Control

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 pairing delivers a solid 1080p and 1440p experience in Control, with 4K Ultra remaining a challenge. The data shows a system that can easily handle high-refresh gaming at mainstream resolutions, provided settings are tuned appropriately.

FAQ

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

A: Based on the measured frames, 2560x1440 offers the best balance. At Medium settings, it achieves 99 FPS average, while High hits 88 FPS. 1920x1080 is faster (117 FPS on High), but the 1440p results demonstrate the system's capability to push higher detail without sacrificing smoothness.

Q: Can this system run Control at 4K?

A: Yes, but with limitations. At 3840x2160, the High preset averages 60 FPS, and Medium averages 67 FPS. However, the Ultra preset drops to 52 FPS, which is below the ideal threshold for fast-paced action. Low settings at 4K hit 94 FPS, but that requires a significant visual compromise.

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

A: The Core Ultra 5 225 has an average benchmark score of 36938, placing it at the 85th percentile of all CPUs. It is effectively tied with the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F (deltaPct 0), and slightly ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D and AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450, which are -0.2% and -0.4% slower respectively.

Q: What is the CPU's core and clock configuration?

A: The processor features 10 cores and 10 threads, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. It has 20 MB of shared L3 cache and a 65 W TDP, making it a mainstream desktop part.

Q: What is the GPU's memory configuration?

A: The RTX 3080 is equipped with 10 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 320-bit bus, providing 760.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The GPU's boost clock is 1710 MHz with a base clock of 1440 MHz.

Q: How high does this combo rank among all tested configurations?

A: In Control, this specific CPU and GPU combination ranks 771st out of 2888 tested combos, placing it in the top quarter of all systems tested for this game.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 plays a foundational role in this system's performance. With 10 cores and 10 threads, it provides sufficient parallel processing for modern game engines, though the thread count is more modest than some higher-end parts. The boost clock of 4.90 GHz is crucial for single-threaded tasks, which often dominate game logic and physics calculations. The 20 MB of shared L3 cache helps keep frequently accessed data close to the cores, reducing latency.

In the context of Control, the CPU's performance is more than adequate. The data shows that at 1080p with Low settings, the system hits 185 FPS, a figure that is far more dependent on CPU headroom than GPU limitations. Even at 1440p, the Low preset achieves 140 FPS, indicating the processor is not a bottleneck at these settings. The CPU's 85th percentile ranking versus all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 36938, confirms it is a strong performer. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, shows a deltaPct of 0, meaning they perform essentially identically in aggregate benchmarks.

The relationship between CPU and game performance becomes more apparent at lower resolutions and higher frame rates. At 1080p, the difference between Low (185 FPS) and High (117 FPS) is 68 FPS, a larger gap than at 4K, where Low (94 FPS) and High (60 FPS) differ by 34 FPS. This suggests that as resolution drops, the CPU must work harder to feed frames to the GPU. The Core Ultra 5 225 handles this task effectively, with the Cinebench R23 multicore score of 25891 and single-core score of 3655 indicating robust processing power.

The processor's architecture, built on a 3 nm process with 17,800 million transistors, contributes to its efficiency and capability. The Passmark multithread score of 30459 and single-thread score of 4412 further quantify its performance. While not the absolute fastest CPU available, it provides a stable platform for the RTX 3080, allowing the GPU to operate at its full potential in most scenarios. The data shows that in Control, the CPU is rarely the limiting factor, especially at higher resolutions where the GPU takes on more of the rendering burden.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 is the primary driver of visual performance in this pairing. Its 10 GB of GDDR6X memory with 760.3 GB/s bandwidth is a key asset, providing ample bandwidth for high-resolution textures and effects. The GPU's 8704 shading units and 68 RT cores enable the rendering of complex scenes, including those with ray tracing, which Control supports. The boost clock of 1710 MHz ensures the card operates at high speeds under load.

The GPU's performance in Control is clearly demonstrated by the measured FPS across resolutions. At 1080p, the card is capable of 185 FPS on Low settings, showing it can handle high-refresh gaming. The 1440p results are particularly strong, with 140 FPS on Low and 88 FPS on High, indicating the card is well-suited for 1440p gaming. At 4K, the card begins to show its limits, with High settings averaging 60 FPS and Ultra dropping to 52 FPS.

The GPU's 68th percentile ranking versus all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 23172, places it in the mid-to-upper tier. Its nearest rivals, including the NVIDIA P106-100 and AMD Radeon Pro Vega 16, have deltaPct values of -0.3%, indicating the RTX 3080 is slightly ahead of these older or lower-tier cards. The Passmark G3D score of 25086 reflects its DirectX 12 and general 3D rendering capability.

