Control

Control pairs an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D with an Intel Arc B370, and the measured frame rates across three resolutions and four settings presets tell a story of a system that is heavily constrained by its graphics solution. The Arc B370, operating as an integrated graphics processor with system-shared memory, delivers playable results only at the lowest settings and resolution, while the 5800X3D’s substantial CPU headroom remains largely untapped. This analysis breaks down the scaling behavior, component roles, and exact measured performance to determine what this combination can and cannot do for this 2019 action-adventure title.

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

The data reveals a steep and consistent performance penalty as resolution increases, which is the classic signature of a GPU-bound scenario. At Low settings, the average frame rate drops from 59 FPS at 1920x1080 to 45 FPS at 2560x1440, a reduction of 14 FPS or roughly 24%. Moving from 1440p to 3840x2160 at Low settings further drops the average to 30 FPS, another 33% decline. This linear degradation pattern, where each step up in pixel count costs a similar proportion of performance, strongly indicates that the Intel Arc B370’s rendering throughput is the primary bottleneck, not the CPU or memory subsystem.

The scaling becomes even more pronounced at higher quality presets. At High settings, the average FPS falls from 37 at 1080p to 28 at 1440p (a 24% drop) and then to 19 at 4K (a 32% drop). At Ultra settings, the numbers are 32, 25, and 17 FPS respectively, with the 4K result representing less than a third of the 1080p performance. This pattern suggests that the GPU’s fill rate and shading capacity are being saturated, and the additional pixel workload at 4K overwhelms the 20 ROPs and 40 TMUs available on the Arc B370. The fact that the performance gap between 1440p and 4K is proportionally similar to the gap between 1080p and 1440p implies that the limiting factor scales directly with pixel count, rather than with any CPU-side physics or draw call overhead.

For a game like Control, which features complex particle effects and destructible environments, the resolution scaling data implies that the visual fidelity is entirely dependent on the GPU’s ability to process fragments. The 5800X3D’s 8 cores and 16 threads are more than capable of feeding the GPU at any of these resolutions, so the FPS drops are not due to CPU stalls. The measured results show that 1080p Low is the only configuration that approaches a smooth 60 FPS target, while 4K is only viable at Low settings with a 30 FPS average, which is below the threshold for comfortable play. The data suggests that users should treat this combo as a 1080p-oriented solution, with any resolution scaling beyond that requiring significant settings compromises.

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

The Intel Arc B370 is an integrated GPU based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, and its memory configuration is "System Shared" with a bandwidth described as "System Dependent." This is a critical detail for understanding Control’s performance, as the game’s texture streaming and asset loading will compete with the CPU for the same memory bandwidth. The GPU’s base clock is 300 MHz with a boost of 2400 MHz, and it has 1280 shading units, 40 TMUs, and 20 ROPs. The relatively low ROP count of 20 directly explains the poor 4K performance, as pixel output rate is capped at 48.00 GPixel/s, which is insufficient for 3840x2160 resolution at high quality settings.

The GPU’s FP32 performance is 6.144 TFLOPS, which is modest for modern standards, and this is reflected in the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 benchmark score of 1184, placing it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals in that benchmark are the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 (score 1186, 0.2% faster) and the ATI Radeon HD 5770 (score 1190, 0.5% faster), which are both over a decade old. This context is essential: the Arc B370’s compute capabilities are on par with legacy discrete GPUs, but it lacks their dedicated VRAM. The system-shared memory means that Control’s texture data must be stored in main system RAM, and the "System Dependent" bandwidth will fluctuate based on the CPU’s memory controller load.

In practice, this means the GPU’s role in Control is strictly that of a bottleneck. Even at 1080p Low, where the average FPS is 59, the GPU is likely running at near maximum utilization, while the CPU idles. The 2:1 FP16 ratio (12.29 TFLOPS) suggests some potential for optimized workloads, but Control does not appear to leverage this, as the measured frame rates show no benefit at higher resolutions where FP16 could theoretically help. The 25 W TDP and IGP slot width further confirm this is a low-power solution intended for portable devices, not high-refresh gaming. The data implies that no amount of CPU-side optimization can overcome the GPU’s physical limits in this title, and any attempt to increase resolution or settings will result in the frame rate collapsing, as seen in the Ultra 4K result of 17 FPS.

