The Technomancer

The Technomancer, a 2016 Action RPG, presents an interesting test case for the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Mobile. The measured data shows a combination that is clearly capable of high frame rates at mainstream resolutions, but which encounters a significant performance ceiling as pixel count and graphical fidelity increase. The benchmark results indicate a system where the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck at higher settings, while the CPU's strong single-thread performance ensures high minimums at lower resolutions.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate scaling from 1080p to 4K reveals a classic pattern of GPU-bound performance. At 1920x1080 with High settings, the combo produces an average of 111 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 High drops that average to 72 FPS, a reduction of roughly 35%. The jump to 3840x2160 High is even more severe, with the average falling to 40 FPS, representing a 44% drop from the 1440p figure. This steep decline as resolution increases is the signature of a graphics card that is being pushed to its limits, as the workload on the GPU scales directly with the number of pixels.

The data points to the RTX 4070 Mobile as the limiting component in this pairing. The CPU, with its 14 cores and 18 threads, has ample headroom to feed the GPU at lower resolutions. This is evident in the 1080p results, where the average FPS of 169 at Low settings suggests the frame rate is being capped by something other than the CPU's processing power. The GPU's 8 GB of VRAM and 128-bit memory bus, while providing a bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s, is the constraining factor when the resolution is pushed to 4K. The Ultra preset at 3840x2160, which averages only 31 FPS, demonstrates that this combination is not suited for maximum settings at 4K.

The scaling between Low and Medium settings also provides insight. At 1080p, the gap between Low (169 FPS) and Medium (130 FPS) is 39 FPS, a significant jump in load. However, the gap between Medium and High (111 FPS) is only 19 FPS, suggesting that the Medium preset is a more efficient step than High in terms of performance cost. At 4K, the difference between Low (61 FPS) and Medium (47 FPS) is 14 FPS, while the drop to High (40 FPS) is only 7 FPS. This indicates that the incremental cost of moving from Medium to High is less severe than the jump from Low to Medium, a useful data point for users seeking to balance visual quality and performance.

FAQ

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1440p with High settings?

A: The measured data shows an average of 72 FPS at 2560x1440 with High settings. This is a playable frame rate for most users, indicating the combo is well-suited for this resolution and quality level.

Q: Can this combo handle 4K gaming?

A: The data suggests that 4K is only viable at lower settings. At 3840x2160 with Low settings, the average FPS is 61. However, at High settings, the average drops to 40 FPS, and at Ultra, it falls to 31 FPS, indicating that 4K Ultra is not a playable target for this hardware.

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

A: The difference is substantial. At 1920x1080, the Low preset averages 169 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 86 FPS. This represents a 49% reduction in frame rate when moving from the lowest to the highest quality preset.

Q: What is the best resolution for high refresh rate monitors?

A: For 144Hz or higher displays, 1080p is the only resolution where the combo consistently exceeds that threshold. At 1920x1080 with Medium settings, the average FPS is 130, which is well-suited for high-refresh-rate monitors. The 1440p results, which peak at 110 FPS on Low, are less capable of fully saturating such displays.

Q: Does the CPU bottleneck the GPU in this game?

A: Based on the scaling, the CPU does not appear to be a limiting factor. The large FPS drops when increasing resolution or settings are indicative of a GPU bottleneck. If the CPU were the constraint, the frame rates would remain more consistent across different resolutions.

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H rank among other CPUs tested?

A: The CPU holds a percentile rank of 79 among all tested CPUs. Its average benchmark score of 27507 places it within 0.3% of the AMD Ryzen 7 5800 and Intel Core i5-12600K, indicating comparable processing power for this title.

How This Combo Ranks

The combined performance of the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Mobile in The Technomancer places it at rank 1984 out of 3696 tested combinations. This position, which is in the 46th percentile of all combos, indicates that while this hardware is capable, it is not at the top of the performance hierarchy for this specific game. The rank is likely influenced by the GPU's limitations at higher resolutions, which prevents the combo from achieving the high frame rates seen with more powerful graphics cards.

The CPU's individual performance is respectable, with its average benchmark score of 27507 being nearly identical to several desktop-class rivals. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800, has an average score of 27535, a difference of only -0.1%. This suggests that the Core Ultra 5 125H is not the component holding the combo back in this title. The GPU, however, tells a different story. Its average benchmark score of 27435 is matched by the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT, but its performance in The Technomancer, particularly at 4K, is constrained by its mobile design and memory configuration. The combo's rank is a reflection of the GPU's performance ceiling in this game, rather than a shortcoming of the CPU.

