Control

Control is a demanding action-adventure title from 2019, and the combination of the Intel Core i7-14700K with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB produces a distinct performance profile. With a combo rank of 1422 out of 3720 tested configurations, this pairing sits in the upper-middle tier of the database, indicating that it handles the game’s supernatural physics and particle effects with solid competence, though it is not at the absolute top of the charts. The benchmark data reveals a system that is consistently capable across mainstream resolutions, with the CPU providing a robust foundation and the GPU acting as the primary variable for visual fidelity.

How This Combo Ranks

The measured data places this specific CPU-GPU pairing at rank 1422 out of 3720 tested combos for Control. This percentile positioning shows that while the system is far from the slowest, it is outclassed by a significant portion of the field, particularly at higher resolutions where the GPU becomes the limiting factor. The ranking suggests a balanced, mid-to-high-tier experience; it is a configuration that will run the game smoothly for most users, but it does not challenge the top-tier setups that dominate the leaderboard.

Interpreting this rank requires understanding the components involved. The Intel Core i7-14700K is a high-end processor with an average benchmark score of 69355, placing it in the 94th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, which scores 69515 and is 0.2% faster, and the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX, which scores 69875 and is 0.7% ahead. This indicates that the CPU is a top-tier performer, unlikely to bottleneck the GPU in most scenarios. Conversely, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB has an average benchmark score of 2913, placing it in the 19th percentile of all GPUs. Its closest competitor, the NVIDIA RTX PRO 4000 Blackwell SFF, scores 2910 and is 0.1% slower, while the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16 GB scores 2907 and is 0.2% slower. This contrast between a very strong CPU and a relatively modest GPU explains why the combo ranks where it does: the processor has ample headroom, but the graphics card determines the final frame rates.

The data shows that this pairing’s overall standing is a direct result of the GPU’s 19th-percentile positioning. In a game like Control, which is known for its real-time ray tracing and complex visual effects, the RTX 4060 Ti’s performance ceiling is the primary constraint. The high rank of the CPU ensures that the system never suffers from processor-related stutters, but the GPU’s limits are reached when pushing higher resolutions and settings. Consequently, users can expect a smooth experience at 1080p and 1440p, but the system will require careful settings adjustments to maintain playable frame rates at 4K.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB is the decisive component in this combo’s gaming performance. Its specifications show a GPU built on the 5 nm process with 22,900 million transistors on a 188 mm² die. The chip, codenamed AD106, features a base clock of 2310 MHz and a boost clock of 2535 MHz. Memory is a critical factor here: the card has 8 GB of GDDR6 on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 288.0 GB/s. The memory clock runs at 2250 MHz, with an effective data rate of 18 Gbps. These specs indicate a card designed for 1080p and 1440p gaming, where its memory capacity and bandwidth are sufficient.

In Control, the GPU’s role is evident in the measured frame rates. The 8 GB VRAM buffer is adequate for the game’s textures at most settings, but the data suggests it is a limiting factor at 4K. The card also features 4352 shading units, 136 texture mapping units, and 48 raster output units, along with 34 ray tracing cores and 136 tensor cores. This hardware supports the game’s advanced lighting effects, but the raw compute power, rated at 22.06 TFLOPS for FP32, is modest by current standards. The pixel rate is 121.7 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 344.8 GTexel/s, which directly impacts how quickly the game can fill the screen with detailed surfaces.

The benchmark results show that the GPU’s performance scales predictably with resolution and settings. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the card achieves 162 FPS, but this drops to 89 FPS at Ultra. At 4K, the card falls below 60 FPS at High settings, managing only 52 FPS. This indicates that while the card is capable, it is not designed for maximum fidelity at the highest resolutions. The 8 GB memory size is particularly relevant here, as Control’s high-resolution textures can exceed this limit, causing performance to degrade. The data shows that the RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB is best suited for high-refresh-rate 1080p gaming or solid 1440p performance, which is consistent with its 19th-percentile ranking.

FAQ

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

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 is the strongest resolution, with average frame rates ranging from 89 FPS at Ultra to 162 FPS at Low. At 2560x1440, the system still performs well, with a peak of 123 FPS on Low and 67 FPS on Ultra. At 3840x2160, performance drops significantly, with only 83 FPS on Low and 45 FPS on Ultra.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700K has an average benchmark score of 69355. It is 0.1% faster than the AMD EPYC 9115, which scores 69288, and 0.2% slower than the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, which scores 69515. It trails the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX by 0.7%, which scores 69875.

Q: Is the RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB capable of 4K gaming in Control?

A: The measured data indicates that 4K is challenging. At 3840x2160 with Medium settings, the average frame rate is 59 FPS with a minimum of 50 FPS. At High settings, the average drops to 52 FPS. For a smoother experience, users would need to use Low settings, which yield 83 FPS.

Q: What is the GPU’s performance percentile?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB is in the 19th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 2913 in the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test. This places it well below the top-tier cards but slightly above the NVIDIA Quadro P600, which scores 2923 and is 0.3% faster.

