Evolve

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 combination delivers a fascinating performance profile in Evolve, a 2015 FPS title. The data reveals a system capable of extreme frame rates at lower resolutions, yet one that becomes increasingly constrained as graphical demands rise, offering a clear window into the balance between modern CPU and GPU architectures.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 is a 20-core, 20-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process by TSMC. Its base clock of 2.40 GHz can boost up to 5.30 GHz, and it carries 30 MB of shared L3 cache alongside a 192 KB L1 and 3 MB L2 cache per core. For a game released in 2015, this represents an enormous amount of parallel compute headroom; Evolve was designed for an era of 4-core, 8-thread processors, which suggests the 265 is operating far below its capacity in most in-game scenarios.

The benchmark data corroborates this. In Cinebench R23, the CPU scores 42,216 points in multi-core and 5,960 in single-core, positioning it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 4464P, which is a server-class chip, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F, a near-identical variant, with delta percentages of -0.3% and +0.3% respectively. This performance level implies that at 1080p, where the CPU must feed frames quickly to the GPU, the 265's single-threaded strength — evidenced by its 5,960 R23 single-core score — is likely the primary enabler of the exceptionally high frame rates observed.

However, the CPU's role diminishes as resolution scales up. With 20 threads, the processor can easily handle Evolve's game logic, AI, and physics simulation, even when many entities are on screen. The data shows that at 4K Ultra, the average FPS drops to 54, a figure that is far more indicative of GPU limitation than CPU bottlenecking. The high core count and robust cache hierarchy mean that the CPU is unlikely to be the limiting component in any of the tested configurations; instead, the data suggests it provides a stable, high-frequency foundation that allows the RTX 4080 to perform to its potential, particularly at 1080p where the 335 FPS Low setting result is a clear demonstration of CPU-driven headroom.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

Within the benchmark database's tested combinations, this pairing of the Ultra 7 265 and RTX 4080 holds rank 222 out of 3,700 total combos for Evolve. This places it in the top 6% of all systems tested, a strong showing that aligns with the high-end nature of both components. The rank is likely a composite of performance across all resolutions and settings, and the measured FPS data suggests that while the combo excels at high refresh rate 1080p and 1440p gaming, its 4K Ultra performance is comparatively weaker, which may prevent it from climbing higher.

The GPU's own benchmark scores reinforce this positioning. The RTX 4080 sits in the 86th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 54,247. Its nearest rival, the RTX 4080 SUPER, is nearly identical with a delta of just +0.1%, while the AMD Radeon Pro W5700X trails by -1.1%. This suggests that within the 222nd rank, the combo is likely competing against systems with slightly stronger GPUs or more balanced configurations for this specific title. The CPU's 93rd percentile ranking is higher than the GPU's 86th, which implies that in this pairing, the GPU is the more modest component relative to its peers, and thus the primary driver of any performance limitations at higher resolutions.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS data reveals a clear and consistent scaling pattern across resolutions, with the frame rate dropping significantly as pixel count increases. At Low settings, the average FPS falls from 335 at 1080p to 225 at 1440p and further to 128 at 4K. This represents a 62% drop from 1080p to 4K, a substantial reduction that points directly to the GPU becoming the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions. The CPU, with its high single-core score, is able to maintain high frame rates at 1080p, but the RTX 4080's workload increases exponentially with resolution, causing the FPS to plummet.

The scaling pattern is consistent across all settings. At High settings, the average FPS drops from 204 at 1080p to 137 at 1440p and 78 at 4K. At Ultra, the drop is from 141 at 1080p to 95 at 1440p and 54 at 4K. The percentage drops are relatively uniform, around 60-62% from 1080p to 4K, which is a classic sign of a GPU-bound scenario. If the CPU were the limiting factor, the FPS would remain relatively flat as resolution increases, since the CPU's workload is resolution-independent. The data clearly shows this is not the case; the FPS drops are steep and consistent, indicating that the RTX 4080 is the limiting component at 1440p and 4K, while the CPU is more relevant at 1080p where the GPU can produce frames faster than the CPU can feed it.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

At 1920x1080, the combo delivers its highest frame rates. With Low settings, the average FPS is 335, which is exceptionally high and suggests the CPU is capable of driving the GPU to its limits. Medium settings yield 260 FPS, with a minimum of 221 and a maximum of 299, indicating some frame time variance but still a very smooth experience. High settings drop to 204 FPS, while Ultra settings bring the average down to 141 FPS. This is a wide spread, showing that the settings presets have a significant impact on performance at this resolution.

