Evolve

Evolve, a 2015 FPS title, places unique demands on a system, and the pairing of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti creates a stark contrast in capability. The data indicates a profound bottleneck, where the CPU's immense processing power is effectively capped by the GPU's modest output. This analysis examines the measured performance across resolutions and settings, detailing how each component contributes to the final frame rates and what this means for the overall ranking of this specific combination.

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

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is a desktop processor from the Core Ultra Series 2, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC. It features 24 cores and 24 threads, a configuration that provides substantial parallel processing capability. Its base clock is 3.70 GHz, which can boost up to 5.80 GHz, and it draws a TDP of 125 W. This processor is designed for high-end workloads, as evidenced by its benchmark scores. In Cinebench R23, it achieves a multi-core score of 51731 and a single-core score of 7303. Its Passmark multithread score is 60860, and the single-thread score is 4823. These figures place the CPU in the 96th percentile of all processors, indicating top-tier performance.

In the context of Evolve, the CPU's role is to handle game logic, AI, and physics calculations. The game was released in 2015, and its threading model is unlikely to fully utilize 24 cores. However, the Ultra 9 290K's high single-core performance, with a Cinebench R20 single-core score of 3067, ensures that even if the game relies on fewer threads, those threads will be processed with maximum efficiency. The processor’s large 36 MB of shared L3 cache and 24 cores are more than sufficient for a game of this era. The data shows the CPU is not the limiting factor in this pairing; its performance headroom is vast, and it is not the source of the low frame rates observed.

The CPU's nearest rivals further contextualize its standing. It is 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K in average benchmark score, and 1.1% ahead of the AMD EPYC 4584PX. Against the AMD EPYC 9135, it is 1.2% faster, while it trails the AMD EPYC 7F72 by 1.3%. These are all high-end server or desktop parts, confirming the 290K's position at the top of the performance hierarchy. In this Evolve configuration, the CPU's contribution is to provide a stable, non-bottlenecked foundation, but its capabilities are not reflected in the final FPS numbers, which are dictated almost entirely by the GPU.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti is a much more modest component, and the benchmark data shows it is the primary constraint on performance in Evolve. This GPU is from the GeForce 10-series, based on the Pascal architecture and a 14 nm process. It has 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 112.1 GB/s. Its base clock is 1291 MHz with a boost clock of 1392 MHz. The GPU features 768 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 32 ROPs. Its compute capability is rated at 2.138 TFLOPS for FP32 operations. The card has a TDP of 75 W and was launched with an MSRP of 139 USD.

In Evolve, the GTX 1050 Ti struggles to maintain playable frame rates at higher resolutions and settings. Its overall performance is in the 25th percentile of all GPUs, and its Passmark G3D score is 6340. This is a clear indicator of its entry-level positioning. The GPU's nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon R5 M330, which it outperforms by 0.6%, and the NVIDIA Quadro K2100M, which it leads by 1.0%. However, it is 1.1% slower than the NVIDIA Quadro K3000M and 1.8% slower than the AMD Radeon Vega 3. These comparisons show the GTX 1050 Ti is in a performance bracket far below the CPU it is paired with.

The GPU's limited 4 GB of VRAM and relatively low memory bandwidth are likely significant factors in the measured results. The data reveals that at 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 62 FPS. This suggests that at lower settings, the GPU can keep up with the CPU's demands. However, as the resolution and settings increase, the GPU's limitations become apparent. The results show a clear pattern: the frame rate is directly correlated with the GPU's workload, confirming that the GTX 1050 Ti is the bottleneck in this pairing. The CPU's powerful specs are rendered irrelevant by the GPU's inability to render frames quickly enough.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

Q: What is the best average frame rate this combo achieves in Evolve?

A: The highest average frame rate recorded is 62 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

Q: How does this combo perform at 4K resolution?

A: At 3840x2160, the performance is severely limited. The average FPS ranges from 10 FPS on Ultra settings to 24 FPS on Low settings, with Medium settings hitting 18 FPS and High at 14 FPS.

Q: Is the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus the primary bottleneck in this configuration?

A: No. The data shows the CPU is in the 96th percentile of all processors, while the GPU is in the 25th percentile. The frame rates scale with GPU load, indicating the GTX 1050 Ti is the limiting component.

