Control

Control’s benchmark data for the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X paired with the AMD Radeon RX 9060 shows a system that delivers playable frame rates across most tested configurations, though the combination’s overall ranking places it in the lower half of all tested setups. The Ryzen 7 5800X, an 8-core, 16-thread processor from the 5000 series built on TSMC’s 7 nm process, provides a strong foundation with a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The Radeon RX 9060, a Navi 44 chip on RDNA 4.0 architecture with a 4 nm process, brings 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, with a boost clock of 2990 MHz and a game clock of 2400 MHz. This analysis examines how these components interact in Control, using only the measured FPS data and benchmark scores provided.

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

The Ryzen 7 5800X’s specifications are central to understanding its role in Control’s performance. With 8 cores and 16 threads, the processor leverages a Zen 3 architecture (codename Vermeer) that supports simultaneous multithreading, allowing it to handle both the game’s single-threaded logic and background tasks without contention. The base clock of 3.80 GHz and boost clock of 4.70 GHz indicate a wide frequency range, which is beneficial for a title like Control that often relies on high per-core performance for physics and AI calculations. The processor’s cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 32 MB of L3 cache, which helps reduce memory latency during gameplay.

Benchmark data reinforces the CPU’s capabilities. In Cinebench R23, the 5800X scores 15476 in multicore and 1574.5 in single-core tests. The single-core score is particularly relevant for game performance, as many game engines, including the one powering Control, have significant single-threaded sections. Geekbench results show 11036 in multicore and 2032 in single-core, while 3DMark tests (16 threads: 7586, 4 threads: 3543, single thread: 943) illustrate scaling across thread counts. The processor’s percentile ranking of 81 among all CPUs indicates it outperforms the vast majority of tested processors, and its average benchmark score of 29123 places it in close competition with rivals like the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H (deltaPct 0.1), the Intel Xeon Phi 7210 (deltaPct -0.4), and the Intel Core i5-13500HX (deltaPct -0.5).

In Control’s measured FPS data, the CPU’s influence is most apparent at lower resolutions and settings where the GPU is not the primary bottleneck. At 1080p Low, the combo achieves 130 FPS, the highest average across all tested configurations, suggesting that the 5800X can feed the GPU efficiently at high frame rates. At 4K Ultra, the average drops to 36 FPS, but this is more likely a GPU limitation due to the increased pixel count and visual effects. The CPU’s 16 threads allow it to handle the game’s multithreaded tasks, such as destructible environments and particle effects, without becoming a limiting factor, as evidenced by the consistent performance scaling from 1080p to 1440p. For instance, at 1440p High, the average is 62 FPS, while at 1080p High it is 82 FPS, a difference that aligns with GPU-bound scaling rather than CPU constraints. The processor’s support for DDR4 memory with dual-channel bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s also ensures adequate memory throughput for game data, though this is a secondary factor compared to core performance.

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

The AMD Radeon RX 9060 is the primary driver of visual fidelity in Control, and its specifications dictate performance at higher resolutions and settings. The GPU features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 288.0 GB/s. This memory configuration is sufficient for Control at 1080p and 1440p, but at 4K with high texture quality, the 8 GB capacity may become a constraint, potentially causing stuttering or reduced frame rates if assets exceed VRAM. The GPU’s boost clock of 2990 MHz and game clock of 2400 MHz are high for its class, and with 1792 shading units, 112 texture mapping units, and 64 ROPs, it can process a substantial number of pixels and textures per frame. The pixel rate is 191.4 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 334.9 GTexel/s, while FP32 performance is rated at 21.43 TFLOPS.

Benchmark scores place the RX 9060 in a mid-range position. Its percentile ranking is 59 among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 16014. Nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti (deltaPct -0.7), the AMD Radeon R9 370X (deltaPct 1), and the AMD Radeon RX 7700 (deltaPct 1), indicating the RX 9060 performs within a tight band of comparable GPUs. In 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, it scores 3322, and Geekbench OpenCL and Vulkan scores are 88183 and 39476, respectively. The PassMark G3D score is 17631, with DirectX 11 and 12 scores of 182 and 44, respectively, showing that the GPU is optimized for modern APIs.

