Control

The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X is a 6-core, 12-thread processor built on the Zen 5 architecture, with a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. This is a desktop part on the AMD Socket AM5 platform, featuring 32 MB of shared L3 cache and 1 MB of L2 cache per core. In synthetic benchmarks, the CPU demonstrates strong single-threaded performance, scoring 1,253 in 3DMark single-thread and 2,183.5 in Cinebench R23 single-core, which positions it well for games that rely on a few fast cores. Its multi-threaded capabilities are also solid, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 17,528.5 and a Geekbench multi-core score of 14,438. The CPU’s overall average benchmark score is 29,713, placing it in the 81st percentile among all CPUs, and its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755GE (0.2% faster) and the AMD Ryzen 7 7840H (0.5% slower), indicating it sits in a competitive performance band for its class.

In the measured FPS data for Control, the 9600X provides a solid foundation, but the game’s frame rates are heavily influenced by the GPU at higher resolutions. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves 149 FPS average, suggesting the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU well beyond 60 FPS in lighter scenes. However, the CPU’s role becomes more apparent when examining frame pacing at lower resolutions where the GPU is less of a bottleneck, though the data provided does not isolate CPU-specific metrics. The CPU’s boost clock of 5.40 GHz and efficient Zen 5 architecture are key contributors to maintaining high minimum FPS in less demanding scenarios, ensuring that the system does not stutter due to processor limitations. With a TDP of 65 watts and support for DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus, this processor is a balanced choice for a mid-range gaming setup, offering enough headroom for modern titles without requiring an overly robust cooling solution.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 is the primary driver of frame rates in Control, equipped with 8 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. Its base clock is 2280 MHz with a boost clock of 2497 MHz, and it features 3,840 shading units along with 30 RT cores and 120 tensor cores, making it a capable part for both rasterized and ray-traced workloads. The GPU’s FP32 performance is rated at 19.18 TFLOPS, and it achieves a Passmark G3D score of 20,891, which places it in the 72nd percentile among all GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon 860M (0.3% faster), the NVIDIA GeForce MX550 (0.3% faster), and the AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT (1.2% slower), showing that the RTX 5060 sits in a narrow performance envelope where small differences separate competitors.

In Control, the GPU’s role is evident from the scaling across resolutions and settings. At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average FPS drops to 42, which is a steep decline from the 149 FPS seen at 1920x1080 Low settings, highlighting that the 8 GB VRAM and memory bandwidth are stressed at 4K with high detail levels. The measured data shows that the RTX 5060 handles 1920x1080 with ease, delivering over 90 FPS at High settings and 82 FPS at Ultra, but at 2560x1440 the margins tighten, with Ultra averaging 62 FPS. The GPU’s 448.0 GB/s bandwidth is a limiting factor at higher resolutions, as the texture and geometry loads increase, but the card still provides playable frame rates at 1440p across most presets. The RTX 5060’s 8 GB VRAM capacity is sufficient for Control’s demands at 1080p and 1440p, though the 4K Ultra result suggests that memory allocation is near its ceiling, potentially causing the dip below 60 FPS.

FAQ

Q: What is the average frame rate at 2560x1440 with High settings?

A: The measured average FPS for this combo at 2560x1440 with High settings is 71, which is a comfortable level for most gaming scenarios, though it does not reach the 90+ FPS seen at 1920x1080.

Q: How does the CPU’s single-thread performance compare to its multi-thread performance in this game?

A: The CPU scores 1,253 in 3DMark single-thread and 7,590 in 3DMark max threads, indicating strong single-core capability. In Control, this translates to consistent performance in CPU-bound scenarios, but the game is largely GPU-limited, as shown by the significant FPS drops when resolution increases.

Q: Is the GPU’s 8 GB VRAM enough for Ultra settings at 4K?

A: The data shows that at 3840x2160 Ultra, the average FPS is 42, which is below the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. This suggests that the 8 GB VRAM, combined with the memory bandwidth, is insufficient to maintain high frame rates at 4K Ultra, making lower settings or a lower resolution necessary for a better experience.

Q: What is the percentile ranking of the GPU compared to all GPUs?

A: The RTX 5060 is in the 72nd percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 26,331. This places it above the majority of graphics cards, but its nearest rivals are within a 1% performance delta, indicating a crowded mid-range market segment.

Q: How does the combo rank among all tested combinations in Control?

A: The combo ranks 1,665 out of 3,720 tested combos, placing it in the upper half of the database. This suggests that while the system is capable, there are many other combinations that deliver higher frame rates in this specific title.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded at 1920x1080 with Medium settings?

A: The measured minimum FPS at 1920x1080 with Medium settings is 90, with an average of 106 and a maximum of 122. This indicates good frame pacing, with no severe drops that would cause noticeable stutter.

