Control

The Intel Core i5-12400 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 pairing in Control delivers a solid 1080p and 1440p experience, but 4K requires compromises. The data shows a CPU with strong single-threaded performance and a GPU that scales predictably with resolution, making this a balanced combo for high-refresh gaming at mainstream resolutions. Below is a breakdown of how this hardware handles the game’s physics-heavy combat and demanding visual effects.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Core i5-12400 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, running on the Intel Socket 1700 platform. It has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, with a 65 W TDP and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. In synthetic benchmarks, it scores 910 points in 3DMark single-thread and 5,890 in 3DMark max threads, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 15,989. These numbers place it at the 72nd percentile among all CPUs, indicating capable mainstream performance.

In Control, the CPU’s role is crucial for handling the game’s physics simulations, which are abundant during combat sequences. The 4.40 GHz boost clock ensures that the primary game thread runs efficiently, while the 12 threads provide headroom for background tasks and the game’s AI calculations. The single-thread score of 910 in 3DMark is particularly relevant because Control is known for being sensitive to per-core performance, especially when debris and destructible environments are active on screen.

Compared to its nearest rivals, the i5-12400 sits within a tight performance band. It trails the AMD EPYC 7643 by 0.1% in average benchmark score, and it is 0.3% behind the Intel Core i7-1355U. Conversely, it leads the Intel Core i3-14100F by 0.9% and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 by 0.7%. These small deltas suggest that the i5-12400 provides performance nearly identical to much more expensive or differently positioned chips, making it a stable anchor for this GPU combo.

The measured FPS data confirms that the CPU is not the bottleneck at lower resolutions. At 1080p Low settings, the combo reaches 149 FPS average, which is a high frame rate that would stress a weaker processor. The fact that the i5-12400 can feed the RTX 5060 to this level indicates that its 6 cores and 12 threads are sufficient for this game’s demands, even when the GPU is not the limiting factor.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

The measured rows provide clear guidance on which settings preset offers the best balance of visual quality and performance. At 1080p, the Low preset delivers 149 FPS average, which is excellent for competitive or high-refresh play, but the visual fidelity is noticeably reduced. The Medium preset drops to 106 FPS average, with minimums of 90 FPS and maximums of 122 FPS, which is a comfortable range for most displays and provides a meaningful upgrade in texture quality and shadow detail.

For most users, the Medium preset at 1080p is the sweet spot. The 106 FPS average is well above the 60 FPS threshold, and the minimum of 90 FPS ensures that even the most chaotic scenes with multiple enemy projectiles and destructible cover remain fluid. The High preset at 94 FPS average is also viable, but the drop from 106 to 94 FPS represents a 11% performance loss for what is often a marginal visual improvement in Control’s art style.

At 1440p, the Medium preset again stands out with an 80 FPS average and a 68 FPS minimum. This is the recommended choice for 1440p users who want to maintain a consistent experience without dipping below 60 FPS. The High preset at 71 FPS is acceptable, but it puts the average closer to the 60 FPS line, which could be risky during heavy particle effects. The Ultra preset at 62 FPS is playable but leaves no headroom for frame time spikes.

At 4K, the Low preset is the only setting that achieves a fully smooth experience, with 76 FPS average. The Medium preset drops to 54 FPS with a 46 FPS minimum, which is borderline for action games. Given these numbers, 4K users should either accept Low settings or consider lowering the resolution, as the jump from Low to Medium costs 22 FPS (29% performance loss) while only modestly improving visuals.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The FPS scaling across resolutions reveals a classic GPU-bound scenario. At 1080p Medium, the combo averages 106 FPS. Moving to 1440p Medium, the average drops to 80 FPS, a 24.5% reduction. Then, moving from 1440p to 4K Medium, the average falls to 54 FPS, another 32.5% reduction. This pattern indicates that the RTX 5060 is the primary limiting factor as resolution increases, because the pixel count grows faster than the GPU’s fill rate can compensate.

The 1080p to 4K jump at Medium settings shows a total drop from 106 FPS to 54 FPS, a 49% reduction. This is a substantial loss that cannot be attributed to the CPU, as the i5-12400’s performance does not degrade with resolution. The GPU’s 8 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 128-bit bus with 448.0 GB/s bandwidth is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p, but at 4K, the memory bandwidth and compute resources (19.18 TFLOPS FP32) become stretched.

Interestingly, the scaling at Low settings is more linear. At 1080p Low, the combo hits 149 FPS. At 1440p Low, it drops to 113 FPS (24.2% reduction), and at 4K Low, it reaches 76 FPS (32.7% reduction from 1440p). This suggests that even at the lowest settings, the GPU is still the limiting factor, but the reduced shading load allows the RTX 5060 to maintain playable frame rates at 4K. The 76 FPS at 4K Low is actually higher than the 62 FPS at 1440p Ultra, which tells users that resolution has a smaller impact on performance than settings complexity.

