Evolve

The Intel Core i5-12600KF paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 delivers a remarkably strong performance profile for Evolve, a 2015 FPS title. The measured data shows this combination handles the game with high average frame rates across all tested resolutions and settings, with the only exception being the Ultra preset at 3840x2160, which falls just short of the 60 FPS threshold. This analysis breaks down the optimal settings for each resolution, compares the combo to nearby hardware, and explains which component carries the load at different graphical demands.

Best Settings per Resolution

The benchmark data for this specific CPU and GPU combination provides clear guidance on which settings to select for a smooth experience at each resolution, defined as maintaining an average of at least 60 FPS.

At 3840x2160 (4K), the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is High, which delivers an average of 78 FPS. Pushing further to the Medium preset yields an average of 99 FPS, but High is the recommended ceiling for visual quality while still comfortably exceeding the playable threshold. The Ultra preset at 4K drops to an average of 54 FPS, making it unplayable by the 60 FPS standard. The Low preset at 4K produces an average of 128 FPS, but the High preset offers a better balance of fidelity and performance.

At 2560x1440 (1440p), the most demanding preset that clears the 60 FPS bar is Ultra, achieving an average of 95 FPS. This is a notable result, as it means the full visual experience is available at 1440p without compromise. The High preset at this resolution runs at 137 FPS, Medium at 174 FPS, and Low at 225 FPS, but Ultra is the optimal choice for maximum image quality while keeping frame rates well above the threshold.

At 1920x1080 (1080p), the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is also Ultra, with an average of 141 FPS. The High preset reaches 204 FPS, Medium hits 260 FPS, and Low peaks at 335 FPS. Since even the Ultra preset provides more than double the playable threshold, there is no reason to lower settings at 1080p; the game runs exceptionally smoothly at maximum detail.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The nearest rivals for the CPU and GPU in this combo show that nearby hardware would behave similarly, though the exact frame rates may vary slightly based on the measured data for this specific pairing.

For the Intel Core i5-12600KF, the closest alternatives in terms of overall CPU benchmark score are the Intel Core i9-10900K, AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D, AMD Ryzen 7 6800U, and AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE. The Core i9-10900K has an average score of 27872, which is 0.3% lower than the i5-12600KF's score of 27799. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D scores 27896, also 0.3% lower. The Ryzen 7 6800U scores 27887, again 0.3% lower. The Ryzen 5 8500GE scores 27712, which is 0.3% higher than the i5-12600KF. In practical terms, these CPUs are within a fraction of a percent of each other, so swapping in any of them would yield virtually identical frame rates in Evolve, where the GPU is the primary bottleneck at higher settings.

For the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, the closest rivals are the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER, AMD Radeon Pro W5700X, AMD Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB, and AMD Radeon 8060S. The RTX 4080 SUPER has an average score of 54209, which is 0.1% higher than the RTX 4080's score of 54247. The Radeon Pro W5700X scores 54828, 1.1% lower. The Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB scores 55698, 2.6% lower. The Radeon 8060S scores 55757, 2.7% lower. The RTX 4080 SUPER is essentially a peer, meaning a system with that card would produce nearly identical results. The AMD alternatives are slightly behind in raw GPU benchmark scores, which could translate to a few frames per second difference in Evolve, particularly at 4K Ultra where the GPU is heavily taxed.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Evolve at 4K resolution with the highest settings?

A: No. At 3840x2160 with the Ultra preset, the average frame rate is 54 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS playable threshold. The highest playable setting at 4K is High, which averages 78 FPS.

Q: What is the best settings preset for 1440p gaming in Evolve?

A: The Ultra preset at 2560x1440 averages 95 FPS, making it the most demanding preset that stays above the 60 FPS threshold. All other presets also exceed 60 FPS, with High at 137 FPS, Medium at 174 FPS, and Low at 225 FPS.

Q: How does the RTX 4080 compare to the RTX 4080 SUPER for this game?

A: The RTX 4080 has an average benchmark score of 54247, while the RTX 4080 SUPER scores 54209, a difference of 0.1%. This indicates the two graphics cards would perform nearly identically in Evolve, with no meaningful frame rate advantage for either.

Q: Is the Core i5-12600KF a bottleneck for the RTX 4080 in Evolve?

A: The data indicates the combo ranks 222nd out of 3700 tested configurations for this game. Given the high frame rates at 1080p and 1440p, the CPU is not limiting performance in a meaningful way, as the GPU is the primary driver at these settings.

Q: What frame rate can I expect at 1080p with Ultra settings?

