The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents an interesting stress test for the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 combination. The data reveals a pairing where the modern flagship GPU is often waiting on the older 8-core processor, particularly at lower resolutions. This analysis breaks down the measured performance across resolutions and settings, placing this specific combo within the broader database context.

Resolution Scaling

The measured frame rates across the three tested resolutions show a clear and expected trend, but the scaling factors reveal where the bottleneck lies. At 1080p with Ultra settings, the combo produces an average of 147.4 FPS. Moving to 1440p, that figure drops to 112.4 FPS, a reduction of roughly 24%. At 4K Ultra, the average falls further to 61.7 FPS, which represents a 45% decrease from the 1440p result and a 58% decrease from the 1080p result.

This scaling pattern is significant. The performance drop from 1080p to 1440p is steeper than what would be expected if the GPU were the sole limiting factor. The RTX 5090 is capable of massive throughput, but its potential is being capped by the Ryzen 7 3700X at 1080p. The CPU, with its 8 cores and 16 threads based on the Zen 2 architecture, struggles to feed the GPU enough data at lower resolutions, where the rendering workload is lighter.

As the resolution increases to 4K, the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck. The pixel-pushing workload at 3840x2160 is immense, and the performance drop from 1440p to 4K is more in line with a purely GPU-limited scenario. The 24% drop from 1080p to 1440p suggests a mixed bottleneck, while the 45% drop from 1440p to 4K indicates the GPU is now the dominant constraint. The data suggests that users with high-refresh-rate 1080p or 1440p monitors will not see the full potential of the RTX 5090 with this processor.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the database of tested combinations, this specific pairing of the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 in The Technomancer holds a rank of 199 out of 1656 tested combos. This places it in the top 12% of all configurations tested for this game, a respectable position given the age of the CPU relative to the GPU.

The high rank is primarily attributable to the sheer power of the RTX 5090. The GPU alone sits in the 94th percentile when compared to all other graphics cards, and its average benchmark score of 84306 confirms its raw capability. The CPU, while older, is still a competent performer, sitting in the 85th percentile of all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 28631.

The CPU's nearest rivals in benchmark scores include the Intel Core i5-12600, which scores 28654 (a -0.1% difference), and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT, which scores 28591 (a 0.1% difference). This shows the 3700X is performing right in line with its expected peer group. The combination of a top-6% GPU with a top-15% CPU results in a strong overall ranking, but it's clear the CPU is the weaker link in this pairing, preventing the system from reaching even higher ranks that a newer processor might achieve.

FAQ

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X a bottleneck for the RTX 5090 in this game?

A: Yes, the data strongly suggests a CPU bottleneck at lower resolutions. The performance drop from 1080p to 1440p is 24%, which is steeper than a purely GPU-limited scenario would typically show. At 4K, the drop is more consistent with the GPU becoming the limiting factor.

Q: What is the best resolution to use with this combination for a high refresh rate experience?

A: For average frame rates above 140 FPS, 1440p with High settings delivers 140.1 FPS. At 1080p, the Low preset achieves an average of 190.2 FPS, but this is likely to be heavily CPU-limited, meaning the GPU has significant headroom left unused.

Q: How much of a performance difference is there between Low and Ultra settings at 4K?

A: The average frame rate at 4K Low is 120.5 FPS, while at 4K Ultra it drops to 61.7 FPS. This represents a 49% reduction in average FPS when moving from the lowest to the highest preset.

Q: Is this a top-tier performing combo in the database?

A: The combo ranks 199th out of 1656 tested combinations, placing it in the top 12% of all entries. This is a strong result, though it is held back from the very top by the older CPU.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its immediate rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The Ryzen 7 3700X has an average benchmark score of 28631, which is nearly identical to the Intel Core i5-12600 (28654, -0.1%) and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT (28591, 0.1%). Its performance is effectively on par with these alternatives.

Q: Is the RTX 5090 considered a high-performing GPU in general?

A: Yes, the GPU is in the 94th percentile of all graphics cards, and its average benchmark score of 84306 is significantly higher than its nearest rivals, such as the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D by 0.1%.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data offers a clear path to the optimal experience. For users with a 4K display, the High preset, which yields an average of 82.2 FPS, is the most balanced choice. It provides a high level of visual fidelity while maintaining an average frame rate that is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. The Ultra preset, at 61.7 FPS, is playable but offers less headroom for demanding scenes, and the 25% performance cost over High may not justify the marginal visual improvement. The Low and Medium presets at 4K, with averages of 120.5 and 95.9 FPS, leave too much graphical quality on the table.

For 1440p users, the High preset is the clear winner, delivering an average of 140.1 FPS. This provides a buttery-smooth experience on high-refresh-rate monitors. The Medium preset at 150.8 FPS offers a modest 8% increase in performance but sacrifices visual quality. The Ultra preset, at 112.4 FPS, is also viable for 144Hz displays, but High is the sweet spot for balancing quality and speed.

At 1080p, the story is different. The CPU becomes the primary constraint, and the gains from lowering settings are minimal. The Ultra preset still achieves 147.4 FPS, and the Low preset only increases this to 190.2 FPS, a 29% gain. Given the CPU bottleneck, it is recommended to use the High or Ultra preset at 1080p to get the best visual quality, as the average frame rate will remain high regardless.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The complete set of measured average frame rates is as follows:

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: 120.5 FPS
• Medium: 95.9 FPS
• High: 82.2 FPS
• Ultra: 61.7 FPS

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: 166.7 FPS
• Medium: 150.8 FPS
• High: 140.1 FPS
• Ultra: 112.4 FPS

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: 190.2 FPS
• Medium: 174.9 FPS
• High: 161.4 FPS
• Ultra: 147.4 FPS

The data shows a performance hierarchy that is consistent across all resolutions, with Low being the fastest and Ultra being the slowest. The scaling between presets is more pronounced at 4K, where the GPU workload is highest. For instance, the gap between Low and Ultra at 4K is 58.8 FPS, while at 1080p the same gap is only 42.8 FPS. This reinforces that the GPU has the most impact on performance at higher resolutions, while the CPU limits the upper bounds at 1080p.