Evolve

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F is a 6-core, 12-thread Zen 4 processor built on the Raphael architecture. It carries a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, with 32 MB of shared L3 cache and 1 MB of L2 per core. This CPU sits in the 83rd percentile against all CPUs in the benchmark database, with an average benchmark score of 32750. Its nearest rivals by average score are the Intel Core i5-14600T (0.1% ahead), Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (0.2% ahead), AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850H (0.2% behind), and AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 (0.3% ahead) — a tightly clustered group where the 7400F is effectively at parity with all of them.

For Evolve, a 2015 FPS title, the CPU's 6 cores and 12 threads are more than sufficient for the game's engine. The single-core performance, as evidenced by the Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3072 and PassMark single-thread score of 3689, ensures that the game's primary thread has ample headroom. Multi-core workloads are also strong, with Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21765 and PassMark multithread score of 25645. These results indicate the processor can handle any background tasks or physics simulations Evolve might throw at it without becoming the bottleneck.

The measured FPS data reveals the CPU's role clearly. At 1080p Low settings, the combo achieves 203 FPS average — a frame rate that is almost certainly CPU-limited at the high end, as the GPU has less work to do per frame. The fact that this 6-core processor can drive frame rates past 200 in a 2015 title demonstrates its capability. Even at 1080p Ultra, the combo holds 85 FPS, showing that the CPU can sustain high frame rates even when the GPU is more heavily tasked. The CPU's 65W TDP and 5nm process node mean it delivers this performance efficiently, though the data does not directly link power draw to frame rates.

The memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s (dual-channel DDR5) is relevant for a game like Evolve that streams assets during gameplay. The L3 cache of 32 MB shared is also adequate for the game's data patterns. The CPU's PCIe Gen 5 support with 24 lanes ensures the RTX 5060's PCIe 5.0 x8 interface is fully utilized, though the data does not quantify any bandwidth bottleneck differences.

In summary, the Ryzen 5 7400F provides a robust foundation for Evolve. Its high single-thread performance prevents frame dips in CPU-bound scenarios, while its six cores handle the game's multi-threaded elements without strain. The benchmark scores place it in the upper echelon of CPUs, and the measured FPS confirms that this processor is not holding back the RTX 5060 in this title.

FAQ

Q: What is the combo's overall rank in Evolve?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 combo ranks 1233 out of 2872 tested combos in Evolve. This places it in the upper half of all configurations tested for this game, though not in the top tier.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Ryzen 5 7400F has an average benchmark score of 32750. Its closest rival, the Intel Core i5-14600T, scores 32707 (0.1% higher). The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H scores 32697 (0.2% higher), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850H scores 32812 (0.2% lower), and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 scores 32662 (0.3% higher). All four rivals are within a fraction of a percent of the 7400F's score.

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo in Evolve?

A: The data shows that 1440p High delivers 83 FPS average, which is well above playable thresholds. At 4K High, the average drops to 47 FPS, which is borderline. The sweet spot for a smooth experience is 1440p High or Medium (105 FPS average), as 1080p Low reaches 203 FPS but at reduced visual quality.

Q: How does the RTX 5060 compare to its nearest GPU rivals?

A: The RTX 5060 has an average benchmark score of 26331. The AMD Radeon 860M scores 26401 (0.3% higher), the NVIDIA GeForce MX550 scores 26421 (0.3% higher), the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary scores 26553 (0.8% higher), and the AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT scores 26011 (1.2% lower). The GPU sits in the 72nd percentile of all GPUs.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor at different resolutions?

A: At 1080p Low, the 203 FPS average suggests the CPU is the primary limiter, since the GPU has minimal work. As resolution increases to 1440p and 4K, the frame rate drops proportionally more, indicating the GPU becomes the bottleneck. At 4K Ultra (33 FPS), the GPU is clearly the limiting component.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the CPU and GPU?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F has a launch MSRP of $229. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 has a launch MSRP of 299 USD.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo's rank of 1233 out of 2872 tested combinations places it in the 57th percentile of all CPU+GPU pairings tested in Evolve. This is a mid-pack result, which makes sense given the hardware: the Ryzen 5 7400F is a solid mid-range CPU (83rd percentile among all CPUs) and the RTX 5060 is a capable mid-range GPU (72nd percentile among all GPUs). Together, they form a balanced pairing that delivers playable frame rates at most settings, but neither component is top-tier.

The rank suggests that in Evolve, this combo outperforms roughly 57% of all tested configurations. This is notable because Evolve is a 2015 title, meaning many older or lower-end combos can also run it well. The combo's strength lies in its ability to maintain high frame rates at 1080p and 1440p, but it falls behind at 4K Ultra where the GPU's 8 GB GDDR7 memory and 448.0 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient for the highest settings.

Comparing to the CPU's nearest rivals, the performance parity means that swapping the 7400F for an Intel Core i5-14600T, Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850H, or AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 would yield essentially identical results in Evolve — the differences are all within 0.3%. Similarly, on the GPU side, the RTX 5060's closest rivals (AMD Radeon 860M, NVIDIA GeForce MX550, AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary, AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT) are all within 1.2% in average benchmark scores, suggesting that GPU swaps in either direction would produce negligible FPS differences in this game.

