Evolve

The Intel Core i5-12400F paired with the AMD Radeon RX 580 delivers a specific, measurable experience in Evolve, one that is heavily dictated by the GPU’s aging architecture. This combination ranks in the 3375th position out of 3700 tested combos for this title, placing it in the lower percentile of systems. The benchmark data reveals a configuration that can handle the game at lower resolutions and settings, but struggles significantly when demands increase. The CPU’s modern core architecture provides a stable foundation, yet the RX 580 becomes the definitive bottleneck, particularly at higher resolutions and graphical presets. The measured frames per second (FPS) across various settings paint a clear picture of a system that is best suited for 1080p gaming with conservative settings, offering a playable experience that degrades predictably as visual fidelity is prioritized.

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

The Intel Core i5-12400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process node. It operates with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, which provides a substantial amount of single-threaded performance for a game like Evolve. The CPU’s cache configuration includes 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 18 MB L3 cache. This layout is designed to feed the cores efficiently, which is crucial for maintaining consistent frame pacing in a fast-paced FPS.

In isolation, the i5-12400F is a strong performer. Its benchmark scores, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 12380 and a single-core score of 1680, indicate a processor that should not be the primary limiting factor in most gaming scenarios. However, the data from Evolve shows that the GPU is the constraining component. For instance, at 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combination achieves an average of 86 FPS. At this low graphical load, the CPU is likely able to feed frames to the GPU with relative ease, allowing the RX 580 to reach its peak output. The CPU's 3DMark scores, including a single-thread score of 909 and a 16-thread score of 5895, support its capability to handle the game's logic and physics without becoming a bottleneck.

The processor’s performance relative to its immediate rivals is noteworthy. Its average benchmark score is 19039, which is virtually identical to the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS (19047, 0% delta) and the Intel Core 3 201E (19056, -0.1% delta). It is slightly ahead of the Intel Core i5-1335U and AMD EPYC 7773X, both with a 0.3% delta. This indicates that the CPU’s processing power is well within the expected range for its class, and its gaming performance in Evolve is not hampered by a lack of CPU capability. The data suggests that at 1080p Low, the CPU is doing its job, and the FPS is largely a reflection of the GPU’s limits. As settings and resolution increase, the demand on the GPU grows exponentially, widening the gap between the CPU's potential and the system's actual output, confirming the GPU-bound nature of this pairing in Evolve.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core i5-12400F and the AMD Radeon RX 580 achieves a combo rank of 3375 out of 3700 tested combinations for Evolve. This places the system in the bottom 9% of all tested configurations, indicating that while it is capable of running the game, it does so at a performance level that is significantly below the majority of other systems the database has recorded. This rank is a holistic measure that considers the system's performance across all tested resolutions and settings, and it highlights the RX 580's limitations as a primary contributor to this low standing.

The ranking is not a reflection of the CPU, which holds a respectable 73rd percentile against all CPUs in the database. Instead, it confirms the GPU's age and relative weakness. The RX 580's average benchmark score is 12928, placing it in the 53rd percentile against all GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Mobile (12940, -0.1% delta) and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER (12986, -0.4% delta). While these scores are close, the RX 580 is a desktop part from 2017, and its performance in Evolve shows the strain of modern graphical demands. The combination rank is a stark reminder that a strong CPU cannot compensate for a GPU that is outpaced by more modern hardware.

Looking at the measured FPS, the system's low rank becomes clear. While it can achieve 86 FPS at 1080p Low, this is an outlier. The more demanding presets show the system struggling; at 1080p Ultra, the average FPS drops to 36, and at 4K Ultra, it plummets to 14 FPS. These figures, which are far below the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay, contribute to the bottom-tier ranking. The combo's performance is characterized by a steep drop-off as graphical load increases, a pattern that is typical for a GPU that is nearing the end of its useful life for new AAA titles. The data indicates that this combo is best suited for older or less demanding games, or for playing Evolve at its lowest settings to achieve a playable frame rate.

