Evolve

Evolve pairs the 24-core Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080, and the measured results show a combination that scales predictably with resolution and settings. The data indicates a system where the GPU becomes the primary constraint at higher resolutions, while the CPU’s strong single-threaded performance keeps frame rates high at 1080p. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS across three resolutions and four quality presets, ranks the combo against all tested configurations, and offers practical settings guidance based solely on the provided benchmark data.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern of performance degradation as resolution increases from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160. At High settings, the average frame rate drops from 153 FPS at 1080p to 102 FPS at 1440p, then further to 58 FPS at 4K. That represents a 33% reduction from 1080p to 1440p, and another 43% reduction from 1440p to 4K. The scaling is steep, indicating that the RTX 3080’s 10 GB of GDDR6X memory and 320-bit bus are being pushed hard at the higher pixel counts.

Looking at the Low preset, the same trend holds: 251 FPS at 1080p falls to 168 FPS at 1440p, and then to 96 FPS at 4K. The percentage drop from 1080p to 1440p is 33%, identical to the High preset, suggesting a consistent resolution penalty that is independent of the graphics load. From 1440p to 4K, however, the Low preset drops by 43%, mirroring the High preset’s behavior. This consistency implies that the limiting factor at 4K is the GPU’s raw throughput, not the CPU or memory bandwidth.

The Ultra preset shows the most dramatic scaling: 106 FPS at 1080p, 71 FPS at 1440p, and 40 FPS at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 33%, and from 1440p to 4K is 44%, which is the steepest decline among all presets. This points to the RTX 3080’s 29.77 TFLOPS of FP32 compute being saturated by the combination of high resolution and maximum graphical features. The fact that 4K Ultra still manages 40 FPS average suggests the GPU is working at its limit, with no headroom left for additional load.

The Medium preset provides the only complete min/max data in the measurements: at 1080p, it averages 195 FPS with a minimum of 165 and maximum of 224. At 1440p, the average is 130 FPS with a range of 111 to 150. At 4K, the average drops to 74 FPS with a minimum of 63 and maximum of 85. The consistency of the minimum and maximum values relative to the average suggests stable frame pacing, which is notable for a game from this era. The resolution scaling from 1080p to 1440p is 33%, and from 1440p to 4K is 43%, matching the other presets closely.

Overall, the data indicates that this combo is firmly GPU-limited at 4K across all settings. At 1080p, the high frame rates—especially the 251 FPS Low result—suggest the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU well beyond typical display refresh rates. The Core Ultra 9 290K Plus, with its boost clock of 5.80 GHz and 24 cores, appears to be a strong match for the RTX 3080, as the frame rates at 1080p do not show any CPU bottleneck signs in the measured averages.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 ranks 755th out of 2872 tested combos in Evolve. This places it in the 74th percentile of all configurations, which is a solid showing given the game’s age and the hardware’s relative balance. The rank reflects the measured FPS across all resolutions and settings, and the data shows that this combo outperforms a significant majority of tested systems.

To contextualize the CPU’s contribution, the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus scores 84,003 on average across all benchmark tests, placing it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, scores 83,807, which is a 0.2% difference. This indicates that the 290K Plus is marginally faster than its direct predecessor, but the practical impact in game is likely minimal given the GPU constraints at higher resolutions. The AMD EPYC 7F72 scores 85,072, which is 1.3% higher, showing that the 290K Plus is slightly behind a server-class chip in raw compute, but this is irrelevant for gaming workloads.

On the GPU side, the RTX 3080 averages 23,172 across all benchmark tests, placing it in the 68th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA P106-100, scores 23,249, which is a 0.3% difference. This shows that the RTX 3080 is positioned in the mid-to-upper tier of graphics cards, with its PassMark G3D score of 25,086 confirming its capability. The GPU’s 68th percentile ranking is notably lower than the CPU’s 96th percentile, which suggests that the GPU is the weaker link in this pairing for Evolve’s specific workload.

