The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents an interesting test for a modern high-end pairing. The data shows the Intel Core i3-12100F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER combination delivers a wide range of frame rates that scale predictably with resolution and settings. This analysis breaks down the measured performance, the role of each component, and how this specific combo stacks up against the broader field of tested configurations.

FAQ

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

A: The highest average frame rate recorded is 247.2 FPS at 1920x1080 with Low settings. This drops to 149.5 FPS at the same resolution when settings are raised to Ultra.

Q: How does the combo perform at 4K resolution?

A: At 3840x2160, the average frame rates range from 51.5 FPS on Ultra settings to 103.8 FPS on Low settings. The High and Medium presets land in between, with 72 FPS and 81.1 FPS respectively.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more likely to be a bottleneck at 1080p?

A: The data suggests the CPU becomes a limiting factor at lower resolutions. At 1920x1080, the difference between Low (247.2 FPS) and High (192.7 FPS) settings is significant, but the RTX 4080 SUPER is capable of far higher frame rates, indicating the 4-core CPU is likely capping performance.

Q: What is the CPU's standing compared to other processors?

A: The Intel Core i3-12100F has a percentile ranking of 72 against all CPUs. Its average benchmark score of 13516 is nearly identical to the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX, trailing it by just 0.1%.

Q: What is the GPU's standing compared to other graphics cards?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER holds an 88th percentile ranking against all GPUs. Its average benchmark score of 53610 is 0.2% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT and 2.9% ahead of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti.

Q: How many total hardware combinations were tested for this game?

A: The data indicates that this specific CPU and GPU pairing ranks 128th out of 1656 tested combos in The Technomancer.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i3-12100F is a 4-core, 8-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture. It operates with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The benchmark results show strong single-thread performance, scoring 1681 in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is crucial for gaming. However, its multi-threaded capabilities are more limited, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11912.

In The Technomancer, the CPU's role becomes more critical at lower resolutions. The data shows that at 1920x1080, frame rates are high across all settings, but the scaling from High to Low is less pronounced than at higher resolutions. For instance, moving from High to Low at 1080p increases the average FPS from 192.7 to 247.2, a 28% jump. This indicates that the RTX 4080 SUPER is not being fully utilized, and the 4-core CPU is starting to become a constraint on performance. The processor’s 72nd percentile ranking, with an average score nearly identical to the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX, places it as a mid-range performer. While its strong single-core performance is a boon for gaming, the limited core count can bottleneck a high-end GPU in less demanding scenes.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER is a powerhouse built on the Ada Lovelace architecture. It features 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a substantial 736.3 GB/s of bandwidth. With a boost clock of 2550 MHz and 10240 shading units, it offers immense raw compute power, reflected in its 88th percentile ranking among all GPUs.

The GPU's performance is the primary driver of frame rates at higher resolutions. At 3840x2160, the scaling between settings is dramatic. The average FPS drops from 103.8 on Low to 51.5 on Ultra, showing that the game becomes heavily GPU-bound at 4K. The GPU’s advantage is clear when compared to its nearest rivals; it is 2.1% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 7700S and 2.9% ahead of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti in average benchmark score. While the CPU may limit performance at 1080p, the RTX 4080 SUPER’s capabilities are fully showcased at 1440p and 4K, where it maintains playable frame rates even on Ultra settings at 2560x1440, with an average of 97.3 FPS.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured frame rates for this combo show a clear and consistent pattern across the three tested resolutions. At 1920x1080, the system delivers high frame rates suitable for competitive play. The average FPS ranges from 247.2 on Low, 225.5 on Medium, 192.7 on High, and 149.5 on Ultra. The gap between Low and Ultra is 97.7 FPS, demonstrating a significant performance cost for higher visual fidelity.

Moving to 2560x1440, the average frame rates remain strong. The data shows 191.6 FPS on Low, 148.3 FPS on Medium, 127.3 FPS on High, and 97.3 FPS on Ultra. This resolution offers a balanced experience, with even the Ultra preset staying above the 60 FPS threshold. The performance drop from 1080p to 1440p is consistent across all settings, highlighting the GPU's workload increase.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain high refresh rates but remains playable. The average FPS is 103.8 on Low, 81.1 on Medium, 72 on High, and 51.5 on Ultra. The 4K Ultra setting is the only configuration where the average frame rate falls below 60 FPS. This indicates that while the RTX 4080 SUPER is powerful, The Technomancer’s engine demands significant resources at 4K with maximum settings, and the CPU's limitations may also be a factor here.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i3-12100F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER achieves a rank of 128 out of 1656 tested combos in The Technomancer. This places it in the top 8% of all configurations, which is a strong result. The high ranking is primarily driven by the GPU's exceptional performance, which is a top-tier component. The CPU, while not a flagship, provides sufficient single-core speed to avoid being a major hindrance at most settings.

The ranking suggests that this pairing is more capable than many others, but it is not the absolute best. The data indicates that the CPU is a potential bottleneck, especially at 1080p where frame rates are not as high as the GPU alone could achieve. In contrast, the GPU's performance is a clear strength, ranking in the 88th percentile. This combo’s overall rank of 128 reflects the RTX 4080 SUPER’s power, but it also reveals that the 4-core i3-12100F holds it back from reaching the top tiers. The performance at 4K Ultra, where the average FPS dips to 51.5, further illustrates this point, as a more powerful CPU might help maintain higher frame rates in this demanding scenario.