Evolve

Evolve, the 2015 FPS title, shows a demanding performance profile when paired with the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X and Intel Arc B370. The measured data reveals a combination that is heavily constrained by the graphics processor, particularly at higher resolutions and quality settings. This analysis breaks down the benchmark results, examining how the CPU and GPU each contribute to the final frame rates and where this specific combo stands relative to other tested configurations.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate data for Evolve shows a clear and dramatic impact from resolution scaling, indicating that the graphics processor is the primary bottleneck in this system. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 80 FPS. Moving to 1440p at the same settings drops the average to 54 FPS, a reduction of 26 FPS or roughly a third of the 1080p performance. Pushing further to 4K at Low settings yields only 31 FPS on average, which is less than half the 1080p result and represents a 49 FPS total drop.

This pattern intensifies when looking at higher quality presets. At High settings, the average frame rate falls from 49 FPS at 1080p to 33 FPS at 1440p, a 16 FPS decline. The step to 4K High is even more punishing, with the average collapsing to just 19 FPS. The scaling from 1440p to 4K at High settings shows a 14 FPS loss, which is nearly as large as the 16 FPS loss from 1080p to 1440p. This non-linear drop suggests the GPU is running out of raw throughput as pixel count increases.

The Ultra preset shows the most severe scaling. The average frame rate starts at 34 FPS at 1080p, falls to 23 FPS at 1440p, and bottoms out at 13 FPS at 4K. The difference between 1080p and 4K at Ultra is 21 FPS, which is a 61.8% reduction from the 1080p baseline. The data indicates that the gap between Low and Ultra settings becomes less pronounced at higher resolutions, as the GPU becomes so saturated that the additional workload from higher quality settings has diminishing absolute impact on frame rate.

The limiting component is clearly the Intel Arc B370. The Ryzen 7 9700X, with its high single-thread and multi-thread scores, is not the constraint here. The evidence for this is the linear relationship between resolution and frame rate drops. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect similar frame rates across different resolutions, as the CPU workload per frame would be constant. Instead, the average FPS scales inversely with pixel count, a classic sign of a GPU-bound scenario in this game.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X's specifications suggest it has ample processing power for Evolve, a game from 2015 that is unlikely to stress modern multi-core processors heavily. The CPU features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. This architecture, Zen 5 on the Granite Ridge codename, is built on a 4 nm process. In synthetic benchmarks, the processor scores 20,485 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 2,211 in single-core, indicating strong performance across both heavily-threaded and lightly-threaded workloads.

For a game like Evolve, the single-core performance is often more critical than raw multi-core throughput. The Ryzen 7 9700X achieves a 3DMark single-thread score of 1,280 and a Geekbench single-core score of 3,023. These figures are robust and should not bottleneck a GPU in most gaming scenarios. The CPU's 32 MB of shared L3 cache is also a healthy amount for game data, helping to reduce memory latency.

The fact that the combo's performance degrades so significantly with resolution increases strongly suggests the CPU is not the limiting factor. If the CPU were unable to feed the GPU, the frame rates would be low even at 1080p Low. However, the 80 FPS result at 1080p Low shows the CPU can push a reasonably high frame rate. The processor’s 16 threads are likely more than enough for Evolve’s engine, which was designed for the 8-core consoles of its era.

The CPU's percentile rank of 86 versus all other CPUs puts it in the top tier of processors. Its average benchmark score of 37,943 places it very close to rivals like the Intel Core i9-14901E, which scores 37,911, a delta of only 0.1%. The Ryzen 7 9700X also edges out the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 by a 0.1% margin. This confirms that the processor is a high-performance part, and its role in the sub-60 FPS results at higher settings is passive; it is not holding the system back, but it cannot compensate for the GPU's limitations.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is the clear performance ceiling for this combo. This integrated graphics processor, based on the Xe3-LPG architecture and Panther Lake chip, is designed for mobile and low-power applications, with a TDP of only 25 W. Its performance metrics are modest, as evidenced by its 5th percentile ranking among all GPUs. The GPU’s average benchmark score of 1,184 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 places it in the company of much older parts like the ATI Radeon HD 5770, which scores 1,190, a delta of -0.5%.

The GPU has 1,280 shading units, 40 texture mapping units, and 20 render output units. Its boost clock is listed at 2400 MHz, but the memory configuration is "System Shared," meaning it relies on the system's main memory for VRAM. This is a significant disadvantage, as the memory bandwidth is "System Dependent" and likely much slower than dedicated VRAM found in discrete graphics cards. This shared memory architecture is a primary reason for the low performance in Evolve.

Looking at the raw compute specifications, the Arc B370 offers 6.144 TFLOPS of FP32 performance. While this number might seem reasonable on paper, the actual gaming results tell a different story. The data shows that at 4K Ultra, the combo only manages 13 FPS, and at 1080p Ultra, it reaches just 34 FPS. These numbers are not playable for a fast-paced FPS. The GPU's 20 ROPs are also a limiting factor for pixel fill rate, which is critical at higher resolutions.