The data also shows that the RTX 5060’s 48 ROPs and 120 TMUs are enough to handle Control’s rendering at 1080p and 1440p, but the 4K Ultra preset at 42 FPS average confirms that this is beyond the card’s comfortable envelope. Users should treat 4K as a Low-to-Medium settings scenario, while 1440p is the resolution where this combo truly shines.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combo ranks 1,665 out of 3,720 tested combinations in Control, placing it in the 55th percentile of all tested systems. This means that roughly 45% of tested combos perform better, which is a respectable position for a mid-range CPU paired with a mid-range GPU. The rank reflects the fact that the i5-12400 and RTX 5060 are both solid performers individually, but neither is top-tier, so the combined result is a balanced but not exceptional experience.

The percentile placement makes sense when considering the individual components. The CPU is at the 72nd percentile among all CPUs, and the GPU is also at the 72nd percentile among all GPUs. When paired, the combo’s 55th percentile ranking in-game is lower than either component’s individual percentile, which is typical because game performance is often limited by the weaker component or by software optimization. In this case, the RTX 5060’s 8 GB VRAM and 128-bit memory bus are likely the constraints that pull the combo down from its theoretical potential.

Compared to other combos in the database, this pairing sits comfortably in the upper-middle range. It outperforms a significant majority of tested systems, but it is not in the top quarter where high-end CPUs like the Core i9 or GPUs like the RTX 5090 reside. For a 6-core, 12-thread CPU and a 3,840-shader GPU, this ranking is appropriate, and it indicates that users should not expect 4K Ultra performance, but rather a dependable 1080p and 1440p machine.

The ranking also benefits from the i5-12400’s strong single-thread performance, which is critical for Control’s physics engine. In games that are less CPU-dependent, this combo might rank higher, but in Control, the balance is fair. Users considering this combo should focus on 1440p Medium settings to maximize the value of the hardware, as the 80 FPS average at that preset is a strong result that justifies the 1,665th rank.

FAQ

Q: Is this combo good for 1080p gaming in Control?

A: Yes, the data shows excellent 1080p performance. At Medium settings, the average FPS is 106, with a minimum of 90 FPS. Even at Ultra settings, the average is 82 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS target. Low settings reach 149 FPS for high-refresh displays.

Q: Can this system handle 4K in Control?

A: Only at Low settings, which produce 76 FPS average. Medium settings drop to 54 FPS, and Ultra settings fall to 42 FPS. For a smooth 4K experience, users must stick to Low presets or lower the resolution.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its closest rivals?

A: The i5-12400 is nearly identical in average benchmark score to the AMD EPYC 7643 (0.1% behind) and the Intel Core i7-1355U (0.3% behind). It is 0.9% ahead of the Intel Core i3-14100F and 0.7% ahead of the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330.

Q: What is the best settings preset for 1440p?

A: Medium settings provide the best balance, with an 80 FPS average and a 68 FPS minimum. High settings at 71 FPS are also playable, but Ultra drops to 62 FPS, which leaves little margin for frame drops.

Q: Is the GPU or CPU the limiting factor at higher resolutions?

A: The GPU is the limiting factor. The FPS drops from 106 at 1080p Medium to 80 at 1440p Medium and 54 at 4K Medium, a pattern consistent with GPU-bound performance. The CPU’s performance remains constant across resolutions.

Q: What is the combo’s overall rank in the database?

A: It ranks 1,665 out of 3,720 tested combos in Control, placing it in the 55th percentile. This is a solid mid-range position, reflecting the balanced but not top-tier nature of the hardware.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of performance across all settings and resolutions. At 1920x1080, the combo achieves its highest frame rates. The Low preset leads with 149 FPS average, followed by Medium at 106 FPS (with a minimum of 90 and maximum of 122), High at 94 FPS, and Ultra at 82 FPS. The spread from Low to Ultra is 67 FPS, illustrating the significant impact of settings on GPU load.

At 2560x1440, the performance scales down proportionally. Low settings deliver 113 FPS average, which is still very high. Medium settings produce 80 FPS average with a 68 FPS minimum and 92 FPS maximum. High settings drop to 71 FPS average, and Ultra settings fall to 62 FPS average. The difference between Low and Ultra at 1440p is 51 FPS, showing that the GPU’s rendering load increases more steeply as settings rise.

At 3840x2160, the results reflect the GPU’s limits. Low settings achieve 76 FPS average, which is playable. Medium settings drop to 54 FPS average with a 46 FPS minimum and 62 FPS maximum, which is borderline for fast-paced action. High settings average 48 FPS, and Ultra settings average 42 FPS. The 4K results show that only Low settings maintain a consistent 60+ FPS experience, while Medium is marginal and High/Ultra are best avoided.

The minimum FPS data is only available for Medium settings across all resolutions. At 1080p Medium, the minimum is 90 FPS; at 1440p Medium, it is 68 FPS; and at 4K Medium, it is 46 FPS. These minimums indicate frame pacing stability, and the 4K Medium minimum of 46 FPS suggests occasional stutters during heavy scenes. For smooth gameplay, users should target the 1080p Medium or 1440p Medium presets, where the minimums remain comfortably above 60 FPS.