A: The Ultra preset at 1920x1080 averages 141 FPS. This is well above the 60 FPS threshold, and the Low preset reaches 335 FPS, showing the combo has substantial headroom at this resolution.

Q: Why does the 4K Ultra preset fail the 60 FPS test while 1440p Ultra passes?

A: The 4K Ultra preset averages 54 FPS, just below the threshold, while 1440p Ultra averages 95 FPS. The increased pixel count at 3840x2160 places a significantly heavier load on the GPU, and the data shows this preset is the only one in the measured set that falls short.

The Verdict

This PC can run Evolve with excellent results at 1080p and 1440p, and with good results at 4K, provided the right presets are selected. The verdict by resolution is clear from the measured data.

At 3840x2160, the playable settings are High, Low, and Medium, with the best setting being High at an average of 78 FPS. The Ultra preset is not playable, averaging 54 FPS, just below the 60 FPS threshold. This means 4K owners can enjoy the game with high visual quality, but must avoid the top preset.

At 2560x1440, all four presets are playable, and the best setting is Ultra at an average of 95 FPS. This is a strong result, as it allows for the full visual experience without any frame rate concerns.

At 1920x1080, all four presets are playable, and the best setting is Ultra at an average of 141 FPS. The game runs exceptionally well at 1080p, with even the most demanding preset delivering more than double the playable frame rate.

Overall, the system clears the 60 FPS threshold in 11 out of 12 tested configurations, with only the 4K Ultra preset falling short. For most users, this means Evolve will run smoothly at maximum settings up to 1440p, and at high settings for 4K.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark data across resolutions and presets reveals how the CPU and GPU each contribute to performance in Evolve, and how their roles shift as resolution changes.

At 1920x1080, the frame rates are extremely high across all presets, ranging from 141 FPS at Ultra to 335 FPS at Low. These numbers indicate the GPU is not the primary constraint at this resolution; the CPU is capable of feeding frames at a very high rate, and the RTX 4080 has ample headroom. The scaling from Low to Ultra shows a drop from 335 FPS to 141 FPS, a reduction of roughly 58%, which reflects the increased GPU workload from higher settings. However, even at Ultra, the GPU is not fully taxed, as the frame rate remains well above what most displays can show.

At 2560x1440, the pattern shifts slightly. The Low preset averages 225 FPS, while Ultra averages 95 FPS. The relative drop from Low to Ultra is about 58%, similar to 1080p, but the absolute values are lower. This suggests the GPU is starting to become more of a factor, as the higher pixel count increases the rendering load. The CPU still has headroom, as the frame rates remain high, but the GPU is now doing more of the work.

At 3840x2160, the GPU becomes the dominant factor. The Low preset averages 128 FPS, Medium averages 99 FPS, and High averages 78 FPS, while Ultra drops to 54 FPS. The scaling from Low to Ultra shows a reduction of about 58%, consistent with the other resolutions, but the absolute values are much lower. This indicates the RTX 4080 is now the bottleneck, as the CPU can still deliver frames at a high rate, but the GPU cannot keep up with the rendering demands of 4K Ultra. The fact that Ultra fails the 60 FPS test while High passes confirms the GPU is the limiting component at this resolution.

The CPU's role is most apparent at 1080p, where the high frame rates show it can feed the GPU effectively. The GPU's role becomes more pronounced at 1440p and especially at 4K, where the rendering load increases and the frame rates drop accordingly. For this game, the RTX 4080 is the component that determines whether a preset is playable, while the Core i5-12600KF provides sufficient processing power to avoid becoming a bottleneck at any tested resolution.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i5-12600KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 combination ranks 222nd out of 3700 tested combos for Evolve, placing it in the top 6% of all configurations. This is a strong result, reflecting the high performance of both components in this specific game.

The rank is driven by the RTX 4080's substantial graphics power, which is the primary factor in achieving the high frame rates seen at 1080p and 1440p. The CPU's contribution is also significant, as its strong multi-threaded and single-threaded scores ensure it does not hold back the GPU. The combo's percentile ranking of 79 for the CPU and 86 for the GPU further underscores the hardware's capabilities.

In practical terms, a rank of 222 out of 3700 means this system outperforms the vast majority of tested configurations for Evolve. Only about 6% of combos achieve higher frame rates, which would typically involve more expensive or newer hardware. For the resolution and settings most users will target, this combo delivers a smooth and responsive experience that is well above the playable threshold. The only caveat is the 4K Ultra preset, which falls just short, but this is a minor limitation given the overall performance level.