The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents a demanding workload for modern hardware, and the combination of the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 produces a clear, if unspectacular, performance profile. The data shows a system where the GPU is the primary limiting factor at higher resolutions, while the 16-core, 32-thread Ryzen 9 processor provides ample headroom to avoid becoming a bottleneck. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS across three resolutions and four settings presets, contextualizing the results against the combo’s overall rank and the individual components’ benchmark standings.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a classic scaling pattern typical of a GPU-bound system. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 124 FPS, which is more than double the 4K Ultra result of 23 FPS. This dramatic drop as resolution increases points directly to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 as the constraining component. The RTX 5050’s 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and 128-bit bus, while capable at 1080p, struggle to maintain fluid frame rates when the pixel count quadruples at 3840x2160.

Moving from 1080p to 1440p, the average FPS across all settings drops by roughly 35-40%. For instance, at High settings, the frame rate falls from 81 FPS at 1920x1080 to 53 FPS at 2560x1440. This indicates that the GPU is already working near its limits at 1440p, and the additional pixel workload significantly impacts performance. The scaling from 1440p to 4K is even more punishing; High settings drop from 53 FPS to 29 FPS, a 45% reduction. The gap between Low and Ultra settings widens considerably at higher resolutions, suggesting that the RTX 5050’s shading units and texture units are overwhelmed by the combination of high resolution and demanding visual effects.

The data shows that the Ryzen 9 8945HX is not the limiting factor in this scenario. With a boost clock of 5.40 GHz and a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42713, the CPU has far more headroom than the GPU can utilize in this title. The frame rate scaling between resolutions is nearly linear with the pixel count, which is a hallmark of GPU-bound performance. At 1080p Low, the 124 FPS average suggests the CPU can feed frames quickly, but even at this resolution, the RTX 5050’s 13.17 TFLOPS of FP32 compute is likely the ceiling. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see diminishing returns when lowering resolution, but the 1080p to 4K drop of over 80% FPS confirms the GPU is the dominant constraint.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 is a Blackwell 2.0 architecture part built on a 5 nm process, with 16,900 million transistors on a 149 mm² die. Its memory configuration is 8 GB of GDDR6 on a 128-bit bus, delivering 320.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The boost clock is rated at 2572 MHz, and it features 2560 shading units, 80 TMUs, and 32 ROPs. These specifications align with its benchmark percentile of 66, meaning it sits above the median of all GPUs but is far from a high-end part. Its nearest rivals in average benchmark score are the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL (deltaPct of -0.6), the AMD Radeon HD 8970M (deltaPct of -1), the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT (deltaPct of 1.6), and the NVIDIA RTX A4000 Mobile (deltaPct of -1.6). This places the RTX 5050 in a performance tier that is competitive with older desktop cards like the RX 5600 XT, though the deltaPct values are all within 1.6% of each other, indicating near-identical average compute performance.

In The Technomancer, the GPU’s role is decisive. At 1920x1080 Medium, the combo averages 95 FPS, with a minimum of 81 FPS and a maximum of 110 FPS. The minimum FPS matching the 1080p High average is indicative of frame time consistency at that setting. However, the 8 GB VRAM capacity becomes a concern at 4K. The Ultra preset at 3840x2160 averages only 23 FPS, which is likely a combination of both the memory bandwidth bottleneck (320.0 GB/s) and the raw compute limits of the GB207 chip. The 128-bit bus is narrow for 4K workloads, and the data suggests that even Medium settings at 4K (34 FPS average) are barely playable. The RTX 5050’s 82.30 GPixel/s pixel rate and 205.8 GTexel/s texture rate are insufficient for the pixel shader workload of a 2016 Action RPG at high resolutions, which is surprising given the game’s age but consistent with its demanding engine.