Q: What is the difference in average FPS between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the average frame rate drops from 42 FPS on Low settings to 17 FPS on Ultra settings, a difference of 25 FPS.

Q: What benchmark scores highlight the CPU's capability relative to the GPU?

A: The CPU has a Passmark multithread score of 60860 and a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 51731. In contrast, the GPU's Passmark G3D score is 6340, and its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 305.

Q: How does this combo's rank compare to other tested combinations in Evolve?

A: The combo is ranked 2833 out of 2872 tested combinations, placing it in the bottom 1.4% of all tested systems for this game.

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

The measured FPS data provides a detailed look at how the system scales with graphical demands. At 1920x1080, the system shows its best performance. With Low settings, it averages 62 FPS. This is the only setting where the average frame rate is above 60 FPS. Moving up to Medium settings, the average drops to 48 FPS, with a minimum of 41 FPS and a maximum of 55 FPS. High settings yield an average of 38 FPS, and Ultra settings bring the average down to 26 FPS. This data shows a clear linear degradation as settings increase, typical of a GPU-bound scenario.

At 2560x1440, the performance drops further. Low settings produce an average of 42 FPS, which is still playable but not smooth. Medium settings average 32 FPS, with a minimum of 27 and a maximum of 37 FPS. High settings average 25 FPS, and Ultra settings drop to an average of just 17 FPS. The step from Low to Ultra at this resolution represents a 25 FPS loss, highlighting the GPU's struggle with the increased pixel count.

The 3840x2160 results are the most demanding and show the system's limits. On Low settings, the average FPS is 24. Medium settings average 18 FPS, with a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 21 FPS. High settings average 14 FPS, and Ultra settings average just 10 FPS. None of these averages are close to being playable, and the data suggests that 4K resolution is not a viable option for this hardware combination in Evolve. The pattern across all resolutions confirms that the GPU is the sole determinant of performance, with the CPU's power having no positive impact on these results.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti ranks 2833 out of 2872 tested combos in Evolve. This places the system in the bottom 1.4% of all configurations tested for this game. This ranking is a direct consequence of the severe imbalance between the CPU and GPU. The CPU is a top-tier part, ranking in the 96th percentile of all processors, while the GPU is an entry-level part in the 25th percentile of all GPUs. The pairing of these two components results in a system that performs at the level of its weakest link.

This low ranking is not a reflection of the CPU's ability but rather the GPU's inability to translate that processing power into frame rates. Other combos with far less capable CPUs but more balanced GPUs would likely rank significantly higher. The data indicates that the system's performance is almost entirely determined by the GTX 1050 Ti. The CPU's high benchmark scores, such as its 21727 score in Cinebench R20 multi-core, are irrelevant to the gaming experience when the GPU can only produce 10 FPS at 4K Ultra settings. This combo serves as a prime example of a bottleneck, where the potential of one component is completely negated by the limitations of another.

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

Based on the measured FPS data, the only setting that provides a consistently smooth experience is 1920x1080 with Low settings, which achieves an average of 62 FPS. This is the only configuration that meets the 60 FPS threshold for fluid gameplay. For players who prioritize frame rate, this is the optimal choice. The next best option is 1920x1080 with Medium settings, which averages 48 FPS. While not as smooth as 60 FPS, it is playable and offers better visual fidelity. The minimum of 41 FPS suggests there may be some noticeable dips, but it is generally acceptable for a game of this type.

At 2560x1440, the Low setting at 42 FPS is the most playable option, though it may feel less responsive than the 1080p experience. The Medium setting at 32 FPS is borderline, and the High and Ultra settings are not recommended due to their low averages. At 3840x2160, no settings are recommended for a good experience, as even the Low setting only averages 24 FPS. The data suggests that to get a consistent experience, users should stick to 1080p. The Ultra settings at any resolution are particularly poor, with averages of 26 FPS at 1080p, 17 FPS at 1440p, and 10 FPS at 4K. Given the GPU's limitations, the best experience per the measured rows is unequivocally 1920x1080 with Low settings, with Medium settings at the same resolution as a viable alternative for those willing to trade some smoothness for better visuals.