The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, places distinct demands on a system. With an Intel Core i5-14600KF paired with a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER, the benchmark results reveal a configuration that is heavily constrained by the graphics card, particularly at higher resolutions. The data indicates that the CPU is never the limiting factor, and the experience is defined by the GPU's ability to keep up with the game's rendering load across different quality presets.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is substantial and clearly demonstrates a GPU-bound scenario. At 1080p with High settings, the combo achieves an average of 73.9 FPS. Moving to 1440p, that figure falls by 36% to 47 FPS, and at 4K it drops to 29 FPS—a 61% reduction from the 1080p baseline. This steep scaling curve is the classic signature of a graphics card that is running out of pixel-pushing capability.

The trend is consistent across all settings. At Low settings, the system produces 109.2 FPS at 1080p, which drops to 70.3 FPS at 1440p and 42 FPS at 4K. Even at the lowest fidelity, the 4K resolution is too demanding for the GTX 1660 SUPER to maintain a smooth experience. The gap between 1080p and 1440p is roughly 35% across all presets, while the jump to 4K brings an additional 40% reduction in frame rate. This shows that the GPU's memory bandwidth of 336.0 GB/s and its 6 GB of GDDR6 memory are simply overwhelmed by the pixel count at 4K.

The data suggests that 4K is not a viable target for this pairing. Even at Low settings, the 42 FPS average is below the threshold for a fluid experience. The limiting component is unambiguously the GPU; the CPU's robust specifications have no bearing on these scaling patterns, as the frame rates decline in near-perfect correlation with the increase in resolution.

FAQ

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

A: The data shows 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the combo consistently exceeds 60 FPS. At High settings it averages 73.9 FPS, and even at Ultra it maintains 54 FPS. 1440p and 4K resolutions fall below 60 FPS on all tested presets, making 1080p the clear choice for smooth gameplay.

Q: How much of a performance difference is there between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: The difference is significant. At 1080p, Low settings deliver an average of 109.2 FPS, while Ultra settings drop to 54 FPS. This represents a 51% performance reduction for the highest visual quality, indicating that the Ultra preset is quite demanding on the GTX 1660 SUPER.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-14600KF a bottleneck for the GTX 1660 SUPER in this game?

A: No. The benchmark results show consistent frame rate scaling with resolution that is typical of a GPU bottleneck. The CPU's high multi-core and single-core scores (32889 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, 4643 in single-core) are not reflected in any frame rate plateaus, which would indicate a CPU limit. The data points to the GPU as the sole constraint.

Q: Can this combo handle 1440p gaming in The Technomancer?

A: Only with significant compromises. At 1440p, the highest average frame rate is 70.3 FPS on Low settings. Choosing High settings drops the average to 47 FPS, which may be playable for some but is not consistently smooth. The 1440p Ultra preset yields only 36.3 FPS, which is not recommended.

Q: What is the frame rate at 4K with medium settings?

A: The measured average FPS at 3840x2160 with Medium settings is 33 FPS. This is below the standard for playable performance and indicates that 4K is not a practical option for this hardware configuration, regardless of the quality preset used.

Q: How does the GTX 1660 SUPER compare to its closest rivals in terms of raw performance?

A: The GPU's average benchmark score of 14286 places it in the 55th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rival is the AMD Radeon RX Vega 11, which scores 14314, a difference of only 0.2%. This indicates that the GTX 1660 SUPER is statistically tied with several other mid-range options in synthetic benchmarks.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific configuration of the Intel Core i5-14600KF and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER ranks 1432 out of 1656 tested combos in The Technomancer. This places it in the lower 14th percentile of all possible pairings, indicating that it is a below-average performer for this specific title. The ranking reflects the game's heavy GPU load; while the CPU is powerful, it cannot compensate for the graphics card's limitations.

The GPU's performance percentile of 55% against all other GPUs provides context for this ranking. The GTX 1660 SUPER is a mid-pack card, and when paired with a top-tier CPU, the overall combo performance is dragged down by the graphics component. The data shows that the CPU is performing at the top of its class, with an average benchmark score of 49367, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs. The disparity between the CPU's high percentile and the combo's low rank underscores that The Technomancer is not CPU-sensitive. The frame rates are entirely dependent on the GPU, and the combo's rank reflects the GPU's modest standing.

Settings Recommendations

For a balanced experience targeting 60 FPS, the High preset at 1080p is the optimal choice, yielding an average of 73.9 FPS and providing a comfortable margin above the target. If the goal is to maximize visual fidelity, the Ultra preset at 1080p is the highest setting that remains playable, with an average of 54 FPS. This is close enough to 60 FPS that it will be acceptable for many players who prioritize image quality over a perfect frame rate.

At 1440p, the data suggests that only the Low preset provides a consistently smooth experience, with an average of 70.3 FPS. The Medium preset at 56.8 FPS is a viable alternative for those who can tolerate occasional dips. For 4K, the Low preset at 42 FPS is the only option that approaches playability, but it is unlikely to provide a satisfying experience. The recommendation is to stick to 1080p for the best combination of frame rate and visual quality, as the GPU does not have the headroom for higher resolutions without significant graphical compromises.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured frame rates show a clear hierarchy of performance across resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the system performs best, with an average of 109.2 FPS at Low, 87.6 FPS at Medium, 73.9 FPS at High, and 54 FPS at Ultra. These numbers demonstrate that the GPU can handle 1080p with ease, providing smooth gameplay even on the most demanding preset.

Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates drop significantly. The Low preset averages 70.3 FPS, which is still playable. The Medium preset averages 56.8 FPS, High averages 47 FPS, and Ultra drops to 36.3 FPS. This resolution requires a compromise on settings to maintain a decent frame rate.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is clearly overwhelmed. The Low preset is the only one that breaks 40 FPS, with an average of 42 FPS. Medium averages 33 FPS, High averages 29 FPS, and Ultra plummets to 18.4 FPS. These results confirm that 4K is not a viable option for this hardware in The Technomancer.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-14600KF is a high-end processor with 14 cores and 20 threads, based on the Raptor Lake architecture. Its performance is exceptional, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32889 and a single-core score of 4643. Its average benchmark score of 49367 places it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, and it is statistically tied with its nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-14600K, which scores 49166 (a 0.4% difference).

However, this CPU power has no measurable impact on The Technomancer's frame rates. The measured FPS data shows a consistent decline with increasing resolution and settings, which is the definitive sign of a GPU bottleneck. The CPU's substantial multi-threading capabilities are irrelevant here, as the game does not appear to be CPU-intensive. The data shows that the limiting factor is the GTX 1660 SUPER's pixel throughput and memory bandwidth. The CPU is effectively idle, waiting on the GPU to render each frame. In this title, the Core i5-14600KF is overkill, but it ensures that the system will never be CPU-limited, allowing the GPU to perform to its full potential.