Control

Control is a 2019 Action Adventure title that stresses both the CPU and GPU heavily, particularly with its physics-driven environments and real-time ray tracing options. This analysis examines the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, using measured frame rate data to understand where the bottleneck lies and how the combination scales across resolutions and settings.

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

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process by TSMC. It operates with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, drawing a 65 W TDP. For a game like Control, which relies on complex physics simulations for destructible environments and telekinetic object manipulation, the CPU’s single-thread performance is often the deciding factor for frame pacing. The processor’s passmark single-thread score of 4516 places it in the 89th percentile among all CPUs, indicating strong per-core capability that should handle the game’s AI and physics logic without becoming a primary constraint at lower resolutions.

The Core Ultra 5 235’s cache hierarchy includes 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. This configuration is relevant because Control’s engine frequently accesses small, frequently used data sets for object states and collision detection. The 24 MB shared L3 cache helps reduce memory latency, which is critical when the game spawns numerous interactive objects. The processor supports dual-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, which is sufficient to feed the CPU’s cores without creating a memory-bound scenario in most gameplay segments.

Benchmark results for the CPU show a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 14769 and a single-core score of 2085. These numbers indicate a processor that is well-balanced for gaming, where single-core performance typically dictates minimum frame rates, while multi-core performance helps maintain consistency when background tasks or game engine threads are active. In Control, the data suggests the CPU is rarely the limiting factor, as the measured FPS scales predictably with resolution and settings, which is characteristic of a GPU-bound workload once the resolution increases. The processor’s nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 and Intel Core i9-13900HX, with average scores within 0.1% of the Core Ultra 5 235, confirming its competitive standing in this segment.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti ranks 700 out of 2888 tested combos in Control. This places the pairing in roughly the top 24% of all configurations evaluated, which is a strong result given the GPU is a previous-generation model. The rank reflects the entire system’s ability to run the game, and the data shows that this combo delivers playable frame rates across most scenarios, but it is not at the absolute top tier. The top-ranked combos likely feature newer GPUs with higher raw throughput, but this pairing still outperforms the majority of systems, making it a capable choice for high-refresh-rate 1440p gaming or smooth 4K at medium-to-high settings.

When interpreting the rank, it is important to consider that Control is known for its demanding visual effects, particularly when ray tracing is enabled, though the measured data here does not specify ray tracing settings. The combo’s position at 700 suggests that while the CPU is not a bottleneck, the RTX 3080 Ti’s performance ceiling limits the overall ranking. The GPU’s 83rd percentile ranking among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 41187, indicates it is a strong performer, but it is outperformed by the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070, which scores 40377 in the same benchmark suite. The RTX 3080 Ti’s nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon Pro 5300 and NVIDIA Tesla M40 24 GB, with deltas of 0.8% and -1.2% respectively, showing that the GPU holds its own against a mix of professional and consumer cards.

The rank of 700 out of 2888 also implies that there are 2188 combos that perform worse, which is a significant majority. This suggests that for most users, this pairing will deliver a satisfying experience in Control, especially when considering that the game was released in 2019 and modern hardware can push it well beyond console-level performance. The data does not include specific frame times or 1% lows, but the average FPS figures provide a clear picture of the combo’s capability.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS data reveals a clear scaling pattern across resolutions, indicating that the GPU becomes the primary limiting factor as resolution increases. At 1920x1080 with High settings, the combo achieves 121 FPS, which drops to 92 FPS at 2560x1440 and further to 62 FPS at 3840x2160. This represents a 24% drop from 1080p to 1440p, and a 33% drop from 1440p to 4K. The consistent decline suggests that the RTX 3080 Ti is being pushed to its limits at higher resolutions, while the CPU has enough headroom to maintain frame delivery.

The scaling pattern is even more pronounced at Low settings. At 1080p Low, the combo hits 192 FPS, which drops to 145 FPS at 1440p and 98 FPS at 4K. The percentage drops are 24.5% and 32.4% respectively, showing a similar relative decline. This indicates that even when the CPU is less burdened by game logic, the GPU still struggles to maintain frame rates as pixel count increases. The fact that the FPS does not double when moving from 4K to 1080p, despite the pixel count being four times higher, suggests that the CPU is also contributing to the frame time at lower resolutions, but the GPU is the dominant constraint.

At Medium settings, the 1080p average is 136 FPS, 1440p is 103 FPS, and 4K is 70 FPS. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 24.3%, and from 1440p to 4K is 32%. These numbers are remarkably consistent across settings, reinforcing that the resolution scaling is primarily a GPU-bound phenomenon. The RTX 3080 Ti’s 12 GB of GDDR6X memory with a 384-bit bus and 912.4 GB/s bandwidth is sufficient for 4K textures, but the raw compute power of 34.10 TFLOPS is what determines the frame rate. The data shows that at 4K, the combo can only achieve 62 FPS on High and 54 FPS on Ultra, which is below the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay, indicating that users should adjust settings or resolution for an optimal experience.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of performance across all three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the combo delivers 192 FPS on Low, 136 FPS on Medium, 121 FPS on High, and 105 FPS on Ultra. The Medium preset also includes a minimum FPS of 116 and a maximum of 157, showing a range that is typical for a game with variable scene complexity. These numbers indicate that at 1080p, the combo is well above the 60 FPS threshold even at Ultra settings, making it ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors. The gap between Low and Ultra is 87 FPS, which is substantial and suggests that the visual fidelity settings have a significant impact on performance at this resolution.

Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates drop as expected. The combo achieves 145 FPS on Low, 103 FPS on Medium, 92 FPS on High, and 80 FPS on Ultra. The Medium preset shows a minimum of 88 FPS and a maximum of 118 FPS. At this resolution, all settings remain above the 60 FPS threshold, with Ultra still delivering 80 FPS. This makes 1440p the sweet spot for this pairing, as it provides a balance between visual quality and frame rate. The drop from Low to Ultra is 65 FPS, indicating that the GPU is becoming more of a constraint but still has headroom to spare.

At 3840x2160, the performance becomes more marginal. The combo achieves 98 FPS on Low, 70 FPS on Medium, 62 FPS on High, and 54 FPS on Ultra. The Medium preset shows a minimum of 59 FPS and a maximum of 80 FPS. This is the first resolution where Ultra settings fall below 60 FPS, and High settings only barely exceed it. The data suggests that for 4K gaming, users should stick to Medium settings to ensure a consistent frame rate above 60 FPS, or accept lower frame rates for higher visual fidelity. The gap between Low and Ultra is 44 FPS, which is smaller than at lower resolutions, confirming that the GPU is the limiting factor.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1440p with High settings?

A: The average FPS at 2560x1440 with High settings is 92 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay.

Q: Does the combo achieve 60 FPS at 4K with Ultra settings?

A: No, at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average FPS is 54, which is below the 60 FPS threshold. Users should lower settings to Medium, which yields 70 FPS, or High, which yields 62 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU’s single-thread performance compare to its rivals?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has a passmark single-thread score of 4516. Its nearest rivals, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 and Intel Core i9-13900HX, have average benchmark scores within 0.1% of the Core Ultra 5 235, indicating similar performance.

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

A: At 1920x1080 with Medium settings, the minimum FPS is 116, with an average of 136 FPS and a maximum of 157 FPS.

Q: Is the GPU or CPU the primary bottleneck in this game?

A: The data shows that the GPU is the primary bottleneck, as frame rates drop consistently with increasing resolution. The CPU’s high single-thread score and strong benchmark results indicate it has sufficient headroom.

Q: How does the combo rank relative to all tested configurations in Control?

A: The combo ranks 700 out of 2888 tested combos, placing it in the top 24% of all systems tested.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings preset depends on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For 1080p gaming, the Ultra preset delivers an average of 105 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold and provides the best visual quality without sacrificing smoothness. For users with high-refresh-rate monitors (144Hz or higher), the High preset at 121 FPS or Medium at 136 FPS offer a better balance, with Medium providing a 12% increase over High while still maintaining high visual fidelity.

At 1440p, the Ultra preset delivers 80 FPS, which is above 60 FPS but may not be sufficient for 144Hz monitors. The High preset at 92 FPS is a better choice for most users, as it provides a 15% performance boost over Ultra while offering slightly reduced visual effects. For those who prioritize frame rate above all else, the Medium preset at 103 FPS is the best option, as it stays above 100 FPS and still looks good on most displays. The Low preset at 145 FPS is excessive for most monitors and sacrifices too much visual quality.

At 4K, the situation is more nuanced. The Ultra preset at 54 FPS is below the 60 FPS threshold and may result in noticeable stuttering. The High preset at 62 FPS barely exceeds 60 FPS but may drop below in intense scenes. The Medium preset at 70 FPS is the safest choice for a consistent experience, providing a 13% improvement over High while maintaining a stable frame rate above 60 FPS. The Low preset at 98 FPS is an option for those who want the highest frame rate at 4K, but the visual compromise is significant. For the best overall experience at 4K, the Medium preset is recommended, as it balances visual quality with performance, ensuring no major frame rate drops during gameplay.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is based on the GA102 chip, built on Samsung’s 8 nm process, with 28,300 million transistors on a 628 mm² die. It features 12 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 384-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 912.4 GB/s. The GPU has a base clock of 1365 MHz and a boost clock of 1665 MHz, with memory running at 19 Gbps effective. These specifications are crucial for Control, which uses high-resolution textures and complex lighting effects that require substantial memory bandwidth and compute power.

The RTX 3080 Ti’s 10240 shading units, 320 TMUs, and 112 ROPs deliver a pixel rate of 186.5 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 532.8 GTexel/s. Its FP32 performance of 34.10 TFLOPS is what drives the game’s rendering, particularly at higher resolutions. The GPU also includes 80 RT cores and 320 tensor cores, which are relevant for Control’s ray tracing features, though the measured data does not specify whether ray tracing was enabled. The 12 GB of VRAM is sufficient for 4K textures, as Control’s texture packs typically require less than 10 GB, avoiding potential VRAM limitations.

The GPU’s benchmark scores reflect its strong performance, with a passmark G3D score of 26896 and a Geekbench Vulkan score of 192697. Its percentile rank of 83 among all GPUs places it above the majority of graphics cards. The RTX 3080 Ti’s nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070, which has a 2% lower average score, and the AMD Radeon Pro 5300, which is 0.8% higher. This indicates that the RTX 3080 Ti is still a competitive GPU, even against newer models. The measured FPS data confirms that the GPU is the primary driver of performance in Control, as frame rates scale predictably with resolution and settings, with the GPU’s boost clock and memory bandwidth playing a key role in maintaining high frame rates at 1440p and providing playable performance at 4K on medium settings.