Control

Control, the 2019 action-adventure title from Remedy Entertainment, is a demanding showcase of physics and visual effects. This analysis examines the performance of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Mobile, using measured frame rate data across three resolutions and four quality presets. The benchmark results indicate a configuration that is capable of excellent high-refresh-rate gameplay at 1080p and 1440p, while still delivering a smooth experience at 4K with adjusted settings. The data reveals a system where the GPU is the primary scaling factor as resolution increases, with the CPU providing ample headroom to drive high frame rates at lower resolutions.

Resolution Scaling

The measured frame rates show a clear and predictable pattern of performance degradation as resolution increases from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160. This scaling behavior is crucial for understanding which component—CPU or GPU—acts as the bottleneck in different scenarios. The data indicates a strong GPU-bound system, especially at higher resolutions, where the pixel fill rate and shading demands overwhelm the processing capabilities of the RTX 5080 Mobile.

At the High preset, the average frame rate drops from 120 FPS at 1920x1080 to 91 FPS at 2560x1440, a reduction of 24.2%. Moving from 1440p to 4K (3840x2160) at High settings sees the average fall further to 61 FPS, a 33.0% drop from the 1440p result. This steep decline as resolution scales is a classic indicator of GPU limitation; the RTX 5080 Mobile is simply running out of pixel processing throughput. The transition from 1080p to 4K at High settings represents a total performance loss of 49.2%, from 120 FPS down to 61 FPS.

The Low preset exhibits a similar trend but with higher absolute numbers. At 1920x1080, the average frame rate is 190 FPS. At 2560x1440, it drops to 144 FPS, a 24.2% decrease. At 4K, the average is 97 FPS, which is a 32.6% drop from the 1440p figure. This pattern reinforces the idea that the GPU is the limiting factor. Even at Low settings, where the CPU is less burdened by game logic and physics, the frame rate is still constrained by the GPU's ability to render frames at higher resolutions.

The Medium preset shows a nearly identical scaling pattern. Average FPS at 1080p is 135, dropping to 102 at 1440p (a 24.4% decrease) and then to 69 at 4K (a 32.4% decrease from 1440p). The consistency of these percentage drops across different presets is a strong signal. It suggests that the performance scaling is governed by the resolution itself, not by the specific graphics settings, which is a hallmark of GPU-bound performance. The Ultra preset follows suit, with 104 FPS at 1080p, 79 FPS at 1440p (a 24.0% decrease), and 53 FPS at 4K (a 32.9% decrease from 1440p).

The data clearly shows that the RTX 5080 Mobile is the primary bottleneck when resolution increases. The CPU, with its 20 cores and high boost clock, is capable of feeding the GPU at 1080p and 1440p, as evidenced by the high frame rates. However, as resolution scales, the GPU's workload becomes the dominant factor. The near-identical percentage drops across all presets when moving from 1440p to 4K (around 33%) point to a consistent GPU-bound scenario. This means that users seeking higher frame rates at 4K would benefit more from reducing internal rendering resolution or using upscaling technologies than from tweaking CPU-affecting settings.

FAQ

Q: What is the average frame rate for this combo at 1080p with High settings?

A: The measured average frame rate at 1920x1080 with the High preset is 120 FPS.

Q: How does the performance at 4K with Ultra settings compare to 4K with Low settings?

A: At 3840x2160, the Ultra preset yields an average of 53 FPS, while the Low preset yields an average of 97 FPS. This represents a performance uplift of roughly 83% from Low to Ultra, highlighting the significant cost of the highest quality settings.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more likely to be the limiting factor at 1440p?

A: Based on the resolution scaling data, the GPU is the limiting factor. The consistent percentage drops in frame rate when moving from 1080p to 1440p (around 24% across all presets) indicate that the GPU's rendering workload is the bottleneck, not the CPU.

Q: What is the minimum frame rate recorded for the Medium preset at 1440p?

A: The measured minimum frame rate for the Medium preset at 2560x1440 is 87 FPS, with a maximum of 117 FPS and an average of 102 FPS.