FAQ

*Q: What is the best resolution to play Evolve with this CPU and GPU combo?*

A: Based on the measured data, 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the combo achieves consistently playable frame rates. At 1080p, the average FPS ranges from 86 on Low to 36 on Ultra, while at 2560x1440, the average FPS drops to a range of 24 to 57, and at 3840x2160, it falls to 14 to 33.

*Q: Can this system achieve a stable 60 FPS in Evolve?*

A: The data shows that a stable 60 FPS is only possible at 1920x1080 with Low settings, where the average FPS is 86. At Medium settings, the average drops to 66 FPS, but this is still above 60. At High settings, the average is 52 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS threshold, indicating that 60 FPS is not achievable at higher presets.

Q: How much of a performance drop is there when moving from 1080p to 1440p?

A: The performance impact is significant. For example, at Medium settings, the average FPS drops from 66 at 1920x1080 to 44 at 2560x1440, a reduction of 22 FPS. At High settings, it drops from 52 to 35, and at Low settings, from 86 to 57. This indicates a substantial load increase on the GPU at 1440p.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-12400F a bottleneck for the Radeon RX 580 in this game?

A: No, the data indicates the opposite. The CPU is a modern, capable processor, and the frame rates are limited by the GPU. At 1080p Low, the system reaches 86 FPS, which is likely near the RX 580's maximum. As the resolution and settings increase, the FPS drops, which is a classic sign of a GPU bottleneck, not a CPU one.

Q: What is the playable experience like at 4K resolution?

A: The experience at 3840x2160 is poor. Even at Low settings, the average FPS is only 33, which is not smooth. At Medium, it drops to 25 FPS, and at High, it is 20 FPS. Ultra settings are unplayable, with an average of 14 FPS. This resolution is not viable for this combo.

Q: How does this combo's ranking compare to its component's individual performance?

A: The CPU is in the 73rd percentile of all CPUs, and the GPU is in the 53rd percentile of all GPUs. However, the combo ranks 3375th out of 3700 combos for Evolve. This disparity suggests that the specific pairing is suboptimal for this game, and the GPU's age prevents the system from achieving a higher overall rank.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The measured FPS data provides a detailed look at the combo's performance across all tested configurations. At 1920x1080, the system shows its best results. With Low settings, the average frame rate is 86 FPS. Moving to Medium settings reduces the average to 66 FPS, with a minimum of 56 and a maximum of 76 FPS. At High settings, the average drops further to 52 FPS. The most demanding preset, Ultra, yields an average of 36 FPS. This progression shows a clear and expected decline in performance as graphical fidelity increases.

At 2560x1440, the performance takes a noticeable hit. Low settings produce an average of 57 FPS, which is a significant drop from the 86 FPS seen at 1080p. Medium settings average 44 FPS, with a minimum of 38 and a maximum of 51 FPS. High settings average 35 FPS, and Ultra settings are the most taxing, with an average of just 24 FPS. The data shows that 1440p is only viable at Low settings for a frame rate that is near 60 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain playable frame rates. The lowest tested setting, Low, only manages an average of 33 FPS. Medium settings drop to 25 FPS, with a minimum of 22 and a maximum of 29 FPS. High settings average 20 FPS, and Ultra settings are effectively unplayable, with an average of 14 FPS. This resolution is clearly beyond the capabilities of the RX 580 in this title, as even the lowest settings fail to provide a smooth experience. The data across all resolutions and settings is consistent, showing a system that is progressively overwhelmed by increasing graphical demands.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The AMD Radeon RX 580 is a graphics card built on the Polaris 20 chip, using the GCN 4.0 architecture on a 14 nm process. It comes with 8 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s. The GPU operates at a base clock of 1257 MHz and a boost clock of 1340 MHz, with memory running at 2000 MHz or 8 Gbps effective. These specifications, while respectable for their time, are now dated, and the benchmark results in Evolve reflect this.

