Control

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D paired with the Intel Arc B580 delivers a fascinating performance profile in Control, one that is heavily dictated by resolution and settings. The data reveals a combination that excels at high refresh rates in 1080p but struggles to maintain playable frame rates at 4K with maximum quality. This analysis breaks down the measured results, contextualizes them against rival hardware, and explores the balance between the CPU and GPU in this specific title.

FAQ

*Q: What is the overall ranking of this CPU and GPU combination in Control?*

A: The combo ranks 2173rd out of 2888 tested combinations in the database, placing it in the lower-middle tier of all tested configurations.

Q: What is the best average frame rate this combo achieves at 1080p?

A: The highest average FPS recorded at 1920x1080 is 114 FPS, which is achieved with the Low preset. The Ultra preset at this resolution yields an average of 62 FPS.

Q: How much faster is the CPU compared to its nearest rival, the Intel Core i9-14900?

A: The Ryzen 7 9850X3D has an average benchmark score of 58386, which is 0.5% higher than the Intel Core i9-14900's score of 58115.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark score between the Intel Arc B580 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080?

A: The Intel Arc B580 has an average benchmark score of 23021, which is 0.7% lower than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080's score of 23172.

Q: What is the lowest average frame rate recorded for this setup?

A: The lowest average frame rate is 32 FPS, which occurs at a resolution of 3840x2160 with the Ultra settings preset.

Q: At which resolution and settings does the combo achieve its highest average FPS?

A: The combo achieves its highest average FPS of 114 at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is a Zen 5 architecture processor from the 9000 series, built on a 4 nm process. It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 4.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The processor's substantial 96 MB of shared L3 cache is a key characteristic of the X3D lineup, designed to mitigate latency and improve performance in cache-sensitive workloads. The data suggests this CPU is more than capable of feeding the GPU in this title, as the bottleneck shifts to the graphics card in most scenarios.

The CPU's performance in synthetic benchmarks shows a strong single-threaded and multi-threaded profile. It scores 4704 in Passmark single-thread tests and 41318 in Passmark multithread tests. This places it in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs, indicating top-tier processing power. This strength is reflected in its rivalry with the Intel Core i9-14900, where the AMD chip holds a 0.5% lead in average score. The high single-thread performance is crucial for game logic and physics, while the multi-threaded capabilities help with asset streaming and background tasks, ensuring the GPU is not starved of data.

In Control, a game known for its complex physics and destruction, the CPU's role is to maintain a stable frame delivery. The benchmark results imply that at lower resolutions like 1080p, the CPU's performance is sufficient to push frame rates to 114 FPS on Low settings. The rapid drop in FPS as settings increase to Ultra at 1080p (from 114 to 62 FPS) indicates that while the CPU is capable, the demands of the game's rendering pipeline at higher presets quickly shift the load to the GPU. The CPU's robust cache and high clock speeds likely prevent drastic frame-time stutters, providing a consistent basis for the measured average FPS figures.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B580 is built on the Xe2-HPG architecture, manufactured on a 5 nm process. It features 2560 shading units, 160 TMUs, and 80 ROPs, with a base and boost clock of 2670 MHz. A defining feature is its 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 456.0 GB/s. This memory configuration is generous for a GPU in its performance class, but the benchmark data shows that it is the primary limiting factor for this combo in Control, especially at higher resolutions.

The Arc B580's raw compute power is rated at 13.67 TFLOPS for FP32 operations. Its performance in the database places it in the 68th percentile of all GPUs. The nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080, which the Arc B580 outperforms by 0.6% in average benchmark score. However, these synthetic scores do not fully translate to Control's specific requirements. The measured FPS reveals a steep performance cliff when moving from 1440p to 4K. At 1440p Ultra, the average FPS is 47, but at 4K Ultra, it plummets to 32 FPS. This suggests that the GPU's rendering capabilities, likely its fillrate and compute units, are overwhelmed by the pixel count and visual effects at 4K.

The GPU's memory bandwidth and capacity are not the primary issue, as 12 GB of VRAM is ample for this 2019 title. Instead, the data points to a limitation in raw shading and texture processing power. The 80 ROPs and a pixel rate of 213.6 GPixel/s are insufficient to maintain high frame rates at 4K with the Ultra preset. The 27% drop in average FPS from High (37 FPS) to Ultra (32 FPS) at 4K, compared to a 14% drop from High (72 FPS) to Ultra (62 FPS) at 1080p, shows the GPU's workload scaling exponentially with resolution and quality settings, firmly establishing it as the performance bottleneck in high-resolution scenarios.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and Intel Arc B580 secures a rank of 2173 out of 2888 combos in Control's database. This percentile placement indicates that while the CPU is a top-tier component, the GPU holds the combo back from achieving higher standing. The rank is a holistic measure of the pair's ability to run the game across all tested settings and resolutions. A rank in the 75th percentile of all combos means there is a significant number of configurations that deliver a smoother experience.

