The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents an interesting case study when paired with the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090. The data shows a configuration of immense theoretical power, yet the measured frame rates reveal a complex interaction between the game's engine, the CPU's architecture, and the GPU's raw capabilities. The benchmark results indicate that this combination is not simply about pushing maximum frames, but about navigating the specific bottlenecks that this title presents.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear and dramatic scaling curve as resolution increases, which tells a compelling story about where the performance bottleneck lies. At 1920x1080, the system is incredibly fast, with the Ultra preset hitting an average of 169 FPS and the Low preset soaring to 329 FPS. This suggests that at lower resolutions, the GPU is not being pushed to its absolute limit, allowing for very high frame rates. The jump from Low to Ultra at 1080p, from 329 FPS to 169 FPS, shows a performance cost of roughly 49% for the highest visual quality, indicating a significant but not insurmountable load on the graphics card.

Moving up to 2560x1440, we see a substantial drop in performance across all settings. The Low preset average falls from 329 FPS to 215 FPS, a decrease of about 35%. More importantly, the Ultra preset drops to 110 FPS. This scaling is more pronounced than a simple pixel-count increase would suggest, implying that the game is becoming more sensitive to the GPU's rendering workload. The gap between Low and Ultra at 1440p is 105 FPS, which is a larger absolute difference than at 1080p, where the gap was 160 FPS. This indicates that the GPU is starting to work harder, and the game's engine is becoming more demanding as the resolution increases.

The 4K (3840x2160) results are where the true nature of this pairing becomes clear. The Ultra preset drops to an average of 61 FPS, which is just below the 60 FPS target that many consider the baseline for a smooth experience. The High preset manages 77 FPS, while Medium sits at 91 FPS, and Low reaches 118 FPS. The scaling from 1440p to 4K is significant; for example, the High preset goes from 141 FPS to 77 FPS, a reduction of 45%. This sharp decline, particularly when moving from 1440p to 4K, points directly to the GPU as the primary limiting component at this resolution. The RTX 4090 is a monstrously powerful card, but the data shows that The Technomancer's engine, even with a 2016 release date, can fully saturate its capabilities at 4K, especially on the Ultra preset.

The pattern in the scaling suggests a transition. At 1080p, the CPU's high single-thread performance, evidenced by a Geekbench single-core score of 3010, is likely sufficient to keep up with the GPU, allowing the graphics card to be the primary driver of frame rates. However, as resolution climbs, the GPU's workload increases, and the frame rate becomes more heavily dependent on its raw pixel-pushing power. The 4K results, with the Ultra preset struggling to maintain 60 FPS, are a clear sign that the RTX 4090 is the limiting factor here, not the Ryzen 9 9900X. The data does not suggest a CPU bottleneck at any resolution, as the frame rate drops are consistent with an increase in GPU load.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average frame rate that this combination achieves in The Technomancer?

A: The highest measured average is 329 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 with the Low preset.

Q: Can this system run The Technomancer at 4K with maximum settings?

A: The data shows that at 3840x2160 with the Ultra preset, the system achieves an average of 61 FPS. While playable, it is very close to the edge of what many consider the minimum for a smooth experience, and the High preset provides a more comfortable margin at 77 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU's multi-threaded performance compare to its closest rivals?

A: The Ryzen 9 9900X has an average benchmark score of 57498. Its nearest rival, the AMD EPYC 9015, scores 57555, which is only 0.1% higher. The Intel Core i9-14900 scores 58115, putting it 1.1% ahead of the 9900X.

Q: What is the performance difference between the Low and Ultra presets at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Low preset averages 215 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 110 FPS. This represents a 105 FPS drop, or approximately 49% lower performance for the Ultra settings.

Q: What is the rank of this CPU and GPU combo among all tested combinations in this game?

A: The combination of the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 ranks 76th out of 3696 tested combos in The Technomancer.

