The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents a demanding workload that separates capable hardware from truly smooth experiences. For the combination of the Intel Core i7-13700K and the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT, the benchmark data shows a system that is decisively geared toward 1080p and 1440p gaming, with 4K Ultra proving to be a step too far for the GPU. The measured frame rates indicate that while the CPU provides a massive headroom for performance, the Radeon RX 5700 XT becomes the limiting factor at higher resolutions and settings, making preset selection crucial for a consistent experience. The data reveals a clear hierarchy: this combo ranks in the 74th percentile of all tested combinations in this specific game, a position that is respectable but not top-tier, reflecting the GPU's mid-range standing rather than the CPU's high-end capabilities.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo in The Technomancer?

A: Based on the measured FPS data, 1920x1080 is the optimal resolution, delivering an average of 139 FPS on Low and 91 FPS on High. 2560x1440 is also viable, with averages ranging from 91 FPS on Low to 47 FPS on Ultra, while 3840x2160 dips below 60 FPS on all settings, making it unsuitable for smooth gameplay.

Q: How does the combo rank against other tested hardware combinations in this game?

A: The combo ranks 2741st out of 3696 total tested combinations. This places it in the 74th percentile, indicating it outperforms a majority of systems but is not among the top performers, a positioning consistent with its mid-range GPU.

Q: Is the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT or the Intel Core i7-13700K the primary bottleneck for performance?

A: The data strongly suggests the GPU is the primary bottleneck, especially at higher resolutions. For instance, the CPU's strong multi-threaded score of 30745 in Cinebench R23 indicates immense processing power, yet the GPU's 4K Ultra average of 26 FPS shows it cannot keep pace with the CPU's output in graphically intense scenarios.

Q: What is the performance difference between the Low and Ultra presets at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the difference is substantial. The Low preset yields an average of 91 FPS, while the Ultra preset drops to 47 FPS. This represents a 48.4% decrease in average frame rate when moving from the lowest to the highest quality setting.

Q: Does the CPU's 16-core, 24-thread configuration provide any benefit in this game?

A: While The Technomancer may not utilize all 24 threads, the Core i7-13700K's high single-thread performance, evidenced by a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2116, ensures it is not a limiting factor. The frame rate variations between settings are directly correlated with GPU load, not CPU capability.

Q: What is the expected frame rate at 1080p with Medium settings?

A: At 1920x1080 with Medium settings, the combo achieves an average of 107 FPS, with a minimum of 91 FPS and a maximum of 123 FPS. This indicates a very playable and consistent experience, well above the standard 60 FPS target.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT is the defining component for this combo's gaming performance in The Technomancer. Its 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus provides a 448.0 GB/s bandwidth, which is a key factor for texture streaming and rendering at higher resolutions. The card's architecture, RDNA 1.0, is built on a 7 nm process and features a boost clock of 1905 MHz, a game clock of 1755 MHz, and a base clock of 1605 MHz. These clocks, combined with 2560 shading units, determine the raw computational throughput for the game's graphical effects.

The benchmark results show that the GPU's capabilities are the primary constraint in this pairing. At 3840x2160, the card's limits are immediately apparent. The average frame rate on High settings is only 33 FPS, and this drops to 26 FPS on Ultra. These figures indicate that the GPU is being saturated, unable to maintain a fluid experience at the highest resolutions. The situation improves significantly at 2560x1440, where the card demonstrates it can handle the workload at more moderate settings. For instance, the High preset at 1440p achieves a 60 FPS average, which is the bare minimum for a smooth experience. The data shows a clear scaling pattern, with the GPU's performance being the deciding factor in the final frame rate at each resolution and settings combination. The card's overall benchmark percentile of 59% versus all GPUs, with an average score of 16361, further contextualizes it as a solid mid-range performer that is now showing its age in a demanding 2016 title at higher settings. Its nearest rivals, such as the AMD Radeon Pro 5600M with a score of 16351, show it is a very consistent performer within its class.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i7-13700K and the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT holds a rank of 2741 out of 3696 tested combos for The Technomancer. This placement in the 74th percentile is a definitive indicator of its standing. It is not a top-tier configuration, nor is it a low-end one; it sits firmly in the upper-mid-range of all tested systems. This ranking is more reflective of the GPU's capabilities than the CPU's, as the processor is a high-end part that ranks in the 89th percentile against all CPUs. The disparity in percentiles between the two components highlights an imbalance in the system's overall performance capacity.

