Control

The Intel Core i5-10400F and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti pairing in Control presents a study in balanced legacy hardware. At 1080p, the combo delivers 130.7 FPS on Low settings, but this figure collapses to 75.8 FPS at Ultra, a dramatic 42% reduction that highlights how heavy preset workloads can still stress this configuration. The data reveals a system that is more capable at lower resolutions, yet the GPU's 11 GB of GDDR5X memory and 484.4 GB/s bandwidth suggest it was designed for higher ambitions. This analysis dissects the measured performance across resolutions, settings, and component roles, using only the benchmark data provided.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS drops from 1080p to 4K are steep and consistent, indicating a GPU-bound scenario at higher resolutions. At High settings, the average frame rate falls from 85.9 FPS at 1920x1080 to 64.8 FPS at 2560x1440, a 24.6% reduction. Pushing to 3840x2160 yields just 44 FPS, which is 48.8% lower than the 1080p result. This pattern is even more pronounced at Ultra settings, where the 1080p average of 75.8 FPS drops to 57.3 FPS at 1440p and then to 37.4 FPS at 4K—a total loss of 50.7% from the starting resolution.

The scaling behavior suggests the GTX 1080 Ti is the limiting component at 4K, as the CPU's role diminishes with increasing pixel count. The 44 FPS at 4K High is playable but far from smooth, while the 37.4 FPS at 4K Ultra pushes the experience into borderline territory. Notably, the gap between Low and Ultra settings widens with resolution: at 1080p, the difference is 54.9 FPS (130.7 vs. 75.8), but at 4K, it narrows to 31.5 FPS (68.9 vs. 37.4). This compression implies that at 4K, the GPU is so saturated that even lowering settings cannot fully compensate for the pixel throughput demand.

The data indicates that this combo is best suited for 1080p or 1440p gaming, where the GPU can flex its muscle. At 1440p, Medium settings achieve 70.6 FPS, which is respectable, but High settings drop to 64.8 FPS. The 4K results, while measurable, show the GTX 1080 Ti struggling against the pixel count, with no setting exceeding 68.9 FPS—the Low preset result. This suggests that 4K is viable only with significant visual compromises, making 1440p the practical ceiling for this pairing.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-10400F provides 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. Its benchmark scores show a processor that is competent but not exceptional: Cinebench R23 multicore reaches 10297 points, while single-core hits 1453 points. The PassMark multithread score of 12115 and single-thread score of 2541 place it in the 73rd percentile of all CPUs, indicating solid mid-range performance.

In Control, the CPU's role is most evident at lower resolutions where frame rates are higher. At 1080p Low, the 130.7 FPS average suggests the CPU can feed the GPU adequately, but the architecture's 14 nm process and 12 MB shared L3 cache may limit peak performance. The 3DMark scores reinforce this: 2-thread score of 1350 and 4-thread score of 2560 show scaling, but the 8-thread score of 3929 indicates diminishing returns beyond 4 cores. This aligns with Control's engine, which may not fully utilize all 12 threads.

The CPU's nearest rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C (avg score 14277, deltaPct -0.8) and Intel Core i5-8500 (avg score 14332, deltaPct -1.1), show the i5-10400F performs slightly below these chips in synthetic tests. However, in gaming, the boost clock of 4.30 GHz helps maintain frame rates. The data shows that at 1080p, the CPU is not the bottleneck—the GPU handles the workload—but at 4K, the CPU's influence wanes further. This suggests that for Control, the i5-10400F is sufficient, though its 65 W TDP and Comet Lake architecture limit headroom for future titles.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti is the star here, with 11 GB of GDDR5X memory on a 352-bit bus, delivering 484.4 GB/s of bandwidth. Its boost clock of 1582 MHz and 3584 shading units provide 11.34 TFLOPS of FP32 performance. The GPU's PassMark G3D score of 18600 places it in the 61st percentile, with an average benchmark score of 19402. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA TITAN Xp, scores 19184 with a deltaPct of 1.1%, showing the GTX 1080 Ti is slightly ahead of that flagship.

In Control, the GPU's VRAM capacity and bandwidth are critical. The game's texture-heavy environments benefit from the 11 GB frame buffer, which prevents stuttering at 4K. The measured results show the GPU's strength: at 1080p Medium, it achieves 94.3 FPS, and at 1440p High, it maintains 64.8 FPS. The 4K Ultra result of 37.4 FPS, while low, is still playable, which is remarkable for a GPU released in 2017.

The GPU's nearest rivals in synthetic tests include the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 (avg score 19405, deltaPct 0) and AMD Radeon Pro 560X (avg score 19426, deltaPct -0.1). These comparisons show the GTX 1080 Ti is in a unique position—its performance is close to these older cards in benchmarks, but its 11 GB VRAM gives it an edge in modern titles like Control. The data indicates the GPU is the primary driver of performance at all resolutions, with the CPU only becoming a factor at extremely high frame rates (130.7 FPS at 1080p Low).

