The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents a demanding test for older hardware, and the pairing of the Intel Core i7-13700K with the AMD Radeon RX 580 yields a specific set of performance characteristics. The data shows this combination is heavily GPU-bound at higher settings, while the processor demonstrates significant headroom. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS across resolutions and presets to determine the optimal way to play this title on this specific hardware pairing.

FAQ

Q: Can this combo run The Technomancer at a consistent 60 FPS?

A: No. The measured data shows that the highest average FPS achieved at 1920x1080 is 76 FPS on Low settings. However, the Medium preset drops to an average of 58 FPS, and High and Ultra presets average 50 FPS and 39 FPS respectively. At 2560x1440, no preset achieves an average above 50 FPS.

Q: What is the best resolution for this game with the RX 580?

A: Based on the data, 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the game achieves an average FPS above 60. At 2560x1440, the average FPS ranges from 25 (Ultra) to 50 (Low). The 3840x2160 resolution results are largely unplayable, with averages between 14 and 27 FPS.

Q: How does the Ultra preset compare to High in terms of performance cost?

A: The performance cost is substantial. At every resolution, the Ultra preset delivers a significantly lower average FPS than High. For instance, at 1920x1080, High averages 50 FPS while Ultra averages 39 FPS, a difference of 11 FPS. At 2560x1440, the gap is 8 FPS (33 vs 25), and at 3840x2160, it is a 4 FPS difference (18 vs 14).

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor in this game?

A: The data indicates the AMD Radeon RX 580 is the primary bottleneck. The CPU, with its high benchmark scores, is unlikely to be the constraint at the frame rates measured. The significant FPS drops when increasing graphical settings and resolution point directly to the GPU being overwhelmed.

Q: What is the lowest FPS recorded for this combo?

A: The lowest minimum FPS recorded in the measured data is 18 FPS, which occurs at 3840x2160 with Medium settings. This indicates severe performance dips at 4K resolution.

Q: How does this combo rank against other tested hardware configurations?

A: The combo ranks 3373 out of 3696 tested combos for this game, placing it in the bottom 9% of all configurations. This reflects the GPU's age and its resulting struggle with the game's demands at higher settings.

Settings Recommendations

The goal is to achieve a playable frame rate without unnecessary visual compromise. The data suggests a clear path for this specific hardware.

For a smooth experience, the Low preset at 1920x1080 is the only configuration that delivers an average FPS above 60, hitting 76 FPS. This is the only way to take full advantage of a standard 60Hz monitor.

However, if you are willing to accept a lower frame rate for better visuals, the Medium preset at 1920x1080 is the best balance. It provides a much better visual experience than Low while maintaining a playable average of 58 FPS. The minimum FPS for this setting is 50, which is still within a tolerable range for an action RPG.

At 2560x1440, the Low preset is the only viable option, averaging 50 FPS. The Medium preset drops to 38 FPS, which is playable but less smooth. Avoid High and Ultra at this resolution, as they fall to 33 and 25 FPS respectively.

3840x2160 is not a viable resolution for this game with this GPU. All presets at this resolution average below 30 FPS, with the Low preset at 27 FPS being the highest, which is not a playable experience.

In summary:

• Best Experience: Low preset at 1920x1080 for 60+ FPS.
• Best Visual/Performance Balance: Medium preset at 1920x1080 for 58 FPS average.
• Playable Alternative: Low preset at 2560x1440 for 50 FPS average.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 580 is the central figure in this performance analysis. Its specifications and benchmark scores directly explain the FPS results observed in The Technomancer.

The GPU features 8 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The data shows that this memory configuration is not sufficient to maintain high frame rates at higher resolutions. The 8 GB capacity is adequate, but the bandwidth becomes a limiting factor when pushing more pixels. The GPU's clock speeds are listed as a base of 1257 MHz and a boost of 1340 MHz.

Benchmark results place the RX 580 in the 53rd percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 12928. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER (with a deltaPct of -0.4) and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Mobile (with a deltaPct of -0.1), indicating it is roughly on par with those parts. This performance level is clearly demonstrated in the game's results.

The GPU's compute power, rated at 6.175 TFLOPS, is simply not enough to handle The Technomancer's demands at high resolutions. The measured FPS drops by roughly 50% when moving from 1920x1080 to 2560x1440 at the same settings. For example, at High settings, the average FPS falls from 50 to 33. This trend continues at 3840x2160, where the GPU is completely overwhelmed, with average FPS in the teens and low 20s.

