The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents a demanding workload for the Intel Core i5-12400 paired with the Intel Arc B370. This combination, while featuring a capable modern processor, is significantly constrained by the integrated graphics solution, resulting in a gaming experience that is primarily limited by GPU performance across all tested resolutions. The data indicates a system where the CPU has ample headroom, but the graphics component struggles to maintain playable frame rates, especially at higher resolutions and detail settings.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data for this combo reveals a classic pattern of GPU-bound scaling as resolution increases. At 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 71 FPS. Moving to 1440p at the same Low settings, the average drops to 47 FPS, a reduction of 24 FPS. At 4K, the average further declines to 26 FPS. This represents a 63% drop in performance from 1080p to 4K at Low settings, indicating that the rendering workload is scaling heavily with pixel count, a clear sign that the graphics processor is the primary limiting factor. The frame rate is not remaining stable, suggesting that the GPU is saturated.

The scaling pattern holds across all settings. With High settings, the average FPS goes from 47 at 1080p to 31 at 1440p, and finally to 17 at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 4K is 30 FPS, or roughly 64%. Medium settings show a similar trajectory, with averages of 55 FPS at 1080p, 36 FPS at 1440p, and 20 FPS at 4K. This consistent halving of performance with each major resolution jump underscores that the rendering pipeline, from the GPU's shading units to its ROPs, is the bottleneck. The CPU is not able to compensate for the increased pixel load.

The most demanding configuration tested, Ultra at 4K, yields an average of just 13 FPS, which is effectively unplayable. In contrast, the least demanding configuration, Low at 1080p, achieves a playable 71 FPS. The spread between the best and worst cases is 58 FPS. This wide margin reinforces that the Intel Arc B370's performance is highly sensitive to resolution and settings. For a user targeting 60 FPS, the data shows that only the 1080p Low setting achieves this, with an average of 71 FPS. All other configurations fall below the 60 FPS threshold. The 1440p Medium setting, for instance, averages 36 FPS, which is a playable but not smooth experience for a fast-paced action game.

The data suggests that the Intel Arc B370 is a low-power integrated GPU, and its performance is directly tied to the resolution of the output. The system is not CPU-limited at any resolution; if it were, we would expect to see less of a performance penalty when moving from 1440p to 4K, as the CPU would be the constraining factor. Instead, the FPS drops are proportional to the increase in pixel count, which is a hallmark of a GPU-bound scenario. This is a critical takeaway for any user considering this combination for The Technomancer.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-12400 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture. It has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. In synthetic benchmarks, it demonstrates solid multi-threaded performance, scoring 15,989 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 18,747 in Passmark multithread. Its single-thread performance is also respectable, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2,257 and a Passmark single-thread score of 3,456. These figures place the CPU in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, indicating it is a solid mid-range performer.

However, in this specific game, the CPU's role is largely secondary due to the GPU bottleneck. The measured FPS data shows that the system's performance is consistently limited by the graphics solution. For example, at 1080p Low, the CPU is likely not being fully utilized, as the GPU is already working at its limit to produce 71 FPS. The CPU's 6 Performance cores and 12 threads are more than sufficient to handle the game's logic and draw calls at these frame rates. The data does not show a scenario where the CPU is the limiting factor, as there are no results where the FPS remains constant across different resolutions.

The CPU's 18 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel memory support are adequate for gaming, but they do not contribute to overcoming the GPU's limitations. The processor's 10 nm process node and 65W TDP indicate it is an efficient part, but this has no bearing on the final frame rates in this GPU-bound scenario. The benchmark scores, such as the 3DMark 16-thread score of 5,873 and the Geekbench multi-core score of 8,564, provide context for its general capability, but they do not translate into higher FPS in The Technomancer when paired with this GPU.

The nearest rivals in CPU benchmarks, such as the AMD EPYC 7643 and the Intel Core i7-1355U, have average scores within 0.3% of the i5-12400. This shows that the i5-12400 is a well-rounded processor that performs on par with other chips in its class. Yet, for this game, the choice of CPU is almost irrelevant to the final outcome because the Intel Arc B370 is the bottleneck. The CPU's performance headroom is significant, and it is never the component that prevents the system from achieving a higher frame rate. The data strongly suggests that any modern 6-core processor would yield nearly identical results with this GPU in The Technomancer.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is an integrated GPU based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It has 1280 shading units, 40 TMUs, and 20 ROPs. Its boost clock is 2400 MHz, with a base clock of 300 MHz. The GPU's memory is "System Shared," meaning it uses a portion of the system's RAM, with bandwidth that is "System Dependent." This is a fundamental limitation for gaming performance. The GPU's compute capability is rated at 6.144 TFLOPS for FP32, which is a low figure for modern gaming.

The GPU's benchmark results are poor. It scores 1,184 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, placing it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals in this benchmark are older, low-end parts like the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 and the ATI Radeon HD 5770, with scores of 1,186 and 1,190, respectively. This is a clear indication that the Arc B370's raw graphics performance is comparable to hardware from over a decade ago. The data shows that it is not designed for demanding gaming workloads.

