Control

The data for Control, captured with the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, shows a configuration that is heavily influenced by resolution and preset. The 4060 mobile GPU is the primary driver of performance, while the 20-core Ultra 7 265HX provides ample headroom. The measured results reveal a clear hierarchy: the combination is capable of high refresh rates at 1080p, solid performance at 1440p, and only becomes constrained at 4K. This analysis breaks down the specific numbers and what they indicate about the system's balance.

Resolution Scaling

The transition from 1080p to 4K demonstrates a predictable but steep performance cost, highlighting the GPU as the limiting component in this setup. At 1080p with High settings, the combo delivers an average of 79 FPS. Moving to 1440p High drops that to 59 FPS, a reduction of 20 FPS or roughly 25%. The jump to 4K High further reduces the average to 40 FPS, which is 39 FPS below the 1080p result. This pattern shows that the RTX 4060's compute and memory bandwidth are being saturated as pixel count increases.

The scaling is even more pronounced when comparing the lowest and highest presets. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system achieves 124 FPS. At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average falls to 35 FPS. That represents a 72% drop in performance from the best-case to worst-case scenario. The data suggests that the 8 GB of VRAM and 128-bit memory interface are sufficient for 1080p and 1440p but become a bottleneck at 4K, particularly with higher-quality textures and effects.

Interestingly, the scaling from Medium to Ultra at each resolution is consistent. At 1080p, Medium yields 88 FPS, and Ultra yields 68 FPS. At 1440p, the gap is from 67 FPS to 52 FPS. At 4K, it narrows slightly, from 45 FPS to 35 FPS. The narrowing at 4K indicates that the GPU is hitting a hard performance ceiling where additional graphical fidelity has diminishing returns. The min FPS data for Medium settings also supports this: at 4K, the minimum is 38 FPS, while at 1440p it is 57 FPS, and at 1080p it is 75 FPS. This shows that frame pacing becomes less stable as resolution increases, reinforcing that the RTX 4060 is the primary constraint in this pairing.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations for Control, this specific pairing of the Core Ultra 7 265HX and RTX 4060 holds a rank of 1738 out of 2888 total combos. This places it in the 60th percentile of all tested systems, meaning it outperforms more than half of the configurations but is far from the top tier. The rank reflects a balance where the CPU is significantly more powerful than the GPU, which pulls the overall score down relative to systems with more balanced or GPU-heavy pairings.

The ranking is consistent with the resolution scaling data. A combo ranked in the middle of the pack suggests that it is well-suited for 1080p and entry-level 1440p gaming but will struggle with 4K. The Ultra 7 265HX, with its high multi-core and single-core scores, is not the limiting factor in most scenarios. Instead, the RTX 4060's position in the 61st percentile of all GPUs dictates the overall potential. This combination is a practical match for a mainstream laptop, offering a good experience at standard resolutions without the extreme cost of higher-tier hardware.

The rank also implies that there are many combinations with faster GPUs that will achieve significantly higher frame rates in Control. However, for a system with a 115 W GPU, the performance is competitive. The data shows that the combo is not a top performer, but it is also not a weak one. It sits in a comfortable middle ground, ideal for gamers who prioritize portability and play at 1080p or 1440p.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is the decisive component in this configuration. Its specifications include 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 272.0 GB/s. The GPU has a base clock of 1830 MHz and a boost clock of 2460 MHz. These specifications are modest by modern standards, explaining why the combo ranks in the 61st percentile of all GPUs. The memory size and bandwidth are critical for Control, a game that uses high-resolution textures and complex physics.

The benchmark results for the GPU show a Passmark G3D score of 19545, with a DirectX 12 score of 76 and a DirectX 11 score of 175. The Vulkan score is 48643. These scores indicate that the GPU is capable of handling modern APIs, but the raw performance is limited. In practice, this translates to the measured FPS: the RTX 4060 can push 124 FPS at 1080p Low but drops to 35 FPS at 4K Ultra. The GPU's 15.11 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is not enough to maintain high frame rates at 4K with maximum settings.

The 8 GB VRAM is a notable limitation. At 4K with High or Ultra settings, Control likely approaches or exceeds this capacity, leading to texture swapping and reduced performance. The data does not show a direct VRAM usage metric, but the significant FPS drop from 1440p to 4K suggests memory pressure. The GPU's 48 ROPs and 96 TMUs are also relatively low, which impacts fill-rate-heavy scenes. Overall, the RTX 4060 is a capable entry-level to mid-range GPU that excels at 1080p and handles 1440p well, but it is not designed for 4K gaming.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the system performs admirably. Low settings yield an average of 124 FPS, which is excellent for high-refresh-rate displays. Medium settings reduce this to 88 FPS, with a minimum of 75 FPS and a maximum of 102 FPS. High settings bring the average down to 79 FPS, and Ultra settings result in 68 FPS. All 1080p presets are playable, with even the most demanding settings maintaining an average above 60 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the performance is still respectable but shows the GPU's limitations. Low settings average 94 FPS, which is a significant drop from 1080p but still smooth. Medium settings average 67 FPS, with a minimum of 57 FPS and a maximum of 77 FPS. High settings average 59 FPS, which is just below the 60 FPS threshold for ideal smoothness. Ultra settings average 52 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for competitive or fast-paced action. The data suggests that 1440p High is the upper limit for a consistent 60 FPS experience.