How This Combo Ranks

The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 achieves a combo rank of 1,665 out of 3,720 tested combinations in Control, placing it in the 55th percentile of all systems evaluated. This positioning indicates that while the setup is more than capable of delivering a smooth experience at mainstream resolutions, it falls behind a significant portion of the database, which likely includes higher-end GPUs and CPUs. The CPU’s 81st percentile rank among all processors is stronger than the GPU’s 72nd percentile, suggesting that the graphics card is the limiting factor in this pairing. When compared to its nearest rivals, the CPU is nearly identical in performance to the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755GE (0.2% faster) and the AMD Ryzen 7 7840H (0.5% slower), meaning that swapping the processor for a similarly priced alternative would yield minimal FPS changes. Similarly, the GPU’s closest competitors, such as the AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT (1.2% slower) and the AMD Radeon 860M (0.3% faster), indicate that the RTX 5060 is in a tight performance cluster where no single card has a decisive advantage.

Given that the combo rank is 1,665, the system is positioned in the middle of the pack for Control, which is a reasonable outcome for a mid-range build. The data shows that at 1920x1080, the combo delivers excellent performance, with average FPS ranging from 82 at Ultra to 149 at Low, which would satisfy most gamers targeting 60-144 Hz monitors. At 2560x1440, the system remains playable, with average FPS between 62 and 113, but the Ultra preset dips to 62 FPS, which is on the edge of high-refresh-rate gaming. The 4K results are less favorable, with Ultra averaging 42 FPS, which would require a settings reduction to achieve a smoother experience. Overall, this combo is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, where it consistently outperforms the 60 FPS mark at most settings, but it is not designed for 4K Ultra in demanding titles like Control.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate. At 1920x1080, all presets deliver playable performance, with Low averaging 149 FPS, Medium averaging 106 FPS, High averaging 94 FPS, and Ultra averaging 82 FPS. For gamers with 144 Hz monitors, the Low preset offers the highest headroom, but the Medium setting at 106 FPS is a strong balance between visual quality and speed, ensuring that the game remains fluid without sacrificing too much detail. The High preset at 94 FPS is also viable for 60 Hz displays, but the Ultra preset at 82 FPS is the best choice for those who prioritize image quality and still maintain a comfortable margin above 60 FPS. At 2560x1440, the recommendations shift, as the GPU becomes more strained. The Low preset at 113 FPS is ideal for competitive play, while Medium at 80 FPS and High at 71 FPS are both suitable for immersive single-player experiences. The Ultra preset at 62 FPS is borderline, and while it is technically playable, it leaves little room for frame drops, so it is only recommended for gamers with VRR displays or those who prefer visuals over a rock-solid 60 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain high frame rates, with the Low preset at 76 FPS being the only option that comfortably exceeds 60 FPS. Medium averages 54 FPS, High averages 48 FPS, and Ultra averages 42 FPS, all of which fall below the 60 FPS target. For 4K gaming, the Low preset is the only recommended choice for a smooth experience, while users who insist on higher detail will need to accept lower frame rates or consider reducing the resolution to 1440p. Across all resolutions, the Medium preset appears to be the sweet spot for this hardware, offering a 13-14% performance increase over High at 1080p and 1440p, while still providing a significant visual upgrade over Low. The data shows diminishing returns when moving from High to Ultra, with an average FPS drop of 12-13% at 1080p and 1440p, making High the more practical choice for most users who want a balance of fidelity and performance.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the combo delivers its strongest results, with the Low preset achieving an average FPS of 149, which is the highest measured value across all configurations. Medium settings produce an average of 106 FPS, with a minimum of 90 and a maximum of 122, indicating consistent frame delivery. High settings average 94 FPS, and Ultra settings average 82 FPS, showing a clear progression of performance loss as visual fidelity increases. The delta between Low and Ultra is 67 FPS, representing a 45% reduction in frame rate, which underscores the GPU’s sensitivity to settings at this resolution. At 2560x1440, the average FPS values are lower across the board, with Low at 113 FPS, Medium at 80 FPS (minimum 68, maximum 92), High at 71 FPS, and Ultra at 62 FPS. The performance drop from 1080p to 1440p is approximately 24-32% depending on the preset, which aligns with the increased pixel count and memory bandwidth demands. The Medium preset’s minimum of 68 FPS at 1440p remains above the 60 FPS threshold, making it a reliable choice for smooth gameplay, while the Ultra preset’s 62 FPS average is the lowest playable figure at this resolution.

At 3840x2160, the system’s limitations become apparent, with the Low preset averaging 76 FPS, Medium averaging 54 FPS (minimum 46, maximum 62), High averaging 48 FPS, and Ultra averaging 42 FPS. The transition from 1440p to 4K results in a 32-37% performance decrease, which is consistent with the 2.25x increase in pixel count. The Low preset at 76 FPS is the only 4K configuration that exceeds 60 FPS, while the Medium preset’s minimum of 46 FPS indicates that frame rates can dip noticeably below the average in demanding scenes. The data reveals that the RTX 5060’s 8 GB VRAM and 448.0 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient to maintain high detail levels at 4K, as evidenced by the Ultra preset’s 42 FPS average. Across all resolutions, the Low preset provides the highest frame rates, with a 57-81% performance advantage over Ultra, but the Medium preset offers the best balance of visual quality and playability, maintaining averages above 50 FPS at 4K and above 80 FPS at 1440p and 1080p.