Control

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F and AMD Radeon RX 6600 combination delivers a playable, though not consistently smooth, experience in Control, with performance heavily dependent on resolution and preset selection. The data shows a system that is clearly GPU-limited at higher resolutions, while the CPU provides ample headroom at 1080p.

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

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F is an 8-core, 16-thread processor based on the Zen 5 architecture, built on a 4 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. This configuration provides substantial computational throughput, which is reflected in its Passmark multithread score of 36470 and single-thread score of 4691. The processor also features a 32 MB shared L3 cache and supports DDR5 memory, contributing to its high overall performance.

In the context of Control, an action-adventure title that relies on physics and complex game logic, the CPU's role is to maintain a stable frame pipeline. The data indicates that the processor is not the bottleneck in this pairing. At 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 108 FPS, which is the highest recorded average across all tested configurations. This suggests that the CPU can easily feed frames to the GPU at lower graphical loads. As resolution increases, the frame rate drops significantly, indicating that the graphics card, not the processor, is the limiting factor.

The Ryzen 7 9700F sits in the 94th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 69996. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX, which scores 0.2% higher, and the Intel Core i7-14700KF, which scores 0.2% lower. This places the processor in a high-performance tier, capable of handling demanding titles without presenting a bottleneck. In this game, the CPU's strength is evident; even at the lowest resolution tested, the system does not appear to be constrained by processor throughput. The 8 cores and 16 threads are more than sufficient for the game's threading model, ensuring that the GPU receives a consistent stream of draw calls and physics updates.

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

The AMD Radeon RX 6600 is built on the RDNA 2.0 architecture with a Navi 23 chip, fabricated on a 7 nm process. It features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 224.0 GB/s. The GPU has a base clock of 1626 MHz, a game clock of 2044 MHz, and a boost clock of 2491 MHz. With 1792 shading units, 112 TMUs, and 64 ROPs, the card is positioned in the mainstream segment, which is confirmed by its 63rd percentile ranking among all GPUs.

The GPU's performance in Control is the primary determinant of the frame rates observed. The data shows a clear correlation between graphical settings and average FPS, with the card struggling at 4K Ultra, where it averages only 30 FPS. This is a demanding title for the RX 6600, particularly at higher resolutions. The 8 GB VRAM capacity is sufficient for the presets tested, but the card's raw compute power limits its ability to maintain high frame rates with maxed-out settings.

The RX 6600's average benchmark score is 19036, placing it near rivals such as the NVIDIA Quadro K6000 (0% difference) and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Mobile (-0.1% difference). This indicates that the desktop RX 6600 performs similarly to a mobile RTX 4050, which is a significant data point for understanding its relative capabilities. In Control, the GPU's role is clear: it is the component that dictates performance. The scaling from Low to Ultra settings at any given resolution shows a substantial FPS drop, which is expected for a card of this tier. The card's 132 W TDP and PCIe 4.0 x8 interface are consistent with its mainstream positioning.

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

The resolution scaling data reveals a classic GPU-bound scenario. Moving from 1080p to 1440p and then to 4K results in significant FPS reductions across all settings, confirming that the RX 6600 is the performance ceiling for this combo.

Starting with High settings, the average FPS drops from 68 at 1080p to 52 at 1440p, a decrease of 16 FPS (23.5%). From 1440p to 4K, the average drops further from 52 to 35 FPS, a decrease of 17 FPS (32.7%). This progressive decline indicates that the GPU is running out of pixel-pushing capability as resolution increases.

The Low settings provide a clearer picture. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 108 FPS. At 1440p Low, it drops to 82 FPS, and at 4K Low, it falls to 55 FPS. While these numbers are higher than the High preset, the relative drop is still substantial, with a 49% reduction from 1080p to 4K. This pattern strongly suggests that even at the lowest graphical fidelity, the GPU's fill rate and bandwidth are insufficient to maintain high frame rates at 4K.

Medium settings show a similar trend: 77 FPS at 1080p, 58 FPS at 1440p, and 39 FPS at 4K. The Ultra preset, which is the most demanding, yields 59 FPS at 1080p, 45 FPS at 1440p, and 30 FPS at 4K. The consistent downward slope across all settings indicates that the CPU is not a limiting factor. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see less variance between resolutions, particularly at lower settings where the GPU load is reduced. The data shows the opposite, confirming that the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F has sufficient headroom to support the RX 6600 at all tested resolutions.

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

Based on the measured FPS data, the choice of settings depends on the target frame rate and resolution. For a smooth 60 FPS experience, the data suggests that the Medium preset is the most balanced choice at 1080p, where it averages 77 FPS with a minimum of 65 FPS. This provides a comfortable margin above the 60 FPS threshold, ensuring consistent gameplay. The High preset at 1080p also exceeds 60 FPS with an average of 68 FPS, but the minimum FPS is not listed, making it a slightly riskier choice for those sensitive to frame dips.

