Control

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

The measured FPS data for Control with the Intel Core i5-13400F and AMD Radeon RX 7700 reveals a consistent and predictable performance curve as resolution increases. At 1080p Low, the combo produces 148 FPS, which falls to 112 FPS at 1440p Low and then to 76 FPS at 4K Low. This represents a 24.3% drop from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 32.1% drop from 1440p to 4K. The scaling is steep, indicating that the GPU becomes progressively more dominant as the pixel count rises.

Looking at the High preset, the pattern continues: 93 FPS at 1080p, 71 FPS at 1440p, and 48 FPS at 4K. The percentage drops are 23.7% and 32.4% respectively. This near-linear scaling across all presets suggests that the rendering load is scaling consistently with resolution, which is typical for a game like Control that heavily utilizes GPU resources for its physics and particle effects.

The Medium preset shows similar behavior: 105 FPS at 1080p, 80 FPS at 1440p, and 54 FPS at 4K. The 4K figure includes a minimum of 46 FPS and a maximum of 62 FPS, giving a frame time variance that indicates the GPU is working near its limits at this resolution. The Ultra preset, the most demanding, delivers 81 FPS at 1080p, 61 FPS at 1440p, and 41 FPS at 4K.

What the resolution scaling reveals is that the system is not CPU-bound at any resolution tested. The differences between presets at the same resolution are substantial — for example, at 1080p, the gap between Low (148 FPS) and Ultra (81 FPS) is 67 FPS, or 45.3%. This gap narrows at 4K, where Low (76 FPS) versus Ultra (41 FPS) is a 35 FPS difference, or 46.1%. The fact that the percentage gap between presets remains roughly constant across resolutions indicates that the GPU is the limiting factor throughout, with the CPU providing sufficient headroom even at 1080p.

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

The Intel Core i5-13400F is a 10-core, 16-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process. It has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, with 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The CPU's benchmark scores are solid for gaming: it achieves 22,604 points in Cinebench R23 multicore, 3,191 points in single-core, and 7,314 points in 3DMark with 16 threads. Its passmark multithread score is 25,032, and the single-thread score is 3,634.

In the context of Control, the CPU's role is primarily to feed the GPU with draw calls and handle the game's physics simulation. Control is known for its destructible environments and telekinetic physics, which can be CPU-intensive. However, the measured FPS data shows that this CPU is more than adequate for the task. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 148 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS target. Even at 4K Ultra, where the GPU is clearly the bottleneck, the CPU still delivers 41 FPS, indicating it is not holding back performance.

The CPU's 16 threads are particularly relevant for Control, as the game can utilize multiple cores for its asynchronous physics and rendering tasks. The benchmark data shows that the CPU's multithreaded performance is strong, with a 3DMark 16-thread score of 7,314 and a max-thread score of 7,307, which are nearly identical. This suggests that the processor scales well with thread count, and the 10 cores (likely 6 performance and 4 efficiency cores) provide a good balance for gaming workloads.

The single-thread performance is also important, as many game engines still rely heavily on a single main thread. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3,191 and Geekbench single-core score of 1,996 indicate robust single-thread capability. In Control, this translates to consistent frame delivery, as evidenced by the minimum FPS figures at Medium settings: 89 FPS at 1080p, 68 FPS at 1440p, and 46 FPS at 4K. These minimums are respectable and suggest that the CPU is not causing frame hitches or stutters.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The AMD Radeon RX 7700 is the clear performance driver in this configuration. It features 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing 624.1 GB/s of bandwidth. The GPU is based on the RDNA 3.0 architecture with the Navi 32 chip, built on TSMC's 5 nm process. It has a base clock of 1900 MHz and a boost clock of 2459 MHz, with a game clock of 2041 MHz. The GPU's 2,560 shading units and 40 ray tracing cores are relevant for Control's hybrid rendering approach.

