. The CPU’s 65 W TDP and active production status further confirm its suitability as a mainstream desktop part, but the measured FPS data shows that its potential is not fully utilized due to the GPU constraint.

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

The Intel Arc B390 is the dominant factor in this combo’s performance, and its integrated nature dictates the outcome of every benchmark run. The GPU has no dedicated VRAM, instead using System Shared memory, with bandwidth described as System Dependent. Its memory configuration is a significant limitation for a game like Control, which has high-resolution textures and requires substantial memory bandwidth. The GPU’s 7.680 TFLOPS of FP32 performance and 60.00 GPixel/s pixel rate are modest figures, and its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1,482 places it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. This low percentile ranking is a clear indicator of its entry-level capabilities.

The GPU’s nearest rivals further contextualize its performance. The Arc B390’s average benchmark score of 1,482 is 1.3% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1,463), 1.5% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce 800M (1,460), 2.5% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM (1,446), and 2.7% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 (1,443). These deltas show that the Arc B390 is only marginally faster than a set of very old, low-end discrete GPUs, which explains why its performance in Control is so constrained. The 12 RT cores and DirectX 12 Ultimate support are irrelevant when the raw shading power is insufficient to maintain playable frame rates at higher settings.

The clock behavior of the GPU, with a base of 300 MHz and boost of 2500 MHz, indicates a wide dynamic range, but the benchmarks show that this boost is not enough to overcome the memory bandwidth bottleneck. At 4K Ultra settings, the combo averages 18 FPS, and even at 1080p Ultra, it only reaches 36 FPS. The data suggests that the GPU is the limiting component across all resolutions and settings, as the FPS drops are directly correlated with increases in graphical load. The GPU’s TDP of 80 W and integrated form factor (IGP) reinforce its position as a low-power solution, but its performance is insufficient for demanding titles like Control at higher quality presets.

FAQ

Q: What is the best average FPS this combo can achieve in Control?

A: The highest recorded average FPS is 65, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 7500F?

A: The Ryzen 5 8400F has an average benchmark score of 25,005, which is 0.2% higher than the Ryzen 5 7500F’s score of 24,964.

Q: What is the GPU’s percentile ranking among all tested GPUs?

A: The Intel Arc B390 is in the 9th percentile of all GPUs, based on its average benchmark score of 1,482.

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

A: At 1080p Low, the combo averages 65 FPS, while at 1080p Ultra, it drops to 36 FPS, a decrease of 29 FPS.

Q: Does the GPU have dedicated VRAM?

A: No, the Intel Arc B390 uses System Shared memory, with its bandwidth being System Dependent.

Q: What is the combo’s rank in this game’s benchmark database?

A: The combo is ranked 2551 out of 2888 tested combinations in Control.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 8400F and Intel Arc B390 is positioned in the lower quartile of all tested combos in Control, with a rank of 2551 out of 2888. This ranking, which places it in the bottom 12% of configurations, is almost entirely attributable to the GPU’s weak performance. The CPU’s percentile of 77 suggests it is a mid-to-high-tier processor, but the GPU’s 9th percentile ranking drags the overall combo down. The data shows that this pairing is severely imbalanced, as the CPU has significantly more compute headroom than the GPU can utilize.

In practical terms, this rank means that the combo will struggle to provide a smooth experience in Control at higher settings. The measured FPS values confirm this, as the combo only exceeds 60 FPS at 1080p Low, with all other configurations falling below 50 FPS. The rank of 2551 is a direct consequence of the GPU’s limitations, and any improvement in this ranking would require a more powerful graphics solution. The CPU, with its strong benchmark scores and competitive rival deltas, is not the cause of this low rank. The data indicates that the combo is best suited for low-resolution, low-detail gaming, and its position in the database reflects that niche capability.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS scaling from 1080p to 4K reveals a clear pattern of GPU-bound performance. At Low settings, the combo achieves 65 FPS at 1080p, which drops to 50 FPS at 1440p (a 23% decrease) and further to 33 FPS at 4K (a 49% decrease from 1080p). This scaling is consistent with a GPU that is being overwhelmed by pixel count, as the CPU’s workload does not increase proportionally with resolution. The data shows that the Arc B390’s memory bandwidth, being System Dependent, cannot keep up with the demands of higher resolutions, leading to significant FPS losses.

At High settings, the same pattern emerges: 41 FPS at 1080p, 31 FPS at 1440p, and 21 FPS at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 24%, and from 1080p to 4K is 49%. This consistency across settings suggests that the GPU is the limiting component at all quality levels. The Medium settings show a similar trend, with 46 FPS at 1080p, 35 FPS at 1440p, and 24 FPS at 4K. The FPS drops are not linear, indicating that the GPU’s performance degrades more rapidly at higher resolutions due to memory bandwidth constraints. The data confirms that this combo is not suitable for 4K gaming, as even Low settings only produce 33 FPS, which is below the threshold for smooth gameplay. The limiting component is unequivocally the GPU, as the CPU’s performance would not cause such dramatic resolution-based scaling.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the combo’s performance across all tested configurations. At 1920x1080, the combo achieves 65 FPS on Low settings, 46 FPS on Medium, 41 FPS on High, and 36 FPS on Ultra. The Medium setting has a min FPS of 40 and a max of 53, indicating some frame time variance. At 2560x1440, the scores drop to 50 FPS on Low, 35 FPS on Medium (with min 30 and max 40), 31 FPS on High, and 27 FPS on Ultra. At 3840x2160, the performance is significantly reduced: 33 FPS on Low, 24 FPS on Medium (with min 20 and max 27), 21 FPS on High, and 18 FPS on Ultra.

These numbers illustrate a clear hierarchy where lower resolutions and settings yield higher frame rates. The only configuration that reaches 60 FPS or above is 1080p Low, which is the least demanding scenario. All other settings at 1080p are below 50 FPS, and at 1440p and 4K, all settings are below 50 FPS. The Ultra preset at 4K is the worst performer at 18 FPS, which is near-unplayable for a game like Control that requires fast reaction times. The data shows that the combo’s performance envelope is narrow, with the best experience limited to 1080p Low. The min FPS values for Medium settings at 1080p (40) and 1440p (30) suggest that even these configurations can experience stutters, reinforcing the GPU’s role as the bottleneck.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo in Control are Low at 1920x1080, which yields an average of 65 FPS. This is the only configuration that provides a frame rate above the 60 FPS threshold, offering a smooth and responsive experience. The 1080p Low setting is recommended for players who prioritize fluidity over visual fidelity, as it is the only way to fully utilize the CPU’s capabilities without being limited by the GPU. The data shows that the jump from Low to Medium at 1080p results in a 19 FPS drop to 46 FPS, which is a significant sacrifice for modest visual gains.

For users who cannot tolerate the visual downgrade of Low settings, the Medium preset at 1080p is the next best option, with an average of 46 FPS and a min of 40 FPS. This configuration is playable but may exhibit occasional frame drops during intense scenes. At 1440p, the Low setting (50 FPS) is the only viable option, as all other settings fall below 35 FPS. The High and Ultra presets at any resolution above 1080p are not recommended, as they produce frame rates below 31 FPS, which is detrimental to gameplay experience. The data suggests that this combo is best used for 1080p gaming with reduced settings, and any attempt to increase resolution or quality will result in a substantial performance penalty that outweighs the visual benefits.