Control

Control with the Intel Core i5-14600KF and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti is a pairing defined by a stark imbalance: the CPU is a top-tier performer, while the GPU is a mid-range part from an older generation. Benchmark results confirm this dynamic, with the graphics card acting as the primary bottleneck at nearly every resolution and setting. The measured frame rates show a system that is capable of delivering playable performance at 1080p, but one that struggles to maintain smoothness at higher resolutions, making the experience highly dependent on the user's display and graphical expectations.

Resolution Scaling

The data shows a predictable and steep decline in frame rates as resolution increases, which directly points to the GPU as the limiting component. At 1080p with Low settings, the system produces an average of 95 FPS. This figure drops to 68.1 FPS at 1440p and further to 46 FPS at 4K. This scaling pattern—a 71.6% reduction in average FPS from 1080p to 4K on Low settings—is classic behavior for a system where the graphics processor is saturated.

The trend persists across all quality presets. At High settings, the average frame rate falls from 58.8 FPS at 1080p to 44.3 FPS at 1440p, and finally to 28.7 FPS at 4K. The Ultra preset shows the same pattern, dropping from 52.5 FPS at 1080p to 38.6 FPS at 1440p and 23.5 FPS at 4K. The frame rate decline is not linear but rather steep, indicating that each increase in resolution significantly increases the pixel workload, overwhelming the GTX 1660 Ti's 6 GB of VRAM and its processing power.

These results indicate that the Intel Core i5-14600KF is not the constraint here. The CPU, with its 14 cores and 20 threads, is more than capable of feeding the GPU at all tested resolutions. The consistent frame rate drops with resolution scaling are the definitive evidence that the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti is the bottleneck, as a CPU-bound scenario would show minimal frame rate differences between 1080p and 1440p.

Settings Recommendations

For a smooth experience, the data suggests that 1080p is the optimal resolution for this combination. The High preset at 1080p delivers an average of 58.8 FPS, which is generally considered playable for an action-adventure title. However, the Medium preset offers a significant improvement, reaching 69.1 FPS at the same resolution, a 17.5% increase over High. This makes Medium at 1080p the best balance for maintaining a fluid frame rate without a massive visual downgrade.

At 1440p, the situation becomes more challenging. The High preset yields an average of 44.3 FPS, which may feel inconsistent. Dropping to Low at 1440p provides a more comfortable 68.1 FPS, but this requires a significant reduction in visual fidelity. The Ultra preset at 1440p is not recommended, as the 38.6 FPS average is below the threshold for a consistently smooth action game.

The 4K resolution is only viable on the lowest settings. The Low preset at 4K averages 46 FPS, which is playable but not ideal. All other presets at 4K, including High (28.7 FPS) and Medium (30.8 FPS), fall below acceptable playability. The data clearly shows that users with a 4K display will have to choose between playable frame rates on Low settings or a visually rich but stuttery experience on higher presets.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-14600KF is a high-end processor with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. It features 14 cores and 20 threads, a configuration that provides substantial multi-threaded performance. Its benchmark scores are exceptional, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs tested. For example, it scores 32,889 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 4,643 in single-core, showcasing its strength in both heavily threaded and single-threaded workloads.

In the context of Control, this CPU's role is to ensure the game logic, physics, and draw calls are processed without delay. The benchmark data indicates that it easily fulfills this role. The fact that frame rates scale so dramatically with resolution and settings changes, rather than remaining static, is the clearest sign that the CPU is not the limiting factor. The i5-14600KF is effectively waiting on the GTX 1660 Ti to finish rendering each frame.

This performance is closely matched by its direct rivals. The Intel Core i5-14600K has an average benchmark score of 49,166, which is a 0.4% difference from the i5-14600KF's average of 49,367. Similarly, the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X scores 49,062, a 0.6% difference, and the AMD EPYC 4345P scores 49,595, a -0.5% difference. These negligible differences confirm that the i5-14600KF's processing power is more than sufficient for this workload and that any performance variation in the game can be attributed to the GPU.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested hardware combinations for Control, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i5-14600KF and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti ranks 1423rd out of 1636 total combinations. This places it in the bottom 13% of all tested systems, a ranking that is directly attributable to the GPU's performance. The CPU's high percentile ranking (93rd) is effectively nullified by the GPU's much lower standing (55th percentile).

