Control

# Control with AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER

The pairing of AMD's top-end 2024 desktop processor with NVIDIA's 2019 mid-high-range graphics card creates a striking imbalance in Control. The data shows a system where the CPU is dramatically overqualified relative to the GPU, leading to frame rates that are almost entirely dictated by the RTX 2070 SUPER's capabilities. Across all resolutions and settings, the measured average FPS ranges from 36 to 130, with the CPU never appearing to be the bottleneck in any tested configuration. This analysis examines how each component contributes to the game's performance, where the combo ranks among 3,720 tested systems, and what the measured frames reveal about optimal settings.

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

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D brings substantial processing power to this pairing, with 8 cores and 16 threads running at a base clock of 4.70 GHz and a boost of 5.20 GHz. This Zen 5 architecture chip (codenamed Granite Ridge) features a substantial 96 MB of shared L3 cache, which is particularly relevant for gaming workloads that benefit from large, fast memory pools. The CPU's benchmark scores reinforce its capability: it achieves a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 23,230 and a single-core score of 2,080, with Geekbench scores of 18,696 (multi) and 2,964 (single).

The CPU's 3DMark scores scale impressively with thread count, from 1,212 single-thread to 10,081 with 16 threads, indicating strong multi-threading efficiency. For a game like Control, which is an action-adventure title from 2019, the CPU's raw power is far beyond what is needed to feed the GPU. The data shows that even at 1080p Low — the most CPU-sensitive configuration in the measured set — the average FPS reaches 130, which is likely well below the CPU's maximum frame generation capability. The processor's percentile ranking of 87 among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 39,768, places it in the upper echelon, yet its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS (deltaPct 0.4) and AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (deltaPct -0.8), none of which would meaningfully change Control's performance in this configuration.

The real question the data raises is whether the 9800X3D's extra cache and clock speed translate to any measurable benefit in this game when paired with such a modest GPU. Given that the RTX 2070 SUPER is the clear limiting factor, the CPU's role is to ensure that frame times remain consistent and that no CPU-bound stutter occurs. The 120W TDP and DDR5 memory support with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth suggest a platform capable of feeding data quickly, but the measured FPS numbers never approach a level where CPU throughput would be strained. The data implies that this processor is effectively idle in Control, waiting on the GPU to render each frame.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER is the performance bottleneck in this pairing, and the measured FPS numbers across all resolutions and settings reflect its capabilities. This Turing-architecture GPU (chip TU104) features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering 448.0 GB/s of bandwidth. Its clocks are specified at 1,605 MHz base and 1,770 MHz boost, with memory running at 1,750 MHz (14 Gbps effective). The GPU includes 2,560 shading units, 160 TMUs, and 64 ROPs, along with 40 RT cores and 320 tensor cores for ray tracing and DLSS workloads.

The GPU's benchmark performance is modest, with a Passmark G3D score of 18,169 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1,651. Its percentile ranking of 65 among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 20,282, places it in the mid-range tier. The nearest rivals — NVIDIA Quadro M4000M (deltaPct -1), NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (deltaPct -1.2), Intel Arc B570 (deltaPct -1.3), and Intel Arc A750 (deltaPct -1.5) — all sit within a narrow performance band, confirming that the RTX 2070 SUPER is a solid but not exceptional performer in 2024 terms.

In Control, the GPU's 8 GB VRAM is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p at all tested settings, but the data suggests that at 4K Ultra, the combination of resolution and graphical load pushes the GPU to its limits, resulting in just 36 FPS average. The GPU's FP32 performance of 9.062 TFLOPS and pixel rate of 113.3 GPixel/s provide the computational foundation, but the measured numbers show that even at 1080p Low, the GPU cannot exceed 130 FPS. This indicates that the RTX 2070 SUPER is fully utilized across all tested scenarios, with the CPU never constraining performance. The data implies that for players seeking higher frame rates, upgrading the GPU would yield far greater returns than any CPU change.

FAQ

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

A: Based on the measured FPS, 1920x1080 provides the most playable experience, with average frame rates ranging from 71 FPS at Ultra to 130 FPS at Low. At 2560x1440, the average drops to between 54 FPS (Ultra) and 98 FPS (Low), while 3840x2160 only achieves 36-66 FPS depending on settings.

Q: How much performance is lost when moving from 1080p to 1440p?

A: At High settings, the average FPS drops from 82 at 1920x1080 to 62 at 2560x1440, a 24.4% reduction. At Low settings, the drop is from 130 to 98, a 24.6% decrease. The consistent percentage loss across settings suggests the GPU is uniformly load-bound.

Q: Does the Ryzen 7 9800X3D bottleneck the RTX 2070 SUPER in this game?

A: No. The data shows that frame rates scale consistently with resolution and settings changes, which is characteristic of a GPU bottleneck. At 1080p Low, the average FPS reaches 130, but this is still well within the GPU's capability range, and the CPU's substantial benchmark scores (Cinebench R23 multi of 23,230) indicate it has ample headroom.

*Q: Can this combo handle 4K gaming in Control?*

A: Only at lower settings. At 3840x2160 Low, the average FPS is 66, which is playable, but at High it drops to 42, and at Ultra it falls to 36. The 8 GB VRAM and GPU compute limitations make 4K Ultra impractical, as the measured minimum FPS at Medium is 40.

Q: What is the frame time consistency like at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440 Medium, the measured FPS ranges from 59 to 80 with an average of 70. This 21 FPS spread between minimum and maximum indicates some variance, but the average remains stable. At 1080p Medium, the spread is from 78 to 106, showing similar consistency.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to other tested systems?

