Control

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 combination produces a top-tier performance profile in Control, securing the 64th rank out of 2,888 tested combos. This places the pairing comfortably within the top 2.2% of all systems tested, indicating that the hardware is exceptionally well-suited for this title. The high ranking is a direct result of the RTX 5090’s immense graphical throughput and the Core Ultra 7 265’s robust processing power, ensuring that neither component presents a significant bottleneck at standard gaming resolutions. The data suggests that users with this configuration will experience a level of performance that surpasses the overwhelming majority of other possible hardware pairings.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo’s rank of 64 out of 2,888 tested systems is a clear signal of its elite status within the Control benchmark database. This percentile placement means that only 63 other hardware combinations were able to achieve higher average frame rates in this title. The ranking is particularly impressive given the age of the game, as it suggests that this modern hardware configuration is capable of running Control at maximum settings and high resolutions with ease. The gap between this combo and the rest of the field is substantial, placing it in the same performance tier as other top-tier, high-end builds. This ranking is not just about raw FPS; it reflects the balance between the CPU and GPU, where the Core Ultra 7 265 provides enough throughput to keep the RTX 5090 fed with data, allowing the graphics card to operate at its full potential. The data confirms that for users seeking the absolute pinnacle of performance in Control, this combination is among the very best available.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 is the primary driver of frame rate in Control, and its specifications make it exceptionally well-suited for this task. With a massive 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus, the card offers a staggering 1.79 TB/s of memory bandwidth. This is crucial for a game like Control, which features complex textures and physics-based environments. The high bandwidth ensures that texture data is streamed to the GPU cores without delay, preventing hitches and maintaining smooth performance even during intense action sequences. The GPU’s core configuration, with 21,760 shading units and 176 ROPs, provides immense raw compute power, allowing it to process the game’s rendering workloads with high efficiency. The boost clock of 2407 MHz further enhances performance, allowing the GPU to reach peak throughput when thermal headroom permits.

In the context of Control’s benchmark results, the RTX 5090’s capabilities are evident at 4K resolution, where the GPU is the primary limiting factor. The card’s performance scaling from Low to Ultra settings shows its headroom; at 4K Low, it delivers 142 FPS, while at 4K Ultra, it still manages a strong 78 FPS. This indicates that even at the highest settings, the GPU has enough power to maintain playable frame rates. The 32 GB VRAM capacity is also a forward-looking feature, ensuring that the card will not be constrained by memory limitations even with future texture packs or mods. The GPU’s average benchmark score of 79,842 places it in the 92nd percentile of all GPUs, confirming its position as a high-end part. While its nearest rivals in this database include the NVIDIA Tesla P100 variants, the RTX 5090’s gaming-specific architecture provides a performance profile that is better suited for DirectX-based titles like Control.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a classic pattern of GPU-bound scaling as resolution increases. At 1080p, the combo delivers exceptionally high frame rates, with a maximum of 279 FPS on Low settings. This indicates that at this resolution, the CPU is more likely to be the limiting factor, as the GPU is capable of rendering frames faster than the processor can issue draw calls. The performance gap between settings at 1080p is significant, with a drop from 279 FPS on Low to 153 FPS on Ultra, a 45% reduction. This shows that even at lower resolutions, the graphical settings have a substantial impact on performance, but the overall frame rates are so high that they exceed the refresh rate of most monitors.

Moving to 1440p, the frame rates remain high but begin to show the GPU’s increasing workload. The average FPS on High settings drops from 176 at 1080p to 133 at 1440p, a 24% decrease. At 4K, the trend continues, with the High preset yielding 90 FPS, a further 32% drop from 1440p. This scaling pattern indicates that the RTX 5090 is the dominant component at higher resolutions. The transition from 1080p to 4K shows a clear halving of performance on High settings, from 176 to 90 FPS. This suggests that while the CPU is sufficient for 1080p gaming, the GPU’s rendering capabilities become the sole bottleneck as pixel count increases. The data also shows that the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings widens with resolution. At 1080p, the difference is 126 FPS, while at 4K, it narrows to 64 FPS, indicating that the GPU is becoming saturated at higher resolutions and settings, making each additional setting level more taxing.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play Control with this hardware for a balance of quality and speed?

A: The data shows that 1440p on High settings provides an excellent experience, averaging 133 FPS. This is a significant step up from the 90 FPS at 4K High, while still offering a crisp image. For users with high-refresh-rate 1440p monitors, this is the sweet spot.

Q: How much of a performance difference is there between the Low and Ultra presets at 4K?

A: At 3840x2160, the Low preset averages 142 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 78 FPS. This represents a 45% reduction in frame rate when moving from the lowest to the highest quality settings, showing the substantial rendering cost of Ultra settings.

Q: Is the RTX 5090's 32 GB of VRAM necessary for Control?

A: The benchmark data does not indicate VRAM usage, but the 32 GB capacity ensures that the game will never run out of memory at any resolution or settings, preventing texture pop-in or stuttering. It provides headroom for any high-resolution texture mods, though the native game does not require it.

Q: Can this system achieve over 200 FPS in Control?

A: Yes, but only at 1080p with the Low preset, where it averages 279 FPS. At 1440p Low, it drops to 211 FPS. At higher settings or resolutions, the frame rate falls below the 200 FPS threshold.

