The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents an interesting case for modern hardware. The combination of Intel Core i7-12700KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 delivers a broad range of performance, from high-refresh 1080p gaming to a playable 4K experience. The data shows a system that is clearly GPU-limited at higher resolutions, but the CPU’s strong multi-threaded capabilities ensure that frame rates remain high when the graphical load is lighter. This analysis breaks down exactly where the bottlenecks lie and what the measured numbers mean for a potential owner.

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

The Intel Core i7-12700KF is built on the Alder Lake architecture, featuring 12 cores and 20 threads. With a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, this processor is designed to handle both high-frequency single-threaded tasks and heavily parallelized workloads. The benchmark scores reflect this balance: a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 28979 and a single-core score of 4091 indicate a processor that does not significantly bottleneck a modern GPU in most gaming scenarios.

In the context of The Technomancer, the CPU's role becomes evident when observing the frame rate scaling. At 1080p with Low settings, the system produces 253.5 FPS. This is an extremely high frame rate that suggests the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU with enough draw calls to saturate it, even in a game from 2016. The PassMark multithread score of 34092 further underscores the processor's ability to manage the game's background simulation tasks without issue.

When compared to its nearest rivals, the i7-12700KF shows a near-identical average benchmark score. It is essentially tied with the Intel Core i5-14400, with a deltaPct of only 0.1% in favor of the i5. It also sits within 0.2% of the Intel Core i7-13800H and 0.3% of the Intel Core i5-13600T. This suggests that for a game like The Technomancer, which may not require the absolute maximum in CPU power, any of these processors would offer similar performance ceilings. The 89th percentile ranking among all CPUs confirms that this is a high-end part, but the data indicates that the game's frame rates are more contingent on the GPU's capabilities than on this processor's headroom.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070, with its 12 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 192-bit bus, is the primary driver of visual fidelity in this configuration. The memory clock runs at 1750 MHz, translating to 28 Gbps effective, which provides a memory bandwidth of 672.0 GB/s. This is a substantial amount of bandwidth, and the benchmark results suggest it is sufficient for The Technomancer’s textures and effects, even at 4K Ultra settings. The GPU’s 30.87 TFLOPS of FP32 performance and its 48 RT cores contribute to its overall capability, though the game itself is old enough that these features are likely underutilized.

The GPU’s performance is the clear limiting factor in this pairing. The PassMark G3D score of 29137 places it in the 83rd percentile among all GPUs. However, the frame rate data shows a distinct pattern: as resolution and settings increase, the average FPS drops significantly. At 1080p Low, the system hits 253.5 FPS, but at 4K Ultra, it falls to 44.7 FPS. This is a classic sign of a GPU-bound scenario. The GPU is working harder to render more pixels and more complex effects, and its performance ceiling is reached before the CPU's.

Interestingly, the GPU’s nearest rivals in the benchmark database are not what one might expect. The data shows it performing within 0.6% of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 and within 0.2% of the AMD Radeon Pro 5300. While these are different classes of hardware, the average benchmark scores are very close. This suggests that the RTX 5070’s architectural efficiency allows it to compete with older, larger GPUs. In The Technomancer, this translates to a consistent ability to push high frame rates at 1440p, but the 4K Ultra results show that even this modern GPU must make concessions for the game's heavier presets.

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

The measured frame rates across resolutions paint a clear picture of the system's scaling behavior. Starting at 1080p High, the system produces 165.2 FPS. Moving to 1440p High, the frame rate drops to 106.5 FPS, a reduction of approximately 35%. When jumping to 4K High, the frame rate plummets to 56.8 FPS, a further 47% drop from the 1440p figure. This non-linear decline is typical of a GPU that is becoming increasingly saturated with pixel-shading work.

The pattern is even more pronounced at the Ultra preset. The system achieves 127.1 FPS at 1080p, drops to 87.1 FPS at 1440p, and then falls to 44.7 FPS at 4K. The 4K Ultra result is the weakest in the dataset and indicates that the RTX 5070 is working at its absolute limit. The gap between 1080p and 1440p is substantial, but the gap between 1440p and 4K is even larger, highlighting the exponential cost of rendering four times the number of pixels.

This scaling behavior strongly suggests that the GPU is the limiting component in this configuration. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect the frame rates to remain relatively flat across resolutions, as the CPU's workload would not change. Instead, the data shows a consistent decline in FPS as resolution increases. The CPU's strong single-thread performance, evidenced by a 3DMark single-thread score of 1043, ensures it is not holding back the GPU at lower resolutions, but at 4K Ultra, the GPU's 80 ROPs and 6144 shading units are simply overwhelmed by the rendering demands.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-12700KF a bottleneck for the RTX 5070 in The Technomancer?

