Evolve

The Intel Core i5-12600KF paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is a high-end combination that delivers a commanding performance in Evolve, a 2015 FPS title. The data shows this pairing is capable of extreme frame rates across all tested resolutions, with the most significant bottleneck appearing only at 4K Ultra settings. Benchmark results indicate that the CPU’s 10 cores and 16 threads provide ample headroom for the game’s engine, allowing the RTX 4080’s substantial compute resources to dominate at lower resolutions. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS, the role of each component, and how this specific combo ranks against the broader database of tested configurations.

FAQ

*Q: What is the overall rank of this CPU and GPU combination in Evolve?*

A: This combo ranks 222nd out of 3700 tested combinations, placing it in the top 6% of all configurations in the database for this game.

Q: How does the RTX 4080 compare to its closest rival in raw GPU benchmark scores?

A: The RTX 4080 has an average benchmark score of 54247. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER, scores 54209, which is a performance delta of 0.1%. This indicates the two cards are virtually identical in overall compute performance.

Q: What is the maximum average FPS achieved by this combo at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 335 FPS. This is the highest measured average frame rate for this configuration across all settings and resolutions.

Q: Does the CPU performance bottleneck the GPU at any resolution?

A: The data suggests the CPU provides strong support. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 23391, and it sits at the 79th percentile of all CPUs. The performance deltas to its nearest rivals are minimal, ranging from -0.3% to 0.3%, indicating that the i5-12600KF is well-matched to avoid holding back the RTX 4080 in most scenarios, though the 4K Ultra result suggests a potential limit.

Q: What is the average FPS difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the average FPS drops from 225 on Low settings to 95 on Ultra settings. This represents a 57.8% reduction in frame rate when moving to the highest quality preset.

Q: Is the RTX 4080's memory bandwidth sufficient for high-resolution gaming?

A: The card features 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 716.8 GB/s. The measured results show it maintains playable averages above 60 FPS at 4K High, suggesting the memory subsystem is adequately provisioned for this title.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is the primary driver of frame rates in Evolve, and its specifications explain the performance scaling observed in the data. Built on the Ada Lovelace architecture with a 5 nm process, the GPU operates at a base clock of 2205 MHz and boosts up to 2505 MHz. This high clock speed, combined with 9728 shading units, provides the raw compute power needed to push high frame rates.

The card's memory configuration is a critical asset. With 16 GB of GDDR6X memory running at an effective speed of 22.4 Gbps across a 256-bit bus, it achieves a bandwidth of 716.8 GB/s. This is more than sufficient for Evolve's textures and geometry, even at 4K resolution. The GPU's compute capability is further underscored by its FP32 performance of 48.74 TFLOPS, which allows it to handle complex shaders and post-processing effects without significant frame rate penalties.

The benchmark data illustrates the GPU's dominance. At 1920x1080, the RTX 4080 is rarely constrained, delivering average FPS figures from 204 on High to 335 on Low. Even at the demanding 3840x2160 resolution, the GPU maintains an average of 128 FPS on Low settings and 78 FPS on High settings. The jump from High to Ultra at 4K is the most significant performance hit, with the average dropping from 78 FPS to 54 FPS. This suggests that the Ultra preset introduces rendering features that heavily tax the GPU, likely involving advanced lighting or shadow techniques that are computationally expensive. The GPU's performance percentile of 86 versus all other GPUs confirms its high-end status, and its average benchmark score of 54247 places it in a virtual tie with its nearest rival, the RTX 4080 SUPER.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Core i5-12600KF and RTX 4080 holds a combo rank of 222 out of 3700 tested configurations in Evolve. This places the setup in the top 6% of all systems, confirming it as a high-performance pairing capable of delivering an excellent gaming experience. The ranking reflects the balance between the CPU and GPU; neither component is severely mis-matched for the game's engine.

The CPU's benchmark data supports this balance. With an average benchmark score of 27799, the i5-12600KF sits at the 79th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-10900K (avgScore 27872, delta -0.3%) and the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D (avgScore 27896, delta -0.3%). These negligible deltas indicate that the i5-12600KF performs on par with these other high-end processors, providing a stable foundation for the RTX 4080. The GPU, ranked at the 86th percentile, is the more powerful component in the pairing, and the combo's overall rank reflects how these two parts work together to avoid creating a significant bottleneck that would lower the system's standing.

