Control

Control is a demanding action-adventure title that stresses both the GPU and CPU, and the combination of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX with the AMD Radeon 8060S produces a highly variable experience depending on the resolution and preset. The data shows a system that is capable of delivering high frame rates at 1080p but struggles to maintain smooth gameplay at 4K, with the performance scaling directly tied to the graphical settings. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS to show exactly where this combo excels and where it falls short, providing a clear picture of its capabilities in this specific game.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is steep and clearly illustrates the GPU's workload limits. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 130 FPS, but this falls to 98 FPS at 1440p and further down to 66 FPS at 4K. This represents a 49% reduction in frame rate from 1080p to 4K at the Low preset, which is a significant hit that points to the resolution being a primary factor in performance. The trend is consistent across all settings, with the frame rate dropping by roughly half when moving from the lowest resolution to the highest.

The scaling pattern suggests that at 1080p, the system is not entirely bound by the GPU, as the frame rates are high enough to indicate headroom. However, as the resolution increases to 1440p and especially 4K, the GPU becomes the clear limiting component. The 4K results are particularly telling; even at Low settings, the average FPS of 66 is barely above the threshold for smooth gameplay, and at High settings, it drops to 42 FPS. This sharp degradation indicates that the AMD Radeon 8060S, while capable at lower resolutions, does not have the raw throughput to handle the pixel count of 4K in Control without significant compromises to visual fidelity.

The delta between resolutions is not uniform across settings. At Low, the jump from 1080p to 1440p costs 32 FPS (130 to 98), while the jump from 1440p to 4K costs another 32 FPS (98 to 66). This linear drop suggests a consistent scaling factor. In contrast, at Ultra settings, the drop from 1080p to 1440p is 17 FPS (71 to 54), and from 1440p to 4K is 18 FPS (54 to 36). The relative performance loss is similar, but the absolute numbers are lower, showing that the higher settings already put a heavy load on the GPU, making the resolution increase even more punishing. The data indicates that 1440p is the realistic ceiling for this combo if aiming for high refresh rates, while 4K is only viable on the Low preset, and even then, it is not a locked experience.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon 8060S is the central figure in this game's performance story, as its capabilities directly dictate the frame rates at higher resolutions. The GPU, based on the RDNA 3.5 architecture and built on a 4 nm process, features 2560 shading units and a boost clock of 2900 MHz. Its performance in the measured FPS data is strong at 1080p, where it can push out an average of 130 FPS on Low settings, but it is clearly taxed by the demands of 4K. The GPU's memory configuration is "System Shared," which means its bandwidth is "System Dependent," and this could be a contributing factor to the performance drop at higher resolutions where memory bandwidth becomes more critical.

The GPU's benchmark scores show it sits in the 87th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 55757. Its closest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB, which is 0.1% faster, and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080, which is 0.6% faster. This places the 8060S in a competitive position, but the game's specific demands can shift the balance. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2162 and the Geekbench OpenCL score of 84626 provide a general baseline, but the Control results show a more nuanced picture where the GPU's performance is heavily influenced by the selected preset.

Looking at the measured data, the GPU's role becomes clear when comparing Low and High settings at the same resolution. At 4K, moving from Low to High settings causes the average FPS to drop from 66 to 42, a 36% reduction. At 1080p, the same settings change results in a drop from 130 to 82 FPS, a 37% reduction. This consistency shows that the graphics settings are scaling the GPU workload in a predictable way. The GPU is the primary bottleneck at 4K, as even the Low preset cannot reach 70 FPS, indicating that the pixel fill rate and shading power are insufficient for this game at that resolution. The system's performance is respectable, but the data suggests that for a locked 60 FPS experience, the user will need to stay at 1440p or lower, or be willing to accept the Low preset at 4K.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX provides a strong foundation for this system, ensuring that the GPU is not held back at lower resolutions. This processor, part of the Core Ultra Series 2, features 20 cores and 20 threads with a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. Its benchmark scores are impressive, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 40642 and a single-core score of 5737. In terms of average benchmark score, it sits at 63173, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, with rivals like the Intel Core i7-13790F being just 0.1% faster and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G being 0.2% slower.

The CPU's role in Control is most evident at 1080p, where the frame rates are high enough to potentially expose a CPU bottleneck. However, the data shows that the combo achieves 130 FPS on Low settings at 1080p, which is a strong result that suggests the CPU is keeping up with the GPU's output. The fact that the frame rates scale consistently with resolution indicates that the CPU is not the primary limiting factor at any point in the tested scenarios. Even at 4K Ultra, where the average FPS drops to 36, the CPU is likely waiting on the GPU to finish its work, as the resolution increase primarily impacts the GPU's fill rate.

