The Technomancer

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER combination delivers a remarkably consistent experience in The Technomancer, with average frame rates ranging from 54 FPS at 4K Ultra to 191 FPS at 1080p Low. The data indicates that this pairing is heavily GPU-bound at higher resolutions, while the CPU’s 8-core, 16-thread configuration provides sufficient headroom to keep frame rates high at 1080p. The RTX 4080 SUPER’s substantial 16 GB VRAM and high memory bandwidth prove decisive at 4K, where even the most demanding preset remains playable.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern of diminishing returns as resolution increases, with the most significant frame rate drop occurring between 1440p and 4K. At High settings, the average frame rate falls from 127 FPS at 2560x1440 to 70 FPS at 3840x2160, representing a 44.9% reduction. This steep decline strongly indicates that the GPU becomes the primary limiting factor at 4K, as the pixel count increases by 2.25 times while the frame rate does not scale proportionally.

The scaling behavior across all presets shows that the RTX 4080 SUPER is the dominant constraint at 4K. For instance, at Medium settings, the average FPS drops from 149 at 1440p to 82 at 4K, a 45.0% decrease. The consistency of this percentage across different presets suggests that the GPU’s rendering throughput, rather than memory capacity or bandwidth, is the bottleneck. The 16 GB VRAM and 736.3 GB/s bandwidth are sufficient for all tested configurations, as even the 4K Ultra preset with its 54 FPS average does not exhibit signs of memory-related stuttering or min FPS collapses (though min FPS data is only available for Medium settings).

Transitioning from 1080p to 1440p produces a more moderate performance hit. At High settings, the average FPS drops from 164 at 1080p to 127 at 1440p, a 22.6% reduction. This is a typical scaling factor for a high-end GPU, indicating that the frame rate is still influenced by pixel fill rate but not yet overwhelmed. The 1080p results, with averages between 150 FPS (Ultra) and 191 FPS (Low), suggest that the CPU is not a limiting factor at this resolution, as even the highest preset maintains a triple-digit average.

The difference between 1080p and 4K at Low settings is particularly telling: 191 FPS versus 106 FPS, a 44.5% drop. This nearly identical percentage to the High settings drop (44.9%) confirms that the scaling penalty is resolution-driven, not settings-driven. The data supports a conclusion that the RTX 4080 SUPER’s 52.22 TFLOPS FP32 performance and 816.0 GTexel/s texture rate are the key determinants of frame rate at 4K, while the CPU’s role diminishes as resolution increases.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, with its 8 cores and 16 threads, provides a robust foundation for The Technomancer. The CPU’s base clock of 3.60 GHz and boost clock of 4.40 GHz, combined with 32 MB of L3 cache, deliver strong multi-threaded performance. Benchmark results show a Cinebench R15 multicore score of 2092 and a Geekbench multicore score of 8899, placing it in the 84th percentile of all CPUs. The PassMark multithread score of 22458 further confirms its capability for handling multiple game threads simultaneously.

In the context of this game, the CPU’s role appears to be secondary to the GPU, particularly at higher resolutions. The measured FPS data shows that at 1080p, where the CPU’s contribution is most relevant, the average frame rates are exceptionally high (191 FPS at Low, 164 FPS at High). These numbers suggest that the 3700X is not a bottleneck, as even the most demanding 1080p preset (Ultra, 150 FPS) leaves significant headroom. The PassMark single-thread score of 2656 indicates that per-core performance is adequate for the game’s logic, though not exceptional.

Comparing the 3700X to its nearest rivals, the data shows it performs within 0.2% of the Intel Core i5-13450HX (deltaPct of -0.2%) and within 0.1% of the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 and AMD EPYC 4244P. This tight clustering of scores (34220 to 34333 for the avgBenchmarkScore) suggests that the 3700X is well-positioned among contemporary processors, and its 16 threads provide a multi-threading advantage that is particularly beneficial for action RPGs with complex AI and physics calculations. The 65 W TDP is modest for an 8-core processor, indicating efficient power delivery that does not compromise performance.

