Evolve

The Intel Core i7-14700F paired with the Intel Arc B390 is a study in extremes, combining a top-tier 14th Gen desktop processor with an integrated-class graphics solution. This combination ranks at 2530 out of 2872 tested combos in Evolve, placing it in the bottom 12% of all configurations. The benchmark results paint a clear picture of a system where the GPU is the overwhelming bottleneck, struggling to keep pace with the demands of this 2015 FPS title. The data shows a profound imbalance: while the CPU sits in the 91st percentile of all processors, the GPU languishes in the 9th percentile, creating a scenario where visual quality and resolution are severely constrained by the integrated graphics.

How This Combo Ranks

The composite ranking of 2530 out of 2872 combos is a direct reflection of the GPU's limitations. This low standing is not an indictment of the processor, but rather a mathematical consequence of pairing a high-end CPU with a GPU that performs at a fraction of the level of dedicated solutions. The data suggests that in Evolve, the gameplay experience will be defined by the graphics hardware, and the i7-14700F's substantial processing power will remain largely untapped. This rank places the combo far below the median, indicating that most other tested systems will deliver significantly higher frame rates and smoother gameplay.

The GPU's individual benchmark score reinforces this, as it holds a 9th percentile ranking among all GPUs. Its average benchmark score of 1482 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 is nearly identical to that of its nearest rivals, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX and GeForce 800M, which score 1463 and 1460, respectively. The deltaPct between the Arc B390 and these older, entry-level mobile parts is a mere 1.3% and 1.5%, showing that its raw graphics compute power is on par with hardware from a bygone era. When compared to the CPU's nearest rivals, like the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X, which is only 0.6% behind the i7-14700F in average score, the disparity in capability between the two components in this combo is stark.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390's role in this combo is the primary limiting factor. Its specifications reveal why the frame rates in Evolve are so low. The GPU operates with a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2500 MHz, but its memory configuration is the key constraint: it uses "System Shared" memory, meaning it relies on the system's RAM rather than dedicated VRAM. This shared memory setup, with a bus width also listed as "System Shared," creates a severe bandwidth bottleneck. The memory bandwidth is "System Dependent," which in practical terms means it will be a fraction of what a dedicated graphics card offers, directly impacting texture loading and rendering throughput in a game like Evolve.

The GPU's raw computational specs, such as 1536 shading units, 48 TMUs, and 24 ROPs, seem modest, and its performance is reflected in its 7.680 TFLOPS of FP32 compute power. Despite supporting modern APIs like DirectX 12 Ultimate and Vulkan 1.4, this hardware is not designed for high-end gaming. The fact that it is an IGP (Integrated Graphics Processor) with a TDP of 80 W and no power connectors confirms its integrated nature. In Evolve, this translates to an inability to maintain playable frame rates at higher settings, as the GPU is consistently overwhelmed by the rendering workload, regardless of the CPU's readiness.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a predictable, yet dramatic, decline as resolution increases, which is a classic sign of a GPU-bound system. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 89 FPS. When the resolution is increased to 1440p, this drops to 60 FPS, and at 4K, it plummets to 34 FPS. This scaling suggests that even at the lowest settings, the GPU is working hard, and the jump to higher resolutions directly impacts its ability to fill pixels. The drop from 1080p to 4K at Low settings represents a 55 FPS loss, a clear indication that the integrated GPU's pixel throughput is being exhausted.

This pattern is consistent across all settings. At High settings, the average frame rate falls from 54 FPS at 1080p to 36 FPS at 1440p and finally to 21 FPS at 4K. The decreasing returns at higher resolutions indicate that the limiting component is unequivocally the GPU. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the frame rate would be more consistent across resolutions, as the CPU's workload would not change significantly. Instead, the data shows the GPU's workload increasing proportionally with pixel count, confirming that the Arc B390 is the sole reason for the performance ceiling.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo in Evolve?

A: Based on the measured data, 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the combo can achieve consistently playable frame rates. At 1080p, average FPS ranges from 37 on Ultra to 89 on Low, whereas 1440p and 4K averages fall below 60 FPS on all settings except 1440p Low.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B390's performance compare to its closest rivals?

A: The Arc B390's average benchmark score is 1482, which is 1.3% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX's 1463 score and 1.5% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce 800M's 1460 score. This shows that its raw compute power is statistically equivalent to these older, entry-level GPUs.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the main bottleneck in this combo?

