Evolve

Evolve, a 2015 FPS, presents a demanding workload that scales predictably with resolution on the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER combination. Benchmark data shows a system that is firmly GPU-limited at higher resolutions, while the CPU provides ample headroom at 1080p. The measured frames per second (FPS) reveal a clear hierarchy: performance degrades consistently from 1080p to 4K, with the gap between settings presets widening as resolution increases. This analysis breaks down the measured performance across resolutions, examines the CPU and GPU roles, contextualizes the combo’s ranking, and provides settings recommendations based on the data.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a classic resolution scaling curve, with the most significant performance drop occurring between 1440p and 4K. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 123 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 at Low settings, the average drops to 83 FPS, a 32.5% decrease. The jump to 3840x2160 at Low settings yields 47 FPS, which is a 43.4% drop from the 1440p result. This pattern indicates that the rendering load is scaling heavily with pixel count, a sign that the GPU is the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions.

The scaling behavior changes with the graphics preset. At High settings, the average FPS goes from 75 at 1080p to 50 at 1440p (a 33.3% reduction) and then to 29 at 4K (a 42% reduction from 1440p). The trend is similar for Medium settings, with averages of 96, 64, and 37 FPS across the three resolutions. The Ultra preset shows the most dramatic drop, falling from 52 FPS at 1080p to 35 FPS at 1440p and then to 20 FPS at 4K. The fact that the percentage drop from 1440p to 4K is consistently larger than the drop from 1080p to 1440p across all presets suggests that the graphics card is hitting a performance ceiling as pixel throughput demands increase.

The data indicates that the limiting component at 4K is unequivocally the GPU. The CPU’s role becomes less impactful as resolution rises, because the frame time is dominated by pixel shading and memory bandwidth. The GTX 1660 SUPER’s 6 GB VRAM and 336.0 GB/s bandwidth are likely being saturated at 3840x2160, especially with higher-quality settings. The difference between Low and Medium at 4K is 10 FPS (47 vs 37), while the difference between Medium and High is 8 FPS (37 vs 29). The gap between High and Ultra is 9 FPS (29 vs 20). This shows that even modest preset changes at 4K have a significant impact on performance, further confirming the GPU’s role as the primary constraint.

For users targeting 4K, the measured data suggests that only the Low preset approaches a playable frame rate, with an average of 47 FPS. The 1440p resolution offers a much better balance, with Medium and High presets providing averages of 64 and 50 FPS, respectively. At 1080p, the system shows no signs of CPU limitation, as even the Ultra preset achieves 52 FPS, and the Low preset hits 123 FPS, indicating the CPU can feed frames faster than the GPU can render them at lower resolutions.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor from the Core Ultra Series 2, based on the Arrow Lake architecture and manufactured on a 3 nm process. It has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. This processor’s benchmark scores are strong, with a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 32924 and a single-core score of 4648. In PassMark, it scores 38706 in multithread and 4394 in single-thread, placing it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs.

In the context of Evolve, the CPU’s role is to handle game logic, physics, and draw calls. The measured FPS data suggests that this processor is not a bottleneck at any tested resolution. At 1080p Low, the system reaches 123 FPS, which is a frame rate that many CPUs would struggle to feed. The fact that the frame rate drops consistently with resolution and preset increases indicates that the GPU is the limiting factor, not the CPU. The Core Ultra 5 245’s high single-thread performance, evidenced by its Cinebench R23 score, is beneficial for games like Evolve that may rely on a few heavily-threaded tasks.

Compared to its nearest rivals, the Core Ultra 5 245 performs competitively. Its average benchmark score of 48995 is nearly identical to the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G (49196, -0.4% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 (49228, -0.5% delta). It is slightly ahead of the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H (48698, 0.6% delta) and the Intel Core i5-14600K (48618, 0.8% delta). These margins are negligible in real-world gaming, reinforcing that the CPU provides sufficient performance for this GPU. The processor’s 24 MB of shared L3 cache and support for DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s are adequate for feeding the GTX 1660 SUPER’s data demands.

