The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents an interesting test for modern hardware. This analysis examines a specific configuration: the Intel Core i5-14600KF paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080. The data provided offers a granular look at how this combo handles the game across common resolutions and presets. Benchmark results reveal a system with substantial headroom at lower resolutions, yet one that encounters its limits at 4K with maximum settings. The following sections break down the measured performance, contextualize it against rival hardware, and provide clear guidance on the best settings for a smooth experience.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average frame rate this combo can achieve in The Technomancer?

A: At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the Intel Core i5-14600KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 combination reaches an average of 223 FPS. This is the peak performance recorded in the measured data.

Q: Can this system maintain 60 FPS at 4K resolution?

A: Yes, but not with the highest visual quality. At 3840x2160, the combo achieves an average of 61 FPS on Medium settings and 80 FPS on Low settings. However, performance drops below the 60 FPS threshold on High (52 FPS average) and Ultra (41 FPS average) presets.

Q: How does the combo's overall ranking in this game compare to other tested systems?

A: The combination ranks 1040th out of 3696 total tested combinations for The Technomancer. This places it in the upper third of all tested configurations, indicating solid overall performance.

Q: What is the most demanding preset that stays above 60 FPS at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset remains playable, with an average frame rate of 75 FPS. This allows for maximum visual fidelity while still clearing the 60 FPS playability threshold.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more likely to be the limiting factor at 1080p?

A: The data suggests the system is heavily GPU-bound at lower resolutions. The frame rates at 1920x1080 are exceptionally high, ranging from 114 FPS on Ultra to 223 FPS on Low, indicating the CPU provides ample headroom and is not the bottleneck.

Q: How does the RTX 3080's benchmark score compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The GPU's average benchmark score is 23172, which is nearly identical to its nearest rivals. It is 0.3% behind the NVIDIA P106-100 and AMD Radeon Pro Vega 16, and 0.4% behind the AMD Radeon RX 6600M.

CPU and GPU Roles

The performance scaling across resolutions provides a clear picture of which component is doing the heavy lifting in The Technomancer. At 1920x1080, the system is heavily GPU-bound. The frame rates are extremely high, with the average dropping from 223 FPS on Low to 114 FPS on Ultra. This massive 109 FPS swing is a direct result of the GPU's workload increasing with more demanding presets. The CPU, with its high single-core performance, is not a limiting factor here, easily feeding the GPU enough data to maintain these high frame rates.

Moving to 2560x1440, the GPU's role becomes even more pronounced. The average frame rate at Low settings is 146 FPS, which drops to 96 FPS on High and 75 FPS on Ultra. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p is significant, with the Ultra preset dropping from 114 FPS to 75 FPS. This indicates that the increased pixel count is directly taxing the RTX 3080's rendering capabilities. The CPU's role remains consistent, providing a stable platform, but the GPU is clearly the primary determinant of performance.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is unquestionably the bottleneck. The Ultra preset averages just 41 FPS, and even the High preset only manages 52 FPS. The only way to achieve a smooth experience at this resolution is to drop to Medium (61 FPS) or Low (80 FPS) settings. The performance here is entirely dictated by the GPU's ability to process the 4K resolution's immense pixel workload. The CPU is essentially sidelined, as its performance is more than sufficient for the game's logic at this resolution. The data shows a classic GPU-bound scenario, where the RTX 3080's capabilities define the playable settings envelope.

Measured FPS Breakdown

This section details the exact average, minimum, and maximum frame rates recorded for this specific combination at each resolution and preset.

1920x1080

• Low: The average frame rate is 223 FPS. No minimum or maximum figures were recorded.
• Medium: The average frame rate is 171 FPS. The minimum recorded was 146 FPS, and the maximum was 197 FPS.
• High: The average frame rate is 146 FPS. No minimum or maximum figures were recorded.
• Ultra: The average frame rate is 114 FPS. No minimum or maximum figures were recorded.

2560x1440

• Low: The average frame rate is 146 FPS. No minimum or maximum figures were recorded.
• Medium: The average frame rate is 112 FPS. The minimum recorded was 95 FPS, and the maximum was 129 FPS.
• High: The average frame rate is 96 FPS. No minimum or maximum figures were recorded.
• Ultra: The average frame rate is 75 FPS. No minimum or maximum figures were recorded.

