Control

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Core i7-14700KF is a 20-core, 28-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake Refresh architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and can boost up to 5.60 GHz. This combination of high core count and aggressive boost clock gives the CPU substantial headroom for both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads, which is relevant for Control's engine that scales across multiple threads while still relying on strong single-core performance for game logic.

In the context of the measured FPS data, the CPU appears to be more than adequate for the task. At 1080p with Low settings, the system reaches 145.8 FPS, which is the highest measured value across all configurations. This suggests that at lower resolutions and reduced graphical loads, the GPU becomes the limiting factor, and the CPU's 20 cores and 5.60 GHz boost clock are sufficient to feed the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 8 GB without becoming a bottleneck. The processor's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 44557 and single-core score of 6290 further reinforce its capability, though these synthetic benchmarks only indirectly translate to gaming performance.

The 14700KF's 33 MB of shared L3 cache and 2 MB per-core L2 cache provide ample on-die storage for frequently accessed game data. This is particularly important for a game like Control, which features complex physics interactions and destructible environments that require rapid data access. The CPU's memory support for both DDR4 and DDR5, along with a dual-channel memory bus, means the platform can be configured with high-bandwidth memory to avoid starving the GPU, though the exact memory configuration used in these tests is not specified in the data.

The processor's position in the broader CPU landscape is strong. It holds a 96th percentile ranking among all CPUs in the database, and its average benchmark score of 70104 places it nearly identical to the Intel Core i7-14700K (deltaPct of 0) and slightly ahead of the AMD EPYC 9115 by 0.3%. It trails the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X by 0.4% and the Intel Xeon Platinum 8270 by 1.3%, but these differences are marginal in real-world gaming scenarios. For Control specifically, the data shows that even at 4K Ultra, the system manages 38.2 FPS, which indicates the GPU is the primary constraint, not the CPU.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS this combo achieves in Control, and at what settings?

A: The highest measured average FPS is 145.8, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. This is substantially above the 89.2 FPS seen at 1080p High and the 103 FPS at 1080p Medium.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its closest rivals in overall benchmark performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700KF has an average benchmark score of 70104. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-14700K, scores 70074 with a deltaPct of 0, making them essentially tied. The AMD EPYC 9115 scores 69887 (0.3% behind), while the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X scores 70420 (0.4% ahead) and the Intel Xeon Platinum 8270 scores 71056 (1.3% ahead).

Q: Is the GPU or CPU the limiting factor at 4K resolution?

A: The data indicates the GPU is the limiting factor at 4K. At 3840x2160 with Low settings, the average FPS is 71.7, but this drops to 48.8 at High and 38.2 at Ultra. This steep decline with graphical settings, while the CPU remains constant, shows the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 8 GB is the bottleneck at this resolution.

Q: What is the combo's ranking among all tested combinations in Control?

A: This specific combo (Intel Core i7-14700KF + AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 8 GB) ranks 851 out of 1636 total tested combos in Control. This places it roughly in the middle of the pack, which is consistent with the GPU's 50th percentile ranking among all GPUs.

Q: How does the FPS scale when moving from 1080p to 1440p at High settings?

A: At 1920x1080 High, the average FPS is 89.2. Moving to 2560x1440 High drops this to 69.5, a decrease of 19.7 FPS. This represents a roughly 22% reduction in performance, which is typical for a resolution increase of this magnitude when GPU-bound.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the CPU, and does it affect the analysis?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700KF has a launch MSRP of $384. This figure is provided for reference only; the measured performance data stands on its own regardless of price considerations.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern of GPU-bound scaling as resolution increases. At 1080p, the system delivers 145.8 FPS at Low, 103 FPS at Medium, 89.2 FPS at High, and 78.6 FPS at Ultra. Moving to 1440p, these figures drop to 109.4 FPS at Low, 79.8 FPS at Medium, 69.5 FPS at High, and 59.4 FPS at Ultra. At 4K, the numbers fall further to 71.7 FPS at Low, 52.6 FPS at Medium, 48.8 FPS at High, and 38.2 FPS at Ultra.

The scaling pattern is instructive. From 1080p Low to 1440p Low, the FPS drops from 145.8 to 109.4, a 25% reduction. From 1440p Low to 4K Low, it falls from 109.4 to 71.7, a 34% reduction. These percentage drops are consistent with a system that is progressively more GPU-limited as pixel count increases. The CPU's 20 cores and high boost clock are not the constraint here; if they were, we would expect to see similar FPS across resolutions at the same settings.