The GPU's 8 GB of VRAM is not the limiting factor in this game, as the frame rates are more constrained by the GPU's raw compute power. The card has 2304 shading units, 144 texture mapping units, and 32 ROPs, which are the components responsible for rendering the game's visuals. Its performance in DirectX 11, as shown by a Passmark score of 60, is particularly relevant, as Evolve is a title from 2015 that relies on this API. The GPU's compute capabilities, evidenced by a Passmark GPU compute score of 3488, are insufficient for the demands of higher resolutions and settings.

The RX 580's performance is directly tied to its clock speeds and architecture. At 1080p Low, the GPU is able to render frames at an average of 86 FPS, likely operating near its peak boost clock of 1340 MHz. However, when the resolution is increased to 4K, the GPU's fill rate and shader throughput are overwhelmed, resulting in an average of 33 FPS at Low settings. The data shows a clear correlation between the GPU's workload and its clock speed potential, but the architecture's lack of efficiency compared to modern cards is evident. The GPU's nearest rivals, such as the GTX 1660 SUPER, have a slightly higher average benchmark score (12986 vs 12928), but the RX 580's performance in this game is still a reflection of its position in the market, which is now firmly in the lower tier.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Given the measured performance data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the user's priority: achieving a high frame rate or maximizing visual quality. For a smooth and responsive experience, the 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings is the clear choice. This configuration yields an average of 86 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS target and ensures that the game feels fluid. This preset minimizes the graphical load on the RX 580, allowing it to output its maximum frame rate and providing the best chance for consistent performance during intense gameplay moments.

For players who prefer a balance between visual fidelity and performance, 1920x1080 with Medium settings is the next best option. This preset delivers an average of 66 FPS, which is still playable, but the minimum FPS of 56 indicates that there may be occasional dips below 60 FPS during heavy action. This is a viable choice for those who want some graphical improvements without sacrificing too much smoothness. The High and Ultra presets at 1080p, with averages of 52 and 36 FPS respectively, are not recommended for a game of this genre, where frame rate is critical for aiming and reaction times.

At higher resolutions, the data strongly suggests that only Low settings are worth considering. At 2560x1440, Low settings produce 57 FPS, which is acceptable, but Medium and above drop to 44 FPS or lower. At 3840x2160, even Low settings only achieve 33 FPS, which is not recommended for a competitive FPS. Therefore, the best experience per the measured rows is unequivocally 1920x1080 with Low settings, as it is the only configuration that offers a substantial margin above the 60 FPS threshold, ensuring the most responsive and enjoyable gameplay.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The FPS scaling across resolutions is a textbook example of a GPU-bound system. When moving from 1920x1080 to 2560x1440 at Low settings, the average frame rate drops from 86 to 57 FPS, a 34% decrease. This is a significant drop that indicates the GPU is having to work substantially harder to render the increased pixel count. The trend continues from 1440p to 4K, where the average FPS falls from 57 to 33 FPS at Low settings, another 42% reduction. This non-linear scaling is a clear indicator that the limiting factor is the graphics card's processing power.

The pattern is consistent across all settings. At Medium settings, the frame rate drops from 66 FPS at 1080p to 44 FPS at 1440p, and then to 25 FPS at 4K. At High settings, the progression is 52 to 35 to 20 FPS, and at Ultra, it is 36 to 24 to 14 FPS. In each case, the drop in performance is dramatic, demonstrating that the RX 580's core architecture and memory bandwidth are simply not sufficient to handle the increased data throughput required at higher resolutions.

This scaling behavior strongly suggests that the CPU is not the bottleneck. If the CPU were the limiting factor, the frame rate would be more consistent across resolutions, as the CPU's workload does not increase as much with resolution. The fact that the FPS drops so sharply with each resolution increase proves that the GPU is being pushed to its absolute limits. The i5-12400F is capable of delivering frames much faster, but the RX 580 cannot keep up, making it the definitive component that determines the system's performance ceiling in Evolve. The data shows that this combo is best utilized at 1080p, where the GPU can still provide a playable experience, and that any attempt to scale up to higher resolutions will result in a significant and unavoidable performance penalty.