3840x2160

• Low: The average frame rate is 80 FPS. No minimum or maximum figures were recorded.
• Medium: The average frame rate is 61 FPS. The minimum recorded was 52 FPS, and the maximum was 71 FPS.
• High: The average frame rate is 52 FPS. No minimum or maximum figures were recorded.
• Ultra: The average frame rate is 41 FPS. No minimum or maximum figures were recorded.

The data shows a consistent and expected performance hierarchy. Lower resolutions and less demanding presets yield higher frame rates. The only preset with recorded variance is Medium, where the minimum FPS at 4K (52 FPS) dips below the playable threshold even though the average (61 FPS) is just above it. This suggests potential for brief stutters in demanding scenes when using Medium settings at 4K.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i5-14600KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 combination holds a rank of 1040 out of 3696 tested combos in The Technomancer. This places the system in the 72nd percentile of all tested configurations, meaning it outperforms nearly three-quarters of the other systems tested. This is a strong result, confirming that this is a capable gaming setup for this title.

The ranking reflects the strength of both components. The CPU, with a 90th percentile ranking against all CPUs, ensures that the system will not be held back by processor limitations. The GPU, while ranked 68th percentile against all GPUs, is still a high-performing part. The combination of a top-tier CPU and a strong upper-midrange GPU results in a system that sits comfortably in the upper echelon of tested hardware for this game. The high frame rates at 1080p and 1440p are a signal of this solid ranking, while the 4K performance is the main factor preventing an even higher placement.

Similar Performance Alternatives

For users considering this build, the benchmark data identifies several alternatives that would perform nearly identically.

On the CPU side, the Intel Core i5-14600KF's average benchmark score is 49394. Its nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 9 7900, which scores 49228, a negligible 0.3% difference. Other close performers include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G (49196, 0.4% slower) and the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 (48995, 0.8% slower). The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 is the only rival that scores higher, with a 49796 average, 0.8% faster. In practical terms, any of these CPUs would deliver a nearly indistinguishable gaming experience in The Technomancer, as the game is not heavily CPU-bound at higher resolutions.

For the GPU, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 has an average benchmark score of 23172. Its nearest rivals are remarkably close in performance. The NVIDIA P106-100 scores 23249, which is 0.3% higher. The AMD Radeon Pro Vega 16 scores 23250, also 0.3% higher. The AMD Radeon RX 6600M scores 23273, 0.4% higher. The AMD Radeon R9 M290X rounds out the list with a score of 23276, 0.4% higher. These differences are within the margin of error for benchmarking, meaning any of these GPUs would produce nearly identical frame rates in The Technomancer. This information is useful for system builders who may find an alternative card available at a different price point, though pricing is not a factor in this analysis.

The Verdict

The data clearly answers the question: yes, this PC can run The Technomancer, but the experience is highly dependent on the chosen resolution and settings.

At 1920x1080, the system is overwhelmingly capable. Every preset, from Low to Ultra, delivers an average frame rate well above the 60 FPS playable threshold. The Ultra preset averages 114 FPS, providing a perfectly smooth and visually rich experience. This resolution is a non-issue for this hardware.

At 2560x1440, the system continues to perform admirably. All four presets, including Ultra with its 75 FPS average, clear the 60 FPS threshold. This means users can enjoy the game at high resolutions with maximum visual fidelity without compromising on smoothness.

At 3840x2160, the situation becomes more nuanced. The system can only run the game at playable frame rates on the Low (80 FPS) and Medium (61 FPS) presets. The High preset dips to an average of 52 FPS, and Ultra drops further to 41 FPS. For a 4K experience, users must sacrifice visual quality to maintain smooth gameplay.

Best Settings per Resolution

The optimal settings for this system are determined by the most demanding preset that still maintains an average frame rate at or above the 60 FPS playable threshold.

• 3840x2160: The best playable setting is Medium, which achieves an average of 61 FPS. This is the highest quality preset that keeps the frame rate above the target. The minimum FPS of 52 recorded on this preset suggests occasional dips below 60, but the average remains acceptable.

• 2560x1440: The best playable setting is Ultra, which achieves an average of 75 FPS. This allows for the highest level of visual detail at this resolution while maintaining a comfortable margin above the 60 FPS threshold.

• 1920x1080: The best playable setting is Ultra, which achieves an average of 114 FPS. This provides a flawless, high-fidelity experience with frame rates that are nearly double the playability target.