Evolve

Evolve, the 2015 asymmetric multiplayer FPS, presents a demanding workload that scales unusually well with both resolution and image quality settings. Benchmark data for the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 shows a configuration that is overwhelmingly GPU-bound at higher resolutions, yet reveals a significant CPU bottleneck at 1080p. The measured frame rates indicate that this pairing is capable of delivering exceptional performance, though the experience varies dramatically depending on the chosen settings and target resolution.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is steep and clearly illustrates where the system's limiting component shifts. At 1080p with Low settings, the configuration achieves an average of 371 FPS. Moving to 1440p at the same settings reduces that figure to 248 FPS, a 33% decrease. At 4K Low, the average drops further to 141 FPS, which is 62% lower than the 1080p result. This substantial decline with increasing pixel count is the classic signature of a GPU-bound scenario, where the RTX 4090's rendering throughput becomes the primary constraint.

The scaling pattern is consistent across all settings presets. For High settings, the average frame rate falls from 225 FPS at 1080p to 151 FPS at 1440p and then to 86 FPS at 4K. The Medium preset shows a similar trajectory, starting at 287 FPS at 1080p, dropping to 193 FPS at 1440p, and settling at 110 FPS at 4K. The Ultra preset, which is the most demanding, scales from 156 FPS at 1080p to 105 FPS at 1440p and finally to 60 FPS at 4K. In every case, the transition from 1440p to 4K incurs a larger percentage loss than the step from 1080p to 1440p, reinforcing that the GPU is the dominant bottleneck as pixel count rises.

At 1080p, the data suggests the CPU begins to play a more significant role. The gap between 1080p and 1440p performance is not as wide as the gap between 1440p and 4K, particularly at lower settings. For instance, on Low settings, the difference between 1080p and 1440p is 123 FPS, while the difference between 1440p and 4K is 107 FPS. This compression at the high end indicates that the CPU is nearing its limit in feeding frames to the GPU at 1080p, preventing the graphics card from fully releasing its potential. The scaling curve flattens as resolution increases, confirming that the RTX 4090 becomes the sole limiting factor at 4K.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. In Evolve, a game released in 2015, the core count and thread count are more than sufficient to handle the game's logic and AI, which were designed for an era with far fewer cores. The processor's single-thread performance, as indicated by a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4648, is the more critical factor for this title.

Benchmark results show that the Ultra 5 245 sits in the 90th percentile against all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 48995. This places it in the upper echelon of processors, though its nearest rivals are closely matched. The AMD Ryzen 9 7900 has an average score of 49228, a negligible 0.5% difference, while the Intel Core i5-14600K scores 48618, a 0.8% delta. This indicates that the Ultra 5 245 is a high-performing CPU, but not an outlier in terms of raw processing power.

For Evolve, the CPU's role is most evident at 1080p resolution. The 371 FPS average on Low settings is a strong indicator that the processor can handle the game's minimum workload with ease, but the fact that it cannot push higher suggests a ceiling. The L3 cache is 24 MB shared, which is ample for a game of Evolve's age. The memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s on a dual-channel DDR5 interface is also a non-issue. The data shows that while the CPU is powerful, it is the limiting factor when the GPU is underutilized at lower resolutions. The performance delta between 1080p and 1440p on Low settings (123 FPS) is smaller than the delta between 1440p and 4K (107 FPS), but the absolute frame rates are high enough that the CPU is not a source of stutter or inconsistency. The Ultra 5 245 provides a stable foundation, but the RTX 4090 is clearly the star of the show.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 is a behemoth of a graphics card. It features 24 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 384-bit bus, providing a massive 1.01 TB/s of bandwidth. Its compute capabilities are staggering, with 16384 shading units and an FP32 performance of 82.58 TFLOPS. The GPU's boost clock of 2520 MHz and its 128 RT cores and 512 Tensor cores make it a top-tier part, even if Evolve does not utilize ray tracing or DLSS. The GPU holds the 88th percentile against all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 60347.

The RTX 4090's role in Evolve is to provide overwhelming rasterization performance. At 4K Ultra, it still manages a 60 FPS average, which is a playable frame rate for a game of this type. However, the data shows that the GPU is the primary bottleneck at all resolutions above 1080p. The VRAM capacity is not a factor, as Evolve's textures and assets from 2015 are minuscule compared to the 24 GB available. The memory bandwidth is also far beyond what the game requires.

