The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents a demanding workload for modern hardware, particularly when paired with an entry-level integrated graphics solution. This analysis examines the measured performance of the Intel Core i5-13400F combined with the Intel Arc B370, using only the provided benchmark data to interpret the system's capabilities across resolutions and settings.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a steep performance cliff as resolution increases, clearly identifying the graphics processor as the primary limiting component in this configuration. At 1920x1080 with High settings, the system achieves an average of 47 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 at the same settings drops the average to 31 FPS, a reduction of 34%. The transition to 3840x2160 yields only 17 FPS average, which is a further 45% decrease from the 1440p figure. This scaling pattern is characteristic of a GPU-bound scenario, where the rendering load outpaces the capabilities of the Intel Arc B370.

The data from the Low preset reinforces this conclusion. At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 71, which is 24 FPS higher than at High settings. At 1440p Low, the average is 47 FPS, and at 4K Low, it falls to 26 FPS. The consistent and significant drop across all settings as resolution increases indicates that the pixel fill-rate and memory bandwidth demands of higher resolutions are beyond what the Arc B370 can deliver. The GPU’s specifications support this interpretation; its memory is "System Shared" with bandwidth listed as "System Dependent," which is a significant bottleneck for high-resolution textures and buffer operations.

The frame time consistency also degrades at higher resolutions. The only preset with measured minimum and maximum FPS values is Medium. At 1080p Medium, the range is 47-63 FPS, showing a 16 FPS variance. At 1440p Medium, the range tightens to 30-41 FPS, but the minimum is a relatively low 30 FPS. At 4K Medium, the range is 17-23 FPS, with a minimum near the average. This data suggests that while the average FPS drops, the frame pacing becomes more erratic as the GPU struggles to maintain a stable output under load.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured rows, the optimal balance between visual quality and playability for this combo is found at 1920x1080 with Medium settings. This configuration produces an average of 55 FPS, which is a substantial improvement over the 47 FPS at High. The performance gain of 8 FPS for a single-step reduction in preset is significant, and the measured minimum of 47 FPS indicates that the experience remains relatively stable, without severe dips. This is the highest average FPS that maintains a playable frame rate while still offering more visual fidelity than the Low preset.

At 1080p Low, the system achieves the highest average FPS of 71, but this comes at the cost of visual quality. For users prioritizing a higher frame rate, this is the only preset that approaches a 60 FPS baseline. However, the Medium preset is the recommended choice as it provides a 55 FPS average, which is closer to smooth gameplay and offers a better visual experience than Low. The High preset at 1080p, with a 47 FPS average, is playable but may feel less fluid during intense combat sequences.

For 2560x1440, the data suggests that only the Low preset is viable, with an average of 47 FPS. The Medium preset at this resolution drops to 36 FPS, and the High preset to 31 FPS. At 3840x2160, all presets produce averages below 30 FPS, with Ultra at a mere 13 FPS and High at 17 FPS. The data clearly indicates that 4K resolution is not a practical option for this hardware combination, regardless of settings.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-13400F is a 10-core, 16-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. Its benchmark scores are robust, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 22604 and a single-core score of 3191. However, in this specific game and system configuration, the CPU's performance appears secondary to the GPU's limitations.

The benchmark data shows that the CPU is not the bottleneck. The FPS scaling with resolution is consistent with a GPU-bound workload. If the CPU were the limiting factor, the FPS would remain relatively constant across resolutions. The measured results, however, show a dramatic decline in FPS as resolution increases, which is the signature of the graphics processor being saturated. The CPU’s 3DMark scores are also telling: a single-thread score of 960 and a 16-thread score of 7314 indicate strong processing power that is likely more than sufficient for a game from 2016.

The CPU's large L3 cache of 20 MB (shared) and high boost clock are assets for game logic and physics, but these advantages are negated when the GPU cannot render frames fast enough to utilize them. The data suggests that the i5-13400F is providing a stable platform, but its potential is untapped due to the Arc B370's performance ceiling. The CPU percentile of 77 versus all CPUs further illustrates that it is a capable processor, but its pairing with a GPU in the 5th percentile creates a significant imbalance.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play The Technomancer with this CPU and GPU combo?

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 is the only resolution where a playable frame rate is consistently achievable. At this resolution, the Medium preset provides a 55 FPS average, while Low provides 71 FPS. Higher resolutions result in average FPS below 50, making them less suitable for smooth gameplay.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B370 compare to its nearest rivals based on the benchmark data?

