Control

Control, the 2019 action-adventure title from Remedy Entertainment, is a demanding game that stresses both the CPU and GPU, particularly at higher resolutions and settings. The benchmark data for the combo of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 provides a clear picture of its capabilities, revealing a system that is well-suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming but struggles to maintain high frame rates at 4K with maximum quality presets. This analysis will break down the measured performance, the individual roles of the CPU and GPU, and provide actionable settings recommendations based strictly on the provided data.

FAQ

Q: What is the overall performance ranking of this CPU and GPU combination for Control?

A: The combo ranks 1756 out of 2888 tested combinations for this game. This places it in the lower half of all tested systems, indicating that while it can run the game, many other hardware pairings deliver higher frame rates.

Q: What is the best performance achievable at 1080p with this hardware?

A: The highest average frame rate recorded at 1920x1080 is 124 FPS, achieved with the Low settings preset. For a more visually demanding experience, the High preset still delivers a smooth 78 FPS average, while the Ultra preset drops to 68 FPS.

Q: How does the RTX 5050's benchmark score compare to its closest rivals?

A: The RTX 5050's average benchmark score is 21035. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL, has an average score of 21153, which is 0.6% higher. It also trails the AMD Radeon HD 8970M by 1% and the NVIDIA RTX A4000 Mobile by 1.6%, while outperforming the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT by 1.6%.

Q: What is the performance difference between the Low and Ultra presets at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Low preset yields an average of 94 FPS. Switching to the Ultra preset reduces the average frame rate to 52 FPS, a significant drop of 42 FPS. The High and Medium presets fall in between, with 59 FPS and 67 FPS respectively.

Q: What kind of frame rate can be expected at 4K with this setup?

A: At 3840x2160, the playability is limited. The Low preset achieves a 63 FPS average, but the Medium preset drops to 45 FPS (with a minimum of 38 FPS), and the High preset is at 40 FPS. The Ultra preset is the most demanding, with an average of only 35 FPS.

Q: Does the CPU have a high multi-threaded performance score?

A: Yes, the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus shows strong multi-threaded capabilities. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score is 51731, and its PassMark multithread score is 60860. This is characteristic of its 24-core, 24-thread configuration.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 achieves a rank of 1756 out of 2888 tested combos in Control. This percentile placement is a crucial indicator of the system's overall capability. Being in the 60th percentile (100 - (1756/2888)*100) suggests that the hardware is capable of running the game, but it is not a top-tier performer. The data shows that while the CPU is a high-end part, the GPU is more of a mid-range offering, and in a game like Control, the GPU is often the primary bottleneck, especially at higher resolutions.

The ranking reflects the balance of the entire system. A more powerful GPU would likely push this combo much higher in the rankings, as the CPU has ample headroom. The RTX 5050's benchmark percentile of 66.0 places it above the median for all GPUs, but its performance is clearly the limiting factor for achieving high frame rates in demanding scenarios. The combo's rank is a holistic measure, and the data suggests that for the best experience, users would need to either lower graphical settings or resolution, or consider a more powerful graphics card. The comparison to rivals is stark; while the CPU sits in the 96th percentile for all CPUs, the GPU's 66th percentile shows a significant imbalance. This pairing is a classic example of a strong processor being held back by a mid-range graphics card in a GPU-intensive title.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is a formidable processor, featuring 24 cores and 24 threads. It has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.80 GHz, built on a 3 nm process. This large core count and high clock speeds provide exceptional multi-threaded and single-threaded performance, as evidenced by its benchmark scores. Its PassMark single-thread score is 4823, and its Cinebench R23 single-core score is 7303, indicating it can handle the primary game logic and physics calculations with ease.

The CPU's role in Control is to manage the game's complex physics engine, AI routines, and overall world simulation. The data shows that the CPU is not a bottleneck in this configuration, even at lower resolutions where the CPU typically has a greater influence on frame rates. For instance, at 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves 124 FPS. This high frame rate confirms the CPU's ability to feed the GPU with enough data to keep it busy. The processor's performance is so robust that even at 1080p, the frame rate is more likely limited by the GPU's rendering speed than the CPU's processing power. The high PassMark data compression score of 698346 also suggests quick asset loading and decompression, which can help reduce stuttering in open environments.

The CPU's memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s and support for DDR5 memory further ensures that data can be fed to the GPU quickly. With an L3 cache of 36 MB (shared), it's well-equipped to handle the game's data sets. The 96th percentile rank for all CPUs confirms its top-tier status. While the CPU's performance is not directly reflected in a single FPS number, its capability is what allows the RTX 5050 to reach its full potential. Without a processor of this caliber, the frame rates would likely be lower and less stable. The data implies that this CPU will provide a solid foundation for many years, and if a user were to upgrade the GPU in the future, the CPU would not need to be replaced to see a significant performance boost.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive look at how the system performs across different resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the system is quite capable. The Low preset delivers an average of 124 FPS, which is excellent for high-refresh-rate monitors. The Medium preset averages 88 FPS, with a minimum of 75 and a maximum of 101 FPS, offering a good balance of visual quality and speed. The High preset averages 78 FPS, and the Ultra preset, while visually impressive, still maintains a respectable 68 FPS average. All 1080p presets are playable, with even the most demanding Ultra setting staying above the 60 FPS threshold.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance begins to show more strain. The Low preset still performs well, averaging 94 FPS. The Medium preset averages 67 FPS (57 min, 77 max), which is still smooth for most players. The High preset drops to an average of 59 FPS, which is right on the edge of what many consider the standard for smooth gameplay. The Ultra preset averages 52 FPS, which may be acceptable for some, but it represents a significant drop from the 1080p performance. The data clearly shows that to maintain high frame rates at this resolution, users will likely need to stick to Medium or Low presets.