Moving to 2560x1440, the FPS figures scale down proportionally. Low settings produce an average of 225 FPS, Medium settings yield 174 FPS with a minimum of 148 and maximum of 200, and High settings deliver 137 FPS. Ultra settings at 1440p average 95 FPS, which is still very playable for a fast-paced FPS. The delta between Low and Ultra at 1440p is 130 FPS, compared to 194 FPS at 1080p, showing that the GPU is beginning to become more of a factor.

At 3840x2160, the GPU's limitations become apparent. Low settings average 128 FPS, Medium settings yield 99 FPS with a minimum of 84 and maximum of 114, and High settings drop to 78 FPS. Ultra settings at 4K are the most demanding, with an average of only 54 FPS. This is the only configuration where the average FPS falls below 60, indicating that achieving a smooth 4K experience requires turning down settings. The Medium preset at 4K, with its 84 FPS minimum, appears to be the sweet spot for maintaining a high refresh rate experience at this resolution.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is built on the Ada Lovelace architecture and features 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 716.8 GB/s. Its boost clock is 2505 MHz, and it has 9,728 shading units, 304 TMUs, and 112 ROPs. For a game from 2015, this is an overwhelming amount of graphical horsepower; Evolve was designed for GPUs with a fraction of this VRAM and compute capability. The 16 GB VRAM is far more than any game of that era could utilize, meaning memory capacity is not a limiting factor in any of the measured scenarios.

The GPU's benchmark scores show it is a high-end part, but not the absolute top. Its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 6,567, and it scores 34,457 in Passmark G3D, placing it in the 86th percentile. Its nearest rival, the RTX 4080 SUPER, is nearly identical in performance, while the AMD Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB, which is a lower-tier card, actually scores higher in the average benchmark score (55,698 vs 54,247), though this is an average across all tests and may not reflect gaming performance specifically. The data suggests that the RTX 4080 is a very capable GPU, but its performance in Evolve is more about raw compute than any specific feature.

The GPU's role in the measured results is clearly as the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions. At 1080p, the GPU is often underutilized, as shown by the 335 FPS Low result, which is likely CPU-limited. As resolution increases, the GPU's fill rate and shading units become the limiting factor, causing the FPS to drop. The 4K Ultra result of 54 FPS is a clear indication that the GPU is being fully taxed, and even the 4K Medium result of 99 FPS shows the GPU is working hard. This is not a case of VRAM or bandwidth being insufficient; it is a case of the GPU's raw computational power being the ceiling for performance.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Given the measured data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the target resolution and refresh rate. At 1080p, the High preset at 204 FPS is arguably the best balance of visual quality and performance, as the Ultra preset at 141 FPS offers diminishing returns for a 31% performance hit. For players with 144Hz or 165Hz monitors, the High preset will easily saturate the display, while the Medium preset at 260 FPS is overkill for most displays but could be useful for competitive play where every frame matters. The Low preset at 335 FPS is only necessary for the most extreme high-refresh-rate scenarios, such as 360Hz monitors.

At 1440p, the High preset at 137 FPS is again the recommended choice for a smooth, high-quality experience, as it is above the 120 FPS threshold and offers better visuals than Medium. The Ultra preset at 95 FPS is also viable for those who prioritize image quality over frame rate, but the 42 FPS drop from High may not be worth the visual gain. At 4K, the choice is more constrained. The Ultra preset at 54 FPS is below the 60 FPS target and may feel less responsive. The High preset at 78 FPS is acceptable, but the Medium preset at 99 FPS with a minimum of 84 FPS is the best option for maintaining a high frame rate, as it provides a significant performance boost with only a modest reduction in visual fidelity compared to High. The data clearly shows that Medium at 4K is the sweet spot for this combo, offering a near-100 FPS experience that is smooth and responsive.

FAQ

Q: Is this combo capable of running Evolve at 4K with maximum settings?

A: No. At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average frame rate is 54 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay. To achieve a higher frame rate at 4K, settings must be lowered.

Q: What is the best settings preset for a 144Hz monitor at 1440p?

A: The High preset at 2560x1440 yields an average of 137 FPS, which is close to the 144Hz refresh rate. While not perfectly matching, it is the best balance for a high-refresh experience without dropping to Medium.

Q: How much of a performance difference is there between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the Low preset achieves an average of 335 FPS, while the Ultra preset achieves 141 FPS. This represents a 194 FPS difference, indicating that the Ultra preset is significantly more demanding on the GPU.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor for this combo in Evolve?

A: The GPU is the limiting factor at 1440p and 4K resolutions, as evidenced by the significant FPS drops when increasing resolution. At 1080p, the CPU is more likely to be the limiting factor, given the extremely high frame rates that are achieved.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to other tested systems in Evolve?

A: This combination of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 ranks 222nd out of 3,700 tested combos for this game, placing it in the top 6% of all systems.

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

A: The highest average FPS measured is 335 FPS, which occurs at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. This is the most CPU-bound scenario in the data set.