Evolve

The Intel Core i7-14700K paired with the AMD Radeon RX 580 presents a stark contrast in capabilities. The processor is a high-end 20-core part, while the graphics card is an older, end-of-life model built on the GCN 4.0 architecture. Benchmark results for Evolve show that the GPU becomes the decisive factor, with the system’s performance ceiling dictated almost entirely by the RX 580. The data indicates that this combination can handle the game at 1080p with moderate settings, but it falls short of a smooth experience at higher resolutions.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 1920x1080, the most demanding preset that maintains an average frame rate at or above 60 FPS is Medium. The recorded average at this setting is 63.8 FPS. This is the only resolution and preset combination in the database that achieves the playable threshold with the High or Ultra presets remaining out of reach.

At 2560x1440, no preset reaches the 60 FPS target. The closest result is the Low preset, which delivers an average of 56.4 FPS, just below the playable threshold. The Medium preset averages 47 FPS, while High drops to 36.9 FPS and Ultra falls to 25.5 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the situation is more demanding. The Low preset averages 34.7 FPS, Medium averages 24 FPS, High averages 20.3 FPS, and Ultra averages 15.5 FPS. None of these results approach the 60 FPS target, making 4K unplayable with this hardware configuration.

CPU and GPU Roles

The recorded frame rates reveal that the AMD Radeon RX 580 is the binding constraint across all tested settings. The Intel Core i7-14700K has ample headroom, as indicated by its benchmark scores, but the GPU’s rendering throughput limits output. The evidence is clear when comparing the scaling between resolutions.

At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system averages 88.5 FPS. Moving to Medium reduces the average to 63.8 FPS, a drop of 24.7 FPS. High settings produce 52.3 FPS, and Ultra produces 38.1 FPS. This progression shows that the GPU’s workload increases sharply with each preset tier.

At 2560x1440, the same pattern holds but with lower absolute numbers. Low averages 56.4 FPS, Medium averages 47 FPS, High averages 36.9 FPS, and Ultra averages 25.5 FPS. The gap between Low at 1080p and Low at 1440p is 32.1 FPS, demonstrating the resolution scaling penalty.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is overwhelmed. Low averages 34.7 FPS, which is 53.8 FPS below the 1080p Low result. The difference between 1440p Low and 4K Low is 21.7 FPS. This consistent degradation across resolutions points directly at the RX 580’s fill rate and memory bandwidth as the limiting factors.

The CPU’s role in this game is secondary. The i7-14700K’s multi-threaded and single-threaded scores, such as 33440.5 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 2160 in single-core, are far beyond what Evolve requires. The game’s frame rate does not improve when the resolution is lowered in a way that would indicate CPU saturation. Instead, the frame rate scales with GPU load, confirming that the graphics card is the primary determinant of performance.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The nearest rivals for the AMD Radeon RX 580 provide a useful reference for expected behavior. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER has an average benchmark score of 12986, which is 0.4 percent higher than the RX 580’s 12928. In practical terms, this card would deliver nearly identical frame rates in Evolve, likely within a few frames at each preset.

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Mobile scores 12940, a delta of 0.1 percent above the RX 580. Despite being a mobile part, its performance aligns closely with the desktop RX 580, meaning users could expect similar results. The AMD Radeon 740M scores 12870, which is 0.5 percent lower than the RX 580, so frame rates would be marginally lower. The AMD FirePro W5100 scores 12847, a 0.6 percent difference, placing it in the same performance band.

For the CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X has an average score of 69515, which is 0.2 percent lower than the i7-14700K’s 69355. The AMD EPYC 9115 scores 69288, a 0.1 percent difference. These processors would not change the outcome in Evolve, as the GPU remains the bottleneck. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX scores 69875, 0.7 percent higher than the i7-14700K, and the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F scores 69996, 0.9 percent higher. None of these alternatives would alter the playable settings list for this game.

The Verdict

This PC can run Evolve, but only at 1920x1080 with specific settings. The verdict by resolution shows that 1920x1080 has playable settings at Low and Medium, with the best playable preset being Medium at an average of 63.8 FPS. This clears the 60 FPS threshold by 3.8 FPS, providing a playable experience.

At 2560x1440, there are no playable settings. The closest option, Low, averages 56.4 FPS, which is 3.6 FPS below the target. Even the lowest settings cannot push the system past 60 FPS at this resolution.

At 3840x2160, there are no playable settings. The best result, Low, averages 34.7 FPS, which is 25.3 FPS below the target. This resolution is not viable for this combination.