The GPU’s 130 W TDP and dual-slot design indicate a power envelope typical of a mid-range mobile part. The launch MSRP is 249 USD, but that figure is not relevant to performance analysis. The benchmark results show a Passmark G3D score of 17326, which aligns with its percentile ranking. The RTX 5050’s 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2502 is modest, further confirming its position in the lower half of the current GPU landscape. In this game, the GPU’s role is to be the bottleneck at 1440p and above, while at 1080p it can deliver playable frame rates on lower presets.

How This Combo Ranks

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 combo ranks 2247 out of 2825 tested combinations for The Technomancer. This places it in the bottom 20% of all tested systems, which is a surprising result given the CPU’s strength. The Ryzen 9 8945HX itself is a top-tier mobile processor, ranking in the 95th percentile of all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 76212. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX (deltaPct of 0.1), the AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P (deltaPct of -0.4), and the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D (deltaPct of 0.6). These deltas are tiny, indicating that the CPU is performing as expected for its class.

The low combo rank is almost entirely attributable to the GPU. The RTX 5050 ranks in the 66th percentile of all GPUs, and its average benchmark score of 21035 is modest. When paired with a CPU that is in the top 5% of all processors, the imbalance is stark. In The Technomancer, the combo’s rank of 2247 out of 2825 suggests that most other tested combos either have a more balanced GPU or a stronger GPU paired with a weaker CPU. The data implies that for this specific game, the GPU is holding back the entire system. A combo with an RTX 5050 and a slower CPU would likely rank similarly, because the game’s performance is dictated by the graphics card.

The rank distribution also suggests that the RTX 5050 is closer in performance to older GPUs like the AMD Radeon HD 8970M (deltaPct of -1) than to modern mid-range parts. This is a critical insight for understanding the combo’s position. The Ryzen 9 8945HX provides no advantage in this game because the frame rates are capped by the GPU’s inability to render frames fast enough. The combo rank of 2247 out of 2825 is a clear signal that this system is not ideal for The Technomancer at high resolutions, though it can still deliver playable performance at 1080p with lower settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the combo shows a wide range of performance depending on the preset. With Low settings, the average FPS is 124, providing a smooth experience for fast-paced action. Medium settings reduce the average to 95 FPS, with a minimum of 81 and a maximum of 110 FPS. High settings drop the average to 81 FPS, which is still acceptable for most players. Ultra settings, however, bring the average down to 64 FPS. This 1080p data shows that the RTX 5050 can handle the game at 1080p with High settings, but Ultra is borderline, with the 64 FPS average suggesting occasional dips below 60 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the performance drops significantly. Low settings produce an average of 81 FPS, which is playable, but Medium settings average 62 FPS with a minimum of 53 FPS and a maximum of 72 FPS. The minimum of 53 FPS indicates that there are stutter moments during intense scenes. High settings average 53 FPS, which is marginal, and Ultra settings average 42 FPS, which is below the threshold for smooth gameplay. The 1440p results show that the RTX 5050 is stretched, and users should stick to Low or Medium settings to maintain frame rates above 60 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the results are largely unplayable for smooth gaming. Low settings average 45 FPS, which is barely acceptable for a slower-paced RPG, but Medium settings drop to 34 FPS with a minimum of 29 FPS and a maximum of 39 FPS. High settings average 29 FPS, and Ultra settings average 23 FPS. The 4K data is consistent with the GPU’s memory bandwidth limitations. The 320.0 GB/s bandwidth is insufficient for the high pixel throughput required at 4K, and the 8 GB VRAM may also cause texture swapping in the game’s larger environments. The minimum FPS values at 4K Medium (29 FPS) highlight the frame pacing issues, making the game feel choppy.

The measured data also reveals that the gap between Low and Ultra settings widens as resolution decreases. At 1080p, the difference between Low and Ultra is 60 FPS (124 vs 64). At 1440p, the difference is 39 FPS (81 vs 42). At 4K, the difference is 22 FPS (45 vs 23). This suggests that at 1080p, the GPU has enough headroom to render extra effects, but at 4K, even the Low preset is taxing the GPU to its limits.

