Evolve

The Intel Core i5-9400 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti presents a compelling case study for how a six-core CPU from 2018 interacts with a high-end Ampere GPU in a 2015 FPS title. The recorded data for Evolve shows a wide performance envelope, ranging from a demanding 35.2 FPS at 4K Ultra to a fluid 212.6 FPS at 1080p Low. The analysis below breaks down these measurements to determine the optimal settings for each resolution, the primary performance bottlenecks, and how this specific combination stacks up against other hardware pairings in the database.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured frame rates for this combination show a clear and predictable scaling pattern as resolution and graphical load increase. At 1920x1080, the system is clearly capable of exceeding the 60 FPS threshold in every preset. The lowest recorded average at this resolution is 92.4 FPS on Ultra settings, while the Low preset produces an average of 212.6 FPS. The Medium preset yields 175.7 FPS, and High settings deliver 137.1 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra is substantial, representing a 56.5% reduction in average frame rate, which indicates that the graphical settings have a significant impact on the GPU's workload even at the entry-level resolution.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance remains strong but the impact of higher pixel count becomes evident. The Ultra preset drops to an average of 65.3 FPS, still above the 60 FPS playable threshold. The High preset averages 89.5 FPS, Medium reaches 119 FPS, and Low produces 149.3 FPS. The performance deltas between presets at this resolution are similar to those seen at 1080p, with Low being 128.6% faster than Ultra, but the absolute numbers are lower across the board.

At 3840x2160, the GPU begins to struggle with the highest visual settings. The Ultra preset averages just 35.2 FPS, which is not playable according to the 60 FPS threshold. High settings improve this to 50.4 FPS, still short of the target. However, the Medium preset averages 68.9 FPS, clearing the threshold, and Low settings jump to 89.8 FPS. This resolution exposes the limits of the RTX 3070 Ti, as the difference between Low and Ultra is a 155.1% performance swing, from 89.8 FPS down to 35.2 FPS.

Best Settings per Resolution

The database's verdict provides clear guidance on the most demanding preset that maintains an average of at least 60 FPS at each resolution. For 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the recommended choice, as it averages 92.4 FPS. This leaves ample headroom above the playable threshold, suggesting that the system is not fully taxed at this resolution even at maximum settings.

At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset also qualifies as the best playable setting, with an average of 65.3 FPS. This is a tighter margin, only 5.3 FPS above the 60 FPS line, but it still provides a playable experience. The data indicates that the GPU is working harder here, and any slight increase in scene complexity could potentially push it below the threshold, but the recorded average is solidly in playable territory.

For 3840x2160, the Ultra and High presets both fail to meet the 60 FPS requirement, with averages of 35.2 and 50.4 FPS respectively. The Medium preset is the most demanding option that still achieves playable performance, averaging 68.9 FPS. This represents a significant compromise in visual fidelity compared to the other resolutions, but it is the only way to maintain the target frame rate at 4K. The Low preset, averaging 89.8 FPS, is also an option for those seeking higher refresh rates at this resolution.

CPU and GPU Roles

The performance scaling across resolutions and presets reveals a clear shift in component roles. At 1920x1080, the large performance gaps between Low (212.6 FPS) and Ultra (92.4 FPS) suggest that the GPU is the primary limiting factor, as reducing graphical load directly translates to higher frame rates. However, the CPU must be capable of feeding the GPU at these high frame rates, and the Intel Core i5-9400 appears to handle this task, as the data shows no signs of a CPU-induced plateau at the lower presets.

At 2560x1440, the pattern is similar, with a 128.6% difference between Low and Ultra. The GPU's workload is increasing, but the CPU is still able to keep up, as evidenced by the 149.3 FPS average on Low settings. This resolution is a balanced workload, where both components are likely contributing to overall performance, but the GPU's role is becoming more dominant.

