The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents an interesting challenge for the Intel Core i5-12400 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 combination. The measured data reveals a system that is overwhelmingly capable at standard resolutions but begins to show its limits at the demanding 4K Ultra setting. This analysis breaks down the performance metrics, component roles, and optimal configurations based strictly on the benchmark results.

FAQ

Q: What is the best settings preset for 4K gameplay?

A: At 3840x2160, the most demanding preset that maintains an average FPS above the 60 FPS threshold is Medium, achieving an average of 69 FPS. While High settings hit an average of 59 FPS, this falls just below the playable threshold.

Q: Can this combo run the game at 1440p with maximum settings?

A: Yes. The benchmark data shows that at 2560x1440, the Ultra preset delivers an average of 83 FPS. This is well above the 60 FPS playable threshold, making Ultra settings fully viable at this resolution.

Q: How much performance headroom is there at 1080p?

A: The headroom is substantial. At 1920x1080, the Ultra preset achieves an average of 127 FPS, which is more than double the 60 FPS playable threshold. The Low preset reaches 249 FPS average, indicating the game is heavily GPU-bound at this resolution.

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

A: The scaling is significant. The Low preset averages 162 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 83 FPS. This represents a 79 FPS drop, or roughly 49% lower performance when moving from Low to Ultra at 2560x1440.

Q: Is the RTX 5070's performance consistent across resolutions?

A: The data shows expected scaling. The GPU's average FPS at High settings decreases from 163 FPS at 1080p, to 107 FPS at 1440p, and finally to 59 FPS at 4K. This demonstrates a clear performance degradation as pixel count increases.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded in the benchmark data?

A: The lowest minimum FPS recorded was 58 FPS, observed at 3840x2160 with Medium settings. This is the only instance where the minimum FPS dipped below the 60 FPS playable threshold, despite the average being 69 FPS.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark data suggests that The Technomancer's performance scaling is heavily influenced by the GPU, with the CPU providing ample headroom. At 1920x1080, the jump from Low to Ultra settings reduces average FPS from 249 to 127, a massive 122 FPS difference. This wide gap indicates the GPU is the primary bottleneck, as the workload increases dramatically with visual fidelity. The CPU, with its 6 cores and 12 threads, appears sufficient to feed the RTX 5070 even at these high frame rates.

When moving to 2560x1440, the same pattern persists but with a narrower range. The Low preset averages 162 FPS, while Ultra averages 83 FPS. The 79 FPS difference still points to GPU-bound performance, but the relative scaling is less steep than at 1080p. This suggests the CPU is not yet a limiting factor, as the GPU is still able to produce high frame rates across all settings.

The 3840x2160 resolution reveals the most about component balance. Here, the Ultra preset drops to an average of 46 FPS, while Low settings achieve 89 FPS. The 43 FPS difference between these extremes is smaller than at lower resolutions, indicating that the GPU is becoming saturated. The RTX 5070's 12 GB of GDDR7 memory and 672.0 GB/s bandwidth are being taxed heavily at 4K, but the CPU's role remains secondary. The fact that the CPU's nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-14100F, scores only 0.9% higher on average benchmarks suggests that even a slightly stronger CPU would not significantly alter the 4K results.

The scaling between resolutions at the same settings provides further insight. At High settings, average FPS drops from 163 at 1080p to 107 at 1440p, and then to 59 at 4K. This roughly halving of performance with each step up in resolution is characteristic of a GPU-limited scenario. The CPU's performance, as measured by its 3dmark single-thread score of 910 and multi-thread score of 5890, is sufficient to keep up with the GPU's demands. The data implies that for this game, the GPU is the dominant factor in determining frame rates across all tested resolutions and presets.

Best Settings per Resolution

For 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the clear choice, delivering an average of 127 FPS. This is far above the 60 FPS playable threshold, and the lack of min/max data for this setting suggests consistent performance. Even the most demanding visual settings leave significant headroom for a high refresh rate monitor.

At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset again provides the best experience, with an average of 83 FPS. This comfortably exceeds the playable threshold, and the 106 FPS minimum observed at Medium settings indicates that even during intense scenes, the frame rate remains solid. The 83 FPS average at Ultra makes this the optimal choice for a balance of visual quality and smooth gameplay.

