The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents a demanding workload for the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X paired with the AMD Radeon RX 9060. Benchmark data shows this combination delivers playable performance at 1080p and 1440p, but struggles to maintain fluid frame rates at 4K. The measured FPS reveals a system where the GPU is the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions, while the 12-core CPU provides ample headroom. Based on the collected data, the optimal experience is achieved at 1080p Medium settings, offering a strong balance of visual fidelity and performance, with 1440p High serving as a viable alternative for users prioritizing resolution.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is a desktop processor from the 5000 series, built on the Zen 3 architecture with the codename Vermeer. It features 12 cores and 24 threads, a configuration that provides substantial multi-threaded throughput for modern games. The processor operates with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and can boost up to 4.80 GHz, with a TDP of 105 W. This CPU is manufactured on a 7 nm process at TSMC, containing 8,300 million transistors across a dual-chiplet design with a die size of 2x 74 mm². The cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, alongside a substantial 64 MB of shared L3 cache.

In The Technomancer, the CPU's role is critical for game logic, physics, and AI calculations. The Ryzen 9 5900X's benchmark results indicate strong single-thread and multi-thread performance. For instance, it scores 941 in 3dmark_single_thread and 2083 in geekbench_singlecore, while achieving 10075 in 3dmark_max_threads and 16262 in cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicore. These scores place the CPU in the 87th percentile versus all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 41376. The data suggests that the processor is unlikely to be the limiting factor in most gaming scenarios.

The measured frame rates in The Technomancer support this conclusion. At 1080p with Low settings, the combination achieves 157 FPS average. When settings are increased to Ultra at the same resolution, the average drops to 80 FPS. This 77 FPS decrease, driven entirely by graphics settings, indicates the GPU is handling an increasing workload while the CPU maintains its output. The CPU's 12 cores and 24 threads ensure that even heavily threaded game sections do not create a bottleneck. The nearest rivals to the Ryzen 9 5900X, based on average benchmark scores, include the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H with a 0.3% higher score, the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H with a 0.4% higher score, and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 with a 0.4% higher score. The Intel Core i7-14650HX scores 0.5% lower. These minimal percentage differences mean the Ryzen 9 5900X is competitively positioned, and its performance in The Technomancer is expected to be on par with these alternatives.

The processor's memory support for DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration provides 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. While not the fastest available, it is sufficient for the game's requirements. The PCIe Gen 4 interface allows for high-bandwidth communication with the GPU. The CPU's benchmark scores in passmark tests, such as 140851 in integer math and 77700 in floating point math, further demonstrate its computational strength. The game's frame rates at lower resolutions, where CPU load is relatively higher, remain high, confirming that the Ryzen 9 5900X delivers consistent performance.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data for The Technomancer provides clear guidance on the best settings for this hardware combination. At 1920x1080, the Low preset yields an average of 157 FPS, Medium delivers 120 FPS, High achieves 103 FPS, and Ultra drops to 80 FPS. The Medium preset offers the most balanced experience at this resolution, providing a 17 FPS improvement over High while still maintaining a frame rate well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. The jump from Low to Medium incurs a 37 FPS penalty, which is acceptable given the visual improvements typically associated with higher settings. The High preset at 103 FPS remains highly playable, and the Ultra preset at 80 FPS is still smooth, but the diminishing returns in visual quality may not justify the additional performance cost over Medium.

At 2560x1440, the performance scales predictably. Low settings produce an average of 102 FPS, Medium 79 FPS, High 67 FPS, and Ultra 52 FPS. Here, the High preset is the recommended choice, as it maintains an average above 60 FPS while offering superior visual fidelity. The Medium preset at 79 FPS is also viable, but the 12 FPS difference between Medium and High is a worthwhile trade-off for the increased detail. The Ultra preset falls below 60 FPS, making it less desirable for consistent frame pacing, though it remains playable for those who prioritize image quality over smoothness.

At 3840x2160, the GPU becomes the dominant constraint. The Low preset averages 56 FPS, Medium 43 FPS, High 37 FPS, and Ultra 29 FPS. None of these presets achieve a consistent 60 FPS, and even the Low preset is borderline. For 4K gaming, the data suggests that only the Low preset is acceptable, and even then, users may experience occasional dips. The Medium preset, with a minimum of 37 FPS, is not recommended for fast-paced action. Given these results, the best overall experience for this combination is at 1080p with Medium settings, which provides 120 FPS average and a minimum of 102 FPS, ensuring smooth gameplay with no significant frame drops. For users with 1440p monitors, High settings at 67 FPS is the preferred configuration, balancing visual quality with playable performance.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data across resolutions reveals significant scaling behavior. Starting with the Low preset, the average frame rate drops from 157 FPS at 1080p to 102 FPS at 1440p, a 35% reduction, and further to 56 FPS at 4K, a 64% reduction from the 1080p baseline. This steep decline indicates that the AMD Radeon RX 9060 is the primary limiting component, as the workload increases with pixel count. The CPU, with its high multi-threaded performance, does not show signs of bottlenecking at any resolution. The Ryzen 9 5900X’s benchmark scores, such as 9075 in 3dmark_16_threads and 39002 in passmark_multithread, suggest it can feed the GPU adequately.

