The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents an interesting case study for the Intel Core i5-12400 and AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT combination. The data shows a pairing that performs solidly in the mid-range, but the measured frames per second (FPS) reveal distinct bottlenecks that shift depending on the resolution and quality settings. This analysis examines the benchmark results to understand the balance between the CPU and GPU, the impact of resolution scaling, and the optimal settings for a playable experience.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i5-12400 and AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT combination ranks 2741 out of 3696 tested combos for The Technomancer. This places the pairing in the 74th percentile of all configurations tested, indicating a result that is better than roughly three-quarters of the systems measured. The ranking suggests that while this is not a top-tier enthusiast setup for this specific title, it sits comfortably above the average, providing a competent level of performance.

To understand this rank, it is useful to look at the individual components' standings. The CPU, the Intel Core i5-12400, holds a percentile rank of 72 against all tested CPUs. This is a strong result, placing it in the upper echelon of processors. Meanwhile, the GPU, the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT, holds a percentile rank of 59 against all tested GPUs, which is a more middling position. The disparity in these percentiles is a key indicator: the processor is relatively more powerful than the graphics card. This often implies that in many scenarios, the GPU will be the limiting factor, particularly at higher resolutions and settings where the graphical workload increases.

The composite ranking of 2741 reflects the collective performance. The data suggests the CPU has headroom to spare, while the GPU is likely working closer to its maximum capacity. This is a classic sign of a system that is well-matched for 1080p gaming but will see the GPU become the primary constraint as resolution demands increase. The individual component scores reinforce this dynamic, with the CPU demonstrating strong multi-threaded capabilities (a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 15989) and single-thread performance (a Geekbench single-core score of 1848) that can feed frames quickly, while the GPU's passmark G3D score of 16277 is respectable but not class-leading.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT is the central figure in determining the graphical performance for The Technomancer. The GPU is built on the RDNA 1.0 architecture with a 7 nm process. It features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. This memory configuration is sufficient for the textures and assets of a game from 2016, even at higher resolutions. The core clocks are set with a base of 1605 MHz, a game clock of 1755 MHz, and a boost clock of 1905 MHz, which are the speeds that directly influence the fill rate and shader processing power.

The relationship between these specs and the game's results becomes clear when observing the FPS scaling. The GPU's pixel rate is listed as 121.9 GPixel/s and its texture rate is 304.8 GTexel/s. These figures represent the raw capability of the card to fill the screen and apply textures. At 1080p with Low settings, the GPU is not the limiting factor, as the average FPS reaches 139. However, the performance drops are steep as the resolution increases, which is a direct consequence of the GPU's compute power. The FP32 performance of 9.754 TFLOPS dictates how many shader operations can be completed per second. At 4K Ultra, the demand on shaders and memory bandwidth becomes immense, and the RX 5700 XT can only maintain an average of 26 FPS. This indicates that the GPU's raw processing power is the ceiling for performance in the most demanding scenarios.

The GPU's nearest rivals in terms of average benchmark score include the AMD Radeon Pro 5600M, which it beats by a negligible 0.1%, and it trails the NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell by 0.3%. These very small delta percentages show that the RX 5700 XT is performing exactly as expected for its class in synthetic tests. In the context of The Technomancer, the GPU's role is to be the primary workhorse, and the measured data shows it is the component that dictates the upper limits of FPS at higher graphical loads.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear and predictable pattern in how the system scales from 1080p to 4K. At 1920x1080 with High settings, the average FPS is 91. Moving to 2560x1440 at the same High settings, the average drops to 60, a significant 34% decrease. Jumping to 3840x2160, the average plummets to 33, which is another 45% reduction from the 1440p result. This steep decline is the classic signature of a GPU-bound scenario; the RX 5700 XT is being overwhelmed by the sheer number of pixels it needs to render.

This trend is consistent across all settings. With Low settings, the FPS goes from 139 at 1080p to 91 at 1440p and then to 50 at 4K. The performance hit is proportionally large at every step, confirming that the GPU is the bottleneck. Interestingly, the gap between 1080p and 1440p is substantial, but the gap between 1440p and 4K is even more punishing. This suggests that the memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s and the 8 GB capacity are being pushed to their limits at 4K, as the card struggles to keep up with the data required for each frame.

The scaling also shows that the CPU is not the primary limiter in this game. Even at 1080p Low, where the CPU would typically be taxed the most to push high frame rates, the system achieves 139 FPS, which is high but not exceptionally so. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the FPS would plateau at a similar level regardless of resolution. Instead, the data shows a consistent drop with each resolution increase, indicating that the graphics card is the component that determines the system's overall performance ceiling in The Technomancer. The i5-12400, with its 6 cores and 12 threads, is capable of feeding frames fast enough, but the GPU runs out of steam as the resolution climbs.

FAQ

Q: What is the overall performance ranking of this CPU and GPU combo in The Technomancer?

A: The combination ranks 2741 out of 3696 tested combos for this game.

