Evolve

The Intel Core i5-12400F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is a combination that targets high-refresh-rate 1080p and 1440p gaming, with the ability to handle 4K at high settings in Evolve. Based on measured data, this setup delivers 60 FPS or more at every resolution tested, though the maximum quality preset at 4K falls short of that threshold. The following analysis breaks down the performance characteristics, compares nearby alternatives, and provides practical settings guidance.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Evolve at 4K Ultra settings?

A: No. At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average FPS is 42, which is below the 60 FPS playable threshold. However, dropping to High settings at the same resolution yields exactly 60 FPS average, making 4K High the highest playable preset.

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo in Evolve?

A: The data shows 2560x1440 at Ultra settings produces 74 FPS average, while 1920x1080 at Ultra hits 110 FPS average. Both are well above the 60 FPS threshold, so the choice depends on whether you prioritize resolution or refresh rate.

Q: How does this combo rank among all tested systems?

A: This specific CPU-GPU pairing ranks 960th out of 3700 tested combinations for Evolve, placing it in the top 26% of all tested systems.

Q: Is the RTX 3080 Ti the limiting factor at 4K?

A: The benchmark data indicates the GPU becomes the primary constraint at 3840x2160. The gap between Low (99 FPS) and Ultra (42 FPS) at 4K is 57 FPS, whereas at 1080p the same settings range from 261 FPS down to 110 FPS—a 151 FPS spread that still keeps every preset above 60.

Q: Does the i5-12400F bottleneck the RTX 3080 Ti in this game?

A: No bottleneck is evident from the measured results. At 1080p Low, the combo reaches 261 FPS average, and even at 1080p Ultra it maintains 110 FPS. The CPU's single-thread score of 909 in 3DMark and 1680 in Cinebench R23 are sufficient to feed the GPU at these frame rates.

Q: What are the minimum FPS figures at Medium settings?

A: At Medium settings, the combo delivers minimum FPS of 172 at 1080p, 115 at 1440p, and 66 at 4K. All exceed the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Similar Performance Alternatives

For the Intel Core i5-12400F, the nearest performance rivals according to average benchmark scores are the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS (0% delta), Intel Core 3 201E (-0.1% delta), Intel Core i5-1335U (0.3% delta), and AMD EPYC 7773X (0.3% delta). In practical terms, any of these CPUs would deliver nearly identical frame rates in Evolve when paired with the same GPU, since the game's engine appears to be GPU-bound at most settings.

For the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, the closest GPU alternatives by average score are the AMD Radeon Pro 5300 (0.8% faster), NVIDIA Tesla M40 24 GB (1.2% slower), NVIDIA Tesla M40 (1.7% slower), and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 (2% faster). The RTX 5070 is particularly relevant for gamers, as it sits within 2% of the 3080 Ti's overall benchmark average while being a newer generation product. The Tesla M40 variants are data-center cards, not suitable for desktop gaming, but their scores indicate the 3080 Ti's raw compute level.

When selecting a system with similar performance to this combo, the key takeaway is that CPU choices within 0.3% delta will not change gameplay outcomes in Evolve. The GPU has more influence on frame rates, especially at higher resolutions. A system with the RTX 3080 Ti and any of these rival CPUs would produce nearly identical measured FPS at the same settings and resolution. Conversely, pairing the i5-12400F with a GPU that scores within 2% of the 3080 Ti—like the RTX 5070—would yield very similar results in Evolve.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of 3700 tested combinations for Evolve, this Intel Core i5-12400F + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti pairing holds the 960th position. This rank places the system comfortably in the upper quartile of tested hardware, meaning it outperforms roughly 74% of all recorded combinations. The ranking reflects a balanced setup where neither component severely limits the other.

The measured FPS data supports this mid-to-high tier ranking. At 1440p, the resolution most users consider the "sweet spot" for this class of hardware, the combo achieves 106 FPS on High and 74 FPS on Ultra. These figures represent smooth, high-refresh-rate gameplay. The 4K results are respectable but not class-leading—60 FPS on High meets the playable threshold exactly, while Ultra drops to 42 FPS, indicating the GPU's limits at that resolution.

