The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents an interesting test for the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT combination. The data shows a pairing of a top-tier 16-core processor with a mid-range RDNA 2 graphics card, and the benchmark results clearly illustrate where the performance ceiling lies. This analysis focuses strictly on the measured FPS data, providing a clear picture of how this specific combo handles the game across different resolutions and settings.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a classic pattern of GPU-bound scaling as resolution increases. At 1080p with High settings, the combo delivers an average of 117 FPS. Moving to 1440p, that average drops to 77 FPS, a significant 34% reduction. At 4K, the average plummets to 42 FPS, which is a 64% drop from the 1080p result. This steep decline as pixel count rises is the primary indicator that the AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT is the limiting component in this configuration.

The scaling behavior is consistent across all settings presets. For instance, at Medium settings, the average FPS goes from 138 at 1080p to 90 at 1440p and then to 49 at 4K. Similarly, at Low settings, the frame rate falls from 179 at 1080p to 117 at 1440p and 64 at 4K. The fact that the frame rate drops by roughly half when moving from 1080p to 4K at every settings level points to the GPU’s rendering throughput being the bottleneck. The CPU, with its massive thread count and high clock speeds, is not likely to be the constraint; the data suggests the graphics card is saturated with work at higher resolutions.

The 4K results are particularly telling. Even at Low settings, the combo only manages an average of 64 FPS. At the more demanding Ultra preset, the average falls to 33 FPS, which is below the threshold for smooth gameplay. This indicates that the RX 6750 XT’s 12 GB of memory and 432.0 GB/s of bandwidth, while sufficient for 1080p and 1440p, are not enough to maintain high frame rates at 4K with this game’s engine. The scaling from 1440p to 4K is a steep cliff, reinforcing that 4K gaming is not this combo’s intended target.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is a 16-core, 32-thread processor based on the Zen 5 architecture, with a base clock of 4.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz. Its benchmark scores are exceptional; for example, it achieves a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42018 and a single-core score of 2259. In the 3DMark tests, it shows strong scaling from 2 threads (2549) to 16 threads (16374), indicating robust multi-threading capabilities. This processor is ranked in the 95th percentile among all CPUs, placing it far above the vast majority of its peers.

However, the benchmark results in The Technomancer suggest that the CPU’s raw power is not the decisive factor in this specific game. The FPS drops are almost perfectly proportional to the increase in pixel count, which is the signature of a GPU bottleneck. If the CPU were the limiting factor, the frame rates would be more consistent across resolutions, or the 1080p results would be capped at a lower value due to a single-threaded limitation. The data shows no such cap; instead, FPS scales freely upwards as resolution decreases, reaching 179 FPS at 1080p Low settings.

The CPU’s role here is to be "fast enough" to not hold the GPU back. With a PassMark multi-thread score of 70255 and a single-thread score of 4737, it provides a massive performance buffer. The game, released in 2016, is unlikely to be able to fully utilize 16 cores, but the high clock speeds and strong single-core performance of the 9950X3D ensure that even older, less-optimized game engines won't become CPU-bound. In this instance, the CPU is a non-issue; it is the GPU that dictates the final frame rate. The core count and clocks are more than sufficient for this workload.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the optimal experience balances visual quality with a playable frame rate. For users targeting 1080p, the High preset at 117 FPS average is an excellent choice, offering a smooth experience with good visual fidelity. The Ultra preset at 92 FPS is also very playable and provides the highest visual quality, but the jump from High is not worth the 25 FPS loss for many users. The Medium preset at 138 FPS is for those seeking maximum refresh rate, but the visual trade-off is substantial.

At 1440p, the High preset becomes the recommended starting point, delivering an average of 77 FPS. This is a solid frame rate for most displays. The Medium preset at 90 FPS is a viable alternative for those who prefer higher frame rates over ultimate visual detail. The Ultra preset, at 60 FPS, is a borderline case; it provides a 60 FPS average, but the lack of a recorded minimum means it could dip below that threshold during intense scenes. The data suggests that High is the sweet spot for 1440p, as it provides a significant visual upgrade over Medium while maintaining a comfortable FPS lead over Ultra.

For 4K, the data paints a clear picture. The High preset at 42 FPS and Ultra at 33 FPS are not suitable for smooth, responsive gameplay. The Medium preset at 49 FPS is barely playable, but the Low preset at 64 FPS is the only settings level that consistently achieves a frame rate above the 60 FPS target. Therefore, if 4K is a priority, users must accept Low settings to get a playable experience. However, given the significant visual compromises required, 1440p High is the superior overall recommendation for this combo.

How This Combo Ranks

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D and AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT combination ranks 1698 out of 3696 tested combos in The Technomancer. This places it in the 46th percentile of all tested systems. This mid-pack ranking is a direct consequence of the GPU’s performance class. While the CPU is a top-tier component, the RX 6750 XT is a mid-range card, and its 71st percentile ranking among all GPUs accurately reflects its position in the hierarchy.

The ranking shows that this combo is neither a top-tier performer nor a weak one. It sits squarely in the middle of the database, which aligns with the measured FPS results. The system is capable of handling the game well at 1080p and 1440p, but it does not compete with high-end builds that feature more powerful graphics cards. The combo’s rank is a direct reflection of the GPU’s limitations; a stronger GPU would push this CPU-centric build much higher in the rankings. The data indicates that this pairing is a balanced mainstream solution, but not a high-end enthusiast one. The processor's 95th percentile performance is effectively neutralized by the graphics card's 71st percentile standing in this GPU-bound scenario.

FAQ

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

A: The measured average FPS at 1920x1080 with the Ultra preset is 92 FPS.

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

A: Yes, but with significant compromises. At 4K, the High preset yields an average of 42 FPS, while the Low preset achieves 64 FPS. For a smoother experience, the Low preset is the only option that consistently stays above 60 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The Ryzen 9 9950X3D has an average benchmark score of 75779. Its closest rival, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755, scores 75738, a negligible 0.1% difference. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 scores 75488, placing it 0.4% behind.

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

A: At 2560x1440, the High preset averages 77 FPS, while the Medium preset averages 90 FPS. This represents a 13 FPS gain by switching to Medium settings.

Q: Where does this specific CPU+GPU combo rank among all tested combinations?

A: The combo ranks 1698 out of 3696 total tested combos in the database for this game.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded for any preset?

A: The data includes a minimum FPS reading only for the Medium preset at each resolution. The lowest of these is 42 FPS, recorded at 3840x2160 with Medium settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table details the exact average FPS measurements for each resolution and settings preset combination tested.

| Resolution | Settings | Avg FPS | Min FPS | Max FPS |

| :--------- | :------- | :------ | :------ | :------ |

| 1920x1080 | Low | 179 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Medium | 138 | 117 | 158 |

| 1920x1080 | High | 117 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Ultra | 92 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Low | 117 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Medium | 90 | 76 | 103 |

| 2560x1440 | High | 77 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Ultra | 60 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Low | 64 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Medium | 49 | 42 | 57 |

| 3840x2160 | High | 42 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Ultra | 33 | - | - |

The data shows a clear performance hierarchy. At 1080p, the combo is more than capable of high refresh rate gaming, with even the Ultra preset exceeding 90 FPS. The 1440p results are respectable, with High settings providing a playable 77 FPS. The 4K results are the weakest, with only the Low preset managing an average above 60 FPS. The Medium preset at 4K shows the only recorded minimum FPS figures, ranging from 42 to 57, which indicates some frame-time variance. Overall, the measurements consistently point to the GPU as the performance limiter, especially as resolution increases.