The rank of 1233 is driven by the fact that Evolve is an older title that does not heavily stress modern hardware. Many combos with higher-end GPUs (e.g., RTX 4080 or RX 7900 XTX class) would rank much higher, while combos with integrated graphics or older discrete GPUs would rank lower. This combo's position reflects a balanced mid-range setup that excels at 1080p and 1440p gaming but does not have the raw GPU power to dominate at 4K.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the combo delivers its highest frame rates. Low settings produce 203 FPS average, which is exceptionally smooth for competitive play. Medium settings yield 157 FPS average with a minimum of 134 FPS and maximum of 181 FPS, indicating consistent frame pacing. High settings drop to 123 FPS average, still well above 100 FPS for a fluid experience. Ultra settings bring the average down to 85 FPS, which remains playable but shows a significant cost for the visual upgrades.

Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates scale down predictably. Low settings average 136 FPS, still very smooth. Medium settings produce 105 FPS average with a minimum of 90 FPS and maximum of 121 FPS, keeping the experience above 90 FPS at all times. High settings average 83 FPS, which is acceptable for most players. Ultra settings fall to 57 FPS average, which is playable but begins to show the GPU's limitations at this resolution.

At 3840x2160, the combo struggles with higher settings. Low settings average 77 FPS, which is playable but not ideal. Medium settings average 60 FPS with a minimum of 51 FPS and maximum of 69 FPS, putting the experience right at the edge of smoothness. High settings drop to 47 FPS average, which is below the 60 FPS threshold many players prefer. Ultra settings fall to 33 FPS average, which is not recommended for a smooth experience.

The data shows clear scaling: at 1080p, every setting from Low to Ultra is playable, with even Ultra exceeding 60 FPS. At 1440p, Ultra dips below 60 FPS but remains playable. At 4K, only Low and Medium deliver acceptable frame rates, with High and Ultra falling below 50 FPS.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS drops from 1080p to 4K reveal the bottleneck characteristics of this combo. At Low settings, the frame rate drops from 203 FPS at 1080p to 136 FPS at 1440p (a 33% reduction) and then to 77 FPS at 4K (a 62% reduction from 1080p). This scaling pattern indicates that at Low settings, the CPU is a significant factor at 1080p, but the GPU becomes increasingly dominant as resolution increases.

At High settings, the scaling is: 123 FPS at 1080p, 83 FPS at 1440p (33% drop), and 47 FPS at 4K (62% drop). The relative consistency of these percentage drops across settings suggests that the GPU is the primary limiter at 1440p and 4K, while the CPU contributes to the 1080p results. The fact that 1080p Low (203 FPS) is 65% faster than 1080p High (123 FPS) indicates that the CPU can handle high frame rates but the GPU's workload increases substantially with settings.

At Medium settings, the frame rate drops from 157 FPS at 1080p to 105 FPS at 1440p (33% drop) and then to 60 FPS at 4K (62% drop). The minimum FPS at Medium also scales: 134 FPS at 1080p, 90 FPS at 1440p, and 51 FPS at 4K. These minimums show that the combo maintains relatively stable frame pacing even at higher resolutions, with the 4K minimum of 51 FPS still being above the 30 FPS threshold for basic playability.

Ultra settings show the steepest absolute drop: 85 FPS at 1080p, 57 FPS at 1440p (33% drop), and 33 FPS at 4K (61% drop). The 4K Ultra result of 33 FPS is barely playable and indicates that the RTX 5060's 8 GB memory and 448.0 GB/s bandwidth are simply not enough for the highest settings at 4K in Evolve.

The resolution scaling data strongly suggests that the RTX 5060 is the limiting component at 1440p and 4K, while the Ryzen 5 7400F has ample headroom. The consistent ~33% drop from 1080p to 1440p and ~62% drop from 1080p to 4K across all settings is a classic GPU-bound signature, as CPU limitations would typically show less severe scaling at higher resolutions.

Settings Recommendations

For the best experience with this combo in Evolve, the data points to 1440p Medium as the optimal balance. At this setting, the combo delivers 105 FPS average with a minimum of 90 FPS, ensuring smooth gameplay without dropping below playable thresholds. The visual quality at Medium is substantially better than Low, and the frame rate is significantly higher than at High (105 vs 83 FPS). This is the recommended configuration for most players.

If a player prioritizes maximum visual fidelity and has a 1080p monitor, Ultra at 1080p (85 FPS average) is the best choice. The frame rate remains above 60 FPS, and the visual improvements over High are noticeable. For competitive play at 1080p, Low settings (203 FPS average) provide the highest frame rates, which can be beneficial for reducing input lag, though the visual downgrade is significant.

At 1440p, players with high refresh rate monitors (144Hz or higher) should use Low settings (136 FPS average) or Medium settings (105 FPS average) to get close to or above 120 FPS. High settings (83 FPS) are suitable for 60-75Hz monitors, while Ultra (57 FPS) is only recommended for players who prioritize visuals over smoothness and can tolerate occasional frame drops.

At 4K, the data strongly recommends Low settings (77 FPS average) as the only option that provides a consistently smooth experience. Medium (60 FPS average) is borderline, with minimums of 51 FPS that may be noticeable during intense scenes. High (47 FPS) and Ultra (33 FPS) are not recommended for 4K gaming, as the frame rates fall below acceptable thresholds for a competitive FPS title.

The measured data shows that the RTX 5060's sweet spot is 1440p Medium, where it delivers over 100 FPS with good visual quality. Players with 1080p monitors can freely use Ultra settings, while those with 4K displays should stick to Low or Medium settings to maintain playability. The Ryzen 5 7400F never becomes a bottleneck in any of these configurations, as evidenced by the consistent frame rates and the CPU's high benchmark scores relative to the GPU's requirements in this game.