The GPU's benchmark scores place it in the 58th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 15,852. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon R9 370X (average score 15,862, delta -0.1%), the AMD Radeon RX 9060 (average score 16,014, delta -1%), and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti (average score 16,129, delta -1.7%). These deltas are small, indicating that the RX 7700 sits right in the middle of a competitive pack.

In Control, the GPU's 16 GB of VRAM is a significant asset. The game's high-resolution textures and detailed environments can consume substantial memory, especially at 4K. The measured FPS at 4K High (48 FPS) and 4K Ultra (41 FPS) suggests that the GPU is handling the memory load without issue, as the frame rates are consistent with what would be expected from a GPU in this performance class. The 624.1 GB/s bandwidth is also crucial for the game's particle effects and dynamic lighting, which require rapid texture and buffer access.

The GPU's clock speeds are moderate by modern standards, but the architecture's efficiency compensates. The RDNA 3.0 design delivers 25.18 TFLOPS of FP32 performance, which is ample for Control's DirectX 12 rendering. The game supports ray tracing, and the 40 RT cores provide hardware acceleration for these effects. However, the measured data does not include separate ray tracing benchmarks, so the analysis is limited to rasterized performance.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The Intel Core i5-13400F paired with the AMD Radeon RX 7700 ranks 1,294th out of 2,888 tested combos in Control. This places the combo in the 55.2nd percentile of all tested configurations, meaning it outperforms roughly 55% of the systems tested for this game. The rank is a holistic measure that considers average FPS across all resolutions and settings, weighted toward the game's actual performance characteristics.

This ranking is notable given the components' individual percentiles. The CPU ranks in the 77th percentile of all CPUs, while the GPU ranks in the 58th percentile of all GPUs. The combo's overall rank of 1,294 out of 2,888 (55.2nd percentile) is lower than the CPU's individual percentile but higher than the GPU's, reflecting the fact that Control is GPU-bound in most scenarios. The GPU's performance ceiling is the primary constraint on the combo's rank, while the CPU provides ample headroom.

In practical terms, this ranking means that the combo delivers solid, playable performance in Control at most settings, but it is not among the top-tier systems. The measured FPS data supports this: at 1080p, the combo achieves 148 FPS on Low and 81 FPS on Ultra, both of which are smooth. At 1440p, the range is 112 FPS (Low) to 61 FPS (Ultra), with the Ultra preset dipping close to the 60 FPS threshold. At 4K, only the Low preset (76 FPS) clears 60 FPS, with Medium (54 FPS), High (48 FPS), and Ultra (41 FPS) all falling below.

The combo's rank relative to other systems is consistent with its hardware profile. The RX 7700's nearest rivals, such as the RTX 3060 Ti, would likely produce similar results in Control, given the small performance deltas in their average benchmark scores. The CPU's rivals, including the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS and Ryzen 7 6800H, also show minimal performance differences, suggesting that the combo's rank is primarily driven by the GPU.

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

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution and frame rate preference. For a smooth 60 FPS experience, the data shows clear boundaries. At 4K, the Low preset delivers 76 FPS, which is the only 4K option that comfortably exceeds 60 FPS. The Medium preset at 4K averages 54 FPS with a minimum of 46 FPS, which may be playable but risks noticeable frame drops during intense scenes.

At 1440p, the High preset delivers 71 FPS, which is above 60 FPS and provides a good balance of visual quality and performance. The Medium preset at 1440p averages 80 FPS, offering even more headroom, while the Ultra preset at 61 FPS is right at the threshold. For players with a 144 Hz monitor at 1440p, the Low preset (112 FPS) is the only option that fully utilizes the refresh rate, though this requires sacrificing visual fidelity.

At 1080p, all presets deliver playable frame rates. The High preset (93 FPS) is the sweet spot for visual quality, while the Ultra preset (81 FPS) is still smooth. For competitive play or high refresh rate displays, the Low preset (148 FPS) and Medium preset (105 FPS) are the best choices. The Medium preset at 1080p has a minimum FPS of 89, indicating consistent frame delivery without significant drops.

