Control

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 combination delivers a performance profile in Control that is defined by the GPU’s immense raw power and the CPU’s high-bandwidth architecture. At 1080p, the processor provides enough headroom to push frame rates beyond 200 FPS on low settings, while at 4K, the graphics card becomes the primary arbiter of performance, with scores scaling predictably with preset changes. The data set shows a system that is consistently fast, though the gap between low and ultra settings widens significantly at higher resolutions.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 is a 16-core, 32-thread processor based on the Zen 5 architecture, operating on the Strix Halo platform. Its base clock of 3.00 GHz and boost clock of 5.10 GHz are paired with a 64 MB shared L3 cache, which is critical for feeding the GeForce RTX 5090 in a game like Control that relies on consistent draw calls. The CPU’s 55 W TDP is notably low for a chip with this core count, yet its benchmark results place it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, indicating that its efficiency does not come at the cost of compute capability. In Cinebench R23, it scores 35,314 points in multi-core and 2,044 in single-core, while Geekbench results show 20,992 multi-core and 2,464 single-core.

In the context of Control, the CPU’s role is most evident at lower resolutions where the GPU is not the bottleneck. At 1080p with Low settings, the system produces 203 FPS, which is only possible if the processor can issue draw commands at a rapid rate. The Ryzen AI Max+ 395’s performance relative to its nearest rivals is telling: it is 1.6% ahead of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX and 2% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX in average benchmark scores, but it trails the Intel Core i9-14900K by 1.7%. This margin is small, yet it suggests that the AI Max+ 395 is not leaving performance on the table when paired with a flagship GPU. The processor’s memory bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s via quad-channel LPDDR5X support also helps maintain high frame times, particularly when the game loads new environments or physics-heavy scenes.

The data indicates that the CPU is not the limiting factor in Control for this combo. At 1080p Ultra, the average FPS drops to 111, which is a 45% reduction from the Low preset, but this is a result of increased GPU load rather than CPU saturation. The processor’s single-thread performance, as measured by PassMark’s 4,147 score, is sufficient to keep up with the RTX 5090’s output, even if it is not the absolute fastest available. The 16 cores and 32 threads are likely underutilized in this title, but the high boost clock ensures that the few threads that matter can reach the necessary speeds.

FAQ

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1440p with High settings?

A: The system achieves an average of 97 FPS at 2560x1440 with High settings, with no reported minimum or maximum values for that configuration.

Q: How does the combo rank among all tested combinations in this game?

A: The combo ranks 563rd out of 2,888 tested combinations, placing it in the top 20% of all systems evaluated for Control.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 4K?

A: At 3840x2160, the average FPS drops from 103 on Low to 57 on Ultra, a reduction of 46 FPS or approximately 45% when moving to the highest preset.

Q: Does the GPU’s average benchmark score exceed that of its nearest rival?

A: The RTX 5090’s average benchmark score is 79,842, which is 0.3% higher than the NVIDIA Tesla P100 PCIe 16 GB’s 79,605 and 1.1% higher than the AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT’s 78,940. It trails the AMD Radeon Pro Vega 64X by 1.4%.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded for the system?

A: The only configuration with a reported minimum FPS is 3840x2160 at Medium settings, where the system records a minimum of 62 FPS and a maximum of 85 FPS, with an average of 73 FPS.

Q: Is the CPU more likely to bottleneck at 1080p or 4K?

A: The data suggests a CPU bottleneck is more likely at 1080p, where the average FPS ranges from 111 to 203 depending on settings, while at 4K the average FPS ranges from 57 to 103, indicating the GPU is more heavily loaded.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 achieves a rank of 563 out of 2,888 tested combos in Control. This places the system in the 80.5th percentile of all configurations tested, meaning it outperforms roughly four out of every five systems in this game. The rank reflects the balance between the two components; while the RTX 5090 is a top-tier GPU, the CPU’s position in the 95th percentile of all CPUs ensures that it does not hold the graphics card back.

To contextualize this rank, consider the measured FPS at 1080p Low: 203 FPS. This is a score that fewer than 20% of tested combos can reach, as indicated by the overall rank. The gap between the combo’s best and worst presets is substantial—92 FPS from Low to Ultra at 1080p—but this is consistent with GPU-bound scaling. The rank also suggests that there are 563 combos that perform better, likely featuring even higher-end CPUs or more optimized pairings, but for a mobile-class processor like the AI Max+ 395, this is a strong showing. The data indicates that the combo is not in the top tier solely due to CPU limitations, as the GPU’s 92nd percentile ranking is higher than the CPU’s 95th percentile, but the overall rank is still competitive.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the system’s performance is robust across all presets. Low settings yield an average of 203 FPS, which is the highest score in the entire data set. Medium settings reduce this to 144 FPS, with a minimum of 122 and a maximum of 165. High settings produce 128 FPS, and Ultra settings drop to 111 FPS. The progression from Low to Ultra at 1080p shows a 92 FPS spread, indicating that the GPU is scaling as expected with graphical load.

