Control

The Intel Core i7-14700KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 combination ranks 826th out of 1636 tested combos for Control, placing it in the middle of the pack. This is a strong pairing for a game of this era, though it does not reach the top echelons of the database. The data indicates that this combo is well-balanced for 1440p gaming, but it will require some settings adjustments to achieve a consistently smooth experience at higher resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo's rank of 826 out of 1636 places it squarely in the 50th percentile of all tested configurations for Control. While this number might seem modest, it reflects the balance between the CPU and GPU in this specific title. The RTX 5060 is performing at a level consistent with its overall benchmark percentile of 73, meaning it is a capable card, but Control's demands at 4K resolution push it to its limits. The i7-14700KF, on the other hand, is a top-tier processor, ranking in the 96th percentile against all CPUs. This suggests that the CPU is not the bottleneck in this pairing; instead, the GPU is the limiting factor, especially at higher resolutions. The data shows a clear progression where the frame rate drops as resolution increases, which is a classic sign of GPU-bound performance. This ranking indicates that while the combo is not the absolute best, it is a very competent setup for playing Control at 1080p and 1440p, with the potential for 4K at lower settings.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 is the primary driver of performance in this combo, and its 8 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 128-bit bus is a crucial factor. The memory runs at a 1750 MHz base with a 28 Gbps effective speed, yielding a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. This bandwidth is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but the 8 GB capacity can become a limiting factor at 4K Ultra settings, where the game's texture and asset demands increase significantly. The GPU's boost clock of 2497 MHz and its 3840 shading units handle the game's physics and particle effects well. In Control, the data shows that the GPU's performance scales predictably with settings. At 4K, the average frame rate drops from 74.8 FPS on Low to 42.2 FPS on Ultra, a clear indication that the GPU is being heavily taxed. The card's Passmark G3D score of 20891 puts it in a similar performance tier to the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT, which has a deltaPct of 0, and it is also closely matched with the RX 570 and Tesla M60. This means that in terms of raw rasterization, the RTX 5060 is a solid mid-range performer, but it is not a high-end card capable of maxing out demanding titles at 4K.

FAQ

Q: Can this combo run Control at 4K resolution?

A: Yes, but not at the highest settings. The measured data shows an average of 47.4 FPS at 4K High and 42.2 FPS at 4K Ultra. For a smoother experience, dropping to 4K Medium yields 51.9 FPS, and 4K Low provides 74.8 FPS.

Q: What resolution provides the best balance of quality and performance?

A: 2560x1440 appears to be the sweet spot. The combo achieves an average of 70 FPS at High settings and 80.4 FPS at Medium. This provides a significant visual upgrade over 1080p while maintaining frame rates that are well above the 60 FPS threshold.

Q: How much of a performance difference is there between Low and Ultra settings?

A: The difference is substantial. At 1920x1080, the average frame rate jumps from 80.2 FPS on Ultra to 147.7 FPS on Low, a gain of 67.5 FPS. At 3840x2160, the difference is even more pronounced, with a jump from 42.2 FPS to 74.8 FPS.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more important for this game?

A: Based on the data, the GPU is the limiting factor. The i7-14700KF is a high-end processor, ranking in the 96th percentile, and its performance is more than sufficient. The frame rates drop significantly with increasing resolution, which indicates a GPU bottleneck.

Q: How does the RTX 5060 compare to its closest rival in terms of performance?

A: The RTX 5060's average benchmark score of 30109 is nearly identical to that of the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT, which has a score of 30097 and a deltaPct of 0. This indicates they are essentially equal in overall performance.

Q: Is the 8 GB VRAM a problem for this game?

A: The data suggests it is not a problem at 1080p and 1440p, where the card performs well. However, at 4K Ultra, the frame rate drops to 42.2 FPS, which could be partly attributed to the 8 GB VRAM capacity being stressed by the game's high-resolution assets.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data reveals a clear performance hierarchy across resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the combo delivers excellent performance across the board. The average frame rate is 147.7 FPS on Low, which is exceptionally high and ideal for competitive play or high refresh rate monitors. Moving up, the Medium setting yields 105 FPS, High yields 91.9 FPS, and Ultra still maintains a very playable 80.2 FPS. This makes 1080p a non-issue for this setup, as even the most demanding preset is well above the 60 FPS target.

Stepping up to 2560x1440, the performance is still strong but begins to show the GPU's workload. The Low setting produces an average of 110.2 FPS, while Medium drops to 80.4 FPS and High to 70 FPS. The Ultra preset is the only one that dips below the 60 FPS threshold, with an average of 61 FPS. This resolution is where the RTX 5060 starts to earn its keep, providing a great balance of visual fidelity and frame rate for most players.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is clearly under significant stress. The average frame rate on Low is 74.8 FPS, which is still playable. However, the Medium setting drops to 51.9 FPS, and High falls to 47.4 FPS. The Ultra setting is the most demanding, with an average of only 42.2 FPS. This data shows that 4K gaming is possible with this combo, but only at lower settings. For a consistent 60 FPS experience at 4K, players will need to use Low settings, or they will have to accept a frame rate in the 40-50 FPS range for higher visual quality.

Settings Recommendations

The best experience for this combo depends on the user's display and priorities. For 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the clear recommendation. The average of 80.2 FPS is high enough for a smooth experience on most monitors, and it provides the best visual quality that the game has to offer. Players with a 144Hz or higher refresh rate monitor could also use the High preset for 91.9 FPS, which is a more noticeable jump in smoothness.

For 2560x1440, the High preset is the recommended choice. The average of 70 FPS is a solid balance between visual fidelity and performance, and it is well-suited for standard 60Hz to 75Hz monitors. The Medium preset, with 80.4 FPS, is a good alternative for those who prefer a higher frame rate buffer. The Ultra preset is not recommended, as its 61 FPS average is too close to the 60 FPS threshold and could dip below in more demanding scenes.

For 3840x2160, the Low preset is the only one that provides a consistently playable experience, with an average of 74.8 FPS. The Medium preset, at 51.9 FPS, is playable but may not be ideal for all users. For the best visual experience at 4K, users can set the game to Medium and accept a frame rate in the 50s, or they can use High settings for a more cinematic but less responsive feel. The data suggests that this combo is not designed for 4K Ultra, but it can still deliver a playable experience at lower settings.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-14700KF is a high-performance processor that is more than capable of keeping up with the RTX 5060 in Control. With 20 cores and 28 threads, it has an immense amount of processing power for this title. Its base clock of 3.40 GHz and boost clock of 5.60 GHz ensure that it can handle the game's single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads with ease. The CPU's benchmark scores are impressive, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 44557 and a single-core score of 6290. In terms of overall performance, it sits in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, and its average benchmark score of 70104 is nearly identical to that of the Intel Core i7-14700K, which has a deltaPct of 0. This means that the CPU is not a source of bottleneck in this setup. The measured FPS data supports this, as the frame rates scale consistently with resolution and settings, which is a characteristic of GPU-bound performance. This processor provides the necessary headroom to ensure that the GPU is the only component being fully utilized, allowing the RTX 5060 to perform to its full potential.