Control

The Intel Core i5-13400F and Intel Arc B570 pairing delivers a distinctly mid-range experience in Control, a 2019 Action Adventure title. The data positions this combo at rank 2307 out of 2888 tested combinations, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the database. This is a configuration that prioritizes balance over extremes, and the benchmark results reveal a system that can handle the game at playable framerates, but with significant compromises required at higher resolutions. The following analysis breaks down how each component contributes to the measured performance, using only the provided data.

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 from the Raptor Lake generation, operating at a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. Its performance profile, as indicated by synthetic benchmarks, shows a strong multi-threaded capability with a 3DMark max-thread score of 7307 and a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 22604. Single-thread performance is comparatively more modest, with a 3DMark single-thread score of 960 and a Geekbench single-core score of 1996. This suggests the CPU is well-equipped for workloads that utilize multiple cores, but its single-thread speed is not exceptional.

In the context of Control, a game that relies on physics and particle effects, the CPU's multi-threading could be a factor in maintaining consistent frame pacing. The 20 MB of shared L3 cache provides a substantial pool for game data, which can reduce latency when accessing frequently used assets. The processor's overall percentile ranking of 77th among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 25292, places it slightly above the median, but its nearest rivals show how tight the competition is. The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS matches its average score at 25284 with a 0% delta, while the Intel Core 5 120 and AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D are only 0.3% behind, and the AMD Ryzen 7 6800H is just 0.4% ahead.

When examining the measured frame rates, the CPU's role becomes more apparent at lower resolutions where the GPU is less of a bottleneck. At 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves 101 FPS, the highest average recorded across all configurations. This indicates that the i5-13400F is capable of feeding the Arc B570 with enough data to reach high frame rates in less demanding scenes. However, the gap between the 1080p Low (101 FPS) and 1440p Low (76 FPS) results is substantial, suggesting that the GPU is becoming a limiting factor as resolution increases. The CPU's performance is sufficient to avoid being the primary constraint in most scenarios, but the data does not suggest it provides a significant headroom for pushing frame rates beyond what the GPU can deliver.

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

The Intel Arc B570 is the graphics powerhouse in this pairing, built on the Xe2-HPG architecture with 10 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 160-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 380.0 GB/s. Its base and boost clocks are both set at 2500 MHz, and the memory operates at an effective speed of 19 Gbps. The GPU's compute capabilities are defined by 2304 shading units, 144 texture mapping units, and 80 render output units, which translate to a pixel rate of 200.0 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 360.0 GTexel/s. The FP32 performance is rated at 11.52 TFLOPS, which is a solid figure for a mid-range card.

In Control, the GPU's role is critical, as the game's visual effects and rendering can be demanding. The measured FPS data shows a clear correlation between settings and performance, with the GPU's limitations becoming evident at higher resolutions. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS drops to 28, which is below the threshold for smooth gameplay. The card's 10 GB VRAM is a notable asset, as it likely prevents texture-related stuttering in a game like Control that has detailed environments, but the overall throughput is not enough to maintain high frame rates at 4K. The GPU's percentile ranking of 65th among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 20556, indicates it is a competent performer, but its nearest rivals reveal a tight cluster. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile is just 0.1% ahead, while the Intel Arc A750 is 0.1% behind, and the AMD Radeon R9 M390X is 0.5% behind.

The Arc B570’s performance in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 (score of 2649) suggests it handles modern APIs well, which is relevant for Control's DirectX 12 mode. However, the data shows that the GPU is the primary bottleneck when moving from 1080p to 1440p and 4K. At 1080p Medium, the average FPS is 71, which is respectable, but at 1440p Medium, it drops to 54 FPS, and at 4K Medium, it falls to 36 FPS. This scaling indicates that the GPU's compute resources and memory bandwidth are being saturated as the pixel count increases. The card is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, where it can achieve playable frame rates, but it struggles to maintain a consistent experience at 4K.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play Control with this combo?

A: Based on the measured data, 1920x1080 offers the highest average frame rates across all settings, with a maximum of 101 FPS at Low. At 2560x1440, the average FPS ranges from 42 at Ultra to 76 at Low, which is still playable. At 3840x2160, the average FPS drops below 51 even at Low, making 4K a challenging target for smooth gameplay.

Q: How does the i5-13400F compare to its nearest rival in terms of CPU performance?

A: The i5-13400F has an average benchmark score of 25292, which is nearly identical to the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS at 25284, showing a 0% delta. It is also within 0.3% of the Intel Core 5 120 and AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D, and only 0.4% behind the AMD Ryzen 7 6800H, indicating these CPUs are functionally equivalent in general processing tasks.

Q: What is the difference in frame rate between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the average FPS at Low settings is 76, while at Ultra settings it is 42. This represents a 34 FPS difference, or a 44.7% reduction in performance when moving from the lowest to the highest preset. The Medium setting provides a middle ground at 54 FPS.

Q: Is the Intel Arc B570 more similar to a mobile or desktop GPU in performance?

A: The data shows the Arc B570 has an average benchmark score of 20556, which is 0.1% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile at 20534. It is also 0.1% faster than the Intel Arc A750 at 20582, and 0.5% faster than the AMD Radeon R9 M390X, but the comparison is remarkably close, suggesting the B570 sits in a specific performance tier.

Q: Can this combo achieve 60 FPS at 4K with any settings?

A: No. The highest average FPS at 3840x2160 is 51 FPS, which is achieved at Low settings. All other 4K presets, including Medium (36 FPS), High (32 FPS), and Ultra (28 FPS), fall below 60 FPS, indicating that this combination cannot sustain a 60 FPS experience at 4K.

