Evolve

Evolve, the 2015 asymmetrical FPS, places distinct demands on the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER pairing. The measured frame rates across resolutions reveal a system where the GPU is the primary bottleneck at higher settings, while the CPU's strong single-thread performance provides ample headroom at lower settings and resolutions. This analysis breaks down the measured data to characterize the balance between the processor and graphics card, offering a clear picture of expected performance for this specific configuration.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate scaling from 1080p to 4K clearly illustrates the GPU's dominance in this pairing. At 1080p with High settings, the system averages 75 FPS. Moving to 1440p, the average drops to 50 FPS, a 33% reduction. Pushing further to 4K yields just 29 FPS, a 61% decrease from the 1080p baseline. This steep decline is the classic signature of a GPU-bound workload; the GTX 1660 SUPER's rendering capabilities are being saturated as pixel count increases.

The scaling pattern shifts when settings are lowered to Low. At this preset, the 1080p average is 123 FPS, which falls to 83 FPS at 1440p (a 33% drop) and 47 FPS at 4K (a 62% drop). While the absolute numbers are higher, the percentage decrease between resolutions is remarkably similar to the High settings (61-62% from 1080p to 4K). This consistency suggests that even at Low settings, the GTX 1660 SUPER remains the limiting factor, just at a higher performance tier. The CPU is not becoming the bottleneck; rather, the GPU is still maxed out, albeit while producing more frames.

The most telling data point for determining the limiting component comes from the Ultra preset. At 1080p Ultra, the system manages 52 FPS. At 1440p Ultra, this plummets to 35 FPS, and at 4K Ultra, it collapses to 20 FPS. The 4K Ultra result is particularly noteworthy as it is below the generally accepted threshold for smooth playability. This dramatic scaling with both resolution and settings indicates that the 6 GB VRAM and 192-bit memory bus of the GTX 1660 SUPER are being overwhelmed. The data shows that no matter the resolution, the GPU is the constraint; the CPU's performance is sufficient to feed the graphics card at all tested configurations.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor from the Arrow Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process. Its base clock of 3.40 GHz and boost clock of 5.00 GHz are key figures. In Evolve, a game from 2015, the workload is more dependent on strong single-core performance than on high core counts. The CPU's benchmarks support this, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2085 and a multi-core score of 14769. The strong single-thread score is crucial for maintaining high frame rates in game logic and physics calculations.

The CPU's performance relative to its rivals is defined by its average benchmark score of 46062. This places it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. The nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 with a score of 46030 (0.1% slower), the Intel Core i9-13900HX with a score of 46098 (0.1% faster), and the AMD EPYC 4364P with a score of 45970 (0.2% slower). The data shows that the Core Ultra 5 235 is essentially tied with these high-end parts in general processing power.

For this specific game, the CPU's role is to avoid becoming a bottleneck. The measured FPS data suggests it succeeds. At 1080p Low, the system produces 123 FPS. If the CPU were weak, this number would be lower and the frame rate would not scale as cleanly with resolution. The fact that frame rates drop consistently as resolution increases points to the GPU as the primary limiter. The 24 MB of shared L3 cache and support for DDR5 memory with 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth provide a capable platform for the game's data streaming needs. The Core Ultra 5 235 is not the star of the show here; it is a reliable foundation that allows the GTX 1660 SUPER to be the sole determining factor in performance.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER is a Turing-architecture card built on a 12 nm process. It features 1408 shading units, 88 texture mapping units, and 48 ROPs. Its boost clock is 1785 MHz, and it is equipped with 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing 336.0 GB/s of bandwidth. These specifications are modest by modern standards, and the benchmark data confirms this. The GPU's Passmark G3D score is 12699, placing it in the 53rd percentile of all GPUs.

The GTX 1660 SUPER's nearest rivals in benchmark performance are the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Mobile with a score of 12940 (0.4% faster), the AMD Radeon RX 580 with a score of 12928 (0.4% faster), and the AMD Radeon 740M with a score of 12870 (0.9% faster). This places the card in a performance class that is adequate for 1080p gaming but struggles at higher resolutions. In Evolve, this is precisely what the measured FPS shows. The 4K High preset averages only 29 FPS, and the 4K Ultra preset averages 20 FPS, both of which are not playable.

