Evolve

Evolve, the 2015 multiplayer FPS, is a demanding title that quickly exposes the limits of integrated graphics. This analysis examines the performance of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX paired with the AMD Radeon 760M, using measured frame rate data across three resolutions and four quality settings. The data reveals a combination that is heavily constrained by its GPU, producing playable results only at the lowest settings and resolutions.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a steep performance drop as resolution increases, a pattern that clearly identifies the AMD Radeon 760M as the primary bottleneck in this system. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo averages 55 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 at the same Low settings, the average falls to 37 FPS, a reduction of 18 FPS. At 4K (3840x2160) with Low settings, the average drops further to 21 FPS. This scaling is not linear; the jump from 1080p to 1440p costs about a third of the performance, while the jump from 1440p to 4K costs another 43%. The frame rate at 4K Low is less than 40% of what is achieved at 1080p Low, illustrating how quickly the GPU's rendering resources are exhausted.

The trend persists across all settings. At Medium settings, the average FPS goes from 42 at 1080p, to 28 at 1440p, and finally to 16 at 4K. The High settings show a similar collapse: 33 FPS at 1080p, 22 FPS at 1440p, and 13 FPS at 4K. Ultra settings are the most punishing, with the combo producing 23 FPS at 1080p, 15 FPS at 1440p, and just 9 FPS at 4K. The consistent decline across every quality preset confirms that resolution is the dominant factor limiting performance, not the CPU.

The data implies that the CPU is not the limiting component in most scenarios. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see a smaller performance delta between resolutions, as the CPU's workload (draw calls, game logic) is largely independent of pixel count. Instead, the dramatic FPS drops with increasing resolution point squarely at the GPU's pixel and texture processing capabilities. The Radeon 760M, with its 16 ROPs and 32 TMUs, simply cannot sustain high throughput at higher resolutions.

For a 4K display, the data shows this combination is not viable for Evolve. Even at Low settings, the 21 FPS average is well below the threshold for smooth gameplay. At 1440p, the situation is marginally better, with Low settings producing a playable 37 FPS, but Medium settings dip to 28 FPS, and High falls to 22 FPS. The only resolution where this combo approaches consistent playability is 1080p, and then only at Low settings. The scaling behavior strongly suggests that users should target 1080p and be prepared to use Low or Medium settings, as the performance cost of higher resolutions is disproportionately high.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX is a 14-core, 14-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake-HX architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. In synthetic benchmarks, it scores 34,731 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 4,903 in single-core. These figures place it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, indicating strong overall processing power. Its nearest rivals in average benchmark score include the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X (0.2% faster) and the Intel Core i9-13900F (0.7% faster), showing that this mobile CPU is competitive with high-end desktop parts from previous generations.

However, the benchmark results in Evolve do not reflect this CPU's strength. The measured FPS is consistently low, and the pattern across resolutions is a classic GPU-bound scenario. The CPU's high multi-core and single-core scores are essentially irrelevant when the GPU is unable to render frames fast enough. The 24 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR5 memory support with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth are more than adequate for feeding a modest integrated GPU. The CPU's role in this pairing is to provide the platform; its performance headroom is vast compared to what the GPU can deliver.

The data suggests that the CPU is never the limiting factor in Evolve. For instance, at 1080p Low, the combo delivers 55 FPS. If the CPU were struggling, we would see frame rate dips that correlate with complex scenes or many enemies. While the data does not provide per-frame times, the consistent FPS drop with resolution increases is a strong indicator of a GPU limit. The CPU's Passmark multi-thread score of 40,849 and single-thread score of 4,683 further support its capability. A less powerful CPU would likely still achieve the same FPS in this game because the GPU is the bottleneck. In this configuration, the Core Ultra 5 235HX is effectively waiting on the Radeon 760M.

