The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents an interesting test for the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combination. This pairing represents a modern, high-end mobile platform tackling a game from a previous hardware generation. The measured frame rates across various resolutions and settings reveal a system that is capable of delivering smooth gameplay at standard resolutions, while also highlighting the inherent limitations of its components at the extreme end of the spectrum. The data indicates a clear performance hierarchy that shifts depending on the workload, with the CPU proving to be a formidable partner but the GPU ultimately dictating the final visual experience.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX serves as the computational core of this system. Hailing from the 8000 series and built on TSMC's 5 nm process, this 16-core, 32-thread processor is based on the Zen 4 architecture (codenamed Dragon Range). With a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, it is designed for high-performance mobile computing. The processor's substantial 64 MB of L3 cache and dual-channel DDR5 memory support provide a robust foundation for feeding data to the rest of the system.

In the context of The Technomancer, a title that is not known for being heavily multi-threaded, the CPU's sheer core count may not be fully utilized. However, the high boost clock is crucial for maintaining high minimum frame rates and ensuring that the game logic and physics calculations can keep pace with the GPU. The CPU's benchmark scores, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42713 and a single-core score of 6030, indicate a processor with immense processing power. Its PassMark single-thread score of 3907 suggests that its per-core performance is more than sufficient for a game of this era.

The Ryzen 9 8945HX sits in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, placing it among the top-tier processors available. Its performance is closely matched by its nearest rivals, with the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX being just 0.1% behind in average benchmark score, and the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D trailing by 0.6%. This suggests that the CPU is not a bottleneck for this game; it provides a massive amount of headroom. The measured frame rates, particularly at 1080p where the average FPS reaches 150 on Low settings, strongly suggest that the CPU is more than capable of handling the game's processing demands, as those high frame rates are often limited by other factors. The data shows that even in the most demanding scenario at 4K Ultra, the CPU has the power to drive the GPU to its limits, as the 28 FPS average is a clear indicator of a GPU-side constraint rather than a CPU deficiency.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is the graphics powerhouse in this configuration. Built on the Ada Lovelace architecture with the AD107 chip, it features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering a bandwidth of 272.0 GB/s. Its boost clock of 2460 MHz and 3072 shading units provide the raw computational throughput for rendering game scenes. The GPU's FP32 performance is rated at 15.11 TFLOPS, which is a solid number for a mobile part.

The RTX 4060's role in The Technomancer is the primary determinant of visual fidelity. With 8 GB of VRAM, it is likely sufficient for the textures and geometry of a 2016 title at most settings. However, the 128-bit memory bus and the associated bandwidth are modest by modern standards. This limitation becomes apparent when the resolution increases, as the demand for memory bandwidth and fill rate grows. The GPU's benchmark scores, such as a PassMark G3D score of 19545, place it in the 61st percentile of all GPUs, indicating a mid-range performer. Its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks include the AMD Radeon HD 7790 and Radeon 780M, which are within 0.3% of its score, showing that its raw compute performance is not exceptional.

The measured frame rates in The Technomancer paint a clear picture of the GPU's capabilities. At 1080p High, the average FPS is 99, which is a very playable number. However, the performance scaling with resolution is the key indicator of the GPU's role. The transition from 1080p to 1440p results in a significant drop in frame rate at the same High settings, from 99 FPS to 64 FPS. This steep decline is a classic sign of the GPU becoming the limiting factor. The RTX 4060 is clearly the component that determines the final frame rate, and its 8 GB VRAM and 272.0 GB/s bandwidth are the constraining factors as the resolution and settings are pushed higher. The GPU's end-of-life production status and launch MSRP of 299 USD help contextualize its positioning as a mainstream part, but its performance here is what matters for this analysis.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a textbook example of resolution scaling and its impact on system performance. Starting at 1920x1080 with High settings, the system achieves an average of 99 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 at the same High settings, the average FPS drops by approximately 35% to 64 FPS. This is a substantial decrease, indicating that the GPU is working much harder to render the increased pixel count. The trend continues at 3840x2160, where the average FPS at High settings falls to 35 FPS, a 45% drop from the 1440p figure and a 65% drop from the 1080p figure.

This scaling pattern is consistent across all settings presets. At Low settings, the average FPS goes from 150 at 1080p to 98 at 1440p and then to 54 at 4K. At Ultra settings, the numbers are 77, 50, and 28 respectively. The consistent and significant drops at each resolution step strongly indicate that the GPU is the primary limiting component in this system for The Technomancer. The CPU, as previously established, has ample headroom, so the frame rate is directly tied to the GPU's rendering speed.

