Control

Control is a 2019 Action Adventure title that stresses both the CPU and GPU heavily, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti produces a fascinating data set. The measured frames per second (FPS) across resolutions reveals a system that is clearly GPU-limited at higher settings but shows the CPU’s capability at lower presets. This analysis breaks down the benchmark results, placing the combo’s performance in context with other tested configurations and examining what the numbers imply about component scaling.

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

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, which are the key figures for understanding its gaming performance. The chip has a 24 MB shared L3 cache and supports dual-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. In the context of Control, a game that features complex physics and destruction, the CPU’s single-thread performance is often the initial bottleneck, but the data suggests this processor has ample headroom.

The benchmark results for the CPU show a strong all-around performer. In Cinebench R23, it scores 32,924 in multi-core and 4,648 in single-core. These scores place it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs, indicating it is a high-end part. Its nearest rivals in average benchmark score include the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 and the Intel Core i5-14600K, with the Ultra 5 245 being only 0.5% and 0.8% behind them, respectively. This proximity in scores suggests that in a game like Control, which may not scale perfectly with many cores, the Ultra 5 245’s performance will be very close to these competitors.

The game’s measured FPS at 1080p with Low settings is 232 FPS. This high frame rate at a low resolution is a classic indicator that the CPU is doing the heavy lifting, as the GPU is not yet saturated. The fact that the frame rate drops to 176 FPS at 1440p Low and 119 FPS at 4K Low shows a clear progression of load shifting to the GPU. The CPU data shows that while it has 14 threads, the game’s engine likely relies on a few high-frequency cores, which the 5.10 GHz boost clock can provide. The 14 threads are more than sufficient for Control’s demands, as evidenced by the high frame rates at lower resolutions where the CPU is the primary limiter. The processor’s Passmark single-thread score of 4,394 and multithread score of 38,706 further underscore its ability to handle both lightly-threaded and heavily-threaded workloads, but for this title, the single-thread performance is what allows the system to reach those triple-digit FPS numbers at 1080p.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti combination ranks 266th out of 2,888 tested combos in Control. This places it in the top 9.2% of all configurations, which is a strong showing for a modern pairing. The rank considers the aggregate performance across all tested resolutions and settings, and the data indicates that this combo is well-balanced for this specific game, though not at the absolute top tier. The high rank is expected given the GPU’s capabilities, but the CPU is not holding the system back significantly.

To contextualize this rank, we must look at the GPU’s nearest rivals. The RTX 5070 Ti has an average benchmark score of 49,957, which is only 0.1% behind the AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 and 0.4% ahead of the Intel Arc A550M. Interestingly, it is 2% behind the AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT but 3.1% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT. This suggests that while the RTX 5070 Ti is a powerful card, its performance in this game places it in a competitive bracket with previous-generation high-end cards. The combo’s rank of 266 reflects that it is not the single fastest pairing possible, but it is well above the median performer.

The CPU’s own ranking is also relevant. With a percentile of 90 versus all CPUs, the Ultra 5 245 is a top-tier processor. However, the combo rank is not solely determined by the CPU’s absolute power; it is about the synergy. The data shows that the system can deliver very high frame rates, but the rank suggests that many other combos, perhaps with even more powerful CPUs or GPUs, can achieve slightly better results in Control. The 0.4% delta between the RTX 5070 Ti and the Intel Arc A550M, for instance, indicates that the GPU is not overwhelmingly dominant over its mid-range rivals in synthetic benchmarks, which could influence the overall combo rank in a game that is sensitive to both components.

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

The measured FPS data across resolutions provides a clear picture of how the system scales with increasing pixel count. At High settings, the average FPS drops from 146 at 1080p to 111 at 1440p, a 24% decrease, and then to 75 at 4K, a 32% decrease from the 1440p figure. This scaling pattern is typical of a system that is becoming more GPU-bound as resolution increases. The CPU is able to maintain a high enough frame rate at 1080p, but as the GPU is tasked with rendering more pixels, its performance becomes the limiting factor.

The Low settings data is even more revealing. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 232 FPS, which drops to 176 FPS at 1440p and 119 FPS at 4K. The percentage drop from 1080p to 1440p is 24%, and from 1440p to 4K is 32%. The fact that the frame rate is still very high at 4K Low (119 FPS) suggests that the GPU is not completely overwhelmed, but the scaling shows that it is still the primary bottleneck. If the CPU were the limiter, we would expect a smaller drop from 1080p to 1440p, as the CPU workload remains relatively constant, and the frame rates would be similar. Instead, the consistent drops indicate that the RTX 5070 Ti is the component that is being pushed harder as resolution increases.

Looking at the Medium settings, which include min and max FPS data, we see a similar trend. At 1080p, the average is 165 FPS (min 140, max 190). At 1440p, the average is 125 FPS (min 106, max 143), and at 4K, it is 84 FPS (min 72, max 97). The reductions are again consistent with a GPU-bound scenario. The gap between min and max FPS narrows as resolution increases, which is another indicator that the GPU is becoming the bottleneck; at lower resolutions, CPU hiccups can cause larger variance, but at higher resolutions, the GPU’s consistent frame time dominates. The data strongly suggests that for this combo, the RTX 5070 Ti is the limiting component in Control across all settings, with the Ultra 5 245 providing ample headroom.