The overall recommendation is to prioritize the Medium preset at any resolution if visual quality matters, as it provides a noticeable improvement over Low while maintaining respectable frame rates. At 1080p, Medium (105 FPS) is excellent. At 1440p, Medium (80 FPS) is the best balance. At 4K, Medium (54 FPS) is borderline, and Low (76 FPS) is the safer choice for consistent performance. For those who insist on Ultra settings, 1080p (81 FPS) is the only resolution where it remains fully playable.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo in Control?

A: The measured data shows that 1440p with Medium settings (80 FPS average) or High settings (71 FPS average) provides the best balance of visual quality and smooth performance. At 1080p, all presets exceed 60 FPS, with Ultra at 81 FPS. At 4K, only the Low preset (76 FPS) reliably exceeds 60 FPS.

Q: Can this combo handle 4K gaming in Control?

A: Yes, but with limitations. At 4K Low, the combo delivers 76 FPS, which is playable. At 4K Medium, the average drops to 54 FPS with a minimum of 46 FPS. High and Ultra presets at 4K produce 48 FPS and 41 FPS respectively, which may be too low for smooth gameplay.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck in this system?

A: The GPU is the limiting component across all resolutions. This is evident from the resolution scaling, where FPS drops by roughly 24% from 1080p to 1440p and another 32% from 1440p to 4K, regardless of settings. The CPU provides sufficient headroom, as shown by the strong 3DMark and Cinebench scores.

Q: How does the RX 7700 compare to its nearest rivals in terms of benchmark scores?

A: The RX 7700 has an average benchmark score of 15,852. Its nearest rivals are the AMD Radeon R9 370X (15,862, delta -0.1%), the AMD Radeon RX 9060 (16,014, delta -1%), and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti (16,129, delta -1.7%). These differences are minimal, indicating similar performance levels.

Q: What is the highest FPS achievable with this combo?

A: The highest measured FPS is 148 at 1080p with Low settings. At 1080p Medium, the average is 105 FPS, and at High it is 93 FPS. At 1440p Low, the combo achieves 112 FPS, which is the highest at that resolution.

Q: Is the 16 GB VRAM on the RX 7700 necessary for Control?

A: The 16 GB VRAM provides ample capacity for Control's high-resolution textures and effects. The measured FPS at 4K, which is the most memory-intensive scenario, shows consistent performance across presets, suggesting that VRAM is not a limiting factor in this game.

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

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: 148 FPS average
• Medium: 105 FPS average, 89 FPS minimum, 121 FPS maximum
• High: 93 FPS average
• Ultra: 81 FPS average

At 1080p, the combo delivers excellent performance across all settings. The Low preset nearly doubles the 60 FPS target, and even the demanding Ultra preset maintains 81 FPS. The Medium preset shows the widest frame time variance with a range of 89 to 121 FPS, but the minimum is still well above playable thresholds.

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: 112 FPS average
• Medium: 80 FPS average, 68 FPS minimum, 92 FPS maximum
• High: 71 FPS average
• Ultra: 61 FPS average

At 1440p, the combo remains strong. The Low preset delivers 112 FPS, suitable for high refresh rate monitors. Medium and High presets both exceed 60 FPS, with averages of 80 FPS and 71 FPS respectively. The Ultra preset averages 61 FPS, which is right at the 60 FPS threshold and may experience occasional dips below in demanding scenes.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: 76 FPS average
• Medium: 54 FPS average, 46 FPS minimum, 62 FPS maximum
• High: 48 FPS average
• Ultra: 41 FPS average

At 4K, the combo struggles to maintain 60 FPS except on the Low preset. The Low preset at 76 FPS is smooth, but Medium (54 FPS) and High (48 FPS) fall short. The Ultra preset averages 41 FPS, which is playable for slower-paced sections but may feel choppy during action sequences. The Medium preset shows a wide variance from 46 to 62 FPS, indicating frame pacing inconsistencies at this resolution.