The Technomancer

The Technomancer, an Action RPG from 2016, presents a demanding workload that clearly separates CPU and GPU capabilities. The data for this combo, featuring the Intel Core i5-10400F and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti, shows a system where the graphics card is the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions, but the processor still plays a critical role in establishing the performance ceiling at lower settings.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Core i5-10400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Comet Lake architecture. It operates at a 2.90 GHz base clock with a 4.30 GHz boost clock, providing a solid foundation for gaming. With a TDP of 65 watts and support for DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus, this chip is designed for mainstream desktop performance. Its 12 MB of shared L3 cache helps feed the cores, and its benchmark scores indicate a balanced capability for both single-threaded and multi-threaded tasks.

In synthetic benchmarks, the i5-10400F shows a strong single-thread performance profile, posting a 3DMark single-thread score of 688 and a Geekbench single-core score of 1454. Its multi-threaded prowess is evident in a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 10297 and a Passmark multithread score of 12115. These scores suggest that the CPU can handle the game’s logic and physics without becoming a limiting factor when the GPU is under heavy load. The processor's 73rd percentile ranking among all CPUs places it above the majority of its peers, with its average benchmark score of 14168 being nearly identical to that of the AMD EPYC 7552, which sits a mere 0.4% higher.

For The Technomancer, the CPU's role is to prepare frames for the GPU. At lower resolutions and settings, the data shows the i5-10400F is capable of pushing frame rates well above 100 FPS, demonstrating that its 6 cores and 12 threads are sufficient for this title's engine. The processor does not appear to be a bottleneck until the GPU is relieved of its workload. The boost clock of 4.30 GHz is particularly important for maintaining high minimum frame rates in a game that is likely to have CPU-bound sections, ensuring that the data stream to the graphics card remains consistent.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core i5-10400F and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti achieves a rank of 1435 out of 1656 tested combos for this game. This places the system in the lower percentile of performance, which is expected given the GTX 1660 Ti's position in the GPU hierarchy. However, the data indicates that the bottleneck is predominantly the graphics card. The GPU's average benchmark score of 13925 places it in the 55th percentile of all GPUs, and its closest rivals, such as the AMD Radeon RX 570X (0.4% higher) and NVIDIA GTX 680 (0.8% higher), show that it is a mid-range performer.

The low combo rank is a reflection of the GPU's limits rather than a balanced system deficiency. While the CPU ranks in the 73rd percentile, the GPU's 55th percentile ranking drags the overall combo down. This is a classic pairing of a strong mid-range processor with a graphics card that was competent at 1080p for its generation but struggles at higher resolutions in this game. The rank suggests that for this specific title, the system is not capable of delivering high frame rates at maximum settings, but it can provide a playable experience when settings are adjusted.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS data reveals a clear and consistent pattern of performance degradation as resolution increases. At 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 109.6 FPS. Moving to 1440p drops this to 74.2 FPS, a 32% reduction. At 4K, the average falls to 36.9 FPS, which is a 66% reduction from the 1080p Low result. This steep decline is a hallmark of GPU-bound performance.

The scaling pattern is even more telling at higher settings. For instance, at High settings, the average FPS drops from 76 at 1080p to 46.1 at 1440p and then to 24.5 at 4K. This shows that the GTX 1660 Ti is overwhelmed by the pixel count at 4K, especially with higher graphical fidelity. The data suggests that the GPU is the limiting component at every resolution and setting combination. The CPU has ample headroom, as evidenced by the high frame rates at 1080p Low, but it cannot compensate for the GPU's inability to process the increased pixel data. The performance drop from 1440p to 4K is proportionally similar across all settings, confirming that the GTX 1660 Ti's fill rate and memory bandwidth are the primary constraints.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The benchmark data provides a comprehensive look at the system's performance across three resolutions and four quality presets.

At 1920x1080, the system is most capable. With Low settings, the average FPS is 109.6, providing a very smooth experience. Medium settings yield 86.8 FPS, while High settings produce 76 FPS. Ultra settings are the most demanding, with the average FPS dropping to 56. These numbers indicate that 1080p is the sweet spot for this combo, allowing for high refresh rate gameplay at lower presets and a solid 60 FPS experience at High.

At 2560x1440, the GPU begins to struggle. Low settings average 74.2 FPS, which is still playable. Medium settings drop to 54.7 FPS, and High settings fall to 46.1 FPS. Ultra settings are the most challenging, with the average FPS dropping to 38.9. This resolution requires a compromise on settings to maintain a consistent 60 FPS, with Low being the only preset that comfortably exceeds that threshold.

At 3840x2160, the system is clearly out of its depth. Low settings average 36.9 FPS, Medium averages 30.8 FPS, and High averages 24.5 FPS. Ultra settings are nearly unplayable, with an average of just 21.7 FPS. None of the settings at 4K achieve a playable 30 FPS minimum, making this resolution unsuitable for this hardware combination in The Technomancer.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play The Technomancer with this hardware?

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 is the optimal resolution. At High settings, the system averages 76 FPS, and at Low settings, it averages 109.6 FPS, allowing for a smooth experience.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-10400F or the GTX 1660 Ti the limiting factor in this game?

A: The GPU is the primary limiting factor. The average FPS drops significantly from 109.6 at 1080p Low to 36.9 at 4K Low, a clear sign of GPU-bound performance. The CPU has enough headroom to push higher frame rates, as seen at 1080p.

Q: How does the GTX 1660 Ti compare to its closest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The GPU's average benchmark score is 13925. It is 0.4% slower than the AMD Radeon RX 570X and 0.8% faster than both the NVIDIA RTX A2000 Mobile and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680.

Q: Can this system achieve 60 FPS at 1440p in The Technomancer?

A: Only with the Low preset, which averages 74.2 FPS. At Medium settings, the average FPS drops to 54.7, and at High settings, it falls to 46.1, so 60 FPS is not achievable at those higher presets.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, the average FPS drops from 109.6 on Low to 56 on Ultra. This represents a 48.9% reduction in average frame rate when moving from the lowest to the highest quality preset.

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

A: The CPU's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 10297 is significantly higher than its single-core score of 1453, indicating strong scaling across its 6 cores and 12 threads. This is sufficient for the game's CPU demands.