Evolve

The pairing of Intel’s Core Ultra 5 245 with NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 2060 in Evolve produces a dataset that is as revealing about the game’s engine as it is about the components themselves. The measured frames per second across three resolutions and four quality presets paint a clear picture of where the bottleneck shifts, how the hardware scales, and what the player can realistically expect. This analysis breaks down those numbers, interprets the underlying performance dynamics, and places this specific combo within the broader benchmark database.

Resolution Scaling

The most immediate observation from the FPS data is the dramatic cost of moving from 1080p to 4K. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo delivers 146 FPS, but at 4K with the same Low preset, that number drops to 56 FPS—a reduction of roughly 62%. This is a massive hit, indicating that the rendering pipeline is being heavily taxed by the sheer pixel count. The scaling is not linear; the jump from 1440p to 4K is far more punishing than the jump from 1080p to 1440p. For instance, at Medium settings, 1080p yields 113 FPS, 1440p yields 76 FPS, and 4K yields 43 FPS. The gap between 1440p and 4K is 33 FPS, while the gap between 1080p and 1440p is 37 FPS, but the percentage drop is steeper at the higher resolution tier.

This scaling pattern suggests that at 1080p, the system is not entirely GPU-bound, allowing the CPU to stretch its legs. The Core Ultra 5 245, with its 14 cores and 5.10 GHz boost clock, has ample headroom to feed the RTX 2060 at lower resolutions. However, as the resolution increases, the pixel fill rate and memory bandwidth demands of the RTX 2060 become the limiting factor. The RTX 2060’s 336.0 GB/s memory bandwidth and 80.64 GPixel/s pixel rate are simply insufficient to maintain high frame rates at 4K, especially on higher settings. The data shows that 4K Ultra is nearly unplayable at 23 FPS, while 4K High is borderline at 34 FPS. The scaling from 1080p High (89 FPS) to 4K High (34 FPS) represents a 62% performance loss, which is a clear indicator that the GPU is the primary bottleneck at this resolution.

The implication is that Evolve is a title where resolution scaling is aggressive. The game’s rendering engine appears to be heavily dependent on raw GPU throughput, with less reliance on CPU-side physics or draw call overhead that would otherwise mitigate the resolution penalty. This is a classic sign of a game that was designed for a specific console-generation baseline, where 1080p was the target, and higher resolutions are an afterthought. For this combo, 1080p is the sweet spot, 1440p is a compromise, and 4K is only viable on the lowest settings.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 is the workhorse of this pairing, and its specifications directly explain the observed FPS ceilings. With 6 GB of GDDR6 memory, a 192-bit bus, and a boost clock of 1680 MHz, this card is a capable 1080p performer from the Turing era. The data shows that at 1080p, the card can push well past 60 FPS on all settings, even hitting 146 FPS on Low. This indicates that the card’s raw compute power—6.451 TFLOPS FP32—is sufficient for the game’s geometry and shading at this resolution. The 1920 shading units and 120 TMUs provide a solid foundation for texture and pixel processing, which is why Medium settings at 1080p still yield a playable 113 FPS.

However, the card’s limitations become apparent when VRAM capacity and memory bandwidth are stressed. At 4K, the 6 GB frame buffer is likely being saturated, especially on High and Ultra presets, which would cause texture streaming and memory swapping. The 34 FPS at 4K High versus 56 FPS at 4K Low is a significant gap, suggesting that the higher settings are not just increasing pixel shader complexity but also demanding more memory. The card’s 336.0 GB/s bandwidth is a hard limit, and the 192-bit bus is narrower than what modern cards use for high-resolution work. The data does not include a 4K Ultra min FPS, but the average of 23 FPS is a clear sign that the GPU is overwhelmed.