In The Technomancer, this GPU performance directly dictates the frame rates. The average FPS figures, ranging from 13 at 4K Ultra to 71 at 1080p Low, are entirely a function of the GPU's capabilities. The shared memory architecture is a particular concern, as the GPU and CPU are competing for the same memory bandwidth. This can lead to stuttering and inconsistent frame times, which is reflected in the min FPS data for Medium settings: at 1080p Medium, the min FPS is 47 and the max is 63, showing a 16 FPS variance. At 1440p Medium, the min and max are 30 and 41, respectively. This variance is a symptom of a GPU that is struggling to maintain consistent rendering times.

The GPU's low pixel rate of 48.00 GPixel/s and texture rate of 96.00 GTexel/s further confirm its limited fillrate capabilities. At 4K, the GPU is being asked to fill over 8 million pixels per frame, which is far beyond its comfortable operating range. The 20 ROPs are simply not enough to handle the pixel throughput required for 4K rendering. The data indicates that the Arc B370 is only suitable for 1080p gaming at the lowest settings, and even then, it only manages an average of 71 FPS. For any higher resolution or settings, the GPU's limitations will result in sub-60 FPS performance.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-12400 and Intel Arc B370 ranks 2603 out of 2825 tested combos in The Technomancer. This places it in the bottom 8% of all systems tested, which is a poor result. The rank is a direct consequence of the GPU's very low performance percentile. While the CPU is in the 72nd percentile, the GPU is in the 5th percentile, and the latter has a much greater impact on gaming performance. The combo rank reflects the system's overall capability, and in this case, it is dragged down by the integrated graphics.

This rank of 2603 out of 2825 indicates that the vast majority of other tested combinations perform better in this game. The data implies that this combo is not a viable choice for a smooth gaming experience at anything above minimal settings. The system is essentially limited to 720p or 1080p with low detail levels to achieve a playable frame rate. The high rank number is a clear warning that this is a low-performance pairing, and users should not expect to run The Technomancer with high or ultra settings.

The discrepancy between the CPU and GPU performance is stark. The i5-12400 is a capable processor that can handle modern games, but it is being held back by the Arc B370. In a system with a discrete GPU, the i5-12400 would likely rank much higher. However, as tested, the combo's overall rank is a reflection of the weakest link in the chain. The data shows that the Intel Arc B370 is the primary reason for this low ranking, as its benchmark scores and performance in this game are comparable to much older, less capable hardware.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table details the exact measured average FPS for each resolution and settings combination tested in The Technomancer.

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

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

| 1920x1080 | Low | 71 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Medium | 55 | 47 | 63 |

| 1920x1080 | High | 47 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Ultra | 37 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Low | 47 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Medium | 36 | 30 | 41 |

| 2560x1440 | High | 31 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Ultra | 24 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Low | 26 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Medium | 20 | 17 | 23 |

| 3840x2160 | High | 17 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Ultra | 13 | - | - |

At 1080p, the system can achieve an average of 71 FPS on Low settings, which is the only configuration that clears the 60 FPS threshold. The Medium setting brings the average down to 55 FPS, with a minimum of 47 FPS, indicating that there may be noticeable dips in busy scenes. High settings yield 47 FPS, and Ultra drops to 37 FPS. These results show that 1080p is the only resolution where the combo can be considered playable, and only at the lowest settings.

Moving to 1440p, the performance degrades significantly. Low settings produce 47 FPS, which is the same as 1080p High. Medium settings average 36 FPS, with a minimum of 30 FPS. High and Ultra settings average 31 and 24 FPS, respectively. These frame rates are not suitable for a smooth action RPG experience. At 4K, the situation is much worse, with all settings producing averages below 30 FPS. The best 4K result is 26 FPS on Low, while Ultra yields a mere 13 FPS. The data clearly shows that 4K gaming is not feasible with this combination.

The min and max FPS data for Medium settings provides insight into frame time consistency. At 1080p, the range is 47 to 63 FPS, a spread of 16 FPS. At 1440p, the range is 30 to 41 FPS, a spread of 11 FPS. At 4K, the range is 17 to 23 FPS, a spread of 6 FPS. This suggests that as the GPU becomes more saturated, the frame rate variance decreases, but the overall performance is too low. The data indicates that the system is consistently underpowered for this game at higher resolutions.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution and settings combination for this system in The Technomancer?

A: The best combination is 1920x1080 with Low settings, which yields an average of 71 FPS. This is the only tested configuration that achieves an average frame rate above 60 FPS.

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

A: No, the data shows that 4K performance is unplayable. The highest average FPS at 3840x2160 is 26 FPS on Low settings, and it drops to 13 FPS on Ultra.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-12400 or the Intel Arc B370 the bottleneck in this game?

A: The Intel Arc B370 is the clear bottleneck. The GPU's 5th percentile benchmark ranking and the fact that FPS scales directly with resolution indicate that the graphics processor is limiting performance, not the CPU.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B370's performance compare to its nearest rivals?

A: In the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 benchmark, the Arc B370 scores 1,184, which is within 0.7% of the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 and the ATI Radeon HD 5770, and 1.4% lower than the AMD FirePro M2000. This indicates it performs at a level similar to those older, low-end graphics solutions.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-12400's CPU performance influence the final FPS in this game?

A: The data indicates the CPU has ample headroom. While the i5-12400 is a capable processor with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 15,989, the FPS results are consistently GPU-bound, meaning the CPU is not the limiting factor in this configuration.

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

A: This combo ranks 2603 out of 2825 tested combinations. This places it in the bottom 8% of all tested systems, indicating that it is a low-performance pairing for this game.