The 14 cores and 14 threads might benefit other applications, but for Evolve, the game's engine appears to be primarily limited by fill rate and shading throughput. The CPU's boost clock of 5.10 GHz ensures that even single-threaded game logic is handled with ease. The conclusion from the data is that upgrading the CPU alone would yield no measurable performance gain in Evolve. Any improvement would require a more powerful GPU. The CPU is simply a strong foundation that is underutilized by this specific workload.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon 760M is an integrated graphics processor based on the RDNA 3.0 architecture, built on a 4 nm process. It features 512 shading units, 32 TMUs, and 16 ROPs, with a boost clock of 2599 MHz. Its memory is system shared, meaning bandwidth is dependent on the CPU's DDR5 configuration. In synthetic benchmarks, it scores 5,310 in Passmark G3D, which places it in the 35th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX 6400 (0.3% faster) and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770M (0.3% faster), indicating performance comparable to entry-level discrete graphics cards from several generations ago.

The GPU's role in Evolve is decisive. The measured FPS data shows that it is the sole limiting factor. At 1080p Low, the 55 FPS average is the only result that approaches a smooth experience. At any higher quality setting, the frame rate drops below 42 FPS, and at 4K, it falls to single digits at Ultra. The GPU's 16 ROPs are a critical limitation, as they are responsible for pixel output. The 41.58 GPixel/s pixel rate is insufficient for the demands of 1440p and 4K gaming in this title.

The Radeon 760M's FP32 performance is 5.323 TFLOPS, which is decent for an integrated part but still far below what is needed for modern games at high resolutions. The data shows that at 4K Ultra, the average FPS is 9, which is effectively a slideshow. At 1440p Medium, the 28 FPS average is playable only in the most forgiving sense. The GPU's system-shared memory means that it is also dependent on the CPU's memory bandwidth, which is 102.4 GB/s. This shared pool can cause additional performance hits if the system memory is also being used by other applications.

The GPU's Passmark DirectX 11 score of 52 and DirectX 12 score of 25 are low, reflecting its limited geometry and pixel processing capabilities. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 400 is also low, reinforcing that this is not a gaming-oriented part. In Evolve, the GPU's performance ceiling is the defining characteristic of this combo. The data shows that even with the powerful Core Ultra 5 235HX, the user is confined to low-resolution, low-detail gaming. The GPU is the bottleneck, and its performance characteristics are the primary determinant of the measured FPS.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations, this pairing of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX and AMD Radeon 760M ranks 2861 out of 2872 combos for Evolve. This places it in the bottom 0.4% of all tested systems, a stark indicator of its performance level. The rank is a direct consequence of the GPU's limitations, as the CPU is a high-performer in its own right. The near-bottom ranking means that virtually any other combination, including those with older or weaker CPUs but stronger discrete GPUs, would outperform this setup.

The combo's rank reflects that it is only suitable for the most basic gaming scenarios. With a rank of 2861 out of 2872, it is clear that this is not a configuration intended for smooth, high-fidelity gameplay. The data shows that the only way to achieve a playable frame rate is to use the lowest settings at 1080p. This ranking is not a reflection of the CPU's capability but rather the integrated GPU's inability to keep up with the demands of Evolve. The CPU's 91st percentile ranking in general benchmarks is irrelevant when the GPU is in the 35th percentile.

Compared to other combos, this system would be bested by any setup featuring a discrete GPU from the last decade. The nearest GPU rivals, such as the AMD Radeon RX 6400, are entry-level discrete cards that would provide a significant boost in frame rates. The 0.3% difference in average GPU benchmark scores between the 760M and the RX 6400 is small in synthetic tests, but in real gaming, the discrete card's dedicated memory and higher power limits often yield better results. The data for Evolve, however, only includes this specific combo, so direct comparisons are not possible. Still, the rank of 2861 out of 2872 is a clear verdict: this is one of the weakest configurations for playing Evolve.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of this combo's performance in Evolve. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the average FPS is 55, which is the highest recorded for any configuration. This is the only setting that approaches a fluid experience. At Medium settings, the average drops to 42 FPS, with a minimum of 36 and a maximum of 49. High settings yield an average of 33 FPS, while Ultra settings bring the average down to 23 FPS. The drop from Low to Ultra at 1080p is from 55 to 23 FPS, a 58% reduction, showing how sensitive the GPU is to quality settings.

