Evolve

The Intel Core i5-9400 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 delivers a wide range of performance in Evolve, scaling from a demanding 4K experience to a high-refresh-rate 1080p setup. The recorded data shows a clear progression: as resolution drops, average frame rates rise significantly, and the playable settings ceiling expands. At 4K, the combo manages playable frame rates at Low and Medium settings, but drops below the 60 FPS threshold at High and Ultra. Moving to 1440p unlocks every preset, including Ultra at just above 60 FPS. At 1080p, the system is firmly in high-refresh territory, with even Ultra settings averaging 91 FPS.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 3840x2160, the average frame rates are 82 FPS on Low, 64 FPS on Medium, 50 FPS on High, and 35 FPS on Ultra. The Medium preset also records a minimum of 54 FPS and a maximum of 73 FPS, showing some fluctuation but staying within a playable range. The gap between Low and Ultra at 4K is substantial, a 47 FPS difference, indicating that the Ultra preset imposes a heavy load on the GPU.

At 2560x1440, the averages improve considerably. Low settings hit 144 FPS, Medium reaches 112 FPS (with a minimum of 95 FPS and a maximum of 129 FPS), High delivers 88 FPS, and Ultra still manages 61 FPS. This resolution represents the sweet spot for visual fidelity and performance, as every preset clears the 60 FPS threshold. The Medium preset data at 1440p shows a tighter frame time distribution compared to 4K, with the minimum staying well above the playable threshold.

At 1920x1080, the performance is exceptional across the board. Low settings average 212 FPS, Medium averages 167 FPS (with a minimum of 142 FPS and a maximum of 192 FPS), High averages 131 FPS, and Ultra averages 91 FPS. Even the most demanding preset at 1080p produces frame rates that are well suited for high-refresh-rate monitors. The scaling from 4K to 1080p is nearly linear for most presets, with Low settings more than doubling from 82 FPS to 212 FPS.

How This Combo Ranks

The database ranks this specific CPU and GPU combination against all other tested combos for Evolve. The combo rank is 1620 out of 3700 total combinations, placing it in the upper-middle portion of the field. This percentile position suggests that while the setup is capable, there are many other hardware pairings that achieve higher frame rates in this title. The rank reflects the balance between the six-core i5-9400 and the RTX 3070, where the GPU is clearly the dominant factor for gaming performance.

The CPU itself sits at the 47th percentile among all tested processors, with an average benchmark score of 2254. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-1068NG7, which scores 2259 (a delta of -0.2%), and the Intel Core i3-10305, which scores 2264 (a delta of -0.4%). The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 and Intel Core i7-10710U are also within a fraction of a percent, with scores of 2246 and 2248 respectively. This indicates that the i5-9400 is in a tightly packed performance cluster, where any of these CPUs would yield nearly identical results.

The GPU performs at the 61st percentile among all tested graphics cards, with an average benchmark score of 17208. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT, scoring 17083 (a delta of 0.7%), and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690, scoring 17037 (a delta of 1%). The AMD Radeon HD 7970M and NVIDIA Tesla K40c are also close, with scores of 17019 and 17468 respectively. The RTX 3070 leads this group by a small margin, but the differences are minor enough that users would not notice a tangible gap in real-world gameplay.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark data reveals how the CPU and GPU share the workload in Evolve at different resolutions. At 3840x2160, the GPU is the primary bottleneck. The frame rate drops from 82 FPS on Low to 35 FPS on Ultra, a reduction of 57%. This steep decline is characteristic of a GPU-bound scenario, where the graphics card struggles to process the increased pixel count and visual effects. The CPU has less impact at this resolution because the GPU is saturated with rendering tasks.

At 2560x1440, the balance shifts slightly. The frame rates improve across all presets, but the relative scaling between presets remains similar: Low at 144 FPS, Medium at 112 FPS, High at 88 FPS, and Ultra at 61 FPS. The CPU still has headroom, as evidenced by the fact that even the most demanding preset stays above 60 FPS. The scaling from 1440p to 1080p is more pronounced for lower settings, suggesting that the CPU begins to matter more as the GPU load decreases.

At 1920x1080, the CPU becomes a more significant factor, particularly at Low and Medium settings where frame rates exceed 160 FPS. The jump from 144 FPS at 1440p Low to 212 FPS at 1080p Low shows that the CPU can push higher frame rates when the GPU is less stressed. However, the GPU still dominates at Ultra settings, where the average drops to 91 FPS. The data indicates that for this game, the RTX 3070 is the limiting factor at higher resolutions and presets, while the i5-9400 provides sufficient throughput for high-refresh gaming at 1080p.