The data suggests that the combo's rank is primarily driven by the GPU's ability to maintain high frame rates. While the CPU is not the strongest available, its performance is sufficient to feed the RTX 4080 effectively, especially at 1440p and 1080p where the CPU's 10 cores and 16 threads can handle the game's simulation and draw calls. The result is a system that performs exceptionally well, ranking higher than 94% of all other tested combinations.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed look at how the combo scales across resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the system produces exceptional results. On Low settings, it averages 335 FPS; Medium settings yield 260 FPS (with a min of 221 and max of 299); High settings produce 204 FPS; and Ultra settings still manage a very high 141 FPS. These numbers indicate that at 1080p, the GPU is the dominant factor, and the CPU provides enough support to avoid limiting the frame rate.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance remains impressive. Low settings average 225 FPS, Medium averages 174 FPS (min 148, max 200), High averages 137 FPS, and Ultra drops to 95 FPS. The scaling from Low to Ultra is a 57.8% reduction in performance, which is a typical pattern for a GPU-bound scenario where higher settings increase the pixel shading workload. The minimum FPS on Medium (148) is still well above the refresh rate of most high-end monitors, ensuring a smooth experience.

At 3840x2160, the GPU begins to show its limits, though performance remains playable. Low settings average 128 FPS, which is a strong result for 4K. Medium settings average 99 FPS (min 84, max 114), and High settings average 78 FPS. The most demanding preset, Ultra, drops the average to 54 FPS. This is the only measured configuration that falls below the 60 FPS threshold, indicating that the Ultra preset at 4K is particularly demanding. The data shows a clear pattern: the RTX 4080 is powerful enough to handle 4K High at playable rates, but Ultra settings require a compromise on resolution or a reduction in graphical fidelity to maintain a consistent 60 FPS.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the target resolution and refresh rate. For players with a 1080p display, the Ultra preset is the clear recommendation. The average of 141 FPS is high enough to take full advantage of 144Hz and 165Hz monitors, and the visual improvements over High are worth the frame rate trade-off. Even the Low preset's 335 FPS is overkill for most displays, so there is no reason to sacrifice visual quality.

For 1440p users, the High preset offers the best balance of visual fidelity and performance. The average of 137 FPS is excellent for high-refresh-rate gaming, and the drop to Ultra (95 FPS) may not be worth the visual gain for competitive play. However, for those prioritizing image quality over maximum frame rate, Ultra is still a viable option as 95 FPS is smooth on most displays. The Medium preset (174 FPS) is also a strong choice for those who prefer higher frame rates, but High provides a better visual experience with only a 21% performance hit.

At 4K, the recommendation is more nuanced. The High preset, averaging 78 FPS, is the best choice for a balance of quality and performance, providing a smooth experience on a 60Hz display and a good experience on a 120Hz display. The Ultra preset, at 54 FPS, is only suitable for players who prioritize absolute visual quality and can tolerate frame rates below 60. The Medium preset (99 FPS) is a great alternative for those who want a high refresh rate experience at 4K, as it provides a significant frame rate boost over High with a moderate reduction in visual effects. In summary, the data suggests that for the best experience, users should target High settings at 4K, High or Ultra at 1440p, and Ultra at 1080p.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-12600KF serves as the supporting pillar for the RTX 4080, and its specifications are well-suited for Evolve. The processor features 10 cores and 16 threads, based on the Alder Lake architecture. It has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, which provides strong single-threaded performance, a crucial factor for game engines that often rely on a few primary threads for logic and rendering commands.

The CPU's cache hierarchy is also relevant. It features 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 20 MB L3 cache. This large L3 cache helps keep frequently accessed data close to the cores, reducing latency and improving performance in scenarios where the game engine needs to quickly access assets. The CPU's benchmark results corroborate its capability. Its 3DMark single-thread score is 1016, and its Cinebench R23 single-core score is 3302, which are strong results for gaming workloads.

In Evolve, the CPU's role is to handle game logic, AI, and physics simulation, while the GPU renders the frames. The data shows that the i5-12600KF is not a bottleneck at 1080p and 1440p, as the frame rates are exceptionally high. However, at 4K Ultra, the average FPS drops to 54, which could indicate a more balanced load where both CPU and GPU are heavily taxed. The CPU's multi-threaded performance, evidenced by a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23391 and a Passmark multithread score of 27575, ensures that it can handle the game's background tasks without causing stutters. The processor's performance relative to its rivals is nearly identical, with the closest competitor, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D, being only 0.3% faster in average benchmark score. This parity confirms that the i5-12600KF provides a stable and predictable platform, allowing the RTX 4080 to deliver its full potential in most gaming scenarios.