The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents an interesting test for the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti pairing. The measured FPS data reveals a configuration that is heavily influenced by resolution and settings, with the data pointing to a system where the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck as graphical load increases. This analysis breaks down the measured performance, contextualizes it within the broader benchmark database, and explores the specific roles of the CPU and GPU in shaping the final frame rates.

Resolution Scaling

The progression from 1080p to 4K shows a classic and pronounced performance curve, highlighting where the system's limits lie. At 1920x1080 with High settings, the combo produces an average of 115 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 at the same High preset, the average drops to 75 FPS, a significant 34.8% reduction. The jump to 3840x2160 is even more demanding, with the average falling further to 41 FPS, representing a 45.3% drop from the 1440p figure and a 64.3% drop from the 1080p baseline.

This scaling pattern strongly suggests that the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the limiting component at higher resolutions. The frame rate is nearly halved at each major resolution step, a trend indicative of pixel-pushing limitations rather than CPU-bound logic. The CPU, with its high single-thread performance, is less likely to be the constraint at 4K, where the sheer number of pixels overwhelms the GPU's 8 GB of VRAM and 448.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth. At 1080p, however, the scaling is less severe, suggesting the workload is more balanced, but the GPU still carries the majority of the burden.

The data implies that users targeting 4K will struggle to maintain smooth gameplay, as even the "Low" preset only reaches 63 FPS average. The most significant relative performance cliff is between 1440p and 4K, where the GPU's architectural limits are clearly exposed. The combination of a capable CPU and a mid-range GPU results in a system that scales predictably: the higher the resolution, the more the GPU becomes the sole arbiter of performance, and the data shows this bottleneck is reached quickly.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the extensive database of tested combinations, this specific pairing of the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti holds a rank of 1375 out of 2825 combos for The Technomancer. This places it in the 48.7th percentile, meaning it performs better than roughly half of all tested systems but is far from the top tier. This mid-pack ranking is consistent with the component choices: a high-end modern CPU paired with a previous-generation mid-range GPU.

The ranking suggests that while the system is capable of delivering playable frame rates, it does not excel in this particular title compared to other combinations. The data shows it sits in the middle of the pack, a position that likely reflects the GPU's performance ceiling. Many other combos in the database will have more powerful graphics cards that can better handle the game's demands, particularly at higher resolutions. The CPU's strong benchmark performance, which ranks in the 94th percentile among all CPUs, is not enough to push the combo higher because the game's performance is so heavily tied to the GPU.

This rank also implies that the system is a balanced, if not exceptional, performer. It is not a combination that would be considered a top contender for high-refresh-rate 4K gaming, but it is also not a low-end setup. The position in the database serves as a quantitative confirmation of the performance profile seen in the measured FPS data: a solid, middle-of-the-road experience that is capable but limited by its graphics processing power.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F is a formidable processor on paper, built on the Zen 5 architecture with 8 cores and 16 threads. Its 5.50 GHz boost clock and strong benchmark scores, such as a 4691 in Passmark single-thread tests, suggest it can handle the game's logic and physics with ease. The data from The Technomancer, however, indicates that the CPU is not the primary bottleneck in most scenarios. The game, being an Action RPG from 2016, does not appear to be particularly demanding on core count, and the 8-core, 16-thread configuration is likely more than sufficient for its requirements.

The CPU's high performance is evident in the resolution scaling. If the CPU were the limiting factor, we would expect to see similar frame rates across all resolutions, as the CPU's workload would remain constant while the GPU's workload increases. Instead, the FPS drops dramatically as resolution increases, confirming that the CPU has headroom to spare. Even at 1080p with Low settings, where the GPU load is minimal, the average FPS reaches 175, but this is still likely constrained by the GPU's ability to process frames, not the CPU's ability to prepare them.

The Ryzen 7 9700F's 32 MB of shared L3 cache and high memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s contribute to its overall snappiness and ability to feed the GPU with data. In this context, the CPU acts as a stable platform, ensuring that the GPU is never starved for instructions. The data suggests that the CPU's role is to provide a high-performance foundation that, while not directly boosting FPS in a GPU-limited title, prevents any CPU-induced frame drops or stuttering, allowing the GPU to operate at its full potential.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the combo delivers excellent performance. With Low settings, it averages 175 FPS, dropping to 135 FPS on Medium, 115 FPS on High, and 90 FPS on Ultra. The Medium preset shows a minimum of 114 FPS and a maximum of 155 FPS, indicating a smooth and consistent experience at this resolution.

Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates become more demanding. Low settings yield an average of 115 FPS, which is still very smooth. Medium averages 88 FPS, with a minimum of 75 and a maximum of 101. High settings drop the average to 75 FPS, while Ultra falls to 59 FPS. This resolution still offers a playable experience across all presets, though Ultra is beginning to approach the edge of what would be considered ideal for competitive play.

At 3840x2160, the GPU's limitations become stark. Low settings are required to achieve a 63 FPS average. Medium drops to 48 FPS, with a minimum of 41 and a maximum of 56. High settings average only 41 FPS, and Ultra falls to 32 FPS. The data clearly shows that 4K gaming is only viable at Low settings, and even then, the frame rate is not exceptionally high. The pattern across all resolutions is consistent: each settings increase takes a significant toll on performance, with the most substantial relative drops occurring at 4K.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the defining component in this system's gaming performance. With 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, it offers a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. Its 4864 shading units and boost clock of 1665 MHz provide a solid foundation for 1080p and 1440p gaming. However, the data from The Technomancer reveals that its capabilities are stretched thin at 4K resolution.

The GPU's role as the primary bottleneck is undeniable. The massive frame rate drops at 3840x2160 are a direct result of the GPU's inability to process the increased pixel count efficiently. The 8 GB VRAM capacity is a likely factor; at 4K with higher textures, the memory may be maxed out, causing performance to plummet. The benchmark scores support this view, with the GPU holding a 59th percentile ranking among all GPUs, a much lower position than the CPU's 94th percentile.

The GPU's performance relative to its rivals is also telling. It is only 0.7% ahead of an AMD Radeon RX 9060 and 1.4% behind an AMD Radeon Pro 5600M. This places it in a competitive but not dominant position. The 16.20 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is a theoretical peak that is rarely achieved in real-world scenarios, and the measured FPS data shows the practical limitations. The GPU is well-suited for 1080p and capable at 1440p, but it is not designed for the demands of 4K gaming, as the data clearly demonstrates.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings are highly dependent on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For a 1920x1080 display, the Ultra preset is the best choice, as it delivers an average of 90 FPS, which is well above the threshold for smooth, immersive gameplay. The High preset also offers a high frame rate of 115 FPS, but the Ultra preset provides the best visual experience without sacrificing playability. The Medium preset offers 135 FPS, but the visual fidelity is lower, and the data suggests that the GPU has enough headroom to handle the higher presets.

At 2560x1440, the High preset provides the best balance, with an average of 75 FPS. This offers a significant visual upgrade over Medium (88 FPS) while remaining above the 60 FPS target. The Ultra preset, at 59 FPS, is playable but may not be ideal for those who prefer a consistent 60+ FPS experience. For users with high-refresh-rate 1440p monitors, the Medium preset at 88 FPS would be a better option to fully utilize the display's potential.

For 3840x2160, the options are limited. The Low preset, with an average of 63 FPS, is the only configuration that provides a consistently smooth experience. The Medium preset at 48 FPS is borderline, but the risk of drops below 40 FPS (as seen in the minimum) makes it less desirable. High and Ultra presets are not recommended for 4K, as their average frame rates of 41 and 32 FPS, respectively, are too low for a comfortable gaming experience. The data suggests that this combo is best utilized at 1080p or 1440p, where the GPU can deliver high-quality visuals with high frame rates.

FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 1080p with Ultra settings?

A: At 1920x1080 with the Ultra preset, the measured average FPS is 90.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming?

A: At 3840x2160, only the Low preset achieves a playable average of 63 FPS. Higher presets result in average frame rates below 50 FPS, indicating that 4K gaming is not a strength of this combo.

Q: How does the CPU's performance compare to its rivals?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F has an average benchmark score of 69996. It is 0.2% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX and 0.7% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, while being 0.2% behind the Intel Core i7-14700KF.

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

A: At 2560x1440, the Medium preset averages 88 FPS, while the High preset averages 75 FPS. This represents a 14.8% decrease in performance when moving from Medium to High settings.

Q: What is the GPU's percentile ranking among all GPUs?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti holds a 59th percentile ranking, indicating it performs better than 59% of all GPUs in the database.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor at 4K?

A: The data indicates the GPU is the limiting factor. The frame rate drops dramatically from 1440p to 4K (e.g., from 75 to 41 FPS on High settings), while the CPU's strong benchmark performance suggests it has ample headroom for this game's computational demands.