A: The GPU is the definitive bottleneck. The CPU ranks in the 91st percentile of all processors, while the GPU ranks in the 9th percentile. The resolution scaling data further confirms this, as frame rates drop sharply with increasing resolution, a hallmark of a GPU-limited system.

Q: What is the highest setting where the average FPS stays above 60 at 1080p?

A: The only preset that achieves an average above 60 FPS at 1080p is Low, which hits 89 FPS. The Medium preset comes close with 69 FPS, but High drops to 54 FPS, and Ultra falls to 37 FPS.

Q: What are the minimum and maximum FPS recorded for Medium settings?

A: At 1080p Medium, the FPS ranges from 59 to 79. At 1440p Medium, it ranges from 39 to 53. At 4K Medium, the range is 22 to 30 FPS.

Q: Does this combo support modern graphics APIs for Evolve?

A: The GPU supports DirectX 12 Ultimate and Vulkan 1.4, which are modern APIs. However, the benchmark data shows that despite this software support, the hardware's raw performance is too low to leverage these APIs effectively for a smooth gaming experience in Evolve.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-14700F is an exceptionally powerful processor, and its role in this combo is to provide an immense amount of headroom that the GPU cannot utilize. With 20 cores and 28 threads, a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, and a large 33 MB of shared L3 cache, its processing capabilities are formidable. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 35122 and Geekbench multicore score of 19620 place it in the top tier of desktop CPUs. Its Passmark multithread score of 41317 and data encryption score of 30144 further underscore its ability to handle heavy computational workloads.

In Evolve, the CPU's role is to handle game logic, physics, and AI, which it does with ease. The benchmark results indicate that the CPU is never the limiting factor. The fact that the combo's performance is nearly identical to other GPUs of the same class, regardless of the CPU paired with them, proves that the i7-14700F's power is irrelevant in this specific configuration. The data suggests that the CPU is effectively "waiting" for the GPU to catch up, and its 91st percentile ranking confirms its capabilities, but those capabilities are completely wasted in this pairing for gaming purposes.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data provides a clear hierarchy for settings, but the recommendations are heavily influenced by the user's tolerance for frame rate. For a playable experience, the Low preset at 1920x1080 is the only setting that provides a comfortable margin, with an average of 89 FPS. This should ensure smooth gameplay in most scenarios. If visual fidelity is a priority, the Medium preset at 1080p is a viable option, yielding an average of 69 FPS with a minimum of 59 FPS, which is just on the edge of a 60 FPS target. Pushing to High at 1080p drops the average to 54 FPS, which may be acceptable for some but is not ideal for a fast-paced FPS.

At higher resolutions, the options become severely limited. At 1440p, only the Low preset achieves a 60 FPS average, which is the bare minimum for a playable experience. All other settings at 1440p, including Medium (46 FPS) and High (36 FPS), will result in a noticeably less smooth experience. At 4K, no settings are recommended for competitive play, as even the Low preset only manages 34 FPS on average, and the Ultra preset drops to an unplayable 14 FPS. The data strongly suggests that users should stick to 1080p and choose between Low and Medium presets to balance performance and visual quality.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table details the exact average FPS figures from the measured data across all resolutions and settings.

| Resolution | Settings | Average FPS |

|:--------- |:------- |:---------- |

| 3840x2160 | Ultra | 14 |

| 3840x2160 | High | 21 |

| 3840x2160 | Medium | 26 |

| 3840x2160 | Low | 34 |

| 2560x1440 | Ultra | 25 |

| 2560x1440 | High | 36 |

| 2560x1440 | Medium | 46 |

| 2560x1440 | Low | 60 |

| 1920x1080 | Ultra | 37 |

| 1920x1080 | High | 54 |

| 1920x1080 | Medium | 69 |

| 1920x1080 | Low | 89 |

The data also includes min/max FPS for the Medium preset across all resolutions. At 1080p, the frame rate ranges from 59 to 79 FPS. At 1440p, it ranges from 39 to 53 FPS, and at 4K, it ranges from 22 to 30 FPS. This data provides a complete picture of the combo's performance envelope, showing that even the most stable preset cannot maintain a consistent 60 FPS at resolutions higher than 1080p. The frame time variance at 4K Medium, with a 22 FPS minimum, suggests potential stuttering, making it the least desirable configuration for a smooth experience.