The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents a demanding workload for the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D and Intel Arc B370 combination. The measured data reveals a configuration that is heavily constrained by the graphics processor, particularly at higher resolutions, while the processor’s capabilities remain largely untapped. This analysis breaks down the performance metrics, scaling behavior, and component roles based solely on the provided benchmark data.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate data shows a steep and consistent decline as resolution increases from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160. At the High preset, the average FPS drops from 47 at 1080p to 31 at 1440p, and finally to 17 at 4K. This represents a 64% reduction in average FPS from 1080p to 4K, indicating that the rendering load is scaling significantly with pixel count.

The scaling pattern is consistent across all settings presets. With Low settings, the system achieves 71 FPS at 1080p, 47 FPS at 1440p, and 26 FPS at 4K. The Medium preset yields 55, 36, and 20 FPS across the same resolutions, while Ultra produces 37, 24, and 13 FPS. The proportional drops between resolutions are similar for each preset, suggesting a uniform bottleneck that responds predictably to changes in pixel throughput.

This behavior strongly indicates that the limiting component is the GPU. The Intel Arc B370, with its system-shared memory and 25 W TDP, is being saturated by the increasing pixel count. The CPU, an 8-core, 16-thread AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D, has ample headroom to feed frames, but the GPU cannot keep pace. The fact that the frame rate drops by roughly half when moving from 1440p to 4K across all settings is a classic sign of a pixel-bound scenario, where the GPU’s fill rate and memory bandwidth become the primary constraints.

The data suggests that at 1080p, the GPU is still the primary limiter, but the gap between settings is more pronounced. The difference between Low and Ultra at 1080p is 34 FPS (71 vs 37), while at 4K, the same settings gap is only 13 FPS (26 vs 13). This compression at higher resolutions further confirms that the GPU is overwhelmed; it cannot differentiate between settings because it is already at its maximum capacity just handling the resolution.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is an integrated graphics processor based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on a 3 nm process. Its performance profile is modest, as evidenced by its 5th percentile ranking among all GPUs and an average benchmark score of 1184 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12. The GPU’s nearest rivals include the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 and the ATI Radeon HD 5770, which are both older, low-end parts, indicating its position in the performance hierarchy.

The GPU operates with a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2400 MHz. Its memory is system-shared, meaning it uses the main system RAM rather than dedicated VRAM. This configuration often leads to bandwidth limitations, as the GPU must compete with the CPU for memory access. The system-dependent bandwidth further complicates performance, as the effective throughput varies with the platform’s memory configuration.

In The Technomancer, the GPU’s limitations are clear. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS falls to 13, which is below playable thresholds. Even at 1080p Low, the maximum average FPS achieved is 71, which is adequate but not exceptional. The GPU’s 1280 shading units and 20 ROPs are insufficient for high-resolution rendering in this title. The pixel rate of 48.00 GPixel/s and texture rate of 96.00 GTexel/s are indicative of its limited capacity to process the visual data required by the game.

The data shows that the GPU is the definitive bottleneck in this configuration. The CPU is capable of far more, but the GPU’s rendering capabilities cap the overall performance. The system-shared memory architecture likely contributes to the issue, as the bandwidth available to the GPU is not dedicated and can be a limiting factor in texture-heavy scenes.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS rows, the most balanced experience is achieved at 1080p with Medium settings. This configuration yields an average FPS of 55, with a minimum of 47 and a maximum of 63. This provides a playable frame rate with some visual fidelity improvements over Low settings. The jump from Low to Medium at 1080p costs 16 FPS on average (71 to 55), but the visual quality gain is likely worth it for a smoother, more detailed image.

For users prioritizing higher resolutions, the options are limited. At 1440p, the Medium preset delivers an average of 36 FPS, with a minimum of 30. This is playable, but the frame rate is on the lower end. The High preset at 1440p yields 31 FPS average, which is borderline. Pushing to 4K is not recommended, as even the Low preset only achieves 26 FPS average, which is below the threshold for a smooth experience.

The Ultra preset is not viable at any resolution in this data set. At 1080p, it averages 37 FPS, which is lower than the Medium preset at 1440p. At 1440p, it drops to 24 FPS, and at 4K, it falls to 13 FPS. The performance cost of Ultra settings is substantial, and the data shows that the GPU struggles to maintain acceptable frame rates even at the lowest resolution. Therefore, the recommendation is to avoid Ultra settings entirely.

The data suggests that the best experience per the measured rows is a 1080p Medium configuration. It offers a good balance between visual quality and performance, keeping the average FPS above 55. If a higher resolution is desired, dropping to Low settings is necessary to maintain playability, but the performance gain is modest compared to the visual compromise.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D and Intel Arc B370 ranks 2603 out of 2825 tested combos in The Technomancer. This places it in the bottom 8% of all configurations tested, reflecting the GPU’s severe performance constraints. The rank is indicative of a system that is not well-suited for this title, primarily due to the graphics processor’s limitations.