At 1440p, the Medium preset is the only option that comes close to 60 FPS, averaging 58 FPS with a minimum of 49 FPS. While this is below the ideal 60 FPS mark, it is playable for most users. The High preset at 1440p averages 52 FPS, which is acceptable for slower-paced games but may feel less fluid in action sequences. For 4K, none of the presets achieve a playable 60 FPS. The Low preset averages 55 FPS, which is the best option for 4K gaming, but it requires a significant visual fidelity sacrifice. The Medium preset at 4K averages 39 FPS, which is borderline playable but may have noticeable stutters.

The Ultra preset is not recommended for any resolution. At 1080p it averages 59 FPS, which is just below the 60 FPS target, and at 1440p it drops to 45 FPS. The data clearly indicates that the Medium preset offers the best balance of visual quality and performance for this hardware combination. It provides a substantial improvement over Low settings while maintaining frame rates that are significantly higher than High or Ultra presets. For users prioritizing frame rate over visuals, the Low preset provides the highest FPS at all resolutions, but the Medium preset offers a more visually appealing experience without a prohibitive performance cost.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

In the database of tested hardware combinations for Control, this pairing of the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F and AMD Radeon RX 6600 ranks 2248th out of 2888 total combos. This places it in the lower-middle tier of all tested systems, indicating that while it is not a top-tier performer, it is also far from the bottom. The rank reflects the GPU's mainstream positioning; the CPU is a high-end component, but the overall system performance is constrained by the graphics card.

The rank of 2248 suggests that a significant number of other combinations deliver higher average FPS in this game. This is expected, given the RX 6600's 63rd percentile ranking. However, the data shows that this combo is not a poor performer; it is simply outclassed by systems with more powerful GPUs. The rank is a composite measure of the system's ability to run the game at various settings, and the data confirms that it can handle 1080p gaming well, with diminishing returns at higher resolutions.

Compared to other combos, this system's performance is consistent with its component tier. The CPU's high percentile ranking (94th) does not translate to a high combo rank because the GPU is the limiting factor. This is a key insight: the combo rank is not an average of the two components' ranks but rather a measure of their combined performance in a specific game. The data indicates that users with this setup should focus on 1080p gaming to get the best experience, as the system's rank suggests it will struggle to compete with higher-tier combos at 1440p or 4K.

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

The following is a detailed breakdown of the measured average frame rates for each resolution and settings combination.

1080p:

• Low: 108 FPS
• Medium: 77 FPS (minimum 65 FPS, maximum 88 FPS)
• High: 68 FPS
• Ultra: 59 FPS

1440p:

• Low: 82 FPS
• Medium: 58 FPS (minimum 49 FPS, maximum 67 FPS)
• High: 52 FPS
• Ultra: 45 FPS

4K (3840x2160):

• Low: 55 FPS
• Medium: 39 FPS (minimum 33 FPS, maximum 45 FPS)
• High: 35 FPS
• Ultra: 30 FPS

The data shows a clear pattern. At 1080p, the system can achieve a smooth gaming experience at Medium or High settings, with the Low preset providing a very high frame rate for competitive or fast-paced play. At 1440p, the Medium preset is the sweet spot, offering a playable frame rate with a minimum above 45 FPS. The High and Ultra presets at this resolution are only suitable for less demanding scenarios. At 4K, the system is severely limited, with even the Low preset failing to maintain a consistent 60 FPS. The minimum FPS values are only provided for the Medium preset, but they indicate that the frame pacing is relatively stable, with the 1080p Medium preset having a minimum of 65 FPS and the 1440p Medium having a minimum of 49 FPS.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play Control with this CPU and GPU combination?

A: The data shows that 1080p is the optimal resolution. At 1080p with Medium settings, the system averages 77 FPS with a minimum of 65 FPS, providing a smooth and consistent experience. At 1440p, the frame rate drops to an average of 58 FPS on Medium, which is playable but not as fluid.

Q: Can this system run Control at 4K?

A: Yes, but with significant compromises. At 4K with Low settings, the average FPS is 55. The Medium preset at 4K averages 39 FPS, while High and Ultra average 35 and 30 FPS, respectively. These frame rates are below the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck in this system for Control?

A: The GPU is the clear bottleneck. The evidence is in the resolution scaling: as resolution increases from 1080p to 4K, the average FPS drops significantly across all settings. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the FPS would be more consistent across resolutions. The Ryzen 7 9700F's high benchmark scores support this conclusion.

Q: What settings preset should I use for the best balance of visuals and performance at 1440p?

A: The Medium preset is the best choice at 1440p. It averages 58 FPS with a minimum of 49 FPS, which is the only preset that comes close to maintaining 60 FPS. The High preset averages 52 FPS, while Ultra drops to 45 FPS.

Q: How does the RX 6600's performance in this game compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The RX 6600 has an average benchmark score of 19036, which is nearly identical to the NVIDIA Quadro K6000 (0% difference) and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Mobile (-0.1% difference). This indicates that the RX 6600's performance is on par with these GPUs, which is reflected in its 63rd percentile ranking.

Q: What is the highest average FPS this system can achieve in Control?

A: The highest recorded average FPS is 108, achieved at 1080p with Low settings. This is significantly higher than any other configuration tested, indicating that the system has substantial headroom when graphical demands are low.