In Control, the GPU’s role is evident from the measured FPS across resolutions. At 1080p, the GPU can push averages from 71 FPS at Ultra to 130 FPS at Low, indicating headroom for high refresh rate monitors at lower settings. At 1440p, averages range from 54 FPS at Ultra to 98 FPS at Low, with High yielding 62 FPS — a playable but not fluid experience for fast-paced action. At 4K, performance drops significantly: High yields 42 FPS, Medium 47 FPS, Low 66 FPS, and Ultra only 36 FPS. This steep decline from 1080p to 4K (e.g., High drops from 82 to 42 FPS, a 49% reduction) points to the GPU being the limiting component at higher resolutions. The 8 GB VRAM may also contribute to the 4K Ultra result, as the game’s highest settings likely require more memory than available, forcing texture streaming that impacts frame times. The GPU’s lack of a launch MSRP in the data means no pricing information is available, but its performance profile suggests it is a capable mid-range option for 1080p and 1440p gaming.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Ryzen 7 5800X and Radeon RX 9060 ranks 1632 out of 2888 tested combos in Control, placing it in the 56.5th percentile of all systems evaluated. This ranking is lower than what the individual component benchmarks might suggest, indicating that the pair’s performance in this specific game is influenced by factors beyond raw compute power. The CPU’s percentile of 81 and GPU’s percentile of 59 do not translate directly to a top-tier game ranking, likely because Control’s engine places heavy demands on both components simultaneously, and the GPU’s 8 GB VRAM may limit high-resolution performance.

Compared to rival combinations, the data shows that the CPU and GPU each have close competitors. The CPU is within 0.5% of the Intel Core i5-13500HX and Intel Xeon Phi 7210 in average benchmark scores, while the GPU is within 1% of the AMD Radeon RX 7700 and AMD Radeon R9 370X, and only 0.7% behind the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti. These deltas suggest that swapping either component for a near-equal rival would yield similar game performance, all else being equal. However, the combo’s rank of 1632 indicates that many other pairings, perhaps with higher-tier GPUs or CPUs, achieve better FPS in Control. For context, being ranked 1632 out of 2888 means that roughly 56% of tested combos outperform this setup, which aligns with the GPU’s mid-range status. The measured FPS data confirms this: at 1080p Ultra, the combo achieves 71 FPS, which is respectable but not exceptional for a game from 2019. At 4K Ultra, the 36 FPS average is below the 60 FPS threshold many players target, reinforcing the ranking’s implication that this combo is better suited for lower resolutions or reduced settings.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to maintain a smooth experience?

A: The measured FPS data shows that at 1080p, the combo averages 82 FPS at High and 71 FPS at Ultra, both above 60 FPS. At 1440p, High drops to 62 FPS, which is still playable, but Ultra falls to 54 FPS. At 4K, even Low only reaches 66 FPS, with Ultra at 36 FPS. Therefore, 1080p offers the most consistent smoothness, while 1440p is viable with medium or high settings.

Q: How does the GPU’s VRAM affect performance in this game?

A: The RX 9060 has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory. In Control, the 4K Ultra preset yields an average of 36 FPS, which is likely impacted by VRAM capacity exceeding 8 GB at that resolution and settings. At 1080p and 1440p, the VRAM appears sufficient, as frame rates scale more predictably with resolution changes.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more likely to be the bottleneck in this combo?

A: Based on the FPS drop from 1080p to 4K, the GPU is the limiting factor. For example, at High settings, average FPS drops from 82 at 1080p to 42 at 4K, a 49% reduction. If the CPU were the bottleneck, this drop would be smaller. The CPU’s high single-core and multicore scores support this conclusion.

Q: How does this combo compare to a system with an Intel Core i5-13500HX and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti?

A: The CPU rivals show the 5800X is 0.5% behind the i5-13500HX in average benchmark scores, while the GPU is 0.7% behind the RTX 3060 Ti. These small deltas suggest that the two combos would perform nearly identically in Control, with differences within a few FPS.

Q: What settings preset provides the highest frame rate for competitive play?

A: The Low preset at 1080p yields an average of 130 FPS, the highest of any tested configuration. This is the best choice for maximizing frame rate, though it sacrifices visual quality. The Medium preset at 1080p offers 92 FPS, which balances performance and visuals.

Q: Does the combo support modern graphics APIs used by Control?

