Control

Control, the 2019 action-adventure title, is a demanding showcase for any hardware combination. The measured data for the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 reveals a system that is consistently capable across the board, but whose performance profile changes significantly depending on the resolution and preset chosen. The combination ranks 1738 out of 2888 tested combos in this specific game, placing it in the upper-middle tier of the database. The following analysis breaks down the measured FPS data, the roles of the processor and graphics card, and provides actionable settings recommendations based strictly on the observed figures.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS data from 1080p to 4K clearly illustrates how the performance bottleneck shifts as the pixel count increases. At 1920x1080 with High settings, the combo produces an average of 79 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 drops that average to 59 FPS, a reduction of roughly 25%. Scaling further to 3840x2160 yields an average of 40 FPS, another 32% drop from the 1440p figure. This steep decline with each resolution increase is a classic indicator that the graphics card is becoming the primary limiting factor as the render load grows.

The pattern is consistent across all presets. At Low settings, the system achieves 124 FPS at 1080p, 94 FPS at 1440p, and 64 FPS at 4K. The delta between 1080p and 4K at Low is 60 FPS, while at High settings, the delta is 39 FPS. This narrowing gap at higher presets suggests that while the GPU is clearly the main constraint at 4K, the processor still has enough headroom to push higher frame rates at lower resolutions and settings. The 1080p Low result of 124 FPS indicates the CPU can drive the game well past the 60 FPS mark, but the RTX 4060 cannot maintain that level of performance as the resolution climbs.

The data points to a system where the RTX 4060 is the definitive bottleneck at 4K, regardless of the preset. Even at Low settings, the card only manages an average of 64 FPS, which is far from the high refresh rates possible at 1080p. At 1440p, the system is better balanced, with the GPU still doing the heavy lifting but the CPU contributing enough to keep frame rates respectable. The 1080p results are where the Core Ultra 5 135H shows its strength, allowing the GPU to stretch its legs and deliver playable, and often high, frame rates.

How This Combo Ranks

In the grand scheme of the database, this combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 secures a rank of 1738 out of 2888 total tested combos in Control. This places it in the 60th percentile of all systems, indicating that it outperforms more than half of the tested configurations but is far from the top tier. The ranking suggests a solid mid-range pairing that can handle the game well, but it is not a high-end enthusiast setup.

The CPU's overall benchmark percentile is 81, placing it above the vast majority of all tested processors. Its average benchmark score of 29093 is remarkably close to its nearest rivals, with a delta of only -0.1% against the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X and -0.6% against the Intel Core i5-13500HX. This indicates that the 135H is a very competitive mobile chip in general compute tasks. The GPU, however, has a percentile of 61, and its average benchmark score of 17639 is nearly identical to the AMD Radeon HD 7790, with a negligible delta of -0.2%. This suggests that while the CPU is a high-performer, the GPU is more of an average mid-range part, which explains the overall combo ranking.

The disparity between the CPU's high percentile and the GPU's more modest one is telling. It implies that the RTX 4060 is the component holding the combo back from a higher rank in this database. The processor is clearly capable of feeding the graphics card, but the card's raw performance limits the system's overall standing. This is a classic case of a strong CPU paired with a mid-range GPU, resulting in a balanced but not exceptional gaming experience.

FAQ

Q: What is the maximum average FPS this combo can achieve in Control?

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 124, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

Q: Can this system maintain 60 FPS at 2560x1440?

A: Yes, at 1440p, the combo achieves an average of 67 FPS on Medium settings and 59 FPS on High. Only the Ultra preset drops below the 60 FPS threshold, averaging 52 FPS.

Q: Is the RTX 4060 capable of running Control at 4K?

A: It is playable, but not at high refresh rates. At 3840x2160, the system averages 64 FPS on Low, 45 FPS on Medium, 40 FPS on High, and 35 FPS on Ultra. For a smooth 60 FPS experience, you would need to use Low settings.

Q: How does the performance drop from 1440p to 4K compare to the drop from 1080p to 1440p?

A: The drop is more severe at higher resolutions. For example, on High settings, moving from 1080p to 1440p results in a 20 FPS loss (79 to 59), while moving from 1440p to 4K results in a 19 FPS loss (59 to 40). This consistent loss highlights the GPU's difficulty with the increased pixel count.

Q: What is the best preset for a 60 FPS target at 1920x1080?

A: Several presets achieve over 60 FPS at 1080p. High averages 79 FPS, Medium averages 88 FPS, and Low averages 124 FPS. Even the Ultra preset, with an average of 68 FPS, is above the 60 FPS target.

Q: Does the data suggest the CPU or GPU is the limiting factor at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, the high frame rates (up to 124 FPS on Low) suggest the system is not fully CPU-bound. The GPU is still the primary limiter, but the Core Ultra 5 135H has enough performance to push frame rates to high levels before the graphics card becomes the sole constraint.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive look at the system's performance across a matrix of resolutions and settings.