The GPU's performance relative to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks is telling. It performs essentially on par with the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570, which has a score of 1,186 versus the Arc B370's 1,184. In real-world gaming, this translates to a part that is only suitable for low-resolution, low-detail gaming. The measured FPS data confirms this, showing that the only configuration that achieves a consistently playable frame rate is 1080p Low, and even that is not a high-refresh-rate experience.

How This Combo Ranks

In the grand scheme of tested hardware combinations for Evolve, this pairing of the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X and Intel Arc B370 does not fare well. The combo ranks 2,639 out of 2,872 total tested combinations, placing it in the bottom 8% of all systems. This low ranking is almost entirely attributable to the GPU, as the CPU is a high-end component that ranks in the 86th percentile among all CPUs.

The data suggests that the powerful CPU is being wasted in this configuration. While the Ryzen 7 9700X ensures that the system will not experience CPU-related stutters or frame drops, the Arc B370's limited rendering capabilities prevent the system from achieving high frame rates. The combo's rank is a direct consequence of the GPU's low performance ceiling, which we have already established is a major bottleneck.

The placement of this combo in the rankings is consistent with the GPU's percentile. The Arc B370's 5th percentile ranking among all GPUs is a strong predictor of in-game performance. This pairing is an example of a severely imbalanced system, where the CPU's potential is left untapped because the GPU cannot keep up. The results would likely be very similar if the Ryzen 7 9700X were paired with any other GPU in the same performance class as the Arc B370.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, achieving a smooth and responsive experience in Evolve with this hardware requires significant compromises. The only setting that provides a consistently playable frame rate is 1080p Low, which yields an average of 80 FPS. This is the recommended configuration for competitive play, as it offers the best chance of maintaining a high and stable frame rate.

For those who prioritize visual quality over raw frame rate, 1080p Medium is a borderline option, with an average of 62 FPS and a minimum of 53 FPS. This should be acceptable for a single-player experience, though it may feel less fluid in intense multiplayer firefights. The 1440p Low setting, at 54 FPS, is also a viable alternative for users with a 1440p monitor who prefer a higher resolution over higher quality settings.

All other settings are not recommended for a good experience. The 1080p High preset, at 49 FPS, is playable but not ideal. The 1440p Medium and 4K Low presets, at 42 and 31 FPS respectively, are on the edge of playability and will likely result in a subpar experience. The Ultra presets at any resolution, and High settings at 1440p and above, should be avoided as they consistently produce average frame rates below 35 FPS.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution and settings combo for this CPU and GPU in Evolve?

A: The best measured configuration is 1920x1080 with Low settings, achieving an average of 80 FPS. This is the only setting that provides a frame rate high enough for a smooth, competitive FPS experience.

Q: How does the performance drop when moving from 1080p to 4K?

A: At Low settings, the average frame rate drops from 80 FPS at 1080p to 31 FPS at 4K, a 49 FPS loss. At High settings, it drops from 49 FPS to 19 FPS, showing that the GPU is the primary limiting factor.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X bottlenecking the Intel Arc B370 in this game?

A: No. The data indicates the system is GPU-bound. The CPU has strong benchmark scores, and the frame rate scales inversely with resolution, which is a classic sign that the graphics processor is the performance ceiling.

Q: How does this combo compare to other tested configurations?

A: This combo ranks 2,639 out of 2,872 tested combinations, placing it in the bottom 8% of all systems. The low rank is due to the GPU's limited performance, despite the CPU ranking in the 86th percentile.

Q: Can this system run Evolve at 1440p?

A: Yes, but only at Low settings, which produces an average of 54 FPS. Medium settings at 1440p are borderline, with an average of 42 FPS, while High and Ultra presets result in average frame rates below 33 FPS.

Q: What is the role of the system memory in this performance?

A: The Intel Arc B370 uses "System Shared" memory, meaning its performance is dependent on the system's main memory bandwidth. This is a significant limitation compared to dedicated graphics memory and contributes to the low frame rates observed at higher resolutions and settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table details the exact average frame rates, and where available, minimum and maximum frame rates, for every measured configuration.

| Resolution | Settings | Average FPS | Minimum FPS | Maximum FPS |

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

| 3840x2160 | High | 19 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Low | 31 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Medium | 24 | 20 | 27 |

| 3840x2160 | Ultra | 13 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | High | 33 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Low | 54 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Medium | 42 | 35 | 48 |

| 2560x1440 | Ultra | 23 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | High | 49 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Low | 80 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Medium | 62 | 53 | 72 |

| 1920x1080 | Ultra | 34 | - | - |

The data shows a clear hierarchy: lower resolutions and lower settings yield higher frame rates. The 1080p Low configuration is the only one that breaks the 60 FPS barrier, and the 4K Ultra configuration is the slowest, with an average of just 13 FPS. The minimum and maximum FPS data for the Medium preset shows some variance, with a 19 FPS spread at 1080p (53 to 72) and a 13 FPS spread at 4K (20 to 27), indicating that frame pacing is also a challenge for this hardware.