Evolve

Evolve, a 2015 FPS built on the CryEngine, responds strongly to both processor and graphics hardware, but the data shows a clear split in how the Intel Core i5-14600K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti influence the final frame rates. The measured FPS across resolutions and settings reveals a system where the CPU provides a robust baseline, but the GPU’s 8 GB VRAM and compute limits become the decisive factor at higher loads. This analysis breaks down the measured rows to explain where the bottleneck lies and what the scores mean for gameplay.

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

The Intel Core i5-14600K brings 14 cores and 20 threads to the table, a configuration that is far beyond what Evolve required at its 2015 release. The processor’s base clock of 3.50 GHz and boost clock of 5.30 GHz are high enough to handle the game’s physics and AI calculations without creating a frame-time ceiling at standard settings. Benchmark data supports this: the CPU’s average benchmark score of 49166 places it in the 93rd percentile of all processors, and its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X, scores 49062, a mere 0.2% difference. This indicates that the 14600K is not a limiting factor in most Evolve scenarios.

However, the data suggests that the CPU’s headroom is largely untapped in this game. At 1080p Low settings, the combo reaches 195.5 FPS, which is likely close to the game engine’s practical limit for draw calls and scene management. The single-core performance, evidenced by a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4642, ensures that the game’s primary thread can be fed quickly. The L3 cache of 24 MB shared also helps keep frequently accessed game assets close to the cores, reducing latency. But the fact that the CPU can push far beyond the GPU’s capabilities at lower resolutions implies that Evolve is not a CPU-bound title for this hardware. The CPU’s role here is to provide a stable, high-frequency foundation; it is the GPU that will ultimately decide the playable settings.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the more constrained component in this pairing. Its 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing 448.0 GB/s of bandwidth, is adequate for Evolve’s 2015-era textures, but the data shows a sharp performance cliff as settings increase. The GPU’s boost clock of 1665 MHz and 4864 shading units deliver a raw compute capability, but the 8 GB VRAM seems to be the primary limitation at Ultra settings across all resolutions. The benchmark score of 20349 in Passmark G3D places it in the 69th percentile of GPUs, with nearest rivals like the AMD Radeon RX 6700M scoring 25180 (a 0.2% difference) and the RX 6600 at 25235 (0.5% difference), indicating it is a mid-to-high-range part, not a top-tier one.

The role of the GPU becomes evident when comparing settings. At 1080p, dropping from High to Low increases FPS from 119.8 to 195.5, a 63% jump. This suggests that even at 1080p, the GPU’s fill rate and shader work are heavily taxed. The 8 GB VRAM is likely sufficient for Low and Medium, but at Ultra, the game may be exceeding the memory capacity or hitting a bandwidth wall, causing the average FPS to plummet to 85.6 at 1080p and 32.2 at 4K. The data implies that the RTX 3060 Ti is a capable card for 1080p High, but it is not a 4K Ultra solution for Evolve, even with a strong CPU feeding it.

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

Observing the FPS scaling from 1080p to 4K reveals the classic signs of a GPU-bound workload. At High settings, the average FPS falls from 119.8 at 1080p to 84 at 1440p, a 30% reduction, and then to 45.1 at 4K, a further 46% drop from 1440p. This non-linear decline is typical of a GPU that is running out of pixel processing power and memory bandwidth at higher resolutions. The Low settings tell a similar story, with FPS going from 195.5 at 1080p to 134.6 at 1440p (a 31% drop) and then to 76.3 at 4K (a 43% drop). The consistent percentage drops across settings confirm that the GPU is the limiting component, not the CPU.

