Control

Control is a 2019 Action Adventure title that remains a demanding showcase for both CPU and GPU performance, and the combination of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 delivers a robust experience across the board. The data indicates this pairing handles the game’s supernatural physics and particle effects with considerable authority, though the specific balance between the processor and graphics card shifts depending on the resolution and quality preset selected. This analysis breaks down the measured performance of this specific combo, placing its results in context against other tested configurations and the individual capabilities of its components.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the database of tested hardware combinations for Control, this specific pairing of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 achieves a rank of 545 out of 2888 total combos. This places the configuration in the top percentile of all tested systems, indicating a high level of performance that should comfortably handle the game’s most demanding moments. The rank reflects the combined strength of a top-tier 24-core processor and a current-generation graphics card, working together to produce frame rates that are well above playable thresholds at every resolution tested.

The position is strong, but not absolute, which suggests that while this combo is exceptionally capable, there are other hardware pairings that yield higher average frame rates in this specific title. This is often the case in a game like Control, where the rendering engine can be heavily influenced by raw GPU throughput at higher resolutions, yet also shows scalability with CPU power at lower ones. The 545th rank out of 2888 combos indicates that the system is in the top 20% of all tested configurations, a position that underscores its balance and capability for high-refresh-rate gaming at 1440p and smooth 4K experiences. The performance is clearly not bottlenecked by a single weak component, as the rank demonstrates a synergistic relationship between the two primary hardware pieces, rather than one holding back the other.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 is the primary driver of visual fidelity in this combo, and its specifications directly correlate with the frame rates observed. The GPU features 12 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 672.0 GB/s. This amount of memory and bandwidth is sufficient for Control’s high-resolution textures and complex scenes, even at 4K, where the measured frame rates remain respectable. The graphics card’s architecture is Blackwell 2.0, built on a 5 nm process, and it operates with a base clock of 2325 MHz and a boost clock of 2512 MHz. The high boost clock is a key factor in achieving the strong 1080p and 1440p results, as it allows the GPU to process the game’s numerous effects at a rapid pace.

The GPU’s role becomes more pronounced as resolution increases. At 1080p, the processor can feed frames quickly, but the GPU still manages to produce average frame rates between 113 and 206 FPS depending on settings. At 4K, the workload shifts almost entirely to the RTX 5070, and the data shows a predictable performance curve based on the graphics preset. The measured scores in synthetic benchmarks, such as a Passmark G3D score of 29137 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 5077, reinforce that this is a high-performing graphics solution. While its percentile ranking against all GPUs is 82, the nearest rivals in terms of average benchmark score are professional workstation cards like the AMD Radeon Pro 580 and NVIDIA RTX A500 Mobile, which shows that its raw compute power is significant, though its gaming-specific optimizations are what contribute to the strong Control results.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear and expected trend: performance decreases as resolution increases, but the rate of decrease offers insight into the system’s bottleneck characteristics. Moving from 1920x1080 to 2560x1440 on the High preset, the average frame rate drops from 130 FPS to 98 FPS, a reduction of roughly 25%. This is a significant drop, indicating that the GPU is starting to become a more limiting factor at 1440p, though the system still maintains a highly playable frame rate. The scaling from 1440p to 3840x2160 on the High preset shows an even steeper decline, with the average FPS falling from 98 to 66, a further drop of about 33%. This pattern clearly demonstrates that at 4K, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 is the primary constraint, as the rendering resolution demands a much higher pixel throughput.

The scaling pattern also highlights the CPU’s strength at lower resolutions. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 206 FPS, which is a very high frame rate that suggests the processor is capable of feeding the GPU with more than enough data to keep it busy. The fact that the frame rate drops by 100 FPS when moving from 1080p Low to 4K Low (206 to 105 FPS) shows that the GPU is the component responsible for the performance ceiling as resolution climbs. Conversely, the relatively small difference between 1080p High (130 FPS) and 1440p High (98 FPS) compared to the 1440p High to 4K High (66 FPS) gap indicates that the system begins to hit a more severe GPU-bound wall beyond 1440p. This analysis points to a balanced system at 1080p and 1440p, but a GPU-limited one at 4K, which is typical for a game with Control’s graphical intensity.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured frame rates provide a comprehensive view of the combo’s performance across three resolutions and four quality presets. At 1920x1080, the system is exceptionally fast. The Low preset yields an average of 206 FPS, which is more than enough for any high-refresh-rate monitor. The Medium preset produces an average of 146 FPS, with a minimum of 124 FPS and a maximum of 168 FPS, showing solid frame pacing. High settings reduce the average to 130 FPS, while the Ultra preset, which includes the most demanding effects, still manages a very smooth 113 FPS average. These numbers suggest that at 1080p, the user can prioritize visual quality without sacrificing competitive or smooth gameplay.

