Control

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X paired with the Intel Arc B370 produces a highly constrained gaming experience in Control, with results that are almost entirely dictated by the integrated GPU. The data shows a system where the CPU’s substantial processing power is largely irrelevant, as the graphics solution becomes the definitive bottleneck across all tested resolutions and settings. This analysis breaks down the measured performance, contextualizes the component roles, and offers guidance based strictly on the provided benchmark figures.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS drop from 1080p to 4K is severe and linear, revealing a graphics solution operating at its absolute limit. At Low settings, the average frame rate falls from 59 FPS at 1920x1080 to 45 FPS at 2560x1440, a reduction of 14 FPS, and then to 30 FPS at 3840x2160, another 15 FPS drop. This consistent decline of roughly 25% at each step indicates that the rendering pipeline is saturated; the Intel Arc B370 simply cannot keep up with the increasing pixel count.

The scaling pattern is identical across all quality presets, though the absolute numbers shrink. For Medium settings, the average FPS goes from 42 at 1080p to 32 at 1440p (a 10 FPS drop) and then to 21 at 4K (an 11 FPS drop). High settings follow the same trend: 37 FPS at 1080p, 28 FPS at 1440p, and 19 FPS at 4K. Ultra settings produce the lowest floor, with 32 FPS at 1080p falling to 25 FPS at 1440p and finally 17 FPS at 4K.

This behavior suggests the limiting component is the GPU, as the frame rate scales almost perfectly with the number of pixels being rendered. The CPU is not the constraint here; if it were, we would expect to see a plateau or a much smaller difference between 1080p and 4K. Instead, the data shows a classic GPU-bound scenario where the integrated graphics' compute and memory bandwidth are exhausted by even the lowest resolution tested. The 4K results, all below 30 FPS, are effectively unplayable for a smooth experience, while 1080p remains the only viable target for playable frame rates.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is an integrated graphics solution based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, and its benchmark data paints a clear picture of its capabilities. Its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 1184, placing it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. This rank is starkly reflected in the Control results, where even the best-case scenario (Low settings at 1080p) only achieves an average of 59 FPS.

The GPU’s specifications align with its low performance tier. It features 1280 shading units, 40 TMUs, and 20 ROPs, with a boost clock of 2400 MHz. The FP32 throughput is 6.144 TFLOPS. More critically, the memory configuration is "System Shared," meaning it uses the system's DDR5 memory rather than dedicated VRAM, with bandwidth listed as "System Dependent." This reliance on shared memory is a significant handicap, as it introduces latency and bandwidth contention with the CPU for the same memory pool.

In the context of Control, a game known for its demanding visual effects, this GPU configuration is inadequate for high-fidelity rendering. The comparison to its nearest rivals is telling: the Arc B370's average benchmark score of 1184 is only slightly above the AMD FirePro M2000 (1168, +1.4%) and slightly below the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 (1186, -0.2%). These are legacy, low-power parts, confirming the Arc B370 is positioned at the entry-level of the graphics hierarchy. The measured FPS data supports this, showing that the GPU is the primary factor limiting performance, with no settings combination at any resolution exceeding an average of 59 FPS.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X is a high-end desktop processor, and its benchmark results confirm it is not a limiting factor in Control. With 12 cores and 24 threads based on the Zen 5 architecture, the CPU has immense processing headroom. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 32172 and single-core score of 2253 demonstrate strong performance. In the 3DMark tests, it scores 12552 with 16 threads and 1286 in single-thread, indicating robust multi-threading and solid single-core capability.

The CPU’s percentile rank is 92, placing it well above the majority of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals are server-class or high-end desktop parts, such as the AMD EPYC 9015 (deltaPct -0.1) and the Intel Core i9-14900 (deltaPct -1.1). This context shows that the 9900X is a top-tier processor for gaming and productivity alike.

Given the GPU’s limitations, the CPU's role in these benchmark results is to provide a stable platform without introducing bottlenecks. The data shows that as resolution increases and frame rates drop, the CPU is not struggling. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the FPS would be similar across resolutions. Instead, the FPS drops significantly at higher resolutions, which is the opposite of a CPU-limited scenario. The 9900X is, therefore, massively overqualified for pairing with the Arc B370 in this game, as its capabilities far exceed what the integrated graphics can utilize.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Ryzen 9 9900X and Intel Arc B370 ranks at 2657 out of 2888 tested combos for Control. This places it in the bottom 8% of all system configurations, which is a direct consequence of the GPU's low performance. The CPU's high rank (92nd percentile) is negated by the GPU's low rank (5th percentile), resulting in a system that is severely imbalanced.