Q: How does the CPU's multi-threaded performance compare to its single-threaded performance?

A: The CPU's multi-threaded performance is significantly stronger. In Cinebench R23, it scores 22604 in multi-core versus 3191 in single-core. Similarly, in 3DMark, the max-thread score is 7307 compared to the single-thread score of 960. This shows the processor excels in parallel workloads, which can benefit games that utilize multiple cores.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-13400F and Intel Arc B570 is ranked 2307 out of 2888 tested combos in Control. This places it in the 80th percentile of all tested systems, meaning it outperforms roughly 20% of configurations but is behind the majority. This ranking is a holistic measure of the system's ability to run the game across various settings and resolutions, and it reflects a pairing that is not designed for top-tier performance but rather for consistent, budget-conscious gaming.

The low rank is largely attributable to the GPU's limitations at higher resolutions. While the CPU is a solid mid-range part, ranking in the 77th percentile for all CPUs, the GPU’s 65th percentile ranking drags the overall combo down. In a game like Control, which has demanding visual effects, the GPU is the critical component, and its performance ceiling is a limiting factor. The data indicates that this combo performs best in 1080p scenarios, where it can compete with more powerful systems, but it falls behind significantly in 4K. The rank of 2307 is a clear signal that this is a 1080p-focused build, and users expecting high-refresh-rate 1440p or 4K gameplay would need to adjust their expectations or consider different hardware.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the system's performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the combo shows its strongest results. With Low settings, the average FPS is 101, which is the highest recorded. Medium settings yield an average of 71 FPS with a minimum of 61 and a maximum of 82. High settings produce an average of 63 FPS, and Ultra settings bring the average down to 55 FPS. These numbers indicate that 1080p is the sweet spot, with all presets achieving playable frame rates above 55 FPS.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance drops noticeably. Low settings average 76 FPS, Medium averages 54 FPS (with a minimum of 46 and maximum of 62), High averages 48 FPS, and Ultra averages 42 FPS. The step from 1080p to 1440p results in a 25 FPS drop at Low settings, and a 13 FPS drop at Ultra, showing that the GPU becomes a more significant bottleneck. At 3840x2160, the system struggles. Low settings average 51 FPS, Medium averages 36 FPS (with a minimum of 31 and maximum of 42), High averages 32 FPS, and Ultra averages 28 FPS. The 4K results show that the combo is not suitable for high-fidelity gaming at this resolution, as even the lowest settings fail to reach 60 FPS.

The data also reveals the scaling between settings. At each resolution, the difference between Low and Ultra is consistent: approximately 46 FPS at 1080p, 34 FPS at 1440p, and 23 FPS at 4K. This suggests that the visual fidelity improvements from Low to Ultra come at a significant performance cost, and users will need to balance quality against frame rate based on their preferences.

Settings Recommendations

For users seeking the best experience with this combo, the data suggests that prioritizing resolution over settings is the key. At 1920x1080, the system can handle High settings at 63 FPS, which is a solid balance between visual quality and smoothness. However, for those who prefer higher frame rates, Medium settings at 71 FPS offer a good compromise, with a minimum of 61 FPS ensuring minimal stutter. Ultra settings at 55 FPS are playable but do not provide a significant visual boost over High to justify the 8 FPS drop.

At 2560x1440, the recommendation shifts. Medium settings at 54 FPS are the best option for a smooth experience, as High settings drop to 48 FPS and Ultra to 42 FPS, which may feel less fluid. Low settings at 76 FPS provide the highest frame rate, but the visual trade-off may be too severe for a game like Control with its atmospheric environments. For users who value fidelity over frame rate, High settings at 48 FPS might be acceptable, but it is not ideal for fast-paced action.

At 3840x2160, the data clearly indicates that this combo is not optimized for 4K gaming. Low settings at 51 FPS are the only way to approach 60 FPS, and even then, it falls short. Medium settings at 36 FPS and High at 32 FPS are likely to feel sluggish, and Ultra at 28 FPS is nearly unplayable. The recommendation is to avoid 4K with this setup unless the user is willing to accept sub-60 FPS performance and significantly reduced visual quality. The best overall experience, based on the data, is 1080p with Medium or High settings, offering a strong balance of image quality and performance.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate scaling from 1080p to 4K provides insight into the system's limiting component. At Low settings, the average FPS drops from 101 at 1080p to 76 at 1440p, a 24.8% decrease, and then to 51 at 4K, a further 32.9% decrease. At Ultra settings, the drop is from 55 at 1080p to 42 at 1440p (a 23.6% decrease) and then to 28 at 4K (a 33.3% decrease). This pattern shows a consistent performance penalty as resolution increases, with the largest relative drop occurring between 1440p and 4K.

This scaling behavior is typical of a GPU-limited scenario. The CPU, with its 10 cores and 16 threads, is likely not the bottleneck at any resolution, as its multi-threaded performance is robust. Instead, the Intel Arc B570's rendering capabilities are being saturated as the pixel count increases. The 4K resolution requires four times the pixel throughput of 1080p, and the GPU's 380.0 GB/s memory bandwidth and 11.52 TFLOPS of compute power are insufficient to maintain high frame rates at that load.

The fact that the FPS drop between 1080p and 1440p is similar in relative terms (around 24-25%) to the drop between 1440p and 4K (around 33%) suggests that the GPU's performance scales roughly with pixel count, but with diminishing returns at higher resolutions. This indicates that the Arc B570 is the primary limiter for this combo. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the frame rates would be more consistent across resolutions. Therefore, to improve performance in Control, upgrading the GPU would be the most effective action, while the i5-13400F has sufficient headroom to support a more powerful graphics card.