The CPU’s memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s and dual-channel DDR4 support are adequate for feeding the RTX 4080 SUPER, though the GPU’s 736.3 GB/s memory bandwidth is vastly superior. In practice, this means the CPU can quickly supply draw calls and game state data, but the GPU’s rendering speed is the primary determinant of frame rate. The data does not show any scenario where the CPU’s performance limits the frame rate, as even the lowest FPS recorded (54 FPS at 4K Ultra) is more likely constrained by the GPU’s pixel throughput.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER is the dominant component in this pairing, and its specifications align closely with the measured frame rates. The GPU features 10240 shading units, 112 ROPs, and a boost clock of 2550 MHz, resulting in a pixel rate of 285.6 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 816.0 GTexel/s. These specifications directly contribute to the high average FPS observed at 4K, where the 70 FPS at High settings and 82 FPS at Medium settings demonstrate the GPU’s ability to handle demanding pixel workloads.

The 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus with 736.3 GB/s bandwidth is a critical asset for The Technomancer. The game’s 4K textures and effects, particularly at Ultra settings, require substantial memory capacity. The fact that the 4K Ultra preset maintains a 54 FPS average without min FPS data indicating severe drops suggests that VRAM is not exhausted. If the GPU were running out of memory, the frame rate would likely show inconsistent spikes or severe stutters, which are not evident in the measured data.

The GPU’s benchmark scores reinforce its high-end positioning. The PassMark G3D score of 34245 and 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 6600 place it in the 86th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, has an avgScore of 54247, which is only 0.1% higher than the 4080 SUPER’s 54209. This near-identical performance suggests that the SUPER variant’s higher clock speeds (boost 2550 MHz vs. standard) provide a marginal advantage that is not always visible in game benchmarks.

The GPU’s role as the primary bottleneck at 4K is confirmed by the resolution scaling data. The consistent 44-45% frame rate drop from 1440p to 4K across different presets aligns with the GPU’s rendering limitations. The 52.22 TFLOPS FP32 performance, while impressive, is insufficient to maintain the same frame rate at 4K as at 1440p, where the pixel count is 2.25 times lower. The GPU’s 320 TMUs and 80 RT cores also contribute to the game’s visual effects, though The Technomancer is not a ray-tracing title, so the RT core performance is not a primary factor.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS rows, the optimal balance between visual quality and performance is achieved at High settings across all resolutions. At 1080p, High settings deliver a 164 FPS average, which is 10 FPS lower than Medium (174 FPS) but 14 FPS higher than Ultra (150 FPS). The difference between High and Ultra is likely visually subtle, but the 8.5% performance gain from using High makes it the preferred choice for maintaining a high refresh rate.

At 1440p, High settings produce a 127 FPS average, which is comfortably above the 100 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. Medium settings provide 149 FPS, but the visual fidelity loss is not justified given the High preset’s already excellent performance. Ultra settings at 1440p drop to 99 FPS, which is still playable, but the 22% performance penalty compared to High makes it a less attractive option unless the user prioritizes maximum visual detail.

At 4K, the choice is more nuanced. High settings yield a 70 FPS average, which is ideal for a 60 Hz display and provides headroom for occasional drops. Medium settings offer 82 FPS, which is better for 75 Hz or 144 Hz displays, but the 17% performance gain comes at the cost of visual quality. Ultra settings at 4K produce a 54 FPS average, which is below the 60 FPS threshold and may result in noticeable stuttering on standard refresh rate monitors. Low settings at 4K (106 FPS) are not recommended as the visual degradation is severe, and the performance gain over High (51%) does not compensate for the loss of detail.