At 3840x2160, the combo struggles to maintain playable frame rates. Low settings average 64 FPS, which is surprisingly playable. Medium settings average 45 FPS, with a minimum of 38 FPS and a maximum of 52 FPS. High settings average 40 FPS, and Ultra settings average just 35 FPS. These results indicate that 4K is only viable with Low settings if a smooth experience is desired. The step from 1440p to 4K is the most punishing, with a 30-40% drop in performance across all settings.

FAQ

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

A: The data indicates that 1920x1080 is the best resolution. All four presets at 1080p produce average frame rates above 60 FPS, with Low reaching 124 FPS and Ultra still hitting 68 FPS. 1440p is also viable, but only with Low or Medium settings to stay above 60 FPS.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Control?

A: Yes, but with significant compromises. At 4K, the average FPS ranges from 64 on Low to 35 on Ultra. Only the Low preset provides a consistently smooth experience above 60 FPS. Medium, High, and Ultra presets all fall below 45 FPS, which may be acceptable for some but is not ideal.

Q: How does the RTX 4060's VRAM affect performance?

A: The GPU has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory. While the data does not include VRAM usage, the sharp performance drop at 4K with higher presets suggests that the memory capacity and bandwidth are limiting factors. The 128-bit bus and 272.0 GB/s bandwidth struggle with the demands of high-resolution textures.

Q: Is the CPU a bottleneck in this game?

A: No, the data does not suggest the CPU is a bottleneck. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX has 20 cores and 20 threads, with a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. Its Passmark multithread score is 47985, and its single-thread score is 4500. These are strong numbers, and the FPS scaling with resolution indicates the GPU is the limiting component.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the RTX 4060?

A: The launch MSRP of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is 299 USD.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to others?

A: In Control, this combo ranks 1738 out of 2888 tested combinations. This places it in the 60th percentile, indicating it performs better than most but is outclassed by systems with higher-tier GPUs.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX is a powerhouse that is not fully utilized in this game. It features 20 cores and 20 threads, based on the Arrow Lake architecture, with a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The CPU has a 30 MB shared L3 cache and supports DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus. Its benchmark scores are impressive: a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 40642 and a single-core score of 5737. The Passmark single-thread score is 4500, and the multi-thread score is 47985.

In Control, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and handle game logic and physics. Given that the game is an Action Adventure title, the CPU workload is moderate. The data shows that the CPU is not the bottleneck because performance scales consistently with resolution. If the CPU were the limiting factor, we would expect similar FPS at 1080p and 4K, but we see a massive drop from 124 FPS to 64 FPS at Low settings. This indicates that the RTX 4060 is the constraint.

The CPU's high single-core performance ensures that it can handle the main game thread efficiently, while the 20 cores provide ample multi-threading for background tasks and modern game engines. The 5.30 GHz boost clock is particularly beneficial for games that are not heavily multi-threaded. The CPU's percentile ranking of 93rd among all CPUs confirms its high performance, but this does not translate to a higher combo rank because the GPU holds the system back.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data provides clear guidance for optimal settings. For a 1080p display, all settings presets are viable. To maximize visual quality, Ultra settings at 68 FPS is recommended for a single-player experience where 60 FPS is the target. If a higher refresh rate is preferred, High settings at 79 FPS offers a better balance. Low settings at 124 FPS is only necessary for competitive play where maximum frame rates are prioritized.

For a 1440p display, the recommendation is to use Medium settings, which yield 67 FPS. This keeps the experience smooth and above 60 FPS. High settings at 59 FPS is a compromise, but the drop below 60 FPS may be noticeable. Low settings at 94 FPS is the best option for those who want a very high frame rate, but it sacrifices visual fidelity. Ultra settings at 52 FPS is playable but not recommended for action-heavy scenes.

For a 4K display, the options are limited. Low settings at 64 FPS is the only preset that maintains a smooth experience. Medium settings at 45 FPS and High settings at 40 FPS are playable but may feel less responsive. Ultra settings at 35 FPS is not recommended unless the user prioritizes image quality over performance. Overall, the data suggests that this combo is best suited for 1080p gaming, with 1440p Medium being the maximum recommended for a quality experience.