This rank is a clear verdict on the pairing's overall capability. While the CPU is a top-tier component, the GPU holds the entire system back. The combo's position in the rankings is a reflection of its 1080p-oriented performance, as the data shows it is only truly comfortable at that resolution. The substantial gap between the CPU's potential and the GPU's output is why this combo lands so low in the overall rankings, despite having a powerful processor at its core.

The ranking is not a measure of the CPU's quality, but rather of the synergy between the two parts. The i5-14600KF is a future-proof component, but it is paired with a GPU that was released as end-of-life. The result is a system that performs well below the capabilities of its processor, a fact that is accurately reflected in its 1423rd place finish.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti is the definitive bottleneck in this configuration. Based on the Turing architecture and manufactured on a 12 nm process, it features 1,536 shading units and 48 ROPs. It has 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 288.0 GB/s. Its base and boost clocks are 1500 MHz and 1770 MHz, respectively. These specifications make it a capable 1080p card from its generation, but the data shows its limits are quickly reached in this game.

The GPU's performance is modest, as indicated by its 55th percentile ranking among all GPUs. Its average benchmark score of 13,925 is very close to its nearest rivals, such as the AMD Radeon RX 570X (13,871, a 0.4% difference) and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 (13,812, a 0.8% difference). This places it firmly in the mid-range of graphics hardware.

In Control, the 6 GB VRAM and the GPU's compute power are insufficient for high-resolution textures and effects. The frame rate data shows a clear ceiling. At 1080p Low, it hits 95 FPS, but this is the highest average recorded. As soon as settings and resolution are increased, the frame rate plummets. The GPU is unable to maintain a high frame rate at 4K on any preset above Low, and even at 1440p, the Ultra preset only averages 38.6 FPS. This is a classic case of a GPU that can handle a game at lower resolutions and settings but is quickly overwhelmed by more demanding configurations.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for playing Control with this hardware?

A: The data indicates 1920x1080 is the most suitable resolution. At this resolution, the High preset averages 58.8 FPS, and the Medium preset reaches 69.1 FPS, both of which provide a playable experience.

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

A: Only at the Low preset, which achieves an average of 46 FPS. The High, Medium, and Ultra presets at 4K all fall below 31 FPS, which is not a smooth experience.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-14600KF or the GTX 1660 Ti the limiting factor?

A: The benchmark results clearly show the GPU is the limiting factor. Frame rates drop consistently as resolution increases, which is a classic sign of a GPU bottleneck. The CPU is in the 93rd percentile of performance, while the GPU is in the 55th.

Q: How does the GTX 1660 Ti compare to its nearest rivals in the database?

A: Its average benchmark score is 13,925. This is 0.4% higher than the AMD Radeon RX 570X and 0.8% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680, indicating they are all in a similar performance class.

Q: What is the performance difference between the Low and High presets at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Low preset averages 68.1 FPS, while the High preset averages 44.3 FPS. This represents a significant performance drop of 23.8 FPS for higher visual quality.

Q: What is the highest average frame rate recorded for this combo?

A: The highest average frame rate is 95 FPS, which is achieved at 1920x1080 with the Low settings preset.

Measured FPS Breakdown

3840x2160 (4K)

• Ultra: 23.5 FPS
• High: 28.7 FPS
• Medium: 30.8 FPS
• Low: 46 FPS

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Ultra: 38.6 FPS
• High: 44.3 FPS
• Medium: 51.3 FPS
• Low: 68.1 FPS

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Ultra: 52.5 FPS
• High: 58.8 FPS
• Medium: 69.1 FPS
• Low: 95 FPS