FAQ

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX bottlenecking the RTX 5050 in The Technomancer?

A: No. The Ryzen 9 8945HX, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42713 and a 95th percentile ranking, is far more powerful than the game requires. The frame rate scaling between resolutions indicates the GPU is the limiting factor. The CPU’s nearest rival, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX, has a deltaPct of 0.1, showing similar performance, but neither CPU is the cause of low FPS.

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo in The Technomancer?

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the combo can consistently exceed 60 FPS on most presets. At 2560x1440, only Low settings average above 60 FPS (81 FPS), while Medium averages 62 FPS. At 3840x2160, even Low settings only average 45 FPS, making 4K unsuitable for smooth gameplay.

Q: How does the RTX 5050 compare to its nearest rivals in average benchmark score?

A: The RTX 5050 has an average benchmark score of 21035. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL, scores 21153, a deltaPct of -0.6. The AMD Radeon HD 8970M scores 21237 (deltaPct of -1), the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT scores 20713 (deltaPct of 1.6), and the NVIDIA RTX A4000 Mobile scores 21379 (deltaPct of -1.6). These differences are all within 1.6%, indicating nearly identical performance.

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

A: The measured data shows an average FPS of 23 at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings. This is not playable for an Action RPG, as the frame rate is well below the 30 FPS minimum typically required for a consistent experience. The 4K Medium preset averages 34 FPS but has a minimum of 29 FPS, indicating frequent drops.

Q: What GPU benchmark percentile does the RTX 5050 fall into?

A: The RTX 5050 is in the 66th percentile of all GPUs. This means it performs better than 66% of all GPUs tested in the database, but it is still a lower-mid-range part. Its Passmark G3D score is 17326, and its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 2502, both of which are modest.

Q: How does the combo rank compared to all other tested combinations?

A: The combo ranks 2247 out of 2825 tested combinations for The Technomancer. This places it in the bottom 20% of all systems. The high CPU percentile (95th) does not compensate for the GPU’s 66th percentile ranking, leading to a low overall combo rank in this GPU-bound game.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution. At 1920x1080, the High preset is the best balance, delivering an average of 81 FPS. This provides a smooth experience without the visual quality sacrifices of Medium (95 FPS) or Low (124 FPS). Ultra at 1080p averages 64 FPS, which is playable but risks drops below 60 FPS during intense combat. For a locked 60 FPS experience, the High preset is recommended, as its average of 81 FPS leaves sufficient headroom.

At 2560x1440, the Medium preset is the only viable option for maintaining near-60 FPS performance, with an average of 62 FPS and a minimum of 53 FPS. The minimum FPS is concerning, but the 62 FPS average suggests that most of the game will run smoothly. Low settings at 1440p produce an average of 81 FPS, which is ideal for competitive play, but the visual downgrade may not be worth it for a single-player RPG. High settings at 1440p average 53 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target, so Medium is the recommended preset for this resolution.

At 3840x2160, the data does not support any preset for a consistently playable experience. Low settings average 45 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS threshold but may be tolerable for a slower-paced game. Medium settings average 34 FPS with a minimum of 29 FPS, which is too low for smooth gameplay. The 4K Ultra preset at 23 FPS is not recommended. Users with a 4K display should consider lowering the resolution to 1440p or 1080p for this game, as the RTX 5050’s 8 GB VRAM and 320.0 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient for 4K in The Technomancer.

The overall recommendation is to play at 1920x1080 with High settings for the best combination of visual fidelity and frame rate. If the user has a 1440p monitor, the Medium preset is the highest playable option. The Ultra preset should be avoided at all resolutions above 1080p, as the measured average FPS drops to 64 at 1080p, 42 at 1440p, and 23 at 4K. The data indicates that the RTX 5050 is a 1080p-class GPU for this title, and the Ryzen 9 8945HX’s processing power cannot overcome that limitation.