The CPU's superior standing does not translate to a top-tier gaming rank because the game's performance is heavily dependent on the GPU. The data shows the combo outperforms 74% of other systems, which is a strong result, but the remaining 26% of systems are likely equipped with more powerful GPUs that can better exploit the CPU's potential. The ranking suggests that in this specific game, the Radeon RX 5700 XT holds back the overall experience, preventing the system from achieving a rank closer to the CPU's own high percentile. For example, the CPU's nearest rivals, like the AMD Ryzen 9 5900 with a delta of -0.2%, have similar processing power, but their in-game rank would still be determined by the paired GPU. Therefore, this combo's rank is a direct consequence of the GPU's performance ceiling in The Technomancer.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear and detailed picture of the combo's performance across different resolutions and quality presets. The analysis reveals distinct performance tiers based on resolution. At the highest resolution of 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain playable frame rates. The Low preset yields an average of 50 FPS, but this is the only setting that approaches playability. The Medium preset averages 38 FPS with a minimum of 33 FPS, while High and Ultra drop to 33 FPS and 26 FPS respectively. None of these 4K results meet the standard for a consistently smooth experience.

Moving down to 2560x1440, the performance becomes more viable. The Low preset achieves a strong average of 91 FPS. The Medium preset delivers a solid 70 FPS average, with a minimum of 59 FPS and a maximum of 80 FPS, ensuring a mostly smooth experience. The High preset hits an exact 60 FPS average, which is the threshold for playability. The Ultra preset, however, drops to 47 FPS, indicating that the highest settings are too demanding for a fluid experience at this resolution. At 1920x1080, the combo shows its strength. The Low preset produces an exceptional 139 FPS average, and the High preset is still excellent at 91 FPS. The Medium preset offers a great balance with a 107 FPS average and a minimum of 91 FPS. The Ultra preset, while lower, still provides a playable 71 FPS average. This resolution is clearly where the system performs best, offering high frame rates across all settings.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-13700K serves as a high-performance foundation for this system, though its role in The Technomancer is largely to stay out of the GPU's way. With 16 cores and 24 threads, a base clock of 3.40 GHz, and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, its processing power is immense. The benchmark scores reflect this, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30745 and a single-core score of 2116. This single-thread performance is critical for gaming, as it handles the game's primary logic and physics calculations. Its 30 MB of shared L3 cache also helps to reduce latency for frequently accessed data.

In the context of this game, the CPU's performance is more than sufficient. The frame rates at 1080p, which can reach up to 139 FPS on Low settings, are likely not limited by the CPU. Instead, the variance in frame rates across different settings points to the GPU as the performance bottleneck. For example, at 1440p, dropping from High to Low settings increases the average frame rate from 60 to 91 FPS. This significant jump is a result of reducing the GPU's workload, not an indication of the CPU struggling. The CPU's high percentile ranking of 89% against all CPUs, and its average benchmark score of 46881, which is nearly identical to its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900, confirms it is a top-tier processor. However, its performance headroom is not fully utilized in this game because the Radeon RX 5700 XT cannot render frames fast enough to keep up, particularly at 4K and high settings.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For 4K gaming, the data suggests that the experience will be suboptimal. The Low preset at 3840x2160 is the only option that provides an average above 50 FPS, but it may not be stable. A better recommendation is to avoid 4K and instead target 2560x1440 or 1920x1080 for a more consistent experience.

For a balance of visual quality and performance, the Medium preset is the clear standout. At 2560x1440, it delivers a strong 70 FPS average with a minimum of 59 FPS, ensuring smooth gameplay in most scenes. At 1920x1080, it provides an even better 107 FPS average. This preset offers a significant visual upgrade over Low while maintaining frame rates that are well above the 60 FPS target. For gamers who prioritize maximum frame rates, the Low preset at 1440p offers an exceptional 91 FPS average, which is ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors. The High preset is also a viable choice at 1080p, delivering a solid 91 FPS, but at 1440p it just barely hits the 60 FPS mark, which may not be sufficient for all users. The Ultra preset is only recommended for 1080p, where it achieves a 71 FPS average; at 1440p and 4K, its performance drops to 47 FPS and 26 FPS respectively, making it unsuitable for smooth play. Therefore, the Medium preset at 2560x1440 offers the best overall experience, combining good visual fidelity with consistently playable frame rates.