The Verdict

The verdict by resolution is clear: this PC can run Evolve at 60 FPS or above across a wide range of settings. At 3840x2160, the playable settings are Low and Medium, with Medium being the best option at an average of 64 FPS. High and Ultra at 4K fall below the 60 FPS threshold, with averages of 50 FPS and 35 FPS respectively, making them less suitable for smooth gameplay.

At 2560x1440, all four presets are playable. The best settings are Ultra, which averages 61 FPS, just barely clearing the playable threshold. High, Medium, and Low all exceed 60 FPS by comfortable margins, with averages of 88 FPS, 112 FPS, and 144 FPS respectively. This resolution offers the best balance between visual quality and performance.

At 1920x1080, every preset is not only playable but also well above the 60 FPS mark. The most demanding preset, Ultra, averages 91 FPS, while Low settings reach 212 FPS. For users with high-refresh-rate monitors, this resolution is the clear choice, as even the heaviest settings provide a smooth experience. Overall, the system delivers playable performance at 1440p and 1080p with all settings, and at 4K with reduced settings.

Similar Performance Alternatives

For the CPU, the nearest rivals in the database are all within a fraction of a percent in average benchmark score. The Intel Core i7-1068NG7 scores 2259, which is 0.2% lower than the i5-9400's 2254. The Intel Core i7-10710U scores 2248, a 0.3% difference. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 scores 2246, a 0.4% difference. The Intel Core i3-10305 scores 2264, a 0.4% difference in the opposite direction. Any of these CPUs would deliver nearly identical performance in Evolve when paired with the same GPU, as the differences are negligible.

For the GPU, the nearest rivals show a similar pattern. The AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT scores 17083, which is 0.7% lower than the RTX 3070's 17208. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 scores 17037, a 1% difference. The AMD Radeon HD 7970M scores 17019, a 1.1% difference. The NVIDIA Tesla K40c scores 17468, which is 1.5% higher. These small deltas mean that swapping the RTX 3070 for any of these alternatives would result in a very similar frame rate profile in Evolve, with differences of only a few FPS at most.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 3840x2160, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is Medium, with an average of 64 FPS. This is the recommended choice for 4K, as it provides a playable experience without dropping below the threshold. The Low preset at 82 FPS is also viable, but Medium offers better visual quality for only a modest performance cost.

At 2560x1440, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is Ultra, with an average of 61 FPS. This allows users to enable all visual effects at 1440p while maintaining smooth gameplay. The margin is slim, but the recorded average confirms that it clears the 60 FPS requirement.

At 1920x1080, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is also Ultra, with an average of 91 FPS. This provides a significant cushion above the threshold, ensuring consistent performance even in demanding scenes. For users who prioritize frame rate above all else, the Low preset at 212 FPS is available, but Ultra at 91 FPS is the best balance of quality and speed.

FAQ

Q: Can this system run Evolve at 4K with playable frame rates?

A: Yes, but only at Low and Medium settings. The Medium preset averages 64 FPS, while Low averages 82 FPS. High and Ultra at 4K drop to 50 FPS and 35 FPS respectively.

Q: What is the best resolution for a high-refresh-rate monitor?

A: At 1920x1080, all presets exceed 90 FPS, with Low reaching 212 FPS and Ultra at 91 FPS. This resolution is best suited for high-refresh displays.

Q: How does the RTX 3070 compare to its nearest GPU rivals in this game?

A: The RTX 3070 has an average benchmark score of 17208. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT, scores 17083, a 0.7% difference. The NVIDIA Tesla K40c scores 17468, which is 1.5% higher.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-9400 a bottleneck at 1080p?

A: The data suggests the CPU is capable of pushing high frame rates. At 1080p Low, the combo averages 212 FPS, indicating the i5-9400 can feed the GPU effectively at lower settings.

Q: What is the lowest frame rate recorded for this combo?

A: The lowest average is 35 FPS at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings. The only recorded minimum FPS value is 54 FPS at 4K Medium, which is below the 60 FPS threshold but still above the lowest average.

Q: Which settings preset offers the largest performance jump?

A: At 3840x2160, the jump from Ultra to High is 15 FPS, but the jump from High to Medium is 14 FPS, and from Medium to Low is 18 FPS. The largest single jump is from Ultra to High at 1080p, where the average increases by 40 FPS.