Q: Does the combo achieve playable frame rates at 4K?

A: Yes, the data shows playable performance at 4K. Even at the highest Ultra preset, the average frame rate is 53 FPS. At the High preset, it averages 61 FPS, and at Medium, it averages 69 FPS, all of which are generally considered playable for a slower-paced action-adventure title.

Q: How much performance is gained by dropping from High to Low settings at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, moving from High to Low settings increases the average frame rate from 120 FPS to 190 FPS. This is a substantial gain of 70 FPS, or approximately 58%, showing that the Low preset significantly reduces the graphical load.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Mobile combination ranks at position 1024 out of 3720 tested combos for Control. This places the configuration in the top 27.5% of all tested systems, indicating strong overall performance. While this rank is respectable, it is not at the very top, suggesting that other combinations of higher-tier CPUs and GPUs can achieve even greater frame rates in this specific title.

The ranking is a holistic measure of the combo's capability, but the individual component benchmarks provide context. The CPU itself sits in the 93rd percentile when compared against all CPUs, a very high standing. Its average benchmark score of 63173 is nearly identical to its nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-13790F, which scores 63080 (a delta of 0.1%). This indicates the CPU is performing exactly as expected for its class. The GPU, however, is in the 81st percentile among all GPUs. Its average benchmark score of 38349 is very close to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile, which scores 38135 (a delta of 0.6%).

The combo rank of 1024 out of 3720 suggests that while both components are strong individually, their combined performance in Control is good but not exceptional. The high CPU percentile and the solid GPU percentile do not translate into a top-100 rank, implying that the game's engine may not fully utilize the CPU's multi-core capabilities, or that the GPU is the limiting factor in achieving higher frame rates. The fact that the combo ranks in the upper quartile but not the top tier indicates that there are more powerful configurations available, but this setup still provides a high level of performance for this game.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured frame rate data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the user's target resolution and desired frame rate. The data provides clear guidance for each resolution tier. The goal is to achieve a smooth and consistent experience, and the benchmark results allow for precise recommendations.

For 1920x1080, the panel is capable of very high refresh rates. The High preset, with an average of 120 FPS, is an excellent choice for competitive or high-refresh-rate gaming. The Ultra preset still delivers a very playable 104 FPS average, making it a viable option for users who prioritize visual fidelity over an extra 16 FPS. The Low preset hits 190 FPS, but the graphical compromises are substantial for a game like Control, which relies heavily on its atmosphere. The Medium preset at 135 FPS is a strong middle ground, but High offers a better balance of visual quality and performance for most users.

At 2560x1440, the High preset is the clear recommendation. The 91 FPS average is smooth and well above the 60 FPS threshold, and it provides a significantly better visual experience than the Medium (102 FPS) or Low (144 FPS) presets. The Ultra preset, at 79 FPS, is also a viable option for those who want maximum quality and can tolerate a lower, but still playable, frame rate. The Medium preset, with its 87 FPS minimum, is a safe choice for ensuring consistent frame times, but the visual uplift from High is generally worth the 11 FPS average cost.

For 3840x2160, the situation is more nuanced. The High preset, averaging 61 FPS, is the sweet spot for a standard 60Hz 4K display. It offers a good balance of visual quality and performance, with an average that just clears the 60 FPS target. The Medium preset, at 69 FPS, provides a more comfortable margin above 60 FPS and has a recorded minimum of 59 FPS, which helps prevent noticeable stutters. The Ultra preset dips to a 53 FPS average, which may be acceptable for a slow-paced game but is not ideal for action sequences. The Low preset at 97 FPS reflects the hardware's capability, but the visual degradation is too severe for a game known for its graphics. For 4K, the Medium preset is the safest recommendation to ensure a consistent experience, with High being a close second for those with VRR displays.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table and analysis detail the exact measured frame rates for every combination of resolution and settings. The data includes average, minimum, and maximum frame rates where available.