The data suggests that High settings are the sweet spot for this combo. At 1080p and 1440p, the frame rates are high enough to support 144 Hz displays, while at 4K, the 70 FPS average is sufficient for 60 Hz displays. Users with 144 Hz 4K monitors may need to accept Medium settings (82 FPS) or reduce resolution to 1440p to fully utilize their display’s refresh rate.

How This Combo Ranks

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER combination ranks 590th out of 3696 tested combos in The Technomancer, placing it in the top 16% of all configurations. This ranking is particularly impressive given the CPU’s 2019 release date (July 2019) and the GPU’s 2024 release (January 2024). The pairing of an older mid-range CPU with a high-end GPU proves effective, as the GPU’s performance dominates the frame rate at most settings.

The combo’s ranking is influenced by the CPU’s 84th percentile standing and the GPU’s 86th percentile standing. However, the game’s heavy GPU reliance means the RTX 4080 SUPER’s performance is the primary driver of the ranking. The measured FPS data shows that at 4K High, the combo achieves 70 FPS, which is above the average for all combos, likely due to the GPU’s high pixel rate and memory bandwidth.

Compared to other potential combinations, this pairing is well-balanced. The CPU’s 8 cores and 16 threads are sufficient to avoid bottlenecking the GPU at 1080p, as evidenced by the 191 FPS Low setting result. The ranking of 590 out of 3696 suggests that there are 589 combos that perform better, likely featuring newer CPUs with higher single-thread performance or GPUs with even greater rendering capabilities. However, the 4080 SUPER’s position within 0.1% of the standard RTX 4080 indicates that this combo is near the top of its performance class.

The combo’s performance is consistent across resolutions, with no anomalous drops that would suggest a compatibility issue. The 4K Ultra result of 54 FPS is within the expected range for a high-end GPU, and the 1080p results demonstrate that the CPU can keep pace with the GPU’s demands. This ranking solidifies the combo as a strong choice for The Technomancer at 1440p and 4K, with the caveat that Ultra settings at 4K may require a display with adaptive sync to mitigate the sub-60 FPS frame rate.

FAQ

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X a bottleneck for the RTX 4080 SUPER in this game?

A: No, the data does not indicate a CPU bottleneck. At 1080p Low, the combo achieves 191 FPS, and at 1080p Ultra, it maintains 150 FPS. These high frame rates suggest the 8-core, 16-thread CPU with a 4.40 GHz boost clock is sufficient to feed the GPU, and the bottleneck shifts entirely to the GPU at 4K.

Q: What is the best resolution to play at for a 144 Hz monitor?

A: For a 144 Hz display, 1440p High is the recommended choice, delivering a 127 FPS average. At 1080p High, the 164 FPS average exceeds 144 Hz, but the visual fidelity is lower. 4K High at 70 FPS is not sufficient for 144 Hz, so users with 4K 144 Hz panels should consider 1440p or accept Medium settings at 4K (82 FPS).

Q: How much VRAM does the RTX 4080 SUPER have, and is it enough for 4K Ultra?

A: The RTX 4080 SUPER has 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus. The data shows that 4K Ultra runs at 54 FPS average, and since there are no min FPS values indicating memory-related stutters, 16 GB is sufficient for this game’s 4K Ultra preset.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to all tested configurations?

A: The combo ranks 590th out of 3696 tested combos, placing it in the top 16%. This ranking is driven by the GPU’s high performance (86th percentile among all GPUs) and the CPU’s solid multi-threaded capability (84th percentile among all CPUs).

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

A: At 1440p, High settings yield 127 FPS average, while Ultra settings yield 99 FPS average. This represents a 22% performance reduction for Ultra, which may not be visually justified given the already high frame rate at High settings.

Q: Does the CPU’s memory bandwidth limit performance in this game?

A: No, the CPU’s 51.2 GB/s dual-channel memory bandwidth is adequate for the game’s CPU-side tasks. The GPU’s 736.3 GB/s bandwidth is the relevant metric for frame rendering, and the data shows no CPU-related performance limitations at any resolution or preset.