Control

The Intel Core i5-12600KF paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti delivers a robust experience in Control, with performance scaling predictably across resolutions and settings. The data shows a system that is heavily GPU-bound at higher resolutions, while the processor’s strong multi-threaded capabilities ensure it remains a capable partner even at 1080p. The measured frames per second (FPS) across the board indicate that this combination is well-suited for high-refresh-rate 1440p gaming and solid 4K playability, though the most demanding settings will require compromises to maintain smooth frame rates.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS data reveals a clear and consistent drop as resolution increases from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160, which is characteristic of a GPU-limited scenario. At the High preset, the average frame rate falls from 121 FPS at 1080p to 92 FPS at 1440p, a reduction of 29 FPS, and then further down to 62 FPS at 4K, another 30 FPS loss. This pattern indicates that the rendering load is scaling almost directly with the pixel count, placing the primary burden on the graphics card.

The scaling behavior is even more pronounced at the Low preset, where the average FPS drops from 192 at 1080p to 145 at 1440p, and then to 98 at 4K. The 47 FPS gap between 1080p and 1440p, followed by another 47 FPS gap to 4K, underscores that the RTX 3080 Ti is the limiting factor; the CPU is not constraining performance even at the lowest settings where the frame rate is highest. This is a strong indicator that the Intel Core i5-12600KF has sufficient headroom to feed the GPU at these frame rates.

At the Medium preset, the system maintains an average of 136 FPS at 1080p, which drops to 103 FPS at 1440p and 70 FPS at 4K. The minimum FPS values recorded at this preset—116 at 1080p, 88 at 1440p, and 59 at 4K—show that while the average is respectable, the system does experience occasional dips, but it never falls below the 60 FPS threshold at 1440p. The Ultra preset, however, shows the most significant impact of resolution scaling, with average FPS falling from 105 at 1080p to 80 at 1440p and finally to 54 at 4K, indicating that 4K Ultra is beyond the comfortable reach of this configuration.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-12600KF is a 10-core, 16-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. Its benchmark scores are strong, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23391 and a single-core score of 3302, placing it in the 79th percentile among all CPUs. The data shows that this processor is not a bottleneck in Control, as evidenced by the high frame rates achieved at 1080p Low, where the CPU’s single-thread performance and multi-threading capabilities are fully utilized.

The processor’s nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core i9-10900K and AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D, have average benchmark scores that are within 0.3% of the i5-12600KF, indicating that it performs on par with these higher-tier options in synthetic tests. In Control, a game that is known to be demanding on both CPU and GPU, this level of performance is sufficient to maintain high frame rates. The fact that the FPS scaling from 1080p to 4K is so consistent suggests that the CPU is not causing any frame rate drops that would otherwise appear as a plateau at lower resolutions.

The 125W TDP and unlocked multiplier suggest that this is a processor designed for performance, and its 20 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel memory support for DDR4 and DDR5 provide the necessary bandwidth for gaming workloads. The data indicates that the i5-12600KF is a balanced choice for this GPU, as it does not artificially limit the frame rates even at the highest settings where the GPU is most stressed.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is the clear performance driver in this configuration, with a 12 GB GDDR6X memory buffer and a 384-bit memory bus providing 912.4 GB/s of bandwidth. Its benchmark scores are impressive, with a Passmark G3D score of 26896 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 5077, placing it in the 83rd percentile among all GPUs. The GPU’s nearest rivals, including the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070, show that the RTX 3080 Ti is a high-end part, although it trails the newer card by 2% in average benchmark score.

The GPU’s role in Control is evident from the FPS data, where the frame rates are directly tied to the resolution and settings. At 1080p, the GPU is capable of delivering over 100 FPS on all presets, with the Low preset reaching 192 FPS. At 1440p, the performance remains excellent, with the High preset hitting 92 FPS and the Low preset reaching 145 FPS. The RTX 3080 Ti’s 10,240 shading units and 80 RT cores are well-suited for the game’s graphical demands, which include heavy use of particle effects and physics.

