Control

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

The AMD Ryzen 5 8400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 4 (Phoenix) architecture, manufactured on a 4 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. For a game like Control, which is an action-adventure title from 2019, the CPU's role is primarily to maintain a stable frame pipeline, feeding the GPU with enough data to keep it busy. The processor's single-thread score in Cinebench R23 is 2943, while its multi-core score is 20851. These numbers place the CPU in the 82nd percentile of all tested processors, indicating strong overall performance relative to the broader market.

When looking at the measured frame rates, the CPU's influence becomes apparent at lower resolutions. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves 193.9 FPS, which is the highest measured average across the entire dataset. This high frame rate suggests that the CPU is capable of handling the game's logic and draw calls efficiently, especially when the GPU is not the limiting factor. However, as the resolution and settings increase, the bottleneck shifts. The 3DMark 2-thread score of 1874 and 4-thread score of 3563 show that the processor has solid single and lightly-threaded performance, which is typical for modern gaming loads. Control does not typically stress all 12 threads heavily, so the 6 physical cores with simultaneous multithreading provide a comfortable margin.

The nearest rivals for this CPU, based on average benchmark scores, include the AMD Ryzen 7 2700X, which scores 25057, and the AMD Ryzen 5 7500F, which scores 24993. The 8400F's average benchmark score is 25064, making it virtually identical in performance to the Ryzen 7 2700X, with a deltaPct of 0. This means that in synthetic tests, the 8400F is neither ahead nor behind that older 8-core part. In practical terms, for Control, this CPU performance is more than sufficient. The data shows that at 2560x1440 with Low settings, the frame rate jumps to 147 FPS, which is a 50% increase over the High preset at the same resolution. This indicates that the CPU is not the primary constraint; the GPU and its memory bandwidth are more critical factors as settings increase.

The processor's 16 MB of shared L3 cache and support for DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s contribute to its responsiveness. While the cache size is not massive, it is adequate for a game of this era. The lack of integrated graphics means the 8400F relies entirely on the discrete GPU, which is the RTX 4070 in this configuration. Overall, the CPU role here is to provide a stable foundation that does not bottleneck the GPU, which is clearly demonstrated by the high frame rates at 1080p.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 is the primary driver of visual fidelity in this combo. It is based on the Ada Lovelace architecture, built on a 5 nm process, and features 12 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 504.2 GB/s. The GPU has a base clock of 1920 MHz and a boost clock of 2475 MHz. With 5888 shading units and 46 RT cores, the RTX 4070 is well-equipped for modern titles, and its performance percentile of 81 among all GPUs confirms its high-end status.

In Control, the GPU's role is dominant. The measured data shows a clear scaling pattern across resolutions. At 3840x2160 (4K), the average frame rate drops significantly compared to lower resolutions. With Ultra settings, the 4K average is 52.3 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay. At High settings, it reaches 60.3 FPS, barely hitting that threshold. The VRAM capacity of 12 GB is not a limiting factor here, as Control does not require more than that at these settings, but the raw compute power and memory bandwidth determine the output.

The GPU's nearest rivals, according to average benchmark scores, include the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56, which scores 37507, and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile, which scores 38135. The RTX 4070's average benchmark score is 37283, which is 0.6% lower than the RX Vega 56 and 2.2% lower than the RTX 4080 Mobile. This places the desktop RTX 4070 in a competitive position, though the data suggests that the mobile variant is actually faster in synthetic tests. For Control, this means the GPU is capable of delivering high frame rates, but not always at the highest settings and resolutions. At 2560x1440, the RTX 4070 provides a solid 92.2 FPS on High settings, which is a comfortable experience for most players. The difference between Low and Ultra at this resolution is significant: 147 FPS versus 82.8 FPS, a delta of 64.2 FPS.

The GPU's memory clock is listed as 1313 MHz, with 21 Gbps effective speed, which contributes to the high bandwidth. This is crucial for textures and effects in Control, which has a distinctive visual style with heavy use of physics and particle effects. The data indicates that the GPU scales well with resolution, but the 4K Ultra setting pushes it to its limit, resulting in a sub-60 FPS average. The 1920x1080 resolution is where the GPU shines, with all settings except Ultra exceeding 120 FPS, and Low settings hitting 193.9 FPS. This demonstrates that the RTX 4070 is a powerful GPU, but Control at 4K Ultra is a demanding workload that requires compromises.

FAQ

*Q: What is the highest average FPS this combo achieves in Control?*

A: The highest average FPS is 193.9, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

*Q: Can this combo run Control at 4K with High settings smoothly?*

A: Yes, at 3840x2160 with High settings, the average FPS is 60.3, which meets the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700X?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8400F has an average benchmark score of 25064, while the Ryzen 7 2700X scores 25057, resulting in a deltaPct of 0, meaning they are statistically identical in performance.

Q: What is the difference in average FPS between Low and Ultra settings at 2560x1440?