A: The combo ranks 2,152 out of 3,720 tested combinations in Control, placing it in the 42nd percentile of all systems. This ranking reflects the GPU's mid-range standing, as the CPU's high percentile (87) is offset by the GPU's more modest performance (65th percentile).

How This Combo Ranks

The combo ranks 2,152 out of 3,720 tested combinations for Control, placing it in the lower-middle portion of the field. This ranking is directly attributable to the RTX 2070 SUPER's performance tier, as the GPU's 65th percentile standing among all GPUs drags down what would otherwise be a top-tier system. The CPU's 87th percentile ranking suggests that if paired with a more capable GPU, this system could rank significantly higher, but the measured data shows that the GPU is the limiting factor in every tested scenario.

The ranking distribution implies that roughly 1,568 tested combos perform worse than this pairing, while 2,151 perform better. Given that the RTX 2070 SUPER's nearest rivals all sit within 1.5% of its average benchmark score, the ranking is not an outlier but rather a consistent representation of this GPU's position in the market. The data suggests that players using this combo in Control should expect performance typical of a mid-range GPU paired with an overqualified CPU — a configuration that delivers smooth gameplay at 1080p but struggles at higher resolutions.

The measured FPS numbers reinforce this ranking. At 1080p Ultra, the combo achieves 71 FPS average, which is competitive for the setting, but at 4K Ultra, the 36 FPS average places it in the field of playability only for players tolerant of lower frame rates. The ranking data, combined with the FPS measurements, indicates that this combo is best suited for 1080p gaming, with 1440p being viable at lower settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the combo delivers its strongest performance. Low settings produce an average of 130 FPS, Medium produces 92 FPS (with a range of 78-106), High produces 82 FPS, and Ultra produces 71 FPS. The progression from Low to Ultra shows a 45.4% reduction in average FPS, which is a moderate penalty for the graphical improvements. The 1080p numbers indicate that all settings are playable, with even Ultra maintaining a 71 FPS average that exceeds the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay.

Moving to 2560x1440, the average FPS drops across all settings. Low yields 98 FPS, Medium yields 70 FPS (with a range of 59-80), High yields 62 FPS, and Ultra yields 54 FPS. The reduction from 1080p to 1440p is consistent at roughly 24-25% for each settings tier, indicating a uniform GPU load increase. At this resolution, Ultra dips below 60 FPS, making High or Medium the practical choices for players seeking smooth performance.

At 3840x2160, the GPU struggles significantly. Low settings produce 66 FPS average, Medium produces 47 FPS (with a range of 40-54), High produces 42 FPS, and Ultra produces 36 FPS. The 4K numbers show that only Low settings achieve a playable average frame rate, and even then, the minimum FPS at Medium is 40, which could result in noticeable stutter during intense scenes. The data clearly shows that 4K is not this combo's intended resolution for Control.

The measured FPS data reveals a consistent pattern: the combo provides playable performance up to 1440p with appropriate settings, but 4K is only viable at Low. The 1080p Ultra number of 71 FPS is particularly notable, as it demonstrates that the GPU can handle maximum settings at this resolution while maintaining a comfortable frame rate margin.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS rows, the optimal experience for this combo is at 1920x1080 with High settings, yielding 82 FPS average. This configuration provides a strong balance between visual quality and performance, staying well above the 60 FPS threshold while delivering the graphical fidelity that Control's action-adventure gameplay benefits from. For players who prioritize frame rate, 1080p Low at 130 FPS offers the smoothest experience, though the visual compromise may be significant.

At 2560x1440, the data suggests Medium settings as the best choice, with 70 FPS average and a minimum of 59 FPS. This keeps the experience near the 60 FPS target while allowing for a higher resolution. High at 1440p drops to 62 FPS average, which is still playable but leaves less headroom for demanding scenes. Ultra at 1440p, at 54 FPS average, is below the ideal threshold and should be avoided.

For 4K, the data is clear: only Low settings at 66 FPS average are recommended. Medium at 47 FPS is borderline, but the 40 FPS minimum suggests potential stuttering. High and Ultra at 4K, with 42 and 36 FPS respectively, are not recommended for a satisfying experience. The overall best experience per the measured rows is 1080p High, which offers the highest resolution with a comfortable frame rate and solid visual quality.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS drop from 1080p to 4K reveals the GPU-bound nature of this combo. At Low settings, the average FPS decreases from 130 at 1080p to 98 at 1440p, then to 66 at 4K — a total reduction of 49.2% from 1080p to 4K. At High settings, the progression is 82 to 62 to 42, a 48.8% reduction. At Medium, the numbers are 92 to 70 to 47, a 48.9% reduction. The consistency of these percentage drops across all settings tiers indicates that the GPU is the sole limiting factor, as a CPU bottleneck would show less scaling at higher resolutions.

The scaling pattern is nearly linear with pixel count: 1440p has 1.78 times the pixels of 1080p, and 4K has 4 times the pixels. However, the FPS does not drop proportionally — moving from 1080p to 1440p reduces FPS by about 25%, while moving from 1440p to 4K reduces it by another 32-33%. This sub-linear scaling suggests that the GPU is not purely pixel-bound; other factors such as memory bandwidth and fill rate contribute to the performance profile. The 8 GB VRAM and 448.0 GB/s bandwidth appear sufficient at 1080p and 1440p but may become a limiting factor at 4K, where the larger framebuffer and texture loads strain the memory subsystem.

The data implies that the RTX 2070 SUPER's performance ceiling in Control is approximately 130 FPS at 1080p Low, with diminishing returns as resolution increases. The CPU's role in this scaling is negligible, as the consistent percentage drops across settings prove that the processor is never the bottleneck. This analysis confirms that players with this combo should target 1080p for maximum frame rates, with 1440p at Medium as a viable alternative for higher visual fidelity.