Control

The Intel Core i5-14400F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti places 400th out of 1,636 tested combos in Control, putting it in the top quarter of all configurations. This is a strong result for a mid-range CPU paired with a previous-generation flagship GPU, indicating the pairing is well-balanced for this title. The combo outperforms a significant majority of systems tested, though the data shows that the RTX 3080 Ti is the dominant component driving frame rates, especially at higher resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

At rank 400 out of 1,636, this setup sits comfortably in the 75th percentile of all tested combos for Control. The ranking reflects that while the CPU is solid, it is not the primary bottleneck in most scenarios. The i5-14400F holds its own, but the RTX 3080 Ti’s raw compute power is what boosts this pairing into the top quarter. The data suggests that users with this combo are getting a smooth, high-refresh experience at 1440p, and a very playable 4K experience, which aligns with its overall position. The 400th rank indicates that there are faster combinations available, but those typically involve higher-tier CPUs or newer GPUs, making this a practical sweet spot for high-end gaming without chasing the absolute top of the charts.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is the clear performance leader in this pairing. It features 12 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 384-bit bus, delivering a bandwidth of 912.4 GB/s. The GPU’s boost clock is 1665 MHz, and it houses 10,240 shading units, 320 TMUs, and 112 ROPs. In Control, these specifications translate to a GPU that can handle the game’s physics-heavy combat and destructible environments without stuttering. The 12 GB frame buffer is particularly relevant here; at 4K Ultra settings, the game demands significant memory, and the 3080 Ti’s capacity prevents texture pop-in and maintains consistent frametimes. The GPU’s 83rd percentile ranking among all GPUs underscores its capability, and its nearest rival, the RTX 3090, is only 0.5% faster in average benchmark score, showing that the 3080 Ti is nearly flagship-tier in raw performance.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-14400F provides 10 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. This Raptor Lake refresh chip has 20 MB of shared L3 cache. In Control, which is not heavily multi-threaded, the CPU’s single-core performance is more critical than its core count. The i5-14400F’s Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3,093 is respectable, and its multi-core score of 21,914 ensures that background tasks won’t interfere with gameplay. The CPU ranks in the 88th percentile of all processors, which is excellent for a non-K-series chip. However, the data shows that at 1080p Low settings, the CPU can become a limiting factor, as the frame rate of 192.8 FPS is likely near the CPU’s maximum output for this game engine. The CPU’s nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-12800H, has a nearly identical average benchmark score, differing by only 0%, indicating that the i5-14400F is performing at the level of a much more expensive mobile chip in general compute tasks.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1080p, the combo delivers impressive numbers across all settings. At Low settings, the average FPS is 192.8, which is extremely high and likely CPU-bound. Moving to Medium, the average drops to 135.3 FPS, a significant 29.8% decrease, indicating the GPU is starting to take on more work. High settings yield 123.4 FPS, and Ultra settings produce 107.5 FPS. The scaling from Low to Ultra at 1080p shows a 44.3% drop in frame rate, which is substantial but still leaves the game very playable on high refresh rate monitors.

At 1440p, the pattern shifts. Low settings deliver 144.4 FPS, which is still very high. Medium settings drop to 106.6 FPS, and High settings to 93.4 FPS. Ultra settings bring the average down to 81.1 FPS. The difference between 1080p and 1440p at Ultra is a 24.6% reduction, showing that the GPU is becoming the primary bottleneck as resolution increases. The frame rates at 1440p are ideal for high-refresh gaming, with even Ultra settings staying above 80 FPS.

At 4K, the RTX 3080 Ti’s limits are more apparent. Low settings produce 97.3 FPS, which is surprisingly high for 4K, but Medium drops to 72.9 FPS. High settings yield 60.1 FPS, which is right at the edge of smooth 60 FPS gaming. Ultra settings bring the average down to 55 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for fast-paced action. The data shows that for 4K Ultra, users would need to enable upscaling or lower settings to maintain a locked 60 FPS.

Resolution Scaling

The scaling from 1080p to 4K is dramatic and clearly illustrates the GPU’s dominance. At Ultra settings, the combo delivers 107.5 FPS at 1080p, 81.1 FPS at 1440p, and 55 FPS at 4K. This represents a 48.8% drop from 1080p to 4K, which is a classic sign of a GPU-bound scenario. The RTX 3080 Ti is being pushed harder as resolution increases, and the CPU’s role diminishes accordingly. At Low settings, the drop is less severe: 192.8 FPS at 1080p down to 97.3 FPS at 4K, a 49.5% reduction, but the absolute numbers are still high. The data suggests that at 1080p Low, the CPU is the limiting factor, as the frame rate is so high that the CPU’s single-thread performance is the ceiling. However, at 4K, the GPU is clearly the bottleneck, as the frame rates scale with the GPU’s compute load. For users with 1440p monitors, this combo is extremely well-suited, as it can push high refresh rates even at Ultra settings. For 4K, the combo is best used with High or Medium settings to maintain a smooth experience.

FAQ

Q: Is this combo better for 1080p or 1440p gaming?

A: The data shows that at 1440p Ultra, the combo achieves 81.1 FPS, while at 1080p Ultra it hits 107.5 FPS. Both are excellent, but the 1440p result is more impressive given the higher pixel count, making it a strong choice for 1440p high-refresh monitors.

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

A: Yes, but with caveats. At 4K High settings, the average FPS is 60.1, which is just at the threshold of smooth gameplay. At 4K Ultra, the average drops to 55 FPS, which may feel less fluid. For a locked 60 FPS at 4K, users should select High settings or lower.

Q: Which component is the bottleneck at 1080p Low settings?

A: The CPU. At 1080p Low, the combo produces 192.8 FPS, which is an extremely high frame rate. The Intel Core i5-14400F’s single-core performance is likely the ceiling here, as the GPU is not being fully utilized at this low resolution and settings level.

Q: How does the RTX 3080 Ti compare to its closest rival in raw performance?

A: The RTX 3080 Ti has an average benchmark score of 41,224, while the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 scores 41,441. This makes the RTX 3090 only 0.5% faster, meaning the 3080 Ti is effectively on par with the higher-tier card for this game.

Q: What is the performance difference between 1080p Ultra and 4K Ultra?

A: At 1080p Ultra, the average FPS is 107.5, while at 4K Ultra it is 55. This represents a 48.8% drop in performance, clearly showing that the GPU workload increases dramatically with resolution, and the RTX 3080 Ti is the limiting factor at 4K.

Q: Is the i5-14400F a strong match for the RTX 3080 Ti in this game?

A: Yes. The CPU ranks in the 88th percentile of all processors, and its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21,914 ensures it can feed the GPU adequately. The 400th rank of the combo out of 1,636 systems confirms that this pairing is well-balanced, with the GPU being the primary driver of performance at higher resolutions.