The CPU’s thermal design power (TDP) of 65 W is modest, meaning it can sustain boost clocks without excessive power draw. This is important for maintaining consistent frame pacing in Evolve, as thermal throttling could otherwise lead to stutters. However, the benchmark data shows no such issues, with the measured FPS being stable at each resolution and preset. The CPU’s 14 cores and 14 threads are more than sufficient for this game, which was released in 2015 and is unlikely to utilize more than a few cores effectively. The performance headroom suggests that the CPU is not a factor in the lower FPS observed at 4K.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER is a Turing-architecture GPU built on a 12 nm process. It features 1408 shading units, 88 texture mapping units, and 48 raster output units. Its base clock is 1530 MHz with a boost clock of 1785 MHz. The card has 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 336.0 GB/s. Its theoretical performance is 5.027 TFLOPS for FP32 operations. The GPU’s benchmark scores include a PassMark G3D score of 12699 and a Geekbench Vulkan score of 57102, placing it in the 53rd percentile of all GPUs.

In Evolve, the GPU is the clear bottleneck at higher resolutions. The measured FPS data shows that performance scales almost linearly with resolution, which is a hallmark of a GPU-bound scenario. The GTX 1660 SUPER’s 6 GB VRAM is likely a limiting factor at 4K, as higher-quality textures and effects can exceed this capacity, leading to performance degradation. The memory bandwidth of 336.0 GB/s is also a potential constraint, as 4K rendering requires significantly more data to be moved to and from the frame buffer.

Comparing the GPU to its nearest rivals, the GTX 1660 SUPER’s average benchmark score of 12986 is very close to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Mobile (12940, 0.4% delta) and the AMD Radeon RX 580 (12928, 0.4% delta). It is slightly ahead of the AMD Radeon 740M (12870, 0.9% delta) and behind the NVIDIA Tesla M2090 (13075, -0.7% delta). These small differences indicate that the GTX 1660 SUPER sits in a specific performance tier, and its ability to run Evolve at 4K is limited by its memory and compute resources.

The GPU’s clock speeds and memory configuration directly impact the measured FPS. At 1080p, the card is able to push high frame rates, such as 123 FPS at Low settings, because the pixel fill rate and texture rate are not fully saturated. However, at 4K, the demand on the ROPs and TMUs increases, causing the average FPS to drop below 30 at High and Ultra settings. The data shows that the GPU’s performance is consistent with its specifications, and it is the primary reason for the FPS drop at higher resolutions. The card’s 125 W TDP and dual-slot design are typical for this class, and its PCIe 3.0 x16 interface is sufficient for the game’s data transfer needs.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER combination ranks 2450 out of 2872 tested combos in Evolve. This places it in the lower-middle portion of the database, indicating that while it is not a top-tier performer, it is also not among the worst. The ranking reflects the balance between the CPU’s high percentile (90th) and the GPU’s more modest percentile (53rd). The combo’s performance is ultimately constrained by the GPU, which is why it ranks lower than systems with more powerful graphics cards.

The combo’s rank of 2450 suggests that there are 422 tested combinations that perform worse. This is a significant number, meaning the system is capable of running the game, but it will not deliver high frame rates at demanding settings. The ranking is consistent with the measured FPS data, which shows that the system is best suited for 1080p or 1440p gaming with medium-to-high settings. At 4K, the system falls below the threshold for smooth gameplay on most presets.

The pairing of a high-end CPU with a mid-range GPU is a common configuration that often results in a GPU-bound system. In this case, the Core Ultra 5 245’s performance is more than sufficient to feed the GTX 1660 SUPER, but the GPU’s limitations cap the overall FPS. This is reflected in the combo rank, which is lower than what the CPU alone would suggest. The data indicates that upgrading the GPU would yield a more significant performance improvement than upgrading the CPU, as the current setup is not CPU-limited in Evolve.

