The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents a demanding workload for the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 combination. The measured frame rates across resolutions and settings reveal a system that is consistently capable at 1080p, but which encounters significant challenges as pixel count increases. The data suggests a clear performance hierarchy dictated by both the graphical preset and the output resolution, with the GPU acting as the primary bottleneck in most scenarios.

Resolution Scaling

The transition from 1920x1080 to 2560x1440 and then to 3840x2160 produces a dramatic and predictable decline in average frame rates. At the High preset, the system delivers 88 frames per second at 1080p, which drops to 57.9 frames per second at 1440p, and further falls to 29.3 frames per second at 4K. This represents a 34% performance loss when moving from 1080p to 1440p, and a substantial 67% loss from 1080p to 4K. The scaling pattern indicates that the RTX 2060 is the limiting component, as the workload becomes increasingly pixel-bound at higher resolutions.

The Low preset shows the same trend but with higher absolute numbers. At 1080p, the system achieves 128.4 frames per second, which is a very playable figure. At 1440p, this drops to 83.8 frames per second, and at 4K, it is 48.7 frames per second. The scaling from 1080p to 4K on Low settings results in a 62% reduction in frame rate. This indicates that even at the lowest graphical demands, the GPU struggles to maintain high frame rates at 4K, confirming that the resolution is a more significant factor than the preset in determining performance.

The performance gap between 1440p and 4K is particularly steep across all settings. For example, at Medium settings, the frame rate drops from 62.4 at 1440p to 38.3 at 4K, a 39% reduction. This suggests that the 4K resolution requires a level of pixel throughput that the RTX 2060, with its 6 GB of GDDR6 memory and 336.0 GB/s bandwidth, cannot adequately provide. The data points to a system where 1080p is the optimal resolution for high refresh rate experiences, while 4K is only viable for less demanding visual presets.

Settings Recommendations

For this specific hardware configuration, the measured data provides clear guidance on the best settings for a balanced experience. At 1920x1080, the High preset offers an excellent 88 frames per second, which is well above the threshold for smooth gameplay. The Ultra preset, while visually superior, reduces performance to 66.8 frames per second, which is still playable but represents a 24% performance cost over High. The Medium preset at 98.5 frames per second offers a good middle ground for those seeking higher frame rates.

At 2560x1440, the High preset yields 57.9 frames per second, which is acceptable for most players. The Medium preset provides 62.4 frames per second, a slight improvement, while the Ultra preset drops to 44.2 frames per second, which may feel less fluid. The Low preset at 83.8 frames per second is the only setting that approaches high refresh rate territory at this resolution.

The data strongly suggests avoiding 4K for this game with this hardware. Even the Low preset at 3840x2160 only achieves 48.7 frames per second, and the High preset falls to 29.3 frames per second. The Ultra preset at 4K is nearly unplayable at 21.6 frames per second. The recommendation based on the measured rows is to prioritize 1080p with High settings for the best combination of visual quality and performance, or 1440p with Medium or High settings for a slightly sharper image at a moderate frame rate cost.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 is the central component in this performance analysis, and its specifications directly correlate with the observed frame rates. The GPU features 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 336.0 GB/s. This memory configuration appears to be a limiting factor at 4K, where the high pixel count demands more data throughput than the card can efficiently deliver. The benchmark results show that the GPU’s average benchmark score is 16074, placing it in the 58th percentile of all GPUs.

The RTX 2060’s clock speeds are also relevant. With a base clock of 1365 MHz and a boost clock of 1680 MHz, the card operates within a typical range for its class. The measured performance in The Technomancer shows that these clocks are sufficient for 1080p and 1440p gaming at most presets, but they are not enough to maintain high frame rates at 4K. The GPU’s PassMark G3D score of 14111 reflects its overall rasterization capability, which aligns with the game’s performance at lower resolutions.