Compared to the broader database, this combo's rank suggests it sits alongside other high-end 2020-2021 era systems. The RTX 3080 Ti's 83rd percentile ranking among all GPUs and the i5-12400F's 73rd percentile among all CPUs both contribute to the system's overall position. The combo rank of 960 out of 3700 is consistent with a pairing where the GPU is the stronger component relative to its peers.

The Verdict

This PC can run Evolve at all tested resolutions, but the quality ceiling varies. At 1920x1080, every preset from Low to Ultra clears the 60 FPS threshold—Ultra runs at 110 FPS average, which is more than sufficient for competitive play or high-refresh monitors. At 2560x1440, all four presets also stay above 60 FPS, with Ultra delivering 74 FPS average. At 3840x2160, the system manages 60 FPS on High, 77 FPS on Medium, and 99 FPS on Low, but Ultra drops to 42 FPS and is not playable at the 60 FPS standard.

The verdict by resolution is straightforward: 1080p and 1440p are fully playable at maximum settings, while 4K requires a reduction from Ultra to High to maintain 60 FPS. For users with a 4K display, the choice between High (60 FPS) and Medium (77 FPS) depends on whether visual fidelity or frame rate headroom matters more. For 1440p and 1080p displays, this combo provides an excellent experience with no settings compromises.

CPU and GPU Roles

The data shows clear scaling patterns that reveal which component drives performance in Evolve. At 1080p, the GPU is the dominant factor: frame rates range from 261 FPS at Low to 110 FPS at Ultra, a 151 FPS swing driven almost entirely by graphics settings. The CPU's single-thread performance (909 in 3DMark single-thread, 1680 in Cinebench R23) is sufficient to maintain 261 FPS at Low settings, indicating no CPU bottleneck at this resolution.

At 1440p, the GPU's influence remains strong but slightly less pronounced. The spread from Low (175 FPS) to Ultra (74 FPS) is 101 FPS, still a substantial gap. The CPU continues to keep pace, as even the lowest preset exceeds 170 FPS. At 4K, the GPU becomes the absolute constraint. The difference between Low (99 FPS) and Ultra (42 FPS) is 57 FPS, and the fact that Ultra cannot reach 60 FPS confirms the GPU is the limiting factor at this resolution.

The scaling between resolutions at the same preset further illustrates this. At Ultra settings, the FPS drops from 110 at 1080p to 74 at 1440p (a 36 FPS reduction) and then to 42 at 4K (another 32 FPS drop). This linear degradation is characteristic of a GPU-bound workload. The CPU's role is consistent across all resolutions—it provides a stable foundation, but the RTX 3080 Ti's pixel rate of 186.5 GPixel/s and texture rate of 532.8 GTexel/s ultimately determine the frame ceiling.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 1920x1080, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is Ultra, which runs at 110 FPS average. This is the optimal choice for 1080p users, as it provides maximum visual quality while still delivering nearly double the playable threshold. The next step down, High, runs at 158 FPS, but the Ultra preset is the better pick given the large headroom.

At 2560x1440, Ultra is also the best playable preset, averaging 74 FPS. This sits comfortably above 60 FPS with approximately 14 FPS of headroom. High runs at 106 FPS and Medium at 135 FPS, but the Ultra preset's 74 FPS is sufficient for smooth gameplay on most 1440p monitors, which typically refresh at 60-165 Hz.

At 3840x2160, the best playable preset is High, with an average of exactly 60 FPS. This meets the playable threshold precisely, though it leaves minimal margin for frame-time spikes. Medium runs at 77 FPS with a minimum of 66 FPS, which provides better consistency. For 4K users who prioritize stable frame rates over absolute visual quality, Medium at 77 FPS is arguably the safer recommendation, despite High being the highest preset that clears 60 FPS on average. Low runs at 99 FPS at 4K, but the visual compromise is generally not worth the extra frames for a game of this type.