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

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is a desktop-class processor with 8 cores and 16 threads, base clock of 3.40 GHz, and boost clock of 4.50 GHz. Its 96 MB of shared L3 cache is a standout feature, designed to reduce memory latency in gaming workloads. In synthetic benchmarks, it scores 14,317 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 1,452 in single-core, with a 3DMark 16-thread score of 7,299. These figures place it in the 80th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 27,896, putting it in the same league as the Intel Core i9-10900K (27,872, 0.1% faster) and the AMD Ryzen 7 6800U (27,887, 0% difference).

Given this CPU’s strength, the measured FPS in Control are almost entirely GPU-limited. At 1080p Low, the 59 FPS average is likely close to the GPU’s maximum output, and the CPU’s 3DMark 2-thread score of 1,746 and single-thread score of 884 suggest it can handle the game’s main thread with ease. The 5800X3D’s 8 cores are more than enough for Control’s multi-threaded rendering tasks, and its 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth is shared with the GPU, which could be a point of contention. However, the fact that performance scales so predictably with resolution indicates that the CPU is not causing any frame drops or stutters; the bottleneck is purely the GPU’s pixel processing.

The CPU’s 105 W TDP and AM4 socket are desktop-oriented, but the GPU is an IGP, meaning this combo is likely a test of an integrated graphics solution paired with a high-end CPU. The data shows that the 5800X3D’s 96 MB L3 cache does not help the GPU’s memory bandwidth issues, as the system-shared memory pool is the same for both components. In terms of game performance, the CPU’s role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and physics data, and its Passmark single-thread score of 3,234 indicates it does this without becoming a limiting factor. The conclusion from the data is that upgrading the CPU would yield zero FPS improvement in this configuration, as the GPU is already at 100% utilization in all measured scenarios.

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

At 1920x1080, the measured results show a clear hierarchy across presets. Low settings produce an average of 59 FPS, which is the highest score in the entire dataset. Medium settings drop to 42 FPS average, with a minimum of 36 and maximum of 48. High settings yield 37 FPS average, and Ultra settings fall to 32 FPS average. The 27 FPS difference between Low and Ultra at 1080p demonstrates the GPU’s sensitivity to shader complexity and texture filtering, with the 20 ROPs struggling to maintain fill rates as more effects are enabled.

At 2560x1440, the same preset ordering persists but with lower absolute values. Low settings average 45 FPS, Medium averages 32 FPS (min 27, max 37), High averages 28 FPS, and Ultra averages 25 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra narrows to 20 FPS, suggesting that at 1440p, the pixel workload is becoming the dominant factor, and the additional settings overhead has a diminishing relative impact. The Medium preset’s min FPS of 27 indicates that dips below 30 FPS are common, which would result in visible stuttering during intense combat sequences.

At 3840x2160, the performance becomes marginal. Low settings average 30 FPS, Medium averages 21 FPS (min 18, max 25), High averages 19 FPS, and Ultra averages 17 FPS. The 4K Low result is the only one that hits a 30 FPS average, but even this is below the 60 FPS target. The Ultra 4K score of 17 FPS is essentially unplayable, and the data shows that no settings combination at 4K provides a smooth experience. The min FPS of 18 at 4K Medium indicates that the GPU is hitting hard frame time spikes, likely due to memory bandwidth saturation when the system-shared memory is under heavy load from both CPU and GPU workloads. Across all resolutions, the pattern is consistent: Low settings provide roughly double the frame rate of Ultra, but even the best case at 1080p Low only achieves 59 FPS, leaving no headroom for demanding scenes.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo in Control?

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 is the only resolution where playable frame rates are achievable, with Low settings averaging 59 FPS. At 1440p, the best average is 45 FPS on Low, and at 4K, the best is 30 FPS on Low, both below smooth playability thresholds.

Q: How does the Arc B370 compare to other GPUs in the benchmark database?

A: The Arc B370 has an average benchmark score of 1,184, placing it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 (score 1,186, 0.2% faster) and the ATI Radeon HD 5770 (score 1,190, 0.5% faster), indicating performance on par with legacy discrete GPUs.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor in this game?