This ranking is consistent with the GPU’s individual performance percentile. The Arc B370 is in the 5th percentile of all GPUs, meaning it performs better than only 5% of the GPUs in the database. The CPU, in contrast, is in the 80th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 27896. The disparity between the CPU’s high ranking and the GPU’s low ranking creates a significant bottleneck that drags the combo’s overall performance down.

The combo’s rank of 2603 suggests that most other CPU-GPU pairings would achieve higher frame rates in this game. The CPU’s nearest rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen 7 6800U and the Intel Core i9-10900K, have similar average scores (27887 and 27872 respectively), but if paired with a more capable GPU, they would likely rank much higher. The data indicates that the CPU is not the limiting factor; the GPU is holding back the entire system.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is a high-end desktop processor with 8 cores and 16 threads, based on the Zen 3 architecture (Vermeer). It has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. Its substantial 96 MB of shared L3 cache is a key feature, designed to improve gaming performance by reducing memory latency. The processor’s benchmarks are strong, with a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 14317 and a single-core score of 1452.

In The Technomancer, the CPU appears to have a minimal impact on the measured frame rates. The data shows that the GPU is the primary bottleneck at all resolutions and settings. The CPU’s high performance metrics, such as its Passmark multithread score of 28309, suggest it is capable of handling the game’s logic and physics without issue. However, the frame rates are consistently limited by the GPU’s output.

The CPU’s role is likely to be underutilized in this configuration. The game, being from 2016, may not be heavily multithreaded, but the 5800X3D’s 16 threads and high single-thread performance (Geekbench single-core score of 2017) would easily handle the workload. The data shows no evidence of CPU limiting, as the frame rates scale directly with resolution and settings changes, which are GPU-dependent factors.

The 3DMark scores for the CPU further illustrate its capability. It scores 7299 in the 16-thread test and 884 in the single-thread test. These numbers indicate a processor that is well above the average for gaming tasks. However, in this specific combo, its performance is wasted due to the GPU’s inability to keep up. The CPU’s 80th percentile ranking versus all CPUs confirms its strong position, but it cannot compensate for the GPU’s 5th percentile ranking.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play The Technomancer with this combo?

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the combo achieves consistently playable frame rates. At 1080p, the average FPS ranges from 37 on Ultra to 71 on Low, with Medium at 55 FPS. At 1440p and 4K, average FPS drops below 36 and 26 respectively, even on lower settings.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D the bottleneck in this system?

A: No, the benchmark data indicates the CPU is not the limiting factor. The CPU has a high average benchmark score of 27896 and ranks in the 80th percentile. The frame rates scale with resolution and settings in a pattern consistent with a GPU bottleneck, suggesting the Intel Arc B370 is the limiting component.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B370 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Arc B370 has an average 3DMark score of 1184. Its nearest rivals include the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 (score 1186), the ATI Radeon HD 5770 (score 1190), and the AMD Radeon HD 7650M (score 1192). The performance differences are minimal, with deltas ranging from -0.2% to -0.7% compared to these older parts.

Q: Can this combo run The Technomancer at 4K?

A: Technically yes, but the performance is poor. At 4K, the Low preset averages 26 FPS, Medium averages 20 FPS, High averages 17 FPS, and Ultra averages 13 FPS. These frame rates are below the threshold for a smooth gaming experience.

Q: What is the difference in FPS between 1080p and 4K at High settings?

A: At High settings, the average FPS at 1080p is 47, while at 4K it is 17. This represents a 64% drop in average frame rate when moving from 1080p to 4K, highlighting the significant impact of resolution on this GPU.

Q: Which settings preset provides the highest average FPS?

A: The Low settings preset provides the highest average FPS at every resolution. At 1080p, it achieves 71 FPS, which is the highest average FPS recorded for this combo in the measured data. At 1440p, it achieves 47 FPS, and at 4K, it achieves 26 FPS.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following is a detailed breakdown of the measured average FPS for each resolution and settings preset.

1920x1080:

• Low: 71 FPS average
• Medium: 55 FPS average (minimum 47, maximum 63)
• High: 47 FPS average
• Ultra: 37 FPS average

2560x1440:

• Low: 47 FPS average
• Medium: 36 FPS average (minimum 30, maximum 41)
• High: 31 FPS average
• Ultra: 24 FPS average

3840x2160:

• Low: 26 FPS average
• Medium: 20 FPS average (minimum 17, maximum 23)
• High: 17 FPS average
• Ultra: 13 FPS average

The data shows a clear hierarchy, with 1080p offering the best performance. The Medium preset provides a stable frame rate with a minimum of 47 FPS at 1080p, making it the most reliable choice for consistent gameplay. The Ultra preset is consistently the lowest performer, and the data suggests it should be avoided for this GPU.