The combo rank of 755th out of 2872 is influenced by the fact that Evolve is a 2015 title, meaning many newer GPUs and CPUs may not be tested, or the game’s engine may not fully utilize modern hardware. The measured data shows that this combo achieves 153 FPS at 1080p High, which is exceptionally playable, and even 4K Ultra at 40 FPS is borderline acceptable for a slower-paced game. The rank suggests that while this combo is not at the very top of the charts, it delivers a strong experience that should satisfy most players.

Comparing the combo rank to the individual component percentiles, the CPU’s high standing (96th) does not translate into a top-tier combo rank because the GPU’s 68th percentile holds it back. This is a classic case of a high-end CPU paired with a mid-range GPU, and the data shows that the GPU is the limiting factor in Evolve, particularly at higher resolutions. For players using a 1080p monitor with a high refresh rate, this combo excels; for 4K enthusiasts, it falls short of the 60 FPS target on Ultra settings.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate. At 1920x1080, the Low preset achieves 251 FPS, which is far beyond what any standard monitor can display, making it a waste of potential. The High preset at 153 FPS is more sensible, offering a balance of visual quality and performance. The Ultra preset at 106 FPS is still very smooth and provides the best visual experience, so for 1080p users, Ultra is the recommended choice.

At 2560x1440, the High preset averages 102 FPS, which is excellent for a 1440p monitor with a 100 Hz or 120 Hz refresh rate. The Medium preset at 130 FPS is even better, offering a 27% improvement over High while likely sacrificing some visual fidelity. The Ultra preset at 71 FPS is playable but may feel less smooth on high-refresh displays. For most players, the Medium preset at 1440p provides the best combination of frame rate and visual quality, as it stays well above 60 FPS and has a minimum of 111 FPS, ensuring no noticeable stutter.

At 3840x2160, the situation is more constrained. The Low preset averages 96 FPS, which is the only settings level that comfortably exceeds 60 FPS. The Medium preset at 74 FPS is also playable, with a minimum of 63 FPS that just barely holds the 60 FPS floor. The High preset at 58 FPS falls short of 60 FPS, and Ultra at 40 FPS is only suitable for slower-paced gameplay. For 4K users, the Medium preset is the best choice, as it offers a playable experience with a minimum of 63 FPS, while Low sacrifices too much visual quality for a marginal frame rate gain.

The data suggests that the RTX 3080’s 10 GB of VRAM is sufficient for 4K at Medium settings, as the measured minimum of 63 FPS indicates no memory-related stutter. However, pushing to High or Ultra at 4K likely stresses the GPU’s compute resources, as evidenced by the sub-60 FPS averages. For a game like Evolve, where fast reflexes matter, maintaining at least 60 FPS is critical, so the Medium preset at 4K or the High preset at 1440p are the recommended starting points. The Ultra preset at 1080p is also viable, delivering 106 FPS with no minimum recorded, which suggests consistent performance.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the measured average frame rates are as follows: Low preset achieves 251 FPS, Medium preset achieves 195 FPS with a minimum of 165 and maximum of 224, High preset achieves 153 FPS, and Ultra preset achieves 106 FPS. The progression from Low to Ultra shows a 58% reduction in frame rate, which is substantial but expected given the graphical fidelity increase. The Medium preset’s minimum of 165 FPS indicates that even in the most demanding scenes, the frame rate stays well above 144 Hz, making this combo ideal for high-refresh 1080p gaming.

At 2560x1440, the averages are: Low preset at 168 FPS, Medium preset at 130 FPS with a minimum of 111 and maximum of 150, High preset at 102 FPS, and Ultra preset at 71 FPS. The drop from Low to Ultra is 58%, consistent with the 1080p scaling. The Medium preset’s minimum of 111 FPS ensures a smooth experience on 120 Hz monitors, while the High preset at 102 FPS still clears the 100 FPS threshold. Ultra at 71 FPS is acceptable for 60 Hz displays but may not fully utilize a 144 Hz panel.

At 3840x2160, the averages are: Low preset at 96 FPS, Medium preset at 74 FPS with a minimum of 63 and maximum of 85, High preset at 58 FPS, and Ultra preset at 40 FPS. The scaling from Low to Ultra is a 58% reduction, mirroring the lower resolutions. The Medium preset is the only level that maintains a minimum above 60 FPS, making it the recommended choice for 4K. The High preset at 58 FPS is borderline, and the Ultra preset at 40 FPS is only suitable for those who prioritize visuals over performance.