A: At 2560x1440, the average FPS on Low settings is 147, while on Ultra settings it drops to 82.8, a difference of 64.2 FPS.

*Q: Does the GPU have enough VRAM for Control at maximum settings?*

A: The GPU has 12 GB of GDDR6X memory, which is sufficient for Control at Ultra settings, as the bottleneck is not VRAM but raw processing power.

Q: What is the combo's rank among all tested combos?

A: The combo ranks 434 out of 1636 tested combinations in Control.

How This Combo Ranks

The combined performance of the AMD Ryzen 5 8400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 in Control places it at rank 434 out of 1636 tested combos. This rank of 434 puts the combo in the upper 27% of all tested configurations, indicating a strong overall performance. The percentile data for the individual components supports this: the CPU is in the 82nd percentile, and the GPU is in the 81st percentile. When combined, they form a high-performing pair that handles Control well, especially at lower resolutions.

The rank of 434 suggests that while this combo is not at the very top of the leaderboard, it outperforms the majority of systems. The data shows that the combo is more than capable of delivering playable frame rates at 2560x1440 with High settings, achieving 92.2 FPS. At 1920x1080, it excels, with even Ultra settings maintaining an average of 108.7 FPS. The rank is likely influenced by the fact that Control is sensitive to GPU performance, and while the RTX 4070 is strong, it is not the absolute fastest card available. The 4K Ultra result of 52.3 FPS is below the 60 FPS target, which may pull the rank down compared to combos with more powerful GPUs.

Compared to other combos, this system sits in a comfortable mid-to-high range. The CPU's performance is not a limiting factor, as its benchmark scores are nearly identical to the Ryzen 7 2700X, which is a well-regarded gaming CPU. The GPU, while not top-tier, provides excellent performance for its class. Overall, the rank of 434 reflects a balanced system that offers a smooth experience in Control at most settings and resolutions, with only the most demanding 4K Ultra preset presenting a challenge.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For players using a 1920x1080 monitor, the High preset offers an outstanding experience with an average of 120.2 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold and suitable for high refresh rate displays. The Ultra preset also performs admirably at 1080p, with an average of 108.7 FPS, making it the best choice for maximum visual fidelity without sacrificing smoothness. The difference between High and Ultra is 11.5 FPS, which is a modest cost for improved graphics.

At 2560x1440, the High preset is the recommended balance, delivering 92.2 FPS on average. This provides a smooth, responsive experience while retaining high visual quality. The Medium preset does not offer a significant advantage, as it only increases the average to 101.9 FPS, which is a 9.7 FPS gain over High. However, the Ultra preset drops to 82.8 FPS, which is still playable but may not be ideal for fast-paced action. The data suggests that High is the sweet spot at 1440p, offering a good balance between performance and quality.

For 4K (3840x2160), the High preset is the only viable option for a consistent 60 FPS experience, with an average of 60.3 FPS. The Medium preset falls to 68.6 FPS, which is still smooth, but the visual reduction may not be worth the extra 8.3 FPS over High. The Ultra preset at 52.3 FPS is below the 60 FPS target and should be avoided unless the player is willing to tolerate lower frame rates for maximum detail. Low settings at 4K reach 97.5 FPS, but this sacrifices the game's visual identity. Therefore, the recommendation is to use High settings for 4K, High for 1440p, and Ultra for 1080p to get the best experience.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of how this combo performs across different resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the average frame rates are 193.9 FPS on Low, 138.1 FPS on Medium, 120.2 FPS on High, and 108.7 FPS on Ultra. This shows a clear scaling pattern, with Low settings nearly doubling the performance of Ultra. The step from Low to Medium is a 55.8 FPS drop, while the step from Medium to High is a 17.9 FPS drop, and from High to Ultra is an 11.5 FPS drop. The performance is excellent at this resolution, with all settings providing smooth gameplay.

At 2560x1440, the averages are 147 FPS on Low, 101.9 FPS on Medium, 92.2 FPS on High, and 82.8 FPS on Ultra. The drop from Low to Medium is significant at 45.1 FPS, indicating that the higher settings have a substantial impact on GPU load. The differences between Medium, High, and Ultra are smaller, with a 9.7 FPS gap between Medium and High and a 9.4 FPS gap between High and Ultra. This resolution remains playable across all settings, but the High preset offers the best balance of quality and performance.

At 3840x2160, the averages are 97.5 FPS on Low, 68.6 FPS on Medium, 60.3 FPS on High, and 52.3 FPS on Ultra. The 4K resolution is the most demanding, with Low settings providing 97.5 FPS, which is still quite high. However, as settings increase, the frame rate drops sharply. The gap between Low and Medium is 28.9 FPS, while the gap between Medium and High is 8.3 FPS, and between High and Ultra is 8 FPS. The data indicates that 4K High is the maximum setting that maintains a 60 FPS average, while Ultra falls short. This breakdown shows that the combo is versatile, but users must make careful choices at higher resolutions to ensure a smooth experience.