For the Medium preset, the average FPS is 120 at 1080p, 79 at 1440p, and 43 at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 41 FPS, and from 1440p to 4K is 36 FPS. The scaling is consistent, with each resolution step roughly halving the pixel count and correspondingly reducing the frame rate proportionally. This pattern is typical of a GPU-bound scenario. The High preset shows 103 FPS at 1080p, 67 FPS at 1440p, and 37 FPS at 4K. The Ultra preset, the most demanding, delivers 80 FPS at 1080p, 52 FPS at 1440p, and 29 FPS at 4K. Across all presets, the 4K results are significantly lower, reinforcing that the RX 9060, with its 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus and 288.0 GB/s bandwidth, is not designed for high-refresh 4K gaming in this title.

The data indicates that the GPU is the limiting factor. At 1080p, the CPU has more headroom, as evidenced by the high frame rates even at Ultra settings. As resolution increases, the GPU's pixel processing capabilities become saturated, leading to lower FPS. The RX 9060’s benchmark scores, such as 17631 in passmark_g3d and 3322 in 3dmark_steel_nomad_dx12, place it in the 59th percentile versus all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 16014. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, scores 0.7% higher, while the AMD Radeon R9 370X scores 1% lower. This mid-range positioning explains the performance ceiling at 4K. The frame rate scaling from 1080p to 4K shows that users should target 1080p or 1440p for the best experience, with 4K reserved for less demanding titles or lower presets.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations for The Technomancer, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X with the AMD Radeon RX 9060 ranks 1632 out of 2825 tested combos. This places the pairing in the lower half of all configurations, specifically at approximately the 58th percentile. The rank reflects the GPU's mid-range performance rather than the CPU's capabilities. The Ryzen 9 5900X itself is a high-end processor, as indicated by its 87th percentile ranking among all CPUs. The RX 9060, however, ranks in the 59th percentile among all GPUs, which drags down the overall combo ranking.

The combo rank of 1632 out of 2825 suggests that many other CPU and GPU pairings achieve higher average frame rates in The Technomancer. This is likely due to the RX 9060's performance characteristics. Its passmark_g3d score of 17631 is respectable but not exceptional, and its 3dmark_steel_nomad_dx12 score of 3322 indicates moderate DirectX 12 performance. The GPU's 8 GB of VRAM may also limit texture quality at higher resolutions, contributing to the lower frame rates observed at 4K. In contrast, higher-ranked combos likely feature more powerful GPUs that can sustain higher frame rates across all settings.

The combination’s performance is consistent with its component rankings. The CPU provides strong support, but the GPU is the bottleneck. In the measured data, the highest average FPS achieved is 157 at 1080p Low, which is a solid result. However, at 4K, the combo struggles, with only 56 FPS on Low settings. This suggests that the combo is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming. The rank of 1632 out of 2825 means that approximately 1193 other combos perform better, while 1193 perform worse. This places the combo in the middle of the field, which is expected given the RX 9060's mid-range positioning. The data shows that for users with this hardware, prioritizing lower resolutions and moderate settings will yield the best results.

FAQ

Q: What is the maximum average FPS achievable at 1080p with this CPU and GPU combination?

A: The maximum average FPS is 157, achieved with the Low preset at 1920x1080 resolution.

Q: Is this combination capable of smooth 4K gaming in The Technomancer?

A: At 4K, the highest average FPS is 56 on Low settings, and the Medium preset drops to 43 FPS. None of the presets reach a consistent 60 FPS, so 4K gaming is not recommended for smooth performance.

Q: How does the AMD Radeon RX 9060 compare to its nearest rival in benchmark scores?

A: The RX 9060 has an average benchmark score of 16014. Its closest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, scores 0.7% higher, while the AMD Radeon R9 370X scores 1% lower.

Q: What is the rank of this CPU and GPU combo among all tested combinations for The Technomancer?

A: The combo ranks 1632 out of 2825 total tested combinations.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded for the Medium preset at 1440p?

A: The minimum FPS for the Medium preset at 2560x1440 is 67 FPS, with an average of 79 FPS and a maximum of 90 FPS.

Q: What is the boost clock of the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X?

A: The boost clock is 4.80 GHz, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured frame rates for The Technomancer with the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X and AMD Radeon RX 9060 are presented below, organized by resolution and settings preset.

At 1920x1080, the Low preset delivers an average of 157 FPS. The Medium preset averages 120 FPS, with a minimum of 102 FPS and a maximum of 138 FPS. The High preset averages 103 FPS. The Ultra preset averages 80 FPS. This resolution provides the highest frame rates across all settings presets.

At 2560x1440, the Low preset averages 102 FPS. The Medium preset averages 79 FPS, with a minimum of 67 FPS and a maximum of 90 FPS. The High preset averages 67 FPS. The Ultra preset averages 52 FPS. This resolution represents a significant step down from 1080p, with the Ultra preset falling below the 60 FPS threshold.

At 3840x2160, the Low preset averages 56 FPS. The Medium preset averages 43 FPS, with a minimum of 37 FPS and a maximum of 50 FPS. The High preset averages 37 FPS. The Ultra preset averages 29 FPS. At this resolution, all presets fail to maintain a consistent 60 FPS, indicating the GPU is the limiting factor.

The complete data set shows a clear trend: as resolution increases, the average FPS decreases across all settings. The 1080p Medium preset offers the best balance, providing 120 FPS average with a minimum of 102 FPS, ensuring smooth gameplay. The 1440p High preset is the best option for higher resolution, with an average of 67 FPS. For 4K, only the Low preset is borderline playable at 56 FPS average, but frame drops are likely. The data indicates that this hardware combination is optimized for 1080p and 1440p gaming, with 4K requiring significant compromises in graphical settings.