The RTX 2060’s position in the database—58th percentile among all GPUs—is reflected in its performance here. It is not a high-end card, but it is competent at its intended resolution. The benchmark scores for the GPU, such as a Passmark G3D score of 14111, are consistent with a mid-range part. In this game, the GPU is the definitive limiting factor at 1440p and above. At 1440p Low, the 98 FPS is respectable, but at 1440p Ultra, the 41 FPS shows that the card cannot handle the increased shading load. The card’s DirectX 12 Ultimate support (12_2) is a feature that is forward-looking, but Evolve’s engine does not appear to leverage it significantly, as the performance scaling is more traditional.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is a modern processor with a robust specification sheet: 14 cores, 14 threads, a 5.10 GHz boost clock, and a 90th percentile ranking among all CPUs. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32924 and single-core score of 4648 show it is a powerhouse for both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads. In Evolve, the CPU’s role is to feed the GPU with draw calls, manage game logic, and handle AI. The data suggests that this CPU is not a bottleneck at any resolution or setting tested.

The evidence for this is in the FPS scaling. At 1080p Low, the combo hits 146 FPS, which is a high frame rate that would stress many CPUs. The fact that the Core Ultra 5 245 can maintain this without dropping the average suggests it has ample headroom. Even at 1080p Ultra, where the GPU is working harder, the CPU is still providing 62 FPS. If the CPU were the limiting factor, we would expect to see a plateau in FPS across different resolutions at the same settings, but the data shows continuous drops as resolution increases. For example, at High settings, the FPS goes from 89 (1080p) to 60 (1440p) to 34 (4K), proving that the GPU is the one struggling.

The CPU’s 24 MB of L3 cache and 3 MB per-core L2 cache are generous, which helps with game data locality. The Passmark data compression score of 400942 and integer math score of 91187 indicate strong computational throughput, which is useful for game logic. The 65W TDP is modest, but the performance is not compromised. In this specific title, the CPU is effectively a silent partner, providing a stable platform for the GPU to do its work. The nearest rivals in the CPU database, such as the AMD Ryzen 9 7900, have a similar average benchmark score (49228 vs 48995), but this does not translate to a measurable difference in Evolve because the game is not CPU-limited. The data implies that a weaker CPU could be paired with this GPU without a significant FPS loss, but the Core Ultra 5 245 ensures that there is no risk of stuttering or frame pacing issues.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the combo’s performance across all tested configurations.

1080p (1920x1080):

• Low: 146 FPS average. This is the highest recorded frame rate, indicating the game is well-optimized for lower-end hardware at this resolution. It is a fluid experience, well above the threshold for competitive play.
• Medium: 113 FPS average, with a min of 96 and a max of 130. This is a very solid 1080p experience, with the minimum still being comfortably above 60 FPS.
• High: 89 FPS average. This is a good balance of visual quality and performance, suitable for most players.
• Ultra: 62 FPS average. This is just above 60 FPS, which is the typical target for smooth gameplay. It is playable, but the frame rate is not as stable as the Medium preset.

1440p (2560x1440):

• Low: 98 FPS average. This is still very smooth and shows that the GPU has enough power for a high-refresh monitor at this setting.
• Medium: 76 FPS average, with a min of 65 and a max of 87. This is a good experience, with the minimum staying above 60 FPS.
• High: 60 FPS average. This is exactly at the 60 FPS target, making it a borderline choice for gamers who prefer a strict 60 FPS cap.
• Ultra: 41 FPS average. This is below the 60 FPS threshold and would be noticeable to most players. It is not recommended for a smooth experience.

4K (3840x2160):

• Low: 56 FPS average. This is just below 60 FPS, making it playable but not ideal for fast-paced action.
• Medium: 43 FPS average, with a min of 37 and a max of 50. This is a significant drop and would be noticeable in gameplay.
• High: 34 FPS average. This is below the playable threshold for most, and the frame rate would feel choppy.
• Ultra: 23 FPS average. This is essentially a slideshow and is not recommended for any serious play.

The data shows a clear hierarchy: 1080p is the only resolution where the combo can consistently deliver a high-quality experience across all settings. The 1440p Medium and High settings are acceptable, while 4K is only viable on Low.