The data shows a consistent 58% performance reduction from Low to Ultra across all resolutions, which indicates that the RTX 3080 scales linearly with the graphical load. The minimum FPS values are only recorded for the Medium preset, but they show a consistent ratio with the average—84% at 1080p, 85% at 1440p, and 85% at 4K—suggesting stable frame delivery without severe spikes. The maximum FPS values are 115% of the average at 1080p, 115% at 1440p, and 115% at 4K, further confirming consistent performance.

FAQ

Q: Can this combo achieve 60 FPS at 4K?

A: Yes, but only on the Medium preset, which averages 74 FPS with a minimum of 63 FPS. The Low preset averages 96 FPS, but the High preset drops to 58 FPS and Ultra to 40 FPS, so Medium is the only 4K settings level that consistently stays above 60 FPS.

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

A: The Medium preset is the best choice, averaging 130 FPS with a minimum of 111 FPS. This provides a 27% improvement over High’s 102 FPS while still maintaining excellent visual quality. Ultra at 71 FPS is playable but not as smooth.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rival?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus scores 84,003 on average, which is 0.2% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K’s 83,807. It is 1.3% behind the AMD EPYC 7F72, which scores 85,072, but the CPU’s 96th percentile ranking shows it is among the top processors tested.

Q: Is the GPU the limiting factor in this combo?

A: Yes, the RTX 3080 ranks in the 68th percentile of all GPUs, while the CPU ranks in the 96th percentile. The measured FPS scaling with resolution indicates the GPU is the bottleneck, especially at 4K where frame rates drop significantly regardless of settings.

Q: What frame rate can I expect at 1080p on Ultra settings?

A: The measured average is 106 FPS, which is smooth for most displays. This is 30% lower than the High preset’s 153 FPS, but still well above 60 FPS, making Ultra a viable choice for 1080p gaming.

Q: How does this combo rank among all tested configurations?

A: It ranks 755th out of 2872 combos in Evolve, placing it in the top 26% of all tested systems. This is a strong result given the game’s age and the GPU’s mid-range positioning.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus provides 24 cores and 24 threads, which is an unusual configuration as it lacks hyper-threading. The base clock is 3.70 GHz, and the boost clock reaches 5.80 GHz, making it one of the highest-clocked desktop processors in the benchmark database. The CPU has a 125 W TDP and uses the Intel Socket 1851, with a 3 nm process node from TSMC and 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The cache hierarchy includes 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache, which is substantial for gaming workloads.

In Evolve, the CPU’s role is primarily to feed the GPU with draw calls and game logic, and the high boost clock of 5.80 GHz is critical for single-threaded performance. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 7,303 and multi-core score of 51,731 indicate strong performance in both lightly and heavily threaded scenarios. The PassMark single-thread score of 4,823 confirms that the CPU excels at the kind of single-threaded work that older games like Evolve often rely on. The 24 cores are overkill for this 2015 title, but they ensure that even with background tasks, the game never starves for CPU resources.

The CPU’s 96th percentile ranking against all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 84,003, shows that it is a top-tier processor. However, the measured FPS data in Evolve shows that the CPU is not the limiting factor, as frame rates drop consistently with resolution increases. At 1080p Low, the 251 FPS average suggests that the CPU can push the GPU to its maximum, but the 4K Low average of 96 FPS indicates the GPU is the constraint. The memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s and DDR5 support provide ample data throughput for the game’s assets, and the PCIe Gen 5 interface ensures no bandwidth bottleneck with the RTX 3080’s PCIe 4.0 connection.

The CPU’s integrated Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units is irrelevant for gaming with a discrete GPU, but its presence does not detract from performance. The unlocked multiplier allows for overclocking, but the measured data shows that the stock boost clock of 5.80 GHz is sufficient to keep up with the RTX 3080. In summary, the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is a high-end CPU that provides more than enough processing power for Evolve, and the measured frame rates are entirely dictated by the GPU’s capabilities at each resolution and settings level.