Evolve

The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 delivers a formidable gaming experience in Evolve, a 2015 FPS title. Benchmark data reveals that this combination handles the game with substantial headroom at standard resolutions, though the most demanding 4K Ultra preset falls below the playable threshold. The analysis below examines the measured performance data, contextualizes the hardware within its performance class, and provides specific guidance on optimal settings for a fluid 60 FPS experience.

FAQ

Q: What is the playable threshold for this game, and does this system meet it at 4K?

A: The playable threshold is 60 FPS. At 3840x2160, the system achieves playable framerates on High (78 FPS), Low (128 FPS), and Medium (99 FPS) presets, but the Ultra preset drops to 54 FPS, which is below the threshold.

Q: Which preset delivers the highest average FPS at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the Low preset produces the highest average frame rate at 335 FPS. The Ultra preset still maintains a very high 141 FPS average, while Medium and High achieve 260 FPS and 204 FPS respectively.

Q: How does the CPU's single-thread performance compare to its multi-thread performance?

A: The Ryzen 5 9600X scores 2183.5 in Cinebench R23 single-core and 17528.5 in multi-core. In 3DMark, it scores 1253 in single-thread and 7590 in max-threads, showing strong scaling across core counts.

Q: What are the nearest performance rivals to this GPU?

A: The RTX 4080's closest rival is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER, which has an average benchmark score of 54209 versus 54247 for the RTX 4080, a delta of just 0.1%. The AMD Radeon Pro W5700X trails by 1.1%, and the AMD Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB is 2.6% behind.

Q: Is there any variation in frame pacing at specific settings?

A: Yes, the data includes min/max FPS figures for Medium presets. At 1080p Medium, the range is 221 to 299 FPS (average 260). At 1440p Medium, it's 148 to 200 FPS (average 174). At 4K Medium, it's 84 to 114 FPS (average 99).

Q: What rank does this specific CPU/GPU combination achieve among all tested combos for this game?

A: This combo ranks 222nd out of 3700 tested combinations in Evolve, placing it in the top 6% of all configurations tested.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The CPU and GPU each have closely matched rivals according to aggregate benchmark scores. The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X, with an average benchmark score of 29713, sits within a tight cluster of competitors. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755GE scores 29656, a delta of just 0.2%, making it the closest match. The AMD Ryzen 7 7840H (29868, -0.5%), AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT (29879, -0.6%), and AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS (29955, -0.8%) all fall within a narrow 1% performance band. In practical terms, swapping the 9600X for any of these would yield nearly identical gameplay performance in Evolve.

On the GPU side, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 (average score 54247) has an almost indistinguishable twin in the RTX 4080 SUPER, which scores 54209 (0.1% delta). This means users could expect essentially the same frame rates from either card. The AMD Radeon Pro W5700X (54828, -1.1%) and AMD Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB (55698, -2.6%) are slightly faster on aggregate benchmarks, though the differences are minor. The AMD Radeon 8060S (55757, -2.7%) rounds out the nearest rivals. For Evolve specifically, any of these alternatives would produce frame rates within a few percentage points of the measured results, making them viable substitutes without noticeable gameplay differences.

CPU and GPU Roles

The performance data reveals how the balance between CPU and GPU shifts across resolutions. At 1920x1080, the system produces exceptionally high frame rates—335 FPS on Low and 260 FPS on Medium—indicating that the GPU is not heavily taxed at this resolution. The Ryzen 5 9600X's strong single-thread performance (2183.5 in Cinebench R23 single-core) ensures the CPU can feed frames quickly enough to reach these high numbers. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p shows a predictable GPU-bound transition: at Low settings, FPS drops from 335 to 225, a reduction of approximately 33%. This pattern continues at 4K, where Low settings yield 128 FPS.

At higher resolutions and quality presets, the GPU becomes the dominant factor. The RTX 4080's 16 GB of GDDR6X memory and 716.8 GB/s bandwidth handle the increased pixel workload, but the data shows diminishing returns as resolution increases. At Ultra settings, the system delivers 141 FPS at 1080p, 95 FPS at 1440p, and 54 FPS at 4K. The 4K Ultra result falling below 60 FPS indicates that this configuration hits a GPU bottleneck at the highest fidelity and resolution combination. The CPU's role diminishes at 4K, where the 78 FPS High preset result shows the GPU working harder relative to the 204 FPS achieved at 1080p High.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 achieves a rank of 222 out of 3700 tested combinations in Evolve. This places the system in the top 6% of all configurations evaluated, a strong showing for a game released in 2015. The CPU itself ranks in the 81st percentile against all CPUs, while the GPU sits in the 86th percentile against all GPUs, indicating both components are well above average. The high rank reflects the system's ability to maintain playable frame rates across most settings and resolutions, with only the most demanding 4K Ultra preset falling short of the 60 FPS threshold.

The gap between this combo and the top-ranked systems is likely due to the 4K Ultra result, where the 54 FPS average drops below playable. At every other resolution and preset combination, the system comfortably exceeds 60 FPS, with many results far exceeding that threshold. The rank of 222 suggests that while this is a high-performing configuration, there are systems capable of sustaining 60 FPS at 4K Ultra, likely featuring even more powerful GPUs.

The Verdict

This PC can absolutely run Evolve, and it does so with remarkable ease at most settings. According to the verdict data, at 1920x1080, all four presets—Low, Medium, High, and Ultra—are playable, with the Ultra preset achieving 141 FPS. At 2560x1440, the same is true: all presets clear 60 FPS, with Ultra delivering 95 FPS. The 4K resolution presents the only limitation. At 3840x2160, the High (78 FPS), Low (128 FPS), and Medium (99 FPS) presets are all playable, but Ultra falls to 54 FPS, missing the 60 FPS threshold. For a 2015 FPS title, this system provides a superb experience, with the caveat that 4K Ultra requires a reduction in settings to maintain smooth gameplay.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 3840x2160, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is High, which achieves an average of 78 FPS. This represents the optimal balance for 4K gaming, offering the highest visual quality while maintaining playable performance. At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset is playable at 95 FPS, making it the best choice for users who prioritize visual fidelity at this resolution. At 1920x1080, Ultra settings deliver 141 FPS, providing both maximum quality and a high frame rate. These recommendations ensure the system never dips below the 60 FPS playable threshold while maximizing the visual experience at each resolution.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the system produces its highest frame rates. The Low preset averages 335 FPS, Medium averages 260 FPS with a range of 221 to 299 FPS, High averages 204 FPS, and Ultra averages 141 FPS. All presets significantly exceed the playable threshold, providing smooth gameplay even at maximum settings.

At 2560x1440, performance remains strong. Low averages 225 FPS, Medium averages 174 FPS with a range of 148 to 200 FPS, High averages 137 FPS, and Ultra averages 95 FPS. Every preset maintains a comfortable margin above 60 FPS, with Ultra still nearly reaching double the playable threshold.

At 3840x2160, the GPU begins to show its limits. Low averages 128 FPS, Medium averages 99 FPS with a range of 84 to 114 FPS, and High averages 78 FPS. These results remain playable, but Ultra drops to 54 FPS, falling below the 60 FPS threshold. This represents the only instance where the system cannot maintain playable performance, requiring users to select a lower preset for 4K gaming. The min/max data for Medium presets shows consistent frame delivery, with no significant stuttering or frame drops across any resolution.