The data suggests that 1080p is the sweet spot for this combination, where the GPU can maintain high frame rates. At 1440p, the system is still capable of delivering smooth gameplay, but the frame rates are noticeably lower. At 4K, the system struggles to maintain a consistent 60 FPS, and even the Low preset only achieves an average of 54 FPS. The scaling between Medium and High settings at each resolution is also telling. For instance, at 1440p, the Medium preset averages 75 FPS, while High averages 64 FPS. This shows a modest performance cost for the visual upgrade, but the resolution is the dominant factor in the frame rate. The data clearly shows that The Technomancer is heavily GPU-bound on this platform, and the resolution is the primary lever controlling performance.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the benchmark database, this specific combination of the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 holds the rank of 1709 out of 2825 tested combos for The Technomancer. This places it in the 60th percentile of all tested systems, indicating that it performs better than the majority of combinations but is not at the top of the charts. This ranking is a direct consequence of the GPU's mid-range standing; while the CPU is a top-tier part, the GPU's performance in this specific game holds the overall combo back.

This ranking makes sense when considering the individual components' benchmarks. The CPU's 95th percentile ranking is significantly higher than the GPU's 61st percentile. The system's overall performance is therefore a reflection of the weaker link, which is the GPU. The RTX 4060's modest memory bandwidth and VRAM capacity limit its ability to push high frame rates at higher resolutions, which is a crucial factor in achieving a high combo rank. The combo's rank is a synthesis of the CPU's immense power and the GPU's more modest capabilities.

Compared to other potential combinations, this pairing is a mix of extremes. A system with a lower-tier CPU but a higher-tier GPU would likely achieve a higher rank in this game. Conversely, a system with a similar GPU but a weaker CPU might see a slightly lower rank, but the CPU is so powerful that it is unlikely to be a bottleneck. The data indicates that for The Technomancer, the GPU is the key differentiator in performance. The combo rank of 1709 reflects the balance of this system, where the processor provides ample headroom, but the graphics card ultimately defines the gaming experience. The deltaPct values for the CPU's rivals (e.g., 0.1% difference with the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX) have little bearing on this game's performance, as the GPU is the limiting factor.

FAQ

Q: What is the average frame rate for this combo at 1080p with High settings?

A: The measured average frame rate at 1920x1080 with High settings is 99 FPS.

Q: How does the frame rate scale from 1440p to 4K at Medium settings?

A: At 2560x1440 Medium, the average FPS is 75. At 3840x2160 Medium, the average FPS drops to 41, a significant reduction that highlights the GPU's workload.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor for this game?

A: The data indicates the GPU is the limiting factor. The CPU is a high-end part, but the frame rate drops dramatically with resolution increases, which is a clear sign of a GPU bottleneck.

*Q: What is this combo's rank among all tested combinations in The Technomancer?*

A: This combo ranks 1709 out of 2825 total tested combos.

Q: What is the best average FPS this system can achieve at 4K?

A: The highest average FPS at 3840x2160 is achieved on Low settings, with an average of 54 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU's single-thread performance compare to its multi-thread performance?

A: The CPU scores 6030 in Cinebench R23 single-core and 42713 in multi-core, showing strong performance in both, but the high multi-core score is a standout feature.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this system depend heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate.

For a smooth 60 FPS experience at 1920x1080, the High preset is the clear choice, delivering an average of 99 FPS with significant headroom. The Ultra preset also performs well at 77 FPS, making it a viable option for those who prioritize visual fidelity over a higher frame rate. The Low and Medium presets provide higher frame rates (150 and 115 FPS respectively) but are likely unnecessary for a game of this age.

At 2560x1440, the Medium preset is the best balance, providing an average of 75 FPS which is comfortably within the playable range. The High preset at 64 FPS is also acceptable, but the Medium preset offers a more stable experience. The Ultra preset at 50 FPS is on the edge of smoothness and may be noticeable. For the best experience at this resolution, the data supports using Medium or High, depending on the user's preference for visual quality over frame rate stability.

For 3840x2160, the data suggests that smooth gameplay is challenging. The Low preset is the only setting that averages above 50 FPS, at 54 FPS. The Medium preset drops to 41 FPS, which is still playable but not ideal for fast-paced action. The High and Ultra presets (35 and 28 FPS respectively) are not recommended for a smooth experience. Therefore, for 4K gaming, the Low preset is the only viable option for a playable frame rate, and even then, the system is pushing its limits. The data shows that the RTX 4060 is best utilized at 1080p or 1440p, where it can deliver high performance without being overburdened.