For 3840x2160, the situation changes. The Ultra preset falls to an average of 46 FPS, which is below the playable threshold. The Medium preset is the highest setting that maintains an average above 60 FPS, achieving 69 FPS. However, it is notably the minimum FPS at this setting was 58 FPS, which dips slightly below the threshold. This means that while the average is playable, there may be brief moments of frame rate drops. The High preset at 59 FPS average is just shy of the 60 FPS target, making Medium the recommended setting for a consistent 4K experience.

Similar Performance Alternatives

Based on the nearestRivals data, the Intel Core i5-12400 has an average benchmark score of 18683. The closest matching CPUs are the AMD EPYC 7643, which scores 18697 (-0.1% delta), and the Intel Core i7-1355U, scoring 18730 (-0.3% delta). The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 scores 18811 (-0.7% delta), while the Intel Core i3-14100F scores 18519 (0.9% delta). These alternatives would provide nearly identical CPU-bound performance in The Technomancer, given the game's GPU-heavy nature. The i3-14100F, with a slightly higher score, would be the closest match in terms of raw processing power.

For the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070, the average benchmark score is 40377. The nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon Pro 580, scoring 40318 (0.1% delta), and the AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100, scoring 40063 (0.8% delta). The AMD Radeon Pro 5300 scores 40870 (-1.2% delta), while the NVIDIA RTX A500 Mobile scores 39568 (2% delta). These GPUs would offer similar frame rates in this game. The Radeon Pro 580, with a nearly identical score, would be the most comparable in terms of raw graphics performance. However, these are all professional-grade cards, suggesting that a gamer seeking similar performance might look at other consumer options, though the data does not specify them.

The Verdict

The benchmark data clearly indicates that this system is highly capable of running The Technomancer. At 1920x1080, all settings presets are playable, with the Ultra preset delivering an average of 127 FPS. This is more than double the 60 FPS playable threshold, offering a smooth and visually rich experience. At 2560x1440, the verdict is equally positive. The Ultra preset achieves an average of 83 FPS, and all other settings also clear the 60 FPS mark. This resolution strikes an excellent balance between visual fidelity and performance.

At 3840x2160, the verdict is more nuanced. The Low and Medium presets are playable, with Medium being the best setting at 69 FPS average. The High preset falls just short at 59 FPS, and Ultra is not playable at 46 FPS. This means that 4K gaming is possible, but only with reduced settings. The data suggests that for the best 4K experience, users should select the Medium preset, accepting a slight risk of frame rate dips to 58 FPS. Overall, the system can run the game at all three resolutions, but the settings must be adjusted to match the resolution for a consistent 60 FPS experience.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i5-12400 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 combination ranks 744th out of 3696 tested combos for The Technomancer. This places it in the top 20% of all tested configurations. This rank reflects the strong performance of the RTX 5070, which sits in the 82nd percentile of all GPUs, combined with a capable CPU in the 72nd percentile. The GPU's high average benchmark score of 40377 is the primary driver of this ranking, as the game's performance is heavily GPU-dependent. The rank indicates that this combo outperforms the vast majority of tested systems, making it a strong choice for this title. The fact that the GPU outperforms its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon Pro 580, by 0.1% in average score, while the CPU slightly underperforms its nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-14100F, by 0.9%, suggests that the GPU is the star of this pairing.

Measured FPS Breakdown

1920x1080:

• Ultra: Average 127 FPS
• High: Average 163 FPS
• Medium: Average 191 FPS, with a minimum of 162 FPS and a maximum of 220 FPS
• Low: Average 249 FPS

2560x1440:

• Ultra: Average 83 FPS
• High: Average 107 FPS
• Medium: Average 125 FPS, with a minimum of 106 FPS and a maximum of 143 FPS
• Low: Average 162 FPS

3840x2160:

• Ultra: Average 46 FPS
• High: Average 59 FPS
• Medium: Average 69 FPS, with a minimum of 58 FPS and a maximum of 79 FPS
• Low: Average 89 FPS

The data reveals a consistent pattern of performance scaling. At each resolution, the difference between Low and Ultra settings is substantial, but the relative drop is most pronounced at 1080p. The only recorded minimum FPS values are for Medium settings, which show that even at 4K, the frame rate stays relatively stable, with only a 1 FPS dip below the 60 FPS threshold. The maximum FPS values for Medium settings show the GPU's headroom, with 220 FPS at 1080p and 79 FPS at 4K. This breakdown confirms that the RTX 5070 provides excellent performance, with the i5-12400 offering sufficient support to avoid becoming a bottleneck.