The 4K performance is where the GPU’s limits become apparent. At 4K High, the average FPS is 62, which is playable but not ideal for high-refresh-rate displays. The Ultra preset at 4K drops to 54 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target, indicating that the GPU is the limiting factor. The data suggests that the RTX 3080 Ti is a powerful card, but it cannot maintain high frame rates at 4K with the most demanding settings in Control.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific combination of the Intel Core i5-12600KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti ranks 981st out of 3,720 tested combos in Control, placing it in the top 26% of all configurations. This ranking is a strong result, given the breadth of hardware combinations that can be tested, and it reflects the balanced nature of this pairing. The CPU’s 79th percentile ranking and the GPU’s 83rd percentile ranking indicate that both components are above average, and their combined performance in this game is competitive.

The ranking suggests that while there are many faster configurations, this combo is well above the median for Control performance. The data shows that the system can handle the game at high settings and high resolutions, making it a viable option for gamers who want a smooth experience without needing to compromise on visual quality. The fact that the combo ranks in the top quarter of all tested systems reflects the strength of both the CPU and GPU, and it validates that the i5-12600KF does not hold back the RTX 3080 Ti in this title.

FAQ

*Q: Can this system run Control at 4K with a stable 60 FPS?*

A: At 4K with the Medium preset, the average FPS is 70, with a minimum of 59 FPS, which is just below the 60 FPS target. The High preset at 4K averages 62 FPS, but the Ultra preset drops to an average of 54 FPS, so 4K 60 FPS is achievable only with the Medium or High presets.

Q: What is the best resolution for high-refresh-rate gaming with this combo?

A: At 1440p, the system delivers 103 FPS on the Medium preset and 92 FPS on High, which are excellent for 144Hz monitors. At 1080p, the frame rates are even higher, with 136 FPS on Medium and 121 FPS on High, making 1080p the best choice for maximum refresh rates.

Q: How does the Intel Core i5-12600KF compare to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The i5-12600KF has an average benchmark score of 27799, which is within 0.3% of the Intel Core i9-10900K (27872) and AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D (27896), indicating nearly identical performance in these tests.

Q: Is the RTX 3080 Ti a good match for the i5-12600KF in this game?

A: Yes, the data shows that the CPU does not bottleneck the GPU, as frame rates scale consistently with resolution. The combo ranks 981st out of 3,720 tested, suggesting a well-balanced pairing.

*Q: What is the lowest FPS recorded for this system in Control?*

A: The lowest average FPS recorded is 54 at 4K Ultra, while the lowest minimum FPS is 59 at 4K Medium. The minimum FPS values are only listed for the Medium preset, with 116 at 1080p, 88 at 1440p, and 59 at 4K.

Q: How does the GPU’s performance compare to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070?

A: The RTX 3080 Ti has an average benchmark score of 41187, which is 2% lower than the RTX 5070’s score of 40377, meaning the RTX 3080 Ti is slightly faster in synthetic tests.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the Medium preset offers the best balance between visual quality and performance for this system. At 1440p, the Medium preset delivers an average of 103 FPS with a minimum of 88 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold and provides a smooth experience on most displays. At 1080p, the Medium preset achieves 136 FPS, making it ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors. The High preset is also viable, with 92 FPS at 1440p and 121 FPS at 1080p, but the Medium preset provides a more substantial margin above the 60 FPS floor.

For 4K gaming, the Medium preset is the recommended choice, as it averages 70 FPS with a minimum of 59 FPS. The High preset at 4K averages 62 FPS, which is still playable but offers less headroom for demanding scenes. The Ultra preset should be avoided at 4K, as it drops to 54 FPS, which may result in noticeable stuttering. At 1440p, the Ultra preset averages 80 FPS, which is acceptable, but the Medium preset provides a better frame rate consistency for a more immersive experience.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the system shows its highest performance. The Low preset averages 192 FPS, the Medium preset averages 136 FPS with a minimum of 116 FPS and a maximum of 157 FPS, the High preset averages 121 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 105 FPS. These numbers indicate that the CPU and GPU are working well together to deliver high frame rates, with no resolution-related bottlenecks.

At 2560x1440, performance remains strong. The Low preset averages 145 FPS, the Medium preset averages 103 FPS with a minimum of 88 FPS and a maximum of 118 FPS, the High preset averages 92 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 80 FPS. The minimum FPS at this resolution for the Medium preset is still above 60, ensuring a smooth experience.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is pushed to its limits. The Low preset averages 98 FPS, the Medium preset averages 70 FPS with a minimum of 59 FPS and a maximum of 80 FPS, the High preset averages 62 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 54 FPS. The data shows that the system can handle 4K, but the Medium preset is the highest setting that maintains an average above 60 FPS.