At 2560x1440, the performance declines further. Low settings produce an average of 37 FPS, which is playable but not smooth. Medium settings average 28 FPS, with a minimum of 24 and a maximum of 33. High settings drop to 22 FPS, and Ultra settings fall to 15 FPS. The 1440p results show that even at Low, the frame rate is below the 60 FPS target, and at Medium, it dips into the high-20s, which many players would find stuttery.

At 3840x2160, the combo is not viable for gaming. Low settings average 21 FPS, Medium settings average 16 FPS (with a min of 14 and max of 19), High settings average 13 FPS, and Ultra settings average 9 FPS. These frame rates are far below playable thresholds. The 4K data shows a consistent pattern of diminishing returns; even the most aggressive settings reductions cannot bring the performance up to a reasonable level. The data indicates that users should not attempt to run Evolve at 4K with this hardware.

The Medium settings at each resolution show the most complete data, with min and max FPS values. At 1080p Medium, the range is 36 to 49 FPS, suggesting some frame time variance. At 1440p Medium, the range is 24 to 33 FPS. At 4K Medium, the range is 14 to 19 FPS. These ranges indicate that the game is not perfectly stable at any resolution, but the variance is less noticeable at lower resolutions. The overall breakdown confirms that 1080p Low is the only setting that delivers a comfortable gaming experience, with all other configurations falling short of smooth performance.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution and settings for playing Evolve with this combo?

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 with Low settings yields an average of 55 FPS, which is the highest recorded. This is the only configuration that approaches smooth gameplay. At 1080p Medium, the average drops to 42 FPS, which is still playable but less fluid. Higher resolutions and settings are not recommended, as 1440p Low averages 37 FPS and 4K Low averages 21 FPS.

Q: Is the Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX or the AMD Radeon 760M the bottleneck?

A: The data clearly identifies the GPU as the bottleneck. FPS drops dramatically as resolution increases, which is a classic sign of a GPU limit. The CPU, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 34,731 and a 91st percentile ranking, is far more powerful than what this game demands. If the CPU were the limit, resolution changes would have a smaller impact on FPS.

Q: How does this combo rank among all tested combinations for Evolve?

A: This combination ranks 2861 out of 2872 tested combos, placing it in the bottom 0.4% of all systems. This near-bottom ranking indicates that it is one of the weakest configurations for Evolve. The ranking is primarily due to the integrated GPU's limited performance, as the CPU is a high-end mobile part.

Q: Can this system run Evolve at 4K?

A: No. At 3840x2160, the average FPS ranges from 21 at Low settings to 9 at Ultra settings. These frame rates are far below playable thresholds. Even at Low settings, the 21 FPS average is too low for a smooth experience, and the 4K Medium average of 16 FPS confirms that the GPU cannot handle this resolution.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, Low settings average 55 FPS, while Ultra settings average 23 FPS. This is a 32 FPS difference, or a 58% reduction in performance. The data shows that the GPU's capabilities are quickly exhausted by higher quality settings, making Low the only viable option for achieving near-60 FPS performance.

Q: How does the AMD Radeon 760M compare to its nearest GPU rivals in benchmark scores?

A: The Radeon 760M has an average benchmark score of 6019, placing it in the 35th percentile. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX 6400, which is 0.3% faster, and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770M, which is also 0.3% faster. The NVIDIA Quadro P2000 is 0.5% faster. These small differences in synthetic scores indicate that the 760M performs at the level of entry-level discrete GPUs from several years ago, but its performance in Evolve is still severely limited.