Q: How much faster is the 1080p Low preset compared to the 4K Low preset?

A: The 1080p Low preset achieves 329 FPS, while the 4K Low preset achieves 118 FPS. This means the 1080p result is about 2.8 times higher, or 179% faster.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 is the undisputed heavyweight in this pairing, and the benchmark data confirms its central role in determining The Technomancer's performance. The card's specifications are staggering: it features 24 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 384-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 1.01 TB/s. This immense memory subsystem is crucial for handling high-resolution textures and complex scenes, which is a likely reason why the frame rates remain as high as they do at 4K. The GPU is built on the Ada Lovelace architecture and has a boost clock of 2520 MHz, contributing to its raw computational power, which is rated at 82.58 TFLOPS for FP32 operations.

The benchmarks show that this GPU is a top-tier performer. Its average benchmark score is 60347, placing it in the 88th percentile of all GPUs. The nearest rivals, such as the Intel Arc Pro A60 with a score of 60326, are essentially tied, which suggests that in general compute tasks, the 4090 is at the very top of the pile. However, its performance in The Technomancer is not uniform. The data shows that the GPU is the primary bottleneck at 4K, especially on the Ultra preset, where it can only manage an average of 61 FPS. This is not a sign of weakness but rather proof of the game's demanding nature at high resolutions and settings.

The role of the 24 GB VRAM buffer becomes apparent when considering the frame times. At 4K Medium, the average is 91 FPS, with a minimum of 77 FPS and a maximum of 104 FPS. This spread of 27 FPS suggests that the GPU is working hard, and the large memory pool is likely preventing any texture-swapping stutters that could cause larger frame time spikes. The fact that the Low preset at 4K achieves 118 FPS shows that when the memory and shader load is reduced, the card can still deliver very high performance. The data indicates that the RTX 4090 is more than capable for this title, but it is not invincible. To achieve a steady 60 FPS or higher at 4K, users will need to make a conscious choice about settings, as the Ultra preset is clearly a significant burden even for this flagship card.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combination depend entirely on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For a 4K display, the choice is clear. The Ultra preset, with an average of 61 FPS, is a risky proposition, as it leaves almost no headroom for demanding scenes that could cause the frame rate to dip below 60. The data strongly suggests that the High preset is the better choice for 4K. At an average of 77 FPS, it provides a 26% performance increase over Ultra and offers a much more comfortable cushion for maintaining a smooth experience. The step from High to Medium, dropping to 91 FPS, shows a 18% increase in performance, but the visual fidelity loss may not be worth it for many users. The High preset appears to be the sweet spot for 4K, offering a solid balance of visual quality and performance.

At 2560x1440, the situation is more relaxed. The Ultra preset achieves an average of 110 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold and provides a very smooth experience on high refresh rate monitors. The High preset at 141 FPS and Medium at 165 FPS are also excellent options, but the data suggests that Ultra is perfectly viable here. The performance headroom is significant, and users can likely enjoy the highest visual quality without any concerns about frame rate stability. For those with a 240Hz monitor, the Low preset at 215 FPS is the only way to get close to that refresh rate, but it comes with a major sacrifice in visual fidelity.

At 1920x1080, the system is overwhelmingly powerful. The Ultra preset averages 169 FPS, which is more than enough for the vast majority of displays. The High preset at 216 FPS is a better option for 240Hz monitors, while the Medium preset at 253 FPS is even better for those seeking maximum frame rates. The Low preset at 329 FPS is the absolute maximum, but it is only useful for competitive play where every frame counts, as the visual downgrade is substantial. The data indicates that for most users at 1080p, the High preset provides the best experience, as it offers a significant boost over Ultra in frame rate (216 vs 169 FPS) while maintaining a high level of visual quality.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 is placed at rank 76 out of 3696 tested combinations in The Technomancer. This is a very strong ranking, placing the system in the top 2.1% of all possible pairings. This high rank reflects the raw power of both components, and it confirms that this is a top-tier configuration for this game. However, the rank also suggests that there are 75 other combinations that, on average, can achieve higher frame rates in this specific title.

