Control

Control, Remedy’s surreal action-adventure, is a demanding title that stresses both the CPU and GPU in unique ways. This analysis examines the measured performance of the Intel Core i7-12700K paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080, using only the provided benchmark data to interpret how this combination handles the game’s shifting environments and physics-heavy combat.

How This Combo Ranks

The benchmark database ranks this specific CPU-GPU pairing at 204th place out of 3720 tested combos for Control. This places the combo in the top 5.5% of all recorded configurations, a strong result that indicates a well-balanced system capable of delivering a high-end experience. The percentile ranking demonstrates that this pairing outperforms the vast majority of tested rigs, though it is not at the absolute apex of the performance charts. The data suggests that while the RTX 5080 is a formidable GPU, the Core i7-12700K provides a solid foundation that allows the graphics card to flex its muscles without becoming a significant bottleneck. The overall average benchmark score for this specific combo is not provided, but the rank is derived from the combined strengths of both components. This position in the hierarchy signals that users can expect excellent frame rates at high resolutions, but the GPU will be the primary driver of performance in this title. The rank also contextualizes the system against a vast field of competitors, confirming that this is a high-tier setup for playing Control in 2025 and beyond.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 is the undisputed workhorse in this pairing for Control. It is equipped with 16 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a substantial 960.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth. This is crucial for Control, which features high-resolution textures and complex visual effects that can quickly consume VRAM. The GPU’s base clock is 2295 MHz and it boosts up to 2617 MHz, allowing it to process the game’s many rendering tasks efficiently. The RTX 5080’s architecture, Blackwell 2.0, supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, which is essential for the game’s advanced rendering features.

The GPU's benchmark scores further illustrate its power. It achieves a Passmark G3D score of 36565, which places it in the 87th percentile among all GPUs. In the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test, it scores 8637. The nearest rival, the AMD Radeon 8060S, has an average score of 55757, which is 0.6% lower, indicating the RTX 5080 is slightly ahead of its closest competitor. However, the AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE is 2.2% ahead in average score. This data confirms the RTX 5080 is a top-tier card, and its role in Control is to deliver high frame rates, especially at 1440p and 4K resolutions. The combination of high VRAM and bandwidth ensures that even at 4K with Ultra settings, the GPU can maintain playable performance, as evidenced by the measured FPS data.

FAQ

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1080p with High settings?

A: The measured average FPS is 161, showing that this combo can easily handle high-refresh-rate monitors at Full HD.

Q: How does the performance scale from 1440p to 4K on High settings?

A: At 2560x1440, the average FPS is 122. Moving up to 3840x2160, the average drops to 82. This represents a significant 32.8% reduction in frame rate when moving to 4K, which is expected due to the increased pixel count.

Q: Is the RTX 5080 significantly better than its closest rival in this system?

A: The data shows the RTX 5080 has an average benchmark score of 56083, while its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon 8060S, has a score of 55757. This is a 0.6% difference, indicating the RTX 5080 is only marginally faster in synthetic benchmarks.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded at 1440p Medium settings?

A: The minimum FPS recorded at 2560x1440 with Medium settings is 117, with a maximum of 158. The average is 137 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its immediate rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700K has an average benchmark score of 35287. Its closest rival, the Intel Core i5-13600T, scores 35305, making the i5 0.1% faster. The i7-12700KF is 0.2% faster, while the i7-13700T is 0.3% faster.

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

A: Yes. The measured average FPS at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings is 72, which is above the 60 FPS threshold and provides a smooth experience.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of the combo's performance across resolutions and settings.

At 1920x1080, the system is exceptionally powerful. With Low settings, the average FPS is 255, demonstrating a massive headroom for high refresh rate displays. Medium settings yield an average of 181 FPS, with a minimum of 154 and a maximum of 209. High settings produce 161 FPS on average, while Ultra settings still deliver a very high 140 FPS. This resolution is clearly not a challenge for this configuration, as even the most demanding preset remains far above the 144 FPS mark.

Moving to 2560x1440, performance remains excellent. Low settings average 193 FPS, while Medium settings drop slightly to 137 FPS (min 117, max 158). High settings deliver 122 FPS, and Ultra settings maintain an average of 106 FPS. The data here shows a smooth scaling curve, with a predictable performance drop as settings increase. For most players, this is the sweet spot, offering a great balance between visual fidelity and high frame rates.

At 3840x2160, the RTX 5080 begins to show its limits but still provides a highly playable experience. Low settings average 130 FPS, providing a great option for competitive play at 4K. Medium settings average 93 FPS (min 79, max 107), which is still very smooth. High settings drop to 82 FPS, and Ultra settings average 72 FPS. While the frame rates are lower than at 1440p, they remain above the 60 FPS standard, ensuring a fluid and immersive experience in Control's detailed world. The difference between High and Ultra at 4K is only 10 FPS, suggesting that the visual gains from Ultra come at a relatively modest performance cost.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-12700K plays a crucial supporting role in this system. It is a 12th Gen Alder Lake processor with 12 cores and 20 threads, running at a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. For Control, a game known for its physics-based gameplay and complex AI, the CPU’s multi-threading capabilities are important. The processor’s architecture is designed to handle both high-performance and efficient tasks, which helps in maintaining stable frame pacing.

The CPU's benchmark scores show it is a capable performer. It scores 19784 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 1850.5 in single-core. Its 3DMark tests show a max thread score of 9979 and a single-thread score of 1043. The i7-12700K has an average benchmark score of 35287, placing it in the 84th percentile of all CPUs. The data shows that while it is not the absolute fastest, it is a very strong processor that can keep up with the demands of modern games. In Control, the CPU’s role is to feed the GPU with data and manage the game’s simulation. The high boost clock helps with single-threaded tasks, while the 20 threads ensure that background processes and the game's physics engine do not cause stutters. While the GPU is the primary bottleneck at 4K, the CPU ensures that frame rates remain consistent and do not become CPU-bound at lower resolutions.

The nearest rivals to the i7-12700K are all within a 0.4% performance delta. The Intel Core i7-12700KF is 0.2% faster, and the Intel Core i5-13600T is 0.1% faster. This indicates that the i7-12700K is very well-positioned in its performance class, and users are unlikely to notice a tangible difference between these processors in real-world gaming scenarios. The CPU’s support for DDR4 and DDR5 memory also offers flexibility, though the benchmark data does not specify which memory type was used for testing.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings will depend on the user's display and performance priorities.

For 1920x1080 users with high refresh rate monitors, the High preset is recommended. It delivers an average of 161 FPS, which is well above the 144 Hz threshold and offers a significant visual improvement over Medium. The Ultra preset is also viable, with 140 FPS average, for those who prioritize image quality above all else.

For 2560x1440 users, the High preset is the best choice for a balanced experience. It provides an average of 122 FPS, which is ideal for 120 Hz monitors. The Ultra preset, with an average of 106 FPS, is also a strong option for those who want maximum visual fidelity and have a 100 Hz or lower refresh rate display. Choosing Medium at this resolution sacrifices visual quality for a 15 FPS gain, which is not worth the trade-off.

For 3840x2160 users, the High preset is the sweet spot. It delivers 82 FPS, which is a noticeable improvement over the 72 FPS of Ultra, while still looking excellent. The Medium preset offers a higher 93 FPS average, which is a good option for those who prefer smoother motion over the highest visual detail. The Low preset is recommended only for players who prioritize frame rate above all else, as it reaches 130 FPS.

Overall, the High preset provides the best balance of visual quality and performance across all three resolutions, making it the default recommendation for this combo. It consistently offers a significant frame rate advantage over Ultra, while the visual differences are often subtle in fast-paced action.