A: The Arc B370 has an average benchmark score of 1184. Its nearest rival, the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570, scores 1186, which is a delta of -0.2%. The AMD Radeon HD 7650M scores 1192, a delta of -0.7%. This places the Arc B370 in a performance tier comparable to these older, lower-end graphics solutions.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-13400F bottleneck the Intel Arc B370 in this game?

A: No, the data indicates the opposite. The FPS drops significantly with increased resolution, which is a classic sign of a GPU bottleneck. The CPU, with its high multi-threaded score of 22604 in Cinebench R23, is likely not the limiting factor. The GPU's performance, ranked in the 5th percentile, is the primary constraint.

Q: Is 4K gaming viable with this hardware configuration?

A: No. At 3840x2160, the highest average FPS recorded is 26 at Low settings. The Medium preset averages 20 FPS, High averages 17 FPS, and Ultra averages only 13 FPS. These frame rates are too low for a playable experience.

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

A: At 1920x1080, the Low preset achieves an average of 71 FPS. The Ultra preset achieves an average of 37 FPS. This represents a 34 FPS difference, or a 48% reduction in average FPS when moving from the lowest to the highest quality preset.

Q: What is the combo's overall rank among tested systems for this game?

A: The combo is ranked 2603 out of 2825 tested combinations for The Technomancer. This places it in the lower 8% of all tested systems, indicating that it is among the least performant configurations for this title.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, with a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2400 MHz. Its memory is "System Shared," which means it relies on the system's main memory rather than dedicated VRAM. This is a critical limitation, as the bandwidth is "System Dependent" and cannot match the performance of a discrete graphics card.

The GPU's benchmark results are modest. Its only recorded 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 1184, placing it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are older, low-power mobile and desktop parts like the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 and the AMD Radeon HD 7650M. The Arc B370's specifications, such as a 25 W TDP and 20 ROPs, further confirm its position as an entry-level graphics solution.

In The Technomancer, this GPU's limitations are fully exposed. The measured FPS data shows that it is the definitive bottleneck, unable to maintain high frame rates even at 1080p with higher settings. The system's performance is consistent with its low percentile ranking and its proximity to legacy graphics chips in the benchmark database. The GPU's 6.144 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is insufficient for the demands of modern settings at high resolutions, resulting in the low frame rates observed in the measured data.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following data represents the exact measured average FPS for each resolution and settings combination. For Medium settings, minimum and maximum FPS are also provided.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: 26 FPS average
• Medium: 20 FPS average (min 17, max 23)
• High: 17 FPS average
• Ultra: 13 FPS average

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: 47 FPS average
• Medium: 36 FPS average (min 30, max 41)
• High: 31 FPS average
• Ultra: 24 FPS average

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: 71 FPS average
• Medium: 55 FPS average (min 47, max 63)
• High: 47 FPS average
• Ultra: 37 FPS average

The data reveals a clear hierarchy. At 1080p, Low is the only setting that exceeds 60 FPS. Medium is the only other setting that remains comfortably above 50 FPS. High and Ultra are playable but require compromises in fluidity. At 1440p, only Low surpasses the 40 FPS mark, and all other settings fall below 40 FPS. At 4K, every setting fails to reach 30 FPS, making the game effectively unplayable.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-13400F and the Intel Arc B370 ranks 2603 out of 2825 tested combos for The Technomancer. This position, which is in the bottom 8% of all tested systems, is a direct consequence of the GPU's performance. The i5-13400F is a strong processor, ranking in the 77th percentile of all CPUs, but the Arc B370's 5th-percentile GPU ranking drags the entire combo down.

The GPU's benchmark score of 1184 is nearly identical to that of the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 (1186), a mobile GPU from a much older generation. This comparison underscores the Arc B370's position as a low-power, entry-level solution. The CPU, with an average benchmark score of 25292, is in a completely different performance class than its GPU counterpart, with its nearest rival being the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS with a delta of 0%.

This significant imbalance means that the system's overall ranking is not a reflection of the CPU's capabilities but rather a measure of the GPU's severe limitation. For a game like The Technomancer, the data shows that the GPU is the deciding factor for performance, and its low standing in the benchmark database directly results in the combo's poor rank. The system is effectively held back by its graphics component, making it unsuitable for high-resolution or high-detail gaming in this title.