The data indicates that users should stick to 1080p and avoid Ultra settings, as Ultra averages 38.1 FPS, which is well below the playable threshold. Medium is the highest preset that delivers a smooth experience.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 3840x2160, the recorded averages are as follows: Low settings produce 34.7 FPS, Medium produces 24 FPS, High produces 20.3 FPS, and Ultra produces 15.5 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra is 19.2 FPS, showing a steep drop as visual quality increases.

At 2560x1440, Low settings average 56.4 FPS, Medium averages 47 FPS, High averages 36.9 FPS, and Ultra averages 25.5 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra here is 30.9 FPS. None of these meet the 60 FPS target.

At 1920x1080, Low settings average 88.5 FPS, Medium averages 63.8 FPS, High averages 52.3 FPS, and Ultra averages 38.1 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra is 50.4 FPS. Low and Medium are the only presets that clear the 60 FPS threshold, with Low exceeding it by 28.5 FPS and Medium by 3.8 FPS.

The minimum and maximum frame rates were not recorded in the data, so only average values are available for analysis. The absence of min and max values means that frame time consistency cannot be assessed, but the averages provide a clear picture of overall performance.

FAQ

Q: Can this system run Evolve at 60 FPS on 1080p?

A: Yes, but only at Low and Medium settings. Low averages 88.5 FPS and Medium averages 63.8 FPS. High and Ultra fall below the target at 52.3 FPS and 38.1 FPS respectively.

Q: What is the best setting for 1440p?

A: There is no playable setting at 2560x1440. The Low preset comes closest with an average of 56.4 FPS, but it still misses the 60 FPS threshold by 3.6 FPS.

Q: How does the RX 580 compare to the GTX 1660 SUPER?

A: The GTX 1660 SUPER has an average benchmark score of 12986, which is 0.4 percent higher than the RX 580’s 12928. Performance in Evolve would be nearly identical, so the same playable settings would apply.

Q: Is 4K playable with this CPU and GPU?

A: No. At 3840x2160, the best result is Low at 34.7 FPS, which is far below the 60 FPS target. The GPU cannot handle the workload at this resolution at any preset.

Q: What is the most demanding preset that stays above 60 FPS at 1080p?

A: Medium is the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS, with an average of 63.8 FPS at 1920x1080.

Q: Does the CPU affect performance in this game?

A: Benchmark results show the i7-14700K is very capable, but the RX 580 is the limiting component. Frame rates scale with GPU load, not CPU load, across resolutions and presets.

Q: How does the i7-14700K rank against the Ryzen 7950X?

A: The Ryzen 9 7950X has an average score of 69515, which is 0.2 percent lower than the i7-14700K’s score. In Evolve, the difference is negligible, and playable settings remain the same.

Q: What is the Ultra preset average at 1440p?

A: Ultra averages 25.8 FPS at 2560x1440. Low is better at 56.5 FPS.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i7-14700K and AMD Radeon RX 580 combination ranks 3354 out of 3700 tested combos in the database for Evolve. This placement places it in the lower half of all tested configurations. The ranking is heavily influenced by the GPU’s performance ceiling, as the RX 580’s 53rd percentile among all GPUs, compared to the CPU’s 94th percentile among all CPUs, suggests an imbalance.

The low rank is not a reflection of the CPU’s capability, which scores very well in synthetic benchmarks, but rather the result of pairing a high-end processor with an end-of-life graphics card. The data shows that the combo’s performance in Evolve is limited to 1080p Medium at 63.8 FPS, and the processor is not the reason for the low score.

Users with a more balanced hardware set would see different results would see a higher rank. For example, pairing a similar GPU with a less powerful CPU, the frame rates would remain the same. The measured data indicates that the RX 580’s performance is the primary factor in the final rank.

The recorded scores for the GPU, such as 8813 in Passmark G3D and 6.175 TFLOPS FP32, show that the card is positioned for 1080p gaming, not for high refresh rate. The 256.0 GB/s memory bandwidth and 8 GB GDDR5 memory are sufficient for medium settings at 1080p, but they are the reason for the 3354 ranking.

The CPU’s scores are not the determinant here. The i7-14700K’s Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 33440.5 and Passmark multi-thread score of 52392 are far above what Evolve needs. The bottleneck is the GPU, and any of the nearest rival GPUs, including the GTX 1660 SUPER at a 0.4 percent higher score, would produce a similar rank.

This combo is best suited for 1080p gaming with medium presets in Evolve. The ranking reflects that. For users seeking higher frame rates or higher resolutions, a different GPU would be required, as the data shows no playable settings at 1440p or 4K with this configuration.