Control

# Control with Intel Core Ultra 7 265K + AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K paired with the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT produces a solid 1440p-focused setup for Control, with the benchmark data showing a clear GPU-bound scenario at higher resolutions while the CPU handles lower settings with headroom to spare. This combo ranks in the 56th percentile of tested configurations for this game, placing it squarely in the mid-to-upper tier of the 1,636 total combos measured.

FAQ

Q: Is this combo better suited for 1080p or 1440p gaming in Control?

A: The data shows both resolutions are viable. At 1080p High settings, the combo delivers 104.6 FPS average, while 1440p High yields 78.9 FPS. Given that 1440p remains above the 60 FPS threshold even on Ultra (66.2 FPS), the 1440p experience is arguably the sweet spot for visual fidelity without sacrificing smoothness.

Q: How does the Ultra 7 265K compare to its nearest CPU rivals?

A: The Ultra 7 265K scores within 0.2% of the Core Ultra 7 265KF and Core i9-14900KF, and is 0.9% behind the Core i9-14900K in average benchmark scores. It trails the AMD EPYC 7413 by 1.2%. These are negligible differences for gaming workloads.

Q: What is the GPU's performance percentile relative to all tested GPUs?

A: The RX 7700 XT sits in the 73rd percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 30,097. This places it as a solid mid-range performer rather than a top-tier enthusiast card.

Q: How does the RX 7700 XT compare to its nearest GPU rivals?

A: The RX 7700 XT's average score is essentially identical to the RTX 5060 (0% delta), 0.2% ahead of the RX 570, 0.4% behind the Tesla M60, and 0.6% behind the RTX 5070 Mobile. In practical terms, these are all within benchmark noise.

Q: What is the CPU's multithreaded performance like?

A: The Ultra 7 265K posts a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 50,009 and a single-core score of 7,060. Its PassMark multithread score is 58,838, with the chip achieving a 97th percentile ranking across all CPUs.

Q: Does this combo have enough VRAM for Control at 4K?

A: The RX 7700 XT has 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus with 432 GB/s bandwidth. At 4K Ultra settings, the measured average FPS is 42.4, suggesting the GPU is processing the load but the frame rate drops below the ideal 60 FPS target.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo ranks 714th out of 1,636 tested configurations for Control, placing it in the 56th percentile of all combos. This is a respectable mid-pack position that reflects a balanced pairing rather than an extreme one. The CPU's 97th percentile ranking across all CPUs contrasts sharply with the GPU's 73rd percentile, indicating the RX 7700 XT is the limiting factor in most scenarios.

The rank suggests that while the Ultra 7 265K is a top-tier processor capable of feeding even the most demanding GPUs, the RX 7700 XT holds this combo back from reaching the upper echelons of the ranking table. The near-parity between the RX 7700 XT and RTX 5060 in average GPU scores reinforces that this is a mainstream performance tier, not a high-end one.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS scaling from 1080p to 4K reveals a classic GPU-bound progression. At High settings, the combo delivers 104.6 FPS at 1080p, drops to 78.9 FPS at 1440p (a 24.6% reduction), and falls to 52.2 FPS at 4K (a 50.1% reduction from 1080p). This steep decline indicates the RX 7700 XT is the primary bottleneck as resolution increases.

At Low settings, the pattern is even more pronounced: 161.6 FPS at 1080p, 122.2 FPS at 1440p, and 80.6 FPS at 4K. The 1080p Low result shows the CPU can push well above 160 FPS, but the GPU's limitations become apparent at higher resolutions. The gap between Low and Ultra at 4K (80.6 vs. 42.4 FPS) is a 47.4% difference, highlighting how much headroom the GPU has when settings are reduced.

The scaling behavior confirms that the Ultra 7 265K is not the limiting factor in this pairing. The CPU's strong single-core performance (7,060 in Cinebench R23) ensures it can keep up with the GPU's output at every measured resolution.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the combo delivers a wide range of performance depending on settings. Low settings produce 161.6 FPS average, Medium drops to 115 FPS, High yields 104.6 FPS, and Ultra bottoms out at 86.7 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra is 74.9 FPS, showing that Control's settings have a substantial impact on frame rates at this resolution.

Moving to 2560x1440, the numbers compress somewhat: Low hits 122.2 FPS, Medium achieves 89.5 FPS, High reaches 78.9 FPS, and Ultra manages 66.2 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra narrows to 56 FPS, reflecting the increased GPU load. All settings at 1440p remain playable, with even Ultra staying above the 60 FPS mark.

At 3840x2160, the performance drops significantly. Low settings produce 80.6 FPS, Medium falls to 55.6 FPS, High reaches 52.2 FPS, and Ultra dips to 42.4 FPS. The step from Low to Medium at 4K is a 25 FPS drop, indicating that the GPU's 12 GB VRAM and 432 GB/s bandwidth are being taxed heavily at this resolution.

GPU Role

The RX 7700 XT's specifications directly explain its measured performance in Control. With 3,456 shading units, 216 texture mapping units, and 96 ROPs, the GPU has the raw compute resources to handle the game's effects. The boost clock of 2,544 MHz and game clock of 2,171 MHz provide the frequency headroom needed for consistent frame delivery.

The 12 GB GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus offers 432 GB/s of bandwidth, which proves adequate for 1080p and 1440p but becomes a limiting factor at 4K Ultra. The 54 ray tracing cores suggest some ray tracing capability, though the measured data focuses on standard rasterization performance.

The GPU's 73rd percentile ranking and average benchmark score of 30,097 place it in a competitive mid-range position. The near-identical performance to the RTX 5060 (0% delta) indicates that this card is well-matched against its direct competition. The 35.17 TFLOPS FP32 compute and 549.5 GTexel/s texture rate provide the throughput needed for Control's particle effects and physics simulations.

Settings Recommendations

For 1440p gaming, which appears to be the sweet spot for this combo, High settings deliver 78.9 FPS average, providing a smooth experience with good visual fidelity. Ultra settings at 1440p still achieve 66.2 FPS, making it viable for players who prioritize image quality over frame rate headroom. The 1440p Medium settings at 89.5 FPS offer a middle ground for those wanting higher refresh rates.

At 1080p, all settings are playable, with even Ultra maintaining 86.7 FPS. Players with 144 Hz or higher refresh monitors can take advantage of Low settings (161.6 FPS) or Medium (115 FPS) for maximum smoothness. The High preset at 104.6 FPS provides a balanced experience that exceeds the 100 FPS threshold.

For 4K gaming, the data suggests sticking to Low settings to maintain 80.6 FPS average. Medium (55.6 FPS) and High (52.2 FPS) both dip below the 60 FPS threshold, while Ultra (42.4 FPS) is only suitable for players who prioritize visual fidelity over frame rate. The significant drop from Low to Medium at 4K indicates that the GPU is near its limit at this resolution, and reducing settings is necessary for a consistent experience.