The GPU's dominance is clear when looking at the scaling between presets. At 4K, the difference between Low (141 FPS) and Ultra (60 FPS) is a 57% performance hit, demonstrating the significant cost of the Ultra preset's effects. The RTX 4090 is so powerful that at 1080p, it is often waiting on the CPU for instructions. The measured FPS at 1080p Low (371 FPS) reflects the GPU's raw power, but it is not a realistic representation of a balanced system. The GPU's performance is best utilized at 1440p and 4K, where it can stretch its legs and deliver frame rates that far exceed what most systems can achieve.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the configuration is capable of exceptional frame rates. On Low settings, it averages 371 FPS. Medium settings yield an average of 287 FPS, with a minimum of 244 FPS and a maximum of 330 FPS. High settings produce a 225 FPS average. The Ultra preset, which is the most demanding, still achieves a robust 156 FPS average. These numbers indicate that at 1080p, the system is vastly overqualified for smooth gameplay, and the frame rates are limited by the CPU's ability to issue draw calls.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance remains extremely high, but the GPU's workload becomes more significant. Low settings average 248 FPS. Medium settings average 193 FPS, with a spread of 164 FPS to 221 FPS. High settings deliver a 151 FPS average. Ultra settings drop to a 105 FPS average. At this resolution, the system is still capable of driving high-refresh-rate monitors, provided the user is willing to adjust settings. The 1440p High preset at 151 FPS is an excellent balance for competitive play, while Ultra at 105 FPS is still very smooth.

At 3840x2160, the RTX 4090 is fully engaged. Low settings produce a 141 FPS average. Medium settings average 110 FPS, with a minimum of 93 FPS and a maximum of 126 FPS. High settings drop to an 86 FPS average. Ultra settings hit a 60 FPS average, which is the bare minimum for a smooth experience on a 60 Hz display. The 4K Medium preset, at 110 FPS, is the sweet spot for a high-refresh-rate 4K monitor, offering a significant improvement over High settings while maintaining a fluid frame rate. The data shows a clear hierarchy: 1080p is CPU-bound, 1440p is balanced, and 4K is GPU-bound.

FAQ

Q: Is this CPU and GPU combination capable of running Evolve at 4K with maximum settings?

A: Yes, the data shows an average of 60 FPS at 3840x2160 resolution with the Ultra preset. This is a playable frame rate, though it is the lowest of the measured settings and leaves no headroom for demanding scenes.

Q: What is the best resolution to play Evolve with this hardware if I prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity?

A: For the highest possible frame rates, 1080p is the resolution to choose. The data shows an average of 371 FPS on Low settings and 225 FPS on High settings at 1920x1080, which is far above the refresh rate of most monitors.

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 compare to its closest rivals in terms of overall CPU performance?

A: The Ultra 5 245 has an average benchmark score of 48995. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 9 7900, scores 49228, which is a 0.5% difference. The Intel Core i5-14600K scores 48618, a 0.8% difference, indicating these processors are effectively tied in performance.

Q: Is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 significantly faster than other GPUs in its performance percentile?

A: The RTX 4090 has an average benchmark score of 60347, placing it in the 88th percentile. Its closest rival, the Intel Arc Pro A60, has a score of 60326, a 0% delta. The AMD Radeon Pro W6600M scores 61896, which is 2.5% higher, showing that the 4090 is strong but not the absolute performance leader among all tested parts.

Q: Will I experience a significant performance drop if I move from a 1440p monitor to a 4K monitor using High settings?

A: Yes, the data shows a substantial drop. At 2560x1440 with High settings, the average FPS is 151. At 3840x2160 with High settings, the average FPS is 86. This represents a 43% reduction in frame rate.

Q: What is the performance difference between the Low and Ultra presets at 1440p?

A: The difference is significant. At 2560x1440, the Low preset averages 248 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 105 FPS. This means the Ultra preset is 58% slower than the Low preset, but still provides a smooth experience.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the user's display and performance goals. For users with a 1080p monitor, the High preset is the clear recommendation. It provides a 225 FPS average, which is more than enough for any high-refresh-rate gaming. The Ultra preset, at 156 FPS, is also an excellent choice, offering higher visual quality while still maintaining a frame rate well above 144 Hz. There is little reason to use Medium or Low at this resolution, as the system has ample headroom to run the game at its highest settings.

For 1440p users, the High preset is the best balance of visual fidelity and performance. The 151 FPS average is ideal for 144 Hz monitors and provides a smooth, responsive experience. The Ultra preset, at 105 FPS, is also viable for 120 Hz displays, but it may not be consistent enough for highly competitive play. The Medium preset, at 193 FPS, is the recommendation for users with 240 Hz monitors who prioritize maximum refresh rate over visual quality. Low settings at 248 FPS are unnecessary for most, as the visual compromise is significant for a marginal frame rate gain over Medium.

For 4K users, the Medium preset is the standout recommendation. It delivers a 110 FPS average, which is excellent for 4K gaming and suitable for high-refresh-rate 4K panels. The High preset, at 86 FPS, is a good alternative for those with 60 Hz displays, offering better image quality. The Ultra preset is only recommended for users who insist on maximum visuals and are content with a 60 FPS average. The Low preset, at 141 FPS, provides the highest frame rates at 4K but sacrifices too much visual detail for a game that benefits from seeing enemies clearly. In summary, the data suggests that Medium at 4K, High at 1440p, and Ultra at 1080p are the best settings presets for this specific hardware combination.