The memory configuration is a significant factor in the GPU's performance. The 10 GB capacity is sufficient for most games at 1440p and even 4K, though some titles with heavy texture packs may approach this limit. The 320-bit bus width and high memory clock of 19 Gbps effective contribute to the 760.3 GB/s bandwidth, which helps maintain high frame rates in memory-intensive scenes. The GPU's FP32 performance of 29.77 TFLOPS provides substantial compute power for both traditional rendering and compute-based effects.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data provides clear guidance for optimizing the experience in Control. For the best balance of visual quality and performance, the Medium preset is the recommended starting point. At 1920x1080, Medium delivers 131 FPS average with a minimum of 111 FPS, ensuring smooth gameplay. At 2560x1440, Medium achieves 99 FPS average with a minimum of 84 FPS, which is still very playable and offers a significant visual upgrade over Low.

For players with high-refresh 1080p monitors, the High preset is an excellent choice. It delivers 117 FPS average at 1080p, which is above the 100 FPS threshold for most high-refresh displays. At 1440p, High achieves 88 FPS average, which is good for 60-90 Hz monitors. The Ultra preset is only recommended for players who prioritize maximum visual fidelity over frame rate, as it drops to 101 FPS at 1080p and 77 FPS at 1440p.

At 4K, the choices become more constrained. The Medium preset is the most balanced option, providing 67 FPS average with a minimum of 57 FPS. The High preset averages exactly 60 FPS, which is playable but may have occasional dips. The Ultra preset at 52 FPS is not recommended for action sequences, as the lower frame rate can impact responsiveness. The Low preset at 4K achieves 94 FPS, making it a viable option for players who prioritize frame rate over visual detail at this resolution.

The data indicates that the Medium preset offers the most consistent experience across all resolutions. At 1080p, it provides a 14 FPS improvement over High, while at 1440p, it offers an 11 FPS improvement over High. At 4K, the improvement is 7 FPS over High. The minimum FPS figures for Medium are also solid, with 111 FPS at 1080p, 84 FPS at 1440p, and 57 FPS at 4K, ensuring that even the most demanding scenes remain fluid.

How This Combo Ranks

This configuration of the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 ranks 771st out of 2888 tested combos in Control. This places it in the top 26.7% of all systems tested for this game, a strong showing that reflects the balance between the CPU and GPU. The rank is influenced by both components, and the data suggests that the GPU is the more significant factor in determining overall performance.

The CPU's 85th percentile ranking and the GPU's 68th percentile ranking combine to produce a system that is well above average. The combo rank of 771 indicates that many other configurations, likely featuring more powerful GPUs or CPUs, can outperform this pairing. However, the rank also shows that this system outpaces a significant majority of tested setups.

In practical terms, this ranking means the system is capable of delivering a high-quality Control experience, but it is not at the very top of the performance hierarchy. Players with the very latest flagship GPUs or top-tier CPUs will achieve higher frame rates, particularly at 4K Ultra settings. For the vast majority of users, however, this combo provides more than enough performance to enjoy Control at high settings with smooth frame rates.

The rank is consistent with the measured FPS data. The system excels at 1080p and 1440p, where it can achieve frame rates well above 60 FPS on most presets. At 4K, it is limited to Medium or High settings for a playable experience, which is typical for a GPU of this class. The 771st rank reflects this capability, positioning the combo as a strong mid-to-high-end option for this game.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the system delivers its highest frame rates. The Low preset averages 185 FPS, providing an exceptionally smooth experience. The Medium preset averages 131 FPS, with a minimum of 111 FPS and a maximum of 151 FPS. The High preset averages 117 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 101 FPS. These results show that the system can easily handle 1080p gaming at high refresh rates.

At 2560x1440, performance remains strong. The Low preset averages 140 FPS, which is excellent for competitive play. The Medium preset averages 99 FPS, with a minimum of 84 FPS and a maximum of 114 FPS. The High preset averages 88 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 77 FPS. These figures indicate that 1440p is a sweet spot for this combo, offering high frame rates with good visual fidelity.

At 3840x2160, the system's limits become apparent. The Low preset averages 94 FPS, which is surprisingly high for 4K and indicates the game scales well at lower settings. The Medium preset averages 67 FPS, with a minimum of 57 FPS and a maximum of 77 FPS. The High preset averages exactly 60 FPS, providing a cinematic but not high-refresh experience. The Ultra preset averages 52 FPS, which is below the ideal threshold for smooth gameplay.

The frame rate scaling across resolutions follows a consistent pattern. At each settings level, dropping from 1080p to 1440p reduces the average FPS by roughly 25-30%, while dropping from 1440p to 4K reduces it by another 30-35%. This scaling is typical for a GPU with 10 GB of VRAM and demonstrates the RTX 3080's capability at various resolutions. The minimum FPS figures for Medium settings show that the system maintains stable performance even in demanding scenes, with the largest drop being at 4K where the minimum is 57 FPS.