The ranking indicates that most other hardware configurations, even those with much weaker CPUs, will outperform this combo because they likely include a dedicated graphics card. The data suggests that the Arc B370 is the sole determinant of this poor ranking. The CPU’s contribution is neutral; it does not help the system climb the ranks, nor does it hold the system back in a meaningful way. The performance ceiling is entirely defined by the integrated GPU, and the combo rank reflects that reality.

This pairing is a textbook example of a CPU-GPU mismatch. The Ryzen 9 9900X is a premium component designed for high-end workloads, while the Arc B370 is an entry-level integrated solution. The benchmark results show that the system's overall gaming performance is trapped at the level of the weakest component, and the combo rank accurately reflects this.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for Control depend heavily on the target resolution and the user's frame rate expectations. The data shows that no setting combination achieves a consistent 60 FPS average.

At 1920x1080, the only preset to come close to 60 FPS is Low, with an average of 59 FPS. This is the only playable configuration for a standard 60 Hz display. The Medium preset at 1080p yields 42 FPS, which is playable but not smooth, and High yields 37 FPS. Ultra at 1080p drops to 32 FPS, making it the least desirable of the 1080p options.

At 2560x1440, all presets fall below 45 FPS. The Low preset gives 45 FPS, which is the only option that approaches playability, but it still has noticeable drops. Medium (32 FPS), High (28 FPS), and Ultra (25 FPS) are all below the 30 FPS threshold for comfortable play.

At 3840x2160, the results are uniformly poor. The best case is Low at 30 FPS, with Medium at 21 FPS, High at 19 FPS, and Ultra at 17 FPS. None of these are suitable for a smooth experience.

Therefore, the recommendation is clear. For the best experience, users should select Low settings at 1920x1080 to achieve an average of 59 FPS. This is the only configuration that delivers a near-60 FPS experience. For users who prefer higher visual fidelity at 1080p, Medium (42 FPS) is the next best option, but it requires accepting a lower frame rate. At higher resolutions, the user must accept sub-30 FPS performance, which is not recommended for an action-adventure game like Control.

FAQ

*Q: What is the best average FPS this combo can achieve in Control?*

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 59, achieved at 1920x1080 with Low settings.

*Q: Can this system run Control at 4K smoothly?*

A: No. At 3840x2160, the highest average FPS is 30 on Low settings, with Medium, High, and Ultra presets producing 21, 19, and 17 FPS respectively, all of which are below the threshold for smooth gameplay.

Q: Is the CPU or the GPU the main bottleneck in this configuration?

A: The benchmark results indicate the GPU is the limiting factor. The FPS scales dramatically with resolution, which is a characteristic of a GPU-bound scenario, while the CPU's high benchmark scores show it has ample performance headroom.

Q: Which setting preset provides the highest average frame rate at 1440p?

A: The Low preset at 2560x1440 produces the highest average frame rate of 45 FPS. All other presets at this resolution are below 32 FPS.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B370's performance compare to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The Arc B370's average benchmark score is 1184. This is 0.2% slower than the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 (1186) and 0.5% slower than the ATI Radeon HD 5770 (1190), but 1.4% faster than the AMD FirePro M2000 (1168).

*Q: What is the ranking of this specific CPU-GPU combo among all tested combos in Control?*

A: This combo ranks 2657 out of 2888 tested combinations, placing it in the bottom tier of system performance for this game.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table details the exact average, minimum, and maximum FPS measurements for each tested configuration.

| Resolution | Settings | Avg FPS | Min FPS | Max FPS |

| :--------- | :------- | :------ | :------ | :------ |

| 3840x2160 | High | 19 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Low | 30 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Medium | 21 | 18 | 25 |

| 3840x2160 | Ultra | 17 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | High | 28 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Low | 45 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Medium | 32 | 27 | 37 |

| 2560x1440 | Ultra | 25 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | High | 37 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Low | 59 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Medium | 42 | 36 | 48 |

| 1920x1080 | Ultra | 32 | - | - |

The data confirms a consistent trend: performance scales directly with resolution and inversely with settings quality. The minimum FPS values, only provided for Medium settings, show that the frame rate can dip further below the average, particularly at higher resolutions. At 1080p Medium, the min FPS is 36, while at 4K Medium, it drops to 18. This indicates that even the "playable" settings can have stuttery moments, reinforcing the conclusion that this hardware combination is fundamentally limited for Control. The lack of min/max data for other presets means we only have the averages, but the pattern is clear: the Intel Arc B370 is the definitive performance ceiling.