The GPU’s nearest rivals provide context for its standing. The AMD Radeon RX 7600S has an average score of 15996, which is 0.5% lower than the RTX 2060. The AMD Radeon Pro 5600M and Pro 5700 both have scores of 16351, which is 1.7% higher. These small differences suggest that the RTX 2060 is positioned competitively with these cards, and its performance in The Technomancer is likely representative of its class.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the system shows a clear progression from Low to Ultra settings. The Low preset delivers the highest average frame rate at 128.4 frames per second. The Medium preset follows at 98.5 frames per second, which is a 23% reduction from Low. The High preset achieves 88 frames per second, and the Ultra preset drops to 66.8 frames per second. The performance difference between Low and Ultra is 48%, indicating that the visual settings have a substantial impact on the GPU workload at this resolution.

At 2560x1440, the frame rates are lower across the board. The Low preset is the fastest at 83.8 frames per second. The Medium preset delivers 62.4 frames per second, and the High preset is close behind at 57.9 frames per second. The Ultra preset is the slowest at 44.2 frames per second. The scaling between Low and Ultra is 47%, which is similar to the 1080p scaling, but the absolute numbers are lower, reflecting the increased pixel count.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain playable frame rates. The Low preset is the only option above 30 frames per second, achieving 48.7 frames per second. The Medium preset drops to 38.3 frames per second, and the High preset falls to 29.3 frames per second. The Ultra preset is the least playable at 21.6 frames per second. The data shows that the RTX 2060 cannot handle this game at 4K with higher settings, as the performance drops below the threshold for smooth gameplay.

FAQ

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

A: The highest measured average frame rate is 128.4 frames per second, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low preset.

Q: Is 4K gaming viable with this hardware configuration?

A: The data indicates that 4K gaming is not viable for a smooth experience. The highest frame rate at 3840x2160 is 48.7 frames per second on Low settings, with all other presets falling below 40 frames per second.

Q: How much performance is lost when moving from 1080p to 4K at High settings?

A: At High settings, the average frame rate drops from 88 frames per second at 1080p to 29.3 frames per second at 4K, representing a 67% reduction in performance.

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

A: At 2560x1440, the Low preset achieves 83.8 frames per second, while the Ultra preset achieves 44.2 frames per second. This is a 47% performance difference.

Q: Which settings provide the best experience at 1080p?

A: The High preset at 1080p delivers 88 frames per second, offering a good balance of visual quality and performance. The Ultra preset is 24% slower at 66.8 frames per second.

Q: How does the RTX 2060 compare to its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 7600S?

A: The RTX 2060 has an average benchmark score of 16074, which is 0.5% higher than the RX 7600S’s score of 15996.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 provides the processing foundation for this system, and its specifications are sufficient to avoid being a bottleneck in The Technomancer. The CPU features 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. This configuration is well-suited for modern games, and the measured frame rates indicate that the GPU is the limiting factor, especially at higher resolutions.

The Ryzen 5 5600’s benchmark scores demonstrate its capability. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score is 18309, and its single-core score is 2584. These scores place the CPU in the 79th percentile of all CPUs, indicating strong performance relative to other processors. The PassMark multithread score of 21541 and single-thread score of 3256 further confirm its ability to handle both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads effectively.

The CPU’s nearest rivals show that it is competitively positioned. The Intel Xeon D-1746TER has an average score of 21635, which is 0.6% lower than the Ryzen 5 5600’s score of 21765. The AMD EPYC 9554P and EPYC 9534 both have scores of 21899 and 21900, respectively, which are 0.6% higher. The Intel Core i7-11700F has a score of 21957, which is 0.9% higher. These small deltas suggest that the Ryzen 5 5600 is a solid performer in its class.

In The Technomancer, the CPU’s role is to feed the GPU with data. At 1080p, the CPU can easily keep up with the GPU, as evidenced by the high frame rates. At 4K, the GPU becomes the primary constraint, and the CPU’s performance is less critical. The data shows that the Ryzen 5 5600 does not limit the system’s performance in this game, and the observed frame rates are a direct reflection of the RTX 2060’s capabilities.