Evolve

Evolve, a 2015 FPS title, presents a demanding workload that heavily favors the GPU, and the pairing of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 produces a specific set of performance characteristics. The benchmark data shows a system where the graphics card is the primary bottleneck across all tested resolutions, while the modern CPU provides ample headroom. This analysis walks through the measured FPS across resolutions and settings, the GPU and CPU roles, and how this combo ranks against other tested configurations.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a steep performance cliff as resolution increases, a classic sign of a GPU-limited scenario. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 77 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 Low drops the average to 51 FPS, a reduction of 26 FPS or roughly 34%. Scaling further to 3840x2160 Low yields only 29 FPS, a 48 FPS drop from the 1080p Low result. This pattern is consistent across all settings presets, indicating that the rendering load is scaling directly with pixel count, and the GTX 1650's compute and memory resources are being saturated.

The delta between 1080p and 1440p is significant, but the jump from 1440p to 4K is even more punishing. For example, at Medium settings, the average FPS goes from 59 at 1080p, to 40 at 1440p, and then down to 23 at 2160p. The 4K result is less than half of the 1080p result. This non-linear drop suggests that at 4K, the GPU is not just working harder but is likely hitting a hard limit in terms of fill rate and memory bandwidth. The GTX 1650's 128.1 GB/s bandwidth and 4 GB GDDR5 memory are insufficient for the data throughput required at 3840x2160, causing frame times to balloon.

This data strongly suggests that the limiting component in this configuration is the graphics card. The CPU, with its high single-thread and multi-thread benchmark scores, is not the constraining factor at these resolutions. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see smaller FPS differences between 1080p and 1440p, as the resolution increase would have less impact on the frame rate. The observed behavior, where FPS scales inversely and dramatically with resolution, is the textbook definition of a GPU-bound workload. For a smooth experience, users should consider 1080p as the target, as the 4K and 1440p numbers are mostly below playable thresholds.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 is the decisive component in this pairing. Its specifications—4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus with 128.1 GB/s bandwidth—are modest by modern standards, and the benchmark data reflects this. The GPU's core clocks are listed as a base of 1485 MHz and a boost of 1665 MHz. These clocks, combined with 896 shading units, produce a theoretical FP32 performance of 2.984 TFLOPS. However, the real-world results in Evolve show that this compute power is insufficient for high-resolution gaming.

The VRAM capacity is a key factor. At 3840x2160, even with Low settings, the average FPS is only 29. While this is a low frame rate, the fact that it runs at all suggests the 4 GB frame buffer is being utilized, but likely to its absolute limit. In more demanding scenes, the lack of memory could cause stuttering or texture pop-in, though the measured data only provides average FPS. The 128-bit memory bus and 128.1 GB/s bandwidth are also constricting, as higher resolutions require more data to be streamed to the renderer, and this pipeline becomes a choke point.

The GTX 1650's overall performance percentile is 40, placing it below the median of all tested GPUs. Its average benchmark score of 7472 is nearly identical to the AMD Radeon HD 8850M, which scores 7447 and has a deltaPct of 0.3. It is also closely matched with the Intel UHD Graphics 750 (7441, deltaPct 0.4). This places the GTX 1650 in a performance tier with older or integrated solutions, which explains its struggle with Evolve at higher resolutions. The card is best suited for 1080p gaming, where it can achieve playable frame rates on Low and Medium settings, but it is outclassed for higher-end configurations.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the database of tested combinations, this specific pairing of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 ranks at 2788 out of 2872 combos. This places it in the bottom 3% of all tested systems, indicating that this is a very low-performing combination for Evolve. The rank is a holistic measure, considering performance across all tested resolutions and settings.

This low ranking is almost entirely attributable to the GPU. The CPU is a high-end part; its average benchmark score of 46062 places it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 (46030, deltaPct 0.1) and the Intel Core i9-13900HX (46098, deltaPct -0.1), which are top-tier processors. The GTX 1650, on the other hand, is in the 40th percentile of GPUs. The massive disparity in their relative performance tiers is the primary reason for the combo's low rank.

The data implies that the CPU is performing its role effectively, but it is being held back by the GPU. In a system with a more powerful graphics card, this CPU would likely rank much higher. The combo rank is a clear indicator that the user experience is limited by the graphics solution, and that any potential for higher frame rates lies in upgrading the GPU, not the processor. The rank of 2788 out of 2872 is a definitive statement on the system's overall gaming capability in this specific title.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of performance across all settings and resolutions. At 1920x1080, the combo starts with a Low average of 77 FPS, which is the highest frame rate recorded in the entire dataset. Medium settings at this resolution drop to 59 FPS, with a minimum of 50 and a maximum of 68. High settings yield an average of 47 FPS, and Ultra settings bring the average down to 32 FPS. This shows a clear, stepwise progression where each increase in quality costs a significant number of frames.