At 1920x1080, the system is most comfortable. The Ultra preset averages 68 FPS, providing a very smooth experience. High settings improve this to an average of 79 FPS. The Medium preset yields an average of 88 FPS, with a minimum of 75 and a maximum of 102 FPS. For maximum performance, the Low preset delivers an average of 124 FPS, ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors.

Moving up to 2560x1440, performance becomes more moderate. The Ultra preset drops to an average of 52 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for fast-paced action. High settings maintain a respectable 59 FPS average. The Medium preset is the sweet spot for 1440p, offering an average of 67 FPS with a minimum of 57 and a maximum of 77 FPS. The Low preset achieves a solid 94 FPS average.

Finally, at 3840x2160, the system is clearly pushed to its limits. The Ultra preset averages just 35 FPS. High settings improve this to 40 FPS. The Medium preset is more playable, averaging 45 FPS with a minimum of 38 and a maximum of 52 FPS. For a smoother 4K experience, the Low preset is necessary, delivering an average of 64 FPS. This breakdown shows that 1080p and 1440p are the target resolutions for this combo, with 4K requiring significant compromises in visual fidelity to achieve playable frame rates.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H is a 14-core, 18-thread processor based on the Meteor Lake architecture, built on a 7 nm process. It has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. Its substantial core count and high boost clock are well-suited for a modern title like Control, which can utilize multiple threads. The processor's benchmark data shows a strong single-thread score of 1700 in Cinebench R23, which is crucial for game logic and physics calculations.

In the context of Control, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and manage the game's simulation. The measured FPS data indicates that the 135H is more than capable in this regard. At 1080p Low, the system reaches 124 FPS, a figure that suggests the CPU is not a bottleneck at lower resolutions. Even at 1080p Ultra, the system maintains an average of 68 FPS, showing that the processor can handle the game's demands without limiting the framerate to sub-60 levels.

The CPU's overall performance is strong, with an average benchmark score of 29093 and a percentile rank of 81. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, has a nearly identical score with a delta of only -0.1%. This indicates that the 135H offers desktop-class performance in a mobile package. The data suggests that for Control, the Core Ultra 5 135H provides ample processing power, ensuring that the graphics card is the definitive limiting factor for frame rates at higher resolutions.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For a high-refresh-rate 1080p experience, the Medium preset is an excellent choice, delivering an average of 88 FPS with a minimum of 75 FPS. This provides a significant performance buffer over the 60 FPS target. The High preset is also viable, averaging 79 FPS, if you prefer higher visual fidelity. Even the Ultra preset at 1080p is playable with an average of 68 FPS, making it a strong option for those who prioritize image quality.

At 2560x1440, the Medium preset is the clear winner. It is the only preset that averages above 60 FPS, with a solid 67 FPS average and a minimum of 57 FPS. The High preset, with an average of 59 FPS, is close to the 60 FPS target but might experience occasional dips. The Ultra preset, at 52 FPS, is a compromise for visual quality over smoothness. For 1440p gaming, Medium offers the best balance of performance and visual quality.

For 3840x2160, the situation is more constrained. The Low preset is the only one that provides a consistently smooth experience, averaging 64 FPS. The Medium preset, with an average of 45 FPS, is playable for slower-paced games but may feel less responsive in action sequences. The High and Ultra presets, at 40 and 35 FPS respectively, are not recommended for a good gameplay experience. The data suggests that 4K gaming on this combo requires the Low preset for a fluid frame rate, or a willingness to accept lower performance for higher fidelity.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is the graphics powerhouse of this combo, based on the Ada Lovelace architecture and built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. It features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 272.0 GB/s. The GPU has a base clock of 1830 MHz and a boost clock of 2460 MHz, with 3072 shading units and 24 RT cores. Its FP32 performance is rated at 15.11 TFLOPS.

The GPU's performance in Control is the primary factor determining the system's capability at higher resolutions. The measured data shows a clear pattern of performance degradation as resolution increases, which is typical for a mid-range card. At 1080p, the RTX 4060 is able to deliver high frame rates, but it struggles to maintain 60 FPS at 4K on higher presets. This is consistent with its benchmark percentile of 61, indicating it is a solid mid-range performer but not a high-end part.

The GPU's average benchmark score of 17639 is nearly identical to its closest rival, the AMD Radeon HD 7790, with a delta of only -0.2%. This is an interesting data point, suggesting that in raw compute tests, the RTX 4060 is on par with an older, lower-tier card. However, in actual gaming scenarios like Control, the RTX 4060's modern architecture, with its 24 RT cores and support for DirectX 12 Ultimate, likely provides a better feature set and driver optimization. The GPU's role is clear: it is the bottleneck at 4K, but it provides a good gaming experience at 1080p and 1440p with appropriate settings.