Control

Control with an Intel Core i9-14900K and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 presents a stark case of generational imbalance, where a flagship 2023 processor is paired with a 2016 mid-range graphics card. The benchmark data shows a system that is almost entirely GPU-bound, with the GTX 1070 acting as the definitive bottleneck across all tested resolutions and settings. The following analysis breaks down the measured performance of this specific configuration in Remedy’s 2019 action-adventure title.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is severe and consistently points to the GTX 1070 as the limiting component. At High settings, the average frame rate falls from 61 FPS at 1920x1080 to 46 FPS at 2560x1440, a reduction of 15 FPS. Moving to 3840x2160, the average plummets to 31 FPS, which is roughly half the 1080p figure. This scaling pattern is indicative of a GPU that is running out of pixel throughput and memory bandwidth as the render resolution increases.

The trend is identical across all quality presets. With Low settings, the system delivers 97 FPS at 1080p, but this drops to 73 FPS at 1440p and further to 49 FPS at 4K. The difference between 1080p and 4K at Low settings is a 48 FPS loss, showing that even when the graphical load is minimized, the GPU cannot maintain playable frame rates at higher resolutions. The data suggests that the i9-14900K is never the constraint; the frame rate deltas are almost entirely driven by the graphics card’s ability to fill pixels.

At Medium settings, the 4K average of 35 FPS with a minimum of 30 FPS shows the configuration is barely holding onto a console-like experience. The jump from Medium to High at 4K costs an additional 4 FPS, while the jump from Medium to Ultra costs 8 FPS. This indicates that the GPU is operating so close to its limit that even modest increases in visual fidelity have a disproportionate impact on performance. The scaling from 1440p to 4K is particularly punishing, with an average loss of 11-12 FPS across all settings, confirming that the GTX 1070’s 256-bit memory bus and 256.3 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient for 4K rendering in this title.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070, based on the Pascal architecture and GP104 chip, is the clear performance ceiling for this combo. Its 8 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus is a key factor in the 4K results, where it averages between 27 and 49 FPS depending on settings. The card’s base clock of 1506 MHz and boost clock of 1683 MHz are the figures that determine its processing speed, and the data shows these are simply not enough for Control’s demands at higher resolutions.

The GPU’s benchmark percentile ranking of 47 places it in the middle of the pack, which is consistent with its measured performance in this game. Its nearest rivals, such as the AMD FirePro W5000 (with a -0.2 deltaPct) and the NVIDIA Quadro M2000M (with a -0.5 deltaPct), are all within a single percentage point of its average benchmark score. This suggests that the GTX 1070 is performance-wise in a tightly contested tier, but its age and 16 nm process node limit its ability to handle modern titles like Control at high resolutions.

The GTX 1070’s FP32 performance of 6.463 TFLOPS and texture rate of 202.0 GTexel/s are the raw compute figures behind the frame rates. In practice, the card shows a 47% performance drop from 1080p to 4K at High settings (61 to 31 FPS). The memory clock of 2002 MHz (8 Gbps effective) is a bottleneck at 4K, where the pixel rate of 107.7 GPixel/s is insufficient to maintain smooth gameplay. The data clearly shows that the GPU is the primary factor limiting frame rates, not the CPU.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this configuration to maintain a 60 FPS average?

A: Only 1920x1080 with Low settings achieves an average above 60 FPS, hitting 97 FPS. At 1080p High, the average drops to 61 FPS, which is just above the threshold, but the next step down in quality is required for a comfortable margin.

Q: Can this system run Control at 4K with playable frame rates?

A: The data indicates no. At 4K, the highest average FPS is 49 with Low settings, and it drops to 31 FPS at High and 27 FPS at Ultra. The Medium preset at 4K has a minimum FPS of 30, indicating frequent dips below smooth playability.

Q: How does the GTX 1070 compare to its closest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The GTX 1070 has an average benchmark score of 9780. Its nearest rival, the AMD FirePro W5000, has a deltaPct of -0.2, and the NVIDIA Quadro M2000M has a deltaPct of -0.5, meaning they are essentially tied in performance. The NVIDIA Tesla M10 and Tesla C2070 are 0.6 and 0.7 percent slower, respectively.