The processor's single-threaded performance is particularly relevant for games like Control, which often rely on a few cores for game logic and physics. The Cinebench R15 single-core score of 578 and the Passmark single-thread score of 4500 suggest that the 265HX has the per-core strength needed to handle these tasks without becoming a bottleneck. The data indicates that the CPU is more than adequate for this game, and the performance differences between resolutions are almost entirely attributable to the GPU. The processor's high multi-core score of 40642 in Cinebench R23 also ensures that background tasks or future games with higher thread counts will not strain this system, but for Control, the CPU is a silent partner that enables the GPU to do its job.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS rows provide a clear guide for the optimal settings on this combo. For a target of 60 FPS or higher, the data shows that 1440p with High settings is the best choice, delivering an average of 62 FPS. This is the sweet spot, as it offers a good balance between visual quality and performance. At 1080p, all settings achieve an average of over 70 FPS, with Low at 130 FPS, Medium at 92 FPS, High at 82 FPS, and Ultra at 71 FPS. For users with a high refresh rate monitor at 1080p, the Medium preset at 92 FPS or the High preset at 82 FPS are the most sensible options, as they provide high frame rates without sacrificing too much graphical fidelity.

At 1440p, the choices are more constrained. The Low preset delivers 98 FPS, but this is not recommended as it significantly reduces visual quality. The Medium preset at 70 FPS is a viable option for those who want higher frame rates, but the High preset at 62 FPS offers the best visual experience while still maintaining a playable frame rate. The Ultra preset at 54 FPS is borderline, and while it is playable, it may not be smooth enough for all users, especially in fast-paced action scenes.

For 4K, the data suggests that the experience is compromised regardless of settings. The Low preset is the only one that reaches an average above 60 FPS at 66 FPS, but this requires a major drop in visual quality. The Medium preset at 47 FPS and the High preset at 42 FPS are not recommended for a smooth experience, as they fall below the 60 FPS threshold. The Ultra preset at 36 FPS is only suitable for users who prioritize visual fidelity over frame rate. In summary, the recommended path is to play at 1440p High for the best balance, or 1080p Medium/High for higher refresh rates. For 4K, the Low preset is the only playable option, but it is not an ideal experience.

How This Combo Ranks

The combined performance of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and the AMD Radeon 8060S in Control is positioned in the lower half of all tested configurations. With a combo rank of 1632 out of 2888 combinations, this system is in the 56th percentile of all tested combos. This ranking indicates that while the system is competent, there are many other hardware pairings that deliver better performance in this specific game. The rank is a holistic measure that takes into account the performance across all resolutions and settings, and it shows that this combo is not a top-tier performer for Control.

The ranking is a reflection of the GPU's limitations at higher resolutions, as the CPU is clearly a high-performing part. When compared to other combos, the 8060S's performance is a significant factor in this rank. The GPU's percentile rank of 87% is high, but the game's demanding nature and the system's shared memory architecture may be holding it back in this specific title. The combo's overall rank of 1632 suggests that users with this hardware should not expect to run Control at maximum settings and high resolutions. Instead, they should focus on the settings recommendations provided, which will allow them to get the most out of the system.

The ranking also implies that for a better experience in Control, users would need to consider a different GPU, as the CPU is unlikely to be the bottleneck. The data shows that the system is capable at 1080p, but the performance drops off sharply at 4K, which is a common issue for many mid-range mobile GPUs. The rank is a useful tool for potential buyers, as it provides a clear indication of where this combo stands relative to others, and it reinforces the idea that this is a solid mid-range option for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but not a 4K powerhouse.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following is a detailed breakdown of the measured frame rates for this combo in Control, organized by resolution and settings.

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: 130 FPS average.
• Medium: 92 FPS average, with a minimum of 78 FPS and a maximum of 106 FPS.
• High: 82 FPS average.
• Ultra: 71 FPS average.

At 1080p, the system demonstrates strong performance, with all presets delivering an average above 70 FPS. The Low preset is the fastest, providing a very high frame rate suitable for competitive play or high refresh rate displays. The Medium and High presets offer a great balance of visual quality and speed, with the Medium preset's minimum of 78 FPS ensuring a mostly smooth experience. The Ultra preset, while still playable, shows a noticeable drop in performance.

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: 98 FPS average.
• Medium: 70 FPS average, with a minimum of 59 FPS and a maximum of 80 FPS.
• High: 62 FPS average.
• Ultra: 54 FPS average.

At 1440p, the performance scales down as expected. The Low preset remains fast at 98 FPS, but the Medium preset at 70 FPS and the High preset at 62 FPS are more indicative of a balanced experience. The High preset is right at the edge of the 60 FPS target, making it the recommended choice for visual fidelity. The Ultra preset at 54 FPS is below the ideal threshold, but it is still a playable option for those who prefer higher settings.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: 66 FPS average.
• Medium: 47 FPS average, with a minimum of 40 FPS and a maximum of 54 FPS.
• High: 42 FPS average.
• Ultra: 36 FPS average.

At 4K, the system is clearly overburdened. The Low preset is the only one that achieves an average above 60 FPS, and even then, it is not a locked experience. The Medium preset's minimum of 40 FPS indicates significant frame drops, which would be noticeable during gameplay. The High and Ultra presets are not recommended, as their average frame rates are too low for a smooth experience. The data clearly shows that 4K is not a viable resolution for this combo in Control, except at the lowest settings.