The data also shows that the gap between resolutions narrows at Ultra settings. At 1080p Ultra, the score is 85.6, which drops to 54.9 at 1440p (a 36% reduction) and then to 32.2 at 4K (a 41% reduction). This suggests that at Ultra, the GPU is so saturated that additional resolution scaling has a slightly less proportional impact, as the card is already struggling to maintain frame times. The CPU’s high scores, such as the Cinebench R23 multicore result of 32881, ensure that it is not introducing a bottleneck at any resolution. Therefore, the resolution scaling analysis points squarely at the RTX 3060 Ti as the arbiter of performance.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

In the broader database of tested combinations, this pairing of the Intel Core i5-14600K and RTX 3060 Ti ranks 891 out of 1695 combos for Evolve. This places it in the middle of the pack, which is surprising given the CPU’s top-tier status. The rank suggests that the GPU holds the combo back significantly; other combos with weaker CPUs but stronger GPUs likely achieve higher FPS in this game. The rank of 891 out of 1695 means that 804 other combos performed better, likely due to more powerful graphics cards.

This mid-pack ranking aligns with the GPU’s own percentile standing. The RTX 3060 Ti sits in the 69th percentile of all GPUs, while the CPU is in the 93rd percentile. The combo’s overall rank is dragged down by the GPU, indicating that for Evolve, the graphics card is the most important factor for a higher rank. The data implies that this is a balanced pairing for many modern games, but for a 2015 title like Evolve, the GPU’s limitations are more pronounced. The combo rank of 891 suggests that users looking for higher placement would need to upgrade the GPU, not the CPU.

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

Based on the measured FPS rows, the optimal balance of visual fidelity and smooth gameplay is the High preset at 1440p or the High preset at 1080p. At 1440p High, the combo achieves 84 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS threshold for most monitors and provides a significant visual upgrade over Medium. At 1080p High, the 119.8 FPS average is excellent for high-refresh-rate displays, offering a smooth experience without the heavy performance cost of Ultra. The Medium preset at 1440p offers 100.9 FPS, which is playable, but High at 1440p provides better image quality for only a 17% FPS reduction.

For users with 4K displays, the data shows that even Low settings only yield 76.3 FPS, and High drops to 45.1 FPS, making it a difficult target for consistent 60 FPS gameplay. The Ultra preset is not recommended at any resolution, as it drops below 60 FPS even at 1080p, with a score of 85.6. The best experience per the data is 1080p High, which offers a high frame rate and good detail, or 1440p High for those prioritizing resolution over raw FPS. The Low preset at 1080p offers 195.5 FPS, but this is likely overkill for most displays and sacrifices too much visual quality.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS achievable with this combo in Evolve?

A: The highest measured average FPS is 195.5, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

Q: Is this CPU-GPU combo capable of 4K gaming in Evolve?

A: Yes, but with limitations. At 4K High, the average FPS is 45.1, while at 4K Low it is 76.3. It cannot maintain 60 FPS at 4K High or Ultra settings.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rival in terms of overall benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600K has an average benchmark score of 49166, which is 0.2% higher than the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X’s score of 49062.

Q: What is the performance difference between the GPU and its closest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 6700M?

A: The RTX 3060 Ti has an average benchmark score of 25120, which is 0.2% lower than the RX 6700M’s score of 25180.

Q: Does the combo rank in the top half of all tested combinations for this game?

A: No. The combo ranks 891 out of 1695 tested combos, placing it just above the middle of the field.

Q: What is the FPS drop from 1080p to 4K at Ultra settings?

A: The average FPS drops from 85.6 at 1920x1080 to 32.2 at 3840x2160 on Ultra settings, a reduction of 53.4 FPS.

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

1920x1080 (Full HD):

• Low: 195.5 FPS
• Medium: 153.4 FPS
• High: 119.8 FPS
• Ultra: 85.6 FPS

2560x1440 (Quad HD):

• Low: 134.6 FPS
• Medium: 100.9 FPS
• High: 84 FPS
• Ultra: 54.9 FPS

3840x2160 (4K Ultra HD):

• Low: 76.3 FPS
• Medium: 56.5 FPS
• High: 45.1 FPS
• Ultra: 32.2 FPS