A: The data shows that the GPU is the sole limiting factor. The 5800X3D’s 8 cores and 16 threads are not stressed, as evidenced by the consistent FPS scaling with resolution. The GPU’s 20 ROPs and 6.144 TFLOPS compute are insufficient for higher settings, while the CPU’s 96 MB L3 cache has no impact on alleviating the bottleneck.

Q: What is the average FPS difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, Low settings average 59 FPS, while Ultra settings average 32 FPS, a difference of 27 FPS. This represents a 46% performance drop from Low to Ultra, indicating that the GPU cannot handle the extra visual effects.

Q: Can this combo run Control at 4K with any settings?

A: The measurements show that 4K Low averages 30 FPS, 4K Medium averages 21 FPS, 4K High averages 19 FPS, and 4K Ultra averages 17 FPS. All 4K results are below 30 FPS except the Low preset, which barely hits 30, making 4K unsuitable for consistent gameplay.

Q: How does the 5800X3D rank against other CPUs in synthetic tests?

A: The 5800X3D has an average benchmark score of 27,896, placing it in the 80th percentile of all CPUs. It is within 0.3% of the Intel Core i5-12600KF (score 27,799) and 0.1% faster than the Intel Core i9-10900K (score 27,872), showing it is a high-end desktop processor.

Settings Recommendations

The measured data provides a clear picture of which preset is optimal for this hardware combination. At 1920x1080, the Low preset achieves an average of 59 FPS, which is the only setting that approaches a 60 FPS target. The Medium preset at 42 FPS is a compromise, but the min FPS of 36 suggests occasional dips that could be noticeable. The High and Ultra presets at 37 and 32 FPS respectively are below the 40 FPS threshold for comfortable action gameplay, and the 4K results are uniformly poor.

For a playable experience, the recommendation is to use 1080p Low settings as the baseline, as it offers the highest average FPS of 59 and avoids the sub-30 FPS dips seen in other configurations. If visual quality is preferred over frame rate, 1080p Medium at 42 FPS is the next best option, but the data shows that the jump to High or Ultra yields diminishing returns while costing significant performance. At 1440p, only Low settings (45 FPS) are viable, and even then, the experience is not smooth enough for fast-paced combat. At 4K, no preset is recommended, as the best case is 30 FPS on Low, which is below the playable threshold.

The data implies that users should prioritize resolution over settings. Dropping to 1080p Low provides a 97% performance increase over 4K Ultra (59 vs 17 FPS), and this is the only way to achieve a frame rate that avoids visible stuttering. The Medium preset at 1080p offers a balanced option for those who want better textures, but the 42 FPS average is still below the ideal 60 FPS. Given the GPU’s limitations, the recommended configuration is 1080p Low for competitive play, or 1080p Medium for a single-player experience where occasional frame drops are acceptable.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D and Intel Arc B370 ranks 2,657 out of 2,888 tested combos in Control, placing it in the bottom 8% of all configurations. This low ranking is entirely attributable to the GPU, as the CPU’s 80th percentile performance is negated by the GPU’s 5th percentile standing. The combo’s rank of 2,657 means that there are 2,656 other hardware combinations that deliver better frame rates in this game, despite the 5800X3D being a top-tier gaming processor.

The data shows that this pairing is severely mismatched for Control’s requirements. The 5800X3D’s synthetic scores, such as Cinebench R23 multi-core at 14,317 and Passmark multithread at 28,309, indicate it can handle any modern game’s CPU load, but the Arc B370’s 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1,184 is a fraction of what discrete GPUs achieve. In practical terms, this combo ranks below most systems with any dedicated graphics card, and even integrated GPUs from a few generations ago might outperform it, as evidenced by its rival scores.

The rank of 2,657 out of 2,888 combos suggests that users with this setup are in the bottom tier of performance for Control. The only saving grace is that the CPU can be paired with a better GPU in the future, but as configured, the data shows this combo is only suitable for 1080p Low settings. The 231 combos ranked lower are likely those with even older CPUs or weaker integrated graphics, but the gap to the median combo is substantial. For anyone considering this pairing, the benchmark results indicate that the 5800X3D’s potential is wasted, and the system’s performance in Control is dictated entirely by the Arc B370’s limited capabilities.