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

1920x1080 (1080p): At this resolution, the system shows its highest frame rates. With Low settings, the average FPS is 232, which is a very high number that indicates the CPU is keeping up easily. Moving to Medium, the average drops to 165 FPS, with a minimum of 140 and a maximum of 190. High settings produce an average of 146 FPS, and Ultra settings yield 127 FPS. The scaling from Low to Ultra at 1080p is a 45% reduction in frame rate (from 232 to 127), which is a substantial impact from the graphics settings.

2560x1440 (1440p): The performance at 1440p is still very strong. Low settings average 176 FPS. Medium settings average 125 FPS, with a minimum of 106 and a maximum of 143. High settings drop to an average of 111 FPS, and Ultra settings average 96 FPS. The drop from 1080p to 1440p at each setting is significant, but the system remains highly playable, even at Ultra where it stays above 90 FPS.

3840x2160 (4K): At 4K, the GPU is heavily taxed. Low settings average 119 FPS, which is still excellent for 4K. Medium settings average 84 FPS, with a minimum of 72 and a maximum of 97. High settings average 75 FPS, and Ultra settings average 65 FPS. The data shows that even at 4K Ultra, the system maintains an average FPS above 60, making it a viable configuration for high-refresh-rate 4K gaming, though the minimum FPS at Medium (72) suggests some dips may be noticeable.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti is a Blackwell 2.0 architecture GPU with 16 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 896.0 GB/s. The GPU has a base clock of 2295 MHz and a boost clock of 2452 MHz. With 8,960 shading units and 70 RT cores, it is a high-end part, placing in the 86th percentile of all GPUs. Its performance in synthetic benchmarks, such as a Passmark G3D score of 32,974, is robust. The 16 GB VRAM is a key asset for Control, as the game’s textures and effects can be memory-intensive at higher resolutions.

The GPU’s nearest rivals in average benchmark score include the AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT and the RX 6800 XT. The RTX 5070 Ti is 2% behind the RX 6900 XT but 3.1% ahead of the RX 6800 XT. This puts it in a performance bracket that is competitive with the previous generation’s top-tier cards. In Control, the GPU’s role is clearly the primary driver of frame rates at 1440p and 4K, as we observed with the resolution scaling. The data shows that the GPU is capable of pushing high frame rates at 4K, but the settings have a major impact.

The memory bandwidth of 896.0 GB/s is particularly important at 4K, where the GPU must access a large amount of texture data. The measured FPS at 4K Ultra is 65, which suggests that the GPU is fully utilized. The boost clock of 2452 MHz helps maintain performance, but the core count and memory bandwidth are the primary factors. The fact that the system can achieve 119 FPS at 4K Low indicates that the GPU is not a weak link; rather, it is the settings that determine the final performance. The GPU’s high pixel rate of 235.4 GPixel/s and texture rate of 686.6 GTexel/s support its capability to handle the game’s visual effects, but the data shows that the Ultra preset is a significant load.

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

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate. At 1080p, all settings are playable, but the Ultra preset at 127 FPS is still well above the 60 FPS standard, offering a great balance of visual quality and performance. For players with high refresh rate monitors (144Hz or higher), the High preset at 146 FPS or even Medium at 165 FPS are excellent choices, as they provide a smoother experience than Ultra without a massive visual difference.

At 1440p, the Medium preset offers an average of 125 FPS, which is ideal for a 120Hz or 144Hz display. The High preset at 111 FPS is also a strong option for those who prioritize visual fidelity. The Ultra preset at 96 FPS is still very smooth and would be the best choice for players who want the highest visual quality and have a 100Hz or lower refresh rate monitor. The data suggests that the Low preset, while offering high frame rates, sacrifices too much visual quality for the performance gain.

At 4K, the Medium preset is the sweet spot, with an average of 84 FPS. This is comfortably above the 60 FPS target and provides a good balance between visual fidelity and performance. The High preset at 75 FPS is also acceptable, but the minimum FPS at Medium (72) is higher than the average at High, suggesting that Medium offers a more consistent experience. The Ultra preset at 65 FPS is playable, but the lower average and the trend observed in the data suggest that it might be too demanding for a consistently smooth experience. The Low preset at 119 FPS is an option for those who want maximum frame rates, but the visual compromise is significant. For a balanced experience, Medium is the recommended preset across all resolutions, as it delivers high frame rates while maintaining a decent level of visual quality.

FAQ

Q: What is the combo’s overall rank in Control?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti combination ranks 266th out of 2,888 tested combos in the game, placing it in the top 9.2% of all configurations.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The Ultra 5 245 is 0.5% behind the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 and 0.8% behind the Intel Core i5-14600K in average benchmark score, but it is 0.6% ahead of the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H.

Q: What is the biggest performance difference between the lowest and highest settings at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, the average FPS drops from 232 on Low settings to 127 on Ultra settings, which is a 45% reduction in frame rate due to the increased graphics load.

Q: Is the system more CPU or GPU limited in Control?

A: The data indicates the system is GPU-limited at higher resolutions. For example, at 4K Low, the frame rate is 119 FPS, but at 4K Ultra, it drops to 65 FPS, showing that the GPU is the primary bottleneck as settings increase.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded at 4K Medium settings?

A: The minimum FPS recorded at 4K Medium settings is 72, with an average of 84 FPS and a maximum of 97 FPS.

Q: How does the RTX 5070 Ti compare to the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT in average GPU benchmark score?

A: The RTX 5070 Ti has an average benchmark score that is 3.1% higher than the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, indicating a performance advantage in synthetic tests.