Evolve

The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X paired with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti produces a highly variable experience in Evolve, one that is dictated almost entirely by the graphics settings chosen rather than the resolution. The measured data shows a system that can deliver smooth, high-refresh gameplay at 1080p, but which struggles to maintain playable frame rates at 4K on higher presets. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS across resolutions and settings, examines the CPU’s role, and provides clear recommendations based on the benchmark results.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate scaling from 1080p to 4K reveals a classic GPU-bound scenario, particularly at higher settings. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 122.5 FPS. Moving to 1440p drops that to 82.8 FPS, a reduction of roughly 32%. At 4K, the average falls to 49.1 FPS, which is approximately 60% lower than the 1080p result. This steep decline indicates that the GTX 1660 Ti is the primary limiting factor as pixel count increases.

The pattern becomes more pronounced at High settings. The 1080p average is 74.8 FPS, which drops to 50.6 FPS at 1440p and then to 30.1 FPS at 4K. The gap between 1440p and 4K is particularly stark, showing that the GPU’s rendering capacity is exhausted well before reaching 4K. At Ultra settings, the situation is worse: 55.2 FPS at 1080p falls to 35.0 FPS at 1440p and plummets to 18.9 FPS at 4K, which is effectively unplayable.

The data suggests that the CPU is not the bottleneck at any resolution. The Ryzen 5 9600X, with its high single-thread performance, is capable of feeding the GPU adequately even at 1080p Low, where the frame rate is highest. The consistent and predictable FPS drops with each resolution increase are characteristic of a GPU that is running out of pixel throughput, not a CPU that is starved for data. In short, the GTX 1660 Ti’s 6 GB of GDDR6 memory and 192-bit bus are the determining factors for resolution scaling.

CPU Role

The Ryzen 5 9600X provides a strong foundation for this pairing. With 6 cores and 12 threads, it offers ample multi-threading for modern games, and its boost clock of 5.40 GHz ensures high single-thread performance, which is critical for game logic and draw calls. The benchmark data for the CPU shows a 3DMark single-thread score of 1253 and a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3603, both of which are robust figures that indicate the CPU will rarely hold back a mid-range GPU like the GTX 1660 Ti.

In this specific game, the CPU’s role appears secondary. The measured FPS at 1080p Low (122.5 FPS) is the highest in the dataset, and the fact that the FPS scales down uniformly with resolution increases suggests the CPU is not reaching its limits. The Ryzen 5 9600X’s 32 MB of shared L3 cache and support for DDR5 memory further reduce any potential stuttering or frame-time issues. The CPU’s percentile ranking of 85 against all CPUs confirms it is a high-performing part, but in this combo, it is clearly the GPU that dictates the final frame rates. The CPU is effectively a capable partner that ensures the GPU is the sole performance limiter.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data provides a clear hierarchy for settings at each resolution, and the optimal choice depends on the target frame rate. At 1080p, the Low preset delivers 122.5 FPS, which is excellent for competitive play. Medium provides 95.5 FPS, still very smooth, while High offers 74.8 FPS, which is a good balance of visual quality and performance. Ultra drops to 55.2 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for fast-paced action.

At 1440p, the situation tightens. Low provides 82.8 FPS, which is solid. Medium yields 63.4 FPS, which is acceptable. High falls to 50.6 FPS, which is on the edge of smoothness. Ultra at 35.0 FPS is not recommended for a smooth experience. For the best experience at 1440p, the data suggests using Medium or Low to maintain frame rates above 60 FPS.

At 4K, the options are limited. Low is the only preset that achieves a playable average, at 49.1 FPS. Medium drops to 38.6 FPS, and High falls to 30.1 FPS. Ultra at 18.9 FPS is a slideshow. The recommendation for 4K is to stick with Low settings if playability is the priority. Overall, the data indicates that the Medium preset at 1080p or 1440p offers the best compromise between visual fidelity and smooth frame rates, while 4K users should accept Low settings as the only viable option.

How This Combo Ranks

In the broader context of tested hardware combinations, this pairing of the Ryzen 5 9600X and GTX 1660 Ti ranks 1489 out of 1695 combos for Evolve. This ranking places it in the lower percentile of all tested configurations, which is expected given the age of the GPU relative to the CPU. The GTX 1660 Ti’s performance percentile of 55 against all GPUs indicates it is a mid-range part, and the combo’s rank reflects that.

Looking at the GPU’s nearest rivals, the GTX 1660 Ti has an average benchmark score of 13925, which is just 0.4% higher than the AMD Radeon RX 570X and 0.8% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680. This shows that the GPU is closely matched with older or lower-tier cards, and the combo’s rank is largely a function of the GPU’s modest capabilities. The CPU, in contrast, ranks in the 85th percentile, far above the GPU. The mismatch in performance tiers between the CPU and GPU is the reason the combo sits at 1489, as the GPU limits the overall outcome. The data suggests that while the CPU is overqualified for this task, the GPU holds the combo back in the rankings.

FAQ

*Q: What is the highest average FPS this combo can achieve in Evolve?*

A: The highest measured average FPS is 122.5, which occurs at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

*Q: Is this combo capable of 4K gaming in Evolve?*

A: At 4K, only the Low settings preset achieves a playable average frame rate of 49.1 FPS. Higher presets drop below 40 FPS, with Ultra at 18.9 FPS.

Q: How does the GTX 1660 Ti compare to its nearest rival, the RX 570X?

A: The GTX 1660 Ti has an average benchmark score of 13925, which is 0.4% higher than the AMD Radeon RX 570X’s score of 13871.

Q: Does the CPU bottleneck the GPU at 1080p?

A: No. The highest FPS is recorded at 1080p Low (122.5 FPS), and the FPS scales down with resolution, indicating the GPU is the limiting factor, not the CPU.

Q: What is the best settings preset for a 60 FPS target at 2560x1440?

A: The Low preset at 1440p achieves 82.8 FPS, while Medium achieves 63.4 FPS. Both are above 60 FPS, but Medium offers better visuals while staying above the target.

*Q: What is the combo’s overall ranking among all tested combos in Evolve?*

A: The combo ranks 1489 out of 1695 tested combinations, placing it in the lower percentile of all configurations.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table details the exact average FPS measured for each resolution and settings preset in Evolve.

| Resolution | Settings | Average FPS |

|---|---|---|

| 3840x2160 | High | 30.1 |

| 3840x2160 | Low | 49.1 |

| 3840x2160 | Medium | 38.6 |

| 3840x2160 | Ultra | 18.9 |

| 2560x1440 | High | 50.6 |

| 2560x1440 | Low | 82.8 |

| 2560x1440 | Medium | 63.4 |

| 2560x1440 | Ultra | 35.0 |

| 1920x1080 | High | 74.8 |

| 1920x1080 | Low | 122.5 |

| 1920x1080 | Medium | 95.5 |

| 1920x1080 | Ultra | 55.2 |

The data shows a clear progression: at 1080p, the combo is capable of high frame rates across all presets, with only Ultra dropping below 60 FPS. At 1440p, the Low and Medium presets remain smooth, while High and Ultra fall below the 60 FPS threshold. At 4K, only Low settings provide a playable experience, and even then, it is below 60 FPS. The Ultra preset at 4K is the worst-case scenario, producing an average of just 18.9 FPS, which is unsuitable for gameplay.