Q: How does the CPU's performance compare to its direct rivals?

A: The Intel Core i5-12400 is a close match for its rivals. It scores 0.1% lower than the AMD EPYC 7643 and 0.3% lower than the Intel Core i7-1355U, but it is 0.9% higher than the Intel Core i3-14100F.

Q: Is the GPU or CPU the limiting factor at 4K resolution?

A: The GPU is the clear limiting factor. At 4K with Ultra settings, the average FPS drops to 26, while the CPU's strong benchmark scores suggest it has headroom to spare. The consistent FPS drop with resolution increases confirms the GPU is the bottleneck.

Q: What is the best resolution for achieving a 60 FPS average with High settings?

A: The data shows that 2560x1440 is the highest resolution that achieves an average FPS of 60 with High settings. At 4K, the average drops to 33 FPS under the same settings.

Q: How much faster is the system at 1080p compared to 4K on Low settings?

A: At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 139. At 4K Low, the average FPS is 50. This shows the system is nearly three times faster at the lower resolution.

Q: Does the GPU have enough memory for this game?

A: The GPU has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory. Given the game's 2016 release date, the data suggests this is sufficient, as the primary performance drops at 4K are more attributable to the GPU's compute power and bandwidth (448.0 GB/s) rather than a memory capacity issue.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS, the optimal settings for this combination depend heavily on the user's target resolution and preference for smoothness over visual fidelity. For a standard 1080p display, the High preset offers an excellent experience with an average FPS of 91. For users with high refresh rate monitors, the Low preset provides an average of 139 FPS, which is ideal for competitive play or maximum smoothness, though it sacrifices visual quality. The Medium preset at 1080p still delivers a very playable 107 FPS average.

At 2560x1440, the High preset hits the 60 FPS target exactly, making it the best choice for a balanced experience that maintains fluid motion without compromising too much on graphical detail. The Medium preset offers a safer margin with an average of 70 FPS, while Ultra drops to 47 FPS, which is playable but may feel less smooth to some users. For those prioritizing visual quality at 1440p, High is the sweet spot.

The 4K resolution is a challenge for this GPU. The High preset only manages an average of 33 FPS, which is not ideal for a smooth experience. The Low preset provides a more playable 50 FPS average, but this involves a significant reduction in visual detail. Considering the data, the best experience at 4K would be to use the Low preset to achieve a more stable frame rate, as the GPU simply does not have the power to maintain high frame rates at this resolution with higher settings. The Medium preset at 4K offers a compromise with an average of 38 FPS and a minimum of 33 FPS, but the High and Ultra presets are not recommended for a responsive gaming experience.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-12400 plays a supporting but crucial role in this system. With 6 cores and 12 threads based on the Alder Lake architecture, it provides the processing power to handle game logic, physics, and draw calls. Its performance is solid, as evidenced by a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 15989 and a single-core score of 2257. These scores indicate a CPU that is more than capable of handling the demands of a game from 2016, which typically relies more on single-thread performance.

The CPU's role is to ensure the GPU is fed with data. The benchmark results show that it does this job effectively. At 1080p Low, the system achieves an average of 139 FPS, which is a frame rate where a weaker CPU might start to struggle. However, the fact that the FPS scales down so dramatically with resolution strongly implies the CPU is not the limiting factor. The i5-12400 has enough headroom to push the RX 5700 XT to its limits, and the GPU becomes the constraint.

The nearest rivals for the CPU in terms of average benchmark score are the AMD EPYC 7643, Intel Core i7-1355U, and Intel Core i3-14100F, all of which have scores within 1% of the i5-12400. This shows that its performance is well within the expected range for its generation and price point. In the context of The Technomancer, the CPU's high single-thread performance (Geekbench single-core score of 1848) ensures that the game's main thread is handled efficiently, preventing CPU-related stutters and allowing the GPU to work at its full potential. The data confirms that this processor is not a bottleneck in this specific game.

Measured FPS Breakdown

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

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

|---|---|---|---|---|

| 1920x1080 | Low | 139 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Medium | 107 | 91 | 123 |

| 1920x1080 | High | 91 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Ultra | 71 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Low | 91 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Medium | 70 | 59 | 80 |

| 2560x1440 | High | 60 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Ultra | 47 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Low | 50 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Medium | 38 | 33 | 44 |

| 3840x2160 | High | 33 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Ultra | 26 | - | - |

The data shows a consistent and logical progression. At 1080p, the system is capable of high frame rates across all settings, with the Low preset exceeding 140 FPS. As the resolution increases, the average FPS drops in a predictable manner, with the 4K Ultra preset being the most demanding scenario, yielding only 26 FPS. The minimum FPS data for the Medium presets shows that frame pacing is relatively stable, with the 1080p Medium minimum at 91 FPS and the 4K Medium minimum at 33 FPS. This breakdown confirms that users should target 1080p or 1440p for the best balance of performance and visual quality, and should expect to use lower settings to achieve playable frame rates at 4K.