How This Combo Ranks

In the benchmark database, this specific combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 ranks 2247 out of 2872 tested combos for Evolve. This places it in the bottom 22% of all tested system configurations. This low ranking is primarily due to the GPU’s age and performance class. The RTX 2060 is a mid-range card from the Turing generation, and its 58th percentile ranking among all GPUs drags down the overall combo performance.

The CPU, on the other hand, is a top-tier performer with a 90th percentile ranking. This creates an imbalanced system where the CPU is far more capable than the GPU. The combo rank reflects this imbalance, as the overall score is heavily weighted toward the weakest link. In gaming, the GPU is usually the determining factor for FPS, so the combo’s rank is a direct consequence of the RTX 2060’s limitations. While the Core Ultra 5 245 is a future-proof processor that could handle a much more powerful GPU, it is held back in this configuration.

The data suggests that for Evolve, this combo is not a top-tier performer. It is a functional pairing that can play the game at reasonable settings, but it will not compete with systems that feature a more modern or higher-end GPU. The rank is a quantitative confirmation of the qualitative data seen in the FPS breakdown: this is a 1080p-focused system that struggles at higher resolutions.

FAQ

*Q: Is the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 a bottleneck for the RTX 2060 in Evolve?*

A: No. The data shows that FPS decreases consistently as resolution increases, which indicates the GPU is the limiting factor, not the CPU. At 1080p Low, the combo achieves 146 FPS, showing the CPU can handle high frame rates without holding back the GPU.

*Q: What is the best resolution to play Evolve with this combo?*

A: 1080p is the best resolution. The data shows that at 1080p, all settings from Low to Ultra are playable, with average FPS ranging from 62 to 146. At 1440p, only Low and Medium settings are above 60 FPS, while 4K is only playable on Low.

Q: How does the RTX 2060’s 6 GB of VRAM affect 4K performance?

A: The 6 GB VRAM is likely insufficient for 4K textures on High and Ultra settings. The data shows a sharp drop from 56 FPS at 4K Low to 34 FPS at 4K High, which is a 22 FPS difference, suggesting that memory capacity and bandwidth are being stressed.

*Q: Is this combo better than the average for Evolve?*

A: No. The combo ranks 2247 out of 2872 tested configurations, placing it in the bottom 22%. This is a below-average ranking, primarily attributed to the RTX 2060’s mid-range performance level.

Q: Can this combo achieve a stable 60 FPS at 1440p?

A: Only on Low settings, where it averages 98 FPS. On Medium settings, the average is 76 FPS, but the minimum is 65 FPS. On High, the average is exactly 60 FPS, but with no min/max data, it may not be stable. Ultra is below 60 FPS.

Q: What is the CPU’s multi-core performance relative to its rivals?

A: The Core Ultra 5 245 has an average benchmark score of 48995, which is 0.4% lower than the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G and 0.5% lower than the AMD Ryzen 9 7900. It is 0.6% higher than the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H and 0.8% higher than the Intel Core i5-14600K.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal experience for this combo is at 1080p with the Medium preset. This setting yields an average of 113 FPS, with a minimum of 96 FPS and a maximum of 130 FPS. This provides a high frame rate that is well above the 60 FPS threshold, ensuring smooth and responsive gameplay. The minimum FPS of 96 means there are no significant frame drops, making it a stable and enjoyable experience.

For players who prioritize visual fidelity over frame rate, 1080p High is a viable alternative, with an average of 89 FPS. This is still a very playable experience, but the higher visual fidelity comes at the cost of some performance headroom. The Ultra preset at 1080p, with an average of 62 FPS, is borderline. While it is technically above 60 FPS, the lack of min/max data suggests it might be less stable than Medium.

At 1440p, the Low preset is the only recommended choice, with an average of 98 FPS. The Medium preset is also acceptable, with an average of 76 FPS and a minimum of 65 FPS, but it is closer to the edge. The High preset at 1440p averages exactly 60 FPS, which is not recommended for a consistently smooth experience. For 4K, the Low preset is the only playable option, with an average of 56 FPS, but even this is not ideal for fast-paced gameplay. The data suggests that players should stick to 1080p for the best balance of performance and quality, with Medium being the most optimal preset for this specific hardware combination.