This ranking is a direct result of the GPU's performance profile. The CPU's 92nd percentile standing among all processors is neutralized by the GPU's 68th percentile standing. The data suggests that pairing this high-end CPU with a mid-range GPU creates an imbalance where the system's overall gaming performance in Control is capped by the graphics card. The combo's position confirms the fact that a powerful CPU cannot compensate for a GPU that is overtaxed at higher graphical demands.

The delta percentages between the Arc B580 and its rivals are minimal, with all nearest rivals within 1% of its average score. This indicates that the GPU's performance is similar to previous-generation high-end cards like the RTX 2080. However, the combination's ranking at 2173 suggests that many other combos using different CPU pairings with these same GPUs achieve better results, possibly due to more balanced configurations or platform advantages. The ranking is a clear indicator that this specific pairing is not optimized for Control, likely due to the GPU's limitations at the tested settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive look at the combo's performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. The data is measured and includes average FPS for all configurations, with minimum and maximum FPS only provided for the Medium preset.

At 1920x1080, the combo performs admirably. The average FPS scales from 114 on Low, to 81 on Medium, 72 on High, and 62 on Ultra. The Medium preset shows a minimum FPS of 69 and a maximum of 93, indicating some frame variance but generally smooth gameplay.

At 2560x1440, performance takes a noticeable hit. The average FPS drops to 86 on Low, 61 on Medium, 54 on High, and 47 on Ultra. The Medium preset at this resolution shows a minimum of 52 FPS and a maximum of 70 FPS, suggesting the experience is still playable but with less headroom.

At 3840x2160, the GPU struggles to maintain fluid frame rates. The average FPS falls to 58 on Low, 41 on Medium, 37 on High, and 32 on Ultra. The Medium preset is the only one with min/max data, showing a range of 35 to 48 FPS. This indicates that at 4K, the combo is only suitable for less demanding settings or for players tolerant of lower frame rates.

The data shows a clear scaling pattern. The most significant performance drop occurs between 1440p and 4K, particularly at higher settings. For example, the High preset loses 17 FPS on average when moving from 1440p to 4K, while the Low preset loses 28 FPS. This suggests that the GPU's fillrate and memory bandwidth are insufficient to handle the increased pixel load at 4K, making it the definitive bottleneck.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS, the optimal experience depends heavily on the user's display resolution and frame rate preferences. The data suggests that for a smooth 60+ FPS experience, the 1080p resolution with High settings is the best choice, as it delivers an average of 72 FPS. This provides a balance between visual fidelity and performance, ensuring the game remains responsive.

For users with a 1440p display, the Medium preset offers the best experience, yielding an average of 61 FPS. This is the only settings level at this resolution that consistently stays near the 60 FPS threshold. While the Low preset achieves a higher 86 FPS, the visual compromise may not be worth the performance gain. The High and Ultra presets dip to 54 and 47 FPS respectively, which may cause noticeable stutter in a fast-paced action game.

At 4K, no preset achieves an average of 60 FPS. The Low preset comes closest with 58 FPS, which may be acceptable for some users. However, the Medium preset at 41 FPS provides a significantly better visual experience, with the min FPS of 35 indicating potential for dips. For a more consistent frame rate, the Low preset is recommended, but the Medium preset offers a more balanced experience for players who prioritize visual quality over maximum smoothness.

The data indicates that the "Ultra" preset is not a viable option for this combo at any resolution above 1080p. The performance cost is substantial, with a 14% drop from High to Ultra at 1080p, and a 13% drop at 1440p. The visual difference between High and Ultra is typically minimal compared to the performance impact, making High the more sensible choice for higher resolutions.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate scaling from 1080p to 4K reveals critical insights into the system's bottleneck. At 1080p Low, the combo achieves 114 FPS. At 1440p Low, it drops to 86 FPS, a 25% reduction. At 4K Low, it falls to 58 FPS, a 33% reduction from 1440p. This scaling pattern is typical of a GPU-bound scenario, where the CPU is capable of delivering high frame rates but the GPU is increasingly burdened by the pixel count.

The scaling becomes more dramatic at higher settings. For the Ultra preset, the performance drops from 62 FPS at 1080p to 47 FPS at 1440p, a 24% decrease. The drop from 1440p to 4K is even steeper, falling to 32 FPS, a 32% decrease. This increasing percentage drop with resolution and settings underscores that the GPU is the limiting factor. The CPU, with its high clock speeds and large cache, is not the constraint, as it can provide the necessary data to the GPU without issue.

The data shows that the performance degradation from 1080p to 4K is not linear. The transition from 1440p to 4K is particularly punishing, especially on the Low preset where the FPS drops by 28 points. This suggests that the Arc B580's 192-bit memory bus and 456.0 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient to supply the necessary texture data for 4K rendering, leading to a significant performance collapse. The GPU's pixel rate of 213.6 GPixel/s is also a limiting factor, as the number of pixels at 4K exceeds its comfortable processing capacity. This confirms that the Intel Arc B580 is the primary bottleneck in this configuration, capping performance at lower resolutions and struggling to maintain playable frame rates at 4K with high visual fidelity.