Moving to 2560x1440, the averages are 153 FPS on Low, 109 FPS on Medium (with a minimum of 93 and maximum of 125), 97 FPS on High, and 84 FPS on Ultra. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is consistent across presets: Low falls by 50 FPS, Medium by 35 FPS, High by 31 FPS, and Ultra by 27 FPS. This indicates that the GPU is beginning to become more of a limiting factor, but the system still delivers high refresh rate performance at this resolution.

At 3840x2160, the averages are 103 FPS on Low, 73 FPS on Medium (with a minimum of 62 and maximum of 85), 65 FPS on High, and 57 FPS on Ultra. The 4K resolution significantly reduces frame rates, with Low settings dropping by 100 FPS from 1080p and Ultra dropping by 54 FPS. The minimum FPS of 62 at Medium 4K is notable, as it suggests the system can maintain playable frame rates even under load. The data shows that the RTX 5090’s 32 GB of VRAM and 1.79 TB/s bandwidth are sufficient for 4K, but the GPU’s raw compute is the limiting factor at this resolution.

Resolution Scaling

The transition from 1080p to 4K reveals a clear pattern of GPU-bound performance. At Low settings, the average FPS drops from 203 at 1080p to 153 at 1440p (a 24.6% reduction) and then to 103 at 4K (a 32.7% reduction from 1440p). This scaling is steeper than the pixel count increase would suggest, indicating that the GPU’s fill rate and shading capabilities are being taxed heavily at higher resolutions.

At Ultra settings, the FPS drops from 111 at 1080p to 84 at 1440p (a 24.3% reduction) and then to 57 at 4K (a 32.1% reduction). The consistency of these percentage drops across presets—roughly 24% from 1080p to 1440p and 32% from 1440p to 4K—indicates that the limiting component is the GPU, not the CPU. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the FPS would not scale so predictably with resolution. The Ryzen AI Max+ 395’s 256.0 GB/s memory bandwidth and 64 MB L3 cache are sufficient to feed the GPU at all resolutions, as evidenced by the fact that the frame rates at 4K are still respectable, even at Ultra.

The data suggests that at 1080p, the CPU is likely the limiting factor in certain scenarios, particularly at Low settings where the GPU is underutilized. However, as resolution increases, the GPU becomes the primary constraint, and the CPU’s role diminishes. This is a classic sign of a balanced system, where the CPU provides enough headroom for the GPU to operate at its full potential without being a bottleneck at lower resolutions.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate. At 1080p, the High preset offers an average of 128 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay and close to the 144 Hz refresh rate of many monitors. The Ultra preset at 111 FPS is also viable, but the 17 FPS difference between High and Ultra may not be worth the visual gain for competitive play. At Medium settings, the 144 FPS average is excellent for high refresh rate displays, but the visual fidelity is reduced.

At 1440p, the High preset delivers 97 FPS, which is suitable for most gamers, while the Medium preset at 109 FPS offers a better balance for those with 120 Hz or 144 Hz displays. The Ultra preset at 84 FPS is playable but may not be ideal for fast-paced action. The Low preset at 153 FPS is overkill for most displays and sacrifices too much visual quality.

At 4K, the Medium preset with an average of 73 FPS and a minimum of 62 FPS is the most balanced choice, as it maintains playable frame rates while providing decent visual fidelity. The High preset at 65 FPS is also workable, but the minimum FPS is not reported, which could be concerning. The Ultra preset at 57 FPS is borderline, but the Low preset at 103 FPS is not recommended for 4K as it negates the resolution’s benefits. The data suggests that the Medium preset is the sweet spot for 4K, as it offers the only configuration with a reported minimum FPS above 60.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 is the dominant component in this combo, with a 92nd percentile ranking among all GPUs and an average benchmark score of 79,842. Its 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus provides a 1.79 TB/s bandwidth, which is more than sufficient for Control at any resolution. The GPU’s clocks are set at 2017 MHz base and 2407 MHz boost, and it features 21,760 shading units and 176 ROPs, which drive the high frame rates observed in the data.

In Control, the GPU’s role is clear from the FPS scaling. At 1080p Low, the GPU produces 203 FPS, but this is not its limit; it is constrained by the CPU’s ability to issue commands. At 4K Ultra, the GPU drops to 57 FPS, indicating that it is fully utilized. The GPU’s nearest rival, the NVIDIA Tesla P100 PCIe 16 GB, has an average score that is 0.3% lower, and the AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT is 1.1% lower, but the RTX 5090 trails the AMD Radeon Pro Vega 64X by 1.4%. This suggests that the GPU is at the top of its class, even if it is not the absolute fastest in every benchmark.

The 32 GB VRAM is particularly relevant for Control at 4K with High or Ultra settings, as the game can consume significant memory for textures and effects. The 1.79 TB/s bandwidth ensures that data can be streamed to the GPU quickly, avoiding stutters. The GPU’s FP32 performance of 104.8 TFLOPS is a key indicator of its raw computing power, which is necessary for the game’s physics and particle effects. The RTX 5090’s performance in the data set is consistent with its position as a flagship GPU, and it is the primary reason the combo achieves a rank of 563 out of 2,888 in this game.