Evolve

Measured FPS Breakdown

The recorded data for this Intel Core i5-9400 and Intel Arc B390 combination shows a clear performance ceiling across all tested resolutions. At 3840x2160, the combo struggles to maintain playable frame rates regardless of settings. High preset delivers an average of 21 FPS, Low preset reaches 34 FPS, Medium preset averages 26 FPS with a minimum of 22 and maximum of 30, and Ultra drops to 14 FPS. None of these 4K results approach the 60 FPS threshold, indicating the integrated-class GPU is severely limited at this resolution.

Moving to 2560x1440, the picture improves but remains constrained. High preset averages 36 FPS, Medium averages 46 FPS with a minimum of 39 and maximum of 53, Ultra averages 25 FPS, and only Low preset hits exactly 60 FPS on average. The gap between Medium and Low is notable: 46 FPS versus 60 FPS, a 14 FPS difference that represents the tipping point for playability at this resolution.

At 1920x1080, the combo finally shows usable performance. Low preset averages 89 FPS, Medium averages 69 FPS with a minimum of 59 and maximum of 79, High averages 54 FPS, and Ultra averages 37 FPS. The data reveals that Medium is the highest setting that clears the 60 FPS average, though its 59 FPS minimum shows occasional dips just below the threshold. High preset falls short by 6 FPS on average, making it unsuitable for consistent 60 FPS gameplay.

The min/max data, where recorded, provides additional context. At 1440p Medium, the 39 FPS minimum versus 53 FPS maximum indicates frame time variance of roughly 14 FPS during gameplay. At 1080p Medium, the minimum of 59 FPS is remarkably close to the average of 69 FPS, suggesting relatively stable performance with only occasional dips. The lack of min/max values for other settings means those averages should be interpreted as general indicators rather than guarantees of consistency.

FAQ

Q: Can this system run Evolve at 4K resolution?

A: No. At 3840x2160, the highest recorded average is 34 FPS on Low settings, and Ultra drops to 14 FPS. The 60 FPS playability threshold is not reached at any preset.

Q: What is the best playable setting at 2560x1440?

A: Low preset is the only playable option at 1440p, achieving exactly 60 FPS average. Medium falls to 46 FPS, High to 36 FPS, and Ultra to 25 FPS.

Q: Is 1080p Medium playable according to the data?

A: Yes, 1080p Medium averages 69 FPS with a minimum of 59 FPS. This clears the 60 FPS threshold on average, though the minimum shows it can briefly dip below 60.

Q: How much faster is Low versus Ultra at 1080p?

A: Low averages 89 FPS, which is 52 FPS higher than Ultra at 37 FPS. This represents a 2.4x performance multiplier between the lowest and highest presets.

Q: What is the average FPS at 1440p High?

A: The recorded average is 36 FPS, which is 24 FPS below the 60 FPS playability threshold.

Q: Does the 4K Medium preset provide better minimums than 4K Low?

A: The data only records min/max for 4K Medium (22 min, 30 max). 4K Low shows no min/max values, only an average of 34 FPS, so direct comparison of minimums is not possible from the recorded data.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 3840x2160, no preset achieves the 60 FPS threshold. The best recorded average is 34 FPS at Low settings, but this falls far short of playable. The database lists no playable settings for this resolution, and the verdict confirms no configuration is viable at 4K.

At 2560x1440, Low is the only playable preset, averaging exactly 60 FPS. This is the most demanding setting that maintains the 60 FPS threshold, but it leaves no headroom. Medium at 46 FPS and High at 36 FPS are both unplayable by the database's standard, while Ultra at 25 FPS is the worst option.

At 1920x1080, Medium is the best playable preset, averaging 69 FPS. Low sits above it at 89 FPS, but Medium offers higher visual quality while still clearing the threshold. High at 54 FPS and Ultra at 37 FPS are both below 60 FPS, making them unsuitable for consistent playability. The 69 FPS average at Medium provides a 9 FPS buffer over the threshold, though the 59 FPS minimum indicates occasional dips.

How This Combo Ranks

This Intel Core i5-9400 and Intel Arc B390 combination ranks 3288 out of 3700 tested combos in Evolve. That places it in the bottom 11 percent of all configurations in the database, reflecting the GPU's limited capabilities. The CPU itself sits at the 47th percentile among all processors, showing it is a mid-range part, but the GPU falls to the 9th percentile among all GPUs, indicating it is a low-end performer.

The rank disparity between components is significant. The i5-9400's benchmark scores, including a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6629 and single-core score of 935, are respectable for its generation. However, the Arc B390's single benchmark result, a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1482, places it near the bottom of the GPU hierarchy. This combination produces a system where the CPU is not the bottleneck; the integrated-class GPU constrains overall gaming performance.

In the context of Evolve, a 2015 FPS title, the rank suggests this combo can handle the game only at modest settings and lower resolutions. The 1080p Medium result of 69 FPS is the standout achievement, but the 4K results indicate the GPU cannot scale to high resolutions. The rank of 3288 out of 3700 means most other tested combinations deliver better performance, with only 412 combos ranking lower.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The CPU's nearest rivals in the database provide context for the i5-9400's processing capability. The Intel Core i7-1068NG7 has an average score of 2259, a 0.2 percent difference from the i5-9400's 2254. The Intel Core i7-10710U scores 2248, 0.3 percent lower. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 scores 2246, 0.4 percent lower, and the Intel Core i3-10305 scores 2264, 0.4 percent higher. These four processors would behave nearly identically in Evolve, with performance deltas under half a percent.

On the GPU side, the Arc B390's nearest rivals show a wider gap. The NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX scores 1463, 1.3 percent lower than the Arc B390's 1482. The NVIDIA GeForce 800M scores 1460, 1.5 percent lower. The NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM scores 1446, 2.5 percent lower, and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 scores 1443, 2.7 percent lower. These GPUs would deliver very similar frame rates in Evolve, with the Arc B390 holding a small but consistent advantage over each.

A system pairing the i5-9400 with any of these rival GPUs would produce essentially the same gaming experience. The CPU differences are negligible, and the GPU differences are within 3 percent, meaning the measured FPS at each resolution and setting would be nearly identical. Users seeking comparable performance could expect the same 1080p Medium results around 69 FPS and the same inability to reach 60 FPS at 4K.

The Verdict

The data clearly answers whether this PC can run Evolve: it depends entirely on resolution and settings. At 1920x1080, the system is playable at Low and Medium presets. Medium averages 69 FPS, providing the best balance of visual quality and performance, with Low reaching 89 FPS for smoother gameplay. High at 54 FPS and Ultra at 37 FPS are not viable for maintaining the 60 FPS threshold.

At 2560x1440, only Low preset achieves playability with exactly 60 FPS average. This is a marginal result with no headroom, and any increase in visual settings drops performance to 46 FPS or below. The 1440p experience is therefore limited to the lowest settings with no room for error.

At 3840x2160, no settings are playable. The best result, Low at 34 FPS, is barely half the required threshold, and Ultra at 14 FPS is unplayable by any standard. The verdict by resolution confirms 4K is entirely out of reach for this combination.

The overall assessment: this combo can run Evolve at 1080p with medium settings comfortably, at 1440p only with low settings, and cannot run it at 4K. The 60 FPS playability threshold is met at 1080p Medium (69 FPS) and 1080p Low (89 FPS), and exactly met at 1440p Low (60 FPS). For users targeting 1080p, Medium is the recommended preset. For 1440p, Low is the only option. For 4K, the system falls short, and users should consider it unplayable at that resolution.