Evolve

The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combination produces a performance profile in Evolve that is heavily dictated by resolution and graphics settings. The measured data shows a clear transition from a CPU-limited scenario at 1080p to a GPU-limited one at 4K, with the 16-core processor providing ample headroom for the mid-range graphics card. This analysis walks through the benchmark results, interpreting what the frame rates indicate about the balance between the two components.

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

The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H is a 16-core, 16-thread mobile processor based on the Panther Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and can boost up to 5.10 GHz, which is a significant spread for handling both lightly-threaded and heavily-threaded workloads. The processor is equipped with 18 MB of shared L3 cache and 3 MB of L2 cache per core, along with 192 KB of L1 cache per core. Its memory support includes dual-channel LPDDR5X with a bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s. In synthetic benchmarks, this CPU achieves a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 18911 and a single-core score of 2200.5, placing it in the 88th percentile against all CPUs.

For Evolve, a game released in 2015, the CPU’s high single-thread performance is critical. The game’s engine does not heavily scale across many cores, so the 5.10 GHz boost clock is more relevant than the 16-core count. The data supports this: at 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves 169 FPS, which is the highest measured result. This suggests the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU with enough frames at lower resolutions and settings where the graphics card is not the bottleneck. However, the CPU’s relative strength is also shown by its nearest rivals. The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H scores an average benchmark score of 44466, which is 0.3% higher than the Intel Core i9-13950HX and 0.5% higher than the Intel Core i5-13600. It is slightly behind the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D by 0.2%, indicating a very tight grouping at the top end of CPU performance.

The architectural details show a processor designed for mobile efficiency with a 25 W TDP, yet it delivers desktop-class performance in this game. The 16 threads are not fully utilized by Evolve, but the high clock speed ensures that the CPU does not become a limiting factor at 1080p. As resolution increases, the CPU’s role diminishes, and the GPU takes over as the primary performance driver. The measured FPS drop from 169 at 1080p Low to 114 at 1440p Low and then to 65 at 4K Low is a direct result of the GPU's rendering workload increasing, rather than the CPU being unable to keep up. In essence, the CPU provides a solid foundation, but it is the GPU that dictates the experience at higher resolutions.

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

Q: What is the average FPS at 1080p with High settings?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combination delivers an average of 103 FPS at 1920x1080 with High settings. This is a smooth experience for a fast-paced FPS title.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rival in terms of average benchmark score?

A: The CPU’s average benchmark score is 44466, which is 0.2% lower than the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D but 0.3% higher than the Intel Core i9-13950HX. This places it statistically tied with these other high-end processors.

Q: What is the lowest average FPS recorded across all tested settings?

A: The lowest average FPS is 27, recorded at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings. This is the most demanding configuration tested and shows the GPU is heavily stressed.

Q: Does the system maintain a playable frame rate at 1440p with Medium settings?

A: Yes, the average FPS at 2560x1440 with Medium settings is 88, with a minimum of 75 FPS and a maximum of 101 FPS. This indicates a consistent and playable experience.

Q: What is the boost clock of the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H?

A: The processor has a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, which is a key factor in its strong single-thread performance, particularly relevant for games like Evolve.

Q: What is the GPU's memory bandwidth?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 has a memory bandwidth of 272.0 GB/s, provided by 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus. This bandwidth is a factor in how well the GPU handles 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 pattern of performance scaling as resolution increases. At 1080p, the system is likely CPU-bound at lower settings, with a high frame rate ceiling. The average FPS at 1080p with Low settings is 169, which drops to 131 at Medium, 103 at High, and 71 at Ultra. The progression from Low to Ultra at 1080p shows a 58% reduction in average FPS, indicating that the GPU is being increasingly taxed as settings increase.

Moving to 1440p, the frame rates drop significantly. The average FPS at 1440p with Low settings is 114, which is a 32.5% decrease from the 1080p Low result. At 1440p Medium, the average is 88, and at High, it is 69. The Ultra setting at 1440p yields an average of 48 FPS. This scaling suggests that the GPU is becoming the primary bottleneck at this resolution, as the CPU still has headroom to produce more frames.

At 4K, the GPU is definitively the limiting component. The average FPS at 3840x2160 with Low settings is 65, which is less than half of the 1080p Low result. The Medium setting at 4K produces an average of 50 FPS, while High drops to 39 FPS, and Ultra falls to 27 FPS. The frame rate drop from 1080p to 4K is dramatic, with the Low setting experiencing a 61.5% reduction in average FPS. This steep decline indicates that the RTX 4060’s 8 GB of VRAM and 272.0 GB/s memory bandwidth are insufficient to maintain high frame rates at 4K, especially with higher graphical fidelity. The data clearly shows that the GPU is the limiting factor at 4K, while the CPU provides stable performance across all resolutions.