Q: How does the GPU’s memory configuration affect performance?

A: The GPU has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing 288.0 GB/s of bandwidth. This memory size is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but at 4K, the capacity may be a limiting factor, as evidenced by the frame rate drops at higher settings.

Q: What are the CPU’s key specifications?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700K has 20 cores and 28 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. It features 33 MB of shared L3 cache and supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory. Its average benchmark score is 69355, putting it in the 94th percentile of all CPUs.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of how this combo performs across a matrix of resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the system delivers high frame rates suitable for competitive play or smooth single-player experiences. With Low settings, the average is 162 FPS, which drops to 115 FPS on Medium (with a minimum of 98 FPS and a maximum of 132 FPS). High settings yield 102 FPS, while Ultra still manages a very playable 89 FPS. This shows that at 1080p, the RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB has ample headroom, and the CPU’s strong single-thread performance ensures consistent frame delivery.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance remains strong but begins to show the GPU’s limits. Low settings produce an average of 123 FPS, which is excellent for a high-resolution monitor. Medium settings drop to 87 FPS (minimum 74 FPS, maximum 100 FPS), while High settings yield 77 FPS. Ultra settings are still playable at 67 FPS. This resolution appears to be the sweet spot for the combo, balancing visual quality with performance, as the GPU is not yet overwhelmed by the pixel count.

At 3840x2160, the data reveals a significant challenge. The system only achieves 83 FPS on Low settings, which drops to 59 FPS on Medium (with a minimum of 50 FPS and a maximum of 68 FPS). High settings fall to 52 FPS, and Ultra settings bring the average down to 45 FPS. These numbers indicate that 4K gaming requires substantial compromises in visual fidelity to maintain playable frame rates. The 8 GB VRAM and 128-bit memory bus are likely bottlenecks here, as the game’s high-resolution assets strain the card’s resources Dropping to Low settings at 4K is necessary for a consistently smooth experience, but even then, the frame rate is not as high as at lower resolutions.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-14700K plays a supporting role in this combo, but its capabilities are crucial for avoiding bottlenecks. With 20 cores and 28 threads, this processor is a powerhouse for multi-threaded workloads, but for gaming, its high boost clock of 5.60 GHz is more relevant. The base clock of 3.40 GHz ensures solid performance under load, and the 33 MB of shared L3 cache helps reduce memory latency, which is beneficial for game logic. The CPU’s average benchmark score of 69355 puts it in the 94th percentile, indicating that it is far more powerful than what Control requires.

The benchmark results for the CPU show its strength in various tasks. In Cinebench R23, it scores 33440.5 in multi-core and 2160 in single-core. In Geekbench, it scores 20767 multi-core and 2569 single-core. These scores suggest that the processor can easily handle the game’s physics calculations and AI routines without breaking a sweat. The nearest rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, are within 0.2% of its average score, confirming that this is a top-tier CPU. For Control, this means the CPU will rarely be the limiting factor; instead, it provides a stable platform for the GPU to operate at its maximum potential.

The CPU’s memory support for both DDR4 and DDR5 offers flexibility, though the game’s performance is more dependent on GPU memory bandwidth. The 20 cores and 28 threads are overkill for most games, but they ensure that any background tasks or streaming applications do not interfere with gameplay. The data shows that the CPU’s performance is consistent across all resolutions, as the frame rates scale primarily with the GPU’s workload. This is the expected behavior for a balanced system, and the i7-14700K’s high single-core performance ensures that the game’s main thread runs efficiently, preventing any CPU-related stutters.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For 1920x1080, the data shows that even Ultra settings provide an average of 89 FPS, which is smooth for most players. However, for those with high-refresh-rate monitors, dropping to High settings increases the average to 102 FPS, and Low settings push it to 162 FPS. The Medium preset offers a balanced experience at 115 FPS, with a minimum of 98 FPS ensuring consistency. For 1080p, High settings are recommended as the best compromise between visual quality and performance, offering a significant boost over Ultra without a major visual downgrade.

At 2560x1440, the system’s performance is still respectable, but users must be more selective. Ultra settings yield 67 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for fast-paced action. High settings provide a better experience at 77 FPS, and Medium settings offer 87 FPS with a minimum of 74 FPS. For the smoothest experience at 1440p, High settings are the best choice, as they maintain a frame rate above 75 FPS while preserving most of the game’s visual effects. Low settings at 123 FPS are an option for competitive play, but the visual compromise is significant.

At 3840x2160, the data suggests that only Low settings provide a consistently smooth experience, with an average of 83 FPS. Medium settings hover around 59 FPS, which is borderline for a 60 Hz display, and High settings drop to 52 FPS. Ultra settings are not recommended, as the average of 45 FPS falls below the playable threshold for most users. For 4K, Low settings are the only viable option for a consistently smooth experience, while Medium settings may be acceptable for those who prioritize visual fidelity over frame rate. The 8 GB VRAM is a limiting factor at this resolution, so users should expect to make significant sacrifices.