At 3840x2160 (4K), the system is heavily challenged. The Low preset is the only one that provides a consistently playable experience, with an average of 63 FPS. The Medium preset averages 45 FPS, with a concerning minimum of 38 FPS, which could lead to noticeable stutters. The High preset averages 40 FPS, and the Ultra preset is the most demanding, with an average of just 35 FPS. These frame rates are below the ideal smoothness threshold for fast-paced action, indicating that 4K gaming is only really viable with the Low preset. The data illustrates a clear progression: as resolution increases, the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck, and frame rates drop significantly.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 is the graphics engine for this combo, built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture. It features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 320.0 GB/s. Its core clocks are a base of 2317 MHz and a boost of 2572 MHz. With 2560 shading units, 80 TMUs, and 32 ROPs, it is positioned as an entry-level to mid-range GPU. This is reflected in its benchmark scores, such as a PassMark G3D score of 17326 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 2502.

The GPU's role in Control is to handle the rendering of the game's detailed environments, particle effects, and lighting. The measured FPS data underscores that the RTX 5050 is the limiting factor in this system, particularly at higher resolutions and settings. The difference between 1080p and 4K performance is stark, with the Ultra preset dropping from 68 FPS to 35 FPS. This indicates that the GPU quickly runs out of rendering power as the pixel count increases. The 8 GB of VRAM is also a consideration. While Control can fit within this limit at lower settings, more demanding textures and effects at higher presets could potentially exceed it, leading to performance degradation.

The GPU's performance compared to its nearest rivals is very close. Its average benchmark score is 21035, which is within 1.6% of its closest competitors. This places it in a tight performance band with other mid-range and older high-end cards. The data suggests that while the RTX 5050 is capable of running Control, it is not a high-performance card. For a game as visually rich as Control, users will need to make compromises on settings or resolution to achieve a smooth experience. The GPU's 66th percentile ranking for all GPUs confirms its mid-pack standing. The 13.17 TFLOPS of FP32 performance and 205.8 GTexel/s texture rate are adequate, but they are not sufficient for maxing out the game at 4K.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the user's target resolution and preference for frame rate vs. visual fidelity.

For 1920x1080 resolution, the High preset is the best recommendation. It provides an average of 78 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay, and it offers a significantly better visual experience than the Medium or Low presets. The Ultra preset is also viable, with a 68 FPS average, but the 10 FPS gain from dropping to High is a worthwhile trade-off for most users, especially if they want to ensure a more stable frame rate. The Low preset at 124 FPS is best for competitive play on a high-refresh-rate monitor.

At 2560x1440, the Medium preset is the sweet spot. It delivers an average of 67 FPS, which is smooth and responsive. The High preset's 59 FPS average is playable but not ideal, and the Ultra preset's 52 FPS average is a compromise. The Medium preset offers a good balance between visual quality and performance, ensuring that the game remains fluid. If a user prioritizes visuals over frame rate, the High preset is acceptable, but the Medium preset is the safer choice for a consistent experience.

For 3840x2160, the Low preset is the only recommended option. It is the only preset that maintains an average frame rate above 60 FPS (63 FPS). The Medium, High, and Ultra presets all fall below 45 FPS, which is not ideal for an action-adventure game. Users with 4K displays will have to accept significant visual compromises to play the game at a playable frame rate. The data suggests that this hardware combination is not well-suited for 4K gaming with high-quality settings in Control.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS data shows a clear and predictable scaling of performance as resolution increases. At 1080p, the system is at its best, with the High preset achieving 78 FPS. Moving to 1440p, the frame rate drops by approximately 24% to 59 FPS on the High preset. This is a significant reduction, but the game remains playable. The most dramatic drop occurs when moving from 1440p to 4K. The High preset frame rate falls from 59 FPS to 40 FPS, a 32% reduction. This steep decline highlights the GPU's limited bandwidth and processing power.

This scaling pattern is a textbook example of a GPU-bound system. The CPU's performance is relatively constant, but the GPU's workload increases exponentially with the number of pixels. The fact that the frame rate drops so sharply at 4K confirms that the RTX 5050 is the limiting component. At 1080p, the GPU is able to keep up with the CPU, but as the resolution increases, the GPU's rendering capabilities are overwhelmed. The difference between the Low preset at 1080p (124 FPS) and the Low preset at 4K (63 FPS) is a 49% reduction, further illustrating the scaling trend. The data strongly suggests that for this pairing, 1080p and 1440p are the target resolutions, while 4K should be reserved for games that are less demanding or for users who are comfortable with low frame rates and settings. The system's performance is clearly tied to the GPU's ability to render frames, and any future upgrade path would need to focus on the graphics card to improve 4K performance.