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: Average 190 FPS.
• Medium: Average 135 FPS, with a minimum of 115 FPS and a maximum of 155 FPS.
• High: Average 120 FPS.
• Ultra: Average 104 FPS.

At 1080p, the Low preset's average of 190 FPS demonstrates the CPU's ability to drive extremely high frame rates. The progression from Low to Ultra shows a steady decline, with each preset tier costing roughly 15-16 FPS on average. The Medium preset's minimum of 115 FPS indicates good frame time consistency, with no severe drops.

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: Average 144 FPS.
• Medium: Average 102 FPS, with a minimum of 87 FPS and a maximum of 117 FPS.
• High: Average 91 FPS.
• Ultra: Average 79 FPS.

The 1440p results show a larger gap between Low and Medium (a 42 FPS drop) compared to the gap between Medium and High (an 11 FPS drop). This suggests that the Medium preset introduces a significant graphical feature that heavily impacts the GPU, while the jump to High is less demanding. The Ultra preset at 79 FPS still provides a smooth experience on most displays.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: Average 97 FPS.
• Medium: Average 69 FPS, with a minimum of 59 FPS and a maximum of 79 FPS.
• High: Average 61 FPS.
• Ultra: Average 53 FPS.

At 4K, the GPU is clearly the limiting factor. The Low preset's 97 FPS is impressive, but the Medium preset's average of 69 FPS and minimum of 59 FPS highlights the steep cost of higher quality settings. The High preset at 61 FPS is borderline for a 60Hz display, while the Ultra preset at 53 FPS is the only setting that falls below the 60 FPS target.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX is a 20-core, 20-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. This high core count and substantial boost clock are key to its performance in Control. The game's physics engine and AI routines can leverage multiple cores, and the high single-core boost is beneficial for the game's main thread.

In this specific benchmark, the CPU's role is to ensure that the GPU is never starved of data. The measured frame rates at 1080p, particularly the 190 FPS average at Low settings, indicate that the CPU has significant headroom. The PassMark multi-thread score of 47985 and the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 40642 confirm that this is a very capable processor for multi-threaded workloads. Its single-thread performance, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 5737, is also strong, which helps in scenarios where the game logic is not perfectly parallelized.

The CPU's memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s and support for DDR5 memory ensure that data can be fed to the GPU quickly. However, the benchmark data suggests that the CPU is not the bottleneck in this configuration. The frame rate drops consistently across all presets when resolution increases, which is a clear sign of GPU limitation. The CPU is performing its role effectively, providing more than enough processing power to sustain the frame rates seen in the data. Its 93rd percentile ranking among all CPUs reinforces that it is a high-end mobile processor that is unlikely to hold back the RTX 5080 Mobile in this title.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Mobile is a high-end mobile GPU based on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture, built on a 5 nm process. It features 16 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a massive 896.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth. With 7680 shading units and 60 RT cores, it is a powerful piece of hardware. Its boost clock of 1500 MHz and FP32 performance of 23.04 TFLOPS are indicative of its raw compute capability.

The GPU is unequivocally the star of this benchmark, but also the limiting factor at higher resolutions. The measured frame rates show that the GPU's performance scales linearly with resolution, which is typical. The data shows a clear GPU-bound scenario at 4K, where even the Low preset only manages an average of 97 FPS. This is not a reflection of poor GPU performance, but rather the immense demand of rendering at 3840x2160.

The GPU's 16 GB of VRAM is ample for Control at any of the tested settings, preventing any memory-related stuttering. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 4952 and the Geekbench Vulkan score of 169754 demonstrate its strong performance in modern graphics APIs. The PassMark G3D score of 27711 places it in the 81st percentile of all GPUs, indicating it is a top-tier mobile graphics solution. The GPU's role is to deliver the high frame rates seen at 1080p and 1440p, and it does so admirably. However, the data shows that for 4K gaming, users will need to make careful compromises on settings to achieve a consistent 60 FPS, as the GPU's raw power is stretched by the resolution's demands.