The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents an interesting benchmark scenario for the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X paired with the AMD Radeon RX 9070. The data shows a combination that is heavily influenced by graphics settings and resolution, with the CPU providing ample headroom for the GPU to perform. This analysis breaks down the measured performance metrics to understand the relationship between the processor, graphics card, and the game's demands.

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

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X is an 8-core, 16-thread processor based on the Zen 2 architecture, operating with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. It features a 32 MB L3 cache and supports DDR4 memory. In the context of The Technomancer, a game released in 2016, the CPU's multi-threading capabilities are more than sufficient. The benchmark results confirm this, as the frame rates scale significantly with resolution and settings, which is characteristic of a GPU-bound scenario.

The CPU's benchmark scores, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 19087 and a single-core score of 2694, indicate strong processing power. Its percentile ranking of 85 versus all CPUs places it in the upper echelon of processors. When compared to its nearest rivals, the data shows it is essentially performance-equivalent, with a delta of -0.1% versus the Intel Core i5-12600 and a +0.1% delta versus the AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT. This means that for The Technomancer, the 3700X is not a bottleneck; it is providing the necessary throughput to feed the Radeon RX 9070 without limiting its output. The game’s engine, from this era, rarely stresses more than a few cores, meaning the 3700X's high single-thread performance is the key factor, and the data suggests it performs this role admirably.

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

The measured data provides a clear picture of how the settings presets impact performance. For a smooth experience, the "High" preset emerges as the most balanced option across all resolutions. At 1920x1080, High delivers an average of 145.6 FPS, which is well above the threshold for high-refresh-rate monitors. At 2560x1440, it drops to 95.6 FPS, still an excellent figure for most displays. Even at 3840x2160, the High preset maintains an average of 49.5 FPS, which is playable for a slower-paced RPG.

The "Ultra" preset, while offering the highest visual fidelity, imposes a significant performance cost. At 4K, it yields only 37.9 FPS, which can feel stuttery and is not ideal for a game that requires precise timing. The "Medium" preset offers a compromise, but the performance gap between Medium and High is often smaller than the visual difference, making High the superior choice. The "Low" preset provides the highest frame rates, but it is only necessary for users with displays that refresh at very high rates, such as 240Hz, where the 189.6 FPS at 1080p could be beneficial. For the vast majority of users, the data strongly suggests that the High preset is the optimal choice, providing the best balance of visual quality and performance.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The performance scaling across resolutions reveals which component is the primary limiter. Moving from 1920x1080 to 2560x1440 on the High preset, the average frame rate drops from 145.6 FPS to 95.6 FPS, a decrease of 50 FPS. This is a substantial drop, indicating that the GPU is being pushed harder as the pixel count increases. The scaling continues when moving to 3840x2160, where the frame rate falls to 49.5 FPS, a further reduction of 46.1 FPS from 1440p.

This pattern is consistent across all settings. For instance, on the Low preset, the frame rate goes from 189.6 FPS at 1080p, to 140.9 FPS at 1440p, and finally to 78 FPS at 4K. The halving of performance from 1080p to 4K is a classic sign of a GPU-bound workload. The CPU is not the limiting factor here; if it were, the frame rates would remain relatively flat regardless of resolution. The data indicates that the Radeon RX 9070 is the component determining the final output. The Ryzen 7 3700X is providing the necessary data, and the GPU's rendering capabilities are what dictate the performance ceiling at higher resolutions. The 4K results, while still playable on High, show the GPU starting to strain under the load.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The specific combination of the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X and the AMD Radeon RX 9070 holds a rank of 601 out of 1656 tested combos in The Technomancer. This places it in the top 36% of all systems tested, which is a solid position. This ranking is primarily driven by the GPU's performance, as the CPU is not a bottleneck.

The GPU itself has a percentile ranking of 79 versus all GPUs, indicating it is a high-performing part. Its average benchmark score of 34780 is nearly identical to its nearest rivals, such as the NVIDIA A2, which is only 0.2% faster. This means that in this game, the RX 9070 is performing as expected. The CPU's high percentile ranking of 85 ensures that its performance does not drag down the combo's overall standing. The 601st rank is a reflection of the GPU's abilities in a game that is not particularly demanding on the CPU. A higher rank would require a more powerful GPU, but this combination proves to be a very capable pairing, delivering high frame rates at 1080p and 1440p, with solid performance at 4K.

FAQ

Q: What is the best graphics preset for a 1440p monitor?

A: Based on the measured data, the High preset is the best choice for 2560x1440, delivering an average of 95.6 FPS. This provides a smooth and responsive experience while maintaining high visual quality. The Ultra preset drops to 72.3 FPS, which is still playable, but the High preset offers a better performance margin.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X a bottleneck for the RX 9070 in this game?

A: No, the data does not indicate a CPU bottleneck. The frame rates scale significantly with resolution, which is a clear sign of a GPU-bound workload. For example, on High settings, the frame rate drops from 145.6 FPS at 1080p to 49.5 FPS at 4K, showing that the GPU is the limiting component.

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

A: Yes, but only with certain settings. At 3840x2160, the High preset averages 49.5 FPS, the Medium preset averages 61.4 FPS, and the Low preset averages 78 FPS. The Ultra preset falls short at 37.9 FPS. To maintain a stable 60 FPS, the Medium preset is the recommended choice.

Q: How does the Ryzen 7 3700X compare to its nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-12600?

A: The benchmark data shows they are effectively tied, with the Intel Core i5-12600 having an average score of 28654 compared to the 3700X's 28631, resulting in a deltaPct of -0.1%. This means their overall processing power is virtually identical for this game's workload.

Q: What is the average frame rate on the Low preset at 1920x1080?

A: The measured average FPS for the Low preset at 1920x1080 is 189.6 FPS. This is the highest frame rate recorded in the dataset and is suitable for very high refresh rate displays.

Q: Is the Ultra preset worth the performance cost at 1440p?

A: The Ultra preset at 2560x1440 yields an average of 72.3 FPS, compared to 95.6 FPS on High. The performance drop of over 23 FPS is significant. Whether it is "worth it" depends on visual preference, but the data shows High provides a much larger performance cushion.

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

The following is the complete set of measured average frame rates for the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X and AMD Radeon RX 9070 in The Technomancer.

1920x1080

• Low: 189.6 FPS
• Medium: 169.5 FPS
• High: 145.6 FPS
• Ultra: 113 FPS

2560x1440

• Low: 140.9 FPS
• Medium: 110.4 FPS
• High: 95.6 FPS
• Ultra: 72.3 FPS

3840x2160

• Low: 78 FPS
• Medium: 61.4 FPS
• High: 49.5 FPS
• Ultra: 37.9 FPS

The data reveals a clear hierarchy. At each resolution, the Low preset is the fastest, followed by Medium, then High, and finally Ultra. The performance delta between Medium and High is consistently smaller than the delta between High and Ultra, reinforcing the recommendation of the High preset as the most efficient choice. The frame rates at 4K are the most demanding, with only the Low preset providing a comfortable margin above 60 FPS.