The data shows that this combination is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming. At these resolutions, the combo can deliver high frame rates with most settings. The rank of 1984 out of 3696 suggests that many other tested combinations offer superior 4K performance, but this pairing provides a balanced experience for mainstream gaming monitors. The strong CPU ensures that frame pacing remains consistent, preventing stutters even when the GPU is under heavy load.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the combo demonstrates its peak performance. The Low preset achieves an average of 169 FPS, while the Medium preset averages 130 FPS with a minimum of 110 and a maximum of 149. The High preset averages 111 FPS, and the Ultra preset drops to an average of 86 FPS. These figures show that 1080p is the sweet spot for this hardware, with all presets providing playable frame rates. The gap between Low and Ultra is 83 FPS, a significant range that gives users a wide choice between maximum performance and maximum visual fidelity.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance scales down as expected. The Low preset averages 110 FPS, which is a strong result for a higher resolution. The Medium preset averages 85 FPS, with a minimum of 72 and a maximum of 97. High settings produce an average of 72 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 56 FPS. These results indicate that 1440p is very playable, with even the Ultra preset maintaining a frame rate above 55 FPS. The minimum FPS of 72 at Medium settings shows that the combo can maintain smooth gameplay during demanding scenes.

At 3840x2160, the GPU's limitations become apparent. The Low preset averages 61 FPS, which is the only playable option for a smooth experience. The Medium preset averages 47 FPS, with a minimum of 40 and a maximum of 53, which is borderline for action gameplay. The High preset averages 40 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 31 FPS. These numbers clearly show that 4K gaming is only feasible with the Low preset, and even then, the frame rate is not high enough for competitive play. The data indicates that users with 4K displays should strongly consider lowering the resolution to 1440p for a better experience.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Mobile is the dominant factor in this combo's gaming performance. Its 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus provides a bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s, which is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p gaming but becomes a limiting factor at 4K. The GPU's 4608 shading units and 48 ROPs are tasked with rendering the game at higher resolutions, and the data shows a clear performance cliff when moving from 1440p to 4K. The GPU's boost clock of 1695 MHz and base clock of 1395 MHz are typical for a mobile part, and the benchmark results reflect its position in the market.

The GPU's performance, as measured by its average benchmark score of 27435, places it in the 73rd percentile among all GPUs. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT, has a nearly identical score, indicating similar raw compute capability. However, the RTX 4070 Mobile's memory configuration, with a 128-bit bus, is narrower than what is typically found in desktop GPUs with similar performance. This likely contributes to the significant frame rate drops at 4K, where memory bandwidth becomes more critical. The GPU's 5 nm process node from TSMC and 22,900 million transistors suggest a modern design, but its performance in this game is ultimately capped by its mobile power envelope of 115 W.

The data shows that the GPU is the primary bottleneck at resolutions above 1080p. The FPS scaling from 1440p to 4K is nearly linear, indicating that the GPU is being saturated. At 1080p, the CPU's performance is sufficient to keep the GPU fed, resulting in high frame rates. The GPU's 8 GB of VRAM is also a consideration; while it is not explicitly measured in the FPS data, the significant performance drop at 4K suggests that memory capacity and bandwidth are limiting factors. Users seeking higher 4K performance would need a GPU with more memory bandwidth and a wider bus.

Settings Recommendations

For users with a 1080p display, the data supports using the High preset as a default. The average of 111 FPS is well above the 60 FPS threshold and provides a good balance between visual quality and performance. Users with high refresh rate monitors (144Hz or higher) can drop to Medium settings to achieve 130 FPS, which is closer to saturating the display's refresh rate. The Ultra preset, while providing the best visuals at 86 FPS, is still very playable and can be used if visual fidelity is the priority. The Low preset at 169 FPS is only recommended for competitive play where maximum frame rates are essential.

At 2560x1440, the High preset is the recommended starting point. The average of 72 FPS is solid for most gaming scenarios. Users seeking smoother motion can select the Medium preset, which averages 85 FPS with a minimum of 72 FPS, ensuring consistent frame delivery. The Ultra preset, at 56 FPS, is playable but may be suboptimal for fast-paced action. The Low preset at 110 FPS is an option for users who prioritize frame rate over visual detail, but the visual compromise is significant. The data suggests that Medium or High are the best choices for 1440p, offering a good balance of quality and performance.

For 4K displays, the options are limited. The Low preset is the only setting that provides a consistently playable experience, with an average of 61 FPS. The Medium preset at 47 FPS is on the edge of playability, and its minimum of 40 FPS could lead to noticeable stutters in demanding scenes. The High and Ultra presets, at 40 FPS and 31 FPS respectively, are not recommended for a smooth gameplay experience. The data strongly suggests that users with 4K monitors should either accept the Low preset or lower the resolution to 1440p to unlock the higher frame rates and better visual settings available at that resolution.