The GPU's limitations are most stark when considering the VRAM. Evolve, with its detailed environments and character models, can consume significant video memory. The 6 GB frame buffer is sufficient for 1080p but becomes a constraint at 1440p and especially 4K. The data shows that the GPU is the definitive bottleneck in this pairing. The CPU has ample headroom, but the graphics card cannot keep up with the demands of higher resolutions and settings. The 125 W TDP and single 8-pin power connector indicate a power-efficient card, but efficiency does not translate into high-end performance. The GTX 1660 SUPER is the limiting component in every measured scenario for this game.

FAQ

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

A: The system achieves an average of 75 FPS at 1920x1080 with High settings.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has an average benchmark score of 46062, which is 0.1% higher than the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375's score of 46030.

Q: Is the GTX 1660 SUPER or the Core Ultra 5 235 the bottleneck in this game?

A: The data indicates the GPU is the primary bottleneck. The frame rate drops significantly with increases in resolution and settings, a pattern consistent with a GPU-limited workload, while the CPU's performance appears sufficient.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded at 1440p Medium settings?

A: The minimum FPS recorded at 2560x1440 with Medium settings is 55 FPS, while the average is 64 FPS.

Q: What is the performance percentile of the GTX 1660 SUPER compared to all other GPUs?

A: The GTX 1660 SUPER is in the 53rd percentile of all GPUs based on its average benchmark score.

Q: Is the 4K resolution playable with this hardware?

A: According to the data, 4K is not playable at any tested setting. The highest average FPS at 3840x2160 is 47 on Low settings, which is the only 4K result above 40 FPS. High settings average 29 FPS, and Ultra averages only 20 FPS.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table details all measured frame rates for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER combination in Evolve.

| Resolution | Settings | Avg FPS | Min FPS | Max FPS |

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

| 3840x2160 | High | 29 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Low | 47 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Medium | 37 | 31 | 42 |

| 3840x2160 | Ultra | 20 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | High | 50 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Low | 83 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Medium | 64 | 55 | 74 |

| 2560x1440 | Ultra | 35 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | High | 75 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Low | 123 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Medium | 96 | 81 | 110 |

| 1920x1080 | Ultra | 52 | - | - |

The data shows a clear hierarchy. At 1080p, all settings are playable, with even Ultra averaging over 50 FPS. At 1440p, High and Medium settings remain fluid, but Ultra dips to 35 FPS. At 4K, no setting provides a consistently smooth experience, with the average frame rate ranging from 20 to 47 FPS. The Medium settings are the only ones with recorded minimum and maximum frame rates, showing a 31-42 FPS range at 4K and a 55-74 FPS range at 1440p.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal experience balances visual fidelity with a consistently smooth frame rate. For a 60 FPS target, the 1080p High preset is the best choice, as it delivers an average of 75 FPS. This provides a solid margin above the target, ensuring that most scenes remain fluid. The 1080p Medium preset is also excellent, offering 96 FPS for a more competitive edge, while the Ultra preset at 52 FPS is close to 60 but may dip below during intense action.

For users with a 1440p monitor, the High preset is the recommended setting. It averages 50 FPS, which is playable, but for a more consistent experience, the Medium preset at 64 FPS is the superior choice. The Medium preset provides a 14 FPS advantage over High and is more likely to maintain a stable frame rate. The Ultra preset at 35 FPS should be avoided for a smooth experience.

At 4K, the data suggests that the hardware is not capable of delivering a consistently playable experience. The Low preset achieves an average of 47 FPS, which is the highest of any 4K setting, but it is still below the 60 FPS target and will likely feel uneven. The Medium preset at 37 FPS and High at 29 FPS are not recommended. The Ultra preset is unsuitable at 20 FPS. For the best experience, users should target 1080p with High settings for a balance of quality and performance, or 1440p with Medium settings for a sharper image with a playable frame rate. The data indicates that High settings at 1080p is the sweet spot for this configuration.