The fact that this combo is not ranked #1 is an interesting data point. It implies that the game may have a particular preference for certain hardware, or that the specific interaction between this CPU and GPU is not the absolute best. The CPU's nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core i9-14900, score slightly higher in synthetic benchmarks (58115 vs 57498). While this difference is small (1.1%), it could be enough to tip the scales in a game that is particularly sensitive to CPU performance. The GPU's rivals, like the AMD Radeon Pro W6600M, are also very close in average score, but the RTX 4090 is clearly in a different performance class for gaming.

The rank of 76th out of 3696 is a strong indicator that this system will provide an excellent experience. It shows that the hardware is capable of handling the game with high frame rates, even at demanding resolutions. The data suggests that while there may be a few other combinations that are slightly faster, this pairing is far more powerful than the vast majority of systems that would play this game. The high rank also reflects the balanced nature of the system, showing that neither the CPU nor the GPU is a significant weak link, allowing the duo to perform at a level that is near the top of the charts.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive look at the system's performance across all settings and resolutions.

At 1920x1080, the performance is exceptionally high:

• Low: 329 FPS average
• Medium: 253 FPS average, with a minimum of 215 FPS and a maximum of 291 FPS
• High: 216 FPS average
• Ultra: 169 FPS average

At 2560x1440, the performance remains very strong, but the load on the GPU is more apparent:

• Low: 215 FPS average
• Medium: 165 FPS average, with a minimum of 140 FPS and a maximum of 190 FPS
• High: 141 FPS average
• Ultra: 110 FPS average

At 3840x2160, the GPU is pushed to its limits, especially on higher settings:

• Low: 118 FPS average
• Medium: 91 FPS average, with a minimum of 77 FPS and a maximum of 104 FPS
• High: 77 FPS average
• Ultra: 61 FPS average

The data for the Medium preset is the only one that includes minimum and maximum FPS values. This is notable, as it provides a glimpse into the frame time consistency. At 4K Medium, the 77 FPS minimum shows that even in demanding scenes, the system does not drop below a playable threshold. The 104 FPS maximum shows that there is still headroom for performance, indicating that the average of 91 FPS is a stable representation of the experience. This consistency is a positive sign for the overall stability of the system.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X is a 12-core, 24-thread processor based on the Zen 5 architecture, running on the AM5 socket. It has a base clock of 4.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. These specifications, along with a substantial 64 MB of L3 cache, make it a formidable part of this system. Its synthetic benchmark scores are impressive, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32172 and a single-core score of 2253. This strong single-core performance is often critical for games, especially older titles like The Technomancer, which may not be optimized for many cores.

The data suggests that the CPU is not the primary bottleneck in this game. The frame rates scale down consistently as resolution increases, which is a classic sign of a GPU-bound scenario. If the CPU were the limiting factor, we would expect to see the frame rates plateau at lower resolutions, where the GPU is less stressed. Instead, the 1080p Low preset hits 329 FPS, and the 4K Low preset drops to 118 FPS. This indicates that the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU with enough data to reach these high frame rates, and it is the GPU's rendering workload that ultimately caps performance.

The CPU's ranking, at the 92nd percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 57498, shows that it is a high-end processor. Its nearest rival, the AMD EPYC 9015, is essentially tied in performance, while the Intel Core i9-14900 is 1.1% faster. These are all very close scores, suggesting that the 9900X is at the top of the consumer and professional desktop stack. In the context of The Technomancer, this high level of single-threaded performance ensures that the game's logic, AI, and physics calculations are handled with ease, allowing the GPU to work without waiting on the CPU. The data confirms that the Ryzen 9 9900X is a perfect companion for the RTX 4090, providing enough processing power to ensure that the graphics card is the sole determinant of frame rate in this title.