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

The benchmark results provide a comprehensive view of performance across three resolutions and four settings levels. At 1920x1080, the system performs admirably. With Low settings, the average FPS is 169, which is the highest recorded in the entire dataset. Medium settings reduce the average to 131 FPS, with a minimum of 112 FPS and a maximum of 151 FPS. High settings yield an average of 103 FPS, and Ultra settings bring the average down to 71 FPS. The 1080p results show that the system can easily handle competitive play with high refresh rates, even at High settings.

At 2560x1440, the performance remains solid but shows the expected decline. Low settings produce an average of 114 FPS, which is still very smooth. Medium settings average 88 FPS, with a minimum of 75 FPS and a maximum of 101 FPS, providing a stable experience. High settings drop to an average of 69 FPS, which is still playable but not as fluid. Ultra settings at 1440p produce an average of 48 FPS, which may feel less responsive in a fast-paced FPS.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain high frame rates. Low settings average 65 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for competitive play. Medium settings average 50 FPS, with a minimum of 43 FPS and a maximum of 58 FPS, indicating some frame pacing issues. High settings drop to an average of 39 FPS, and Ultra settings produce an average of 27 FPS, which is not a smooth experience. The 4K results are clearly below the threshold for competitive gaming, making lower resolutions more viable for this combination.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

In the overall rankings for Evolve, this specific combination of the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is positioned at rank 1740 out of 2872 tested combos. This places it in the middle of the pack, indicating that while it is not a top-tier setup, it is far from the bottom. The rank reflects a balance between the CPU’s strong performance and the GPU’s mid-range capabilities.

The CPU’s individual performance is notably high, ranking in the 88th percentile against all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 44466. This is very close to its nearest rivals, with a 0.2% deficit to the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D and a 0.3% lead over the Intel Core i9-13950HX. This suggests that the CPU is not the limiting factor in the combo’s overall rank.

The GPU, on the other hand, ranks in the 61st percentile against all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 17639. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon HD 7790, is 0.2% faster, while the AMD Radeon 780M is 0.3% slower. This indicates that the RTX 4060 is a competent mid-range card, but it does not have the raw power to push the combo higher in the rankings. The combo’s rank of 1740 suggests that many other configurations, likely with more powerful GPUs, achieve higher average frame rates in Evolve. The data shows that the GPU is the bottleneck for this combo in terms of overall standing, as the CPU has the potential to support a much faster graphics card.

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

Based on the measured FPS, the optimal settings depend on the target resolution and the desired frame rate. For 1920x1080, the High preset offers an exceptional balance, with an average of 103 FPS. This is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay and provides better visual fidelity than Medium, which averages 131 FPS. The Ultra preset at 1080p, averaging 71 FPS, is also viable but sacrifices some smoothness for marginal visual gains.

For 2560x1440, the Medium preset is the best choice, delivering an average of 88 FPS with a minimum of 75 FPS. This ensures a consistent, playable experience without dropping below the 60 FPS mark. The High preset at 1440p, averaging 69 FPS, is also playable but is more susceptible to drops during intense scenes. The Low preset at 1440p, at 114 FPS, is very smooth but compromises visual quality significantly.

For 3840x2160, the options are more limited. The Low preset, averaging 65 FPS, is the only one that provides a consistently playable experience. The Medium preset, at 50 FPS, may be acceptable for slower-paced play but is not ideal for a fast-paced FPS. The High and Ultra presets at 4K, at 39 and 27 FPS respectively, are not recommended for competitive play. The data indicates that the system is best utilized at 1080p or 1440p, where it can maintain high frame rates with reasonable visual quality.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is a mid-range mobile GPU based on the Ada Lovelace architecture, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. It features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, with a memory bandwidth of 272.0 GB/s. The GPU has a base clock of 1830 MHz and a boost clock of 2460 MHz, with memory clocked at 2125 MHz (17 Gbps effective). It contains 3072 shading units, 96 texture mapping units, and 48 raster output units, along with 24 ray tracing cores and 96 tensor cores. The GPU’s FP32 performance is rated at 15.11 TFLOPS.

In Evolve, the GPU’s role is more pronounced at higher resolutions. The 8 GB VRAM capacity is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p, but at 4K, it may become a limiting factor. The measured FPS at 4K with High settings is 39, and at Ultra, it is 27, suggesting that the GPU is struggling to process the increased pixel count and texture detail. The GPU’s memory bandwidth of 272.0 GB/s is also a constraint at 4K, as the data transfer rate is insufficient to keep the GPU fed with textures and geometry.

The GPU’s performance relative to its rivals shows that it is a solid mid-range card. It ranks in the 61st percentile against all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 17639. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon HD 7790, scores 17666, which is 0.2% higher, while the AMD Radeon 780M scores 17588, which is 0.3% lower. This indicates that the RTX 4060 is well-matched with these competitors. The GPU’s 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2302 and PassMark G3D score of 19545 further confirm its mid-range positioning. In the context of Evolve, the RTX 4060 is capable of delivering excellent 1080p performance and good 1440p performance, but it is not designed for 4K gaming. The data shows that the GPU is the key component determining the experience at higher settings and resolutions.