The shift becomes pronounced at 3840x2160. The performance gap between Low and Ultra expands to 155.1%, and the absolute frame rates drop significantly. At this resolution, the GPU is overwhelmingly the bottleneck, as the pixel fill rate and shading requirements far exceed what the CPU needs to manage. The CPU's six cores and six threads are sufficient to handle the game logic at these frame rates, but the RTX 3070 Ti's 8 GB of GDDR6X memory and 608.3 GB/s bandwidth are being heavily taxed. The data implies that for this game, the GPU is the dominant factor at 4K, while the CPU maintains a more influential role at 1080p, where higher frame rates demand faster instruction processing.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The nearest rivals for the CPU and GPU provide context for how other hardware might behave in this configuration. The Intel Core i5-9400 has an average benchmark score of 2254, placing it in the 47th percentile of all CPUs. Its closest competitor, the Intel Core i7-1068NG7, scores 2259, a negligible 0.2% difference. Other nearby options include the Intel Core i7-10710U at 2248 (0.3% lower), the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 at 2246 (0.4% lower), and the Intel Core i3-10305 at 2264 (0.4% higher). These chips would likely produce very similar CPU-bound frame rates in Evolve, meaning the overall performance would be nearly identical when paired with the same GPU.

For the GPU, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti has an average benchmark score of 29945, ranking in the 75th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rival is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Mobile, which scores 29928, a 0.1% difference. The AMD Radeon RX 6800 scores 30095, making it 0.5% faster, while the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti scores 29783, 0.5% slower. The AMD Radeon RX 6700 is 1.6% faster with a score of 30433. These GPUs would deliver essentially the same frame rates in Evolve, with the RX 6700 and RX 6800 offering a marginal improvement and the RTX 2080 Ti performing almost identically. The launch MSRP for the RTX 3070 Ti is 599 USD.

The Verdict

The recorded data confirms that this system can run Evolve effectively, but the playable settings depend heavily on the chosen resolution. At 1920x1080, the system clears the 60 FPS threshold on all presets, with Ultra averaging 92.4 FPS. This makes it an excellent choice for high-refresh-rate monitors at full HD. At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset also maintains playability, averaging 65.3 FPS, though the margin above 60 FPS is smaller. The system is fully capable at this resolution, but users should be aware that the Ultra preset is near the limit.

At 3840x2160, the situation changes. The High preset fails to meet the threshold at 50.4 FPS, and Ultra drops to 35.2 FPS. The playable settings at 4K are Limited to Medium, which averages 68.9 FPS, and Low, which averages 89.8 FPS. The verdict clearly states that Medium is the best setting at this resolution. This means the system can run the game at 4K, but only with reduced visual quality. For users who prioritize maximum fidelity at 4K, this combination will not deliver a smooth experience, as the GPU is the limiting factor.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Evolve at 60 FPS on Ultra settings?

A: Yes, at 1920x1080 and 2560x1440. The Ultra preset averages 92.4 FPS at 1080p and 65.3 FPS at 1440p. At 3840x2160, Ultra is not playable, averaging only 35.2 FPS.

Q: What is the best setting for 4K gaming with this hardware?

A: The Medium preset is the most demanding setting that stays above 60 FPS, averaging 68.9 FPS. The High preset falls short at 50.4 FPS.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the main bottleneck at 1080p?

A: The data suggests the GPU is the primary limiting factor. The frame rate drops significantly from Low (212.6 FPS) to Ultra (92.4 FPS), indicating that graphical load has a major impact on performance.

Q: How does the RTX 3070 Ti compare to the RTX 2080 Ti in this system?

A: They are nearly identical. The RTX 3070 Ti has an average benchmark score of 29945, while the RTX 2080 Ti scores 29783, making the RTX 3070 Ti 0.5% faster. Frame rates in Evolve would be essentially the same.

Q: What CPU would perform similarly to the i5-9400?

A: The Intel Core i7-1068NG7 is the closest rival, with a benchmark score only 0.2% different. The Intel Core i3-10305 is 0.4% faster, and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 is 0.4% slower.

Q: Is the 60 FPS threshold met at 1440p on all settings?

A: Yes. The lowest average at 2560x1440 is 65.3 FPS on Ultra, which is above 60 FPS. Low averages 149.3 FPS, Medium 119 FPS, and High 89.5 FPS.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database's comprehensive testing of hardware combinations for Evolve, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i5-9400 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti ranks 1354 out of 3700 tested combos. This places it in the upper-middle tier of all configurations. The rank reflects the balance between the CPU's 47th percentile standing and the GPU's 75th percentile performance. The system is capable of high frame rates at 1080p and 1440p, but the CPU's relatively modest performance compared to the GPU means that the overall ranking is not higher. The data indicates that this combo is a solid choice for 1080p and 1440p gaming in Evolve, with the 4K experience being limited to Medium settings. This ranking suggests that many other pairings, likely those with stronger CPUs, would achieve better overall scores, but this combination remains a viable option for the target resolutions.