The rank also considers the specific game’s requirements. Evolve, being a 2015 title, is not particularly demanding by modern standards, but it can still stress older GPUs at high resolutions. The GTX 1660 SUPER, released in 2019, is capable of running the game at 1080p and 1440p with good settings, but its performance at 4K is limited. The combo’s rank of 2450 out of 2872 reflects this reality, as it is outclassed by systems with newer or higher-tier GPUs. For users of this combo, the data suggests focusing on 1080p or 1440p to achieve the best experience.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate. At 1920x1080, the system delivers an average of 75 FPS on High settings, which is smooth for most players. The Medium preset offers 96 FPS, and the Low preset reaches 123 FPS. The Ultra preset drops to 52 FPS, which is still playable but may be less smooth. For a balance between visual quality and performance at 1080p, the High preset is recommended, as it provides a high frame rate without sacrificing significant visual fidelity.

At 2560x1440, the High preset averages 50 FPS, which is acceptable for a slower-paced game like Evolve, but the Medium preset at 64 FPS is a better choice for maintaining a higher refresh rate. The Low preset at 83 FPS is also viable if frame rate is the priority. The Ultra preset at 35 FPS is not recommended, as it falls below the 60 FPS threshold that is generally considered ideal for competitive play. For a smooth experience at 1440p, the Medium preset is the best option, offering a 64 FPS average with a minimum of 55 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the measured data shows that only the Low preset (47 FPS) is close to a playable frame rate. The Medium preset averages 37 FPS, which is borderline, and the High preset drops to 29 FPS, which is noticeably stuttery. The Ultra preset at 20 FPS is unplayable. For 4K gaming, the Low preset is the only viable option, and even then, the 47 FPS average may not be stable enough for all users. The data suggests that 4K is not a realistic target for this combo, and users should either lower the resolution or accept low settings.

In summary, the best experience per the measured rows is achieved at 1080p with High or Medium settings, or at 1440p with Medium settings. The system is not capable of a good 4K experience, and the Ultra preset is only playable at 1080p with a 52 FPS average. The data shows that the GTX 1660 SUPER’s 6 GB VRAM is a limiting factor at higher resolutions and settings, so users should prioritize resolution over preset quality when the GPU is the bottleneck.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS this combo can achieve in Evolve?

A: The highest measured average FPS is 123, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

Q: Is this combo capable of 4K gaming in Evolve?

A: At 3840x2160, the average FPS ranges from 20 on Ultra settings to 47 on Low settings. Only the Low preset comes close to a playable frame rate, while Ultra is unplayable.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals in terms of benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 has an average benchmark score of 48995, which is nearly identical to the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G (49196, -0.4% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 (49228, -0.5% delta). It is slightly ahead of the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H (48698, 0.6% delta) and the Intel Core i5-14600K (48618, 0.8% delta).

Q: What is the GPU's percentile ranking compared to all GPUs?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER is in the 53rd percentile of all GPUs, indicating it is a mid-range performer.

Q: What is the best settings preset for 1440p gaming?

A: The Medium preset at 2560x1440 provides an average FPS of 64, with a minimum of 55 FPS, making it the best option for a smooth experience at that resolution.

Q: How many total combos does this system rank above in Evolve?

A: The combo ranks 2450 out of 2872 tested combinations, meaning it performs better than 422 other combos.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table details the exact measured FPS for each resolution and settings preset.

| Resolution | Settings | Average 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 consistent pattern of performance degradation with increasing resolution and settings. At 1080p, the system is capable of high frame rates across all presets, with the Ultra preset still achieving 52 FPS. At 1440p, the Medium preset stands out as the best balance, with an average of 64 FPS and a minimum of 55 FPS. At 4K, the system struggles, with only the Low preset (47 FPS) approaching a playable level. The minimum and maximum FPS values are only provided for the Medium preset, but they show a relatively tight range, indicating stable frame pacing for that setting. Overall, the measured FPS breakdown confirms that this combo is best utilized at 1080p or 1440p, with the CPU providing sufficient headroom and the GPU being the primary limiting factor at higher resolutions.