At 2560x1440, the performance remains excellent, making this resolution a sweet spot for the combo. The Low preset averages 156 FPS, ensuring a fluid experience. Medium settings average 111 FPS, with a minimum of 94 and a maximum of 127 FPS, which is still well within high-refresh-rate territory. The High preset delivers an average of 98 FPS, which is ideal for a 100Hz or 120Hz display. Even the Ultra preset maintains a strong average of 85 FPS, proving that this combo can handle the game at its highest settings at 1440p without dropping below 60 FPS. Moving to 3840x2160, the GPU begins to feel the strain. The Low preset averages 105 FPS, which is still very playable. Medium settings drop to an average of 75 FPS, with a minimum of 63 and a maximum of 86 FPS, indicating that the game remains stable but the headroom is shrinking. High settings average 66 FPS, which is just above the standard 60 FPS target, but the Ultra preset falls to an average of 58 FPS, which may be noticeable to sensitive users as it dips below the 60 FPS threshold.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is a formidable processor that ensures the GPU is rarely starved of data. It features 24 cores and 24 threads, operating with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.80 GHz. This high boost clock is particularly beneficial for a game like Control, which, while not the most CPU-intensive title, still benefits from strong single-threaded performance for game logic and physics calculations. The processor’s cache hierarchy, with 36 MB of shared L3 cache, helps to keep data readily available for the cores, reducing latency and improving overall responsiveness. The combination of these specifications allows the CPU to handle even the most chaotic scenes in Control without becoming a bottleneck at lower resolutions.

The benchmark data for the CPU reinforces its high-end status. Its average benchmark score of 84003 places it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, and it is a direct rival to the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, which it edges out by 0.2%. The synthetic tests show exceptional multi-threaded performance, with a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 51731 and a Passmark multithread score of 60860. This raw compute power ensures that any background tasks or game engine threads are handled with ease. In the context of Control, the CPU’s role is most visible at 1920x1080, where the average frame rate of 206 FPS on Low settings shows that the processor is capable of pushing a massive number of frames per second. This demonstrates that the 290K Plus provides a solid foundation for the RTX 5070, allowing it to perform to its full potential in this game, particularly at 1080p and 1440p.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to use for a consistently smooth experience above 60 FPS?

A: The data shows that at 2560x1440, all tested presets, including Ultra, maintain an average frame rate above 85 FPS. This makes 1440p the recommended resolution for a high-refresh-rate experience with maximum visual fidelity.

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

A: Yes, it can. At 4K with High settings, the combo averages 66 FPS, which is playable. However, the Ultra preset drops to an average of 58 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target, so users may need to adjust settings for a locked 60 FPS experience.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor in this game?

A: The limiting factor changes with resolution. At 1920x1080, the high frame rates (up to 206 FPS on Low) indicate the system is not heavily CPU-bound. As resolution increases to 4K, the GPU becomes the clear bottleneck, as seen by the significant frame rate drop between 1440p and 4K.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its direct rival, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus has an average benchmark score of 84003, which is 0.2% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K’s score of 83807. This makes them extremely close in overall computing performance.

Q: What is the performance difference between High and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, moving from High to Ultra settings reduces the average frame rate from 130 FPS to 113 FPS. This is a 17 FPS drop, which is a modest cost for the visual improvements offered by the Ultra preset.

Q: How much faster is the Low preset compared to the Ultra preset at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Low preset averages 156 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 85 FPS. This represents a significant 71 FPS difference, showing that the Ultra preset is substantially more demanding on the GPU.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the optimal settings depend on the user’s priority for resolution and frame rate. For users with a 1080p display, the Ultra preset is the clear choice, as it provides an average of 113 FPS, which is still exceptionally smooth and offers the best visual experience the game has to offer. The performance headroom is so large at this resolution that there is no reason to compromise on visual quality. For 1440p displays, the High preset offers an excellent balance, delivering an average of 98 FPS, which is ideal for 100Hz monitors. The Ultra preset is also viable at 85 FPS, but the High preset provides a more comfortable margin above 60 FPS and is recommended for those who prefer stable high frame rates over ultimate visual fidelity.

At 4K resolution, the choice becomes a trade-off. The High preset is the recommended setting, as it provides an average of 66 FPS, which is just above the standard 60 FPS target and ensures a smooth cinematic experience. The Ultra preset, while offering the highest quality, dips to an average of 58 FPS, which can introduce noticeable stutter on standard 60Hz displays. Therefore, for a locked 60 FPS experience at 4K, the High preset is the optimal choice. Users with variable refresh rate (VRR) monitors might find the Ultra preset acceptable, but the data suggests that High is the safer choice for consistent performance. Overall, the data points to the Medium preset as a fallback option for any resolution if users prioritize a higher frame rate above all else, as it consistently offers a significant boost over High settings, but the High preset provides the best combination of visual quality and performance across all resolutions.