At 2560x1440, the performance drops considerably. Low settings produce an average of 51 FPS, which is still playable, but Medium drops to 40 FPS (min 34, max 46). High settings average 31 FPS, and Ultra falls to 22 FPS. The 1440p results show that the GTX 1650 is starting to struggle; even Low settings are not far from the 60 FPS target, and any increase in quality pushes the frame rate into a less desirable territory.

The 3840x2160 results are largely unusable for a smooth experience. Low settings average just 29 FPS, Medium drops to 23 FPS (min 19, max 26), High averages 18 FPS, and Ultra plummets to 12 FPS. These numbers indicate that the GPU is completely overwhelmed at this resolution. The data shows a consistent pattern: the combination is only capable of providing a consistently smooth experience at 1080p with Low or Medium settings. The 1440p Low setting is borderline, while all 4K presets are below acceptable playable standards.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS rows, the optimal experience for this combination is found at 1920x1080 with Medium settings. This preset yields an average of 59 FPS, which is close to the standard 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay. The minimum FPS of 50 and maximum of 68 show that the frame pacing is relatively consistent, without major dips that would cause noticeable stutter. This provides a good balance between visual fidelity and performance.

For users who prioritize a higher frame rate over visuals, 1920x1080 with Low settings is the best choice. The 77 FPS average provides a significant buffer above 60 FPS, which can be beneficial in a fast-paced FPS. This setting will ensure the most responsive gameplay, though at the cost of visual details.

The 2560x1440 resolution should be avoided for a primary gaming experience, as even the Low preset only averages 51 FPS. While this is technically playable, it leaves little headroom for demanding scenes. The Medium and High presets at 1440p are not recommended, as their average FPS of 40 and 31 respectively fall below the ideal range for a smooth experience. All 3840x2160 settings should be avoided, as the maximum average FPS of 29 (on Low) is too low for a playable experience. The Ultra preset at any resolution is also not recommended, as it consistently produces the lowest frame rates.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is a powerful processor that, in this configuration, is not the limiting factor. It features 14 cores and 14 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Its multi-threaded performance is strong, as evidenced by a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 14769 and a Passmark multithread score of 37816. Its single-thread performance is also robust, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2085 and a Passmark single-thread score of 4516.

In Evolve, the CPU's role is to handle game logic, physics, and draw calls. Given the high benchmark scores, the Core Ultra 5 235 is more than capable of feeding the GTX 1650 with data. The fact that performance scales so heavily with resolution confirms that the CPU is not the bottleneck; if it were, we would see similar FPS numbers across different resolutions. The CPU's 24 MB of shared L3 cache and support for DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s ensure that it can quickly access and process game data.

The CPU's performance percentile of 89 and its average benchmark score of 46062 place it in the top tier of processors, nearly identical to the Intel Core i9-13900HX. This reinforces the conclusion that the processor is a high-end component. Its potential is simply untapped in this pairing, as the GTX 1650's performance ceiling is reached long before the CPU's capabilities are stressed. The CPU is ready for a future GPU upgrade, and its performance will not be a limiting factor in more balanced systems.

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 that provides consistently playable frame rates. At this resolution, Low settings average 77 FPS and Medium settings average 59 FPS.

Q: Can this combo run Evolve at 4K resolution?

A: The data indicates that 4K performance is very poor. At 3840x2160, the highest average FPS is 29 on Low settings, with Ultra settings dropping to just 12 FPS. These results are not suitable for smooth gameplay.

Q: How does the GTX 1650 compare to its nearest rivals in benchmark scores?

A: The GTX 1650 has an average benchmark score of 7472. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon HD 8850M (7447, deltaPct 0.3) and the Intel UHD Graphics 750 (7441, deltaPct 0.4), showing it is in a similar performance tier.

Q: Is the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 a high-performing processor?

A: Yes, the CPU is in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 46062. Its nearest rival is the Intel Core i9-13900HX, which has a near-identical score of 46098 and a deltaPct of -0.1.

Q: Why is the combo rank so low at 2788 out of 2872?

A: The low rank is due to the significant performance gap between the high-end CPU and the low-end GPU. The GTX 1650 is the bottleneck, preventing the system from achieving higher frame rates, particularly at higher resolutions.

Q: What are the minimum and maximum FPS recorded on Medium settings at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080 with Medium settings, the average FPS is 59, with a minimum of 50 and a maximum of 68. This indicates a relatively stable frame rate.