Control

# Control: CPU/GPU Combo Analysis

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X paired with the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT delivers a compelling Control experience, placing this combination at rank 937 out of 3,720 tested combos. This places the combo in the top 25% of all tested configurations for this game, indicating strong performance headroom across most settings and resolutions. The data shows a system that can handle the game's demanding physics and visual effects, though the balance between CPU and GPU shifts noticeably depending on the resolution and quality preset selected.

FAQ

Q: What is the combo rank for this CPU and GPU pairing in Control?

A: The combo ranks 937th out of 3,720 tested combinations, placing it in the top 25% of all tested systems for this game.

Q: How does the Ryzen 9 9900X compare to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The CPU's average benchmark score of 57,498 is essentially tied with the AMD EPYC 9015 (57,555, -0.1% delta), slightly ahead of the AMD EPYC 7313 (57,399, +0.2% delta), and about 1.1% behind the Intel Core i9-14900 (58,115) and 1.4% behind the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M (58,323).

Q: What is the highest average FPS measured for this combo in Control?

A: The highest measured average FPS is 193 at 1920x1080 with Low settings. The lowest measured average is 54 FPS at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings.

Q: Does the RX 9070 XT's benchmark performance align with its nearest rivals?

A: The GPU's average benchmark score of 13,543 is nearly identical to the AMD Radeon HD 7770M (13,536, +0.1% delta) and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570 (13,515, +0.2% delta), showing a tight cluster at this performance level.

Q: What are the CPU's core and thread counts, and how do they affect gameplay?

A: The Ryzen 9 9900X has 12 cores and 24 threads with a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. This high thread count and strong single-thread performance (3DMark single-thread score of 1,286) help maintain consistent frame pacing in Control's physics-heavy combat scenarios.

Q: Which resolution and settings combination delivers the best balance of performance and quality?

A: Based on the measured data, 2560x1440 with High settings at 92 FPS average offers a strong balance, while 1920x1080 at High settings reaches 122 FPS for smoother motion. For maximum visual fidelity, 3840x2160 at High settings maintains 62 FPS.

How This Combo Ranks

The rank of 937 out of 3,720 combos places this system in the 74.8th percentile of all tested configurations for Control. This ranking reflects a system that comfortably exceeds the median performance level, though it is not among the absolute top-tier combinations. The data suggests that this pairing is well-suited for high-refresh-rate 1440p gaming and capable 4K play, but it does not deliver the extreme frame rates that would place it in the top 100.

Looking at the score distribution, the gap between this combo and the very top performers likely stems from the GPU's mid-pack positioning (55th percentile among all GPUs) rather than the CPU, which sits at the 92nd percentile among all CPUs. The CPU's strong multi-threaded capabilities (Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32,172) ensure that it will not bottleneck the GPU in most scenarios, but the GPU's raw rendering throughput becomes the limiting factor at higher resolutions.

The measured FPS data supports this interpretation: at 1920x1080, the combo achieves 193 FPS on Low settings, indicating excellent CPU-driven frame generation. However, at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average drops to 54 FPS, showing that GPU load dominates at 4K. This performance curve is characteristic of a balanced system where either component can become the constraint depending on the workload.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X is a 12-core, 24-thread processor based on the Zen 5 architecture (Granite Ridge) manufactured on TSMC's 4nm process. With a base clock of 4.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz, this CPU provides substantial single-thread performance, as evidenced by its 3DMark single-thread score of 1,286 and Geekbench single-core score of 3,010. The 64 MB of L3 cache helps keep frequently accessed data close to the cores, reducing latency in game logic and physics calculations.

In Control, the CPU's role is most apparent at lower resolutions where frame rates scale with processor capability. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo reaches 193 FPS average, while at 2560x1440 with Low settings it achieves 146 FPS. These results indicate that the CPU can sustain very high frame rates when the GPU is not heavily taxed, making it suitable for competitive play or high-refresh-rate monitors.

The multi-threaded performance is equally impressive, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32,172 and a 3DMark max-threads score of 13,929. Control's physics engine and particle effects can leverage multiple threads, and the 24 threads available here provide ample headroom for background tasks while gaming. The PassMark multi-thread score of 54,643 further confirms the CPU's ability to handle parallel workloads efficiently.