The data shows that the RX 580 is the bottleneck. While the CPU is powerful, the GPU's fill-rate and shading capabilities are insufficient for the game's rendering load. This is a classic case of a modern CPU being paired with an older, mid-range GPU, resulting in performance that is entirely dictated by the graphics card.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of the combo's performance across all settings and resolutions. The numbers reveal a consistent pattern of performance degradation as resolution and settings increase.

1920x1080: This is the only resolution where the game is somewhat playable.

• Low: 76 FPS average.
• Medium: 58 FPS average, with a minimum of 50 FPS and a maximum of 67 FPS.
• High: 50 FPS average.
• Ultra: 39 FPS average.

The jump from Low to Medium costs 18 FPS, and the jump from Medium to Ultra costs another 19 FPS. This shows that the game's higher presets are very demanding on the GPU.

2560x1440: Performance drops significantly at this resolution.

• Low: 50 FPS average.
• Medium: 38 FPS average, with a minimum of 32 FPS and a maximum of 44 FPS.
• High: 33 FPS average.
• Ultra: 25 FPS average.

At this resolution, even the Low preset fails to hit 60 FPS. The data shows a clear 12 FPS drop from Low to Medium, and a further 8 FPS drop from High to Ultra.

3840x2160: This resolution is unplayable with this combo.

• Low: 27 FPS average.
• Medium: 21 FPS average, with a minimum of 18 FPS and a maximum of 24 FPS.
• High: 18 FPS average.
• Ultra: 14 FPS average.

All presets at 4K result in an average FPS below 30, which is well below the threshold for a smooth gaming experience. The data shows a linear progression of FPS loss as settings increase, confirming the GPU's inability to handle the pixel count.

The pattern is clear: the game is highly sensitive to both resolution and settings. The GPU's performance scales poorly at higher resolutions, making 1080p the only practical choice for this configuration.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i7-13700K and the AMD Radeon RX 580 ranks 3373 out of 3696 tested combos in The Technomancer. This places it in the 9th percentile, meaning that 91% of other tested hardware configurations performed better in this specific game.

This low ranking is almost entirely attributable to the GPU. The RX 580, while once a popular choice, is now a legacy part. Its benchmark score of 12928 and 53rd percentile ranking among all GPUs show that it is a mid-range performer. When paired with a top-tier CPU like the i7-13700K, the GPU becomes the definitive bottleneck.

The ranking is a reflection of the game's engine and its demands. The Technomancer appears to be heavily reliant on raw GPU throughput and memory bandwidth, which are the RX 580's weak points. The CPU's high benchmark scores, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30745, are irrelevant when the GPU cannot render frames fast enough.

This poor ranking serves as a practical warning. While the CPU is more than capable, the GPU holds the entire system back in this title. This combo is not suitable for playing The Technomancer at high settings or resolutions, and its performance is significantly below what most other systems would deliver.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-13700K is a high-end processor that is not the limiting factor in The Technomancer. Its specifications and benchmark scores indicate it has more than enough power to feed the RX 580.

The CPU features 16 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. It has a large 30 MB shared L3 cache. These specifications are more than sufficient for a game from 2016. Its benchmark scores are impressive, including a 3DMark max-thread score of 12412 and a PassMark multithread score of 45887. It ranks in the 89th percentile of all CPUs.

The CPU's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 5900 (with a deltaPct of -0.2) and the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX (with a deltaPct of 0.5), showing it performs at a similar level to those high-end chips. In a game like The Technomancer, which is not known for being CPU-intensive, this processor will have minimal impact on the final frame rate.

The evidence for the CPU not being a bottleneck is in the FPS data. If the CPU were the limiting factor, the frame rates would remain similar regardless of resolution or settings. However, the data shows a massive FPS drop when going from 1080p to 4K, which is a classic sign of a GPU bottleneck. The CPU is able to process the game's logic and draw calls far faster than the GPU can render the resulting frames.

In this pairing, the CPU's role is to ensure that the GPU is fed with data, which it does with ease. This creates a situation where the user is leaving a significant amount of CPU performance on the table. The system's overall gaming performance is capped by the RX 580, and upgrading the GPU would yield a massive performance increase in this title without needing to change the processor.