Q: Is the Intel Core i9-14900K causing any performance issues in this game?

A: No. The performance scaling is entirely consistent with GPU limitations. The CPU’s benchmark scores are exceptionally high, with a 95th percentile ranking versus all CPUs, but the frame rates are dictated by the GTX 1070’s output.

Q: What is the frame rate difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, Low settings produce an average of 73 FPS. Ultra settings produce an average of 40 FPS. This represents a 33 FPS difference, showing a significant cost for maximum visual quality.

Q: What is the average FPS at 1080p with Medium settings?

A: The average FPS at 1920x1080 with Medium settings is 69 FPS, with a minimum of 58 FPS and a maximum of 79 FPS.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured data provides a complete picture of this configuration’s capabilities. At 1920x1080, the system is capable of a wide range of performance depending on the preset. Low settings deliver an average of 97 FPS, providing a smooth and responsive experience. Medium settings average 69 FPS, with a minimum of 58 FPS and a maximum of 79 FPS, which is still a solid performance level. High settings average 61 FPS, which is playable but leaves little headroom. Ultra settings bring the average down to 53 FPS, which is starting to feel less fluid.

At 2560x1440, the strain on the GTX 1070 becomes more apparent. Low settings average 73 FPS, which is still good, but Medium drops to 52 FPS, with a minimum of 44 FPS. High settings average 46 FPS, and Ultra falls to 40 FPS. The jump from 1080p to 1440p costs approximately 15-20% of the average frame rate across all settings. This resolution is playable with Low or Medium settings, but the higher presets will result in noticeable stutter.

At 3840x2160, the configuration is clearly out of its depth. Low settings average 49 FPS, which is the only preset that approaches playability. Medium settings average 35 FPS, with a minimum of 30 FPS, indicating significant dips. High settings average 31 FPS, and Ultra settings average 27 FPS. None of the 4K presets provide a consistently smooth experience, and the data suggests that this resolution is not viable for this GPU in Control.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i9-14900K is a 24-core, 32-thread processor from the Raptor Lake Refresh generation, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 6.00 GHz. Its benchmark scores are formidable, including a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 39399.5 and a Geekbench single-core score of 2655. The processor sits in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 79097. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i9-14900KF, is only -0.3 percent slower, showing the performance is at the top tier.

In this specific game, the CPU is not a limiting factor. The measured FPS data shows no signs of CPU bottlenecking, such as frame rate plateaus that are independent of resolution. For example, the 1080p Low average of 97 FPS is likely near the render limit of the GPU, but it is not a CPU cap, as the score is far below what this processor is capable of. The CPU’s role is to feed the GPU with data, and its massive L3 cache of 36 MB and high clock speeds ensure it does so without issue.

The i9-14900K’s performance relative to its rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 (which is 1.7 percent faster), is irrelevant here because the GTX 1070 is the bottleneck. The data suggests that this CPU would be able to support a much more powerful graphics card, but in this configuration, its potential is entirely untapped. The CPU’s 125 W TDP and 10 nm process node are characteristics that have no bearing on the game’s frame rates, which are solely dictated by the graphics card.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the optimal experience for this configuration is at 1920x1080 with Medium settings. This preset provides an average FPS of 69, a minimum of 58 FPS, and a maximum of 79 FPS. This is the highest settings level that maintains an average above 60 FPS while still offering a clear visual upgrade over Low settings. The High preset at 1080p is also viable, with an average of 61 FPS, but it is right at the edge of the 60 FPS threshold and may dip below during intense scenes.

For users seeking the smoothest possible experience, 1080p Low is the only preset that delivers a high refresh rate, with an average of 97 FPS. This is the best choice for competitive play or for users who prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity. At 1440p, the Medium preset is the best balance, averaging 52 FPS, but users should be prepared for drops below that level. The Low preset at 1440p, with an average of 73 FPS, is a better choice for those who want to stay above 60 FPS.

4K is not recommended for this system. Even at Low settings, the average FPS of 49 is below the 60 FPS target, and the higher presets fall into the 27-35 FPS range. The data shows that the GTX 1070 is simply not equipped for 4K gaming in Control. The best overall experience is 1080p Medium, as it offers a good blend of visual quality and performance without the frame rate instability seen at higher resolutions and settings.