The CPU's 92nd percentile ranking among all CPUs positions it well above the average processor. Its nearest rivals in average benchmark score include server-class parts like the AMD EPYC 9015 and EPYC 7313, which shows that the 9900X holds its own against enterprise silicon. The Intel Core i9-14900 trails by only 1.1%, indicating that this AMD chip is competitive with Intel's flagship desktop offerings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 3840x2160, the combo delivers playable frame rates across all settings. Low settings produce an average of 98 FPS, Medium yields 70 FPS with a minimum of 59 and maximum of 80, High achieves 62 FPS, and Ultra dips to 54 FPS. The Medium preset's min/max range of 59-80 FPS shows some variance, but the average stays above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay.

Moving to 2560x1440, performance improves substantially. Low settings hit 146 FPS average, Medium reaches 103 FPS (88 min, 119 max), High delivers 92 FPS, and Ultra maintains 80 FPS. All settings at this resolution provide a fluid experience, with even Ultra staying comfortably above 60 FPS. The Medium preset's range of 88-119 FPS indicates good consistency without major frame drops.

At 1920x1080, the combo excels across the board. Low settings achieve 193 FPS average, Medium reaches 137 FPS (116 min, 157 max), High delivers 122 FPS, and Ultra still maintains 106 FPS. These numbers suggest that 1080p gamers can push for high refresh rates while keeping quality settings elevated. The Medium preset's min of 116 FPS ensures that even demanding scenes stay well above typical 100 Hz monitor refresh rates.

The scaling pattern across resolutions shows a predictable GPU-bound behavior: dropping from 1080p to 1440p reduces frame rates by roughly 25-30%, and further to 4K reduces them by another 35-40%. This consistent scaling indicates that the system is balanced and neither component introduces unexpected bottlenecks.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT is built on the RDNA 4.0 architecture (Navi 48 chip) using TSMC's 4nm process. It features 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing 644.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The GPU's boost clock of 2970 MHz and game clock of 2400 MHz contribute to its peak FP32 throughput of 48.66 TFLOPS, which is more than sufficient for Control's visual effects.

The GPU's 55th percentile ranking among all GPUs places it near the median, and its average benchmark score of 13,543 closely matches several older or lower-tier cards including the AMD Radeon HD 7770M (13,536), NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570 (13,515), NVIDIA P106-090 (13,470), and AMD Radeon Pro 555 (13,407). This clustering suggests that the RX 9070 XT's raw benchmark performance is modest relative to its modern architecture, though real-world gaming results may differ.

In Control, the GPU's memory capacity proves valuable. The 16 GB VRAM allocation ensures that high-resolution textures and effects at 4K Ultra settings do not exceed available memory, avoiding potential stutters from texture swapping. The measured FPS at 3840x2160 Ultra (54 FPS average) shows that the GPU is the limiting factor at this extreme configuration, but the game remains playable.

The GPU's DirectX 12 performance in synthetic tests (PassMark DirectX 12 score of 78) appears low, but the measured Control data shows solid real-world capabilities. The game runs at 62 FPS at 4K High and 92 FPS at 1440p High, indicating that the GPU handles modern rendering workloads effectively. The texture rate of 760.3 GTexel/s and pixel rate of 380.2 GPixel/s provide the fill rate needed for Control's particle-heavy combat sequences.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For 1920x1080 users with high-refresh monitors, the High preset at 122 FPS average offers an excellent balance of visual quality and performance, while Ultra at 106 FPS still provides a smooth experience. The Low preset at 193 FPS is only recommended for competitive play where maximum frame rates are prioritized over visuals.

At 2560x1440, the High preset at 92 FPS is the best choice for most players, delivering a 60+ FPS experience with strong visual fidelity. The Medium preset at 103 FPS is a viable alternative for those who prefer slightly higher frame rates, while Ultra at 80 FPS remains playable for those who want maximum quality. Dropping to Low at 146 FPS provides headroom for very high refresh rates.

For 3840x2160, the High preset at 62 FPS is the recommended starting point, as it stays above the 60 FPS threshold while preserving visual quality. The Medium preset at 70 FPS offers a small performance boost with minor quality reduction, and the Low preset at 98 FPS provides a significantly smoother experience for players who prioritize frame rate. The Ultra preset at 54 FPS is playable but may feel less fluid during intense combat; it is best suited for slower-paced exploration or screenshot purposes.

The Minimum FPS data available for Medium settings shows that 1440p Medium (88 min) and 1080p Medium (116 min) maintain excellent consistency, while 4K Medium (59 min) occasionally dips near the 60 FPS line. For the most stable experience, the Medium preset at 1440p provides the best combination of consistent frame pacing and visual quality, with a 103 FPS average and an 88 FPS minimum that ensures smooth gameplay even in demanding scenes.