The gap between Low and Ultra settings widens as resolution increases. At 1080p, the difference between Low (145.8 FPS) and Ultra (78.6 FPS) is 67.2 FPS. At 1440p, the gap is 50 FPS (109.4 vs 59.4). At 4K, it narrows to 33.5 FPS (71.7 vs 38.2). This narrowing suggests that at 4K, the GPU is so heavily loaded that even reducing settings cannot fully compensate for the pixel throughput required. The 8 GB VRAM capacity of the GPU may also contribute to the 4K performance ceiling, as higher resolutions and settings demand more memory bandwidth and capacity.

The data shows that 1440p represents a reasonable middle ground where the system can still achieve playable frame rates at higher settings. At 1440p High, the 69.5 FPS average is comfortably above the 60 FPS threshold, while 1440p Ultra at 59.4 FPS is borderline. At 4K, only Low settings (71.7 FPS) provide a consistently smooth experience, with Medium (52.6 FPS) and High (48.8 FPS) falling below ideal smoothness.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS across all resolutions and settings provides a clear picture of what this combo can deliver. At 1080p, the system is exceptionally capable: even Ultra settings produce 78.6 FPS, which is smooth for most players, while High (89.2 FPS) and Medium (103 FPS) offer increasingly higher headroom. For players with 1080p displays, High settings appear to be the optimal balance, delivering 89.2 FPS while maintaining visual quality. The jump to Ultra only costs 10.6 FPS (from 89.2 to 78.6), so those prioritizing visual fidelity can still choose Ultra without significant penalty.

At 1440p, the recommendation shifts. Low settings deliver 109.4 FPS, which is excellent for competitive play, but Medium (79.8 FPS) and High (69.5 FPS) are both playable for most genres. Ultra at 1440p drops to 59.4 FPS, which is just below the 60 FPS mark and may introduce noticeable stutter on displays with variable refresh rates. For a game like Control, which emphasizes atmosphere and visual effects, High settings at 1440p (69.5 FPS) provide the best compromise between fidelity and smoothness. The 10.4 FPS difference between High and Medium (69.5 vs 79.8) is relatively small, suggesting High is worth the minor performance cost.

At 4K, the options are more constrained. Low settings (71.7 FPS) are the only configuration that consistently exceeds 60 FPS. Medium (52.6 FPS) and High (48.8 FPS) are playable but may feel less responsive, while Ultra (38.2 FPS) is likely too demanding for a smooth experience. For 4K users, Low settings are recommended for playable performance, with Medium as a fallback if the visual upgrade is worth the 19.1 FPS reduction. The 4K data suggests this GPU is not well-suited for high-fidelity 4K gaming in Control, and players should either lower resolution or accept reduced quality.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i7-14700KF and AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 8 GB ranks 851 out of 1636 tested combos in Control. This places the combo in the lower-middle portion of the overall distribution, which is consistent with the GPU's modest specifications. The CPU itself is a high-end part, ranking in the 96th percentile among all CPUs, but the GPU's 50th percentile ranking pulls the combo down in the overall rankings.

Comparing the combo's components to their peers provides context. The CPU's average benchmark score of 70104 is nearly identical to the i7-14700K (70074) and slightly above the AMD EPYC 9115 (69887). However, the GPU has no benchmark scores listed in the data and no nearest rivals, making it difficult to contextualize its performance directly. The GPU's 50th percentile ranking among all GPUs indicates it is an average performer, which aligns with the combo's mid-pack ranking.

The rank of 851 out of 1636 suggests that while this system is capable of running Control at playable frame rates in many configurations, it does not stand out among the broader field of tested hardware. Systems with more powerful GPUs or more balanced configurations likely achieve higher rankings. The 4K Ultra result of 38.2 FPS is particularly weak, and even at 1080p Ultra, the 78.6 FPS is not exceptional for a high-end CPU paired with a mid-range GPU.

Measured FPS Breakdown

3840x2160 (4K): At this resolution, the system delivers 71.7 FPS on Low settings, 52.6 FPS on Medium, 48.8 FPS on High, and 38.2 FPS on Ultra. The progression shows a steep drop from Low to Medium (19.1 FPS), a smaller drop to High (3.8 FPS), and another significant drop to Ultra (10.6 FPS). None of the higher settings achieve 60 FPS, making Low the only smooth option at 4K.

2560x1440 (1440p): The measured results are 109.4 FPS on Low, 79.8 FPS on Medium, 69.5 FPS on High, and 59.4 FPS on Ultra. Low settings provide excellent performance, while Medium and High are both comfortably above 60 FPS. Ultra narrowly misses the 60 FPS mark, which may be acceptable for some players but is not ideal for fast-paced action sequences.

1920x1080 (1080p): At 1080p, the system achieves 145.8 FPS on Low, 103 FPS on Medium, 89.2 FPS on High, and 78.6 FPS on Ultra. Every settings level exceeds 60 FPS, with even Ultra providing smooth gameplay. The difference between Low and Ultra is 67.2 FPS, giving players substantial flexibility to prioritize either performance or visual quality.