FAQ

*Q: What is the highest average FPS this combo achieves in Control?*

A: The highest measured average is 130.7 FPS at 1920x1080 with Low settings.

Q: How does the combo perform at 4K Ultra settings?

A: At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average FPS drops to 37.4, which is below the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay.

Q: Is the GTX 1080 Ti better than its nearest rival, the TITAN Xp?

A: The data shows the GTX 1080 Ti has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 19402 compared to the TITAN Xp's 19184, a deltaPct of 1.1% in favor of the GTX 1080 Ti.

Q: What is the CPU's single-core performance score?

A: The Intel Core i5-10400F achieves a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1453 points and a PassMark single-thread score of 2541.

Q: Does the combo maintain 60 FPS at 1440p High settings?

A: No, at 2560x1440 with High settings, the average FPS is 64.8, which is above 60 FPS, but at Ultra settings it drops to 57.3 FPS.

*Q: How much VRAM does the GPU have, and does it matter for Control?*

A: The GTX 1080 Ti has 11 GB of GDDR5X memory, which is substantial for Control's texture demands, helping to avoid performance drops at higher resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

This combo ranks 949th out of 1636 tested combinations in Control, placing it in the lower middle of the field. This ranking reflects its age: the CPU's 73rd percentile and GPU's 61st percentile are respectable individually, but together they lag behind newer hardware. The rank of 949 suggests that while the combo is functional, it is outclassed by more modern pairings that achieve higher frame rates at similar settings.

The data implies that the combo's performance is heavily dependent on the GPU, which is the stronger component. The CPU's synthetic scores, such as the 3DMark max threads of 4735, are modest, but they do not bottleneck the GPU until frame rates exceed 130 FPS. The rank also indicates that for Control, this combo is better suited to 1080p gaming, where it can achieve high frame rates, rather than 4K, where it falls below 50 FPS at most settings.

Comparatively, the GPU's nearest rivals (GTX 780, Radeon Pro 560X, Tesla K40m) all have similar average scores, but the GTX 1080 Ti's 11 GB VRAM and higher memory bandwidth give it a practical advantage in Control. The CPU's rivals (Ryzen 3 7320C, i5-8500) are slightly faster in synthetic tests, but the i5-10400F's 6 cores and 12 threads are adequate for this title. The 949 rank is a reminder that this combo is a legacy pairing, capable but not competitive with modern systems.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the combo delivers a wide range of results: Low settings average 130.7 FPS, Medium 94.3 FPS, High 85.9 FPS, and Ultra 75.8 FPS. These figures show a clear progression, with the Ultra preset costing 42% of the performance compared to Low. Moving to 2560x1440, the averages are 101.5 FPS (Low), 70.6 FPS (Medium), 64.8 FPS (High), and 57.3 FPS (Ultra). The 1440p results are more compressed, with a 43.4 FPS difference between Low and Ultra, indicating the GPU is becoming the limiting factor.

At 3840x2160, the performance drops significantly: Low settings achieve 68.9 FPS, Medium 50.2 FPS, High 44 FPS, and Ultra 37.4 FPS. The 4K Low result is the only one above 60 FPS, and the Ultra preset falls below 40 FPS. This breakdown shows that the combo is most comfortable at 1080p, where all settings exceed 75 FPS, and 1440p, where Medium settings provide a smooth 70.6 FPS experience. The 4K data reveals the GPU's limits, as even Low settings cannot reach 70 FPS.

The data also shows a consistent pattern: the gap between Low and Ultra narrows as resolution increases. At 1080p, the difference is 54.9 FPS; at 1440p, it is 44.2 FPS; and at 4K, it is 31.5 FPS. This suggests that at higher resolutions, the GPU's pixel throughput becomes the primary bottleneck, and reducing settings has diminishing returns.

Settings Recommendations

For the best experience, the data suggests prioritizing 1080p or 1440p with Medium to High settings. At 1920x1080, High settings (85.9 FPS) offer a balanced experience, while Medium (94.3 FPS) provides a slight performance boost without a major visual penalty. The Ultra preset at 1080p (75.8 FPS) is still smooth, but the 10 FPS gain from dropping to High is minimal, making High the recommended choice for most players.

At 2560x1440, Medium settings (70.6 FPS) are the sweet spot, delivering smooth gameplay with good visual quality. High settings (64.8 FPS) are also viable, but the frame rate dips closer to 60 FPS, which may be noticeable on high-refresh-rate monitors. The Ultra preset at 1440p (57.3 FPS) is below the 60 FPS threshold, so it is not recommended for competitive play.

For 4K, the data shows that Low settings (68.9 FPS) are the only way to achieve a playable frame rate above 60 FPS. Medium (50.2 FPS) and High (44 FPS) are playable but not ideal, while Ultra (37.4 FPS) is only suitable for cinematic experiences. Given the GPU's 11 GB VRAM, players can afford to enable high-resolution textures, but the pixel count limits overall performance. The recommendation is to play at 1440p Medium for the best balance, or 1080p Ultra if visual fidelity is paramount.