Evolve

The Intel Core i5-9400 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER pairing in Evolve presents a clear picture of a mid-range desktop setup from the late 2010s. The data sheet shows a 6-core, 6-thread processor based on the Coffee Lake Refresh architecture, running on the Intel Socket 1151 platform. Its base clock of 2.90 GHz can boost to 4.10 GHz, which is a substantial single-thread headroom. The L3 cache is 9 MB shared across all cores. For a game released in 2015, this configuration provides ample compute resources, though the processor’s 50th percentile ranking among all CPUs indicates it sits exactly at the median of the tested pool. The CPU’s average benchmark score of 2305 places it in a tight cluster with its nearest rivals; it is 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i3-10305 and 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i3-1125G4, while sitting 0.6% behind the Intel Core i7-8809G. This suggests the i5-9400 is not a bottleneck in most scenarios, as its six physical threads are sufficient for the game’s engine logic.

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

The Core i5-9400’s specification sheet shows a 14 nm process node with a 65 W TDP, making it a conventional power envelope for its generation. In Evolve, the CPU’s influence is most visible when framerates are high, such as at 1080p with Low settings where the average FPS reaches 162.9. At that point, the graphics card is delivering frames quickly, and the CPU must keep up with game state updates. The 4.10 GHz boost clock helps maintain responsiveness in this scenario. However, the processor’s performance in synthetic tests—like a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 7969—suggests it is a competent but not exceptional part. The data shows that at 1080p Ultra, the average FPS drops to 65.1, which is a 60% reduction from the Low preset at the same resolution. This drop is primarily driven by the GPU’s workload, but the CPU’s six threads are still fully engaged. The processor’s nearest rivals all have similar average scores, confirming that this CPU is not a standout performer but is also not holding the system back in a meaningful way. The 42.7 GB/s memory bandwidth and dual-channel DDR4 support are adequate for the game’s data streaming needs.

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

The RTX 2060 SUPER is the dominant component in this pairing. It features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering 448.0 GB/s of bandwidth. This is critical for Evolve, which uses large texture sets and dynamic lighting. The GPU’s base clock is 1470 MHz, boosting to 1650 MHz, and it has 2176 shading units. The 34 RT cores and 272 tensor cores are present, though Evolve does not use ray tracing or DLSS, so those units are idle. The GPU’s average benchmark score of 19774 places it at the 63rd percentile among all GPUs. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN, is only 0.3% behind, while the RTX 2070 is 0.5% behind. This indicates the 2060 SUPER is a strong performer for its era. In the game data, the GPU’s role is evident in the resolution scaling: at 4K Ultra, the average FPS is 23.5, which is barely playable, while at 1080p Low it hits 162.9. The 8 GB VRAM is sufficient for High settings at all resolutions, as the data shows no signs of texture thrashing. The GPU’s 7.181 TFLOPS of FP32 compute is the key metric for rasterization-heavy scenes.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combined setup ranks 1237 out of 1695 tested combos in Evolve. This places it in the lower third of all configurations tested, which is surprising given the individual component scores. The rank suggests that while the CPU and GPU are each mid-tier, they do not synergize exceptionally well in this specific title. The data shows that the combo’s performance is limited by the GPU at higher settings and by the CPU at lower settings. For context, the GPU’s 63rd percentile ranking is respectable, but the combo rank is dragged down by the CPU’s 50th percentile standing. The result is a system that is capable but not optimized for this game’s engine. The measured FPS at 1080p High is 99.8, which is a solid experience, but the rank indicates that many other combos achieve higher frame rates. The 1695 total combos include many with newer hardware, so this ranking reflects the age of the parts. The delta between the GPU’s percentile and the combo’s rank highlights that Evolve is more demanding on the graphics card than on the processor.

FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 1080p with High settings?

A: The measured average FPS is 99.8 at 1920x1080 with High settings, which is a smooth experience for a 60 Hz display.

Q: How much faster is the Low preset compared to Ultra at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Low preset achieves 110.1 FPS, while Ultra achieves 44.8 FPS, making Low 145.8% faster.

Q: Does the GPU’s 8 GB VRAM limit performance at 4K?

A: No, the data shows the GPU can handle 4K, but the average FPS at 4K High is 34.9, which is below the 60 FPS threshold. The VRAM is not the bottleneck; the GPU’s compute power is.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its closest rival, the Intel Core i3-10305?

A: The Core i5-9400 is 0.2% faster in average benchmark score, with 2305 versus 2300, making the difference negligible in real-world gaming.

Q: What is the best resolution for a consistent 60 FPS experience?

A: The data shows that 2560x1440 with High settings yields 63.8 FPS, which is the highest resolution and settings combination that stays above 60 FPS.

Q: Is the combo rank better than the individual component rankings?

A: No, the combo ranks 1237 out of 1695, which is lower than the GPU’s 63rd percentile, indicating that the pairing is not optimal for this game.

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

The measured FPS data reveals a clear scaling pattern. At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 162.9. Moving to 1440p Low, it drops to 110.1, a 32.4% reduction. At 4K Low, it further drops to 60, a 45.5% reduction from 1440p. This scaling is typical of a GPU-bound workload. The CPU is not the limiting factor at lower resolutions, as the framerates are high enough to show the processor’s headroom. However, at 4K, the GPU is fully saturated, and the CPU has more idle time. The data shows that at 1080p Ultra, the FPS is 65.1, which is 60.1% lower than 1080p Low. This is a significant drop, but it is expected as the GPU works harder on pixel shading. The pattern is consistent across all settings: the percentage drop from 1080p to 4K is larger at higher settings. For example, at High, the drop from 99.8 FPS at 1080p to 34.9 FPS at 4K is 65.0%. At Low, the drop is 63.2%. This suggests the GPU is the primary constraint, as the CPU’s performance does not change with resolution. The limiting component is clearly the GPU, which is why the 4K Ultra preset falls to 23.5 FPS, an unplayable level.

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

The data shows that the Medium preset at 1440p offers the best balance of visual quality and performance. At 2560x1440 Medium, the average FPS is 83.4, which is well above the 60 FPS target and provides a noticeable visual upgrade over Low. The High preset at the same resolution drops to 63.8 FPS, which is still playable but leaves less headroom for dips. At 1080p, the Medium preset achieves 125.3 FPS, which is excellent for high-refresh-rate monitors, but the visual fidelity is lower than High. For users with a 1440p display, Medium is the recommended choice because it maintains a high frame rate without sacrificing too much detail. The Ultra preset is not recommended at any resolution above 1080p, as it drops to 44.8 FPS at 1440p and 23.5 FPS at 4K, which are below playable thresholds. The Low preset at 4K achieves exactly 60 FPS, which is a valid option for users who prioritize frame rate over visuals. In summary, the best experience is at 1440p Medium, which offers a 83.4 FPS average and a solid visual presentation. At 1080p, the High preset is the best option, providing 99.8 FPS with good detail. The data does not support using Ultra at any resolution above 1080p, as the performance penalty is too severe.