A: The RX 9060 supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), Vulkan 1.4, and OpenGL 4.6. Control uses DirectX 11 or 12, and the GPU’s DirectX 12 benchmark score of 44 (PassMark) indicates it can handle the API, though the score is low relative to other tests.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern of performance degradation as resolution increases, which is indicative of GPU-bound scaling. At High settings, the average FPS is 82 at 1080p, 62 at 1440p, and 42 at 4K. This represents a 24% drop from 1080p to 1440p and a 49% drop from 1080p to 4K. Similarly, at Low settings, FPS goes from 130 at 1080p to 98 at 1440p (25% drop) and 66 at 4K (49% drop). At Medium settings, the averages are 92 at 1080p, 70 at 1440p, and 47 at 4K, with drops of 24% and 49% respectively. Ultra settings show 71 at 1080p, 54 at 1440p, and 36 at 4K, which is a 24% and 49% drop as well.

The consistency of these percentage drops across all settings strongly suggests that the GPU is the limiting component. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the drop from 1080p to 1440p would be less pronounced, as the CPU would struggle to maintain high frame rates even at lower resolutions. Instead, the nearly linear relationship between pixel count and FPS (each resolution doubling roughly halves the frame rate) indicates that the RX 9060’s rendering throughput is saturated. The 4K Ultra result of 36 FPS is particularly telling, as it is below the 40 FPS minimum observed at 4K Medium (minFps 40), suggesting that the Ultra preset pushes the GPU’s memory bandwidth and shading units to their limits. The 8 GB VRAM may also play a role at 4K, as the game’s high-resolution textures could exceed this capacity, causing additional overhead that reduces average FPS. In contrast, the CPU’s performance remains adequate across all resolutions, as evidenced by the fact that even at 4K Low (66 FPS), the frame rate is not limited by processor speed.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the target resolution and whether the user prioritizes frame rate or visual quality. At 1080p, the Medium preset provides an average of 92 FPS with a minimum of 78 FPS and maximum of 106 FPS, offering a smooth experience with moderate visual enhancements. The High preset at 1080p yields 82 FPS, which is still above 60 FPS, but the 10 FPS difference between Medium and High may not justify the visual gains for all users. The Ultra preset at 1080p achieves 71 FPS, which is playable but approaches the lower end of what many consider smooth for action games. For users with high refresh rate monitors, the Low preset at 1080p delivers 130 FPS, maximizing responsiveness at the cost of visual fidelity.

At 1440p, the Medium preset is the best balance, with an average of 70 FPS and a minimum of 59 FPS, ensuring that frame rates rarely drop below 60. The High preset at 1440p offers 62 FPS, which is acceptable but with less headroom for demanding scenes. The Ultra preset at 1440p dips to 54 FPS, which may feel less fluid. For 4K, the Low preset is the only configuration that maintains an average above 60 FPS (66 FPS), but the visual quality is significantly reduced. The Medium preset at 4K averages 47 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS threshold, and High (42 FPS) and Ultra (36 FPS) are not recommended for a smooth experience. Overall, the data suggests that 1080p Medium is the best balance of performance and quality, while 1440p Medium is viable for users who prefer higher resolutions and can accept occasional dips to 59 FPS.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The complete measured FPS data for this combo in Control is as follows:

At 1920x1080:

• Low: Average 130 FPS (no min/max recorded)
• Medium: Average 92 FPS, minimum 78 FPS, maximum 106 FPS
• High: Average 82 FPS (no min/max recorded)
• Ultra: Average 71 FPS (no min/max recorded)

At 2560x1440:

• Low: Average 98 FPS (no min/max recorded)
• Medium: Average 70 FPS, minimum 59 FPS, maximum 80 FPS
• High: Average 62 FPS (no min/max recorded)
• Ultra: Average 54 FPS (no min/max recorded)

At 3840x2160:

• Low: Average 66 FPS (no min/max recorded)
• Medium: Average 47 FPS, minimum 40 FPS, maximum 54 FPS
• High: Average 42 FPS (no min/max recorded)
• Ultra: Average 36 FPS (no min/max recorded)

These numbers show a clear hierarchy: 1080p Low is the fastest, 4K Ultra is the slowest. The Medium presets at each resolution are the only ones with min/max data, providing insight into frame time consistency. At 1080p Medium, the range from 78 to 106 FPS indicates minimal stuttering, while at 1440p Medium, the 59 to 80 FPS range shows occasional dips below 60. At 4K Medium, the 40 to 54 FPS range reveals significant drops, which would be noticeable during intense combat. The lack of min/max data for other presets means that only averages are available, but the available information suggests that the combo is best used at 1080p or 1440p with medium settings to maintain stable frame rates. The 4K results, particularly at Ultra, highlight the GPU’s limitations, making this resolution viable only at Low settings for users who prioritize frame rate over visual detail.