A: The data suggests it is not a significant bottleneck. At 1080p Low, the system reaches 253.5 FPS, indicating the CPU can feed the GPU effectively. The CPU's 89th percentile ranking and its benchmark scores, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 28979, provide ample headroom for this game's requirements.

Q: How does the RTX 5070 handle 4K gaming in The Technomancer?

A: It is playable but not ideal. At 4K High, the average frame rate is 56.8 FPS, which is acceptable for a 60Hz display. However, at 4K Ultra, the average drops to 44.7 FPS, which may feel less smooth. The 12 GB of GDDR7 memory is sufficient, but the GPU's raw compute power is the limiting factor at this resolution.

Q: What is the best resolution for a high-refresh-rate experience?

A: For a 144Hz or higher refresh rate monitor, 1080p is the clear choice. The system achieves 165.2 FPS at 1080p High and 193.9 FPS at Medium. These frame rates are well above the threshold for smooth, responsive gameplay.

Q: How does this CPU compare to its closest rivals?

A: The i7-12700KF is effectively tied with its nearest rivals in average benchmark score. It is within 0.1% of the Intel Core i5-14400 and within 0.2% of the Intel Core i7-13800H. This means that for The Technomancer, any of these chips would provide nearly identical performance.

Q: Is the RTX 5070's performance comparable to other GPUs in the database?

A: Yes, its average benchmark score is very close to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090, with a deltaPct of 0.6% in the RTX 5070’s favor. This indicates that despite being a newer, smaller chip, it delivers a similar level of overall performance in synthetic tests.

Q: Does the game favor the CPU or GPU?

A: The data clearly indicates a GPU-bound workload at higher settings. The frame rate drops significantly as resolution increases, from 253.5 FPS at 1080p Low to 44.7 FPS at 4K Ultra. This pattern is the definitive signature of a system constrained by its graphics card.

How This Combo Ranks

Among the database of 1656 tested combos, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i7-12700KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 ranks 326th in The Technomancer. This places it in the top 20% of all tested systems, which is a strong result for a mid-to-high-end desktop configuration. The rank reflects the system's ability to deliver high frame rates across various settings, though it is not the absolute top performer.

The ranking is more impressive when considering the GPU's 83rd percentile standing among all GPUs. The CPU's 89th percentile ranking is slightly higher, which again points to the GPU being the more limiting factor in this specific game. The 326th rank out of 1656 suggests that while there are many faster combos, this setup provides a very capable and balanced experience. The data implies that users with this combination can expect performance that is well above the median for the database, particularly at 1440p and 1080p where the system shows its strengths. The gap between this combo and higher-ranked ones is likely due to more powerful GPUs, as the CPU's performance is already near the top of its class.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table details the average frame rates measured for this combination across all tested resolutions and settings presets.

| Resolution | Settings | Average FPS |

| :--------- | :------- | ----------: |

| 1920x1080 | Low | 253.5 |

| 1920x1080 | Medium | 193.9 |

| 1920x1080 | High | 165.2 |

| 1920x1080 | Ultra | 127.1 |

| 2560x1440 | Low | 166.5 |

| 2560x1440 | Medium | 124.7 |

| 2560x1440 | High | 106.5 |

| 2560x1440 | Ultra | 87.1 |

| 3840x2160 | Low | 88.0 |

| 3840x2160 | Medium | 68.4 |

| 3840x2160 | High | 56.8 |

| 3840x2160 | Ultra | 44.7 |

The data shows a consistent performance hierarchy. At 1080p, the system is capable of exceeding 120 FPS even at the Ultra preset, making it ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors. The 1440p results are also strong, with the High preset delivering 106.5 FPS. The 4K results are more modest, with the Low preset achieving 88.0 FPS and the Ultra preset barely staying above 44 FPS. This breakdown allows for precise tuning based on a user's display and performance preferences.

Settings Recommendations

For users with a 1080p display, the Ultra preset is the clear recommendation. The system produces an average of 127.1 FPS at this setting, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold and provides a very smooth experience. The high frame rate indicates the GPU has plenty of headroom, so enabling the highest visual quality will not compromise playability.

At 1440p, the High preset offers the best balance of visual fidelity and performance, yielding 106.5 FPS. While the Ultra preset is also playable at 87.1 FPS, the High preset ensures a more consistent frame rate that is closer to the refresh rate of most 1440p monitors. Choosing High over Ultra will result in a more responsive feel, with a minimal visual impact that many users may not notice.

For 4K gaming, the Low preset is the most viable option for a high-refresh experience, delivering 88.0 FPS. The Medium preset provides a better visual experience at 68.4 FPS, which is still smooth enough for most games. The High preset at 56.8 FPS is acceptable for slower-paced gameplay, but the Ultra preset at 44.7 FPS is likely to feel too sluggish for a game with real-time combat. In this case, prioritizing a higher frame rate by lowering the preset is the recommended path to ensure a responsive and enjoyable experience.