Q: How does the CPU's benchmark score compare to its rivals?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 has an average benchmark score of 64,640, which is 0.3% lower than the AMD EPYC 4464P and 0.3% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F. It performs very similarly to these parts, with negligible differences in overall processing power.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded for the Medium preset?

A: The data only includes minimum FPS values for the Medium preset across all resolutions. At 4K, the minimum is 86 FPS; at 1440p, it is 127 FPS; and at 1080p, it is 168 FPS. These figures show that frame times remain consistent, with no major dips.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the user’s display and performance priorities. For a 4K display, the High preset provides an average of 90 FPS, which is a solid target for a smooth, immersive experience. While the Ultra preset is more visually demanding, the drop to 78 FPS may be noticeable to users with high-refresh-rate panels. The Medium preset at 4K, with an average of 101 FPS and a minimum of 86 FPS, offers a good compromise if a user prefers to maintain a frame rate above 90 FPS consistently. For 1440p displays, the High preset is the clear recommendation, delivering 133 FPS. This is a high-enough frame rate to take advantage of 144Hz monitors, and the visual quality is excellent. The Ultra preset at 1440p still yields a very playable 116 FPS, but the marginal visual gains over High may not justify the performance cost for competitive play.

At 1080p, the choice is less critical, as even the Ultra preset averages 153 FPS, which exceeds the refresh rate of most standard monitors. For users with 240Hz or higher refresh-rate displays, the Low preset at 279 FPS provides the maximum possible responsiveness, though the visual quality is significantly reduced. The Medium preset at 198 FPS offers a good balance for high-refresh-rate gaming. The data indicates that the Medium preset provides the most consistent frame times, with the only recorded minimum FPS values. For a stable experience across all resolutions, the Medium preset is a reliable choice. However, for the best visual experience without sacrificing playability, the High preset is the recommended starting point, as it offers a significant visual upgrade over Medium with a manageable FPS cost.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 plays a supporting but critical role in this configuration. With 20 cores and 20 threads, it provides ample processing power to handle game logic, physics calculations, and AI routines in Control. The CPU’s boost clock of 5.30 GHz ensures that single-threaded performance is strong, which is important for games that rely heavily on a few cores. However, in Control, the benchmark data shows that the GPU is the primary bottleneck at most settings and resolutions. The CPU’s performance is sufficient to keep the RTX 5090 well-fed, as evidenced by the high frame rates at 1080p. The processor’s average benchmark score of 64,640 places it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, confirming its high-end status. Its performance is nearly identical to its nearest rivals, with a delta of only 0.3% compared to the AMD EPYC 4464P and the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F.

The CPU’s 30 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR5 memory support provide the necessary bandwidth for feeding data to the GPU. In this specific title, the CPU is not a limiting factor until frame rates exceed 200 FPS at 1080p. The data shows that at 1080p Low, the combo achieves 279 FPS, which is a scenario where the CPU’s processing limits may start to be approached. However, the overall performance is so high that this is not a practical concern for most users. The Core Ultra 7 265’s 65W TDP is notably efficient for a 20-core processor, allowing for sustained performance without excessive power draw. The benchmark results suggest that for Control, a less powerful CPU could achieve similar frame rates at 4K, but the Ultra 7 265 ensures that there is no CPU-induced bottleneck at any resolution, making it a future-proof choice.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following data is derived directly from the measured FPS rows, providing a detailed look at performance across resolutions and settings.

1920x1080:

• Low: The average frame rate is 279 FPS. This is the highest recorded performance for this combo, indicating a CPU-limited scenario.
• Medium: The average frame rate is 198 FPS, with a minimum of 168 FPS and a maximum of 228 FPS. This shows a 29% drop from Low, but the frame times remain consistent.
• High: The average frame rate is 176 FPS. This represents a further 11% decrease from Medium, showing the cost of higher-quality textures and effects.
• Ultra: The average frame rate is 153 FPS. This is the lowest result at 1080p, but it is still a very high frame rate that exceeds the refresh rate of most standard monitors.

2560x1440:

• Low: The average frame rate is 211 FPS. This is a 24% drop from 1080p Low, as the GPU begins to take on a larger workload.
• Medium: The average frame rate is 150 FPS, with a minimum of 127 FPS and a maximum of 172 FPS. The scaling from 1080p is consistent, showing a 24% performance reduction.
• High: The average frame rate is 133 FPS. This is a 24% drop from 1080p High, confirming that the GPU is now the primary bottleneck.
• Ultra: The average frame rate is 116 FPS. This is a 24% drop from 1080p Ultra, maintaining the same scaling pattern as other settings.

3840x2160:

• Low: The average frame rate is 142 FPS. This is a 33% drop from 1440p Low, showing the significant rendering cost of 4K resolution.
• Medium: The average frame rate is 101 FPS, with a minimum of 86 FPS and a maximum of 116 FPS. The frame times show a larger variance at this resolution, but the average remains above 100 FPS.
• High: The average frame rate is 90 FPS. This is a 32% drop from 1440p High, indicating that the GPU is being heavily utilized.
• Ultra: The average frame rate is 78 FPS. This is the lowest recorded average for the combo, but it is still a playable frame rate for a demanding title like Control.

The data shows a clear pattern: performance scales inversely with resolution and settings, with the GPU becoming the sole limiting factor at 4K. The differences between presets are more pronounced at lower resolutions, where the CPU can still keep up. At 4K, the GPU’s workload dominates, and the choice of settings has a more predictable impact on frame rate.